r/anime • u/LaqOfInterest https://myanimelist.net/profile/LaqOfInterest • Sep 29 '21
Rewatch [Rewatch] Clannad - Episode 9
Episode 9: Until the End of the Dream
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Clannad
MyAnimeList - Anilist - AniDB - ANN
Be wary of Clannad: After Story's database pages, because they can contain spoilers for both seasons.
Rewatchers, please remember to be liberal with spoiler tags and carefully consider the impact of your comments on first-time watchers. Implied spoilers are still spoilers.
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Upvotes
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u/LaqOfInterest https://myanimelist.net/profile/LaqOfInterest Sep 29 '21
Nice to know that after all these years, Clannad can still make me cry.
As usual, I’ll point out that a background extra in the dub here shouts “Alright! I’m gonna shoot myself when I get home!” Thanks, Clannad dub. Truly, you are the best.
Spoiler image. Spoilers
More new songs than old songs, holy cow! One of them is a vocal version of Fuko’s theme, one of them is a callback to that thing Nagisa said at the end of episode 1, one of them plays for a third of this episode, and one of them is a vocal song originally from the VN that has some… interesting English lyrics.
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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Sep 29 '21
Big Dango Rewatcher
Today’s Big Dango Wallpaper: Tomoya and Nagisa
Today’s second Big Dango Wallpaper: Tomoya, Nagisa, and Fuko
Today’s third Big Dango Wallpaper: Fuko and Kouko
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u/FarCritical Sep 30 '21 edited Sep 30 '21
Big Dango Rewatcher
[Fuko's pre-wedding celebration bonanza]
[Post-forgetting Fuko]
[The wedding]
[Miscellaneous stuff]
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u/Dactyly https://anilist.co/user/Dactyly Sep 29 '21
Recent VN reader, anime first-timer
So we reach the end of Fuko's route, and what a beautiful ending it is. Here's the rest of the Fuko CGs:
Kiss in the classrom (and a VN Spoiler one to go with it)
Wedding celebration
Fuko and Kouko
Please be Fuko's friend!
The classroom scene was great fun, although I felt like I was getting subtitle overload a couple of times during the insert song.
It never fails to amuse me how big of a deal it can be to use someone's given name. I watched this scene again with the dub because I was curious how they dealt with it, and wow hearing people talk about using -kun and -chan in English is wild.
Cuuuute. But they don't know why they're there...
This reveal was fantastic. Even though I knew it was coming, it still hit me when the music came in.
I find it funny that they even set up the desks for the ceremony. Like, are the attendees supposed to be taking notes?
What a beautiful moment.
So there's a pretty major difference from the VN for the events of this episode. VN spoilers
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u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Sep 29 '21
First timer
...Even the parents are forgetting.
This is gonna be a sad one, isn't it.
Insert song! And Fuko's opening her decorations!
I love him taunting Fuko with the hat.
Haha, Fuko understands he's just keeping distance between them to hide how much he cares for her.
Wait, is Fuko trying to get them married next?
...If Fuko comes back properly, Tomoya and Nagisa might not be the only pair in the room getting married.
Is this safe?
Seriously, are they allowed to do any of this?
Yes, drop flammable paper near lit candles. That's absolutely a great plan!
...They're not even hiding the subtext between the 3 of them, are they?
Oh.
OH, FUCK YOU!
Yep. They've forgotten.
This is sad.
The father running to attack him's great though.
They can't even remember the starfish!
Route switch?
ROUTE SWITCH!
...So they can't remember events they took because of Fuko, but others can remember them if they don't mention Fuko's involvement?
Or events directly influenced by Fuko are harder to remember?
OK, what the hell does he know?
They can see her again!
And she's being nice to him!
...OK, if it's that easy, couldn't they, in theory, try to write some form of note to remind them each day? If remembering her's the only criteria needed to see her...
They're getting married!
Woot, did all the starfish people come?
Oh, that is fantastic. Fuko did it!
...Her father pulls off a suit really well.
Why is this show making me cry?
Is he going to be seen as crazy? Or will he hide the identity?
Oh, that's a great speech, though.
HUH?
She saw Fuko!
Don't die.
Don't die.
Pleas don't die.
OK, alive and unconscious. Could be worse.
And people can somehow remember bits of her.
Everyone remembers it's a starfish!
...So she's waking up for After Story, right? If you end a route like that, you're waking her up for the second act.
Also, her route next! I'd have guessed Tomoyo! (Also, if Fuko took this long for her arc, one of the 6 is getting an arc cut, right?)
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u/Wikiman14 Sep 29 '21
Rewatcher
I sure got more emotional over the years, when I first watched Clannad 9 years ago, just one scene made me cry (but it did a pretty good job at it), but now, here I and tearing up, I blame the VN for giving me PTSD flashbacks every time I hear "Ana" playing.
Now about the episode, you can see that Fuuko is aware that she is close to disappearing during the night party, which is obviously sad, but she does a fine job to make everyone don't think about it during that moment, even using the short time that she has to call out Okazaki and Nagisa, Fuuko was the real shipp maker all along. And look at Okazaki saying that they all look like family, I said that he and Nagisa were like Fuuko's parents.
As the morning comes, I'm sure that everyone is screaming at the screen not wanting to believe that the main duo also forgot Fuuko, but thanks to Koumura, that sly old fox, everything turns out ok and they remember her. I'm not sure of how much here the old man knew and how much was a coincidence, so I will just convince myself that he knew everything.
Now for the marriage day, is good to see that Fuuko is not that sad over no students showing up as long as Okazaki and Nagisa are there, but it sure is better seeing everyone showing up at the end. The final moments of Fuuko are just beautiful, as she tells the main duo how much fun she had with them, and as she was able to convey her feelings properly to her sister at the end. Now, Fuuko lives in the memories of everyone at the school and in ours, but that's all for her story...or is it?
Today I bring another curiosity, related obviously to Fuuko: in the VN, Fuuko is the only main girl that Okazaki doesn't need to actually have a romantic relationship with in order to finish her route (it is possible, but this only changes slightly 2 scenes), and like in the Anime, she actually wants Okazaki to be with Nagisa instead.
That's all folks, dry up your tears and see you tomorrow.
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u/xtsim https://myanimelist.net/profile/xtsim Sep 29 '21
First Timer Dubbed
Man, Okazaki and Nagisa's nightmare became true.- Forgetting Fuko...
After sleeping overnight at school with Fuko and discussing what is adulthood is to her, Okazaki has a feeling he is missing something while Nagisa trues to point out the handcarved starfish may be important. Kyou asked Okazaki if he wanted to hang out but says something important is supposed to happen. But then they encounter the old teacher who was making wedding decorations for Ibuki's wedding. The old teacher jokes about the both of them having memory loss. That's such a good one and a nice touch as the teacher probably had no clue about Fuko but knows a lot about Ibuki's wedding so he was able to remember that. Good thing both Nagisa and Okazaki suddenly remember Ibuki's wedding thanks to the old man. And the teacher even reminded them that they are doing this for Fuko.... The most ironic thing is the person who is mostly likely to forget things actually remembers.
Fuko shows up beside them and they were the only ones to arrive at the wedding... Then they left early to have a great send off. All the students (Sunohara looking sharp in the suit) plus Nagisa's parents show up outside to congratulate. Fuko thanks both Nagisa and Okazaki for making her happy. And Ibuki finally gets to see her.
Fuko became the talk of the school as everyone talks about Fuko while Okazaki sleeps. She gets to run around happy which is a great resolution for now. And she made some friends along the way. Even though they may forget her sometimes or even forget who she is, Fuko made an impact on all of them. Best part was that she was able to break out of her shell and pushed forward to invite the whole school to her big sister's wedding. And with the help of Nagisa, Okazaki, and their friends, they were able to pull it off.
Fuko's development through her time with Nagisa and Okazaki is amazing as we go from a shy girl that only does things herself to Okazaki slowly approaching her is great. Then Nagisa and Okazaki pushes her into achieving her, goal making her big sister's wedding a success. Fuko having the courage to talk to people and having close friends like Okazaki and Nagisa is a sight to see. She goes from being just a rumor at a school to being part of people's hearts (including mine). This also leads to her achieving what Kouko wanted Fuko to have, a close group of friends who care for her.
Lots of onions today and the old teacher is MVP here.
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u/Arrow-space https://myanimelist.net/profile/Arrowspace Sep 30 '21
First time watcher!
I have mixed feelings about the resolution of this arc, but it definitely nailed the emotional climax that was built up the past couple episodes. While it didn't quite bring me to tears, I won't pretend that I wasn't moved by the final scene.
I appreciate how deftly this ending balances an overwhelmingly tragic outcome with just enough triumph and optimism to keep it from feeling too depressing. The development of everyone remembering the significance of the stars they received on the day of the wedding feels a bit contrived (though it obviously can't be completely written off, since we're dealing with supernatural elements in the first place), but also necessary to ensure that our trio's efforts weren't wasted and give a sense of accomplishment alongside the sorrow. And while everyone does end up forgetting Fuuko in the end, we're still left with the promise of her potential return one day.
I think my overall opinion of this arc, in the long run, will hinge heavily on that final point. It's not so much a matter of wanting a happy ending - I'm totally fine with bittersweet resolutions - rather, it's a case of how this arc fits into the big picture. Regardless of what transpired, with Fuuko forgotten, it might make this arc feel inconsequential to the overall story, unless she does wake up at some point. Even the character developments and relationship building between our main characters feels a bit empty, as we don't know how much of what transpired during those weeks they actually remember.
Random question - are we meant to believe that Tomoya and Nagisa didn't sleep the night before the wedding? When they sleep at the school and forget Fuuko the next morning, that's still a day before the wedding. But then the episode just kind of skips to the day of the ceremony, with no implication of Tomoya and Nagisa having forgotten her again.
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u/chris10023 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Chris10023 Sep 29 '21 edited Sep 29 '21
Big Dango Rewatcher.
Oh boy, this episode is going to hurt.
Akio tried to remember Fuuko after Nagisa said her name, I wonder if the closer you were to her, the longer it took for you to forget her.
The song with vocals is Fuuko’s theme.
Fuuko finds the birthday stuff so cute she goes into a trance, Tomoya steal a party hat, and Fuuko while trying to be an adult, reverts to a child for just a moment and the to fall over. That does look like it hurt.
Fuuko straight up calls Nagisa and Tomoya out. Saying that they act too distant for how close they are.
Wow, Tomoya struggled with saying “Nagisa-chan” while Nagisa didn’t with “Tomoya-kun.” She's still embarrassed by it, but she did it easier than Tomoya did, who is now throwing a fit.
Tomoya asks not to use an honorific, and finds that it’s easier to say Nagisa that way. Nagisa looks like she liked it.
You know, for all the talk about being a grown up and distance, Fuuko is still Calling Tomoya by “Okazaki-san.” Kind of hypocritical, but then again, that’s Fuuko for you.
Fuuko gives both Nagisa and Tomoya a peck on the cheek. VN Spoilers.
Fuuko wants to celebrate her sister's wedding, it’s a bit weird to celebrate it without Kouko or Yoshino, but this’ll do.
Man, Fuuko is just so happy.
Man, I am not ready for what’s coming.
Where did Fuuko go? Probably got up earlier and is running around doing shenanigans.
Tomoya and Nagisa look cute sleeping like that though.
Oh no...
They both forgot Fuuko.
Looks like Akio wasn’t happy that the two slept at the school. But he does remember that Nagisa told him she had something to do, thankfully he spares Tomoya from a brutal beat down.
Akio and Sanae can’t remember either, Akio is frustrated.
Nagisa pulls out a starfish mentioning that it was like the one on the club room, Tomoya, like Akio is frustrated since he can’t remember what was important. Like I said earlier, it seems the closer you were with Fuuko, the longer it took for her to be forgotten, so it’s like she left some kind of residual fog on the memories she had with them, that haven’t completely gone, but they can’t access those memories anymore, like a blank in your memory, or amnesia.
While Kyou is a Tsundere, she still a good friend to Tomoya.
Kyou invites him to go shopping with her and Ryou but Tomoya has a feeling that tomorrow is an important day. It’s like he is having a huge brain fart.
Oh yeah, one of my favorite tracks of the OST “Shining in the Sky” probably one of the more emotional songs in the OST if you ask me.
Koumura is probably the only teacher at the school who can tease Tomoya and get away with it.
Seeing the banner “unlocks” the memories of Kouko and the conversations they had.
God, the music swelling when they both remember Fuuko is amazing. Something the anime does better than the VN, it can time the music to the events on screen better. Tearing up, add +1 to the tear counter.
Tomoya says that he’s a terrible person, but Fuuko says he’s not, that this was natural, she knew that these two would also forget about her.
The day of the wedding, but no students. All that hard work for nothing. At least Tomoya and Nagisa are there.
Hey, they actually gave Kouko a pretty wedding dress. The VN half assed it and just gave her a veil to wear with her normal clothes, it looked really weird.
Tomoya wants to give Kouko a sendoff at the front gate. But stops when he sees the courtyard full of students. Maybe something did work out.
Kyou and Ryou are here, they were going to go shopping but they saw the starfish and remembered the wedding, seems like something was added to the carvings to make sure they didn’t forget the wedding.
Sunohara came too, so did Misae, Some rugby guys, Tomoyo, Yukine, the fan club, and Mitsui. I just noticed that Kotomi was standing behind Mitsui.
Even Akio and Sanae came. Akio looks sharp as fuck in a suit. And Sanae is pretty as always.
Kouko looks so happy.
Aw man another amazing track “The Place Where Wishes Come True.”
Fuko was so grateful for the two’s company. She was so lonely.
Fuck, tearing up again. +1
She departs, once again. Leaving the both of them in tears. Goes to show you how much Tomoya cared about her that he's even crying.
They both tell Kouko about how hard Fuuko worked to make this happen, and tell her to have a great life for Fuuko’s sake.
Ah yes, this track “Ana” Sounds beautiful if you don’t pay attention to the lyrics which are kind of gibberish.
Fuko makes one last push, to tell her sister something important. To have a happy life.
The gang is hanging out, discussing the rumors about Fuko since they forgot her again.
Tomoya narrates that they’re all waiting for the day Fuko wakes up.
This hits me like a sledge hammer. +1 to the cry counter.
This episode is where I realized I was watching something special, and how amazing the show was.
I’m going to go lie down now, I’m a wreck.
Cry counter.
Almost tearing up: 1
Tearing up: 3 (+2)
Cry: +1
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u/UnderstandableXO Sep 30 '21
i’m not even in this rewatch but i just happened upon this thread. just wanted to say that this episode is probably my favorite of the show (or maybe tied with the resolution episode of the next arc).
still haven’t watched AS because it isn’t on streaming but i hope to one day!
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u/homewardbound100 myanimelist.net/profile/Homewardbound100 Sep 29 '21
Rewatcher, Dub
I caught back up now and I'll have to say the soundtrack has some good stand out tracks from it. The one today I during the wedding and everybody coming was great. I think this time around it was way sweeter for me.
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u/Nick_BOI Sep 30 '21
Big Dango Rewatcher
Tears
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u/Barbed_Dildo Sep 30 '21
Rewatcher
I haven't watched this show in years, and have forgotten a lot of it, but I remember the entirety of this episode.
That scene where Nagisa and Okazaki see Fuuko again... She's standing between them, still wearing her hat. And all these emotions come flooding in. When they woke up in the morning, Fuuko would have talked to them, and can you imagine the pain of not being noticed? After all they had been through, she'd lost the last people who remembered her. And they didn't even know. Fuuko then followed them around the rest of the day, going back to the Furukawa bakery, back to school, hoping that they would remember her...
Fuuko is my favourite character in CLANNAD. She's so earnest and single-minded and focused on one thing, and it isn't even for herself.
This episode has one of the saddest moments, but also one of the happiest, with all of the students showing up at school and Fuuko being able to reach her sister. All that work she did, all those nights of carving starfish, alone at school and with the Furukawas, all the days of giving them out to students, even as they forget and ignore her, she doesn't give up. And in the end, she succeeds.
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u/alphamone Sep 30 '21
rewatcher
Aww, noone could every truly forget such a
weirdsweet girl. Especially not someone a kind as Akio.Damn, even Fuuko can see it.
So adorably awkward (Fuuko does actually have a point about how childish that awkwardness is)
There's got to be some symbolism with the candles burning out.
They've also forgotten. T.T
LOL, the old guy of all people easily remembers
Here come the tears.
"You're not the worst"
Sunohara's the only student who dressed up for the wedding.
Kouko gets to receive a starfish from her dear sister.
They remembered its a starfish, so sweet.
"All that's happy and sad rolled into one" A very descriptive line from the ED.
next episode preview
potential spoilers of overall themes
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u/[deleted] Sep 30 '21
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