Dango dango dango dango DANGO DAIKAZOKU
In most episodes, the flow of the story involves each girl a little bit at a time, which I prefer since the drama feels more realistic. Character development occurs in parallel, and more drama can be drawn from the intertwining relationships among the characters. Some episodes do define their focus on a particular girl, but the overall immersive feel of the series is not lost.
The fact that Kyoto Animation produces this series has been a recent guarantee that the artwork is superb. Characters and backgrounds are brilliantly drawn. Motion of all kinds are captured smoothly — not only characters walking but also the wind blowing on their clothes. Body language is also visible, which speaks louder than words most times.
All the music is taken from the original game, which many fans praise, although it does not allow for too much creativity. Regardless, the original music is full of variety and is easy on the ears. Plus it was composed to fit the story for a reason; why not reuse it? The ED thing (at least the lyrics) is new, though, I believe.
While the storytelling is excellent, most of the enjoyment lies in the humor, which is mostly cute and/or slapstick stuff. Only in rare occasions does the humor detract from the story and drama, but it is mostly timed well and presented as a fun change of pace after a very emotional sequence (or before the next one). Speaking of emotional sequences, I found myself crying on more than one occasion. Clannad pulls at the heartstrings very effectively when the time is right.
Overall, the defining points of Clannad are the supernatural elements (gotta break the laws of physics a tiny bit to tell a unique story), the moe factor (cute girls are cute, but not totally unrealistic), and the emotionally gripping story (everyone is connected to the overall theme of the series — family).
I regret that the series is about to end, but I have loved it every step of the way. Kyoto Animation has such amazing respect right now that I’ll give all of its future Key adaptations a 10/10, before having seen any of the episodes or knowing anything about the series. They know how not to disappoint. (Source: Somewhere in MAL)
MAIN CHARACTERS
Tomoya Okazaki (岡崎 朋也)
Tomoya is the male protagonist of Clannad. Due to his habit of always arriving late to school, skipping classes during the day, and staying out all night, he has been labeled as a delinquent, or a young person who defies authority. Ever since his mother, Atsuko, died in a car accident when he was young, Tomoya has been living with his father, Naoyuki, with whom he argues constantly. Tomoya was injured during a fight with his father three years ago; since then, their relationship has been very distant.
Nagisa Furukawa (古河 渚)
Nagisa is the main heroine of Clannad. Although she is in her third year in high school, as is Tomoya, Nagisa is actually one year older since she had to repeat her third year after an illness that lasted nine months. Tomoya, returning on the first day of school, met her on a long hill path in front of the school. She has a strange habit of muttering the names of food that she plans to eat as a way to motivate herself, such as anpan. She wants to reestablish the once-disbanded theater club. She does not have much self-confidence so she often needs help in order to motivate herself through the day.
Kotomi Ichinose (一ノ瀬 ことみ)
Kyou Fujibayashi (藤林 杏)
Tomoyo Sakagami (坂上 智代)
Fuko Ibuki (伊吹 風子)
Youhei Sunohara (春原 陽平)
Youhei is Tomoya’s friend and also a delinquent. He entered the school on an athletic recommendation in football (soccer), but was kicked out of the soccer club after being involved in a fight. After this incident, he became lazy, becoming the only student with a higher absence rate than Tomoya. He and Tomoya are known as the “Dirty Pair” in school.
I RECOMMEND THIS TO EVERYONE. AN ENJOYABLE AND LOVEABLE SERIES.
MY RATINGS: 10/10
