Moé Moé Rabu

Wow, now that was certainly exciting. I didn’t expect the basketball match to go so well and to end on such a high note that it almost makes all the sad moments we’ve seen get blown away. It has certainly raised the morale of everyone seeing how we only finished the Kotomi arc not that long ago but I think it’s also brought about a greater bonding between everyone, but moreso with Tomoya and Nagisa. I loved how Tomoya was thinking that everything was for nothing towards the last minute of the match, only to be brought back by Nagisa’s voice as it really seems to show that Nagisa is an important person to Tomoya. The music playing as well made watching the match much more enjoyable and it felt really fast paced.

Impressions

Of course many other things occurred as a lead up to the match as it seems that Tomoyo is now getting closer to Tomoya and seems to show some interest in him. Though currently it’s purely on the cause that she wants to cure his tardiness, but I think that will change over the course of the series. Plus her skills never ceases to amaze me as I would never have imagined her being able to stick a frankfurt up Sunohara’s nose. The best part though is her little argument with Kyou, as I mentioned before, the best thing about a series such as Clannad is the interaction between the characters as it really is something you would see in real life.

Certainly much love for Kyou this episode. Everything from her somewhat shocked and embarrassed reaction to Tomoyo’s comment, her anger over the basketball team, her athletic ability, and even her own fanclub goes to show that she is quite the character and all these things just add to her charm. Still, her getting Tomoya to eat lunch with her and Ryou is rather interesting but I really hoped they played a bit more on that. Still, I wonder what Tomoya’s reaction would be when he saw Ryou turn away like that.

Mei’s appearance is somewhat questionable at this stage. She appears only for this episode so far where she came, cleaned her brother’s room, turned up to the basketball match, and left. Was there really a point in her making an appearance right now? Well not that it’s a bad thing, and I agree with Tomoya, I would love to have a little sister like that, lol. Tamura Yukari just does a splendid job as Mei and I can’t think of any other person that could do an equal or better job. Let’s hope she makes another appearance later on in the series and play an actual role.

Next episode the focus is changing and it seems to focus on Tomoya’s future.

Preview:

Merchandise of the Week

For those thinking I would scan these, well sorry to say that I’m not into scanning DVDs anymore. Anyway this week’s merchandise of the week is the Limited Edition versions of Clannad DVD Volume 1 & 2.

Volume 1 (the left hand side) comes with a character profile book, and I do mean book as it’s really thick. It also comes with a small postcard sized recruitment poster that Nagisa drew up for the drama club (not pictured as I for to take it out, lol). So many dangos~~. Also not pictured is the desktop goodies CD that is inside the DVD case.

Volume 2 I found to be rather surprising when it arrived yesterday morning. Firstly it comes with a storyboard book for the OP and ED sequences but as well as the entire first episode. But the neat thing about this volume is that it comes with a packet of playing cards that are used by Ryou for her fortune telling. I think it even comes with a card that is like a mini-guide to fortune telling.

If you want these you can order your copies from Amazon Japan:

• CLANNAD Limited Edition Volume 1
• CLANNAD Limited Edition Volume 2