+ | N o v a s t o r m | +

Rating: 8.5/10

Impressions:

Literally, the LOVE has come back to Clannad. After watching Kotomi’s arc, which I didn’t really like, this serves as a wonderful breather, and the random new direction it’s taking is definitely something I want to see. Sunohara’s sister makes for an interesting development, and as I said in the first sentence, everyone’s starting to get involved with these love problems and misunderstandings. I really like how it seems to be spreading as indicated by the preview, especially as how Kyou definitely wants Tomoya after he says he’s not dating anyone at the moment. Perhaps this will turn into Kyou’s arc…

Read more

Popularity: 6% [?]

Rating: 8/10

Impressions:

I’m sorry for neglecting Clannad until now, since I really have more desire to blog other shows than this, even though it IS a good show. Anyway, this episode concludes Kotomi’s arc, and does a really good job of it. The importance of friends and family that is emphasised in this episode, as well as the nice, final wrap-up with the teddy bear, all create an excellent and satisfying conclusion to Kotomi’s story. But the problem is, it’s not exactly unpredictable. I really liked Fuko’s ark due to the charm of her character and the uniqueness of her story. While Kotomi’s arc is more tear-up-welling, I have to say I didn’t really like Kotomi at all. Which explains the lower than usual score. =/

Read more

Popularity: 4% [?]

Rating: 7.5/10

Impressions:

For some odd reason, this episode didn’t appeal to me nearly as much as what Clannad usually does. I’m beginning to think that the Key game adaptations have gone on long enough, and now, KyoAni’s just pushing it. For me, everything is simply far too repetitive. The sad back-stories, the group collaboration, the male lead that’s always the same—hopefully, this will be the last Key game anime adaptation that they do. Unless they can offer something new and interesting. I can’t help but think that this show is exactly like Kanon. Pacing is also a severe problem in my books, as everything is being dragged out excessively, making the episodes rather dull and boring.

Read more

Popularity: 6% [?]

Rating: 8.3/10

Impressions:

Regardless of what had happened to Kotomi in the past, I still can’t come to like her. She’s simply far too abnormal. Anyway though, this episode proves to be quite interesting with her sudden breakdown, the slight revelation of her past, and various symbolic details that are scattered throughout the episode. What surprised me most was the talk about a separate world, which Kotomi’s parents had supposedly discovered. It gives you that sci-fi feeling, doesn’t it? It could well be false, though such a supernatural phenomenon wouldn’t be uncommon in a Key game. It might help to explain those ‘other world’ sequences of the girl and robot as well…

Read more

Popularity: 6% [?]

Rating: 8/10

Impressions:

Ok that was better. I’m actually a lot more interested in Kyou at the moment, as it seems like she might go all the way and confess to Tomoya quite soon (yes, sadly, in anime, ‘all the way’ often means only confessing). But then again, I’m not mistaking things (maybe Kyou refers to her sister when she asks Tomoya about him not having a girlfriend, but I hope and doubt that that’s the case. Oh and, I forgot to mention this last time, but with the end of Fuko’s arc, the robot+little girl flashbacks have resumed, along with Tomoya’s problems with his bum of a father. It doesn’t look like any of this will be covered in detail in any time soon, but it’s never too early to hypothesise…

Read more

Popularity: 3% [?]

Rating: 7.8/10

Impressions:

LAWL. Wow, that was the most pointless episode I’ve seen in Clannad so far. Sure, you can argue that in a lot of ways, like how it ‘brings everyone together’ or ‘initiates another arc’ or ‘develops characters’ or ‘is just plain funny’. But, omg I couldn’t stop laughing at how nothing was achieved at the end of the episode, despite knowing this. Sigh…I guess I had been sucked in to the ending of Fuko’s arc too much. Honestly though, the girls get progressively weirder the more KyoAni animates Key games. That’s probably the reason why I like Kyou so much—she’s normal. Same with Tomoyo, apart from her super strength and destructiveness, but I can live with that.

Read more

Popularity: 4% [?]

Rating: 9/10

Impressions:

So they leave the ending ambiguous—the easiest way out. I guess it’s better that way, to make Fuko stay asleep and have everyone forget about her when the next arc starts…Well, the bittersweet ending that I imagined came to pass, and overall, I reckon it was done extremely well. I’m surprised the arc lasted up to this point, since there should be quite a few to go…right? I hope none of the characters gets a rip off of a real arc like Miyuki in Kanon, who only starred in two episodes (she was my favourite as well…) The next episode has a more general theme, so I wonder who the next focus character will be.

Read more

Popularity: 3% [?]

Rating: 9/10

Impressions:

So in this episode, we finally learn that FUKO IS A TRAP! OK, that would be pretty interesting, if not disturbing, if it were true. It probably wouldn’t affect the story much, but you never know. I have to say that this episode turns out to be my favourite of the series so far, probably due to it being the most emotional (in my opinion). I can’t foresee a full-on happy ending for Fuko, though if anything, aside from being another arc that has nothing to do with any of the other arcs, Fuko’s arc has induced quite a bit of character development, and personally development between the hero and heroine of the story. It’s nice to see such integration of development this arc has had so far.

Read more

Popularity: 3% [?]