Ok, so some of my friends might say that I'm addicted to anime, and they'd be justified in saying that, I do watch it a bit too much. Recently though, I just finished an anime, that made me not want to watch another one because of how it affected me.
I like to think of myself as a pretty emotionally strong guy, but this anime, well in the second season I cried my fucking eyes out. The first season was funny and happy, and well it was the best anime I had ever seen, and most likely ever will see.
What was unique about this anime is in the second season they two main characters actually got married and the storyline progressed from there. I had never seen that happen, but I was so happy it did, always when I'm watching anime had I wished the story progress farther into their love life's and this one did.
This anime was not full of action or adventure, it was the normal life of a boy who's starting his senior year of high school, and his well, I guess you call it his adventure through that. There's no super power's or monsters the characters actually go through human growth, which is simply beautiful.
The ending...the ending is a bit confusing, and quite frankly if what it means, means something that I don't think it means, I'm going to go down a spiraling depression. This anime, you become attached to the characters and you feel what they feel.
Spoiler Alert: So when the main character's wife dies, I could not stop crying. Don't worry though, at the end they do bring her back, and how they do it is not a cop out, they set it up from the very beginning in season 1. And it's not oh we saved her with medicine; they saved her by rewriting time.
The intro and outro music are fantastic for both seasons.
The problem is, because of all the heartache and joy you go through in the anime, I just can't watch it again, and I can not put myself though that. It was too much the first time. I'll have to give a little background information here. When I see a new anime that I like, I'll create a character that represents myself and put that character in that situation, sometime's I'll change the storyline and everything, but I do this because, well I love to do it. Almost always I have the character representing me end up with the main love interest. Here's the thing, I love this anime so much, that I simply can't do that, I can't put myself with the main love interest because I feel like I'm ruining something completely pure.
For awhile I was in a state of depression, I had stopped watching the anime at probably the worst possible spot, because at that spot your thinking, "There's no way this could get any worse or any better." but not only did I almost miss out at the most touching father daughter moments I had ever seen, but I also would have missed the most amazing ending to the series, that shot me right out of my depression. The only thing is, I was so depressed, that even though it had ended the way I hoped it would, the transition was too quick and even now I'm still a little depressed.
Spoiler Alert: Another reason I'm still a little depressed is that even though in the end it does show the main character's wife is alive this time and it shows a little preview of how happy they are, the description of that episode leads me to believe that what you actually see is just what would have happened if she had lived. So it very well may be that the reality is she's still dead and this is just like a, "Hey were you curious to see what it'd be like if she had lived?" kind of moment, and if that's the case...I'm probably gonna go cut myself.
Now you may be asking, "Well what is this anime called?" The anime is called Clannad (that is season 1) and Clannad: After Story (that is season 2). Clannad season 1 will make you mostly laugh and cry hear and there. Clannad season 2 will make you mostly cry and laugh hear and there. Both of the seasons are on Netflix so you can watch them there, and I'm sure there other places on the internet too.
So just to reiterate: Clannad, and Clannad: After story. Watch in that order.
Be warned, you will need a box of tissue to watch this, you will cry.
On a scale of 1-10, how much is this anime worth watching. First season was pretty disappointing, since the main character chose the girl that looks like she is 9. And now I hear he had a baby with a chick that looks like she's 9...
So way back in the day I ended up watching Kimi Ga Nozomu Eien (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimi_ga_Nozomu_Eien) upon recommendation from a fellow anime buff. I'd already seen Clannad, Kanon, School Days, and other depressing ones so I thought this one should be no problem. Boy was I wrong.
I watched the whole thing in the course of 2 nights, and I was depressed for like 4 days straight just from how depressing/futile/hopeless the scenario was in it. After that I pretty much stopped watching depressing anime.
Hahaha, Clannad and After Story are good anime's, it's sad but not THAT sad.
As Resisty said, 5CMPS is pretty sad.
Honestly a lot of anime is sad, but if you watch it once a week it just doesn't have the same profound effect it does as if you watch all 12-24 eps in that day. TT
Grave of the Fireflies and Anohana are so sad omg.
Glad to see another person on TL here that likes CLANNAD as much as I did. Clannad ranks top 10 of all time anime series created according to NewType I believe.
I get this every time I finish an anime/manga that I was really into. The characters start to become alive to me. There are moments and lines in the story that really touch my heart that it actually feels painful when I finish it. I just sit there when I finish reading the last page of a manga feeling really sad.
On April 02 2012 13:37 Sickkiee wrote: Hahaha, Clannad and After Story are good anime's, it's sad but not THAT sad.
As Resisty said, 5CMPS is pretty sad.
Honestly a lot of anime is sad, but if you watch it once a week it just doesn't have the same profound effect it does as if you watch all 12-24 eps in that day. TT
Grave of the Fireflies and Anohana are so sad omg.
I loved AnoHana up until the last episode; it was just so ridiculously forced. I cried at several different parts of the show, but the ending just failed to have the same effect.
On April 02 2012 13:37 Sickkiee wrote: Hahaha, Clannad and After Story are good anime's, it's sad but not THAT sad.
As Resisty said, 5CMPS is pretty sad.
Honestly a lot of anime is sad, but if you watch it once a week it just doesn't have the same profound effect it does as if you watch all 12-24 eps in that day. TT
Grave of the Fireflies and Anohana are so sad omg.
I loved AnoHana up until the last episode; it was just so ridiculously forced. I cried at several different parts of the show, but the ending just failed to have the same effect.
Yeah many people thought that too, I thought it was ok... but I have low standards for anime regardless. TT
I like to think of myself as a pretty emotionally strong guy, but this anime, well in the second season I cried my fucking eyes out. The first season was funny and happy, and well it was the best anime I had ever seen, and most likely ever will see.
Oh man, my experience with this anime is almost identical to yours. I had no idea I can actually cry ( a lot ) watching a fictional drama. I was pretty confused after that... couldn't figure out if the story was that good or if I had some serious issues. But yeah, it's a great anime.
People mentioned 5cm per Second... yeah, that's the only other anime I've seen to have similar effect on me. That ending song, hooooly c**p.
People underestimate the effect of anime. Many people don't realize that for all genres of regular shows and movies, animation counterparts exist as well. What the west has brought over doesn't do a lot of the better series justice.
On April 02 2012 12:54 Joraiem wrote: The ending...the ending is a bit confusing, and quite frankly if what it means, means something that I don't think it means, I'm going to go down a spiraling depression. This anime, you become attached to the characters and you feel what they feel.
After I watched the last episode of Big O, the word "confusing" took on a whole new meaning for me. Also I became immune to anything hurting my head or causing a mind fuck.
Seriously though I think it's an unwritten rule of anime that the final episode shouldn't resolve any of the long standing mysteries of the show nor provide any closure in any form. So, we're all with you on this.
On April 02 2012 14:23 divito wrote: People underestimate the effect of anime. Many people don't realize that for all genres of regular shows and movies, animation counterparts exist as well. What the west has brought over doesn't do a lot of the better series justice.
Odd of you to say, considering that every anime mentioned here has been licensed, dubbed and released in English.
The minute I read the first line I instantly assumed you would betalking about Clannad Season 2. I will say for me personally in is my #1 rated anime and also the only anime to ever make me feel as sad as I did. The music alone brings up emotions in me now... If you loved clannad you should definetly check out Kanon and Air, although I don't they are as powerful they were extremely amazing..
Basically anything with Key is gonna be a well done anime.
I think Toradora is more sad to be honest. I've seen both and Clannad made me tear up and cry a bit yeah, but not in the same way that Toradora did. Glad to see another person that enjoyed Clannad though. You'll feel better in a week at the latest so don't worry about it. Just be happy you found an anime as great as it.
On April 02 2012 14:38 coZy wrote: I think Toradora is more sad to be honest. I've seen both and Clannad made me tear up and cry a bit yeah, but not in the same way that Toradora did. Glad to see another person that enjoyed Clannad though. You'll feel better in a week at the latest so don't worry about it. Just be happy you found an anime as great as it.
Toradora is sad? It's emotionally moving but... not sad...
On April 02 2012 14:32 WolfintheSheep wrote: Odd of you to say, considering that every anime mentioned here has been licensed, dubbed and released in English.
The amount of shows that are licensed in relation to what gets aired on TV (and not to mention the issues of what channel and time slot they get placed in), is not even close to being able to illicit a proper response from someone unfamiliar with anime, and why a lot of them have the perceptions that they do.
On April 02 2012 12:54 Joraiem wrote: When I see a new anime that I like, I'll create a character that represents myself and put that character in that situation, sometime's I'll change the storyline and everything, but I do this because, well I love to do it. Almost always I have the character representing me end up with the main love interest. Here's the thing, I love this anime so much, that I simply can't do that, I can't put myself with the main love interest because I feel like I'm ruining something completely pure.
This sounds odd, but it might be something I do. Care to give examples?
Clannad A.S. is beautiful. I loved the journey, and the key magic at the end was always hinted at like you said, so..i had no complaints. It saved me from feeling depressed when i went to bed..like when I watched 5/cms per second.
Only anime to have made me turn full bitch-tears mode is: Clannad After and 5/cm per second.
Some others have made me tear up out of happiness/saddness, but like some people mentioned, Ano Hana was not one of them (they cried enough for everyone in this thread, every single episode), and Toradora is a weird anime to bring up..definitely not what I'd call a tear jerker unless you are a junior high girl who just finished fruits basket.
On April 02 2012 12:54 Joraiem wrote: I like to think of myself as a pretty emotionally strong guy, but this anime, well in the second season I cried my fucking eyes out.
And the rest of your post seem contradictory.
But I did cry after Toy Story ended, and at the end of Ratatouille, and watching Kikujiro no natsu... I think that we are all simply tuned differently, and that we all have different weaknesses. There is no such thing as being "emotionally strong".
You should (could) also try to watch Nana, that shit messed with my head so much it hurt man. It's not much alike Clannad though, way more drama.
But yeah, after Clannad After Story I didn't watch another anime for a while either, just felt like no other anime could be good enough. Had that same feeling after 5 centimeters per second, The girl who leapt through time and Nana.
I usually get sad when an anime is over, and sometimes i do really get invovled with what the characters are feeling and going through. But never cried o.O
Meh, although i consider Clannad one of my favorite anime (and the one i associate my brief anime experience with) but i did not cry. Main issue was that gap between the release of the second season and the first. There was like a year gap for me so the impact might have not been as strong. Also attribute the fact that if had watched any of the previous Key series, you knew what you were getting into.
Although a series that made me cry was the one before Clannad, Air. Never has something shook the foundation of my understanding on the ethics of one's life as that series. Man I was depressed for like a month thanks to it.
Although I have never watched Clannad, from what I heard it gives man tears.
From what I have watched though, Ef ~ A Tale of Memories and True Tears seem to be very good. It gives a warm-hearted feeling that you get from watching dramas. I wouldn't know much more than that though, I like watching action and fanservice more than anything.
Only anime to get me crying even when I re-watch it is Full Moon wo Sagashite. Clannad After Story was good and sad, yet it didn't touch me as much, though it had all the elements that should have done it.
On April 02 2012 19:06 Tomcattomato wrote: You should (could) also try to watch Nana, that shit messed with my head so much it hurt man. It's not much alike Clannad though, way more drama.
But yeah, after Clannad After Story I didn't watch another anime for a while either, just felt like no other anime could be good enough. Had that same feeling after 5 centimeters per second, The girl who leapt through time and Nana.
I liked Nana a lot too, one of my fav anime, also the girl who leapt through time. Haven't watched Clannad yet.
I like to think of myself as a pretty emotionally strong guy, but this anime, well in the second season I cried my fucking eyes out. The first season was funny and happy, and well it was the best anime I had ever seen, and most likely ever will see.
Oh man, my experience with this anime is almost identical to yours. I had no idea I can actually cry ( a lot ) watching a fictional drama. I was pretty confused after that... couldn't figure out if the story was that good or if I had some serious issues. But yeah, it's a great anime.
People mentioned 5cm per Second... yeah, that's the only other anime I've seen to have similar effect on me. That ending song, hooooly c**p.
I was somewhat depressed after watching 5 cm per second as I hadn't watched any of such anime yet (The girl who leaped through time was much more playful). But because it's just only 1 movie instead of a whole series, it had a lesser impact on me. I had already forgotten about it the next day.
On the other hand, Welcome to the N.H.K. is in my mind constantly atm. I finished the anime like 4 days ago, watched the manga and read the book straight afterward whilst listening to the soundtrack. It's not even that sad, but the story had such an impact on me.
as far as defining an anime that i would never watch again, that would definitely be NHK ^^
it reflects what alot of young people go through, becoming independent and reliant on no one but yourself, but brutally so it further hits home to those of us who are/were 'like' the main character
On April 03 2012 02:24 imPermanenCe wrote: On the other hand, Welcome to the N.H.K. is in my mind constantly atm. I finished the anime like 4 days ago, watched the manga and read the book straight afterward whilst listening to the soundtrack. It's not even that sad, but the story had such an impact on me.
This is somewhat ironic, given that it deals with hikikomoris running away from reality. It reminds me of the average Evangelion fan who dives heart and soul into the story, even though the despicable character of Shinji is a constant slap to the face (not to mention the last episodes).
On April 02 2012 14:38 coZy wrote: I think Toradora is more sad to be honest. I've seen both and Clannad made me tear up and cry a bit yeah, but not in the same way that Toradora did. Glad to see another person that enjoyed Clannad though. You'll feel better in a week at the latest so don't worry about it. Just be happy you found an anime as great as it.
Not in any point during Toradora did I feel remotely sad. Were we watching the same series?
Otakus unite! lol Yes, Clannad is one of the more sad ones. If you liked it, you should check out Kanon(2006). Not as sad (overall), but there are heartbreaking moments here and there.
If you're looking for a more relaxing anime with a fantasy twist, there's Natsume Yuujinchou. There's also Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai, which is more slice of life, but a little sad as well.
On April 03 2012 02:24 imPermanenCe wrote: On the other hand, Welcome to the N.H.K. is in my mind constantly atm. I finished the anime like 4 days ago, watched the manga and read the book straight afterward whilst listening to the soundtrack. It's not even that sad, but the story had such an impact on me.
This is somewhat ironic, given that it deals with hikikomoris running away from reality. It reminds me of the average Evangelion fan who dives heart and soul into the story, even though the despicable character of Shinji is a constant slap to the face (not to mention the last episodes).
Haven't seen Evangelion so can't really tell what you exactly mean. :p
The other characters from NHK weren't really despicable though. They just had psychological issues. And Satou had his strong moments too. (Even tho 80% of the time you'd facepalm at him, sometimes you'd still feel for him)
I like to think of myself as a pretty emotionally strong guy, but this anime, well in the second season I cried my fucking eyes out. The first season was funny and happy, and well it was the best anime I had ever seen, and most likely ever will see.
Oh man, my experience with this anime is almost identical to yours. I had no idea I can actually cry ( a lot ) watching a fictional drama. I was pretty confused after that... couldn't figure out if the story was that good or if I had some serious issues. But yeah, it's a great anime.
People mentioned 5cm per Second... yeah, that's the only other anime I've seen to have similar effect on me. That ending song, hooooly c**p.
I was somewhat depressed after watching 5 cm per second as I hadn't watched any of such anime yet (The girl who leaped through time was much more playful). But because it's just only 1 movie instead of a whole series, it had a lesser impact on me. I had already forgotten about it the next day.
On the other hand, Welcome to the N.H.K. is in my mind constantly atm. I finished the anime like 4 days ago, watched the manga and read the book straight afterward whilst listening to the soundtrack. It's not even that sad, but the story had such an impact on me.
If you've been through any bout of isolation NHK is an unsettling anime to watch.
"In truth, I still can’t read this story objectively. Each time I reread it, I start to have light hallucinations. I break into a cold sweat. Each time I approach one of a few specific places in the plot, I start wanting to throw the computer out the window. At other particular points, I start wanting to run away from home to live deep in secrecy in the mountains of India." -Tatsuhiko Takimoto
Oh god, Clannad and After Story. While Clannad wasn't as emotionally beating as After Story, it was still so sweet and interesting to me, I liked it's greater emphasis on the group of them. But After Story was so perfect in that it focused on who we really cared about.
Then it beat your heart with a tire iron as you wept. I was watching it in bed on my 3DS over Netflix and literally had to drop the damn thing to recompose myself near the end of AS. I think the only other time I felt that way was way back when I was a kid and I watched the original Star Wars trilogy through till the end when Vader died.
Apparently 5cm/sec is also really good so I'm gonna have to pick that up.
On April 03 2012 07:37 Telcontar wrote: Otakus unite! lol Yes, Clannad is one of the more sad ones. If you liked it, you should check out Kanon(2006). Not as sad (overall), but there are heartbreaking moments here and there.
If you're looking for a more relaxing anime with a fantasy twist, there's Natsume Yuujinchou. There's also Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai, which is more slice of life, but a little sad as well.
Ano Hana was way too overrated IMO. Too much crying and confession into crying into crying into screaming into hide and seek.
Clannad...sigh I wish I could go back to those times again. This winter season was complete crap - the only thing that was anywhere remotely creative, made sense, and was emotional was Rinne no Lagrange (I will punch anybody who says Guilty Crown). Another was really fuckin funny though. Great comedy series, I highly recommend it for laughs (seriously).
Might I suggest some Derpa Denpa Onna and Valkyria Chronicles (or Spice and Wolf) for future series?
On April 03 2012 07:37 Telcontar wrote: Otakus unite! lol Yes, Clannad is one of the more sad ones. If you liked it, you should check out Kanon(2006). Not as sad (overall), but there are heartbreaking moments here and there.
If you're looking for a more relaxing anime with a fantasy twist, there's Natsume Yuujinchou. There's also Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai, which is more slice of life, but a little sad as well.
Ano Hana was way too overrated IMO. Too much crying and confession into crying into crying into screaming into hide and seek.
Clannad...sigh I wish I could go back to those times again. This winter season was complete crap - the only thing that was anywhere remotely creative, made sense, and was emotional was Rinne no Lagrange (I will punch anybody who says Guilty Crown). Another was really fuckin funny though. Great comedy series, I highly recommend it for laughs (seriously).
Might I suggest some Derpa Denpa Onna and Valkyria Chronicles (or Spice and Wolf) for future series?
On April 03 2012 07:37 Telcontar wrote: Otakus unite! lol Yes, Clannad is one of the more sad ones. If you liked it, you should check out Kanon(2006). Not as sad (overall), but there are heartbreaking moments here and there.
If you're looking for a more relaxing anime with a fantasy twist, there's Natsume Yuujinchou. There's also Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai, which is more slice of life, but a little sad as well.
Ano Hana was way too overrated IMO. Too much crying and confession into crying into crying into screaming into hide and seek.
Clannad...sigh I wish I could go back to those times again. This winter season was complete crap - the only thing that was anywhere remotely creative, made sense, and was emotional was Rinne no Lagrange (I will punch anybody who says Guilty Crown). Another was really fuckin funny though. Great comedy series, I highly recommend it for laughs (seriously).
Might I suggest some Derpa Denpa Onna and Valkyria Chronicles (or Spice and Wolf) for future series?
I've watched a ton of emotional / sad anime in past (clannad, saikano, ano hana, true tears etc.) and I have come to a conclusion that Wolf's rain and 5 Centimeters per second (OSTs remain in my head even after 1 year and half) are pretty much uncontested right now on my chart.
Kimi ga nozomu eien (romance story) / Sola (melodramatic is one way to describe it) / Requiem for the Phantom (great character design and dark action theme) are also to be considered because they're not trying to force drama.
If you thought Clannad was good, might as well watch the other Key series. Both AIR and Kannon are very good, though Clannad has the best execution. Little Busters! is coming soon, so that would be the fourth series.
For emotional series, Saishuu Heiki Kanojo is still, personally, the one with the most impact.
No one said it was spectacular. I only said it was touching.
I also really don't see how it's visual porn. You're saying this either because of the visual quality, which is only what should be expected from such productions, or because it's supposed to be "sexy" when there is no nudity at all. And there was no drama at all, the subtitle itself was "three short stories about distance". Nothing happens. It's just a tale about those who are lonely, and those who are in love, and how people drift apart and move on, something everyone experiences at some point.
On April 04 2012 17:27 Kukaracha wrote: No one said it was spectacular. I only said it was touching.
I also really don't see how it's visual porn. You're saying this either because of the visual quality, which is only what should be expected from such productions, or because it's supposed to be "sexy" when there is no nudity at all. And there was no drama at all, the subtitle itself was "three short stories about distance". Nothing happens. It's just a tale about those who are lonely, and those who are in love, and how people drift apart and move on, something everyone experiences at some point.
I thought the MC was being really melodramatic and moody over the entire thing which I guess is what being a teenager in love is actually like.
EPT
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