Clannad After Story Episode 1

The big dango family!

The wait in final over, Clannad After Story has premiered in Japan! Of course...my wait was not as long as others...but I speak for the people! Happily, this series is so popular, it was up and subbed within a day of it's release in Japan. This is a great sign, as this author has no real patience.
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The series has left off where episode 23 of the original series has left us. Tomoya is still living with Nagisa and her family. They are now in their second semester of their 3rd year and everyone still hangs out in the drama club after school. Almost all the main characters make an appearance in this episode (minus Tomoya's dad and Fuko).

Who is that little boy....

The first episode carries the same antics as the last season. Tomoya is still lying to get his way (although this time he got 4 people to believe his lie). Nagisa's father still acts insane when talking to Tomoya. Once again the focus is not on the drama club, but helping Nagisa's father win their shopping districts baseball meet. And once again the girls prove to be more athletic that the boys. Youhei messes up the game and it appears Tomoya wins it for everyone.

No pressure at all, just make your shoulder injury worse!

The series starts off with questions, as it appears an older Tomoya is riding the train with his SON and not Ushio, his daughter from the movie. Of course, it could turn out to be Tomoya's dad and Tomoya, who knows with this anime. Tomoya is dragged into helping Akio with his baseball game and Tomoya gets all his friends to help out in the game (minus Kyou whom is useless in my mind anyway). They even manage to snag the dorm mother Misae and former pop star/ current electrician Yusuke to join in the game. They are faced against a pretty strong team and early on Akio is injured so Nagisa must take over as batter. Everyone's personal quirks shine in this episode. In the end, the deciding move is left up to Tomoya and his injured arm. He has a "vision" of everyone gathering together after the win and eating together as the big dango family. Tomoya is seen hitting the ball and the ball turns into an orb with the robot in the other world watches.

There is a lot of love to go around.

The funniest moments in the episode comes from Yusuke. Tomoya has convinced him that Youhei will move away after the year is over and is trying to make memories of his friends and his hero while he can. Yusuke takes that way too seriously and after hitting the ball, goes into a speech about how his gift is the gift of memories and how..then he is tagged out. After he has a good cry, he is up to bat later and manages to take a base. He then asks for a time out to redo his dramatic memory speech.

A convincing lie...

First attempt at the speech.

Second time is the charm!!

Wtf is going on?!

Yes, yes he is.

All of the girls seem to be okay with the new couple, although it seems there has been no progress made in being a couple. They seem to be in that awkward blushing stage, which makes sense if this is right after the scenes in episode 23. The other world was not given much screen time, but placed as a reminder not to forget about it's existence.

Where is your little friend robot man?!

Episode 1 started off great. Sadly, that means we have to wait 23 more episodes to see how this series will end and how closely game play will be followed. Each week will be like agony waiting, but we must preserver to collect our prize at the end! I look forward to the other world getting explained and Fuko's return. Stay tuned for next week!

The special dance....

is for special people!

That is how I hit the ball!

Our favorite little pig!

Thanks for reading!