Just like how the movie ended, only it didn’t suck.

Kinda funny how the moment I have to take a break (i.e. laziness and procrastination) from making entries for Clannad that it all of a sudden becomes “ZOMG FUCKWIN” and produce even more tears than Nagisa’s death, especially since it came immediately afterwards. At the same time, it kinda feels like the pace just sped up even more, but that same excuse is getting old (that remark is probably getting old too o.o), and by doing so it also helps get us to one of the main reasons why we watch a KEY Anime: to cry our hearts out. ;_;

In losing Nagisa, Tomoya degenerates from his former state of happiness and peace by drowning himself in work, gambling, and alcohol. Add it up and the most frustrating part of it becomes apparent: he’s become like his father, and can even be said to be even worse than that as he has disregarded his responsibilities in becoming Ushio’s father, having only seen her a few times and still not have a memorable glance at her face. When he finally sees her for the first in a long while, he acts indifferent towards her and treats her as bluntly as he did to other people before (Including Nagisa, hmm…), making the relationship between the two more akin to that of an older brother/younger sister.

Even after seemingly preferring to spend time with “Akii” and “Sanae-san,” it’s very clear that Ushio wants to get closer to her father, turning to Tomoya on things a child needs help with, and seeking praise and acceptance from him when it doesn’t always come; what becomes especially cruel is the two times where she sees how other parents openly express their love for their children when her own father can’t even be proud or impressed that she can use the bathroom by herself.

Yet, it’s this increasingly frustrating relationship that makes Tomoya’s progress and acceptance into his fatherly role that much more meaningful, whether it be subtle shows of caring like proceeding with the trip planned by Sanae or buying Ushio a toy, to the culmination of his taking responsibility for her by finally taking her to live with her and become the parent he should’ve been years ago; in response Ushio is more than happy to reciprocate these feelings, and accepts the once cold and depressed father she never got to know well enough to call him as such and cries in his arms. All of it felt simply beautiful, and while Tomoya still has a lot to learn about being a father (i.e. What kind of father leaves a 5-year-old all alone in a house…oh yeah, Akio and Sanae…AND Naoyuki… o_o), his attempt and dedication is all very genuine.

The manner in which Tomoya was able to recover was a bit unexpected too: by all of a sudden remembering the times where Naoyuki treated him as his son before the eventual falling out. The way his grandmother retold his father’s past all of a sudden led to Tomoya’s forgiveness felt kind of rushed and a bit unbelievable (He DID permanentely injure Tomoya’s shoulder, after all), but I guess it makes more sense when you realize that Tomoya probably is more understanding now as an adult and knowing how hard it must’ve been for Naoyuki to keep going after having just lost his wife since he is/was in the same situation up until then. Having finally recovered, helping his father recover, and the reconcilation between them before Naoyuki departs brings a satisfying end to the current issues of Tomoya’s life, and you can’t help but be glad for the both of them.

The way Nagisa is remembered also stood out a bit for me, in particular when Tomoya begins to tear up when trying to tell Ushio more about her, and once again when Sanae, who’s usual smiling face and happy attitude, cries for the first time since Nagisa’s death. Really hitting home on the tears these past few weeks.

Fuko’s finally back, still as moe-tarded as before, yet not as obsessed with starfish beyond her sweater apparently; instead, her new favorite thing has taken the form of Ushio, as hinted in the OP. I still don’t actually recall why Fuuko was forgotten by everyone again (I’m pretty sure that by the end of her arc, at least Tomoya and Nagisa remembered her again all of a sudden), and it’s also a bit of a mystery why she all of a sudden recovered in the first place. What’s more, the random “Fuko is here!” appearances from the 1st Season haven’t been explained at all either, and it kinda makes them all seem more irrelevant and a waste of time than it already was. Besides that…if she was a 1st Year when Tomoya was a 3rd Year, how does that make her the same age as him? Anyways, it was…refreshing to see her again since I’ve missed the really dumb humor that comes from her actions (the only thing missing is Tomoya’s advantage-taking of her, but I suppose fatherhood also means he can’t play practical jokes on anyone but Sunohara now), though I doubt we’ll see much of her from now until the final episode save for maybe next episode.

It’s obvious the teacher is Kyou. What isn’t so obvious: how ginormous has Botan gotten in this time?

The doll in the Illusionary World and his inability to create a working machine to fly him and the girl away from the winter here doesn’t seem to represent any situations Tomoya is going through at all, and thus the relevance to it still hasn’t cleared up. Also, if the girl isn’t able to move when it’s cold, why is that she’s able to walk out and embrace the doll just fine and concordingly propose that they just walk out of here? Why didn’t she just suggest that before? The plot thickens.

And finally, the light orbs come back into play again, this time descending upon Tomoya. Recalling on Miyazawa’s explanation that the orbs descend on those in a state of happiness, it also looks like the only ones who can see them are people other than the receiver of the orb. How Ushio was able to see it, who knows, but now that it has appeared, there’s also condition Miyazawa stated that a wish can be granted from it…maybe a wish for Ushio to meet her mother?

PREVIEW

I was a bit surprised that one of the lines in the preview was “Tell your mother goodbye/I’m going!”…then I stopped being stupid and realized Tomoya’s probably referring to the picture. Not much to go on except that the happy days with Ushio seem to be continuing, and that there’s a visitor coming by, most likely Yusuke as part of the favor asked earlier. A Kyou appearance is highly inevitable.

Ahaha~, that’s where Mai’s present ended up.

Bedhead Ushio is D’AAAAAAW.

 -Jay