Please skip my post if you are not up to date with the series. Alright, I have been contemplating what they have been getting at with Nagisans illness and ushio's illness. I am going to toss some ideas around and see how it plays out as I type: First off there is Nagisa illness which seems to be tied into the way the city changes. Throughout her story, Nagisa health and illness has run parallel not to her happiness but to the development of the town itself. During the end of the first season and part of the second season, you saw development of the town little by little. Places which acted as balancing points of the natural environment were destroyed or altered. In doing so, Nagisa fell ill during their development. But aspects of the town had flourished to the point where they seemed to counteract the loss from the land development. After this happened, Nagisa got well again until they began developing the hospital. In doing so, she fell ill.

Something I have been considering is the land on which the hospital is built. The main similarity between the land and Nagisa lies in Akio taking her there when she nearly died originally. It was as if his emotional outcry and Nagisa sheer will to survive created a sort of hinge. Taking into account Kotomi's arc about the pocket world. I wonder if they were hinting at the fact that the soul of the city existed and was most prevalent in that wooded region where the hospital was built. I believe, therefore, that when Akio took Nagisa to the woods and pleaded for her life, he inadvertently tied Nagisa and the city together completely. This bond made Nagisa well for a time but felt the towns pain as a result. I believe the evidence lies in Ushio's natural gravity towards that area.

Now the soul of the city lies within that world that has ended. Even the term “world which has ended” to me, suggests the end of the natural world, with each development, that world ends further. suggested by the changing of the seasons from bright and sunny constantly to a slow fade to snow. Ushios comment as she enters this world to act as the new hinge “I had to become the consciousness of this world so that I could survive. I want to survive” this suggests that in the end, the world needed to survive and the only way it could was if someone was able to take its place. I believe, therefore, Nagisa is in a manner, a personification of the city and nature. Her conditions acting as a reflection for how the state of the town is.

Wow no shocker there, I mean to be honest Ushio would have died either way. The reason being Ushio seemed aware of it her self she wouldn’t make it. Thus the reason she said “It has to be now” about going on a trip. I’m not so convinced she died completely either, maybe just lost consciousness. She always went to that hospital (where Akio brought Nagisa) so I’m guessing that has something to do with the ending.

I’m guessing it’ll be something where there will be some flash backs, the whole robot and girl in the other world bit, some weird dream world where Tomoya talks to Nagisa and how she says everything is going to be better or something (or maybe like change is good), then he wakes up in a hospital dazed a bit then asks where Ushio is, finds out shes fine and when she walks in she walks in with one of the other girls (Tomoyo maybe? Did anyone want to be a nurse?) or walks in with someone that looks a lot like Nagisa but to Tomoya she’ll probably look like Nagisa for a bit then after Nagisa smiles and a bunch of light orbs release showing its someone else, probably end with Tomoya and the other girl talking/walking with her and Ushio (Ushio in the middle) holding hands and as they walk Ushio will see a light orb in between them or something. That’s my guess anyway.

Just curious about what everyone else thinks... I personally thought Ushio's death didn't have nearly as much impact as Nagisa's for some reason. Is it just me? Maybe its because we've only been introduced to Ushio for a few episodes?

On a different note, is it correct that there's 1 more "extra" episode after the final one next week?

grimbeaver

is it correct that there's 1 more "extra" episode after the final one next week?

Just like the first season

I hope Ushio isn't dead. Man, that'd be way too freaking sad.

I personally hope that things will turn around next week. Nothing would bum me out than to not see the Illusionary World girl not play a massive part in how the outcome of After Story is determined.

Overall, I have to say that in terms of plot, animation and voice acting, both arcs of Clannad have done very well.

Otherwise, the onus is on the Illusionary World girl and the doll to sort things out. Let's see how things turn out in the final episode, AP denizens.

It would be nice if Tomoya would get remarried, and I think that if anyone should be more suitable or possible for that matter is Kyou. If I’m not mistaken, Ushio likes Kyou, and we all know Kyou likes Tomoya. I think that besides from improving Ushio’s relationship with Tomoya, it would be better as well to show that Tomoya moved on and accepted Nagisa’s death. Also Ushio needs a mother, I mean I actually thought that Tomoya would still leave Ushio into Sanae and Akio’s cuz he has to work almost all day (even overtime in his job - since it takes him to all places), so is he just going to leave Ushio all alone in his house? It would be somewhat the same as what he had went through, where in his childhood, he was left alone in the house, since his father was busy with his job, which made Tomoya thought that he didn’t care about him and started living on his own. Despite the fact that all along, his father cared about him and just had a hard time to show it. So it would be far better to have someone take care of Ushio in the house, since Sanae can’t probably do it anymore, due to her bakery and tutoring.

Kyou would be perfect for the job, she’s her kindergarten teacher so they can practically spend time together all day, at home and school, and just wait for Tomoya to come home from work. The other girls are nowhere near or close to Ushio: Tomoyo probably moved out of the city, Ryou probably has a boyfriend, Yukine’s nowhere to be heard off, Kotomi is in America, and Fuuko well, she’s Fuuko (just as Tomoya had quoted: “I don’t know why, but I feel something that’s completely opposite of being in a romantic relationship with her”). Also the best mother figure and can actually take care of kids is Kyou, the best candidate. Well one could hope.

Yeah my love series in clannad After strony and my favorite character in Okazaki

I think Nagisa is beutifull character Clannad

Episode 22

SPOILER (click to view)

can't wait to watch it

^ LOL. I'm finally done watching it subbed and as expected...

SPOILER (click to view)

It was a happy ending. I wasn't expecting Fuuko to turn up though.

SPOILER (click to view)

yup happy ending

and 2 episodes again

Pretty decent ending but personally, I’m still reluctant to suspend my disbelief, hence, interpret the ending a little differently: Tomoya finally loses his mind. Nagisa is still dead. And when Ushio died, he probably collapsed mentally. I see the dream world as a representation of both Ushio and Tomoya’s state of mind/soul. Ushio’s soul is a vibrant, healthy child; while Tomoyo is a rusty old robot, merely held together by whatever scraps that is left. All those light orbs? I interpret those as little portions of his soul/sanity that’s taken/robbed from him as things around him gets worse. (Well, don’t they only appear when things seem to be turning bad?) In the dream, Ushio was his last remaining hope, and when she died (and turned into light orbs), Tomoya finally loses his remaining sanity.

Everything else that happens probably happens in Tomoya’s mind. The perfect world that he had wanted: A second chance, Nagisa and Ushio still alive and with him, his friends, etc. At this point, it doesn’t matter to Tomoya (and us) whether the ending is real or not. What matters is, some things happen, and in Tomoya’s reality, he’s with Nagisa and Ushio again, and is finally happy. Ahem, ok, so there are a bunch of inconsistencies with my interpretation. But at least it gives my mind an alternative to the deus ex machina ending. What do you think? In any case, a great end to a great series!

I thought it was a pretty good way to end it. All too often I find myself disappointed with anime endings but I thought they pulled it off pretty well here. I mean, it wasn't some crazy plot twist or something but they were able to ease everything altogether. On that note, I really liked how they showed everybody's current life and then how they ended it with Fuu-chan haha

I just finnished watching it. and it is great!