Another heartfelt and emotional visual novel by Key following lost-in-life delinquent, Tomoya Okazaki finding joy in helping those in those he meets. Here's to a story about a young man, paving a road to purpose.
Clannad is a really special VN for me, being the important work that started my and a lot of others' Key journeys, it's such a powerful story about living and doing your best in life, while caring for everyone around you as important parts of a community. While I do think Clannad's anime is my ultimate preferred version of the story, the VN is truly a work of art onto itself that tackles some down-to-earth, real topics that really gives you strength to face the things in your own life. It's a truly lifechanging work, and one I will always treasure. A large, accepting family, that's how we should treat each other
Couldn't have put it better. Clannad hits a wide range of close-to-home themes, brimming with the creators' souls that allows any person to connect with if given the chance. I really came to appreciate so many things I've taken for granted through this story, coming to see why it has been so prominent in the community for almost 2 decades now. Every second of this 100+ hour read was well worth it, haha. The anime has been quite the surprise too with how much of the VN they have compacted while not foregoing the story's emotional value. I'm currently half-way through Afterstory and Kyoani has not disappointed one bit.
@@NeNeiSan EXACTLY, it's not always the best work cuz a few routes are not fantastic and there is a lot of downtime, but when Clannad hits, it's some of the most impactful things that will change your life if taken to heart and truly used. I owe Clannad a lot in what it teaches, and the path it put me on I think KyoAni's Kanon and Clannad anime are probably my gold standard of anime adaptation, it's so perfect
Completely agree. The anime got to those emotional and meaningful hights consistently without loosing interest or running the gags dry. There have only been a couple scenes or small details I wish they kept in (Mostly refering to Akio and Koumura), but it's completely understandable with the cuts they made. It's such a heartfelt work and it's been heartwarming to see how influential it has been in people's lives. The more I read from them, the more I'm looking forward to reading more Key! I agree with that! There aren't many VN adaptations that perfectly capture the atmosphere, characterzation, or plot of a multi-route VN, but those two did it so well!
Clannad was one of the first visual novels, or hell- pieces of media to really move me emotionally. I had gotten invested in other shows and felt sad when characters died, but something in Clannad just resonated with me. It made me look at so many things in a new light and by the end- I was sad to say goodbye to the characters was I was finishing the visual novel. I think Clannad helped me realize just how powerful and impactful fictional stories can be, and I find myself able to appreciate fiction on a greater level than I did before thanks to it. I spent bascially a whole summer just reading the vn, working, then watching the anime once I finished the vn (and then the movie as well sadly) after I finished. I remeber that summer so vividly- and I can definitely say that was one of my best experiences reading a visual novel (or consuming a piece of media in general). Also After Story made me cry HAPPY TEARS which was something I had never done before while watching/reading stuff. It also made me cry for many other reasons throughout its story as well...
god I love Clannad so much but I’ve never read the vn’s even though I’ve had them for years.. thank you for this video and for giving me the push to start them! I look forward to your video on the side stories
Amazing video the way you word everything and how you speak is just so nice it’s like a friend who takes their time with explaining the things their passionate about, The Clannad anime is one of my favorite anime’s of all time I resonate with its themes of family especially after story because for a lot of high school anime’s they just end either at the end of their school life or at a high point in whatever they are trying to convey but it always leaves me with a weird feeling like what after? And clannad is the only anime I’ve seen that has the guts to show the reality of the “after” it’s a brutal contrast to the comfy and heartwarming first season with every one slowly living their own lives as they should they move on. I relate a lot to how Okazaki he feels lost in his life riding a evermoving wave with no end to it just slowly passing the time that’s how I felt in high school when I watched it and I just recently graduated and feel at a crossroads with my thoughts but I know wherever I decide to know it’s of my own volition I’m changing with the tide no longer just trying not to fall off it’s edge, I feel a lot of people my age might feel the same as I did, Clannad means a lot to me not just how it helped me accept me for me but also about the subjects it touches like family issues like Okazaki and his father I have my fair issues with my own parents but episode 18 I think hit me the hardest with the seen of him finally accepting and realizing everything his dad has done in his life, I never cried so much in my life to any show before that because my father wasn’t a good father or person in my life but I still loved him for things he did do right and although I won’t excuse the bad stuff he did I don’t, I don’t exactly know what I feel really because I couldn’t say goodbye to him it’s really complicated I didn’t even cry for him when I heard he passed I had so many emotions but nothing came out that even my family was weirded out by how I took it, some thought that I was trying to put on a strong face through it but it wasn’t that I genuinely didn’t know how to feel and that made me feel awful about myself especially when my own mom accused me of not caring at all but how I am I supposed to explain what it was if I didn’t know? But when that scene came on and I was watching it at night at a dark point in my life every emotion I felt for my father flooded me, anger, hatred, regret, love, sadness, fear, confusion but no one would ever know how I really felt I’m my life because I keep my feelings to myself I love Clannad it means so much to me than anyone can imagine Thank you for reading the entire thing if you did thank you for enduring the trauma dump of a complete stranger you would most likely never meet or care about this was really disorganized and I was just typing what I felt without thinking so I apologize but I feel like this might help someone anyone who might feel the same way that I did no one is truly alone in this world. Thank you 😄
Beyond its themes and story is one of the few reasons it really sticks. Though it does an amazing job at portraying a High School romance, the afterstory is where it becomes ever-so emotionally impactful. And you made it wonderfully clear just how much it means to you. Me and many others are right with you on that feeling of being at a crossroads. And the way that is depicted through Okazaki is one of the most relatable portrayals out there. I'm currently in college, and man... I'm still not exactly sure just where to go. I'm sure you'll find your path with enough thought and effort! I'm sorry you had to go through that. That must have been very difficult to go through and hope you are doing better. I cannot tell you how many tears I shed over not only that scene, but the flower field as well, where Okazaki acknowledges the wrongs he made as a father, realizing the work his put in. It's so touching. We may just be strangers over the internet, but I still very much care! It takes a lot of strength to come to terms with and talk about what may be vulnerable areas. Honestly, reading your story made me a bit teary eyed. I can relate to being confused about your own emotions and supressing them. It's a very tough internal conflict to go through and I'm sure many others are undergoing similar struggles. You don't need to apologize! We all go through rough spots in life, some more troubling than others. You told a message that surely many other people can empathize with! We all got each other, we are not alone! Thank you, I enjoyed your comment and glad you feel comfortable speaking out!
@@NeNeiSan Glad to know they're more people who shares these same confusing feelings, I recently bought the visual novel and the expansion on sale and I can't wait to experience the things that I couldn't from just watching the anime, your video made me feel so nostalgic for a game I never played sure i've seen its adaptation but I wanna what more this world key made has too offer. So once again Amazing video one of the only people talking about such a niche genre with so much care and effort put into the script and editing, just wanted you too know that we do recognize the passion and efforts you put even if you don't see much recognition just know it means alot to people like me who barely knows anyone or can find anyone who appreciates such a niche genre like visual novels its just nice to know and see other people express what they enjoy so much about these stories!
That's amazing, the visual novel is such a blast to read through especially with all the small, but fun stuff the anime cut out! Your words truly mean a lot. I could not be more happy to hear that this video gave you that push to start your reading. VNs and the stories that tell have meant so much to me over the years and am glad to have people who are willing and even like what I share! I find a lot of enjoyment in making them so long as these videos can move at leats one person in whatever way, it is well worth it. It's because they're niche that I think it builds a stronger community as result. Your words keep me motivated! Thank you!
I still haven't read it, and feel bad about it. When I look at my priority list (Fate/Hollow Ataraxia, Kara no Shoujo Second Episode, Fruit of grisaia, G - Senjou no Maou, Ever - 17, Higurashi, Subarishiki Hibi, House in Fata Morgana...), Clannad always gets pushed back. At any rate, keep up the good work.
Don't be. It's a long pretty long VN, and one that you should start when you're in the mood for it so you can fully appreciate it! In due time, you'll get to it! Thank you!
Good to have you back. Great script and editing as per usual. I watched Clannad like 10 years ago, listening to the OPs still makes me feel super nostalgic. One day I want to read the VN.
Thank you! I know that feeling well, the Afterstory opening always hits me right in the feels. It's a long one, but it is well worth the time by the end of it. It expands upon most of the characters and has a lot of content the anime couldn't cover. If you loved the anime, you will love the VN!
Glad to see you enjoyed the VN as much as I did. It truly is a special story. The game was announced back in 2002 and was delayed until 2004. One small little refefence I really loved was in the "After Story" OVA for Kanon 2002 simply named Kanon Kazahana. There is a moment you see Kitagawa wearing a Clannad shirt. This OVA was released before the VN. Someone at Toei was really excited for the VN it seems. I suppose one question I do have is, what is next in your KEY lineup?
It truly is! Small references and hints like that are always fun to see, which I'll be on the lookout out for since I had no idea Kanon had an OVA like that. Definitely going to watch it later. I'm going through Key's VNs from their earilest work to their latest, and since I've already read Planetarian, the next is Little Busters. The opening tells me it's going to be a great one! I'm hoping to start it sometime this month.
@@NeNeiSan Only thing that may bother some people is that the Steam release does crop the backgrounds and CGs. The CGs luckily can be scrolled to view it all.
Watched the anime in my ending 1st year of college back in 2022. It was fun. I have yet to see after story. It was somewhat disappointing in the sense I kind of expected something more unique and grandiose. Wanted to be in sobs by the end of it and I did well up a bit here and there. Although not much. However, even though I didn't experience the heart crushing tale I wanted the story was still ver charming. The animation, music, gags, voice acting and character arcs that the show displayed was stellar. It didn't do anything new for me, but it did it well. Even tackling the idea of how the other girls in a rom com would react to realising they aren't "The one". I liked it. Least favourite arc was for sure the book worm girl(I'm bad with names). I know Key likes to get into all these sci-fi or spiritual stuff from different genres from time to time, but I was already stretching my beliefs after ghost girl arc. The MC having amnesia also really boggled my brain. It wasn't unbelievable. It just seemed really stupid to drop smack dab in the middle of this mostly normal grounded slice of life rom-com. Blonde boy is also great. Definitely my favourite side character. He doesn't get as much love online, but I've always had a soft spot for the more self fulfilling loser types. The pathetic side in people is always fun to see portrayed in stories and characters like himself. The small little tid bits we learn about the side characters and their relationships is just brilliant. Even the more minor roles have something in them you can like and be invested in. Again, nothing unique or ground breaking, but it is really GOOD. Hoping that After Story is any better at ripping my heart out. Heard this and that about what happens to find out if anything interesting. Wish I didn't. MC really be going through it and my blonde boy's character gets shafted😔 Anyways great video👍 Can't wait for the next one✨
A lot of the talk online about Clannad's appeal to sadness mostly comes from Afterstory. Season 1 is a lot of buildup for it's themes and establishing the relationship of the main characters. Afterstory further builds upon these ideas before bringing it all together, which is where most people start to really feel for it. I get where you're coming from with the supernatural stuff. It can feel jarring going into Clannad expecting a fully grounded story, but with Key I feel they keep it interesting and allows the narrative's themes to be highlighted in unique ways. But even I have to admit the amnesia plot point with Okazaki threw me off a little bit off as well, haha. It was pretty disconnected from the main plot and felt shoe-horned to a degree, though I really did like the arc as a whole. Yes! Sunohara is great! I agree with you, he doesn't really get shown enough love. His gags were fun and how his character was subtlety fleshed out throughout each arc was well done You mentioned how you really enjoyed the dynamic and characters, so even seeing certain things about Afterstory, I still highly recommend giving it a watch. Everything comes together there and as long love as enjoy them, I think it will be well worth it. I got spoiled on a few things about Afterstory, but it still ended up being one of my favorites!
