Story: 9
The storylines tend to revolve around the main character assisting one of the female cast members in some fashion. There are basically two major plotlines, and a few minor ones. These points go straight for the heart, and try their best to jerk the tears from your eyes. This is where an inherent weakness for the series comes into play. The first plotline, containing a girl who may or may not be a spirit entity or manifestation of a comatose person, really grabs the viewer by the heart, and does not let go. This girl gives away starfish carvings and invites everyone that accepts to her older sister's wedding. While there is some emotional groundwork laid out between the main character and the lead female, the primary thrust is in the mystery of starfish girl. As this plot resolves itself, it does so with an incredibly impact. The story is strong enough they could have packaged just starfish girl's section of the story and sold it as a series on its own merits. This insanely beautiful beginning to the show leads us, however, to a sense of deflation later on.
After starfish girl is taken care of, the main character moves through the remaining cast of ladies and helps them each resolve various issues. The problem becomes that these side stories never carry the impact that starfish girl did. Some are a bit flat, with only the shallowest of thought processes justifying the issue at hand. For example a pair of sisters are involved, the younger of the two having a crush on the main character but being incredibly shy whereas the older sister is very brash and outgoing, and uses her personality to try to create openings for her little sister to confess and win the main character's affection. The problem becomes that the little sister recognizes that the main character and the primary female lead are destined to be together, and totally accepts that. No further development in that area really exists. It's like 'oh he's in love with her, I'll go over here then'. She and her sister do remain involved in the primary overall goal of the series, which is to help the main female lead restart the school's drama club, but neither girl really have any meaningful reasoning to be there, except for friendship.
A genius girl and a rough and tumble type chick also receive this treatment, minor issues dealt with in a minor fashion. It almost seemed harem-like to me at points. This brings us around to the main thrust, which is the primary romance between leads. This is of course telegraphed so hard from the start that Samuel Morse has a bloody nose, what with all the 'will they or won't they?' to use a Western trope. While the outcome is obvious, they do pull a great job in getting us there, with the at times too painful awkwardness of first love. This storyline, thrown in with a side dash of family issues, concludes satisfyingly, if not as with as much fanfare as starfish girl.
The other issue I have a problem with is the usage of the comedic effect. The main character's only male friend is way too over the top, to the point in the early goings his personality revolved around trying to beat the crap out of one of the girls. Ah, male on female violence, isn't that just precious? Yeah, not at all. Finally he comes around to be the guy that is a little pervy, and played like a fiddle by just making him think some girl is interested in him. He does provide background filler in the drama club and starfish plots, but his main deal is to be funny when he is quite decidedly NOT.
However I did really enjoy the odd relationship that develops between starfish girl and the main character. They come to be at odds, in a sense, and the comedic play between them is really well done. They have both a terrible attempt at comedic relief in the best friend, and a golden one with starfish girl/main character. It's a little jarring, especially when starfish girl finishes her plot involvement.
Overall the story of how reviving the drama club leads to the blossoming of new love, and the power of friendship is very well done, making this a solid 8 in my book overall. If they would have toned down the male goofball, and maybe the tomboy girl a little, this might have made a 9. If they had moved starfish girl's line until the second half instead of the first, I'd probably go 10 easy. But it is what it is, and it's a wonderful ride regardless.
Art: 8
The show looks good, but it has a heavy dose of the 'moe' syndrome. The eyes are hyper exaggerated beyond even what is customary in general anime. They go hard for that cute look and for the most part pull it off. It becomes almost a signature element of the show, especially relating to the female cast. At first it was to the point I was slightly repelled by the appearance, finding it almost childish, but the story grabbed me and soon I found that I could care less about the overall appearance as it was serviceable in conjunction with the rest of the elements of the series.
Music: 9
This show has the arguably some of the best themes I've heard. The opening is beautiful and gives the viewer a sense of the general gist of the story they are about to see. The closer is moving, bringing a smile even after the show had torn out my heart and made me cry just moments before. I adore both of them and will certainly listen to them outside of just viewing the show.
The voice work is well done also. The primary female lead is nowhere as screeching as is typical in these kinds of series. She's naive and innocent, but doesn't sound like an airhead. The main character doesn't sound too terribly idiotic though at times he toes that line. I did not care for how he sounds when he's shooting insults either at starfish girl or goofball guy, they seem too forceful. The goofball is admittedly annoying, but he doesn't have all that many lines. Starfish girl is superb, along with the primary female's father. That guy make me crack up nearly every time he was on screen. Check out the sound and music a few times, and I'm betting money you'll catch yourself humming along to the dango family song without even thinking about it.
Character: 7
The first knock I've already mentioned, goofball guy. He's just a one dimensional character that detracts from most scenes he's in and serves as poor motivation to reveal the tomboy girl's problem she has. He could be left in, just take out the fighting parts, and give him better written dialog and I'd be fine with him, but as it is, no such luck.
Secondly, the primary female lead, while cute as a button, and well voiced, does take the naivety thing to a serious fault. Her introverted ways are cute at first, but she doesn't shake them off easy, and sometimes I just wanted to yell at her to say or do whatever she clearly wanted to but was afraid of. She also takes everything far to personally, while this might be a fact of life in the real world, I find it detracts from her character slightly. Her major obstacle, when revealed, gave me more of an eye roll than the gut punch they were going for. She reacts in a boringly predictive manner, and falters for that moment.
She is remarkably well done outside of those complaints. She's caring, and looks to help others before herself. She might be quiet and shy but is not above doing what she believes is right to the best of her awkward ability. Having her be the romantic partner to the main character is natural feeling, and does not seem forced at all to me.
Except for starfish girl, the rest of the ensemble are fairly thin on character, having only a few relevant points about them, but they are presented in such a manner that this isn't really that much of a problem. I am not trying to be hypercritical or anything, I just want to be as objective as possible. I did enjoy all of the cast a great deal, but the guidelines for reviews on this site indicates a review saying only 'this show is great! Watch it now!' isn't acceptable, so I'm trying to present all sides to the best of my ability.
The primary lead's parents are probably the coolest parents in any anime I've ever seen. I can't explain really, they just are, especially the father, and more so for the constant issue he has with the mother. I do knock the main character's father a little as his motivations and attributes were murky to me. He's kind of a lump on a log, and while seems disinterested to a fault, didn't seem to me to be worthy of the hatred shown him by the main character. Otherwise the cast of characters is well assembled.
Enjoyment: 8
I found myself spellbound by the show, wondering what was coming next, and having that old 'one more episode' feeling. I did get misty eyed many times, and might have let a tear or two slip, but I'm too manly to admit that haha! The biggest obstacle in my enjoyment is that same complaint I keep airing: starfish girl set up my expectations whereas the rest of the show was solidly great, just didn't match with the wedding scene and her resolution. Of course Clannad: After Story is hugely touted by the community at large, so perhaps the grand finale is to come during that season. I am very hopeful that this is the case.
Overall we get great characters, wonderful writing, moving plotlines, and excellent execution coupled with a satisfying if slightly muted stand-alone ending, so there's no reason I can think of to miss out on this ride.
Best Girl: surprise surprise: Fuuko Ibuki aka starfish girl. She is adorable, even more cute when she's hurling insults at the main character, and so very moving in who she is and what she's doing. I love her to pieces, and I am going to figure out some way to get a starfish carving for my collection, even if I have to hand make it myself!
There's a reason this show is so well known, and so respected. It earns every bit of it. It's a wonderful ride that is powerful but not too sappy. They do go for big emotional wallops and for the most part connect with them. An amazing show that is now one of my favorites, and now I must depart, so I can go watch After Story! Thumbs up guys!
