Highly acclaimed by critics, in romance, slice of life and comedy, Clannad is a must in these areas. And now I finally understand why it is considered one of the best in these areas as well.

Spectacular animation, you can tell it wasn't done in a hurry. A particular visual style worthy of the time (2007) that may seem strange at first but becomes very pleasant very quickly. The backgrounds are just as sublime, a pleasure to watch, doesn't hurt your eyes at all.

A very good soundtrack, which really immerses in every moment, difficult as well as happy. Simply splendid openings and endings, which have a link with the story, a link that we understand only after having finished the franchise.

A story worthy of the name, with twists, with ups and downs, that can no longer be called an emotional elevator but an emotional rollercoaster. The parallel story with the other world can be complicated to understand at first sight but everything makes sense again after finishing the franchise, and it is a deep meaning. I wasn't bored at any point in the 47 episodes and one movie. It was really immersive, and I really wanted to watch those episodes. Absolutely ALL the characters are developed as they should be, not too much or less, each person has their own dedicated arc and participates in this great common story. These characters, both main and secondary become very endearing very quickly, none of them are unpleasant or anything. Clannad even managed to tune the right voice tones according to the characters, which is absolutely titanic. And overall a very well done character development. Just like the story, they also have their ups and downs that make us love, then hate, then love them.

The romance is one of the great pillars of Clannad, other than its story and its characters. A romance that lasts, that has its ups and downs, but that makes you dream, that does not upset you, all with humor but also serious in the right times. This romance, which is already well developed in the first season, is even more so in the second, which reaches its peak, with a family life that is a real pleasure to watch and with a smile that can't be removed from the lips. Romance also mixed with comedy that gives a perfect mix, with no negative points. Slight romance/complicity also with the others characters both in the two seasons and in the Specials, which also gives a change of scenery and brings only positive.

The end is, at the moment when everything is falling apart, avoided to give a perfect ending, the one that everyone wanted. Like a game between these two worlds, one that is disastrous, one that is perfect.
I admit that these two seasons were emotional at times, and it is interesting to note that there is no "cringy" attempt to make you cry/make you sad. The scenario reaches its peak at the end, a scenario full of meaning. Finally, even if I look for negative points, I can't find any, because I found everything I want in an anime : a good and a meaningful romance, a comedy with actual good jokes and a breathtaking scenario. Clannad succeeded in all these points, which propels it directly to the rank of a masterpiece. The whole thing was produced between 2007 and 2009, which is INCREDIBLE for the time, dethroning other productions produced much later, therefore with much more resources. A moral, to finish, which reminds us of the importance of the family, of this family union which must not be destroyed under penalty of the self-destruction of this family, and the importance of not neglecting your loved ones: a real life lesson.

So, if you are tired of romance that goes nowhere, are in search of a great storyline and meaningful characters, all with a great soundtrack that will immerse you in this experience, Clannad is for you. Otherwise, go watch One Piece or things like that.