Clannad
Kyoto Animation have been keen to retain the interests of their established fanbase for several years now. Though not being received as masterful
tours de force by all reviewers, fan reactions to their ongoing sequence of mildy-comedic dramas have remained persistently strong since the release of their aestival tragedy,
Air. Subsequent shows continue to operate on the foundations this set; a central character engaged with the dilemmas and occasional romantic inclinations of adolescent females, each character receiving due exposition in a well-defined character arc.
Clannad remains no exception to this. Tomoya and Nagisa, a self-proclaimed school delinquent and a somewhat timid young girl respectively, are established as the series' principle couple from the outset, with subsequent characters being each allocated a few episodes of stardom during the pair's overarching storyline. One might find such a structure becomes tiring on its third iteration, as if to suggest that Key's fanbases would be averse to synchronic character development or sets of relationships less resemblant of a harem. Such a preliminary criticism ought to be admitted, though to belittle the show just for adhering to a tried-and-tested formula is to discredit it outright. It is clear that Clannad does not strive for a new thematic direction, and as such I don't hold such hefty expectations of it.
Nevertheless, there exists a salient difference in tone exist between Clannad and her sister titles. This difference may be seen as both a blessing and a curse, but one that I found not have worked to the show's overall favour: a
smaller number of melodramatic devices being subjected to the central cast. Fans of Air and Kanon will no doubt have much to say of the assorted perils befalling the heroines of such tales, though the comparative devices seem somewhat watered-down on this outing.
We see Fuko, childlike and playful, labouring away at publicising a personal occasion. Inevitably, she suffers a predicament of a sort her outward appearance doesn't suggest, such a predicament culminating in one of Key's patented “climax” episodes. Though the audience keenly awaits a grand cathartic crescendo, the resultant culmination of her efforts fails to reach the level of past arcs from previous shows. (Makoto's arc in Kanon, I hold, is the one to beat.) This is not to say it isn't effective at all, just that the actual plot itself—in addition to imperfect pacing of vital scenes—exerts only a comparatively minor strain upon one's heartstrings. Entertaining certainly, heartbreaking less so.
The standard Fuko's arc sets is bettered by the chapter it precedes, but unfortunately not by a margin sufficient to elevate the series very far beyond the level of appeal set from its outset. A learned and familiarly-retrained girl by the name of Kotomi nurtures new friendships whilst revealing her anguish towards a past tragedy. For those familiar with such an environment, so far so good. To my pleasant surprise, this part of the show counteracted Fuko's fantastical revelations quite aptly: Kotomi's pains are soothed not by otherworldly happenings, but by a the receipt of a somewhat ordinary gift, granting the show a touching moment without employing supernatural devices. Conversely, the sentimental power imparted by her tale is, as mentioned above, far from overwhelming and by no means beyond improvement.
As the series winds to a close, the pinnacle of Kotomi's story remains somewhat unrivalled. Nagisa's achievement of her thespian ambitions is marred by an abrupt injection of conflict into her situation, producing a lingering lukewarm affect to mar one's appreciation of the epilogue.
Not willing to come across as having lost their steam however, KyoAni provide an additional single-episode story as an alternative to this improvable ending. Though perhaps not a one-shot romance of the sort perfected by Makoto Shinkai, this additional act finally grants Clannad its moment of glory. In it, a nurturing relationship becomes dampened by academic concerns, before leading to a moment of reconciliation sufficiently passionate to offset much of the series' duller episodes. Despite not performing quite the hat-trick one might have hoped, this episode provides one last hurrah to silence those who doubt the directorial staff's extant ability to rouse their viewers, despite also suggesting that the canonical story was not made to the highest calibre of which the writing staff were capable.
Being from the revered studios of KyoAni, it was almost inevitable that the series would provide ample production values; the R1 DVD release shows a crisp, clear digital transfer resplendent with details and fluid movements. Character designs nonetheless remain an acquired taste. Exaggerated facial expressions will deter those unfamiliar to the subgenre, even if they are more tolerant of the character mannerisms with which it is filled. Musical cues contain some endearing pieces, with the ending theme being one of the most interesting I have heard in recent months, but with certain incidental pieces being more mediocre to my ear.
Ultimately, Clannad shows that KyoAni are still able to induce emotive responses amongst the Key fanbase when effort is applied, whilst also warning that this requires a fine balance to be struck between the
severity of a dramatic device and the time invested in establishing it. Clannad goes through all necessary motions to reach storytelling peaks, but delivers them with less than optimum reliability. One hopes that the direct sequel to this tale better blends character anguish with emotional release, and shows slightly more finesse at exploiting characters' situations to better purge the viewer through cathartic release.
Indeed, only half of the story has elapsed in these 24 episodes, and its occasional strengths might be sufficient to justify the hope—albeit tentatively—that the scene has been set for a triumphant return to past quality in the upcoming half.