That’s about…3 or 4 time skips this year now? Thank God for the new year… o_o

With most of the minor character story arcs now out of the way, we’re finally coming back to the much desired Nagisa/After Story Arc. And what better way to celebrate it’s return than…a time skip. o_o

THIS should’ve happened 8 episodes ago… -_-

The episode wasn’t really a bad episode per say…it just seems like THIS should’ve been the 1st episode of After Story (or even the last episode of last season) instead of the whole baseball game earlier (And no, this doesn’t contradict or go against my praise for that episode!). After Story is, after all, supposed to focus on Nagisa after all, and there hasn’t been any of that until now. None of the past 8 episodes, while swell and all, Sanae’s in particular, never really had any effect on this main plotline save for Yukine and Misae getting enough screentime to insert them into Nagisa’s birthday party smoothly and the explanation of the light orbs that grant wishes. Again, more story is good and all, but I do think it’s a bit unfair to have to wait 2 months before actually seeing an episode I had expected to see much earlier. It’s almost as if Clannad is actually a 31-episode series (32 counting Tomoyo Chapter), while After Story is in reality spanning 16-episodes. I should rename my files…

Nagisa looks kinda pregnant with that coat on… *wink*

Pointless ranting aside, I wasn’t entirely thrilled about the episode itself either, though it’s mainly because it wraps up a transitional period from School Life to beginning After Story during the last half of the episode very quickly, through Tomoya’s monologues and quick little relevant scenes. It actually reminds me a lot of how Tomoyo Chapter progressed, and took roughly the same amount of time. While I’m sure they probably could’ve executed it a bit better with maybe half of another episode, it does leave more room for the future events, and for being worried about the initial rumor of a 13-episode run, it’s a godsend. I’m pleased that the Tomoya and Nagisa relationship is starting to accelerate at full-speed again, and not just little blushes and acts here and there, or Nagisa crying over Tomoya getting beat up (Twice, I might add). It’s nice to see Tomoya able to freely express his feelings of worry and care during Nagisa’s sickness, unlike his awkward approach the last time it happened; likewise, it’s nice to see Nagisa isn’t as nervous towards their relationship as before, offering her hand towards him, as well as calmly addressing his lament on not graduating with her. The piano medley of “The Place where Dreams Come True” and “Nagisa/”Dango Daikazoku” was also a very nice touch during the Nagisa montage and subsequent conversation of the two. Yay for lovey-dovey~ Hahaha…*sigh* T_T

Expect Botan dolls at your nearest animu convention next year.

As for the other characters, it’s nice to see they had their time to shine for a bit (especially Botan’s “Doll” mode and other elements from the Fujibayashi’s Routes since they were the most shafted last season), as well as ultimately revealing their plans for the future, such as Ryou wanting to be nurse (which could possibly introduce another character) and Kyou wanting to teach kindergarten. Sunohara’s modeling doesn’t go as planned, so by comparing the episode to Tomoyo Chapter again, it’s safe to bet we shall be seeing black-haired, business Sunohara very soon.

Unfortunately, I anticipated correctly and Kotomi will indeed to be leaving Japan to study in America. As if the lack of Noto Mamiko wasn’t disturbing enough, we might now not here of her until the last few episodes. ;_;

I’m so sneaky, I put 2 Tomoyo pics consecutively. ^^;

At the very least, Tomoyo and Yukine are still in school, and since Nagisa’s going to repeat her year again, they’re not completely out of the picture…unless next episode fucks us up with a time-skip again. O_O

PREVIEW

Next episode seems to hold Tomoya’s answer on Nagisa’s earlier question on what he’ll do after graduating: baking bread apparently. Eh, but since he’s also looking toward getting an apartment, hopefully he gets a higher paying job. Maybe Yoshino Yusuke’s card may come in handy again…

See, it’s funny because Ryou’s fortune telling is always wrong! Ahaha~ ^o^

-Jay