1351: After Story

I was surprised to discover that Manga Video had a booth at the Eurogamer Expo over the weekend, so I took a moment to rifle through their collection between seeing various bits and pieces.

As good fortune would have it, it would seem that Clannad After Story has recently been released in “complete series” box set format, so I snapped up a copy — £25 is eminently reasonable for six DVDs, particularly when compared to some other anime DVDs, and particularly particularly when compared to the exorbitant prices Forbidden Planet charges for anime DVDs.

Ever since I got to the end of Clannad — which wasn’t that long ago — I’ve wanted to see After Story, which picks up directly where the original leaves off. It’s the anime adaptation of the second half of the original visual novel, and continues the story beyond the end of school over the course of the following seven years.

This alone makes it noteworthy in anime, since most “slice of life” or school-based drama shows restrict themselves to just the school years, so it’s unusual to see the characters actually grow older and move on from school and into their lives proper. Indeed, this is usually the case with visual novels, too, which often tend to have high school-age protagonists and heroines, and stick that way. There are exceptions, of course — Kana Little Sister and Kira Kira immediately spring to mind — but it’s something that, in my experience anyway, happens more often than not.

I’ve only watched a single episode of After Story so far so I can’t comment with any great authority on what the new series is like, but I’m looking forward to exploring it. The original Clannad series didn’t end how I was expecting it to end — no spoilers — but in retrospect, I think this was because I wasn’t aware that After Story was not just a direct follow-up, but the continuation and conclusion of the complete narrative.

I can guarantee now that it’s going to make me cry at least once, though. I found the Fuko arc in the first Clannad series incredibly emotional, and if After Story is going to go where I think it’s going to go, it’s going to be about three bajillion times worse. That’s okay, though; the reason I’m even watching Clannad in the first place is because I know it’s sad. This may sound like a strange reason to watch something, but there’s something oddly enjoyable (if that’s even the right word) about getting emotionally engaged with something to such a degree. People still watch sad movies and listen to sad music, after all — and, despite the fact I know absolutely nothing about Breaking Bad (and don’t want to right now, thanks; I’m going to watch it when everyone else shuts up about it, which should hopefully be soon now that it’s finished) I understand that it’s not exactly the most cheerful thing on the tellybox.

Further reports as I continue watching, I’m sure.