Now after graduating high school, entering into university and being introduced to a plethora of other anime with different genres, I literally have to fight the urge to not punch myself in the face and cringe as to how much I idolized Clannad when I was younger.
(there's a tl;dr at the bottom if you do not want to read my full frustration and anger)
Story and Character: 4
Looking back and taking a long while to reevaluate the anime again, it was filled with sub-par to mediocre devices that dragged an already mediocre storyline from season 1. My cousin urged me to watch it because it was one of the most greatest anime at its time (I had really just wanted to jump on the bandwagon), but to be completely honest, I was already ready to drop the anime the first few episodes by how boring, bland, and slow the plot was (I'm pointing at the Fuuko arc) (although that review should be saved for the first season). And much to its early predecessor, After Story follows the same premise. If I can remember correctly, the arcs within the second season were unmemorable and terribly characterized, living off of the deus ex machina trope to save the day. The plot relies heavily on melodramatic clichés and pathos to appeal to its viewer, and I believe that very same device really creates the misconception of how basic the plot actually is (because the very same thing happened to me when I was younger).
The characters introduced in season one were swept off to a corner basically as the plot focused on Tomoya and Nagisa's relationship and maturation as a couple, family, individuals etc. To be completely honest, Tomoya is probably the only redeeming character of the anime and the most memorable to say the least. I was especially empathetic towards him during the arc with his father. Definite props to the writers for addressing a very real, raw conflict and theme that can be exemplified in every day lives.
Art: 5
THE DANG EYES. WHAT ARE THOSE EYES. Other than that, the artwork was actually pretty good.
Sound: 8
Now this was probably one of the most memorable things of the anime that still resonates with me today; the melody of 'Dango Daikazoku' definitely tugs at my inner laden nostalgia especially. There are many tracks I would definitely relisten to.
TL;DR
Although After Story may be a decent watch, it definitely does not deserve a spot in the top 10 considering there are far better anime that are far beautifully detailed, elaborate, and well written than Clannad. Really, the only reason I can draw After Story's high reverence by casual viewers alike could only be its excessive implementation of melodramatic scenes. After Story manipulates this to its advantage when in reality the plot has no real density at all. Yes some anime may be very touching and moving, even to the point of tears, but just because it's so unbelievably sappy and melodramatic DOES NOT make it one of the greatest anime to be created.
I literally shake my head at the rushed excuse of a deus ex machina ending the writers decided to take.
