With a series that utilizes a large amount of background music that was derived from the Key's visual novel and recording department, at times it can be somewhat difficult to notice good sound design from episode to episode to due the lack of non diegetic silence. Though when we do get to sample more the isolated moments that puts the music aside, I think that Clannad is a pretty standard job as it doesn't have complexly layered sound design & editing with say various room tone recordings applied for each given environment and such. However Yota Tsuroka's work is definitely quite fundamentally sound, as he knows how to correctly lead establishing shots in by overlaying audio input, in addition to giving the necessary sound information to cue the next moment. However some episode's are given quite a bit more attention than others, being that the environmental/ambient noise and/or room tone can change with each shift and cut within the edit, as there's also a due amount of attention regarding room acoustics.
 |
| Yota Tsuroka [Sound Director] |
However, I think what makes Yota Tsuroka's work particularly powerful is his keen sense of timing, as his sense of counterpoint is impeccable, being that he's crucially aware of how to use cues from the actors within the shot and the ongoing dialogue to perfectly break off from the non diegetic silence and cue a track from the OST to maximize the impact of the moment. While he's not entirely responsible for these selections with it being clear as day that he took notes from what tracks we're used in the visual novel as to when and where - With animation it's a little bit different, since in all technicality Clannad is a motion picture, in that it's Yota Tsuroka's uncanny ability to line up the on going dialogue, visual and OST into one cohesive edit that's the most impressive, being truly why Clannad was able to nail it's most pivotal of moments, as his impact is unmistakable.OST |
I think one of the major secrets to Clannad’s impactful experience and success would really have to be thanks to Key's recording department and staff because of the great music they we're able to apply to the game, which was later on used in the anime as well. As the music almost always sneaks up on you and steals the moment, often cued in situations right after a cut which makes it unpredictable and that much more hard hitting when music is used in conjunction to a dramatic event. The music itself can be nonchalant often times as the series brings over a lot of the basic "Elevator Music" for the story's more ordinary scenarios. However like a motif certain pieces are used repeatedly throughout the series in a surprisingly effective fashion, by reinforcing the most important themes throughout the story. As the most pivotal moments is where the music shines most, offering so much emotional context and nuance to a given scene that's right in line with the script and what's “not said” but felt, really empowering the most impactful moments of the series.
One of the staples regarding these arrangements would have to be track #4/1 "Town, Flow Of Time People". As the track is used in almost every situation that Tomoya feels uneasy being the first one you ever hear, used when he's reminded of his situation or when it somehow interrupts interpersonal life with his friends. It's an eery and mournful Fantasia like peace, with a low and resonant synth harmony that's contrasted by another higher pitched synth melody that's serves as the main voice. Really a key arrangement in establishing the story's sense of fleeting happiness and the precognitive anticipatory wave of emotions that Tomoya goes through when he's reminded of who he is and where he comes from, as arrangements such as "Roaring Tides" are also used alongside this. The second track comes straight after, with the track #5/1 "Nagisa" being it's wishful counterpart that offsets the negativity found in the first arrangement. As it starts off with a high pitched lullaby like arrangement on the piano, that's repeated in a lower and more bodied mid voice that further reinforces and establishes a sense of comfort and home. Then being preceded by the bridge arrangement consisting of synth in a higher key, building up to the encompassing and anthemic chorus. In that it's the same cute arrangement that you might recognize from the Dango Daikazoku song.
As the OST has a myriad of relaxing and subliminal instrumentals found on piano and guitar such as tracks #10-12/1 "Tea in The Reference Room" and "Country Lane" or perhaps track #9/2 "White Clovers" & #11/12 Summertime. In that it's these comforting and slow piano arrangements such as #14/1 "Everyday Leisure" that really capture the easygoing and peaceful nature of ordinary school life and why we should appreciated it in a good light. However thanks to the numerous scenes of the illusionary world with the girl and and the junk robot, Clannad also has a quite a few reoccurring motifs and themes in the form of ominous fantasia like pieces dedicated for these segments such as #2/1 "Illusions" & #1/2 "Snowfield" as both of them have a low resonant synth to them that are decorated with pretty high pitched synth melody accompaniments that make them seem melancholic and poignant in tone.
Though like Nagisa, the best of Clannad's music come in form of the soundtrack's cry worthy and encompassing anthems. In that one of the most impactful and heartfelt songs is track #5/2 "To the Same Heights". As it starts off with a hopeful but wavering piano verse that plays with a medium voice reinforced by the lower bass notes of the piano, but then is preceded by a stringed violin and cello arrangement which play in harmony together as the chorus kicks in and after the verse starts again, the outro resolves with the piano in an intimate isolation. In that it's an arrangement that pretty much sums up the entirety of Clannad's high school arc in a neat but awe inspiring package, which I guess is probably why After Story's opening theme was based off of it. I mean if there's a track that says "Dreams do come true!!" it would definitely have to be the #7 "Shining in the sky", being that it starts off with an accepting and bittersweet melody which transitions into a bridge played on a knowing and modest oboe as the piano and synth accompaniment provides the harmony, as the track later explodes into it's anthemic chant like chorus, which is overridden with a wish fulling harmony of synth melodies. Being that Clannad also has some of the most girly and beautiful insert songs that really cap off the first arc such as #8/2 "-Two Shadows-" & #15/2 "Ana" with such wish fulfilling and resonant vocals by Riya & Lia. 
The most elaborate track however would have to be #12/2 "Distant Years, as it starts off with a serene and piercing string like synth arrangement with both a medium low & high voice, with the chorus building into a beautiful crescendo, which resolves into the finality of an isolated piano, played with a measured cadence and rhythm, and quickly blossoming once again into a hopeful and euphonic harmony with a harp, violin like synth chorus and establishing piano notes. However the harmony becomes isolated with just the medium voice of the piano and synth arrangements, with the oboe taking over as the main voice offering a sense of familiarity and a return to form. As the outro closes off again with the striped down piano verse with the accompaniment of a low resonant voice of a cello like synth accompaniment. As this arrangement in addition to tracks such as #14/2 "The Place Where Wishes Come True" are both used in the most pivotal and encompassing climatic moment of the series when Tomoya comes to terms with himself, encompassing his life story of loss, regret, love and joy.
Finally though, to cap it all off is the iteration of Nagisa "Farewell At the Foot Of A Hill". In that this time the 2nd verse is much more different with the main harmony being played from the low-mid voice of the euphonium which is decorated by a glockenspiel like synth accompaniment and the low accompaniment of the upright bass. A timely moment that's warm and comforting, but fleeting and accepting of the tragedy that's to come, contrasting it's serene and pure beginning with a second verse that's grown wiser but non the less became more accepting as well. While Clannad sure has a lot of happy go luck "Elevator Music" to accompany it's equally cliche cycle of routine humour, Yota Tsuroka and Key's recording department also never fail to seize and capture the most pivotal and defining moments with impactful and distinct music to run perfectly counterpoint to the ongoing dialogue, visual and scenario. Addendum
Clannad is a great anime for it's almost autobiographical and severe tear jerking story, as I've yet to see another that had such an immense impact or made me cry as much as I did with Clannad. In that it also has great production values for it's time with solid principle animation & art direction, not to mention great music for when it really counts, offering a full and expansive storytelling experience. While this was a more critical review process that'll result in the shows rating to be bumped down a notch since a realized I rated the anime the first time around more exclusively as to how poignant the show can be at the best of times rather than the overall experience from start to finish, Clannad none the less has already solidified it's place on our WoF and in my heart even despite the fact. |
| CLANNAD [Original Soundtrack] |
~ And really if you call yourself an anime fan, a perennial body of work such as this shouldn't be missed, as it's an experience that'll be cherished by a generation for years to come.
Share your thoughts - Like, Comment & Subscribe
Page 6
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
