The conscious Kyou! (My final impression is included.)

Summary:

Upon reaching the new semester, Nagisa finds that she has been placed in a different class from all of her previously made friends. Tomoya and Youhei become busy with chores elsewhere, as punishment from trying to escape from a classroom earlier. Kyou joins the two, though she refuses to introduce herself properly to the two until Tomoya saves her from some falling boards. When Nagisa reaches home, Akio suggests several odd ways for her to make friends. As this eventually involves Sanae’s bread, the typical occurrence repeats as usual. The next day at school, Nagisa actually considers some of Akio’s ridiculous suggestions. She doesn’t pull through, however. In other places, Kyou comes across Tomoya sleeping outside. She initially tries to wake him, but simply observes his appearance a bit after. Youhei mistakes this as her threatening Tomoya, coming to his rescue. When he almost reveals Kyou’s intentions to a waking Tomoya though, he is knocked away by her trademark punch.

After school, Nagisa is invited out by her previous friend Kimura and her new acquaintance. This brings the girls to enjoy themselves at a clothing shop, where the two girls play a small prank on Nagisa. As the girls part, Kimura mentions how much of a waste it is for the class to not notice how interesting Nagisa is. That night, Ryou tells a fortune for Kyou. She claims that a boy would confess to her the next day. Simultaneously in his dorm, Youhei comes up with a trick to play on Kyou. At school, Youhei puts this plan into play by placing a fake love letter in Kyou’s locker. Of course, this causes Kyou to panic in belief that Ryou’s fortune has come true. Nagisa almost calls out to her classmates upon a mention of the dango daikazoku, but she loses her chance when their teacher enters the room. While this happens, a particular girl continues to notice Nagisa.

Kyou starts to become conscious as she walks around school, eventually reaching a note in place of where she was suppose to meet her partner. This leads her from note after note, as the location continues to change. Obviously, this was all only to Youhei’s pleasure. Kyou eventually finds Youhei and Tomoya though, resulting in another punishment. The two boys come up with another prank afterwards, involving a large ball of paper and trigger. No one seems to be foolish enough to bait when this is placed above the school entrance, until Nagisa comes across the trap. This results in a pan falling onto her head after the ball opens, alerting nearby students. Nagisa wakes in the infirmary to meet the girl who had taken notice of her earlier. The girl explains that she had heard about Nagisa from Kimura, and that she actually wanted to make friends with her. With this, Nagisa seems to thank the prank that had been played on her. Nagisa brings the message that was inside the ball home with her that night, revealing that it contained a word of encouragement for her. Unknown to Nagisa, this was written by Tomoya earlier.

Preview: Recap episode? For real.

Impression:

Awesome. This felt a lot like a special or OVA, but that makes perfect sense since the series technically “ended” after last week’s episode. Clearly taking place before the events of the first season, this was much more reminiscent of the first season. The large focus on Kyou is sure to please fans, as even I enjoyed watching her running around the school in a flustered state. (The bath scene towards the end had me rolling my eyes a bit though.) That’s not to say that Nagisa didn’t have plenty of screen time herself. Despite how humorous the last events were, a fairly touching story actually came out of it to foreshadow Nagisa’ later connection to Tomoya. Placing Ushio in the usual opening title was a nice touch too. Other than all that, this episode simply reminded everyone of the fun ride that the series was from start to finish.

Oh….and Nagisa eating an-pan is still the cutest thing ever.

Final Impression:

That’s right. A full year of Clannad! I did it. It may not have been all at once, but still. Being able to cover a show for 47 episodes (not including the recap episode next week) gives me a little pride in my useless blogging self. That aside, Clannad has been an experience all in itself. I was hesitant about taking up the original series at first, but was urged on by the fans. Hey, I’m very glad that I listened to them. I was quickly drawn into the first couple episodes of the series, and though I may have started to lose the initial excitement towards the end of the first series, After Story brought back all the joy I had for the series in every single episode. There was the humor I loved in the initial episodes, as well as stories to much of the minor cast that I loved despite their positions. Once we got to Nagisa’s main arc, I was sold…..upon already being sold.

There have been few series that have made me baw so much, so frequently. Off the top of my head, I can only recall Honey and Clover or Air even coming close. From the loss of Nagisa, to the appearance to Ushio, to the REVIVAL of Nagisa, we were all in for a bittersweet to happy ride for the last few episodes. While this series has always had a slight fantasy element to it, the themes of family and friends have always been pure and believable. While this may have been the longest Keyani work, I can probably say at this point that it has been the best. I do not regret watching at all, I would recommend it to several, and Clannad will definitely be taking a special place in my archives from here on.

I’ll definitely be watching the recap episode next week, but depending on how they go about it, I may or may not cover it. For now, this is the end of a long journey!

Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Ushio!

Episode 21 Summary:

• In the alternate world, the young girl and robot continue to travel as their surroundings become even more filled with white.
• Ushio comes down with the same unexplainable illness that Nagisa suffered from, leaving her only to worsen as the days and weeks pass.
• Tomoya is forced to quit his job, but expecting him to return if his daughter were to recover, Yusuke exchanges tools with him in order to have him promise to return.
• As Tomoya is unable to grant Ushio’s wish to go on another trip with him, he continues to oppose the town for playing games with his family’s happiness.
• Akio offers his financial support, but Tomoya assures him that he still has enough savings for awhile. While the two are in town, Tomoya finally guesses that the construction over the grove Akio originally brought Nagisa to is the cause of his loved ones’ suffering. Akio simply states that things would always continue to change, however, and implies that the appearance of the hospital is also very good for those who wish to defy fate.
• Tomoya eventually sees a vision when looking out of his window; one of a snow filled area. Ushio continues to express her wish to travel with her father, so Tomoya finally agrees to take her back to the flower-filled field.
• The two begin walking as snow starts to fall in the city, but Ushio continues to lose strength. She eventually loses her vision, and when she collapses afterwards, Tomoya begs for Nagisa or anyone to save his daughter.
• The robot helps the girl stand in the alternate world, as they continue to travel.
• Tomoya recalls how much he hated the town in the past, and his first meeting of Nagisa. This encounter is what would finally change his world, but with his current knowledge, he can only wonder if it would be better if he did not call out to her.

Episode 22 Summary:

When the robot awakes next to the collapsed girl, he recalls that he has always been traveling with her. When the girl wakes, she finally gains the ability to understand the robot’s words. She credits this to her soon ceasing to be a person, then mentioning that she had learned that she and the robot were from the same world in a dream. The robot suggests that they both leave their current world, but the girl states that she must stay for the sake of many people. If she were to disappear, so would the world. The robot, on the other hand, would wake in the other world. With a song they both knew very well coming from the girl, the robot disappears in a flash of light as the girl says goodbye to him. Of course, she refers to him as her father.

Tomoya allows Nagisa to pass him when they see each other, but with his new knowledge, he quickly calls out to and embraces her. Nagisa expresses her gladness for this, as she implies that it couldn’t have been better if they did not meet. As life continues as it had before, Tomoya finds himself in front of Nagisa giving birth once again. This time though, Ushio’s birth does not result in her demise. With a healthy baby now in their hands, Tomoya and Nagisa continue to raise Ushio as she should be. When Ushio reaches age five, she is taken on a trip with her parents to visit Tomoya’s grandmother and the flower field. The other friends of the Okazakis live their unique lives all over the world as well.

Fuuko one day goes out with her sister, rambling on about her usual beliefs about seeming adult-like. Fuuko eventually senses something though, and though this results in several verbal antics between herself and her sister, she eventually follows the aroma to a sleeping Ushio in the nearby forest. This would be the start of a new friendship and many fun times to come.

Preview: Prologue time!

Impression:

Wow. What an ending. After several episodes of severe bawing, the last two episodes of Clannad made it all worth it. As much as I love Fuuko though, I do feel like the last segment of the series was a little too drawn out. The last episode had more of an epilogue feeling for the majority of it, really, and I feel like the ending might have been stronger if the last third of episode 22 was used elsewhere. Still, I can’t say I’m complaining too much, and seeing everyone in their future states made the ending all the more enjoyable (Ushio was still cute, and can you say, “Legal Mai?”). There were a lot of aesthetic touches I liked in both episodes as well, like the use of 3D animation to hint at Ushio’s otherworldly parallel. The use of live shots had me feeling like Kyoani took a note from Gainax, and there were also a ton of cinematographic imitations that made even simple scenes very powerful. I genuinely felt happy after finishing this series, which doesn’t happen with just any anime I watch. You can call reset and deus ex machina all you want, as I bring up that subtle fantasy element again, but I think we all saw it coming. I’m looking forward to the special episode to top off the series next, and you can expect my final impression then as well.

FUUKO-ONEECHAN!

Summary:

As Ushio’s teacher has returned to school, Tomoya goes to the school early with his daughter to meet her. Upon reaching the school, Tomoya is surprised to meet a very large boar that Ushio refers to as “Nabe.” To his further shock, Ushio’s teacher turns out to be none other than Kyou. The two quickly get reacquainted, and Tomoya explains to Ushio that Kyou went to school with both he and Nagisa. This was the first time Ushio had heard of this, so Kyou explains that Sanae had wanted her to keep quiet about it until Tomoya returned. Kyou brings up the old group of friends and their thinking about Tomoya at times, as she confirms that he is now fine. Tomoya also wonders about Ushio, so Kyou reveals that she is much like her mother; but a bit more outgoing. Kyou also confirms that the large boar at the school is Botan. As more students start to arrive at the school, Tomoya heads to work with a smile for both Kyou and Ushio.

At work, Yoshino mentions Fuuko’s wish to visit him soon. She wanted to become friends with Ushio, and as she was in the middle of rehabilitation, this was a chance he did not want to let go of. Further more, it was rare for her to reach out to other people in such a way. After a few days, Fuuko finally arrives at Tomoya’s apartment to visit. This begins a long string of antics, dealing with Fuuko’s starfish bread, her wanting to make Ushio her younger sister, her having Tomoya compare her with Nagisa, talk of aliens, and ridiculous “what if” discussions over lunch. As the group starts playing cards later, Fuuko questions what Ushio knows about her mother. As Ushio describes her traits, Tomoya cannot help but recall Nagisa and wonder what it would be like if she were still living. Before leaving, Fuuko offers to visit Tomoya anytime he needed her support.

As Tomoya picks up Ushio one day, Kyou brings up that the school’s sports festival would be coming soon. Tomoya finds that the Furukawas are knowledgeable about this when he visits them, and that Akio is quite active in it. Akio and Tomoya of course challenge each other from then on, as Tomoya starts to train in the following days. Fuuko one day meets Ushio as she wanders the town alone, which is something that she does quite often. Fuuko wonders if Ushio is not afraid of getting lost among other things, but Ushio denies. The two girls eventually reach the large hospital that had been completed recently, and though Fuuko notices that Ushio likes the area, she cannot explain why. The sports festival comes close to approaching as Tomoya visits the Furukawas on another night, but to the family’s alarm, they learn that Ushio has become quite sick.

Preview: Ushio suffers Nagisa’s fate?

Impression:

I told you Fuuko was ready to kidnap Ushio!!! From the return of her beloved starfish to her constant stream of childhood antics, I almost overloaded from Fuuko cuteness in this episode. Add Ushio to the mix, and there was no way to avoid a moexplosion™. On the other side of the spectrum, I’m sure a horde of fans were quite happy in their pants to see Kyou’s return. This reunion might have even been more fun because of its inevitability. I’m not sure if I like Botan’s new look though. I love how Ushio is able to ride and even slide on him, but what happened to the cute little boar look we all loved in the first season?? Also, as great as both Fuuko and Kyou are, I’m not digging some of the conversation around the net about Tomoya’s possibly hooking up with other girls. Come on, guys. Nagisa is rolling in her grave.

As fun as this episode was, there were a ton of touching moments as well. The insert songs, most notably the return of “Dango Daikazoku,” were placed perfectly. I was intrigued by Ushio’s wandering around the town in an unexplainably aesthetic way, and the sight of the completed hospital brought up a whole new level of wonder. With only a few episodes left, it looks like the story can only escalate upwards again after this short break. Ushio is clearly suffering from the same unnamed disease that Nagisa had, which doesn’t spell out good news no matter how you look at it.

FU-FU-FU-……FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF!!!!!!

Summary:

Tomoya and Ushio return to the Furukawa bakery, and while visiting Nagisa’s room later, Tomoya takes the chance to apologize and thank Sanae for what she has done for him. From now on, of course, he would take care of Ushio as he should have been. The family continues to get reacquainted as Tomoya plays baseball with Akio later, further having a drink with him that night. While spending the night at the house, Tomoya wakes to the sound of Sanae and Akio talking outside. Akio reveals that Sanae had not cried for the past five years, and the two realize that they were saved by Ushio. Akio confirms that Sanae no longer has to hold back though, and as he would be with her from now on, Sanae replies by crying on Akio’s shoulder. The next morning marks Tomoya’s finally living together with Ushio. He promises to visit the Furukawas as much as he can, however, knowing their circumstances.

Tomoya drops Ushio off at her school, and overhearing some mothers talking about him from not far away, he calls out to them and introduces himself. If Tomoya was his past self, he probably wouldn’t have responded to their talking about him in the same polite manner. At work, Yusuke offers his help to Tomoya if he were to ever need it. Tomoya actually takes this chance right away. When Tomoya returns to pick up Ushio at her school, he learns that the teacher he had met earlier is actually a substitute. Ushio’s real teacher would be returning later. After taking Ushio home, Tomoya goes back to work. By the time he returns to the ever so creative Ushio, he brings back many items from the Furukawa household.

While buying groceries later, Tomoya and Ushio run into Koko. After Tomoya introduces Ushio to her, Koko reveals that her sister is with her after having been released from the hospital. With this, Tomoya and Ushio meet Fuuko. Fuuko acts quite strangely towards Tomoya, and obsesses over Ushio, leading Koko to explain that she acts much younger than she actually is because of having been asleep for so long. After dinner that night, Tomoya realizes that Ushio is fond of the Dango Daikazoku as well. Sanae had told her that the plush dolls they own contained Nagisa’s aroma, which Ushio loved.

The next morning, having taken a break from work, Tomoya takes Ushio to visit his father. When the two enter the old household, Naoyuki seems as run down as he has been for a long time. When Tomoya finally gets his attention, he proposes that he finally rest as his mother had suggested. After awhile, Tomoya finally convinces his father that he had worked hard enough for his family. Tomoya finally sees his father off after awhile, and while giving his goodbyes, he is brought to tears from recalling the happy times he spent with him in the past. As Tomoya watches Naoyuki leave, Ushio watches as an orb of light enters her father’s chest.

Preview: More U-SHI-O fun time!

Impression:

Fu-ko! Fu-ko! Fu-ko-chan-is-back!!!! Yea! So, that’s pretty much the only thing in this episode that mattered. Washa~!

…Well, I wish I could say that anyways. I didn’t think it would happen again so soon, but my eyes were definitely teary by the end of this episode. Tomoya’s reconciliation with his father was something we were all expecting since last week, but it was even more touching when Tomoya actually spoke to him. Before that, the messages sent throughout the Furukawa family simply reinforced the themes that Clannad represents so well. The light orbs finally made their first major appearance in the series too, with Ushio’s clearly seeing one being absorbed into Tomoya’s chest. Most fans would remember that light orbs have appeared before, but the sights were much more subtle. This plays into the usual theme of children being able to see things that adults cannot, which is one that I’ve always loved. And for those who haven’t played the game or have been spoiled otherwise, I’m sure it won’t take long to see where the story is headed now.

Other fun tidbits in this episode included the now typical Ushio goodness, and the obvious hints towards Kyou being the one teaching Ushio’s class. Ushio’s Botan picture was awesome!

Notes:

• Tomoya always gotta be hitting on those milfs.
• Gossiping housewives!
• Two guys, one Ushio.
• Just six more dragonballs, and we can make a wish!!!
• Fuuko’s chance to kidnap Ushio has finally come.

Ushio’s super robot adventures.

Summary:

Ushio tries to convince Tomoya to play with her while they are on the train, but after Tomoya learns what Sanae and Akio usually do to entertain her, he decides that he does not have the resources or energy to do so. Tomoya soon shouts at a nearby passenger in annoyance of her son’s disturbance, but afterwards, he finds that Ushio has disappeared from his side. Tomoya finds Ushio in the bathroom area, seemingly having just cried. Ushio tells Tomoya that she was not crying, as Sanae told her not to, but there was an exception that she clearly took advantage of. Tomoya suggests that Ushio cry all she needs to now, since there were many painful things that one could not cry about after becoming an adult.

At a stop, Tomoya decides to buy a toy for Ushio. This ends up being a robot, which Tomoya guesses she may not have liked as much as a girl’s toy, but Ushio expresses that she indeed likes it while back on the train later. At a hotel afterwards, Ushio leaves the room she and Tomoya are sleeping in to use the bathroom. Tomoya follows her, then explaining to her what a firefly is when they see one outside. Tomoya then clearly sees that Ushio wishes to say something to him, so Ushio finally asks for him to tell her more about her mother. Tomoya refuses to do this, only suggesting that she ask Sanae. Tomoya cannot help but observe Ushio while she sleeps that night, with an obviously troubled expression on his face.

Tomoya and Ushio reach their destination the next day, and are amazed when they see a large field of sunflowers. Tomoya helps Ushio to see even more of the scene by lifting her above his shoulders, then watching her as she plays in the field. When Tomoya wakes, he learns that Ushio has lost her robot in the field. He suggests that she give up after awhile, but Ushio would rather find it than buy a new one. As Tomoya continues to watch Ushio, he suddenly has a flashback from his own childhood. Tomoya leaves Ushio after realizing that he actually knows the area they are in, then meeting an elderly woman who seems to know him. To Tomoya’s shock, the woman introduces herself as his grandmother Shino.

Shino begins telling Tomoya about his father Naoyuki, and how they had once come to the same area with Tomoya hand in hand. Tomoya realizes that Naoyuki was not much different than him in the past, as he had lived happily just by being with Atsuko who he married. Naoyuki had lost Atsuko in an accident, but he did not despair since he still had Tomoya. He did his best at work to provide Tomoya with all the things children should have in their life, but this was very difficult for him. When Tomoya was old enough to make his own decisions and left, Naoyuki had lost everything. Tomoya is surprised that he had forgotten all of these things, then telling Shino that he has actually become a much worse person than his father. Shino finally suggests that it is time for Naoyuki to stop working and come home, telling Tomoya the message she has for his father to come back to her.

Shino eventually meets Ushio, as Tomoya returns to her. Tomoya convinces Ushio that they may not be able to find the robot, so they would just buy another one. Ushio expresses that there is only one though, as despite the fact that there were several like it at the store, this was the first thing she had been given by her father. Tomoya is brought to tears by this, then apologizing and wondering if Ushio would let him stay by her side from now on. Ushio replies that she wants him to, but she is also sad because she had lot something important that day. Ushio continues what she was saying earlier, as Sanae told her that the only two places she could cry were in the bathroom or in her father’s arms. With this, Tomoya and Ushio embrace in tears.

On the train ride back, Tomoya offers to let Ushio hear about her mother. Tomoya recalls Nagisa’s many features, such as her favorite food An-pan. This was what Nagisa always ate, as Sanae was busy at the time and unable to make lunches. Of course, Nagisa was the one who held back during these times. Tomoya begins to cry again after recalling these memories of Nagisa, seeing that Ushio does so too out of empathy. Speaking to Nagisa, Tomoya expresses that he has finally found the one thing that only he could protect. Wiping his tears, Tomoya continues his story for Ushio.

Preview: Return to the happy Dango Daikazoku days.

Impression:

Why, Clannad? Why? Why must you make me cry like some kid not once, but two or three times in this episode alone? My eyes are getting watery just remembering the scenes (damn you, summary writing!). Yeesh, I even had to increase the score I have been giving this show up until now.

Obviously, family has always been the central theme in Clannad. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out after 42 episodes, but this put everything else to absolute shame. Tomoya’s seeing visions of himself and his father while watching Ushio, his realization that his father had fallen because of him, and his finally seeing the need to protect Ushio were all themes that would make any person with a heart spread their eyes wide open. Ushio’s simple statement about the toy robot being her first gift from her father would have been enough to start a baw-fest on its own. Don’t even get me started on the imagery, which was most all of cinematic quality.

Ushio’s not initially revealing the full story about places where she could cry made for even better direction and writing, creating a climax upon climaxes that I don’t see how anyone would be able to resist. I could go on and on by spouting out more spoilers/restatements about the themes of loneliness, forgetting once important things, or simply the visions this episode presented. It’s like everything we’ve been waiting for in Clannad has finally started taking place. We all know that this isn’t the end though. Next week looks just as awesome, and I can only hope from here on that we’ll be getting a happy finale to top off what has mostly been a buildup of bittersweet endings.

Be right back. Re-watching the episode. Oh man… I need some tissues.

I shall call her…..Mini Nagisa.

Summary:

In the alternate world, the robot starts to realize that his creation is ineffective because he is not human. The young girl approaches him shortly after, and while embracing him, notices how sad the world around them is. The world would be filled with snow soon, and if the girl were to stop moving, the robot would be all alone. Tomoya’s life has changed drastically for the worse, as he simply lives by going to work and spending his money on worthless things in his free time. His hatred of the town returned, but he did not know what he could do if he were to leave it. He had also started to believe that everything, from his meeting of Nagisa to their having a child, was a mistake. Tomoya wakes one day to meet Sanae at his door, and after seeing that Tomoya has not really been going outside often lately, she offers to go on a date with him in the city.

While the two travel to the family restaurant he once frequented, Tomoya notices that the city has changed quite a bit since the last time he saw it. Sanae eventually suggests to Tomoya that he and the rest of the family go on a trip together, and although Tomoya initially tries to avoid this, he cannot help but agree after Sanae’s constant asking for him to. Tomoya was actually lost, but he felt as if he would be betraying Sanae if he refused. When Tomoya visits the Furukawa household later though, he only finds a message from Sanae stating that she and Akio had to leave under sudden circumstances. With this, Tomoya realizes that he was set up. Tomoya walks around the house while catching glimpses of his daughter running around, finally getting Ushio’s attention after calling her name.

Tomoya acts rather indifferent towards Ushio as he spends his time at the Furukawa household with her. When she shows him a broken toy though, he fixes it for her. Tomoya eventually leaves to buy food, meeting an old acquaintance from the neighborhood. As Ushio had followed Tomoya without his knowing, the woman expresses how it wouldn’t be odd for Tomoya and his daughter to be living in different homes because of the difficulty. Tomoya does confirm that he visits Ushio every once in awhile, however. Ushio does not enjoy Tomoya’s fried rice after they return home, but she makes due with plain rice afterwards. After a night, Tomoya sees that Sanae and Akio have still not come home. He eventually brings up the trip again, and even if it is only with him, Ushio agrees to go with Tomoya. It had been five years since Tomoya had left Ushio with the Furukawas, and this was the first time since then that he was alone with her.

Preview: Father and daughter trip!

Impression:

C-c-CUTE~!!!! Did I forget about last week’s events after the first proper introduction of Ushio? Maybe not, but I was definitely distracted. From her amazing faceplant to her several other childhood antics, I definitely became a fan of Ushio upon first (second?) sight. She’s played by Koorogi Satomi, who I am not the most familiar with; but anyone who’s played Togepi in Pokemon has to be win, right? As this was after a five year time skip, I did feel like Tomoya’s change was represented quite well. His existence became like that of too many others in the world, and the sight of his spending money on worthless things like cigarettes made me feel both annoyed and sympathetic. His yelling at some woman’s little girl in the preview didn’t help my impression either. That’s definitely a good sign of characterization though, and I can’t wait to see how this all develops. Obviously, I’m hoping for a more positive ending once it all ends.

Aesthetically, these past two episodes have been pushing some boundaries that Kyoani usually keeps to. The early camera imitation that represented Tomoya’s looking for Ushio when Sanae met him was awesome, and Ushio’s skipping into the ED to follow Nagisa’s footsteps almost…….almost made me want to forgive the studio for the horrible ED placement in the last episode.

Notes:

• LF “The Girl and Her Robot” spinoff, PST.
• Sanae the playa.
• Jiiiii~
• Look’s like “Aki” got approved.
• Poor turtle indeed =(.
• SAYUURRRIIIIII…..!!!!
• I have seasoning like that too. Ushio has good taste.

Fatty pregnant Nagisa moe.

Summary:

In the alternate world, the robot boy has continued to bring parts to the girl’s house. The young girl has stopped being able to move as much because of the winter, but the robot refuses to stay with her as he leaves shortly after meeting her for the day. He would have to keep working hard, so that the two of them could be together forever. As Nagisa comes closer to having her baby, everyone around her does their best so that she can deliver properly in the not so distant future. Tomoya walks Sanae home one night, then taking the chance to wonder if she has a grudge against him. Tomoya describes how much stronger he and Nagisa had become after meeting, but he also wonders if she could have been happier if she had met someone else. Of course, Sanae does not think any of this is true at all. Nagisa eventually has Tomoya buy her another dango pillow as it approaches xmas and her birthday, so even their family of dangos seems to grow bigger.

At the start of the new year, Tomoya and Nagisa are met by several of their old friends. After awhile, Youhei takes the chance to ask Tomoya how he now feels as a parent. When Tomoya replies that he does not really know, and that he had only lived up to this point by doing his best with the person he wanted to spend time with, Youhei is relieved that Tomoya has not really changed at all. This causes Kyou and the others to mention that they felt the same way, as they thought Tomoya and Nagisa had gone far ahead of them in life. This leads to Kotomi’s suggestion of another world, and though the group does not initially understand all of her explanation, they eventually decide that there could be more than one world and future. This conversation strangely makes Tomoya remember Nagisa’s play, and the ended world.

Tomoya one day visits the hospital under construction, and is met by Akio shortly after. Tomoya brings up the feeling he has that Nagisa’s situation would worsen if the building were to continue, but Akio makes him realize that its being built is a good thing for the locales. As the city is continuing to change, Tomoya expresses that it seems like he may start to hate the town. A large snow falls upon the city that night, and Nagisa’s delivery comes faster than expected. The Furukawas and Yami arrive in time to help her give birth, and after what seems like forever, Tomoya is given the chance to hold Ushio in his arms. Nagisa seems to lose conscious after seeing her, however, and Tomoya despairs when she finally passes away. Recalling the time they spent together, all the way up until the point they first met, Tomoya regretfully believes that he and Nagisa should have never met. If they hadn’t, such a tragedy would have not occured.

Preview: The start of Tomoya’s depressing story.

Impression:

[7:49pm] NOOOOOOOOOOoooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooOOOOOO!!!!!!!1111; ha;iusgw;ih aw! #J%@$&%& jwp4′ps;f;iahw;ougvå…of ha;hf;asfa fcku ;_;

[9:42pm] EDIT: ……..Hey guys. I’m back from getting my keyboard back after throwing it down the stairs in rage….. *sniff* ……… *teary wipe*

I know what you sickos were thinking! Well….I know what I was thinking anyways. Imagining what kinds of faces Nakahara Mai was making while playing her lines in this episode made a really serious scene actually give me grins and chuckles. Obviously, that changed pretty quickly after a few minutes. Despite the rage/sadness the ending caused though, this episode was actually very well put together from start to finish. Even while knowing what was going to happen after watching the movie, I was still very moved. I do feel like the animation studio borrowed quite a few influences from other popular series in various places though, and the cheerful ED at the end felt very out of place.

The conversation Tomoya and friends had early in the episode had me thinking of several scenes from one of my favorite series, Noein, and it really made me want to go on a rant about time planes suddenly. I think I mentioned my realization about the robot and girl’s role in the overall story a bit earlier last season, and their story really started taking hold in this episode. Still avoiding spoilers, do note the robot boy’s mention of his working so that he and the girl could live together. And while on this topic, I have to bring up that I still absolutely love the 3D animation Kyoani has been using for the said scenes.

Notes:

• Nagisa: “eeheehee~” OMG awohga;hga;osap’r3u 3489
• Kyou!
• Kotomi……
• B5C
• FMP
• Speak english, Kotomi! I mean…Japanese! I mean….anything that’s more understandable!

The feed Nagisa game~!

Summary:

With two months until Nagisa’s baby would be born, Tomoya declares to Akio that he would protect the child. This makes Sanae express how much he resembles Akio, as even Akio recalls what he went through before Nagisa was born. Tomoya thinks about how he will have to work enough for three people from now on, wondering if his father thought of the same things before he was born. At his workplace later, Yoshino and the other employees congratulate Tomoya as well. Nagisa is unable to move around as much in the following days, so Tomoya helps her perform tasks at the apartment. When this phase passes, Nagisa makes plans for their baby that would be born in their home and town.

Tomoya and Nagisa spend quite a bit of time with the rest of the family as well, as Akio has his silly rivalry with Tomoya as always. Sanae eventually introduces a doctor friend of hers to Tomoya, Yagi, having her take care of Nagisa. Sanae secretly tells Tomoya that Yagi knows about Nagisa’s health, but Nagisa later reveals that she knows that everyone is doing their best to help her. Nagisa hopes that her baby would be born despite her circumstance, but Tomoya assures her that both she and the child would be okay. He also brings up the time they spent in high school, where all of their friends supported her as well.

Tomoya returns one night to see Sanae and Yagi at Nagisa’s side, learning that she had collapsed earlier. He wishes that Nagisa would have contacted him as well, but she did not want to trouble him at work. Yagi relieves Tomoya by saying that the baby is healthy, however, and Sanae agrees to stay with Nagisa for awhile to further assure him. Sanae eventually meets Tomoya in private, telling him about something that she and Yagi have not told Nagisa yet. As Tomoya suspected, this has to do with her health. As Nagisa’s life could even be in danger by giving birth, Tomoya can only wonder if it would be better to give up on the child. When he brings this up to Nagisa though, she of course states her wish to see her child.

Tomoya expresses his worries to Akio later, even though Nagisa would be brought to a hospital for more safety. In response, Akio has Tomoya follow him somewhere outside. This turns out to be his secret area; a construction site where two boys are currently playing baseball. Continuing the story he first told Tomoya two years ago, Akio brings up what had happened after Nagisa had collapsed as a child. Uneasy about her health and no where to turn to, Akio had ran with her in his arms to the once completely green area. He yelled only for someone to save his daughter, and miraculously, the sun rose above the greenery around him in what seemed like a response. From that point on, he had continued to watch the area. At the current time, a hospital is planned on being built in the very place.

Akio declares that he and Tomoya are family, and that they would overcome the upcoming hardships together. When Tomoya later spends time alone with Nagisa, she notices that their child has seemed to move. This brings them to decide on a name for it. The two decide on “Ushio”, based on the meaning of Nagisa’s name. Ushio would be like the tide, an even greater existence than the water’s shore. This makes Tomoya recall that he and Nagisa were both unable to go to the beach in the past years, so he has Nagisa promise that they would see the beach the next year with their child. Nagisa promises, but the couple obviously isn’t absent of worry.

Preview: Ogawd.

Impression:

I don’t like where this is going at all. I mean, so many signs of foreshadowing just don’t come out of nowhere like this. Still, this episode had quite a few good moments in it; despite the worry it causes for Nagisa. Akio’s finally revealing his secret area to Tomoya brings up an interesting parallel. Nagisa was seemingly saved by the green field, but now that it is being destroyed to build a hospital, it seems like Nagisa’s health has been depleting as well. The funny thing about Keyani productions is that they always seem so realistic, yet there is always that fantasy element that always has to remind us that it has been there since the beginning. Tomoya and Nagisa’s planning for their baby is an aspect of life that is not commonly shown in anime at all, but to anyone who has been around such a couple before, it was easily believable. Judging by the episode preview, it looks like we’ll be getting ever closer to getting to see Ushio. I’m looking forward to seeing more of the illusionary world as well.

Notes:

• Nice drift! Grand Turismo?
• Sanae and Tomoya! The date gone wrong??
• Ookiku Furikabutte!!!
• I didn’t see Makoto anywhere.
• Sorry this is late. We’re all busy people.

Contains Nagisa in a waitress outfit.

Summary:

As he and Nagi are now married, Tomoya decides to call Akio “father.” This creeps Akio out, but in response, he disturbs Tomoya just as much by calling him “son.” At the apartment afterwards, Nagisa makes a promise from here on to not cry. Only during times of happiness would she do it. Nagisa enters the bath first, making Tomoya quite nervous. He insists that she take her time, but despite this, Nagisa reminds him that he would have to get up early for work the next day. The two sleep in futons side by side that night, and as they stay awake for awhile, Nagisa brings up her always being selfish by asking things of Tomoya. Tomoya responds by saying that these are little things, and with this, Nagisa requests to hold Tomoya’s hand. Of course, the two would always be together from now on.

Nagisa eventually brings up her wish to find work as well, which she does while Tomoya is busy doing his own job in the following days. One night, Nagisa tells Tomoya about a call she got from Rei. As she had begun working at a new family restaurant, Rei hoped that she and Tomoya would stop by. With this, Nagisa suggests that she could work there. Later in the night, Nagisa takes note of Tomoya’s gazing into the sky. Tomoya brings up a certain legend in response, which is that of light orbs appearing around those who are happy. Tomoya guesses that these would probably be around himself and Nagisa, asking if she has any wishes. Nagisa finally comes up with one despite not needing much, embarrassingly expressing that she would like a baby.

Tomoya visits Akio at the bread shop when he has some time off on a latter day, and takes the chance to visit the restaurant Nagisa is working at with him. On the way there, Tomoya cannot help but notice a pair of students in the distance. When Akio asks him what he is concerned about though, he puts it off as nothing. Tomoya continues to be spaced out even after being invited into the restaurant by Rei and Sugisaka, but this is broken when Nagisa shows up in her waitress uniform to take he and Akio’s order. Amazingly, Nagisa is unable to recognize Akio because of his disguise.

Nagisa turns out to be quite popular at the restaurant, but when two guys start to harass her, Akio and Tomoya quickly scare them off. Akio leaves before the manager can meet him, and when Tomoya meets Nagisa, he promises to keep it a secret that he is her husband. The manager figures this out easily despite his efforts, but gives his praise to Nagisa rather than scolding him. At home, Nagisa brings up the news she heard about the classroom they used before being cleaned up for future students to use. Though she suggests this is great, Tomoya becomes quite angry. Tomoya quickly calms himself down, then only bringing up that this place was where they worked so hard together in the past. With all of this worry in his mind, Tomoya realizes that the world is changing around him.

Nagisa eventually has trouble at the Furukawa household, and when Sanae reveals that she is actually pregnant, Tomoya and Akio can only panic despite their happiness.

Preview: To the future!

Impression:

Maybe it’s the difference in culture, but I’ve never found waitress outfits that attractive at all. Then again, I’ve also worked at restaurants since I was like 10… Overall, this episode was full of transition yet again. The most impacting part obviously being Nagisa’s pregnancy at the end. This comes to no surprise to most fans, who have played the game, watched the movie, or have just been spoiled through other means, but I suppose the impact isn’t really lost either way. Tomoya’s noticing all the things change around him was a nice touch, but I have to admit that I was kind of confused as to why he would suddenly start thinking about this. Sure, he and Nagisa are now entering a different world, but didn’t this start happening as soon as he graduated? I guess I’m just too young… Other than all that jazz, this episode was just full of the humor we all love coming from Clannad.

Notes:

• Headbangin’ and rollin!
• Nice to have you two appear again, Rei and Sugisaka. *snicker* minor characters…
• Who do you work for Akio? WHO? KYOANI. NOT GAINAX.
• Nagisa and Tomoya did this and that~.

A drunk Nagisa is fine too.

Summary:

Tomoya visits the Furukawa household in hopes of talking with Akio, and although he initially isn’t there, he catches him before he can leave once more after returning. When Tomoya brings up the important conversation he has, Akio challenges him to a baseball match before promising to listen to anything. Changing the circumstances behind the match, Tomoya makes Akio agree to his request if he were to succeed in hitting his ball. Despite his determination though, Tomoya is clearly unsuccessful. With Sanae’s support, Tomoya continues to practice throughout the following days. As he continues to challenge Akio though, the results don’t seem to change. On a particularly rainy day after a match, Tomoya starts to believe that Akio already knows his request. In his belief, it was as if Akio still saw him as a child who wasn’t ready to protect anything.

Nagisa stays to watch Tomoya practice as it continues to rain, and when Akio one day shows up for his last chance, Tomoya is finally able to hit a home run from one of Akio’s balls. Soon after, Tomoya bows his head to the ground in hopes of getting permission from Akio to have his daughter. Akio only expresses that Tomoya reminds him of himself, and Sanae also admits that she realized Tomoya’s intentions quite some time ago. With Akio reminding Tomoya that he would have Nagisa return if he ever made her experience pain, Tomoya finally gains permission to marry Nagisa. Sanae reminds Nagisa that it is she and Akio’s dream for her to by happy, and now that Tomoya is involved in the Furukawas’ lives, she wishes for the couple’s happiness.

Some time passes, as it eventually reaches xmas eve. When Nagisa and Tomoya visit the Furukawa household, Akio starts to anticipate his daughter’s finally drinking alcohol. This causes a bit of a stir, but Nagisa falls asleep peacefully afterwards. The Furukawas see that their daughter is happy, and when they ask Tomoya if he is the same, he confirms that he would be as long as he could be with Nagisa. Nagisa eventually becomes sick again, and although she successfully graduates, is unable to attend the ceremony. Because of this, Tomoya makes a call to Youhei as well as the rest of his old friends for help.

Walking through the sakura filled road with Tomoya like they did in the past, Nagisa is surprised to see all of her friends at school. With the help of Komura and the rest of the usual acquaintances, they would hold a mock ceremony just for Nagisa. As Nagisa receives her diploma, she recalls all of the fond memories she had throughout her school years. Of course, this would finally come to an end. As Tomoya even has Nagisa meet his father, and she now dawns a ring on her finger, she would be known as Okazaki Nagisa from now on.

Preview: Living together!

Impression:

Okazaki Nagisa, huh? It definitely has a ring to it. A two week break was totally worth it, because this episode was really something. There were so many well composed scenes in this episode, most of the best coming from Tomoya’s baseball matches with Akio. Nagisa’s staying behind to watch Tomoya practice, as well as the subtle things like Yusuke’s smiling at his effort, made what would typically be a drag to watch dramatic and engaging. I could easily feel Tomoya’s despair early on, and it was incredible when he bowed so low that his forehead got stained with mud (though yes, this did make me snicker for a bit). And after a fun interlude with Nagisa’s first adventure with alcohol, everything came to a touching close in true Clannad fashion; with a nice reminder of what we all experienced pre-After Story. It can only get better from here on, right?

Notes:

• Banana bread.
• “You must not interfere with a man’s battle!” – Sanae
• Botan and Shima hanging out!
• Mei supports any of Yusuke’s thoughts. Fangirl!
• Nagisa changed her hairstyle to try to look older.
• Friendship and family until the end!