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ファイト／ステイナイト 
It's so weird watching this show in Widescreen after watching the previous 23 episodes in pan/scan. Having said that, I don't actually feel that much difference as far as details go. It makes me wonder if the show was designed to be pan/scan in the first place since the added screen space doesn't seem to add much to the episode. I just think there are too many flat colors and there's little variation in the kind of colors that the animators used. As far as anime adaptation is concerned, I feel that Kyoto Animation did a better job on both Air and Kanon. Those two titles look much better, especially when it comes to depicting the season that they supposed to represent (summer and winter, respectively). I hope Clannad: After Story does a better job in presenting spring than the original series and I hope the series is aired in Widescreen format.
Tomoya is awakened by Tomoyo as usual but the guy is unhappy about this. Tomoyo refuses to leave him, reminding him that she's his girlfriend so Tomoya suggests that they should break up. Tomoyo is upset to hear this, asking him not to say something like that even though it's just a joke. Tomoya apologizes and cheers her up by reminding her that today is student council president election day so she should cheer up and go ahead. That day, Tomoyo stays inside an empty classroom with Tomoya even though there will be an announcement of the election result soon. She claims that being with Tomoya calms her. Tomoya can then be heard saying that it's been a month since the two have been dating. Tomoya's narration is interrupted when someone announces that the student council president has been elected and Tomoyo is the one. This means that Tomoyo is reaching her goal: to save the Sakura trees around the area.
Unfortunately the election also means that Tomoyo's private lives become a discussion for other students. They don't really approve the fact that Tomoyo hangs around with Tomoya very often and Tomoya realizes this. That day Tomoyo comes to Tomoya's class carying two bentou boxes: one for Tomoya and one for Sunohara. Of course while Tomoya's bentou containing delicious foods, Sunohara's only contains a bunch of seaweeds. However, because of this act of bringing bentou to Tomoya, other students start to wonder if Tomoyo and Tomoya are dating. That afternoon, Tomoyo ends up using the speaker to tell Tomoya to go home first since she's busy. This causes distress amongst the other students because they have nothing better to do than to gossip about someone else's life. To make the story short, the two eventually starts to drift apart because Tomoyo is busy with her schedule as student council president.
It doesn't help that Tomoya's self-confidence about the necessity of his presence in her life starts to plummet. Their relationship starts to unravel when 2nd year student, Tameguchi (voiced by Fukuyama Jun aka Lelouch/Watanuki) tells Tomoya that Tomoyo is someone whose position has been elevated and therefore Tomoya is holding back her chances to become successful. He thinks everyone even Tomoya understands this particular view. Because of this, Tomoya eventually tells Tomoyo that they should break up. He believes she has a future in her life but if she's with him, he'd just slow her down. Tomoyo tries to tell Tomoya that if she's not around, no one would take care of him, make him bentou, study with him, etc and besides, she loves him so she wants to be with him. However, Tomoya claims that his feelings for her is not love. Not surprisingly, Tomoyo is upset to hear this and the two part ways ever since then.
In the aftermath, Sunohara points out that if Tomoyo is not around, Tomoya will become a 'useless' person once again. Despite this, Tomoya tries his best to lift his own school performance on his own. When he meets Tomoyo in the hallway, the two pretend not to recognize each other. As for Tomoyo, she's successful in stopping the destruction of the Sakura trees. She even gets to speak in Engrish and her speech is broadcasted on TV. Fast forward winter, everyone almost finished high school. Sunohara is trying to get a job interview so he has to dye his hair black, causing intentional laughter from Tomoya. Tomoya himself is successful in getting a job and graduating from high school. One snowy day, Tomoya is on his way home when he is greeted by Tomoyo, who's been waiting for him. As it turns out, Tomoyo wants to give Tomoya a report that the Sakura trees around the area won't be cut down.
Tomoya congratulates her on realizing her dream but Tomoyo tells him that in exchange, she lost something: being able to be with the person that she loves. She then tells Tomoya that she still loves him even now. She also notices that even without her he's doing his best at his work. Tomoya admits that he still has trouble with preparing bentou and looking for job although he now has a job at a small recycle shop. In his mind, Tomoya feels that he's always in the city, waiting for the train signal to stop so he can cross the train tracks. This is the kind of man that he is. Tomoya tells him that in that case, she'd be with him. Tomoya becomes angry and tells her that she should be a better person, go to university, etc. Despite this, she insists on following Tomoya and in his mind, Tomoya feels that the barrier that separates him and Tomoyo has been lifted. Because of this, the two embrace each other, affirming their relationship.
Impression
If there's one thing that I dislike about the Japanese society is their beehive/group mentality. I don't understand why the relationship between two people is anyone's business but the two people in the relationship. Even if one of the two people is a public figure, what that person is doing in the privacy of their home is not anyone else's business but that person and his/her significant other. I thought it's also silly for Tomoya to remove himself from the relationship even though Tomoyo doesn't want it. On a hindsight, however, maybe it's not a bad idea. Even though Tomoyo doesn't mind, the beehive mentality of Japanese people will probably make it impossible for her to do anything without her relationship getting in the way of what she set out to do. She probably wouldn't have gotten the approval to save the Sakura tree if she's still with Tomoya because the public can't accept the fact that she goes out with a delinquent.
That kind of mentality is foolish because there's no correlation between her going out with Tomoya and her ability to lead people and to convince them to preserve what's left of the Sakura trees. I also hate that at the end of the series, Tomoya is still the 'useless' person that he was. It just confirms the belief that people who are not good in high school won't be successful in real life. It's a vicious cycle because sometimes the person who's accused of being 'useless' ends up believing this and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. The fact is, there are many people who didn't do well in high school but they become a much better person later on because in uni they find subject that they're good at, or for those who go straight and get a job, becomes really good at their job. Anyway, it was good to see Tomoya and Tomoyo together. Although they're not the typical anime pairing (tough, delinquent guy and a soft-spoken girl), I felt that it was far more realistic.
Poll: Tomoya/Nagisa or Tomoya/Tomoyo?
Tomoya/Tomoyo
Alllllll the way ^_^
I believe her goal wasn't to save one particular sakura tree, it was to save all of them in that area.
I believe her goal wasn't to save one particular sakura tree, it was to save all of them in that area.
You're probably right. It's been a while since I watched that episode about Tomoyo's family so I can't remember if there was only one tree or if there are more around the area.
Tomoya/Nagisa!!
It was weird watching this episode with no Nagisa and the other girls. It's like a twilight zone or something.
Nagisa. I love Tomoyo, but seriously...
tomoya/nagisa!
I think Tomoya and Tomoyo make a better couple since they seem to be more natural together. I don't like it how people pry into other people's relationships either, which is why I don't ask my friends if they're going out with anyone, or anyone for that matter. Maybe people these days are bored with nothing to do, and sticking their nose into other people's business is a way to kill time?
Yaay for Tomoya/Tomoyo!! XD
Slight typo : "Tomoyo tries to tell Tomoyo(a) that if she's not around (...)"
Those names are getting confusing sometimes...
And Tomoyo/Tomoya all the way
this episode is nice, but one thing is, if tomoya x tomoyo, i feel that tomoya rely on her so much but in tv series, if tomoya x nagisa, i feel he more caring and more independant. Anyway, this is also a wonderful anime... : )
For some reason... I've had a hard time feeling sympathy for any of the characters in Clannad... and this episode is no exception.
For the majority of the episode, I was thinking "why doesn't he keep an alarm clock? Why doesn't he study hard before dumping her? Why DOES he study after dumping her? And, as you have already identified, stop studying again after they're together? Why does Tomoyo want to do maid work for Tomoya every day? What's with Sunohara's emo gay black hair?
"Even if one of the two people is a public figure, what that person is doing in the privacy of their home is not anyone else's business but that person and his/her significant other."
- It's called gossip - people love it when they have nothing else to talk about.
Truthfully, this whole series is a joke.
@Helen: Would you believe me if I said that it's because the Japanese demographic this is aimed at does not want to see stories or character like that. The ideal that the character is meant to represent is more important in this case. I'm not saying I agree with that or think it's the best style of character presentation or even a good style, but that's pretty much the case.
Ahaha, Fukuyama Jun and Nakamura Yuuichi in the same scene? I have to see this! Grr, it'll have to be TomoyaXNagisa for me, go the sappy shoujo material.
"If there's one thing that I dislike about the Japanese society is their beehive/group mentality. I don't understand why the relationship between two people is anyone's business but the two people in the relationship"
Nothing typicallyjapanese about it, it exists in all societys over the world.
You can see it every day in papers and magazines and hear conversations about it.
As Helen pointed out it's common gossip.
Tomoya/Nagisa. I did feel that Tomoya and Tomoyo's relationship was realistic, but Tomoya/Nagisa was more...symbiotic? (Tomoya became a better person thanks to Nagisa, basically. And Nagisa learned to overcome her shyness and believe in herself thanks to Tomoya.)
@Richard:
"Nothing typicallyjapanese about it, it exists in all societys over the world."
It's more prevalent in Japanese society than anywhere else in the world. You'd know this if you've been to Japan. Bullying, for example, takes an entirely different shape in Japan because sometimes you can have an entire classmates go against you just (by completely ignoring you for example) because you're different.
It's been a while since I last saw this. I personally think there's no girl in Clannad who's a good match for Tomoya. Hmm, maybe Kyou? I just think he needs someone who can deal with the stand-offish nature of his character.
Nothing typicallyjapanese about it, it exists in all societys over the world.
The gossip part yes. But not the beehive mentality (ie. your job is the subject of the entire neighborhood's scrutiny and if it's not 'acceptable' then you become less respectable in that neighbourhood).
Hm... I haven't heard from Clannad in a while. I have to admit, the art makes me swing a bit towards TxT. But I think I'd stick with the original storyline. Haven't seen the ep yet, but now I'll try to.
By the way, do you think they'll do stories like this for all the other girls?
I am quite impress and satisfied with this episode, however I don't think tomoya is a useless guy. I think he is a decent one, even he doesnot show big change or any successful. At least he still somehow manage himself to go throught that difficult situations eg. lost his girl friend, being blamed as a failure,and seeing the girl he loved go far and far away.
So I think he is not bad at all...
by the way Garten are you girl or guy? after I read your funny comments in every pic here I just wonder...hehehe
Nothing typicallyjapanese about it, it exists in all societys over the world.
The gossip part yes. But not the beehive mentality (ie. your job is the subject of the entire neighborhood's scrutiny and if it's not 'acceptable' then you become less respectable in that neighbourhood).
----------------------------
Actually, no, it does exist everywhere, one prominent example is easily found in America's presidential election; while the personal affairs have nothing to do with the candidate's views, goals, and ability as you claim, it still affects people's opinions. And I'm not talking about issues like affairs with their secretaries or anything, these people who are well known just get a lot of scrutiny on their personal lives; if they for some reason say something wrong people pound on them for ages about it. Similarly, Tomoyo's just being scrutinized for being the student council president. People like their leaders to be associated with greatness, yet at the same time smirk or insult the bad sides of them.
I just used that example off the top of my head, but really, it's not like it's all that uncommon all around the world, as long as the community or society is large enough, these things will more than likely happen.
Anon: Most likely not, they did Tomoyo's because she was the most popular, if I remember right.
k1: quite sure Garten's a guy, no? O_O Now I'm confused....
And I'm not talking about issues like affairs with their secretaries or anything, these people who are well known just get a lot of scrutiny on their personal lives; if they for some reason say something wrong people pound on them for ages about it. Similarly, Tomoyo's just being scrutinized for being the student council president. People like their leaders to be associated with greatness, yet at the same time smirk or insult the bad sides of them.
I'm not talking about just leaders or people who are obviously in the scrutiny of public and the media. It's really hard to explain with words but it's like if your appearance is different from the rest of the neighbors. In most countries, this is your own choice and while one or two people will look at you with questioning look, most will go and mind about their own business. In Japan, you'll be lucky if the entire neighborhood do not talk about you. "The nail that sticks out the most gets hammered down". Japanese like conformity and those who are different are cast out. The story below provides a better example of what I'm trying to say:
http://www.jnsafund.org/speech/view.cgi?mode=view&lang=0&target=20040416
I can't watch this because I'm so devout to Nagisa/Tomoya.
I would like to point out that Clannad does not represent Spring at all. It starts off in spring but the story takes place in all seasons. Summer and Winter mostly even fall too. I repeat Clannad is not suppost to be a themed season like Kanon or AIR. Wondering too did you watch AIR yet?
Nagisa/Tomoya because their story is the best and brings out the best change in Tomoya and Nagisa. As well having the best story ^-^
@ helen- this series is a joke? Wow what kind of anime do you watch? This show has some of the most touching stories I have ever seen in an anime. Most of all the After Story.
The joke is you ^-^v
Tomoya/Nagisa, although I like this pairing too.
@ Grooven: Touching? What's touching about it? The part where he thought (gasp!) "I'm not good enough so I'll ditch you?" or the part where he thought "(gasp!) I'm not good enough but that's okay and I still want to be your b-friend because you can be my maid and wake me up and feed me and clean my room?"
And to answer your question, I have watched most of the well-known series... EVA, KyoAni stuff, etc... and most of the series blogged by Garten. They are definitely not jokes.
If I'm a joke, I wonder what kind person you are...
@Garten:
"But not the beehive mentality (ie. your job is the subject of the entire neighborhood's scrutiny and if it's not 'acceptable' then you become less respectable in that neighbourhood)."
I wholeheartedly agree; that is, unfortunately, how society ticks. A person/couple who's different is like a wart on a pretty face - it just cannot be ignored. Face = society. I also believe this is more common in dense population countries (Japan, China, Korea...)
I really liked this episode. I understand why people like Tomoyo so much now.
Anyway, to answer your question. Neither. The narrative in Ep. 18 establishd that Kyou called dibs on Tomoya first. Clearly, justice demands she wins.
Definitely Tomoya/Tomoyo.
One episode illustrating their route had more of an impact on me than the preceding twenty-three episodes building up to a rather contrived relationship between Tomoya and Nagisa.
Tomoya/Tomoyo is my vote for now. I think more people will vote this because they have had such a long brake from the show and now we get another episode which shows Tomoyo as the center girl and all you can think about is how good together they are while Nagisa worked out well too.
Really happy to see this alternate ending :D
They make a very nice couple together and it was interesting to see a different ending which I think played through very well. The only thing that ever bothered me was how similar their names are but other then that it was awsome to have this and I really enjoyed the ending.
Tomoya got it right the first time. Nagisa is much cuter than Tomoyo. I'm with Sonohara. She's a man, baby.
@Helen
I mean the series as a whole. Not this episode as the entire basis. If this anime is able to convey the game's strength of the final story (AfterStory) and the side characters stories (who I believe have better stories than some main girls). It will be a very touching wonderful anime.
Tomoya/Tomoyo for the win!
I thought it was perfect, Tomoya sacraficed being with the person he loved so she could be happy (so he thought) and u can tell how hurt he is from it when he chokes a bit on the icecream and starts crying, and Tomoyo shows her love by telling him even after all that shes proven to herself and others (that she can go very very high and do so much) she admits its no where near as high as being with Tomoya, and i know (most of us should) that tomoya will do as much as he can so she can still go higher with him
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