Clannad/After Story - Review

Duration: 2 seasons (23 episodes each) + 2 OVAs
Genre: Harem, Slice-of-Life, Romance, Drama

Despite trying to avoid most harem anime, I inevitably get around to watching them; hoping for an extremely engrossing plot with a diverse cast breaking their stereotypical molds. Some may say I'm crazy because the truth is, harem anime can be considered the antithesis of engaging/complex. My line of thought has been skewed drastically since Clannad was the first harem anime I watched. In retrospect, it's a damned good one to start out with, and perhaps the best one to date.

Story

Okazaki Tomoya is your average, yet wickedly good looking delinquent high school student. Aimlessly plodding through his adolescence, he doesn't have any particular ambitions, desires, goals, etc; most of it caused by teenage angst along with an unhealthy parental relationship with his father. While on a walk to school he passes by a young girl (Furukawa Nagisa) muttering some words to herself. She happens to catch his attention and they walk off to school together. Much to his dismay, Nagisa believes he befriended her. Particularly bored with his life, Tomoya decides to go along with it and learns about Nagisa's desire to restore the theater/drama club. As they both start to hang out more and meet other friends along the way, Tomoya begins to see his life moving in a more positive direction.

Episodes are split up between various character specific story arcs, formatted to feature each girl like in its original visual-novel source material. Recurring themes about family are explored, focusing on issues between parents, siblings, or the family as a whole.

For the purpose of this review, I decided to pair up the two series together as they certainly can't be given a fair analysis on their own. The bonds and friendships formed during the first season are just as integral to the plot as Tomoya and Nagisa's life together after school. Clannad is nothing without its ~After Story~ and vice versa. Quite perhaps one of the best stories ever told in an anime, if not, the most most heart-wrenching for sure. At first glance through the first several episodes, one would disagree with the previous statement, but like any good love story, it genuinely takes time to develop and blossom.

Characters

Okazaki Tomoya: A particularly ambivalent harem protagonist; he's thankfully not dumb as dirt, and a very likable character. Considered a hopeless delinquent by many, most of his actions throughout the series proves otherwise. He currently lives with his dead-beat Dad, but frequents Sunohara's dorm/apartment quite often.

Sunohara Youhei: Tomoya's partner in crime, he's around for comedic relief by means of slapstick humor. Rebellious with his blonde hair class-clown nature, he has the characteristics of a wholesomely good friend. Some say he's annoying, but he gets plenty of beatings from Kyou and Tomoyo to compensate.

Furukawa Nagisa: Tomoya's accidental love interest as I would like to call her. It's hard not to like her since she's so darn adorable with her antennae hair. Despite being fairly timid, and lacking in confidence, she has a big heart and cares for the ones around her. That smile is just contagious.

Fujibayashi Kyou/Ryou: The twins Fujibayashi, they are quite the polar opposites. Kyou is your typical bitchy, headstrong, direct, tsundere sister while Ryou is the docile, timid, more moe one. Unfortunately, their respective story arcs weren't explored in the anime; at least they were featured in one of the Another World OVAs.

Ichinose Kotomi: Your usual aloof, book-smart, twin-tailed girl (above blushing). She has an extreme case of social ineptitude and in some cases tunnel vision. Oblivious to most of her surroundings, she moves at her own pace--she's harmless up until you give her a violin.

Sakagami Tomoyo: Not to be confused with Tomoya (our harem protagonist), Tomoyo is perhaps the anime equivalent of Street Fighter's maiden Chun-Li, the strongest woman in the world; and for very good reason. Interested yet? Her hobbies include sports, volunteering, and beating up random gang members.

Although the series comprises archetypal characters, they are just well rounded enough for one to care why they exist in the grand scheme of things. The bonds made between characters are very real and emotions are illustrated naturally--nothing too forced.

Voice Acting/Sound

The original voice Japanese voice actors in Clannad deserve an award. Everyone casted did an exceptional job with their respective roles. Some special praise needs to be given to Nakahara Mai's role as Nagisa; I was thoroughly impressed with her, always delivering the right voice for the right moment. Unfortunately I have not gotten around to exploring the English dub, but in regards to the Japanese voice acting--top notch.

Just like the voice acting, the soundtrack deserves some praise. At first it seems as though many of the tracks are recycled, but they've been remixed different times to fit different scenarios; the variety is certainly there. Notable tracks comprise mostly of the piano/flute variety. No track really does seem out of place except for maybe one or two tracks. Regardless, the soundtrack is nothing short of spectacular. If one is looking for BGM to sample for a depressingly dramatic montage, look no further.

Loved
Alternate Universes: Each season ended with special OVA featuring an alternate world if Tomoya were to pick a girl other than Nagisa; true to its original visual novel concept. Despite being one episode for each (Tomoyo, Kyou), a lot occurs and captures the romance/drama lacking in some of the character arcs. Despite feeling a little rushed and probably too condensed, the episodes are surprisingly deep and worth a watch.

Fuuko: After her character arc to start off the series, she shows up at random times to "help" out Tomoya and the rest during various incidents, with absolutely zero percent success rate, but one hundred percent random comedic gold--starfish can only solve so many problems.

Hated
"Torch" Ending: Like I said above, there really isn't any track that seemed out of place, animation and sound coalescing to make a masterpiece, until you hear the ending track from ~After Story~. It's not a bad track by any means, it just immediately sounds out of place. They were probably going for a change of pace to lighten the mood after a drama heavy episode, but that's the absolute last thing I want when I'm absorbed into dramatic incident.

Loose Ends: Depicted at the beginning of several episodes is a mysterious illusionary world devoid of any identifiable life other than a girl and a robot she made out of garbage. This world does have its purpose in the long run, but became a stretch in terms of linking it to the main story. It's fair to say that some elements of Clannad heavily depend on themes of fantasy and the unknown, but it took awhile for me to grasp what the writers were going for in this case.

The Lowdown: Upon reflection, there isn't anything too special about the first season of Clannad. Some might go and kill me, but it's fairly mediocre harem anime if you take out the Fuuko and Kotomi arcs. That being said, if one sticks with the series up until the last several episodes of ~After Story~, be prepared to be treated to some of the most powerful/dramatic scenes in anime. It will surely leave you in tears and pulling at your heart strings.

Notes: Watched entire series beginning to end in addition to the respective OVAs (SS-Eclipse Subs)

Outlaw Star - Review

Duration: 26 episodes (24 mins each)
Genre: Adventure, Action, Sci-Fi (space)

If one were to participate in a simple word association exercise only related to anime, generally, these words would associate with the following anime:

• nine thousand - Dragonball Z
• dog - Inuyasha
• boxing - Hajime no Ippo
• Toyota - Initial D
• god - Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

But what anime does one associate with when the words "space" and "bounty hunters" are raised? Most would say Cowboy Bebop, the crazy popular anime about the misadventures of Spike, Jet, Faye Valentine, and Edward. Needless to say, Cowboy Bebop is one of those anime that is part of one's rite of passage to anime bliss. A diverse and extremely unique soundtrack, enticing stories/subplots, and a cast of very memorable characters--you can't go wrong with the space cowboys. Often times overlooked or just forgotten is the other anime about bounty hunters in space, Outlaw Star. Make the distinction here, they're outlaws, not cowboys.

Story

In the future where people have abandoned earth and began colonizing other planets, on a planet called Centinel 3, Gene Starwind and Jim Hawking run their own freelance business. Gene tends to do a bit of bounty hunting on the side as the business isn't as lucrative as he had hoped. One day they receive a job providing some personal protection to a fairly suspicious woman; but is an Outlaw in disguise. The events following lead Gene and Jim down a spiraling road of trouble as they encounter pirates, other bounty hunters, a prototype spaceship, and a mysterious bio-android girl.

The entire series, similarly formatted like Cowboy Bebop, comprise stories of episodic nature. This formula works well as different scenarios and circumstances are presented to the characters in a fashion where they can develop. Despite the episodic nature, it follows a fairly linear style with a hint of filler to break up more intense episodes.

Characters

Gene Starwind: The main protagonist with his crimson red hair and numerous battle scars, he's the target of many booty calls. He's simple-minded and an ass at times, but is loyal and sensitive when need be.

Jim Hawking: Son of renown computer hacker, he handles the busy/tech work for Gene. He's the epitome of sidekick in every way; covering for Gene's shortcomings. It surprises me that he's only eleven--crazy child prodigies.

Melfina: the bio-android girl Gene and Jim discover during their protection "job". Unaware of why she was created, she is mild-mannered and curious of her surroundings.

Aisha Clanclan: part of the Ctarl-Ctarl empire. A mix between a human and a tiger, she is very proud of her race; often times announcing it nearly every opportunity she gets to. Possessing super human strength and tolerance for extreme conditions in her humanoid form, she can also transform into a beast (similar to wild cats)--furries rejoice.

"Twilight" Suzuka: A woman of very few words and also a super-class assassin, no one should be messing with her. Like Melfina, her past is unknown for the most part, but she has very distinct motives for sticking around with Gene. Don't worry, she's not related to any vampires or werewolves.

Voice Acting/Sound

I was originally introduced to Outlaw Star on Toonami's old afternoon schedule so I have some bias towards the English voice actors here, and for good reason; they're voiced very well. I also managed to catch the entire series with the original voice acting, and is very good as well--no complaints. Basically you can't go wrong with either.

Outlaw Star's soundtrack could never possibly compare to Cowboy Bebop's, but there are quite a few memorable tracks. I do have some reservations in regard to the translation of Melfina's song (first ed) into English; a prime example in which the original trumps the dub. One could write an entire dissertation on this issue refuting my unproven point, but a simple youtube search of each will have you agreeing with my point. Regardless, the two ending tracks from Akino Arai left me awestruck; perhaps I'm exaggerating a bit, but they're not to be overlooked.

Loved
Fred Luo: Gene Starwind's personal benefactor. He's always around to help Gene out in his time of need for weapons and supplies. The first time I watched the series, the notion of him being homosexual completely flew over my head. Perhaps I wasn't paying attention, but I just thought he was a super good friend. Since watching this the second/third time through, I finally get it...

Poorman's Life: For those who have watched Cowboy Bebop, the life of a bounty hunter isn't easy as funds will often times be an issue, Outlaw Star is no different. You'll be seeing Gene and Jim penny pinching and looking to cut on costs whenever they can along with their continual badgering of their friend Fred for monetary help.

Hated
Inconsistent Animation: Over the course of the series, one will start to notice some inconsistencies with nearly all the characters. Facial expressions will seem off along with torsos and limbs looking slimmer than usual (especially with Gene). This is not to dismiss the animation altogether; most action scenes involving the ships are fluid and well done.

Episode 23: If anyone remembers the original Toonami airing of the series, the plot seemed to make an abrupt jump towards the last few episodes. This episode was purely a fanservice episode showcasing the ladies of Outlaw Star (especially Aisha) on a . Despite it being as such, the episode did offer information about the caster shell types and the aftereffects of the ones Gene received. Again, I'm not a big fan of random nudity tossed in for it ultimately alienates a set audience.

The Lowdown: Nostalgia is a strong factor in my recommendation of Outlaw Star. Again, those expecting it to be as great as Cowboy Bebop might be a little disappointed, but anyone looking for a wholesome sci-fi adventure should look no further.

Notes: Watched 26 episode series in its entirety (Bandai English dub and GP fansub)

Chi's Sweet Home - Review

Duration: 104 episodes (3 mins each)
Genre: Slice-of-life, Comedy, Cats

A lot of people tend to frown upon anime because it often times connotes animation, which is for the most part correlated with children's programming. I will always tell those people there are missing out on some quality shows because there is at least one series that will cater to their tastes. In the case of Chi's Sweet Home, even cat lovers are covered.

Story

While enjoying a walk outside, a fairly young grey and white kitten unfortunately strays away from her mother and becomes lost. Panicking and distrought, she is discovered by a young boy named Youhei along with his mother. They bring the kitten into their apartment complex, but pets of any kind aren't allowed. After several attempts to find a new home for the kitten, Youhei and his family decide to keep her, naming her Chi.

A fairly simple plot, but suitable for an anime short with a slice-of-life angle. Most episodes will feature the daily musings of one family's first pet kitten while also delving into the psyche of a curious, rambunctious kitten. It will have you laughing, crying and awing all day. At first glance one wonders how a series could be focused around the day-to-day life of a cat, but in retrospect, it seems as though a cat's life is more fun and sometimes complicated than our own. As the series goes along, one may be conflicted as to whether she should go and find her mother or stay Youhei and her new family.

Characters

Chi: The centerpiece of the series. She's cute, lovable, and makes the silliest faces (above). There are too many screencaps I could have taken of her--bliss. Hilarity ensues when she taps into her natural sense of curiosity.

Youhei: A young boy probably no older than five years who ends up naming the kitten Chi. Don't expect too much from him; he's still a toddler. (Don't worry, he doesn't have six arms.)


Mr/Mrs Yamada: Youhei's fairly generic parents. As far as the series is concerned, their first names are never made known. Mr. Yamada works as a graphic designer while the Mrs. is your average stay-at-home mom. It is quite hilarious seeing their antics during the episodes


Taking into account that this series comprises very short episodes, there isn't necessarily a need for intense dynamic character development. It's light-hearted setting and plot are just fine.

Voice Acting/Sound

Currently there isn't an English adaptation of the show (sorry dub fans), but the original Japanese voice actors for the series are quite decent. Some praise needs to go to Satomi Koorogi for her role as Chi; excellently voiced and I possibly couldn't grasp another way a kitten could be voiced. Many will notice her previous work as Ushio from Clannad, a compelling voice that will pull your heartstrings at times indeed.

Considering the light-heartedness of this show, don't be expecting an orchestral masterpiece with this show, tracks will be recycled quite frequently but set the tone of each episode nicely.

Loved
Chi's Expressions: As I said above, the multiple faces Chi makes throughout the series just put a smile on your face. One of my recurring favorites is when Chi completely goes apeshit excited (right).


Crazy Cat Woman: In a few episodes where the Yamada family make a trip to the local pet store for food, litter, cat toys, etc, they will always come across a very eccentric/spontaneous cat woman. Her enthusiasm is just contagious to say the least.

Hated
Length: I try not to nitpick too much but because these episodes are only about two and a half minutes long; they left a lot to be desired. I'm not sure how these originally aired, but these episodes could have been extended to perhaps 8-10 minutes. Then again, one has to be mindful of the cuteness overload.

The Lowdown: If you have an affinity or attachment to cats, look no further and start watching immediately. The art style might turn off some, but the simple yet at times heartwarming story makes it accessible to audiences of all different backgrounds. Watch it in small doses as intended; one might go crazy from overwhelming cuteness.

Notes: Watched series from beginning to end (Yoroshiku subs).