CLANNAD is a hugely popular romance adventure game that was released by Visual Arts/Key as a PC game in 2004 and has been ported to various platforms, including the PS2. The game was adapted into an anime in 2007, and the second season, the After Story, was also made into an anime the following year in 2008. It remains a hugely popular work even today, 15 years after the game's release and over 10 years after the anime. The story was very heartwarming and moved viewers to tears, creating a lot of buzz. In this article, we will introduce the reasons why CLANNAD is so popular.
CLANNAD Contents Introduction
Source: CLANNAD ©Key / Visual Arts / Kyoto Animation / TBS
The protagonist, Okazaki Tomoya, who had given up sports due to an injury and was living as a delinquent, met Furukawa Nagisa, who was standing alone on the slope leading to school one day. This encounter would greatly add color to Okazaki Tomoya's gray life. Their school life together is completely different from what they had been used to, and the story follows Nagisa's wish to revive the drama club as the two of them overcome various obstacles, growing closer together and growing together.
Introduction to the contents of CLANNAD-AFTER STORY-
Source: CLANNAD ©Key / Visual Arts / Kyoto Animation / TBS
This is a story about Tomoya Okazaki and Nagisa Furukawa up until their graduation and what happens after. Nagisa graduated a year late due to illness, and Okazaki works as an electrician where an acquaintance of his works. The two of them started living together and spent happy days together, thinking that they would continue like this forever. However, a very sad fate awaited them. What will the future hold for them?
Highlights of CLANNAD Part 1: It depicts what happens after the school story
Source: CLANNAD ©Key / Visual Arts / Kyoto Animation / TBS
Normally, when it comes to school romance stories, the goal is either to start dating or to graduate, but CLANNAD goes even further, depicting everything from marriage to childbirth. To be honest, this is something that has never been seen before. To begin with, when a work with a lot of female characters depicts what happens after graduation, it is likely to be deemed unnecessary or its popularity will decline due to various factors. However, CLANNAD dared to depict that, and it became hugely popular. This shows that it is able to compete on the basis of its content.
Highlights of CLANNAD Part 2: Many characters appear
Source: CLANNAD ©Key / Visual Arts / Kyoto Animation / TBS
Because the original is a gal game, all the characters that appear are cute and full of charm. Unless you have a very special hobby, you will definitely find a favorite character. From mother types to older sister types to younger sister types. From straightforward to shy, it covers almost every genre. The male characters are also unique and friendly, so don't worry.
Highlights of CLANNAD Part 3: Epic Story
Source: CLANNAD ©Key / Visual Arts / Kyoto Animation / TBS
The reason why CLANNAD has become such a big hit is of course because of the characters, but I think the most important thing is the story. While it's basically the main story of Nagisa, each of the story's scenarios are well-integrated, and most characters have their own individual scenarios, all of which are among the best, so I don't think there are many people who can watch it without crying. So, while we're here, we'll give you a rough rundown of the individual scenarios.
Furukawa Nagisa Scenario - CLANNAD - AFTER STORY in General
Source: CLANNAD ©Key / Visual Arts / Kyoto Animation / TBS
This is the main scenario for the anime CLANNAD and AFTER STORY. The story begins when Furukawa Nagisa, who has failed a grade, meets the main character Okazaki on the slope leading to school. The first season sees Okazaki and many of his friends working together to revive the drama club, which is Nagisa's wish. In the AFTER STORY, Nagisa has to repeat a grade for the second time, so he has to attend school for another year, and Okazaki begins working as an electrician during that time. Nagisa also graduates safely, and the story goes that Nagisa and Okazaki start living together, get married, and have a child. However, Nagisa is sickly, and Okazaki is having trouble with his family environment. A very sad and difficult future awaits the two of them. Nagisa's beloved family is everyone who lives in town. But the town feels different about Nagisa... Nagisa's scenario is the main one, so it's truly wonderful, but it's extremely difficult along the way... But it's a fantastic scenario, so it's a must-see.
Fujibayashi Kyou's Scenario
Source: CLANNAD ©Key / Visual Arts / Kyoto Animation / TBS
Although she always appears in the work and no individual route was drawn, if I had to say, episode 18 is one of Kyou's scenarios, a painful episode where you can see the tears of the normally strong-willed Kyou. Besides that, the Kyou route in the game has been animated as a special episode called "Another World Kyou Edition". Anzu was the one who connected Okazaki with her younger sister Ryo, but in fact Okazaki and Anzu were in love with each other, and the dark side of Anzu, which is uncharacteristic of her, and the relatively dark content of the story were very shocking.
Sakagami Tomoyo's Scenario
Source: CLANNAD ©Key / Visual Arts / Kyoto Animation / TBS
This one also mainly appears from time to time, and there is no prominent main scenario in the main story, but like Anzu, a spinoff called "Another World: Tomoyo's Story" was created. The story is about Tomoyo, who is aiming to become student council president, and her relationship with the delinquent Okazaki, which is viewed coldly and criticized by society, so Tomoyo breaks up with Okazaki in order to make her dream come true. In order to overcome these obstacles, she gives up what is important to her, but what does she end up with in the end? This one also has a relatively dark atmosphere, but it's a must-see as you can see a side of Tomoyo that you don't usually see.
Ibuki Fuko's scenario CLANNAD season 1 episodes 5-9 (if you look closely, there are hints from episode 2)
Source: CLANNAD ©Key / Visual Arts / Kyoto Animation / TBS
It started with rumors of ghosts being circulated around the school, and then there were rumors of a ghost of a student who had an accident a year ago and was bedridden. At that time, Okazaki and Nagisa meet a girl who is carving alone in the classroom after school. The girl is carving a star-shaped wooden sculpture, and her hands are covered in scars. Nagisa lets the girl stay at his house, as she is unable to return home, and gradually the girl, Okazaki, Nagisa, and everyone else become closer. The girl's name is Ibuki Fuko, the same name as the girl who is supposed to be unconscious and lying in bed in the hospital. When Okazaki and Nagisa realize this, they don't dare pursue her, but instead do their best to help Fuko make her wish come true. I think the Fuko scenario is the first tear-jerking moment in the anime, and the ending is truly amazing, so it's a must-see.
Ichinose Kotomi's Scenario CLANNAD Season 1 Episodes 10-14
Source: CLANNAD ©Key / Visual Arts / Kyoto Animation / TBS
It starts with the encounter with the genius girl Ichinose Kotomi by chance in the library. Okazaki was concerned about the girl, who had a very mysterious aura, and encouraged her to join the drama club. Then, just as Kotomi begins to become friends with Okazaki and the others, an incident occurs. Upon hearing that the bus on the way to school had been in an accident, her acquaintance is unharmed, but Kotomi suffers a seizure and collapses. A suspicious person then begins to follow Kotomi. Okazaki, worried about Kotomi, begins to remember important things he had forgotten at Kotomi's house, and Kotomi's crime is revealed and resolved, as Kotomi's story moves towards its climax. This is one of the most deeply set-up scenarios in CLANNAD. So much so that you might think that the Kotomi scenario is a slightly different work. However, it's a really wonderful story that you'll want to watch over and over again, so I definitely recommend watching it.
After Story Episodes 2-4: Haruhara, Haruhara Youhei & Mei's Scenario
Source: CLANNAD ©Key / Visual Arts / Kyoto Animation / TBS
This is the story of the Haruhara brothers, and in this episode, Haruhara's popularity goes from a sudden drop to a sudden rise. Mei and Okazaki believe that her older brother, who used to be cool and always protected her, has become sloppy and changed because he stopped playing soccer, and that if she plays soccer again, he will return to being the cool brother he was back then. Along the way, you get a little annoyed with Haruhara, Mei, and the soccer club guys, but in the end, you get to see the cool Haruhara and his friendship with Okazaki, so I think it was a really great scenario.
Miyazawa Yukine's Scenario AFTER STORY Episodes 7-8
Source: CLANNAD ©Key / Visual Arts / Kyoto Animation / TBS
Yukine doesn't have many scenes, but she always has important things to say in the story. Yukine's story begins with a group of people who are hostile towards her brother Miyazawa Kazuto, searching for him. Then Haruhara mentions Kazuto's name and stirs up trouble, and Okazaki fights for Yukine's reputation, but unknown to anyone but her close friends, Miyazawa Kazuto has already... These two stories are very moving, as they show various destructively cute and very sad sides of the usually gentle and calm Yukine.
Scenario by Naoyuki Okazaki AFTER STORY Episode 19
Source: CLANNAD ©Key / Visual Arts / Kyoto Animation / TBS
This is the scenario of Naoyuki, Tomoya's father, who has appeared in the series since the beginning but has never been seen as a father. The Okazaki family is the polar opposite of the Furukawa family. Naoyuki repeatedly complains about his father, to which Tomoya responds listlessly. Then Naoyuki gets involved in something close to a crime, and Tomoya's promotion at the company is thwarted. Tomoya has always harbored anger and sadness towards his father, but after becoming a father himself, he learns how hard it is to raise a child, hears many stories from his grandmother, and reminisces about his own childhood. He once again realizes that Naoyuki raised him alone as a man, and for the first time, he speaks kind words to Naoyuki. This episode is one of the most tear-jerking episodes in CLANNAD, so I highly recommend it.
Other
Source: CLANNAD ©Key / Visual Arts / Kyoto Animation / TBS
AFTER STORY Episodes 5 and 6 are written by Misae Sagara, who is also the dorm mother, and are heartwarming stories about memories of people she met in the past. Episode 12 of AFTER STORY tells the story of former musician Yoshino Yusuke, the fiance of Kazeko's older sister Kimiko, and covers the story from when he met Kimiko as a student to the present day.
Highlights of CLANNAD Part 4: Love that is not just romantic
Source: CLANNAD ©Key / Visual Arts / Kyoto Animation / TBS
CLANNAD also portrays brotherly love and friendship, but it places special emphasis on family, which is also one of the titles of the work. The Furukawa family is an ideal family with a very good relationship between family members. After a big conflict, the Okazaki family no longer even speaks to each other. This work revolves around two very contrasting families and makes you think deeply about what a family is. The Furukawa family is the perfect family, but they are troubled by their daughter's illness. The Okazaki family has become so cold that it is no longer clear whether they are a family at all. Both are fine families, and at their core there is love. Then Tomoya and Nagisa become a family, have children, and build a wonderful family. This is a wonderful depiction of life.
Highlights of CLANNAD Part 5: Amazing songs
Source: CLANNAD ©Key / Visual Arts / Kyoto Animation / TBS
Of course the opening and ending are great, but the insert songs are also amazing, and even now, more than 10 years later, the insert song from the final episode of AFTER STORY, "Chiisana Tenohira," brings tears to my eyes just by listening to it. Other really great songs were "ANA" at the end of Fuko's scenario, and "OVER" which played when Ann and the others were defeated in love in episode 18 of season 1. These were originally background music specific to each character, which were then rearranged and given lyrics. At first I wondered what the song "Dango 3 Kyoudai" was, but by the time the final episode came around, it had become a tear-jerker.
Highlights of CLANNAD Part 6: Beautiful drawings
Source: CLANNAD ©Key / Visual Arts / Kyoto Animation / TBS
Recently, we've seen a lot of anime that have run out of ideas and are losing their animation, but CLANNAD was produced by Kyoto Animation, which wasn't as well known as it is now, and it's so beautifully made that it's hard to believe it was made 10 years ago. Kyoto Animation produced works around this time, including Haruhi, K-ON, and CLANNAD, and these huge hits were the catalyst for Kyoto Animation's success. The original work is also Key, a trusted brand, so I think the two created a wonderful chemical reaction.
Highlights of CLANNAD Part 7: Life
Source: CLANNAD ©Key / Visual Arts / Kyoto Animation / TBS
As I've said many times before, it's really moving, and at the same time, it made me think deeply about myself. There are a lot of people on the internet who say that CLANNAD is like life, and I really think that's true. However, I can't deny that I feel a little sad that I wish I had lived such a life (lol)
CLANNAD Summary!
Source: CLANNAD ©Key / Visual Arts / Kyoto Animation / TBS
I really think it's a masterpiece that you won't regret watching. If you like Key's works, it's a must. It has fantasy elements, but is relatively realistic. It's a work that will definitely remind you of what life is. If you haven't cried recently, or if you want to be moved, then you should definitely watch CLANNAD. However, there are some parts of the story that are difficult to understand, and some parts are left to the viewer's discretion, so don't expect a perfect answer when watching (lol). So, thank you for reading to the end! And toilet seat covers.
