Clannad Episode 23
What Happened Over Summer Vacation [post-final episode]
[no really, last link to Clannad info page]
Finally! I’m vindicated! Long ago, I accused Okazaki of being a eunuch, and almost went back on my word until this happened:
Now after the charming victory for Akio in the final episode, we get a nice light-hearted comedic recap before the OVAs, where the real tragedy can feel free to happen.
Recap after the recap
Not much to speak of here, the primary story is that Okazaki and Nagisa are moving unsurprisingly slowly in their relationship, much to the dismay of Sunohara and his visiting sister Mei — who takes to some hardcore meddling.
In the process, we get one of the best laugh-out-loud Akio and Sanae moments, a pile of cutely funny scenarios involving the awkward Tomoya/Nagisa relationship, and some real insights into how our deliquent’s mind works.
In the end, they finally make it to the dangerous step of Holding Hands. They’re not wearing bathing suits though, so I’m pretty confident no one will end up pregnant.
Thoughts
If you wondered about whether Kyoto Animation could learn a little something to apply to more “conventional” projects by doing the otaku-centric but totally hilarious Lucky Star, here’s your answer. Comedic pacing is right on, down to Sunohara’s dead thumping fall after the “cute girl looking for you” joke gets played on him for the second time in the series. Basically, this episode exists to make you laugh, and it has some of the best laughs of the series, so I guess it worked.
The preview for the upcoming vids looks more up the alley I expected when Clannad started. Horror, tragedy, bad things. So what happens now? Kyoto have teased about Full Metal Panic! and Haruhi Suzumiya getting new series this year, is that out the window? Who knows, but I’m guessing a couple OVAs aren’t going to spoil everyone’s lunch.
- otou-san out!
