Every once in a while, you will watch an anime, movie, TV show or even read a story that kind of leaves you in a void. You start seeing things differently, you don't know what to do with yourself, and you begin to question how life works. Clannad, and Clannad Afterstory, is one of these animes. After watching Clannad I got into the sequel, and after watching it, I felt such a void because the story was so amazing so surreal, that it became one of my many favorite anime shows. What makes Clannad different from every other romantic genre, is because of this season right here. When you watch some kind of romance entertainment you get this whole bit of these two love birds trying to get together, and then they finally get together in the end, and then the story ends. You never know what happens afterwards. What makes Clannad so good, is because it doesn't just end where it did in the first season, where the two main characters get together. Instead, After Story takes us to that time in our life when graduation happens, life in high school ends, and adulthood starts. It continues the story to tell us what happens to Tomoya and Naigisa (probably spelling it wrong, but oh well). If you remember the first season, one of the many stories and sayings within it tell us of many different realities, and After Story kind of in a way explains the confusion that we were left in the end. Not only that but more new problems surface, such as old friendships, dealing with work and living on your own, etc. While the original Clannad focused on the problems at school and the importance of family and friends, the After Story focuses on the same stuff, but like I said before in that period of adulthood we all just love. It also brings out one of the most powerful messages that I think personally is the best thing to ask yourself when dealing with school, work, adulthood, marriage, friendships and relationships whatever. If what you dreamed of doesn't happen, and life takes you on this metaphorical trainwreck and continues to beat you senseless time and time again, and all of that was because of a single choice you made long ago: despite maybe having to go through it again knowing the pain and torment you will go through, would you still make that choice again? Will you do that one thing for one person, would you talk to this one, would you do anything differently to change the outcome, or would you do it all again because despite you know how it ends, you still love that person? That being said, this is one of the best anime I have seen thus far, which is big because I don't like romance anime at all. If you're not a fan either don't worry, it's not your typical chick flick. Check it out, and I can personally promise you, you wont be disappointed though. A word to the wise though, this season is more emotionally distressful than the previous due to the relevance of family, friend and romantic relationships that are not just 'oh that sad', but crushingly sad. That being said I don't care how tough you are, the only ONLY way you can watch this season and not cry, is because you have a heart like a brick. Just saying. Me being a guy, I have to admit, I was choked up on a few scenes, but in the end, I was glad I made the choice to go through and watch this show. That being said, check out Clannad After Story if you are a fan of the original, and if you never heard of this show at all, watch both seasons. It is a must.
