Ranked #271

Clannad: Another World, Kyou Chapter

*Heartwarming end to an exceptional adaptation.*

“We can only hurt each other … because we ended up liking the same person.” – Fujibayashi Ryou

In this alternate dimension in the world of Clannad, Fujibayashi supporters will be glad to hear that their goddesses are now the main spotlight of the story. The other female characters, such as Nagisa, Tomoyo, et cetera, still exist in the story, however their lives no longer cross with Tomoya’s the way they did from the TV series (say good bye to Ushio).

Fans wishing for a new OP or at least a change in scenes/characters for the OP will be disappointed. Not only does it reuse the same OP from After Story, but all soundtracks and BGM throughout the OVA are nothing new. Everything just recycled from both the first and second season of Clannad. But is that necessary a bad thing? Probably not. For instance, the insert song from the first season, Ana, is a much more fitting ED than the original After Story ED (TORCH), which many find to be too upbeat for a show like Clannad.

Assuming you have been following Clannad and After Story, the animation should not be anything new to you. There is still the shadow from trees and clouds cast down onto our characters. There is still the smooth dynamic animation transition between scenes. And there is still the unique camera angles giving viewers a different perspective every now and then. In addition, I was totally impressed by the personification used in this short episode. The clouds that were used to express the inner thoughts of Kyou (her logic and desire) were exceptionally well made.

Perhaps the one thing that fans can enjoy now is the more elaborate character developments for the Fujibayashi twins. Although their feelings for Tomoya were evident ever since the beginning of the first TV series, but for various reasons they were held back and ultimately became sidelined characters. I have always regarded this triangular relationship the hardest and most interesting of all Clannad routes. No matter which girl Tomoya chooses, the pair still has to face the other for the rest of their lives. Both sisters wanting to love and be loved but they are bound to hurt each other in the process. Viewers see the characters grow and mature, making decisions that will affect themselves, their family, and their future. read more

This was sweet, cute, and overall just really good OVA. There were no errors in sight, and it had a very touching resolution that made me smile even through the hatred that I felt towards Tomoya for ruining such a pure, innocent young girl.

In my Clannad review I spoke of how both Kyou and Ryou were both underdeveloped, and even though I feel the same way after watching this, my opinion towards them as characters has increased significantly. They are both loving family members that depend on one another and love each other more than anything that could step in between them, and really, that is all you need to have a good character. You don’t have to devote three episodes to learning everything about them, you don’t need to feel like you could jump into a conversation with them if they suddenly appeared right beside you, all you need is to know what the character is like. And besides their respective aggression and shyness, through this you realize how wonderful they actually are.

Personally, after watching this, I like the Kyou and Tomoya pairing more than the one with Nagisa. But then again, that could just be the initial reaction I am feeling having finished it just twenty minutes prior to writing this.

The only error that somewhat displeased me was Ryou’s voice actor who, when confessing to Tomoya within the first ten seconds of the episode, just seems… unconvincing. But even then, she makes up for it throughout the rest of the 21 minutes by putting on one of the best voices I have ever heard.

Though sad, I would recommend this to anyone that is into emotional things. Because even though it has an overall cheerful ambiance and it has a happy ending, unlike Clannad After Story, there are many scenes when my heart ached with sympathy.
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