I love this! I always got irritated when people claimed the ending was too cheesy. This was a fantastic summary/interpretation, also brought back the feels. Thank you~

@UnderTheScopeAnime

8 жыл бұрын

+LilyPichu Thanks! That was the goal, so I'm glad it worked :)

@Shizu_Kare

8 жыл бұрын

+LilyPichu Omg LilyPichu!!

@AmelliaKyusei

8 жыл бұрын

+LilyPichu guess People just have to watch it again like two or three years later to come to a Conclusion that they where Wrong? like i just watched Angel Beats again and plan on doing the same with Clannad soon :3

@vanivanilla8624

7 жыл бұрын

o.0 Bruh .. Woah lol Mah fave youtuber watching clannad :) YAYAYA

@mamasitas3566

7 жыл бұрын

LilyPichu YEY PICHU SAMAAAA

the last episode of season 1 when they finish the drama, nagisa says something like "I remember how the story ends. the girl and the robot leave the sad and lonely world to the world were they belong and sing a song"

@jA-jw5bg

2 жыл бұрын

I just finished rewatching season 1 and noticed this incredible detail

@shaizentertainment

2 жыл бұрын

@@jA-jw5bg heyy then don't watch this video it contain spoiler🙄 watch every episode it may feel slow at some point but for sure you will love clannad ♥️ 10 on 10

@jA-jw5bg

2 жыл бұрын

@@shaizentertainment thanks for being so nice but I was watching it again, "rewatching" I've seen Clannad before so it wasn't a spoiler :)

@shaizentertainment

2 жыл бұрын

@@jA-jw5bg grtt ☺

@raamlr8628

2 жыл бұрын

So we was spoiled and even didn't know it

Everybody drop an F for the Nagisas parents in the main universe who’ve now lost their daughter, their grand daughter, and now their son in law... Feels bad Still loved this show though, I never know what to do with myself every time I finish it

@Axel-is2sp

4 жыл бұрын

Personally I think they would cease to exist. Remember the illusionary world shatters when Ushio's wish is granted. I have a feeling the world where nagisa and ushio both die dissapears when Tomoya traverses to the happy timeline.

@Leseulmecsansnom

4 жыл бұрын

@@Axel-is2sp disappear*

@Axel-is2sp

4 жыл бұрын

@@Leseulmecsansnom oof big boi correcting my spelling on a youtube comment instead of having anything meaningful to say.

@matthew2281

4 жыл бұрын

@Axel that would basically be time traveling in a way right?

@Axel-is2sp

4 жыл бұрын

@@matthew2281 I guess technically. Yes. I mean if you look at Stein's Gate's theory of time travel it says theirs multiple timelines running parallel to each other. Tomoya leaves the sad timeline to the happy one so in a way it is time travel I guess? It depends how you look at it and what you accept as "real time travel" I guess. It's a weird and confusing subject.

U guys ever think that the same thing happened to nagisa's father... Nagisa dies In his arms, he yells to the heavens, falls over and dies just to be brought into a different timeline. I think that nagisa's soul did the same as ushio's, created an illusionary world to grant her father his wish. Obviously he didn't tell anyone this story cause he didnt want to sound crazy... Interesting theory id say

@themuslimman4874

7 жыл бұрын

Plus tomoya and Akio are always told they have alot In common

@carzybacon47

5 жыл бұрын

and it explains why he was cool when Nagisa died. And when he reminded Tomoya about the wooded area and how he wished for her back to life.

@elshadie9719

3 жыл бұрын

@@carzybacon47 I always wondered why the father looked only a little bit sad while smoking his cig when nagisa was dead, so this honestly makes sense.

@carzybacon47

3 жыл бұрын

Nabiscö good luck on your healing process

@vision4860

3 жыл бұрын

Well now I wanna see *that* anime, where Akio was the protagonist, and how he got enough orbs of light to get his wish.

I find it touching how Ushio creates robot Tomoya in the image of the first toy he gave her. The story is amazing in how it comes together. Great video.

@UnderTheScopeAnime

8 жыл бұрын

Yep, that's a wonderful touch you might miss. Perfectly fits her character too.

@Natiform

7 жыл бұрын

Holy shit, I didn't even realize this until you pointed it out. Thank you! That's a great way of putting it

@keegor4429

7 жыл бұрын

Same here!!

@nyxia3501

7 жыл бұрын

0Mandalore holy shit again MIND FUCK

@Madtroll1209

7 жыл бұрын

yeah the whole girl and robot arc didn't really resonate with me during the first season, I thought it was just some boring, pointless side story. But after watching after story, it all makes sense, can't believe it meant THAT much to the series.

I always find myself returning to this video. Clannad truly is a masterpiece

@abbywho4142

7 жыл бұрын

glonik10 It truly is .. CLANNNAD is like the perfect example for an amazing anime..

@glonik10

7 жыл бұрын

Lil Allie Playz I also love Cannad because its not really mainstream, but a lot of people know it, but the people that sit through the whole thing really end up loving it

@Ouchthathurt843

6 жыл бұрын

It really is honestly, and it saddens me that there are people that call it overrated or worse; average. They also seem to have a particularly annoying taste in anime, they say it has to be overly complicated, dark and philosophical or perfect to be considered a masterpiece. For me, a masterpiece impacts me emotionally to the point of never forgetting it, regardless of how objectively "good" it is. Clannad isn't Ghost in the Shell, Akira or Lain, it's a simple story about appreciating love and family. I'm an emotional person and I treasure my loved ones more than anything, and plan on having a child of my own someday, so this show resonates with me.

@kanishksharma1716

5 жыл бұрын

@@Ouchthathurt843 don't get me wrong but even when I first watched clannad, I initially thought of it as overrated. I got bored to death but I sat through it hoping It'd get good. I finally started enjoying it somewhere in kotomi arc and oh boy! After story got me good from Sunohara's arc onwards and from thereon, it never went downhill. Clannad after story is in my top 5 and I think it will always be in my top 5

@Amunny

4 жыл бұрын

@@kanishksharma1716 I'm the opposite lol. When I first started Clannad I loved their high school life together but then after story felt a bit more boring because I didn't relate at all. Oh well.

In conclusion, Clannad is a masterpiece.

@flamingpenetrator3705

3 жыл бұрын

Always has been, always will be.

If you watch the opening song of Clannad right from the very first episode you will see Ushio running in the fields (which we all assumed was Nagisa but looking at her shadow, she doesn't have an antenna thing, she got her hairline from her dad) and Fuko seeing ushio sleeping under the tree. That alone should prove that the ending is not an asspull.

@hyperfocusvisuals9506

7 жыл бұрын

I know! Like the blurry bit in Clannad's first opening was basically foreshadowing the last episode of After Story which is enough evidence as it is xD Deffo not a rushed or nonsensical ending :3

@ZeushyTV

7 жыл бұрын

Yes, the gray-ish scene with Tomoya means that it's not set in stone what will happen next, it's the crossroads depending on what he will eventually decide based on his realization.

@boswaki4

6 жыл бұрын

DN Zeus Vidzz yeah i was reaaly fooled.too haha on the opening..i think really its nagisa..running

When you realise a smart anime was 10 stairs above your nose. Damn every word in the script has so much meaning. A "perfect" one indeed.

Always glad to see another fellow fan argue against Clannad's ending being a 'copout'. I think people who call the ending a 'copout' didn't try and piece the puzzles together, mostly because they didn't care enough. Though, if those same people can interpret and make a definite meaning out of Evangelion's ending, they can definitely do it for this. I've always wanted to make my own but could never take the plunge, simply because some scenes would make me too emotional to do anything. Hell, I felt emotional at some parts of this video due to the scene and music choices alone... Amazing video nonetheless, great work!

@UnderTheScopeAnime

8 жыл бұрын

+Kevin Nyaa Thanks! I feel like some of the people who call it a copout didn't expect to have to think about it, but that's not the show's fault if that's the case. And trust me, I definitely got a bit emotional when I was rewatching episodes and gathering footage XD

@Rargpoo

8 жыл бұрын

+Under The Scope Reviews Think maybe you could do a similar video about the metaphoric "ghost" Banri from Golden Time? It's one of my favourite Romance anime, and people always seem to misunderstand the significance of "ghost" Banri's presence, which helps show the internal battle of the different personalities fighting for control. Really think it's one of the best Romance series, but people always just got turned away by their conclusion which, as soon as they see his older personality personified seperately to his current self, they call the show supernatural and just don't try from there for some reason...

@TasX

8 жыл бұрын

+Under The Scope Reviews can you review no game no life? I feel as if it's a pretty good anime, only lacking in some character development

@fuziyambio4454

6 жыл бұрын

it is a cop out because it cheaps and takes the value out of the ending, its as though they pussied out of pulling the trigger

@Noboruu

6 жыл бұрын

I noticed that my one friend that didn't understand the ending, is the one that is very immature. I told him that Clannad has one of the most touching stories in anime, despite that he answers that boku no hero academia has a more touching story (I was too close to punching him). He also didn't understand the story one bit thinking that it was all Tomoya's dream. On another note I have a friend that did understand the story but it didn't touch him as much as it did me, he is mature, but he doesn't have a girlfriend and he doesn't have any wish to form a family at this moment, he did feel the pain of the character, he just didn't feel the pain that I did because I saw myself in the same situation, both in the happy parts and in the sad parts.

For many ppl out there clannad is about crying sadness and romance. But for me, clannad is about miracle, family, and life itself. Its absolutely masterpiece. Thanks for this video. ❤

The host of anime America should watch this so they can stop calling the ending a asspull.

@calcium2482

5 жыл бұрын

My thought exactly

@serenitymoon825

5 жыл бұрын

Anime America pisses me off more than they entertain me

@brucebanana4486

5 жыл бұрын

She is terrible at analyzing anime.

@hailgod1

3 жыл бұрын

who?

@pyroflare7774

2 жыл бұрын

@@hailgod1 one of those manly looking womens :sick:

LOL! I haven't gotten around to Clannad yet, and I got "An error occurred. Please try again later. Learn More" _immediately_ after your spoiler alarm. Message from the gods of anime? I think I'll go watch Clannad now, your video later.

@gatewaytotheheart2652

6 жыл бұрын

Good.

@zenonix5710

5 жыл бұрын

Bring some tisssues

@aeriich

4 жыл бұрын

OP Rosenberg what the actual-

@aeriich

4 жыл бұрын

OP Rosenberg have you watched clannad before

This made me appreciate the series more. Haha! I just noticed the attention to detail this anime has. It's quite mindblowing.

another bit of foreshadowing that you could have mentioned was the fact that one of the reasons Nagisa wanted to join the drama club was because she liked the idea of "Many people working to together, even for a short time, to make something amazing happen", and if you interpret the orbs as manifestations of everyone's efforts, then the miracle that happened with Nagisa closely aligns with that idea.

I know I'm late to the party, but I recently re-watched Clannad with a friend and showed him this video so I didn't have to explain the ending myself. LOL thank you for putting what I couldn't in such a coherent and concise manner. You know what else is cool? At the end of every route in the Clannad visual novel, both romance and non-romance, Tomoya collects a light orb after helping to bring happiness to whoever's route he's in. For example, this could be through, say, helping Kyou accept/realize her feelings for him in Kyou's route, revealing to Misae the dream her cat showed him in Misae's route, or even after reconciling with his father (which isn't a route in itself, but still a moment of happiness). Keeping in mind the theory Kotomi presents regarding the existence of multiple timelines/other worlds, each route in which Tomoya collects a light orb is, in a sense, a different world that is still "canon" and necessary to the overarching story. Here's how I interpreted the plot (which BTW, I hope makes some sense). Many apologies for the incoming info/interpretation dump. I'm not too good at explaining things. :') The illusionary world exists no matter which route the player is in. It is not exclusive to Nagisa's route. Rather, it is an overarching existence that runs simultaneously to each route/world and is a key element to the entirety of Clannad's universe. This is because each light orb collected, regardless of the route's circumstances (i.e. romance with a girl that isn't Nagisa), is added to the light orb collection that the girl in the illusionary world/Ushio uses to make Tomoya's "After Story" wish come true: for him to be in a world where he, Nagisa, and Ushio can live happily ever after. Each Tomoya in each route/world may be "different", but they all play a part in making his future wish in Nagisa's route come true, even if he isn't aware of it. This is why you need to play the other routes to get the "After Story" route (which is dedicated to the relationship between Tomoya and Nagisa). The happy ending between Tomoya, Nagisa, and Ushio would literally not exist if each Tomoya in his respective timeline/route didn't get the good ending, and thus, receive a light orb because of it. Regardless of who your best girl is, the creators have heavily implied that Nagisa is Tomoya's soulmate. She isn't just the poster girl for the series. The happy ending between her, Ushio, and Tomoya is the literal culmination of the happiness Tomoya has brought to the people of their city in each route/parallel world, thanks to the light orbs. But of course, this isn't to discredit any of the other girls Tomoya can romance. As Ryou states, there are multiple futures/possibilities, and it's up to the player to decide which one they prefer for Tomoya. If they like the Tomoya who dates Tomoyo, or even the one who dates Yukine, then that's okay too. They're all "canon" in a way, because "After Story", which many consider to be the actual "canon" route+ending, cannot truly exist without having completed the other routes. Perhaps you can imagine each route is running parallel to each other, with Nagisa's in the middle, and the "hidden/illusionary world" circling/surrounding all of them. Or maybe you're on the side that believes Tomoya jumped to another world where Nagisa lives, rather than change the one he's already in by reverting her death. Perhaps you can imagine that each route will have multiple versions of itself with different endings, good and bad, that run parallel as their own separate worlds/timelines. Another possibility is that each ending, good and bad, is a divergence/split from the route its originally from (depending on your choices). Kind of like a fork in the road, with the road being the route and the "fork(s)" being the different endings (specific to that route). It's such a great use of the gameplay mechanics/dynamics of a visual novel by literally incorporating it into the main plot. Truly one of Key's best works. Never have I seen the concept of "routes" so brilliantly implemented, both subtlety breaking the fourth wall for visual novel players while still keeping it within the game's universe. KyoAni's anime adaptation is brilliant in it's own way too. The anime lacks the mechanics of a visual novel, but there are other ways to go about collecting the light orbs. Instead of animating each individual route on it's own, they were able to adapt certain routes, even romantic ones (i.e. Kotomi's, Fuko's, and Yukine's) so that they could involve everyone, including Nagisa, and make them a part of the one Nagisa timeline/world/route we are following. This way, Tomoya is still able to make these characters happy and then collect the necessary light orb for his future wish. This is also why the only two routes KyoAni couldn't adapt with simply "friendship" (because of the heavy romance), Tomoyo's and Kyou's, are OVAs labeled as "Another World: (insert girl's name) Chapter". This is more similar to the visual novel's structure of parallel worlds, and still allows for the girl in the illusionary world/Ushio (who we cannot see but still exists) to help Tomoya collect the light orb from them, while giving Tomoyo/Kyou fans some recognition (since they couldn't get their stories adapted into the anime's main world/timeline). A small detail you may notice in the anime is that the episode title cards (seen towards the beginning of each episode) showing orbs of light on the left side of the tree, which increase over time! The attention to detail this series has in all its adaptations is super neat. There aren't many others like it.

@emanergza6383

5 жыл бұрын

tl;dr but liked

@Cantfindjade

4 жыл бұрын

I really love your interpretation of this while also connecting the VN. You did a good job at explaining the both of them to where It was understandable even to a person who hasn’t played the VN, much like myself!~

@choi-r7108

2 жыл бұрын

"It's such a great use of the gameplay mechanics/dynamics of a visual novel by literally incorporating it into the main plot. Truly one of Key's best works. Never have I seen the concept of "routes" so brilliantly implemented, both subtlety breaking the fourth wall for visual novel players while still keeping it within the game's universe." At first, I also have this same thought, but I realized that Baldr Sky also implemented the same concept more explicitly (and I think Muv-Luv used this concept too). This made me realized the brilliancy of the writer to incorporate the medium's mechanics into his/her story.

@tomaszolejek

Жыл бұрын

Personally I don't think that Tomoya's relationships with other girls than Nagisa were only in the sake of opening the After Story route. If so, I can literally call it an objectification. Tomoya wasn't teleported from other routes straight into the Nagisa's (After Story) route just after finishing another girl's route (in the VN), or even after finishing all of the "side" routes. He stayed with a particular girl even after obtaining the orb of light. We can see it clearly in Ryou's route (which is called: 'Our journey starts here'), in Yukine's route (in her side story we can see her dating with Tomoya), as well as in Tomoyo's (the whole spin-off). Not to mention the Kotomi's route beautiful epilogue.

Anyone who calls Clannad's ending an asspull has clearly not paid any attention to the story. Throughout the whole series, they explain the orbs and the parallel world little by little and it all comes together brilliantly at the end. I'm usually not very good at putting little details together, but this ending still made sense to me even the first time I watched this masterpiece and it was one of the most satisfying endings I've ever watched. The only thing I didn't quite understand until this day were some details about the parallel world, but now that I've watched this video, there are no unanswered questions left and I appreciate this series even more than I already did. Thank you for that!

@swissidol8403

4 жыл бұрын

God, having just finished it and watching this video I can definitely say that it feels a lot better strung together than I initially thought. But I still feel cheated in a way; it could just be me, but can I really blame myself for not taking mental note of the floating orbs that magically appeared at the end of each arc and being able to piece together that they have literal impact on the main timeline of the anime? I can definitely appreciate the story in retrospect, but I just feel guilty about having to watch this video to truly piece together what just happened.

@bastion8804

3 жыл бұрын

​@@swissidol8403 Considering how much they emphasize it and the amount of time they allocate just for a close up on an orb or two, then yes. You can be blamed.

@rubylillies867

6 ай бұрын

I was a kid watching this and crying almost every episode! Of course, I wouldn’t notice haha. I do now though as I got older :)

that ending is definitely NOT an asspull. it has been shown that wishes come true I don't understand why someone would say that, it's pretty logical and the tomoyas wish coming true is connected to what has happened in the past (others wishes coming true)

@RipleySawzen

7 жыл бұрын

How does a girl coming back to life, a ghost, and a talking cat translate into time travel is possible?

@Oktaykulu16

7 жыл бұрын

it's not about all that, it's about that a man's wish can come true, it's not time travel it's his wish. if he would have entered into a machine to time travel then that's an ass pull. if you wish to time travel then that's legible. it's not about talking cats and ghosts, the concept that wishes can become true was a build up through out the whole anime. since the concept of wishes becoming true was a build up then it's not an ass pull.

@RipleySawzen

7 жыл бұрын

OK, so when his wife died he wasn't making that same wish 1,000 times stronger?

@Oktaykulu16

7 жыл бұрын

his daughters death and everything else piled up, think of it like this his wife died it was unbearable for him, then his daughter (which he hadn't seen in 5 years) died, it's like adding lemon juice mixed with salt on a wound, as if his wifes death wasn't enough he lost his one and only child (not to mention she looked exactly like her) too

@RipleySawzen

7 жыл бұрын

I mean, had he wished his wife not die to begin with, this was a very tiny wish. Now, 5 years later, he wishes she'd never died, but it's a wish thousands of times grander, if not millions or billions of times grander. It would require orders of magnitude more desire. It just doesn't work.

Many many MANY congratulations, man! I REALLY felt bad when I saw someone saying that Clannad is an asspull, and I couldn't express myself well enough to convince people. And now I know about this video. THANK YOU! (oh, that and you made me take a feels trip to the past T_T

@justgrace9039

7 жыл бұрын

FierceCast Ditto

me eyes are dry because of this anime I can't cry anymore because I have no tears anymore

How daRE you give me those feels! All I expected was a nice summary not the slow swelling of that sad yet triumphant music as you give a beautiful speech! I started crying! T.T

@herrogamer2606

5 жыл бұрын

Me tooooo...I started crying ...

"If you think this has a happy ending, you have been paying attention..."

@MuhdIzzatFarhan

3 жыл бұрын

I actually glad Clannad has a happy ending after all those trains of emotions! What a masterpiece this anime is.

When Tomoya confronts his father, realizing he has become what he hated all his life, was very traumatic and real for me!

I personally like to think that Tomoya went back in time, since it is a happier way of thinking about it than thinking he went to a parallel universe. If he went back in time, those Nagisa and Ushio that he meets would still be HIS Nagisa and Ushio. If he just traveled to a parallel universe, they would just be the Nagisa and Ushio of that particular universe, not HIS Nagisa and Ushio. They would still actually be dead. This is the reason that the theory of him just switching worlds is a lot more deppressing.

@essentiallyitsamy

3 жыл бұрын

But it is more interesting the way it was in the anime. If it was just going back intime, than almost the whole plot of the other world things would have to be changed, basically a whole new anime.

@cmakku35

3 жыл бұрын

The solution of Clannad's Happy Ending (and the idea that Nagisa and Ushio were actually brought back to life) does not lie in the multiverse, but in time travel. And this is one of the keys to the answer to your question, which is that they *are* his Nagisa and Ushio, i.e. the ones from the Prime timeline covered by the canon portions of the Clannad anime prior to Episode 22 of the After Story. The multiverse, in terms of the anime, only clearly factors into the OVAs. These are the alternate timelines that *could* have happened (and if one believes in the multiverse, *did* happen) but they are not the Prime timeline. And, if one considers the subject carefully, I believe that they cannot be the solution to Tomoya's tragedy. So, why not? The common understanding of the multiverse theory is that, anytime a universe can take two or more paths, the universe splits and daughter universes get created, one for each of the available paths. However, this means that all the universes within the multiverse, including those where Nagisa and Ushio survived, would be running *concurrent* with the Prime universe's timeline (the tragic one). So if Tomoya were sent to another branch where Nagisa survived, it wouldn't be in the *past* of that timeline, but would instead be the *present* of that other timeline. So time travel *has* to factor in. Additionally, if Tomoya were sent to another universe, he would have to be switched with his counterpart, or otherwise he would have encountered a happier version of himself there as well as Nagisa and Ushio. While some have advanced this theory, others have commented that it seems very unlikely that a benevolent force (the town/Ushio) with the power to move people between worlds would do such a thing. Again, as I mentioned above, moving between concurrently operating universes isn't enough; time travel is a necessary component. And not only is it a necessary component, but it is the ONLY necessary component for a solution (besides healing Nagisa, which the town clearly had the power to do). So why would the town/Ushio do that? The simplest explanation is that it/she wouldn't do something that was both unnecessary and harmful. Now, you could argue that an entirely new universe divorced from the timelines of the rest of the multiverse might have been created, i.e. one that does not run concurrent with the rest of the multiverse. In that respect, it would be a bit like the Illusionary World, which existed before it was created, essentially outside the normal timeline. However, in that scenario, the entire universe would essentially a simulacrum, a copy of the Prime timeline world as it existed when Nagisa died--this idea is not as satisfying because again, these would not be *his* Nagisa and Ushio. However, there are various clues that these are not mere copies but are the same people. The epilogue portion of Episode 22 of After Story shows that Fuko Ibuki recognizes the scent of Ushio even though she hadn't met her yet at that point in the Happy Ending timeline. Fuko too retains some memories of the old timeline, and the entire interaction strongly implies that Happy Ending timeline Fuko and Ushio are Prime timeline Fuko and Ushio. Some people think that Prime timeline Ushio (who became/was the Girl in the illusionary World) had to remain in the Illusionary World indefinitely, and thus cannot be Happy Ending Ushio. I think this is based on a misunderstanding of the dialogue between the Girl and the robot. The Girl says that they cannot leave together and that if she leaves the world will end (because she *is* the world), which some take to mean she 1) would stay there forever, and 2) therefore couldn't be Happy Ending Ushio. However, the Girl didn't say she could never leave, just that she couldn't leave while the light orbs needed to be taken care of. That didn't occur until after she sent her father back to the hill to make his decision regarding meeting Nagisa again. This decision point was a necessary part to have a genuine wish (and, I might add, features a Nagisa that remembers the Prime timeline's tragedies--further evidence that this didn't involve an alternative universe). Once Tomoya made his decision, Ushio was then able to take/accompany him (her dialogue during the following scene says "Can I take you...?" not "Can I send you...?") back to the moment of her birth, Nagisa was healed, Ushio herself was born, as the light orbs were released from the Illusionary World into the real world (as Tomoya could see out the window in the first Happy Ending scene). At that point, with Tomoya's wish fulfilled, there was no longer a need for the Illusionary World to exist (which had only been created by Ushio to collect the light orbs for Tomoya's wish). The aforementioned scene with Fuko in the epilogue contains other clues that the Girl in the Illusionary World really is the Ushio of the happy ending. As Fuko is approaching Ushio, Fuko momentarily perceives her to be the Girl in the Illusionary World (slightly older, longer hair, white dress) before seeing that she is the younger five-year old Ushio. This is a sign that she is the same person. Thus, since Happy Ending timeline Ushio is the Girl, and the Girl was Prime timeline Ushio, this means that Happy Ending Ushio is Prime timeline Ushio (i.e. Tomoya's real Ushio). Laying aside this analysis, the time travel solution is the simplest and most elegant solution (think Occam's razor). It also is most appropriate considering the mood of the ending. The Tomoya of the Happy Ending is not a man who has been tricked into thinking his poor dead wife and child have been brought back to life, when the bitter reality is they are still dead and he has merely been consoled with copies (either from another universe or ex nihilo). That idea is as as cynical and misguided as the "Tomoya went insane once Ushio died and imagined that his family had been returned to him" theory. No, they *were* actually saved, and their memories of the trauma mercifully obscured by the same force that brought them back. Tomoya still remembered it all, much like Akio still remembers the death and resurrection of young Nagisa, because it was an important part of his growth and because it made their resurrection all the more sweet. If they actually hadn't brought back, it would be a lie and would serve no purpose. So enjoy all the warmth and good feeling that comes from knowing that Tomoya was able to be with his real wife and child, and even if they didn't remember everything that happened during those traumatic five years, they were still the same people.

@Thompsongs

3 жыл бұрын

@@cmakku35 that makes total sense to me, especially when you consider that the show never hints at a "Happy Timeline" version of Tomoya also being out there (as you touched on). From what I've seen, it doesn't make sense to have a theory of Prime Tomoya and Happy Timeline Tomoya switching places. The going-back-and-living-a-much-happier-life idea makes more sense, as you brilliantly laid out.

@SemiColin234

2 жыл бұрын

@@cmakku35 Interesting analysis

@XDogeGamingX

Жыл бұрын

I know I'm three years late, but I think it'd also be very sad to think about Nagisa's parents having to deal with losing both Tomoya and Ushio. I'd rather not think that, so I just stick with the idea of time being reversed

Thank you so much for making this video! Now whenever someone shittalks that Clannad ending is an asspull I don't have to argue, but just paste link to this video.

@XxMorningFrostxX

8 жыл бұрын

Yes! I am tired of writing a paragraph or two to explain it to them

I don't know why this video started triggering my boxed up clannad memories and I almost cried a few times even just looking at the characters or hearing dango daikazoku is enough to send me, jfc this show is really good

@barrybathwater4877

5 жыл бұрын

Lol. Boxed up Clannad memories.. and that music...👍😭😆

Man I love how KyoAni's writings have a very deep meaning which could be interpreted in different ways. Not only does the writing work literally, but it also works figuratively, showing great philosophical values. And these writings have great power, with the ability to guide people, literally. If only I would've known about them at an earlier point in my life......

HOLY SHIT I HAD NEVER REALIZED HE HAD ALSO DIED! EVERYTHING FALLS INTO PLACE! This show is a masterpiece

A well argued and structured video managing to do what i've personally being struggling to do for a couple of years now. Taking the maelstrom of emotion which is the ending of clanad and eloquently and concisely explaining its beauty and why it works so well. I tip my hat to you sir, Bloody good job.

I think the cause of Nagisa's illness is when she went outside in the snow to wait for her parents, who cared little about her back in the day... But when Akio made his wish to save his daughter who was half dead, I guess the wish was to bring her back to life and not save her from the illness, and therefore Nagisa was never cured, since the wishgranter can only grant literally what was specified, in that case bringing Nagisa back to life, hence her condition remains dormant until winter comes, the original cause of her desease...

@blackricw6495

5 жыл бұрын

And she gave birth in winter hence she dies giving birth and the illness is marked on her soul so that ushio will have it. Tbh I think nagisa died in akios arm like how tomoya had ushio in his arms. Then akios brings her back to live. That's my theory

I hope those who commented on this video are all alive😭This anime made me realize how precious life is n we will all die one day so we must love one another while we're with them.😭

I watched this anime in high school and even to this day I tear up from the soundtrack. My gosh this was a stellar video.

Im always baffled by people that say that an ending to an anime is stupid/asspul when they dont understand some of the major subtle parts in it. Its not only in clannad, it happens all the time in many other animes. As always your video was great and well designed(im also happy to see how far your channel grew). Keep up the good work ;)

@buckwade1402

8 жыл бұрын

+‫אלכס מור‬‎ That's why I think that before a group of us gather to crtique something, we should've watched/read it twice, first time casually, 2nd time paying attention to everything.

@Reydriel

8 жыл бұрын

It's almost as if they'd rather it be spoonfed to them. I think that mentality is quite cancerous in any medium of storytelling.

@hola979

7 жыл бұрын

yeah this clearly wasnt an asspull since it was hinted from the start

@dyvine100

7 жыл бұрын

i agree completely with you nowadays i try to watch an anime closely to find those small details that incorporate important themes for the viewer to comprehend i was close to getting it in clannad lol but this vid helped out in fine detail ,loved it

@RipleySawzen

7 жыл бұрын

This was clearly an asspull. At no point in time did they ever make clear that: A: Wishes could be collected over time and used all at once and B: You could go back in time FIVE YEARS I mean, we had a girl coming back to life after briefly dying, a ghost, and a cat boy. That's pretty minor stuff then BAM, FIVE YEAR RESET BUTTON. The delivery was terrible due to almost zero foreshadowing.

You're slowly becoming my favorite anime-related channel. Keep up the good work bro

@youngkyunhyun9200

8 жыл бұрын

+Weeaboo Destroyer I second that!

Thank you for helping me find closure and understanding with some of the more complex scenes in this wonderful series.

Man just listening to you narrate this video with the clips and the music got me in nostalgic and sad tears

I haven’t seen this show in 8 years and this video brought all those memories back and now I’m in tears

@Polo-rp9hk

4 жыл бұрын

Literally sobbing right now oh my

@mysticx3049

4 жыл бұрын

rewatch it

Thank you so much for making this! I love Clannad, but even I haven't looked this deep into it! I wish I could show this to everyone that says that Clannad had a bad ending.

@Melodyofthesea78

7 жыл бұрын

Why would anyone think a happy ending is bad? That's complete horse shit.

@pie1o1morris46

7 жыл бұрын

Melodyofthesea78 lol Some people prefer a story to be a bit more realistic. Romeo and Juliet didn't have a happy ending.

@jonathanqi7606

5 жыл бұрын

Jun Maeda and realism don't sit well together at all lol

That was really beautiful. My eyes were tearing up throughout as I remembered all those scenes. So heartwarming and beautiful. And your video has made me understand and appreciate the series far more. Clannad is probably the best and most beautiful anime about how important families are. Thank you.

Stunningly beautiful video my man. You summarised why this series is so god damn brilliant in a way that I never could! Keep up the good work man

That was an amazing explanation, thank you very much. This anime was amazing and I really wanted to understand it and this really helped. Thank you very much

Man, you settled this ending in my heart. Though I could had accepted it emotionally, it still made sense logically to me: Nagisa dies, there begins Tomoya's trial. Is Ushio the baby only Nagisa wanted or Tomoya wants and loves her as Nagisa does. He proves it by standing beside her and dying with her. That final moment wrapped around and catalyzed all the happiness to resolve into miracle. But still it didn't make a lot of sense to me for some reason and I still had felt the weight of death and depression that this anime brought onto me. Thanks to you I finally felt the happiness of the ending. It would be harder to cope with the show, but you did the thing. Thanks, dude))

Thank you so much! I'm literally crying right now not simple because of the memories and heartrending emotions the music swells up in me, but because SOMEONE finally has done what I struggle doing. Proving that the Clannad ending was indeed foreshadowed and led up to, with logic, analyzing the story points, and listing each of those points out for all the idiots to wrap their tiny minds around. This has been something I've wanted for a LONG time, and now that someones finally done it, I'm in tears. I will forever refer people to this video whenever they bring up the ass-pull comment about the ending. Thank you so much!

I loved this video and analysis! Clannad is one of my favorite animes of all time and your video helped me piece together some last pieces I didn't understand and love it even more! Thank you!

Excellent video man. I've always loved the ending to Clannad and it's message of never regretting what has gotten you to this point. Now when I see someone try to trash it I'll just link them to this video. Thanks.

This anime was a master piece, I pretty much already had a full understanding of it but thank you for explaining it even farther for me. I've watched this anime 3 times all the way and don't regret a minute of it. Very creative story, loving characters, relates to real life events, makes you feel emotions you would never think a show could do.

Seriously your explanation at 15:18 has hit me hard. I love your explanation and thank you somehow I always come back to watch Clannad and Clannad after story whenever I'm very lonely because i tend have that thinking like Tomoya "what is the purpose of living if it means suffering" I tend to give up easily in life but this anime has giving my a meaning and a purpose to really understand the happiness of life. Maybe I haven't fully understand happiness in life yet but this anime has given me a reason. Thank you so much for the explanation throughout this whole video and I totally agree with you although you posted this video up long ago hahah. Your explanation and this anime has inspired me so much so thank you again!!!

thank you for making this video. I felt the way you did about clannad, I just had an issue articulating it. you explained everything perfectly and made me love it more

Best explanation/argument I've seen on the ending. Thanks!

@kellyhe3012

8 жыл бұрын

+Katie Hiles im not stating i was the first one to think this but a realized this was the thing clanned was going for, and the never solved question "Why do we live"?

Just finished All of Clannad…Jesus Christ this anime is amazing. Watching this video has made me full out cry 😭

This was actually really smart and well constructed, good job on breaking down the story so intricately 😊 I feel satisfied with this ending.

This man is great going through every detail to get the secret behind the ending HATS OFF DUDE FOR YOUR HARDWORK AND THE LOVE TOWARDS THE ANIME

Thank you for explaining this, that made so much sense :D

As someone who isn't a great fan of Clannad's ending, I felt this was a very well-constructed video and brings to light a lot of really, really interesting details about the series, and how it outlines the elements of the show that go on to play a part in the finale. It's been a long time since I watched Clannad, so I can't remember how many of the subtle aspects of the show escaped me at the time, and how many I recognised. I think I knew enough that I've never believed the ending was a complete 'asspull,' but your reasoned explanations have removed any doubt from my mind. You've also addressed one of the key problems I had with it for a long time which Steins;Gate helped me place. [Steins;Gate spoilers] After completing Steins;Gate it was very obvious how Okabe's journey, everything he went through, his growth as a character over all the arcs was completely essential for him to save Kurisu. From a storytelling aspect it felt like it justified the entire series. [Spoilers over] After Story, however, was much less clear in this regard and it felt like Tomoya's growth, everything he learned in the time after Nagisa's death and everything he went through with Ushio - one of the most powerful and emotional arcs I've seen in any anime - ended up lacking any significant contribution to the events that unfolded after. Pointing out that reconnecting with his father and the growth he underwent to get there is what created the final orb of happiness though, definitely makes me rethink my opinion in that regard! ^^ That said.. Despite the explanation, I can't help but feel it still doesn't sit right with me. I can't really reason why though. Sat here at 2:15am, listening to music from the series, trying to put words to my feelings and not really managing it ^^; I guess chalk it up simply to a difference of opinion. I think the second 'alternate ending' you suggested - where Ushio doesn't die, and Tomoya goes on to raise her after reconciling with her - simply works with my tastes more, where a character can grow after experiencing tragedy but look toward a brighter future, influenced and learning from their past, never truly forgetting it. But that's just me ^^; I'd also personally argue that the emphasis of the importance and bonds of family isn't any less here, but again that's just how I see it. The theme of children being the culmination of the wishes and hopes of their parents, though, I concede is better represented in the actual ending. Overall though.. you'll probably never read this comment on a 5-month old video, but just on the off chance I want to say thanks! ^^ As I really enjoyed this video and look forward to getting to watch Clannad again all the more as a result of it, to see what other small details I missed however many years ago. It's a series I've wanted to go back to for quite some time because despite my feelings about the end I do genuinely love it.

@Asbjornen

5 жыл бұрын

> you'll probably never read this comment on a 5-month old video, but just on the off chance I want to say thanks! ^^ How about an answer to a 2-year-old comment? I just wanted to say that I feel exactly the same as you described your entire comment, and that it helped me evaluate and articulate how I feel, so thank you!

I had already known pretty much all of what you had said, but I needed to hear it again. Thanks for making this video.

What an amazing and well thought explanation, I couldn't have asked for something better. Everything was carefully explained without leaving details behind, making up for an incredible, detailed, very informative, well thought and easily understandable explanation of this masterpiece of an ending!

15:20 to 16:35 Dude those are some amazing words, perfectly explained what the message this anime was trying to give us. It wasn't only about just happy ending, also how painful life can be and how we should use those pains to make ourselves strong. Never forget the past and don't blame the pains.

yall remember the parents that died in the plane they knew of this other dimension and that's what was on the papers that got lost

I had yet to see an analysis that communicates the narrative weight that Clannad personifies, until this. I could truly sense the passion and love that you have for this show, just like I do. Thanks for your hard work, and also for making me cry another bucket of tears.

Awesome work, I had seen Clannad for a long time and I was fascinated by everything, practically, it is a series "Mandatory" to see from start to finish. I came across your video and realized that I really matter watching it. And thanks for the "refresh" at the end... This and Little Busters they are unforgettable works of art in my opinion.

Dude you are a legend. Now I can share this video with my friends that hated Clannad because of the of the ending. Screw you haters, clannad's ending is by no means an asspull. Just because you don't understand the ending doesn't mean that it is an asspull

@essentiallyitsamy

3 жыл бұрын

Exactly

Thank you so much for recognizing the fact that there is magic and supernatural stuff in CLANNAD, because so many people ignore that part of the series, then claim that the ending is 'bullshit' and that it's 'a magic fixed everything ending' that doesn't belong in a slice of life anime. One even said that they disliked CLANNAD, but liked After Story, and that the ending ruined it, because "magic has no place in a slice of life love story". I mean I've spoken to people who strait up deny the fact that magic happened in CLANNAD at all, and stubbornly refuse to believe it when I say it's a fantasy/supernatural anime. Even when I bring up the fact that the soul of a comatose patient walked around and interacted with people for an entire story arc. I appreciate you because you acknowledge the fact that magic happened the whole series, and it was part of the story, part of the world the story was set in, and that the ending wasn't a throw away ending that ruined the series. So, thank you so much for this video.

You did a great job with this video, made my day and added on to my personal experience with Clannad as a whole as well. Thank you, I shall be ever grateful.

Thank you for making this! I just finished After Story and this put my heart at ease

well...I pretty much figured out on my own everything about the show just watching it as I was crying ( dem feels man* this show...)but I like to look for other people's opinions and I was glad to find this video,really enjoyed it and I hope people that watched the show and want to know more will find this.

So basically Ushio's another Jesus

@adhit

4 жыл бұрын

bruh

@noahrod3363

4 жыл бұрын

Yes lol

Thank you for this video, it cleared up a few loose ends for me. Sure enough, as soon as Nagisa's theme started, I started crying. Well played.

I just finished reading the visual novel this morning and this video helped piece together the last few missing pieces. It all makes so much sense. What an incredible journey.

I've realized something watching this, along with reading the comments. Clannad is not something that can be given a non-spoiler review that's 10 minutes long. A full explanation of one's feelings on Clannad, due to its scope and appeal, takes full-spoilers, and more importantly, a lot of TIME. I'd compare it to something like Evangelion, School Days, Charlotte, Monogatari, FLCL or Gurren Lagann

@UnderTheScopeAnime

8 жыл бұрын

+FullmetalGhoul Definitely. What makes Clannad great (according to 99% of its fans myself included) is After Story, and you can't talk about AS without giving away massive spoilers. So if you're limiting it to very minor spoilers, you can really only do a recommendation, not a full review.

@distortioncharizardalive

8 жыл бұрын

Under The Scope Reviews Well, there lies the biggest problem with Clannad. As much as I personally love the second half of AS, a show taking 32 out of it's 44 episodes to "get good" is pretty ridiculous. Then there is the fact that when you get there it is VERY hit or miss. You either love those episodes, or don't even see how they are any different than the rest.

@UnderTheScopeAnime

8 жыл бұрын

+FullmetalGhoul Well, I wouldn't say it takes that long to "get good." More like it takes that long to get amazing/masterpiece-level. To me it's all good (opinions blah blah blah). I also think you're overstating how hit or miss AS is. The vast majority of people I've seen who finish After Story say the last 10 episodes are great, even if their overall opinion of the show is meh. Not that this should ever be taken at face value, but it IS ranked seventh on MAL after all, meaning an overwhelming majority of people who rated it on the site thought it was great. As a general consensus, that's not very hit or miss. Just to reiterate, I'm not saying that makes it good.

@distortioncharizardalive

8 жыл бұрын

Under The Scope Reviews I think a lot more is good as well, Im more talking about the general fan opinion

@UnderTheScopeAnime

8 жыл бұрын

+FullmetalGhoul Right, and the general fan opinion is really really positive for the most part.

Good job on the explanation. When i first watch Clannad I also thought it was an ass pull, But after i watch it few time I started picking up on the the ending being more of a wish been granted rather than an ass pull. It took me few time of watching Clannad to catch on the stuff of of the wish and the gathering of enough happiness to gran a wish and came up with the same explanation you gave on this video, but the stuff of the legend of the town and gathering happiness are so suddel that if you are not paying attention when that stuff is mention you'll miss it an you'll thing the ending of Clannad After Story is an ass pull. So Grate Job on explaining the ending of Clannad and I look foreword to you review of Clannad and Clannad After Story.

Amazing video.I cried at the end when I realised what it all means.This is easily the best anime I've ever watched and after explaining the ending it is secured as my favourite animated series of all time Thanks for the feels again

I haven't watched this anime in over 2 years, and this interpretation STILL made me burst out in tears, coupled with the soundtrack playing in the background...

another great video from a great youtuber ;)

@konstantinosmerikakis6206

8 жыл бұрын

i dont know about others but i liked the ending and didnt have any complain so why is this ending so hated ?

@napsylev6922

8 жыл бұрын

+Konstantinos Merikakis Bro, Digibro.

@buckwade1402

8 жыл бұрын

+Konstantinos Merikakis Well, because people thought that it was a deus ex machina...which this video, I think we can safely say, proved for to be completely wrong.

The only time when men drop tears - Clannad and your lie in April

@forsenjuu4life328

3 жыл бұрын

So true

@anishshrestha7189

3 жыл бұрын

You stole my words brother♥️

@clochb

3 жыл бұрын

OHOH, YEAH! The best animated series I've ever seen!

@r_thekingslayerx4352

3 жыл бұрын

And Anohana

@Thompsongs

3 жыл бұрын

@@r_thekingslayerx4352 I was going to add that one. Thank you. Also, I'm nervous to watch April. Is it sadder than Anohana?

Amazing video, there were some things I didn't get in the show but watching this made me understand.

fantastic job with the video, everything u said made sense and cleared up alot of questions i had.

Just watched this on Netflix and the after story and I've never felt so depressed 😭😭😭😭 I thought it was going to be trash when I first seen ep1 in 2010.Now this show has me crying myself to sleep 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

Got me crying all over again. Goddammit.

„It‘s because of those happy things life is worth loving. And nothing can ever take that away“ damn, with the scenes, the music, the build up of this video and all the memories that come with it, that line hit me hard

What a great video... I watched Clannad when I was still in high school. Revisiting after 7 years and watching your theory on the ending made it even more clear to me. Definitely my all time favorite anime. Thanks for this.

After Story really made me angry at first. I couldn’t understand why Okazaki had to go through so much pain in his life and literally died when everything he ever worked for was taken away, especially after seeing him barely walking with his dying daughter next to him. This analysis really helped me comprehend the clues that I missed and now I’m satisfied that he got an ending that he deserved. He might honestly be the most tragic character in all of anime.

This is a stellar breakdown of this aspect of this series. A.S. made me cry when I first watched it, but I've cooled towards it since then. A part of that is those number of flaws/criticisms that you alluded to, but what may be the most significant factor for me is just my knowledge of the Maeda-Key style. Going beyond the surface level criticism of their VNs literally being "crying games," the cynical employment of cheap and blatant manipulation that is present in series such as Air and Charlotte makes those situations' presence in Clannad really hamper the experience, even when Clannad employs them a bit more deftly. I can't divorce them from the lineage of shallow melodrama that they clearly come from. Maybe the bulk of the responsibility for that falls on my shoulders, but I always wonder how much of their inclusion in Clannad was also all up to cold, emotionless calculation, and just more well-hidden.

@xephini

6 жыл бұрын

Yeah, I've always regarded Clannad to be Maeda's only truly "sincere" work. Because even though he uses his skill for making the audience emotional, he actually builds that on something: actually nuanced characters, a proper theme that everything is centered around (family), and a use of symbolism that is consistent throughout both seasons (the alternate world and the orbs of light). For example the scene with Tomoya meeting Nagisa returning at the end, it's just... tied together. Compare that to Angel Beats with an afterlife that is a school, with guns (!?), random piano-playing just because pianos are nice, a band (!!??) that just plays randomly because that's pretty cool I guess, etc etc. It's so, so all over the place and there's no plot/red thread tying it all together. Just a bunch of emotional moments thrown in at the end to make it all seem meaningful.

@mtgang2016

6 жыл бұрын

xephini I do agree. I've cried in many of his other works lol but I think Clannad is his absolute best and everything is just more warming and natural. I just hope Maeda is okay with his heart transplant and stuff. I still enjoyed all of his work and I want to see more of it.

@greenstuff3706

6 жыл бұрын

Lachlan Still I’m pretty sure the anime adaptation of Air is inferior to the visual novel.

youu are brillliiant thank you ffor this beautiful summary

Man this was a good video and answered my lingering questions. The music was well timed with your explanation too👍🏾

i was crying so much...i didn't even realise ushio and tomoya died 😢😭😭😭 but I'm so happy to know what this really means 😢 the story is so beautiful 😊

You missed the opportunity to say, "But hey, that's JUST a theory! An ANIME theory! Thanks for watching!"

@UnderTheScopeAnime

8 жыл бұрын

+Selena C I almost did too!

@buckwade1402

8 жыл бұрын

+Under The Scope Reviews But a theory is a guess that comes from multiple conclusions. I think UTS's analysis perfectly explained everything so that there is no other possibility, to my understanding at least. But yeah, that line at the end would've been hilarious.

Thanks for this, really adds closure to the whole story. Makes it more satisfying an ending.

Masterful explanation. Just finished both series. Absolutely beautiful. I don't think I've ever cried this much in any show.

This was a super confusing anime, I like it but I don’t like how everything had to change for one person( going to a new world) in the real,original world all three would’ve died and the akio and his wife would have just been suffering

@essentiallyitsamy

3 жыл бұрын

Well the world didn't change, it all still happened it's just that Tomoya moved to a different world with a different ending as his wish granted by his daughter.

I probably wouldn't like the genre of clannad, but damn you make it seem like its on par with fate zero and makes me kinda want to watch it XD

@lz3036

8 жыл бұрын

+Michael Chang Fate/Zero is my 2nd favorite anime, it's only 2nd to Clannad for me. And why did you watch the video if you didn't finish the series :s

@michaelchang6736

8 жыл бұрын

lol spoilers don't really bother me. plus i probably wont watch clannad anytime soon

@usernamenotavailable

6 жыл бұрын

so its been 2 years. u watched it?

I can barely see what I'm typing through the tears. You made a man cry... Thank you, sincerely.

I LOVE YOU FOR POSTING THIS! Yeah, I guess I'd better subscribe... Thanks for putting into worlds what I knew somehow, but could only feel it instead of document. You really knocked this one out of the park, congrats!

If I had to find the endings meaning I would have came up singing the Dango song 😂

I'm gonna be that guy and ask you "how much credit would you give to KyoAni for Clannad's success?"

@UnderTheScopeAnime

8 жыл бұрын

Compared to what, the visual novel? As popular as the VN is, that had something to do with it, but KyoAni made the show. The success is theirs. Ishihara's direction in After Story is phenomenal. Although if you mean how much did KyoAni's popularity lead to Clannad's success, I'd say not much. The only hugely popular works under their belt at that time were Haruhi and Lucky Star.

@SpyFromMarsZeus

8 жыл бұрын

Under The Scope Reviews Well said, I asked this question simply due to lots of Key fans claim KyoAni had very little influence on the success of CLANNAD TV series.

@UnderTheScopeAnime

8 жыл бұрын

Ah, gotcha. I can see why they'd say that because of the VN, but KyoAni still had to make the series what it is. Just look at the movie adaptation by Toei. Doesn't even compare.

@ParaSytius

7 жыл бұрын

I'd say KyoAni can take the credit for making CLANNAD popular outside of Japan, I doubt the VN would have been well known in the West at the time except for the more hardcore fans.

Awesome explanation brother....thank you so much for clearing all doubts....grt job buddy

You helped me get a better understanding of the ending ! :)

Clannad is LOVE Clannad is Live... literally

While I never considered Clannad's ending an ass-pull as I noticed the foreshadowing the first time I watched it... I do honestly feel like ending it at episode 19 with Tomoya picking his life back together and finding a reason to keep going despite all the tragedy that had befallen him would have made for a stronger ending. Yeah, it would change the overall theme of the story but you know what? Him reconciling with Ushio in episode 18 is in my opinion a pretty much perfect moment, and episode 19 works excellently as an epilogue to tie up the loose ends. Take out the Illusionary World stuff, and episode 19's ending could literally be the end of the story and I don't think anyone would ever notice anything missing. ...That said the story kept going and from the moment Ushio fell ill I feel like the show had passed the threshold for where anything BUT a perfect happy ending would have been acceptable. Because yeah, the idea of ending the whole thing with Tomoya just shutting down completely after losing everything that ever made his life worthwhile... THIS IS NOT GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES, PEOPLE. Heck, it would be WORSE than that because it would basically send the message that no matter how kind, selfless and caring you are, even if you spend your entire life helping others... life will still screw you over in the end for no apparent reason. This is, quite frankly, the WORST POSSIBLE way to end a series like this. I might consider the hypothetical "Like the movie but better" ending preferrable to what we got, but what we got was still infinitely preferrable to the downer ending some people seem to inexplicably want.

Im actually in tears right now i never expected to still be able to cry from videos like this Clannad is just a great show

this crushed me , made me remember all of it so sudden that i cant stop cryin... the happy and sad memories all at once is too much to process , i will go to lie on my bed and cry , this is a wonderfull video and make justice to the ending