I'm sure you've heard of Clannad After Story...
I'm sure you've heard about its reputation as an Emotional series...
I'm sure you've heard about the sheer popularity of the Clannad series...
And for all of this, there are a multitude of reasons...
In a nutshell, After Story brings about a revolutionary, mind blowing level of depth, emotion, immersion, to an extent that is indescribable by words - though i will try my best. After Story is a CRITICAL watch for viewers of the original series, and it is the powerhouse of a season that MAKES Clannad one of THE most reputable anime of all time.
As a standalone, neither of these seasons would hold anywhere near the amount of sway that Clannad as a series, as a brand - has on the anime community. Linking this Key anime series into one beautiful story creates something magical... So what exactly?
After Story for me came across as one of the most well thought out shows that I've seen in absolutely every aspect.
Its execution is delicate and attentive throughout, and this immaculate attention to detail allows the show to make some of the most far fetched, obscure links imaginable that will not only have you crawling around for explanations, but make you feel a completely unique sense of sentimentality.
Moving on to its bolder techniques... I speculate that in terms of "AS", the first season is merely a setup to it - by taking the time to run the viewers through each character in great depth (and pretty equally) in the first season, AS begins with an immediate attachment to the viewer, and uses this emotional fragility to make heavy-hitting events.
AS is manipulative in the way it uses a technique i'm going to refer to as "The Wall" - It can build up the viewers' attachment and feelings to the characters and premise in one way, and then do something completely left field to shatter it: therefore leaving huge impact craters, and coming across as such a moving show.
Obviously, no production can be proved to make a good show, but the closest measurement conceivable would be that of the impact that it has on the viewer, and if you've read just above, you might have guessed that Clannad is for these reasons (in my opinion) a masterpiece.
This relentless combination of attachment, impact and meaningful, sentimental values and details (that are sometimes left deliberately unclear for subconscious impact) truly spark thoughts in the viewer, allowing them to be engulfed by the show's ethos, and therefore rendering Clannad to be not only a legendary anime, but an outlook on life.
It may surprise readers, but After story is not only a omnipotent conveyor of vivid emotions, and immersive emotional friction, but in terms of presentation: that too is on par with the same goals - of taking the viewer on the most meaningful, powerful roller-coaster journey conceivable.
In terms of ART, it fluctuates at times between different styles of drawing and vibrancy levels to accommodate the scene. It's generally very colourful and detailed , and so there's nothing that could have made it more effective...
The SOUND of Clannad as a whole (as it doesn't change much) is one of the best examples of sentimentality, and as you would (as a viewer) come to see, Clannad is able to imbue some formidable power into a small range of songs (primarily one consisting of little marshmallow-like people with eyes ;) ) These songs are continuously embedded at certain points as additional emotion-inducing devices.
In layman's terms: very fitting...
The CHARACTER development of AF is good, though heavily oriented towards Nagisa and Tomoyo (as the main characters) - while the rest remain themselves. A small selection of characters are added, but while Character Development was the strong suit of the original season, AF is much more event-based, and so this isn't its specialty.
ENJOYMENT?!
After Story sent me on THE most powerful emotional journey that an anime has ever taken me on before, and so while "enjoy" is by no means the right word here, but in a sense that i'm glad i watched it, i definitely enjoyed both seasons.
Overall, due to its sheer power and mind-boggling vividness, i give AF a 10; as i will always remember it for being a masterpiece - Though, i am aware that this delicate approach to anime doesn't appeal to everyone.
