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Review of CLANNAD

SubjectCLANNAD
ByHelpfulness: 0
Vote: 7
funnerific on 2020-09-17
ReviewIt's not better than the anime.

I'm not much of an anime watcher, and I've played far more VNs than the amount of things watched. But after having a blast watching Clannad, I read the entirety of the VN and found that I wasted my time. Sure, it's still a good game, but given the choice, there's no reason to go for it. I don't normally advocate for preferring the VN over the anime, but this is a major exception.

What are the typical problems of anime adaptations? Cut content, length, and omnibus format. But with 48 episodes, integration of all character arcs (IIRC), and OVAs to cover 2 of the other heroines, it's hardly a problem. Add to that greatly expanded storylines (Yukine) and, naturally, animations — what more could you ask for? At most, you're missing out on short kissing scenes.
0 points
#1 by poudink
2020-09-17 at 12:58
< report >The anime most definitely does not have all character arcs. It's missing Akio's arc from after story, as well as obviously the entirety of Kappei. While Yukine's arc is indeed expanded upon, in many cases the anime rushes through arcs way too fast. I'm mostly refering to Tomoyo's and Kyou's arc, which were some of the longer arcs in the VN, being dealt with in a single OVA episode each.
#2 by funnerific
2020-09-17 at 13:04
< report >True, there was that, now that you mention it. Though in my opinion the positives still outweigh the negatives. At the end of the day, I find that the after story matters far more than heroine routes, which weren't even dealt that bad a hand.Last modified on 2020-09-17 at 13:15
#3 by forever-here
2020-09-17 at 13:48
< report >Yukine is expanded? what episode please?
#4 by funnerific
2020-09-17 at 13:51
< report >s2ep07Last modified on 2020-09-17 at 13:51
#5 by mondblut
2021-01-14 at 13:37
< report >I haven't watched the entire anime, just the bonus episode that basically adapted Tomoyo's route and it was a rushed mess to say the least. Which is especially tragic since she's probably the one with the best route. Are the other routes handled better?
#6 by tomm01p
2021-01-14 at 14:07
< report >#5
It's been a while since I've seen the show, but most of the routes that received more than one ep are adapted about as well as can be (Kotomi, Fuuko, Sunoharas, obviously After Story). The thing that makes the Clannad anime quite a different experience from the VN (and not in a bad way) to me, is that everything happens in a single timeline, and so the relationship of Tomoya/Nagisa is being developed even in routes of other characters. This is why Tomoyo's route had to have been cut, because you simply couldn't do it without the love between her and Tomoya, which would've made everything a mess.

The only route they altered in a big way was Yukine's route. They basically just upped the stakes of her story and added crying and yellling. I personally much prefer her route in the VN.Last modified on 2021-01-14 at 14:10
#7 by funnerific
2021-01-14 at 16:00
< report >Yukine route in the VN doesn't really exist. You say hi, you kiss, then it's over.
#8 by tomm01p
2021-01-14 at 16:08
< report >It's short yes, but it has a really nice SoL touch to it and everything that happens in it is very subtle, yet effective. It doesn't really have a story, but that's what sets it apart. It's a relaxing route more than anything, it basically lacks any drama, it's just about the protagonist and the heroine (and side characters that appear). I like when it's like that.
#9 by forever-here
2021-01-14 at 16:50
< report >Yukine route isn't really about her but rather the delinquentsLast modified on 2021-01-14 at 16:51