However I left utterly disappointed by this show.
Part of what makes a good romance story is it's characters. I am usually willing to overlook plot holes (or really a lack of plot altogether) as long as the characters are interesting. So when it comes to a slice of life based on average people and their average lives the characters are usually the main driving force of the show.
And sadly it just so happens that the characters are my biggest gripe with Clannad. I don't have anything against Moe or cuteness, in fact I actually quite enjoy it. The problem arises when you realize that each of Clannad's characters exists for a specific purpose (relative to each other) and only ever act to fulfill that purpose. This means that throughout the show the characters stay one dimensional (read no character development). Not only that but they also become extremely predicable within the first few episodes.
The main protagonist exists solely to fix the girls' problems and reluctantly put up with their antics. He continues to voice his discontent with them but they somehow always remain oblivious to his insults. The male support lead exists solely to get his ass kicked. He continues to endure verbal and physical harassment from the female cast day in and out as if he enjoys it. It gets to the point where the same bit is used in almost every episode. First he says something slightly insulting and then is kicked across the room, only to be subsequently laughed at. And its not as if Clannad's blatant sexism ends there either. The main female cast is ultra feminine to a point beyond anything realistic. They act like children a 1/4 of their age despite being highschool students. They posses no other character traits other than ultra-cuteness, or ultra-kindness (but never both). Other than having different hobbies they are all practically the same, even their character designs being similar!
The truth is the characters are hard to believe and even harder to like. If that wasn't bad enough Clannad has no real story to be found. The plot line is dependent on the uninteresting aspirations of the main cast (such as becoming student council president, convincing the student body to attend a wedding, etc).
Saying it blatantly, Clannad is boring. Although I found myself wanting to sympathize with the characters I couldn't outside a few albeit fleeing moments.
The art is the only thing Clannad has going for it. The show is devoid of meaning or realism, giving it little value outside the enjoyment factor. And because the characters act so predictably I found it hard to enjoy this anime at all. A joke is funny once, or maybe even the first few times it's used, however after that it becomes a burden. And sadly, that is what I felt while watching Clannad, burdened.
