Clannad After Story OVA: Kyou Arc

Finally gotten around to watching the Kyou arc. Initially planned to drop a short comment and included it with my Summary of Lots post. But being my favorite series, surely it deserves a spot of its own.



Watching it this late, after so many reviews were out, brings about some good and bad points. Good in the sense that I get to see the feedback and reaction from other fellow bloggers after watching this Kyou arc. Then getting to watch it myself, I try to understand why the feedback or reaction. And finally comparing it with my own. I can’t help but wonder if I actually do attain some sort of sick pleasure from doing that. -.-“

As for the bad point, sometimes I can’t escape spoilers. :p



Even after completing the After Story series, I’ve always and still felt that the Fujibayashi sisters didn’t get enough spotlight. Or rather was more of a supporting cast than being key players. So when they got their own arc, I was happy through and through.



Tomoya had the spotlight on him throughout the episode. Didn’t like that, would have preferred more scenes on how Kyou and Ryou faced each other whenever Tomoya was involved. How they would converse about Tomoya with one another. Etc.



Instead of being hurt, Tomoya looked more like he was confused. Confused to whether he should be feeling hurt in the first place (I sound like I’m going in circles don’t I?). As he fails to confront his true feelings on who he really loves.
As for the sisters, every scene involving them was well expressed. Every Kyou or Ryou scenes played out just I expected they would. I really enjoyed how “human” both Kyou and Ryou was. Kyou being the big sister who tried to put Ryou before her. And Ryou turning out to be the more daring one as she takes the initiative in both stopping Kyou’s advancement and expressing her feelings to Tomoya.



Being so long since I watched any Clannad stories, this episode didn’t turn out as touching as I thought. I didn’t get watery eyes or felt sad even. If anything, I was happy instead. Happy that both Kyou and Ryou finally face their inner self.



I don’t really get how is it that the Fujibayashi sisters get so much hate. And I’m not just talking about posts concerning this episode. Especially Kyou who seems to be steal the spotlight whenever it comes to Clannad discussions, when she didn’t really get much airtime on Clannad itself. Way too much attention, both positive and negative, when she is cast alongside so many other great characters. Why doesn’t anyone talk about Nagisa? Or even Kotomi?



As far as ending is concern, I’m very satisfied with it. Though not as touching as Tomoya arc or Nagisa, script was still well played and plot was direct. It saddens me to think that no matter who Tomoya chose, someone will get hurt. But heck! That’s what reality is like. And THAT’s what makes this episode great.

Clannad After Story OVA: Kyou Arc
Rating: 5-Stars
Torrents: SS-Eclipse


Off topic: Leave it to Naruto Shippuuden to tear your enthusiasm to shreds. Skipped through episodes 106 to 112. 6 episodes of the ugliest animation ever to come out from Japan. Sometimes I wonder if the story is indeed worth such torture. Just needed a spot to rant on this.

Music: Clannad - Dango Daikazoku & Toki Wo Kizamu Uta

Here it is, the song which has been giving me wet eyes for the last week or so. The ending theme from the Clannad, first series. Really sweet and soft tune. Still giving me goosebumps now even.

This video has been edited, very nicely I might add, to play the whole song instead of the TV size version. And the animations actually matches the song's lyrics. It's not just something random put it for the sake of filling up the duration of the song played.


Hmm.. Since I posted up the ending theme. Might as well post the opening theme from After Story as well right? So here it is, Toki Wo Kizamu Uta.

Initially I wasn't too fond of the opening theme. But just listening to it a few more times and I just couldn't stop listening. Now, I have a ritual of listening to it when I wake up from bed and before I go to sleep. Lol! Let's see how long it will take for me to finally get bored of this song. :p

Everytime this song reaches 1:45 or so, the part with Misae and Ryou crying, I always get goosebumps. Unforgetable memories from this anime flashes.

Clannad: After Story

Life continues on for Tomoya. A few months have passed since he confessed his love to Nagisa. Now entering his graduating year, he continues to meet a variety of different people, expanding his own world in the process. As well, Tomoya and Nagisa's relationship begins to enter a level of intimacy unlike before. Through his relationship with Nagisa, and his various encounters, Tomoya begins to understand the meaning and importance of family. Unfortunately, as Tomoya and Nagisa begin their own family together, they are faced with many hardships and challenges along the way. Source: AnimeNewsNetwork.com


I’ll give it to you short and simple. Clannad: After Story is definitely among THE BEST animes I have ever watched. Everything good from the first series of Clannad is definitely brought over and improved in After Story. Again the storytelling, animation, script, voice acting, background music, all were perfect. Want to know more details? Read the original review here . Only the ending theme didn’t really grow on me though. But it’s not like I hated it. Just didn’t feel attached. One thing I noticed was that the facial expressions seemed to improve, as the characters face changes according to the mood. Where as compared to the first series, it didn’t really catch my attention. This series isn’t as romantic as before, but instead focused more on friendship and maternal aspects. I know that there are some who would appreciate the cut down of Moe in this second series. It is totally fine with me Moe or no Moe, as the story was just too good.


Perfect first episode to kick start the series. Something to recap the close friendship or relationship everyone has with each other. I made a mistake of watching the OVA and am really feeling depressed thinking of when I will reach the final storyline when whatever happens, happens. By 3rd episode, it was already starting to feel heavy on the heart. The comedy before that, helped me relaxed and fit in with the mood of the characters and absorb what they wanted to do as characters in the anime. The first story was regarding Sunohara and told how he and Tomoya became friends. Also included how Sunohara and his sister’s relationship were. Episode 5 and 6 was another story, this time surrounding Misae Sagara, the dorm keeper. By this time I was thinking that maybe this series was not to be as tear-jerking as the first series. Touching do doubt with a few sad scenes to get some wet eyes, but nothing too heavy. Also at this point, I felt the BGM has finally been overused, only at this story though. Miyazawa Yukine’s story was next. Revealing the true background of the second library’s attendant. Maybe because all were short stories till now, I didn’t feel particularly touched by the stories. Instead, it felt like a hit-or-miss case. Throwing a bunch of random stories and if any managed captivate the viewers hearts. It was still a nice and light watch though, as fans will get to explore the characters who were untouched in the original Clannad series.


Episode 9 to 11 really saw the transition of the anime from a school based setting over to adulthood. Tomoya graduates and sets out to be independent. Looking for a job and a place of his own. Well job on the transition of the setting. Definitely felt smooth and natural. Things also starts to get reaaally heavy, emotionally, now. To be honest, by now, I was so captivated that I lost all ability to jot down notes for this review. The anime had grab hold of my heart and I was focused a 110% attention. All the way to episode 16, the first climax, and another climax in the later episodes, and to the end of the series, I was either crying for joy or wiping tears of despair (Am still contemplating if I should actually post this statement.. Hazukashi-des). I just couldn’t bring myself to write anymore, every time I do, I wet my eyes. Imagine my joy when they had a somewhat “acceptable” ending (Hmm… Wondering what does “acceptable” mean? WATCH THE ANIME! Lol!). What felt like a slow start at the beginning of Clannad: After Story really made way for a phenomenally great ending. Again, I will say this, ONE OF THE BEST ANIMES EVER!


Clannad: After Story
Rating: 5-Stars
Torrents: SS-Eclipse

One Step Closer to the Dark Side

I recently got hold of 2 animes, Negima Ala Alba OAD (Original Animation DVD) and Clannad: After Story (a.k.a Clannad: Season 2). Since I didn't watch the original series of both titles. I thought I was just gonna take it casual and wasn't hoping for much. Boy! Was I caught off guard. I watched one episode of Clannad: After Story and found it quite good. Since so, I didn't want to watch it with "half-a-heart". I stopped and kept it one side thinking I'd watch it after I got hold of Clannad season 1.


So next, I went on to check out Negima Ala Alba. Lol! Although a little confusing at one point, as the anime tried to recapse 2 seasons before moving on with the story. But the first minute of watching Ala Alba and I knew this is yet another must watch anime to go on my list.


Next shortie.. Last month or so, I've watched a few episodes of Candy Boy. And yet again, I really enjoyed it. Was already keen on adding it to my collection when it releases here. Then I saw this. Wooo! :p As if I couldn't get more attached to the series.


Today, I was really feeling up for it. So went home in a rush after work. Took a shower, and out I went to the nearest anime source. Came home with these titles. -_-'

I am now Rm232 poorer. Lol!
Oh no... Wait! Forgot to mention I also paid a down payment for the Sakurai Yukino and Sakurai Kanade 1/8 figure above. MuaHHAHahHAHAhahAHAH! I have finally lost all sense of rationality. Another Rm100 gone. What do you think of my first collectible figure? Rather average right?

So tell me, have I moved one step closer to the dark side? :p Of being an otaku that is. Next shopping list! a nice display cabinet for it.

Update 2009-05-15: Rm is the currency for Malaysia by the way. A slightly messed up country lazing around South East Asia. I would comment more but I don't want to get political and end up in jail (like the last few guys who actually did).