Episode 23:
We return to the school life portion of the story, a year before Tomoya and Nagisa met, with Tomoya beginning his junior year and Nagisa her first senior year. The shy Nagisa desires to make some new friends but is tentative about being proactive. Meanwhile our two favorite delinquents, Tomoya and Sunohara, are forced to make welcome signs for the new freshmen with their class rep, Kyou, as punishment for trying to sneak out of class.

One of Nagisa’s old classmates invites her to hang out after school with a new friend. Akio later gives Nagisa some advice to help make more friends, but Nagisa still has trouble taking the initiative. At school, Kyou catches Tomoya napping on the grass and upon taking a closer look at his sleeping face starts to fall for him. Sunohara rushes in sensing his dear chum is in danger and soon gets a trademark Kyou punch.

Sunohara soon schemes up a plan to get back at Kyou for her transgressions, and the duo leave a fake love letter in her shoe locker that sends her all over the school on a wild goose chase, which consequently gets them beat up. Sunohara then tries to vent his frustrations on weaker prey, and the idiot duo leave a very obvious trap at the school gates after school. The weary students avoid it, but one very special girl falls for the trick, our favorite dango daikazoku aficionado, Nagisa. A bath pan bonks her unconscious, and she is taken to the nurse’s office accompanied by a fellow classmate of hers, who soon becomes a new friend. Nagisa returns home and recounts the experience to Akio and Sanae. She also elects to keep the banner from the prank that contains some inspirational words from a then unknown Tomoya, telling her to overcome life’s obstacles.

Totally unnecessary Ryou fanservice.

Totally unnecessary Kyou fanservice.

Episode 24:
Tomoya narrarates the events of Clannad in its entirety to Ushio, a giant flashback from the beginning of the series to episode 22 of After Story. This was simply here to refresh our memories, especially for those among us that are nearly senior citizens (like myself).

Impressions:
I’m not much of a Kyou fan, but I loved episode 23 and its nostalgic return to the light-hearted school days arc. Kyou’s wild goose chase that ultimately culminated in Tomoya and Sunohara getting their asses beat elicited a good laugh from me. Akio’s comedy was solid when giving Nagisa his always helpful “advice”, and the baleful bakery tears bit with Sanae never gets… stale. Get it? Yeah, you got it.

The real highlight was the epic and dramatic slow motion bath pan drop that cut back and forth between the pan falling and the reactions of our two favorite dunces, with Sunohara’s face growing with delight and Tomoya’s with a growing sense of dread. Nagisa’s little squeal when it hit her was the cherry on top of the sundae.

It brings back memories to get a whole episode of the Tomoya prior to meeting Nagisa. He wasn’t so much a bad seed as he was misguided. He was still a delinquent prankster, but he showcased his good side a few times by helping Kyou near the beginning and later leaving an encouraging message for the recipient of the prank, who so coincidentally happened to be his future wife.

So hey yeah, there’s a completely unnecessary fanservice bath scene with Kyou and Ryou too. Neato. I’d probably care more if it was Yukine or Kotomi, but that wouldn’t make much sense since they had no part in this episode.

I love the details to the little additions in the show, like how episode 23 added illusionary world Ushio to the episode cut and how Shino, Naoyuki, Ushio and Fuko have also been added to the TORCH line. Clannad was quite the journey as both Tomoya and Nagisa grew out of their shells, made new friends in all the arcs and finally began their new life together, and I loved every minute of it. I’m kind of sad it’s over now, and a bittersweet feeling lingers in my heart. But hey, we haven’t seen the last of Key and KyoAni. Up next with an estimated 98% probability is Little Busters!

Extra: As of this writing, I think there’s supposed to be another extra episode focusing on After Story Sunohara, but I can’t find any concrete sources. I’d be happy to find out it’s true, but if not that’s okay too.

The scene looks hopeless in the illusionary world as the robot tries to pick the girl up from the snow. As her existence begins to fade, she can finally hear the robot’s voice and explains her purpose in this world before using the accumulated orbs of light to perform a miracle. As the illusionary world is destroyed, she says thanks and goodbye to her daddy for being there with her, finally revealing their identities to be Ushio and Tomoya respectively.

Tomoya seemingly returns to the moment he first met Nagisa and they profess their love to each other. The two then return to the moment that Nagisa “died”, only this time she is alive and well after giving birth to Ushio. Nagisa is first to notice the orbs of light floating in the sky, and everyone else goes to look at the sight as well.

We then see progress through the years as Tomoya and Nagisa raise Ushio to five years old as well as the progression of the other secondary cast. While going to the hospital with Kouko for her checkup, Fuko wanders off the beaten path and finds Ushio sleeping under a tree and states that their fun days are about to begin.

Impressions:
Clannad is unofficially over and what a ride it was with a great finale and happy ending to the series. The vocal version of “The Girl’s Fantasy” at the beginning of the episode was especially powerful and enhanced the feeling of Tomoya’s hopelessness right before the miracle. All of the character arcs were given meaning as everyone’s happiness helped to create the miracle. It was Tomoya that helped everyone attain their happiness in each arc, and it’s fitting that they all helped Tomoya achieve his happiness in After Story, a blissful life with his new family. It was fitting that Ushio returned to the place where miracles happen at the very end, the place where Akio took Nagisa so many years ago and wished for a miracle.

Clannad’s big mystery is still the illusionary world, which is an anomaly. When was it created and when exactly did Ushio appear in it? Perhaps it came to be when Nagisa first conceived the play about a girl alone in a desolate world. We’re also under the assumption that when Ushio died, she somehow traveled back in time through the illusionary world and built the robot to help her collect the orbs of light to save Nagisa.

My big question still is how Ushio was able to defy death and go to the illusionary world. To avoid the headache, we should probably say this was all due to Key logic. Something to do with Nagisa being linked to the city, so Ushio is linked to the city through their spiritual connection. My lesser question is how Tomoya’s consciousness got linked to the junk robot. The details of its origin aren’t that important, but I still like the think about it. The robot, as a part of Tomoya’s consciousness, urged him on to help others and create enough orbs of light for their own miracle. This is turning into a giant time paradox if I really think about it. I feel like this has turned into an incoherent rant at this point so…

Moving on, I like Fuko, I really do, but the joke near the end with Fuko and Kouko went way too long. I’ve also been thinking of a couple things in the finale that aren’t of great importance but will express anyway.

1. Fuko is a 10th grade dropout. What is she going to do with her life besides play with Ushio all the time and generally act retarded?

2. Fuko is 25 but continues to look like a 12 year old. Everyone else has grown up at least a bit. Even teenage Mei looks older than starfish girl. Speaking of grown up Mei, holy crap! I’d watch a show just about her. Cough.

3.. I liked how several scenes in the finale linked up with the first OP, “Megumeru”. Of note are the robot and Ushio’s final moments together, Fuko finding Ushio in the field outside the hospital, and finally Ushio running through the field of flowers. I love the little nostalgic details and such that went into the show. The final addition of Fuko and Ushio to the front of the TORCH line was icing on the cake. In a way Fuko has the last laugh… Or should I say the last dozo?

The extra episode looks like a return to the school days part with a focus on Nagisa before meeting Tomoya. Personally I’d prefer an epilogue where everyone gets together at the end of After Story to catch up on old times, but it doesn’t seem that’s going to happen. So uh… let the Little Busters anime speculation begin?

Episode 19:
After the trip, Ushio moves into Tomoya’s apartment and they begin their new life together. On one of his days off, Tomoya and Ushio are “introduced” to Kouko’s sister, Fuko, who has recently been discharged from the hospital after a 9 year coma. Later Tomoya makes amends with his father and persuades him to move back to the countryside with Shino. After saying farewell to his father, Ushio notices an orb of light return to Tomoya.

Episode 20:
Tomoya finally meets Ushio’s teacher, only to find out that it’s everyone’s favorite violent switch-hitting tsundere, Kyou. Yoshino tells Tomoya that Fuko really like Ushio, and they arrange a play date for Fuko and Ushio. While playing cards, Tomoya starts to reminisce about Nagisa, thinking that these are the kinds of things they would be doing together if Nagisa was still alive.

The following day, Kyou tells Tomoya about the upcoming sports festival, and with some encouragement from Ushio and Akio, Tomoya elects to participate in the parent-teacher relay race. While on one of her strolls, Ushio meets Fuko, and they take a walk together. Meanwhile, Tomoya begins a training regimen in anticipation of sports day until Ushio suddenly falls ill with a fever.

Episode 21:
Sports day passes by, and Ushio’s fever still does not go down. Ushio asks to go on a trip again, but Tomoya tells her that they will go once she recovers and feels regret for not being able to fulfill her wish. After some time, Tomoya resigns from work to stay by her side, and Yoshino makes Tomoya promise to come back when he can. Akio offers money to help Tomoya, but he refuses stating that this is something he can take care of on his own. The fever persists into winter, and the fatigue from taking care of Ushio around the clock seems to be taking its toll on Tomoya as well.

Ushio asks again that she wishes to go on a trip, and Tomoya finally obliges the request. When the two leave, it begins to snow, reminding Tomoya of the day Nagisa died. As they walk together, Ushio’s condition worsens and she dies in his arms. Shortly afterwards, the grief ridden Tomoya collapses in the snow as well. In the illusionary world, the girl collapses on her journey as her own condition seems to be deteriorating as well. Tomoya once again doubts the results of his life after becoming involved with Nagisa.

Impressions:
Tomoya’s happiness has indeed been fleeting. His life with Nagisa was short lived, and then Ushio died shortly after entering his life again. In Air and Kanon, most of the tragedy was centered around the girls. Tomoya is the tragic figure for Clannad with the two most important people in his life dying in his arms. Though with Ushio, he did compound the illness by taking her outside. While Ushio’s death wasn’t quite as poignant as Nagisa’s, due mostly to not knowing her as long as Nagisa (39 eps vs. 5 eps), it still got me a bit choked up. Tomoya was still a bonehead for taking her outside though.

The theme of family has come around full circle. Previously it was Tomoya that was always helped others with their situations, but now he finally resolved his own longstanding issues and made peace with his father.

So anyway, it’s time for Clannad’s miracle to happen, or so we should be led to believe by the accumulation of all the orbs of light through both seasons. I’m not going to spoil the ending in any way, so it’s going to be a surprise for me no matter what happens. I’ll be under a rock until the finale airs to avoid the dreaded spoiler monster.

Random closing thoughts:
-Tomoya sure has been seeing the illusionary world a lot lately.
-The once and future Fuko returns! I guess I’m in the vocal minority that likes starfish girl and her crazy antics.
-After a nine year coma, Fuko should be going through some intense rehabilitation just to even be able to stand up. At least Kanon was more realistic when you-know-who was in a wheelchair after she woke from her coma. I’ll suspend my disbelief though because this is Key.
-If Kyou was a high school teacher, I think she’d be very inclined to throw dictionaries at her students.
-Botan got big in the past five years. She shall make a delicious boar stew.
-Are we going to get a Little Busters anime after Clannad is over? How about a Planetarian OVA? Or the longshot… A decent ONE adaptation? I’m fine with anything, just as long as we don’t get a Tomoyo After anime.

PS: Yes, I know there are way too many Ushio screenshots, but she’s just too adorable.

Episode 16:
Winter has already hit the illusionary world, and the robot tries to finish the flying machine on his own before the world becomes covered in snow. Back in the real world, Sunohara, Kyou, Ryou and Kotomi pay Tomoya and Nagisa a New Year’s visit. Nagisa’s play suddenly flashes into Tomoya’s mind as Kotomi talks about her theory of several alternate worlds existing alongside our own. Nagisa soon becomes sick again and goes into labor early, and additionally she cannot be taken to the hospital as originally planned due to the snowstorm. She successfully gives birth to Ushio but dies moments after the delivery.

Episode 17:
Five years have passed since Nagisa’s death. Tomoya has been in a deep depression ever since her passing, and Ushio is under the care of Akio and Sanae in the meantime. One day Sanae visits Tomoya, and the two take a stroll, noting how much the town has changed lately. She later invites Tomoya to go on a trip with Akio and her.

The following day he arrives at Furukawa bakery to find out Akio and Sanae are gone and it’s only Ushio and himself. He spends the day with Ushio and slowly warms up to the daughter that he ignored for so long. Akio and Sanae still don’t return the next day, and Tomoya finally decides to take Ushio on the trip by himself at her insistence.

Episode 18:
While on the trip, Tomoya yells at a boy on the train, frightening Ushio. He apologizes and later buys a toy robot for her to make up for it. When they finally arrive at the countryside, they find a field of flowers where Ushio plays. She loses the robot and they search for it together to fruitless results. Tomoya suddenly has a flashback and wanders off on his own and meets his grandmother, Shino Okazaki. She tells him the circumstances that Naoyuki went through raising a child on his own and how he always did his best to provide for Tomoya and be a good father. A surge of memories resurface in Tomoya’s mind and he realizes the hardships his father went through for him. Before they part, she requests Tomoya to tell his father that it’s okay to come back home now.

Tomoya returns to the field, and a devastated Ushio tells him that she still cannot find the robot. Tomoya says that he can simply buy her another one, but to Ushio the toy has a lot of sentimental value because it was the first gift from her father. Tomoya realizes the error of his ways and vows to always be there for Ushio henceforth. On the train home, Ushio asks about her mother, and Tomoya recounts his first meeting with Nagisa to her.

Impressions:
Key tragedy at its finest. Oh man, episode 16 made me choke up… Just a little… Okay fine, I cried like a little girl. Are you happy now? It wasn’t quite end of Air sad, but the collage that played and the shot of Nagisa fading away with the cherry blossoms falling was poignant and really got to me. Perhaps if Aozora was playing in the background I’d weep even more.

It’s strange not having Nagisa around anymore as she was always a big part of the show. We can identify with Tomoya’s loss since we got to watch Nagisa grow and develop from the beginning of the show and become an increasingly important part of Tomoya’s life. Sanae’s persistence to make Tomoya do her bidding got a chuckle from me. The mischievous Ushio is so adorable and sugary sweet that you get cavities just watching her. That Akio is really a piece of work as he made good on his promise to make Ushio call him Akki. She is very much Nagisa’s daughter in appearance and personality, minus the trademark Furukawa ahoge. Not much else to say about episode 17, except that I thought the transition from Ushio skipping along into Torch was very clever.

There was something that I didn’t notice right away when episode 18 ended, and then a light suddenly clicked in my head. It was the common link between Ushio and the girl from the illusionary world — the toy robot. Just something interesting to think about from now until the end of the show. I may or may not have teared up again in this episode.

Episode 13:
Tomoya contemplates how to ask Akio for Nagisa’s hand in marriage. Sensing Tomoya’s intention, Akio challenges Tomoya to successfully hit his baseball one-on-one, and only then will he listen to the request. Tomoya is initially unsuccessful but keeps practicing. After several unsuccessful challenges, Akio gives Tomoya one last chance, and at last Tomoya finally hits a home run and receives Akio’s blessing.

Christmas comes around once again and Nagisa once again falls ill and misses her graduation ceremony. Tomoya organizes all of their classmates and friends from school for a special graduation just for Nagisa. Shortly afterwards, Tomoya and Nagisa begin their married life together.

Episode 14:
Tomoya and Nagisa begin their married life together. Nagisa feeling that she has to do pull her weight as well, gets a part time job at a new family restaurant. Akio soon suggests that he and Tomoya go visit Nagisa at work, and he goes incognito with his new son-in-law. Shortly after arriving, they see Nagisa being harassed by some hoodlums and scare them away.

Tomoya notes how quickly the town is changing and voices his displeasure when Nagisa informs him that the school’s old building is going to be torn down. Sometime later we find out that Nagisa has become pregnant, which elicits quite a reaction from the overprotective Akio.

Episode 15:
Concerns over Nagisa’s pregnancy and health arise, and Sanae voices that an abortion may be needed if complications arise. Nagisa nevertheless chooses to go through with the pregnancy. Akio takes Tomoya to a hospital construction site and tells him that this was the field where he took Nagisa on the day she nearly died, and out of despair wished for her to continue living. Akio then lets Tomoya know that he and Sanae will always be there for Tomoya and Nagisa. While walking on the beach together, Tomoya and Nagisa contemplate a name for their baby and agree on Ushio, a name that figuratively links back to Nagisa.

Impressions:
Sniff sniff, Clannad always gets me a little teary eyed, but the graduation in episode 13 especially got to me. The bad thing is this isn’t even the sad part yet… Drunk Nagisa was a riot when she finally confronted Tomoya about his little crush on Sanae. She was also quite blunt when she told Akio that she and Tomoya are having sex, and Akio’s following reaction was good for a chuckle.

A serious issue pops up with the abortion talk. Even though the word was never said outright, we all know saw that elephant creep into the room. It’s gutsy that the anime talked about the subject, and I think the writers handled the issue tactfully without cramming any views down our throats.

Random closing thoughts:
-Sunohara doesn’t look right with black hair.
-I like Nagisa when she’s drunk as a skunk.
-Akio’s psuedo incestuous misgivings are what make him funny.
-Who the hell do you think I am?
-This is a parfait that shall pierce the heavens!
-If Akio really was a rapper, what would his stage name be?
-Those maid uniforms are super MOE.
-Married couples have sex… Or so I’m told.

Episode 10:
With school life over and seemingly no direction at the moment, Tomoya takes up Akio’s and Sanae’s offer to work in the bakery for the time being. Meanwhile Nagisa begins her senior year yet again and tries in vain to make new friends and re-establish the disbanded theater club.

After a chance meeting with Kyou and Ryou, Tomoya learns of a cheap apartment that will soon be available, and he soon rushes to Yoshino seeking a real job as an electrician. Akio and Nagisa help their resident loafer move into his new digs, even going so far as to lend him some of their furniture. The new job is more work than Tomoya bargained for and he is left totally drained after his first day.

The mysterious girl sure is… Mysterious.

I demand a junk robot plush.

If I knew fractions, I’d say the answer was 0.5.

Welcome to Furukawa Bakery. Today’s special is…

Some sort of Sanae bread. It’s delicious. Trust me.

Sitting all alone because all her friends are gone.

Whenever I see Kyou, I can’t help but think “Slut” with a capital S.

The hard hat is what makes Yoshino Yoshino.

Tomoya’s new digs. Ya dig?

We’re a moving on up, to the east side~

Tomoya and Nagisa playing house.

Welcome to the company. Don’t electrocute yourself now.

No one ever told me work would be so much work.

Fetch my blanket. I’ll just sleep here tonight.

Episode 11:
Tomoya is adjusting to his new job under the tutelage of Yoshino. While on the job Yoshino surmises and confronts Tomoya about his bum shoulder but promises to keep the secret between them. After hours, the manager asks Tomoya to do an urgent on-site repair by himself. The following day Tomoya gets a call that he messed up the repair, and he rushes to help Yoshino and take responsibility despite having promised to go to the Founder’s Festival with Nagisa. Tomoya spends nearly the entire day with the repair, but Nagisa is understanding of the circumstances. Afterwards, Yoshino gives some words of encouragement to Tomoya and tells him to do continue to do his best.

Ganbatte!

Tomoya-kun, are you ready for some… Adult entertainment?

The force is strong with this one!

Head strike! 1 point!

Law of captions: All eye level close ups require an obligatory “Keikaku doori!” reference. No exceptions.

Akio loves to play pranks on his waifu.

Tomoya is learning the tricks of the trade.

I see London, I see France, I see Tomoya’s underpants.

Hard hats with flashlights are freakin’ badass.

Yoshino-san, can you see my house from there?

A pretty girl with grilled corn. What else could you ask for?

Heed my words. Life is like that Beatles song. All you need…

IS LOVE!

Episode 12:
Yoshino shares the story of his misspent youth, meeting Kouko Ibuki and his rise and fall as a popular musician. At the height of his fame he found out one of the fans he personally met committed a violent crime, and wracked with guilt he soon resorted to drugs. Years later he returned back home and met Kouko again and realized that he should have been singing for her sake.

Tomoya is recommended by the manager for a promotion and transfer to a new branch. Tomoya’s father has some trouble with the law and is arrested, and his promotion is subsequently canceled due to their association. Nagisa accompanies Tomoya to visit his father in jail and he vents his frustration at his father who continues to get in his way. On the way home, Tomoya makes a sudden marriage proposal to Nagisa who accepts.

For the record, Akio does not have a daughter complex. Nope. Not at all.

Will you listen to my story?

Young Yoshino’s got the hots for teacher.

Yusuke Mercury!

That Yusuke Yoshino guy…

He’s more popular than Jesus!

But fame is fleeting, especially for anime characters.

Disclaimer: Don’t do drugs.

Yoshino looking a bit like Nicholas Wolfwood.

It’s Kouko. Remember her?

Tomoya and Nagisa relaxing in the shade.

“Is your refrigerator running?”

Tomoya’s promotion just got rejected…

All because of a deadbeat dad. Thanks.

Marriage proposal in the middle of an alley?

Sure, why not.

Impressions:
Tomoya… Has become a man! They grow up so fast don’t they? Back in the first season he was a boy that hated the world and together with Nagisa, slowly came out of his shell. He’s had a lot of character growth over 30-something episodes, which he demonstrates with his selflessness. He’s gone more than out of his way to help Nagisa, Kotomi, Tomoyo, Fuuko, Yukine, Sunohara, Mei and Misae. If Tomoya was real he would be an automatic shoe-in for TIME’s Person of the Year. Regardless of all he’s done… I still like Kanon’s Yuichi better, for Yuichi has the unstoppable power of Tomozaku Sugita.

Akio seems to have filled the role as the obligatory full-time comic relief now that Sunohara is gone, and he does his role admirably. Akio is funny and GAR at the same time. His running bread gag with Sanae will always have a place in my heart, but the lightsaber fight with the old man in episode 11 had me cracking up. ‘Adult entertainment’ indeed…

Yoshino is a tragic guy, but his story didn’t strike me as sad. It’s not like what happened with that fan was his fault but he took it to heart way too much anyway.

Also, that marriage proposal at the end of 12? Totally not time appropriate. Yeah just punch a hole in the wall, break your fingers and then ask the girl you love to marry you. Yep. That’s some great atmosphere. Tomoya, you know how to play the game. Looks like we’re almost at After Story’s turning point. Clannad’s now 3/4 over, and I’m getting depressed knowing that it’ll be over in 12 short episodes.

Synopsis is late because of RL stuff but here it is.

In the other world, the mysterious girl and robot are building some crazy contraption to fly to a warmer and happier place before winter set in. In the real world, Nagisa asks Tomoya what he plans to do once he graduates. Tomoya dodges the question and while changing the subject he manages to find out that Nagisa’s birthday is on December 24th.

While the Clannad gang are discussing their futures, Nagisa suddenly falls ill. Kyou and the gang try their best to keep Tomoya’s spirits up but his thoughts are only with Nagisa. Summer turns to fall and fall turns into winter, but Nagisa still isn’t recovering from her illness. Tomoya soon learns that Nagisa will have to repeat her senior year yet again. He contemplates staying behind as well but Akio and Sanae tell him to go ahead and graduate.

Everyone visits the bedridden Nagisa on December 24th to wish her a happy birthday. Winter soon turns to spring and the graduation of the senior class. After a long walk home, Tomoya finds Nagisa in front of the Furukawa bakery. He expresses how she made his high school life fun and if she was there he would have wanted to be there forever. Nagisa says she will be fine repeating another year, and as the two take a walk together Tomoya thinks about how he always wants to walk up the hill to school with her.

This crazy flying contraption is powered by Key magic.

Tomoya: My dream job? I want to be a vagrant pupeteer searching for a girl in the sky.

Tomoya: What’s so funny? It could happen you know…

What’s wrong Nagisa?

Afflicted with Key-itis that only strikes female characters.

So Tomoya, you mind watching Botan for a while?

Botan: Puhi puhi!

Even if you say no, Kyou will still take that as a yes.

What is it with Key’s fixation on chronically ill girls?

Look at the lovey dubby couple.

Sad Tomoya is sad.

Happy Birthday Nagisa!

Sunohara’s ideal job should be party entertainer.

I got you a present. Why don’t you take a look inside?

It’s my dango in a box~

The whole gang is here.

Well, except for Fuko. No one misses her anyway.

A Kodak Moment.

The idiot duo pays their respects to the old teacher on graduation day.

Not like it matters but they’ll be seniors next year.

How the hell did Sunohara manage to graduate anyway?

The long walk home.

Nagisa: Welcome home, Tomoya-kun.

Tomoya: I’m so glad you’re not going to die.

Nagisa: Ahaha. Me, die? That’s a good one.

Ah, young love.

Impressions:
So how bout that time skip? I thought the school life portion could have gone on another episode but this seems like a good spot to finally end it and transition into Tomoya and Nagisa’s life together and the real after story. Sunohara was pretty funny with his deluded dream of becoming a model. I’m sad that even though the secondary girls have limited roles in the show, we’ll probably see even less of them now. Guess this means no Ryou episode unless that gets an extra OVA episode ala the Tomoyo OVA episode in the first season. Speaking of which, I haven’t seen Tomoya this sissy since that aforementioned episode…

I’m kidding, all right. Tomoya has drastically changed for the better since the first season and it shows with his endless devotion to Nagisa.

I know it’s futile to ask but what kind of sickness does Nagisa have to be sick for the better part of three seasons in the anime? Key loves their unspecified diseases that make girls chronically ill a bit too much… Also since Sanae apparently doesn’t do anything around the bakery and has experience as a teacher, why couldn’t she home school Nagisa while she was ill? It’s stupid to question anime logic… Next episode, Tomoya gets a job.

The conflict between the city’s two gangs escalates, due in part to Sunohara pretending to be Kazuto. The rival gang, feeling threatened by his return, is encroaching on the territory of Kazuto’s gang, thus increasing the fighting in the city. Tomoyo advises Yukine and the others to make peace with the rival gang before the police intervene and make matters even more serious.

Yukine and Tomoya go to meet with the rival gang. They arrange a one on one duel between Sasaki, the leader of the rival gang, and ‘Kazuto’ to settle who gets control of the city. At the riverbank the next afternoon, the two gangs stand poised for the duel. Nagisa inadvertently multi-kills Sunohara and most of the gang with Sanae’s rainbow bread (with Akiko jam for good measure!), leaving Tomoya the only man standing. Tomoya steps up and fights Sasaki despite the severe handicap of his bum right shoulder. Although Tomoya is severely outclassed he manages to hold his own with Sasaki until well into the night. Suddenly the silhouette of Kazuto appears under the moonlight. Sasaki punches the fake Kazuto and it turns out to be Yukine who donned the disguise to make the two gangs stop fighting.

The next morning everyone visits Kazuto’s grave with Yukine, who reveals that she and Kazuto’s gang kept his death a secret from everyone so as not to upset the balance of power in the city. She recounts being afraid of her brother and his friends but as she got to know the gang after his death, she felt like she finally understood Kazuto and his ideology. Sasaki’s gang is moved as they pay their respects to Kazuto and stop the territorial feud. Tomoya briefly sees an orb of light floating away in the sky.

Yukine later tells him the legend of the city that when people are happy, orbs of light appear that can grant wishes. She proposes that perhaps Tomoya is special since he was able to see the orb of light. Yukine counts her blessings for having so many wonderful friends from the gang to Tomoya and company.

Want to put your head on my lap?

Okay.

Sunohara is shocked, not like it takes much to shock him anyway.

Don’t make Tomoyo open a can of Hyakuretsu Kyaku on your ass.

The Clannad universe seems to center around Sunohara’s room.

Sasaki, leader of the rival gang and all around badass.

Maybe we should have called for backup.

Sunohara, the truth is… I’ve always loved you ever since the moment we met!

Why thanks. I’m flattered.

Oh warriors, come out to play~i~ay.

If you got that reference, kudos to you.

Nagisa: Before your street brawl, how about some delicious…

RAINBOW BREAD!

And special Akiko jam~

EPIC JAM MEETS EPIC BREAD!

It’s freakin’ delicious! Your tastebuds will explode with flavor! EAT IT!

Maybe we should have offered some to the other gang.

Tomoya is overmatched…

But he has guts and GAR to compensate.

Mada mada dane.

You’re doing great Tomoya. You’re wearing him out by letting him beat you up, right?

Pawnch!

Is that Kazuto?

No, it’s Yukine. And she got Falcon Punched in the face. =(

Visiting Kazuto’s grave.

I guess this means Yukine is technically the gang leader?

Crying Yukine. ;_;

That’s what you call respect.

UFO sighting.

Yukine: Thanks for being my friend even though I’m really weird.

The beautiful Yukine Miyazawa. My heart is fluttering~

In memory of Kazuto. The soul still burns.

Impressions:
A nice end to the brief but great Yukine arc. I already had the conclusion spoiled for me before watching this episode, but it was still executed very well. Yukine is technically a secondary girl, but I really liked her arc and thought it was good enough to be a main arc. I also thought it was substantially better than the weak Tomoyo and Kyou arcs. At any rate the Yukine arc provides a vital clue concerning the oft seen orbs of light gathering in the city.

Sanae is hilariously dangerous even when she has no screen time, and I positively love the reference to Akiko from Kanon being her friend. Two moms with dangerous foods… Priceless. Sanae bread + Akiko jam = Instant KO. Sunohara’s reaction after barging in to see Yukine with her head on Tomoya’s lap, also priceless. So next episode looks like to start wrapping up the school life portion in preparation of the real after story. Does this mean no mini Ryou arc? Next time, The Melancholy of Tomoya Okazaki.

In the other world, winter is fast approaching and the girl and robot decide to leave the house in search of a warmer place full of happiness. In the real world, Tomoya, Nagisa and Sunohara are hanging out with Yukine in the reference room when a gang member named Sudou suddenly comes in looking for Yukine. Yukine consoles Sudou, and the group learns that Yukine is revered as the big sister of a gang led by her brother, Kazuto Miyazawa, and that she takes care of the delinquents.

On the way home a young boy named Yu approaches the group and asks Yukine about Kazuto and the whereabouts of his sister. Sunohara pretends to be Kazuto and (surprise surprise) everyone goes to his room later. Yu tells the group that his sister has left home and has apparently joined Kazuto’s gang. The problem is resolved when Yukine promises to ask the gang about Yu’s sister.

Sunohara takes a liking to Yu and brings him to school the next day. After school Yukine brings everyone to the night club where the gang hangs out and Yu is reunited with his sister. Sunohara’s cover as Kazuto is subsequently blown and the gang is displeased to find out he’s been impersonating their leader. Nagisa asks if Kazuto will show up but learns from the gang members that he is currently in the hospital after a car accident and that Kazuto also has a strained relationship with his parents. As Tomoya, Nagisa, Yukine and Sunohara leave the club, they are beset by the members of the rival gang who still believe that Sunohara is Kazuto. Luckily they are saved by Tomoyo when she single-handedly lays some royal smack down on the delinquents.

This is a story about a girl and her robot… Isn’t it?

Yukine in a fetching apron.

The reference room is the perfect place for a get together.

ZETSUBOUSHITA!!!

What are you–I’m not even going to ask…

Fried rice heals wounds. It’s scientifically proven.

Walking home with Yukine. Lucky!

Obligatory shouta appearance of the Yukine arc.

Naturally Sunohara’s room becomes the default meeting place.

Sunohara: You’re like a flower in the wind! This is deep stuff, got it?

My buddy and me.

Unlike Sunohara, he actually holds the book rightside up.

Remember dinosaurs are extinct because they were stupid!

Yukine showing her maternal side.

Anime Rule #57: Hide behind street poles. They’re the perfect cover and no one will ever see you.

I’m like a chameleon. A Japanese chameleon.

I’m not feeling so good suddenly.

Yu: Onee-chan, are you a prostitute now?

Hey man, you got a girlfriend?

Why so sad?

Sunohara playing with his new ‘friends’.

Tomoya’s found some new friends too.

Nagisa and Yukine: Future Idolm@asters!

I sure hope no one jumps us on our way home.

This is just like something straight out of [****] Side Story!

Tomoyo to the rescue.

Impressions:
Yukine is the love. Those tired, droopy eyes and forcing unsuspecting people to recite stupid charms to somehow work… So super moe! Yukine, you have gained points in my book for your moeness. From now on when asked about Mei I’ll simply reply, “Who’s Mei?” because Yukine has utterly usurped that position. Of course Yukine still can’t hold a candle to the curvy moe of Kotomi, but to be fair Kotomi does have the unfair advantage of Mamiko Noto on her side.

That’s enough moe talk so down to the nitty gritty. Yukine is definitely not as happy and carefree as we were initially led to believe, and since Clannad is all about family, her arc is about her brother’s strained relationship with their parents. The other world is gradually taking a greater role in the story and is slowly becoming more relevant. I’m really looking forward to the point that the other world actually takes center stage and becomes pivotal to to the plot at hand. After the Yukine arc, I wonder if we’ll have time for some Tomoyo and Kyou wrap up or if it’s time to jump straight into the real After Story. Either way it looks like the Yukine arc will wrap up next episode and we’ll see from there.

Shima confesses his feelings to Misae and she invites him to go to the autumn festival with her. At the insistence of Misae’s two generic friends, Shima dresses in drag to see Misae at school. While walking home with Misae’s friends after school, Shima comes to the realization that he is not the real Shima, who has already died. As he stares alone at the night sky he remembers he is Shima’s cat as well as his master’s final plea to grant a wish for Misae.

Shima and Misae attend the autumn festival together. Misae confesses her feelings back to Shima and wishes that he will always stay by her side. Shima disappears that evening, but he eventually returns to her in his normal form of a cat. Okazaki wakes up from the dream and later at the current autumn festival, he conveys Shima’s message and feelings to Misae.

If you witness shouta abuse, please report it to the police right away.

If anyone asks about your bruises, you fell down the stairs. ^_^

O-okay…

If you don’t go to the autumn festival with me, you’re going to get more ‘bruises’. ^_^

That girl in the middle is hella cute.

Guest appearance by Kouko Ibuki.

*bubbles and blush*

Ibuki-sensei says to move it along.

Misae and Shima at the festival.

I want a cool dango mask too.

Misae: Shima, where are you?

I had fun. I’ll see you later… Or not.

Such a somber face.

Whose eyes are those?

Misae has acquired a LOLcat.

That was one trippy dream, little magical cat.

Reunited and it feels so good~

Awwww.

Misae, Shima and generic friends.

Impressions:
Okay. I’ll man up and admit I bawled at this. The parting scene between Misae and Shima gave me flashbacks to a key scene in ONE’s climax and to a lesser extent Kanon 2006′s Ayu arc. I thought the parting was well executed with Shima disappearing in the crowd with a smile. This explains a lot about why Misae hasn’t really moved on with her life like Kouko and Yoshino have.

Clannad hasn’t had a whole lot of magical stuff happen in it yet aside from Fuko, but this arc laid on the ‘supernatural miracle’ stuff that Key loves so much. The highlight of this episode had to be trap Shima, hands down. Shima the magical trap cat — I think that could be a series in itself… Yes. Brilliant! It’ll be an even bigger hit than Kannagi!

Well that does it for the Misae arc. I laughed, I bawled, I fell for a trap. Next up is Yukine. FINALLY. Yukine’s arc has been due since the middle of the first season.

PS: If you haven’t done so then play ONE, because ONE and Clannad sort of share a kindred spirit.