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One of the things that can ultimately impede a show's commercial success is whether it really appears to be what it actually is. Case in point: Kodomo no Jikan. There are many people who perhaps glance at this anime, and maybe even check out the first episode, and come to the conclusion that it's a perverted lolicon series with no plot and all the depth and character of a spoon. See, this is where the ability to overlook fanservice, even if you aren't particularly attracted to it, is beneficial. In doing so, you'll push further and further into this series, and discover that it really ... isn't what it looks like.

So is it a shallow ecchi series? No. It is ecchi. It is loli. And it is also one of the most remarkably deep and moving dramas I've ever watched.

In terms of plot, it's pretty basic. But it was never a plot series. This is the kind of show where the characters are the real focus. And aside from a somewhat bland everyman protagonist, the characters are incredibly good. There are layers of depth to them that allow you to interpret their motivations and read beyond what they are saying. Is Rin, the female lead, really in love with her teacher? Or is she simply deprived for attention, and seeking recognition, whether it be good or bad, from one of the few adult figures in her life? These levels of depth exist in all of the characters, with the primary exception being one of the main lead's colleagues, who doesn't serve a huge purpose beyond aiding the development of Daisuke and Rin, and isn't particularly interesting at all. There are some great character moments (episode 6 being my highlight of the entire series) and, if you're into it, there is some lighter ecchi (which, admittedly, becomes a bit stronger in the disappointingly short second season).

In terms of art and animation, it's nothing special. The character designs are pretty good, but it certainly isn't the highpoint of the entire series. I can't say I have a lot to say about sound, other than the fact that it serves its purpose and doesn't put you off, which is a always good.

I'll give a definite recommendation to this series, and suggest that those who question this series try and overcome your prejudices a little. Yes, there is fanservice, but it's not the driving force of the show. Think about it: by ignoring this show simply because it features a more controversial form of fanservice that you're prejudiced against, aren't you just depriving yourself access to one of the most fantastic drama anime ever?

God, this really isn't my best review.

Bear with me as I begin this review with something that is arguably completely unrelated: a description of how I perceive the horror genre. You may question why I choose to write this now, but I promise all will become apparent.

At its most basic level, the word horror, in relation to genre, refers to any form of entertainment media that features conventions intended to scare or unsettle their audience. In recent years, this has resulted in the creation of huge numbers of films that are perceived as horror: Paranormal Activity, Insidious and The Last Exorcism to name just 3. But it's worth considering whether these ... films truly scare us. Yes, they are unsettling to watch, but unless you're perception of reality is somewhat skewed, we put them down once they are finished and then it's over. We stop thinking about them. Those unsettling feelings are gone. So what truly scares us? Well, and this is simply my perception, what is truly unsettling is a how much we are able to relate to what is taking place on screen, and how much it makes us really think about things we'd rather not think about. And I don't mean that they have to be completely believable either. They just have to portray a side to human nature that we'd rather not see. For reference, consider older horror films like Carrie or The Shining (but ignore all the weird timewarp stuff in the latter). These were unsettling even after we'd put them down because, for all of their fantasy and completely lack of rationality, there's a grain of truth in them in regards to how they present people. It's scary because it's plausible.

So why, you may ask, did I include a summary of the horror genre in my review of Ima, Soko ni Iru Boku, a series which does little to appeal to conventions of the horror genre? Well, I mention this because this anime has exactly the same effect on me as films like Carrie or The Shining. It makes me stop and think, even after it's ended, about things that, were I the kind of person who prefers to pretend the world is nice and bright and happy, I'd rather not stop and think about. Because it presents people as weak and flawed. Because for all it's fantasy and complete lack of rationality, there is that grain of truth in it, and the truth isn't always nice.

Sorry, I got a little philosophical there. Impossible not to with this series.

The comments I read while watching this anime criticised it for much of its content: characters that killed out of fear for their own lives and dark themes like teenage rape or genocide. The things that actually lead me to admire this series. I know that sounds kind of sick, but think for a second. Very few anime, particularly lately, stop to present facts of life that we prefer to deny. These things happen. And as you're watching it, you find yourself considering them, and being horrified by them, and ultimately coming to understand the show's meaning. In its portrayal of the victims of war, NaTHaT (abbreviated english name) is unsettlingly believable. And this makes it incredibly effective and powerful.

In terms of characterisation, NaTHaT excels. For all of his apparent foolishness, the lead character is someone you find yourself rooting for, and empathising with as he is forced to question his own moral values, but ultimately remains steadfast. Every character is fantastic, well-developed and much is left open to interpretation about their motivations and beliefs. The villain in particular is an interesting character, as he is symbolic of the insanity that those who wage war without seeking to reach peace must be victim to.

The art and music are arguably where the show falls short, though this is understandable considering its age. The animation is more reminiscent of a bright and happy shounen than a dark psychological drama, but I'd imagine that this is an intentional move on the director's part, and it makes sense as a decision. The score is good, but vaguely minimalist at times when music would have proved effective in establishing tone. Pacing wise, it's sometimes slow, but never particularly uninteresting.

But ultimately, whether you truly like NaTHaT comes down to how you choose to interpret it, and whether you agree with the interpretation. Much is symbolic, and it doesn't force its opinion on you, instead allowing you to consider whether, at times, Shu's pacifistic actions are always the right choice, and whether war as a whole is bad, or whether it's simply the kind of war that Hamdo has created. I can't decide for you whether you'll appreciate its message. I do, even if there are aspects I can't fully agree with, but you may not. But I urge you to watch this and decide for yourselves.

Allow me, before beginning, to quickly summarise my opinion of Clannad's first season, as I don't particularly fancy writing an entire review about it. Clannad season 1 was incredibly effective at delivering some serious emotional impact, but was arguably very melodramatic. Now that it's occurred to me, I can't escape the feeling that the first season was almost entirely filler, existing solely to skim over the VN arcs of the other characters without contributing anything particularly significant to the story, nor delivering any particular message. Ultimately, the directors could've taken several scenes in series 1 and tacked them onto the beginning of After Story, and ... potentially produced a show that was of equal or better quality. I almost didn't watch After Story at all.

And, to be honest, my initial reaction was to drop it after only one episode, before picking it up again some weeks later. After Story begins with much of the same thing, resolving the arcs that were left untouched by season 1; those of the Sunohara siblings, Misae and Yukine. While this is my personal opinion, the first 2 arcs in particular didn't even possess much impact. I didn't cry at all. The third arc is when Clannad After Story begins to show its true colours, and while it is undeniably more of the same thing, the maturity of After Story begins to show at last, and I finally found myself crying after an underwhelming beginning. After that, it ditches the arc structure in favour of (finally) developing the primary characters of Tomoya and Nagisa, thus reaching its thematic crux.

You see, the latter half of After Story is when Clannad finally reveals the true reason for its existence. It discusses some mature themes: gang violence, drug abuse, depression and, at its core, family. In some ways, the characters of Tomoya and Nagisa mature with the series. Far from simply being moving, After Story becomes powerful. It has meaning. We finally begin to witness ideas that are relevant in some way, perhaps, to our own lives. The melodrama remains, but only serves to accentuate the ideas rather than failing to serve any purpose at all. And there are elements of the series that will leave you genuinely shaken, in particular two incredibly heart-wrenching scenes that reduced me to a flood of uncontrollable tears. Me, who is so cold that if you licked me your tongue would get stuck to my skin. God, that metaphor sounded so much better in my head.

That all aside, the ending is bloody awful. After one of those aforementioned heartbreakers, the final episode does some pretty strange stuff. And I personally choose to believe it never happened. I elect to believe that Clannad After Story's most heartbreaking scene is also its ending. But I can't escape that fact that that episode exists, and ruined an otherwise perfect second half.
Also, and I hate to say it, but I now despise Fuko. She annoys me too much for me to return to my previous adoration for her in season 1.

Guh, I hate using such emotive terminology when reviewing a series, but it's so difficult not to with Clannad. From a more objective standpoint, After Story's execution also improves drastically in the second half. The art remains about the same, with the only changes being representative of the physical growth of the characters. And the opening sequence is absolutely stunning!

So yeah, After Story is deceptively samey at first, but absolutely beautiful if you're willing to endure the initial arcs. A vast improvement on an average series, and arguably Key's greatest achievement. Even if you didn't particularly like season 1, watch season 2. You won't be disappointed!