And so, the story continues. If you watched the first season of Clannad then this one should be a priority on your ‘next to watch’ list. It is without thinking one of the best anime presented and it will not leave you emotionless. It will actually awake something other inside you and show you a true path to life…
Where light falls, where mist rises, that is the town where it all began and where it all will finish. The story is set just after Clannad, but by my point of view I have split it into two parts. The first part is up to episode eleven and the second on is the rest. Both focus on different things, the first one being similar to the original Clannad and while the second one takes on a more emotional turn and also replaces the usual school life with that of an adult. But even so, the first part also carries the atributes of the new series having some comedy moments, but as well some tear breaking ones. In the whole series there are small arks representing the story of each one, but ultimately finishing with the main story of Nagisa and Tomoya.
The visuals are, as they were in the original Clannad, jaw dropping. They still are somehow different from the original visual novel, but in this case that can only be for the better. The best part are the effects, backgrounds, facial and body expressions, movements, all these small details… sunsets, lighting effects, pretty much anything around that. It makes the world of Clannad alive and succeeds in something that is very rarely seen only by some high quality anime movies. The soundtrack is taken from the original with maybe adding some new tracks, but that only means that it is still phenomenal as it was back then. Even to this day most of the tracks are stuck in my head and just hearing them makes you calmer and more determined. It also gives you the impression of what the next scene will be, knowing on what might happen, in the same moment maybe fearing and yet anticipating it.
By all means I for sure recommend this anime to everyone. The studio Key is known for making good quality visual novels, but this anime here even surpasses all that. When you feel a certain emotion, both sadness and satisfaction at the end of an anime, then you know that it is a true masterpiece and art. Yes, this one is all from that and while it is one of the saddest anime out there it is also one of those that will keep your heart most calm after it all finishes.
5/5
Studio: Key
Genres: Slice of life, drama, comedy
Anime director: Tatsuya Ishihara
Age rating: Older children (10+)
Episodes: 24 (+1 OVA)
Original vintage: October 2008 - March 2009
