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I’ve waited patiently for the CLANNAD OVA to come out for a while. Although please bear in mind this is a stand alone OVA and has nothing to do with the plot of the original series. This one off episode follows the Tomoyo arc from the game as opposed to the Nagisa arc that the original series followed. Of course with Tomoyo being my favorite of all the CLANNAD girls I couldn’t wait to see this.

As the episode opens we are informed that Tomoyo and Tomoya have been dating for a month now, So I’m guessing this is the alternative route that the main series could have taken if we had followed on with the Tomoyo arc after the tennis match, with Tomoya running to Tomoyo instead of Nagisa’s aid. The results of the student council election are about to be announced as the pair sit waiting for the results Tomoyo asks Tomoya to always be with her whatever. As we all know Tomoyo is elected student council president and this is revealed to be both a blessing and a curse for her in the months to come.

As the episode progresses we see the trials and tribulations of their very difficult relationship. Now with their new roles in life they are even more opposite that before. Tomoyo’s days are filled due to her student council responsibilities and Tomoya is feeling very neglected, plus to add to the problems people are talking behind their backs that he isn’t good enough for Tomoyo. Tomoya is left with making the awful decision of should he break his promise to Tomoyo for the sake of her future or stay by her side. What follows is an emotional roller coaster of a relationship.

Personally this felt so much better than watching the main story line of Tomoya x Nagisa, I’m sorry to all the Nagisa fans but I honestly think Tomoyo is more suited to Tomoya. Their relationship seems a lot more adult and emotional and they appear to be in a place where you actually believe they are a couple, they really seem to connect with each other. As opposed to with Nagisa it always seemed very juvenile, but possibly this will be expanded upon with After Story later this year. The animation wasn’t quite as fluid as usual, which I did find disappointing some sequences were the usual standard and others were well not as well drawn as I’m used to with KyoAni which was a real let down. The story is beautiful, yes I did cry during the sequence in the snow. The emotion portrayed this episode was a lot rawer than I’m used to seeing with Kyoani, with less laughs and a more serious tone to the whole episode and thankfully no Fuuko popping up, but there were a few past homages to KyoAni animes of past, anyone else notice the juice carton? Also we finally get to see Sunohara with black hair, which is worth a giggle in itself. The major let down was that it was just too short and appeared rushed. As this arc only received half an hour air time it really suffered but KyoAni did a good job none the less and I am so happy they gave Tomoyo her own episode.

A definite watch for anyone who loved CLANNAD and especially if you love Tomoyo. I really wish the main story had followed this arc instead, but at least it gives hope that Tomoyo After may be animated at some point as it follows on directly from this episode. I have to admit I’m actually realising quite how much I am missing Kyoto Animation’s work atm two seasons without a series is too long.

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