Jun 3, 2016
Following their success with Clannad, Kyoto Animation created the masterpiece; Clannad: After Story. In many ways, I believe Clannad: After Story to be far superior to predecessor. In Clannad, the story focused on several characters and their dark past, with a bit of fantasy in the mix. The pacing for each character's story is balanced, at least for most of them. In Clannad: After Story, Kyoto Animation focuses on the romance between Tomoya and Nagisa that began developing throughout the first season. With the series' focus on our main couple, Clannad: After Story losses things that were present in the first season. Firstly, the fantasy
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aspect is toned down, only prominently showing up at the end of the series. Secondly, the series is no longer divided up into different character's story arcs. This series focuses on the Tomoya and Nagisa arc, while sometimes extending briefly to other characters.
These losses may upset a few fans, but it opens up a story arc that the writers can pour all of their time and creativity into. Because of this, we were given a story that played a beautiful song with our heartstrings. We have our characters, who were developed fully through the first season, and experience extraordinary sorrow and joy (sometimes at the same time) along with them. Character development is crucial when telling a story like this, it can make or break a series. Thankfully, the first season expertly developed our characters, so that the second season could achieve such a depressing story.
"Clannad" is an old Irish word meaning "family", and is the perfect title for this series. In After Story, they express the deep emotions that one feels for their loved ones, then rips and tugs at those emotions. Kyoto Animation creates bonds that you develop strong attachment, almost making you believe that they were your own loved ones.
Though this stories' writing and story are depressing, they would be woefully incomplete without the sound track and animation. Songs used in this series are masterfully made and placed to enhance our emotions. Clannad: After Story uses Diegetic songs (for the same purpose) that feel natural and smooth, which is not always easy in anime. For animation standards, Kyoto Animation enjoys using colour symbolism, matching the emotions of the audience and characters. I personally enjoy the warm and inviting pink, as I believe it is the most powerful colour.
If you made it this far... you must be pretty bored. Even so, thank you so much for reading my review of Clannad: After Story. I love this series, and hope I accurately reviewed it.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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