In Clannad we're actually privy to quite a sizeable array of characters that revolve around Tomoya as the main protagonist, in that the story fills a lot of it's gaps with a pattern of routine comedy. As the recognizable banana man and straight man routine is quite evident in a large part of the ongoing dialogue throughout the series, which includes the punching bag and hot tempered gal routine as seen with Sunohara & the likes of Tomoyo Sakagami or Kyou Fubayashi. Even Nagisa parents have their own little skit going, where Akio unknowingly confides in how awful Sanae's bread is in front of her, and where she's particularly sensitive about it, she usually runs out of the bakery in a crying fit as Akio would proceed to routinely chase her.The Most Important | Tomoya & The Furukawa's
Tomoya Okazaki himself is rather somewhat of a lax character who usually finds himself slacking off with somewhat of an indifferent attitude, however when he is bothered to care about something he's often mildly complaining about it in the process. However there is a part about him that's quick tempered and to action, in that it's that narrow-minded and somewhat absorbed attitude of his that's one of his characteristic strengths and flaws at the same time. While he's not one to think twice about taking action to help a friend in need, his inability to think beyond the present or what's in front of him proves to be consequential. Really it's that vain part of his character that's quick to make self deprecating assumptions, in that Tomoya is particularly vulnerable to self defeat when things go a wry. It also doesn't help that when others try to support him he usually shrinks within himself, often trying his best not to bother others with his own problems by confiding in others. However as a side note I also like his relationship later on in the series with Yoshino Yuusuke, as he pretty much serves as an older brother to Tomoya. While he's harsh with him at times, he also offers important advice that comes from experience and can be a pretty silly and absorbed character.
Another large role that was played in the series would really have to be Nagisa's parents, in that not only do Sanae & Akio Furukawa offer the enjoyment of cracking jokes and of course the regular ongoing antics that occur in the Furukawa household, but they are major support figures to Nagisa & Tomoya as well being how the story unfolds. While Akio is often childish and silly, He & Tomoya in particular grow to have an earnest relationship of mutual respect and support. When need be Akio actually can be serious when giving advice to Tomoya, speaking from his own experiences and sooner or later treating Tomoya like family. As both of them have a pretty tense and fun relationship where Akio for the most part prefers to be entertaining for Nagisa sake, in that he plays a huge role pertaining to matters regarding Nagisa and Tomoya down the line particularly. Though Sanae keeps her distance a little at least comparatively speaking, and while she's often time's amicable and blissfully ignorant, she also lends a hand offering emotional support and sympathy.
The sole thing that does anchor Tomoya however of course is Nagisa, and while she has her own discernible flaws as a character, it really is this budding relationship between them that helps them both balance each other out and compensate for their flaws as people. While Nagisa is a sweet and agreeable character she's also quite sensitive, having trouble asserting herself and finding confidence. In that Nagisa is a very sensitive and passionate person by nature and as a byproduct she's normally driven beyond her actual physical capability and often times runs the risk of getting perhaps a little to emotional, this is where Tomoya is helps her stay grounded, offering a hand when she usually needs it. Whereas when Tomoya is too overcritical and self deprecating, Nagisa helps lift and cheer him up, inspiring a confidence and hope in him that breathes life into his normally despondent and bleak outlook.Supplementary Characters | Friends & Acquaintances
The story mainly revolves around these two as we go through the motions and navigate each given character arc, as their little group of friends grows with characters such as Ryou & Kyou Fujibayashi, who's your classic Tsundere character who mostly operates around expectations and appearances. Though while she's quite a forthcoming and pushy character, she's not really honest about her feelings either. As she usually gets violent in these situations making for a handful of the series routine comedy scenarios between Kyou beating the crap out of Sunohara when he goes out of his way to push her buttons and tease her, in that he's quite a devious and often perverted character. Serving as a sort of punching bag and/or scapegoat to vent her anger on, as he's often subject to her every violent whim and impulse.
However she's quite a bit more gentle with Tomoya who's more on her good side, but no less pushy than she is with anybody else either, despite Tomoya receiving quite a bit of preferential treatment. In general while somewhat of a cliche character, I love her regardless none the less. As I think she's definitely one of the all time classic tsundere characters, being that I think the dishonest part of her personality is quite cute and adorable in how obvious she can be at times. As she's also just as of an iconic of a character in her appearance, with the same purple hair and nice figure typical of the Tsundere archetype. Overall her character is done a lot of justice as she not only gets a reasonable amount screen-time and dialogue, she also was quite impressional to me, as she plays a role and makes an appearance further down the line within the story where not many others do.
Tomoyo Sakagami who's an underclassmen of Tomoya also has a similar punching bag relationship with Sunohara that Kyou does. However her attitude is quite a bit more reserved and indifferent, as she's very rarely if ever falls for Sunohara's provocations, as she has far more tolerance and patience then the former. Though that's not to say she still won't beat the crap out of Sunohara, however in those situations he's treated and brushed off far more as a minor nuisance if anything that she can make quick work of in a disregarding fashion where she spares him no quarrel. Thankfully though like Kyou, Tomoya also gets her own separate OVA that covers her respective route that you can choose in the visual novel, which of course nicely expands on her and Kyou's characters story quite a bit. However I do recognize that they compressed and cut a lot of the story into a format that would fit into an episodes length, but none the less a very nice addition.
Sunohara himself like Tomoya Okazaki is also branded as a delinquent, as his happy go lucky and silly attitude often lands him into a lot of trouble. Though more so than Tomoya he has far more of a one track mind that's driven by instant gratification, which normally leads to a lot of the hopelessly silly antics we see on a regular basis. However he's also surprisingly just as shrewd at times as he is arrogant, and I find that his arc is quite interesting with the catalyst being Sunohara's younger sister Mei. In that his careless and arrogant attitude can rub others the wrong way, often upsetting Mei because how she expects so much more from him as the more responsible younger sister of the two siblings. Mei herself like Fuuko is quite silly and cute, however what's more she also has a pretty devious side to her that I think scores more points. Though I think one of the most striking traits she has is her passionate ability to care for others, in fact I would actually call it stubbornness that really shouldn't be underestimated.
Kyou's fraternal twin sister however is the polar opposite as she's somewhat similar to Nagisa, in that she's also shy, sweet and complacent of a character that usually just goes along with the flow of things. Being quite an agreeable character in general, pretty much only serving as another supplementary character and/or friend of the group to discuss whatever given topic and the like having to do with their daily activities. While I personally don't think she's entirely the most memorable character in the series, I feel she really is one of those characters that glues a bit together. In that not every character in a story needs to be assertive or charismatic, as generally offers a more subtle contribution that's helpful and appreciated none the less.
The same sort of can be said for Kotomi, however I think Key sort of oversimplified her character as I think there's far better alternatives that can be found elsewhere regarding her general character archetype. In that she follows the same sort of innocent and detached character trope, who's often too absorbed in her books to actually be aware of and skilled at socializing with others and interacting with her surroundings. As she's clumsy and socially inept in a somewhat innocent and charming way that often troubles Tomoya to a modestly comedic effect. Sadly enough though, her character arc that the series dives into at least in my opinion as I've touched on before was quite mediocre and at a loss for potential. Not only did I find it was over idealistic, but the forced character exposition I found was what butchered it the most, as it also doesn't really help that her character/role is quite simplistic beyond her character arc, being quite minimal and similar to the likes of Ryou use within the story.Segment Conclusion -
As you've probably surmised by now Clannad is constructed with series of loops, both on the larger macro and micro scale pertaining both to the over arching narrative, smaller character arc segments and even the day to day scenario's that occur on an episode to episode basis. Some may say uninspired, repetitive and exactly what they'd dislike coming into a slice of life or drama series - It's a fair & valid criticism, however beyond that I think Key's ability to also actually utilize that as a strength & how strongly Key was able to tie together everything into a cohesive whole needs to be acknowledged as well. Not to mention the story has a patience dedicated to telling the stories of the sheer variety of its characters that makes for a very wholesome and well rounded experience. In that Clannad also has more than it's fair share of dialogue that'll break away from these established norms and tap into much deeper subject matter, and in some cases Clannad has some of the most gripping & impactful lines that'd probably move just about anyone to tears.
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Article Contents - Comments Section
- Plot & Narrative Aspects
- Character Analysis
- Production Aspects [A History Overlook | Cinematography]
- Animation & Art Direction
- Voice Actor Choreography & Direction
- Sound Direction | OST & Addendum
