Anime Review :

Clannad ~After Story~

Short Story

About 3-4 years ago, I was searching for some good romance anime, so I decided to look up “Top 30 Romance Anime of All Time.” To my disappointment, most of the anime listed were ones I had already watched, but I noticed Clannad: After Story ranked in the top 3 or top 5, which I hadn’t seen yet. I searched for it on an online platform and found that it had two seasons. I started with the first season of Clannad, but honestly, I found it quite boring. I couldn’t find any interesting parts and thought the story might improve as it progressed. However, after watching 7-10 episodes, it still didn’t capture my interest. The storyline felt weird and didn’t make much sense to me, so I dropped the anime, thinking it was overrated. I wasn’t even impressed with the animation or sound quality.

A few months ago, though, I saw people talking about it on Reddit. I became curious but I didn’t feel like forcing myself to go through the first season again, so I skipped it entirely and started with the second season, Clannad: After Story. From what I could tell, the main thing I missed was Tomoya proposing to Nagisa and them becoming a couple. Fortunately, the anime includes a flashback of how Tomoya proposed, so I was able to catch up without feeling too lost. And oh my god this season is awesome. I couldn’t predict what was going to happen next. It is really well written in the second season .

Start From Here

Clannad: After Story is one of the most emotionally impactful and deeply resonant anime series ever created. It serves as a sequel to the original Clannad series and shifts the focus from high school romance to adult life, exploring themes of family, responsibility, love, and loss. Adapted from Key’s visual novel and animated by Kyoto Animation, After Story is more than just a continuation of a love story; it delves into the realities of life after adolescence, making it a truly unforgettable experience.

The series picks up where Clannad left off, with Tomoya Okazaki and Nagisa Furukawa in the final stages of their high school lives. While the first season primarily focuses on Tomoya’s troubled past and his relationship with Nagisa, After Story goes beyond the typical high school romance. It explores their lives as they transition into adulthood, confronting real-life challenges such as work, marriage, and the difficulties of raising a family.

The narrative is split into two main sections. The first half maintains a lighter tone similar to the first season, resolving storylines of other characters from Tomoya’s high school days, like Sunohara, Kyou, and Ryou. However, the second half of the series takes a dramatic turn, focusing primarily on Tomoya and Nagisa’s life together. This shift is where the emotional depth of the series truly shines.

Themes

One of the most striking aspects of Clannad: After Story is its mature themes. While many romance anime end at the confession or marriage, After Story continues the journey, showing that relationships are not without hardships. The series touches on multiple important themes:

1. Family: At its core, After Story is about the importance of family. The relationship between Tomoya and Nagisa, and later with their child, Ushio, is central to the story. The anime beautifully portrays the bond between parents and children, and how the past can affect the present. Tomoya’s strained relationship with his own father, who had raised him alone, mirrors his internal struggles with becoming a father himself. The reconciliation between Tomoya and his father is one of the series’ most heartfelt moments, illustrating how healing and forgiveness can bridge broken family ties.

2.Responsibility and Growth: Tomoya’s character undergoes tremendous growth throughout the series. From a delinquent high school student with no clear direction in life, Tomoya evolves into a responsible adult who must face real-world challenges. His journey from young love to adulthood is filled with difficult choices, including balancing work, marriage, and eventually, fatherhood. After Story shows that growing up isn’t easy and that responsibility often comes with sacrifices and emotional struggles.

3. Love and Loss: While Clannad is known for its romantic undertones, After Story presents love in a more multifaceted way, exploring its durability in the face of hardship. The love between Tomoya and Nagisa is put to the test when they experience personal tragedies, including illness and loss. Nagisa’s battle with her fragile health adds an undercurrent of tension throughout their relationship. The depiction of loss is raw and painful, capturing the emotional reality of losing someone you love and learning how to cope with that grief.

Emotional Impact

Clannad: After Story is widely regarded as one of the most emotionally powerful anime ever created. The emotional depth in this series is unmatched, with the latter half of the show delivering a series of gut-wrenching moments. The animation, music, and storytelling work in harmony to create an immersive emotional experience that resonates with the viewer on a personal level.

The series is not afraid to show the harsh realities of life. Unlike many anime that offer escapism, After Story portrays life’s hardships in a way that feels genuine. From financial struggles to the pain of losing loved ones, the series does not shy away from difficult emotions. This makes the lighter, happier moments feel even more precious.

The emotional crescendo reaches its peak in the final episodes when tragedy strikes Tomoya and Nagisa’s family. The sense of helplessness that Tomoya feels during this time is profoundly moving, and the way he distances himself from others in the aftermath of loss is painfully real. His eventual reconciliation with his past and the rebuilding of his relationship with his daughter Ushio are handled with such emotional maturity that it leaves a lasting impact on the viewer.

Characters

The character development in Clannad: After Story is one of its strongest aspects.

Tomoya Okazaki: Tomoya’s growth from a cynical, aimless young man to a mature, responsible adult is the backbone of the story. His character arc is one of the most well-developed in anime, and his struggles feel authentic and relatable. Initially, Tomoya feels disconnected from those around him, burdened by his strained relationship with his father and a lack of direction in life. However, as the story progresses, his experiences with love, loss, and fatherhood shape him into a more compassionate and responsible person. By the end of the series, Tomoya has not only learned the value of family, responsibility, and forgiveness but also how to move forward despite life’s hardships, making him one of the most memorable and complex characters in anime.

Nagisa Furukawa: Nagisa remains a gentle and kind-hearted character throughout the series. Despite her physical frailty, she shows immense emotional strength, constantly putting others’ needs before her own. Her relationship with Tomoya forms the emotional core of the series, as her unwavering love and support help guide him through his personal growth. Nagisa’s determination to pursue her dreams, despite her health challenges, reflects her inner strength and resilience. Her warmth, kindness, and persistence in the face of adversity make her an admirable and lovable character. She is the anchor that helps Tomoya find meaning in his life, and her impact extends beyond their relationship to everyone she touches throughout the series.

Ushio Okazaki: Although introduced later in the series, Ushio plays a crucial role in Tomoya’s life, becoming the key to his emotional healing after a period of deep loss and grief. Her innocence, pure love, and gentle personality remind Tomoya of the importance of family and help him reconnect with life. The father-daughter bond between Tomoya and Ushio is deeply touching, offering some of the most heartfelt and emotional moments in the series. Ushio’s presence allows Tomoya to experience love and responsibility in a new way, giving him the motivation to grow as a father and a person. Her role adds depth to his character, making his journey toward redemption and healing even more meaningful.

Supporting Cast: Characters like Sunohara, Kyou, Ryou, and the Furukawa family all add depth and richness to the story. While their individual storylines are more prominent in the first season, they continue to play essential roles in shaping Tomoya’s life and personal growth. Their unique personalities and relationships help guide and support Tomoya, especially during his darkest moments. The friendships and bonds Tomoya maintains with his friends and extended family offer him stability and emotional grounding, serving as a reminder of the importance of community and connection in times of hardship. Their loyalty and care help him face the struggles of adulthood, making them an indispensable part of his journey.

Animation and Soundtrack

Kyoto Animation is known for its high-quality work, and Clannad: After Story is no exception. The animation is beautiful, with detailed backgrounds and expressive character designs that perfectly capture the emotional tone of the series. The use of color, particularly during emotional scenes, adds an extra layer of depth to the storytelling.

The soundtrack, composed by Jun Maeda, Shinji Orito, and Magome Togoshi, is an essential part of the emotional experience. The music enhances the narrative, with certain tracks like “Dango Daikazoku” and “Ana” becoming iconic for their ability to evoke strong feelings of nostalgia, warmth, and sadness. The gentle piano and orchestral pieces perfectly complement the series’ heartwarming and heartbreaking moments.

More Details

Detail	Information
Japanese Title	CLANNAD ～AFTER STORY～
Anime Type	Drama, Romance, Slice of Life, Supernatural
Rating	– IMDb: 8.6/10 – MyAnimeList: 8.94/10 – AniList: 88%
Release Date	3-Oct-08
Studio	Kyoto Animation
Creator	Key (Visual Novel)
Streaming Services	Crunchyroll, Funimation, Netflix (in some regions), HIDIVE

Conclusion

Clannad: After Story is a masterpiece of storytelling, blending romance, drama, and slice-of-life elements into a deeply emotional experience. It tackles real-life issues like family, responsibility, love, and loss in a way that feels authentic and relatable. The character development, particularly Tomoya’s growth, is exceptional, and the emotional depth of the series leaves a lasting impact on viewers.

It’s not just an anime about young love; it’s about the challenges that come after, when life becomes more complex and difficult. Clannad: After Story teaches us that while life can be painful, it is also filled with moments of joy, love, and healing. For those looking for an anime that will make you reflect on life’s bittersweet nature and evoke a full range of emotions, Clannad: After Story is an unforgettable journey.