NotCliche

Be prepared to have your tissues for this episode, really.

This episode is a real tear jerker if you haven’t know, as many others have got really emotional in this episode. The revelation of how Tomoya and his father was like in the past, and Tomoya finally understanding his father’s pain is no less than touching.

To be honest, I didn’t have tears in my eyes after watching this episode. No, I’m not heartless or sadisitic or anything like that sort. I’m extremely glad that Tomoya has finally awaken to his senses, and Ushio will finally get to be with his real dad, after being separated for a long 5 years.

In the past, Tomoya has continuously treated his dad badly, because he is under the impression that his dad is someone useless, someone who always brings trouble to him, someone that he hates. However, I had a different opinion of his father.

Regardless of how bad his father has been as a person, Tomoya’s dad had always fulfilled his duties as a parent. Brought back food for them both, tried to help out in whatever Tomoya is doing (only to get utterly rejected by Tomoya), gave him allowance and such.

Tomoya is probably my only hated character in the whole of the series, but since he is the main character in the story, there wasn’t much I could do except to suck it up and watch the show, since Clannad is one of my favourite animes out there.

Watching the first season gave me bad impressions about Tomoya, but that impression gradually improved throughout the season. Hell, I like Sunohara Youhei more than I like Okazaki Tomoya. That’s how bad I hated him in the past. The only reason I would “like” him is because of his antics and jokes, that’s about it.

After watching the movie, I’ve gotten an worse impression of Tomoya, as he starts to go all emotional about Nagisa’s death. Refusing to look after Ushio, refusing to work and basically, following whatever his dad had gone through in the past. The movie also offered insight about Tomoya’s father, which is actually very kind in nature, much unlike what Tomoya had originally thought of his dad.

As many would have noticed by now, Tomoya is gradually falling into the path that his father had lead before. After the loss of Nagisa, Tomoya entrusted Ushio to the Furukawas, and started to live all by himself. Tomoya didn’t even take a good look at Ushio at times when Sanae brought Ushio to visit Tomoya.

I was worried about how episode 18 would go about, since it was the first trip for Tomoya and Ushio being together. To be honest, I was worried about how Ushio would get treated by Tomoya. How will their first trip turn out like? Will be become bad for both of them?

Fortunately, I was worrying for nothing. The trip turned out to be a turning point for the show.

Episode 18 is nothing short of awesomeness in a sense, where Tomoya finally realised how similar that he is to his father in his current state. This is much thanks to the grandmother of Tomoya whom he had met at the trip with Ushio.

Okazaki Shino (grandmother of tomoya) reveals the touching story of how young Tomoya and his dad actually lived in the past. In comparsion to what we’ve seen through Tomoya’s eyes, it’s a different story through the eyes of Shino. Okazaki Naoyuki (father of tomoya) actually lived for Tomoya after the death of his wife. Giving whatever he could for Tomoya and basically devoted his life to protecting Tomoya. Everything was lost when Tomoya decided to move out from his own house.

The appearance of Shino is indeed a shocking one, since I’ve not expected that a grandmother would have appeared in the whole series. However, I must be grateful for the fact that the grandmother actually existed, since I wasn’t sure how Tomoya will get back to his sense and treat Ushio as his own daughter properly.

Tomoya finally found something that only he, himself can protect. I’m sure Nagisa would be glad. *sniffs*

I’m also expecting a lot of time skips in the future episodes, seeing how much time has passed since the passing of Nagisa at episode 16… barely anything to breathe.

On a less serious note, I think Ushio may turn me into a lolicon… is just too cute. Ugh! Too much!

And here’s the remaining screen caps I’ve taken, but was not posted up there.

I would play with Ushio anyday!

Hmm… very suggestive.

Kind of a strange toy for a girl though.

I’m sorry, Ushio.

Ushio sleeping is kawaii!

Awwww…

The background looks awfully familiar.

Sounds like a certain someone…

Your dad wasn’t bad… you know.

Ushio is really a sensible girl…

Tomoya, you should cherish your daughter…

Self-explanatory.

And, onwards to episode 19 and I can foresee a wonderful experience awaiting.

You might be interested in...

1. Clannad ~After Story~ — Episode 21
2. Clannad ~After Story~ — Episode 17
3. Clannad ~After Story~ — Episode 19
4. Clannad ~After Story~ — The end of the journey, Episode 22
5. Clannad ~After Story~ — Episode 20