The first time I completed Kotomi’s route in the vn, I was in high school. I’ll never forget it. It was the weekend and I intended to play thru her route a little bit. I thought I’d play until like midnight or one am at the most...but I couldn’t stop. Kotomi’s route was just starting to get serious and real, *SO* much more so than what the anime covered (which was good too but still). 2 am hit. Then 3 am. 4 am. I’ll never forget staring at the ending of her route at 5:30 am....the feeling I had when the suitcase scene happened with all the languages popping up on screen, how it travelled to the ends of the earth all the way back to her. Other people in my house were actually just starting to wake up for the next day but I didn’t care. I was *awestruck* staring at my screen, just sobbing at how truly beautiful this story and route was. I love all the Clannad characters, but Kotomi will always be my favorite character and story. Words truly don’t do it justice to communicate just how much I was affected and fell in love with this beautiful story.
I know what you mean! While I didn't stay up that late, my final recording session for Kotomi's route was about three times longer than the other ones because I couldn't put it down once it picked up
@@choi-r7108 Of course you can enjoy Kotomi's route, and not being aware of it isn't going to make or break the experience. But like Tota joked, it boarders on plagiarism. So knowing about it enhances the story, and allows you to pick up on things you otherwise wouldn't even notice.
Kotomi has always has a special place in my heart when it comes to the Clannad girls. I'm a huge sucker for the forgotten childhood friend trope, so she's always been my favorite character and route- although sometimes her and Fuko swap spots lol
I'm can't recall another work where I've seen the trope... I'm sure I have, just can't think of one right now. I also think it's funny that Kotomi and Fuko swap spots in universe too. Fuko was on the baseball team in the vn but Kotomi replaced her in the anime
I've just recently finished Clannad's anime as well as the Afterstory and adored just how much realism and effort they were able to put into a single story, even if that one basically had to laser focus in on Nagisa's route in order to make Afterstory work. However, getting to see you analyze and bring us through the routes of the other characters is genuinely such a treat, especially for people like me who adores story telling and clever foreshadows and such. Wonderful video yet again, Totaraum!
So, Kotomi Ichinose. I appreciate that girl so much. Congrats to the creators for an idea to get to know the delinquent and one of the wisest students in Japan. Very interesting idea. What is more, as You can see it being done with almost every other primary character in Clannad, during her route You acquire a great chance to get to know Kotomi deeper, her psychology and past. It was frightening to me about how much problems she had dealt with. Moreover, thanks to Tomoya's help, she was able to overcome her problems and to go ahead. Spoiler alert. I really appreciate Kotomi's personality. She was very pretty, attractive girl but she wasn't aware of it. It makes her so reliable. Also about her problems with violin playing I think it came from: a) lack of practice and b) her inner problems. I am sure that after remeeting Tomoya her attitude has changed and quality of playing has improved. :-) To conclude with, I am really curious if the future relationship with Tomoya survived and how did it look like. Did they stay in Japan or did they move to America? How Tomoya felt with her after some time? Did he become frustrated of her success or did he stay by her side? Did she help him with the relations with his father? Finally, I wish to see Kotomi's behaviour being changed and shaped by a long relationship with Tomoya (as well as vice versa). Thanks for Your attention.
I 100% Clannad last winter and i already wanna read it again. Kotomi's route is by far my favorite and this video made me cry again. Thank you for analyzing it so well.
This was a great video! I've seen plenty of people who say that Kotomi is their favorite and as an anime only I've never quite understood that since Nagisa, Kyou and Tomoyo exist. But the way you've described her VN arc here I think I can see it now. I've never really had much of a desire to play the VN but at this rate you may change my mind by the end of this series.
Kotomi, the god of death and books. And yes, Clannad is perfect. I recommended it to my friends and they said : "i'll see" and no. Bro, i want to share this perfect anime with someone PLEASE. Sorry for that lol
If you say you're going to watch something together and then just put it on one day it usually works out. It's hard to get people to invest in something by themselves
Honestly, my favorite route was Kappei's. It gave Ryou a sort of "redemption" and made me look at her differently. Kotomi's was insanely deep but independent- meaning, it was one of the only few arcs that brought all of the characters together in the VN. It didn't need to be played in a specific order to trigger certain character interactions or anything like the others needed. That was why i loved her portion so much. I found it awkward that each path could only focus on one girl. I know that's usually how VNs play, but coming from watching the anime first with no other VN background, it frustrated me having to reset Tomoya's entire first month at school after obtaining a light orb. It was as if all of the arcs were for nothing. I guess that's why we love the anime though. I'm glad we got an adaptation of everyone interacting in one story line. It settles my OCD lol. Anyway, I get why the game plays that way; makes sense with the whole multi-dimensional/universe theory that it's supposed to be based off of. Also Nagisa best girl no matter what. Everyone else just feels... wrong, in my eyes xD Even in an alternate universe. That's all ;p
I agree that it can be kind of weird to reset after every route is finished, but I found that in the end it helps deepen the relationship between the game and the player. You choose to reset each time and make different choices that ultimately lead to the end of the game. It makes the true ending feel like an accomplishment that you earned, not just something you experienced like it was a movie or show. I know this is true for most visual novels but I think the structure fits clannad in particular very well
@@Totaraum Absolutely! That's also why this particular VN is so unique. Either way, I enjoy it immensely. Thanks for your response! Also, you are awesome for still making Clannad videos. I don't feel so alone on my ~lateeee~ journey through the game. Keep up the awesome videos.
@@tako-san202 I’m glad you like the videos! I got into Clannad in 2020 so you’re far from alone when it comes to experiencing it for the first time a dozen or so years late
Fuko was the best route for me until i finished playing Kotomi route. I cried so hard during the part showing the briefcase being transfer around the world and reached Kotomi. I feels like that part in the VN is more emotional than the anime.
I wish there a youtube channel willing to go this indepth into other Key VIsual Novels like Kanon, it's a shame how Clannad overshadows everything else when the groundbreaking success of Kanon in 1999 is what made Air and CLannad possible in the first place. This feels like the right episode of this series to bring up Kanon in the comment section since it feels like an abandoned Kanon storlyine with the whole "knew her a child but forgot about it" thing.
Nagisa will always be the "true" love interest for Tomoya, but in my eyes, Kotomi is the best one. Despite oftentimes feeling like a child Tomoya needs to take care of, she's also a genius whom he views as being out of his league. Despite having a tragic backstory and a whole lot of trauma to work through, she's also the funniest lil weirdo you'll ever see and the peak of Clannad's already amazing comedy writing. Her very subtle yet telling facial expressions, her monotone yet somehow expressive voice, her countless bizarre catchphrases and odd mannerisms, Kotomi is the sweetest lil autist ever.
These Clannad videos keep me busy, so I might not do another sub special until we hit a bigger number. When the time comes I'll probably ask you all through the community tab what you'd like to see. I haven't made any posts on the patreon page yet, but I respond to all the messages I get (which has been about 2 or 3 lol). I'm thinking some day I could have exclusive polls or maybe sneak peaks at future content on patreon. As for uploads I try to make sure every new video is out within 20 days of the last one, and usually I upload around the 15-17 day mark. Every two-ish weeks
10:21 Hate to be that guy, but the design of playing cards where based of tarrot cards, the numbered cards being minor arcana and the faced ones being most of the major arcana. As well as the kings representing 4 of the most well known rulers in history. And yes, i am absolutely a freaking nerd
Also, Hate how even just someone mentioning certain plot points genuinely make me tear up. But at the same time i love ot cause it always feels like im watching Clannad for the first time again
Why is it calling violin? Because it causes Vio-LENCE. Famous violinist Kaori hits his pianist partner with 🎻-nce. And Kotomi breaks her entire school's eardrums with 🎻-nce Oh god, both of their name starts with K. That means both of them K-can struck K-chord in everyone's heart.
THank you for making this video! Kotomi is my favorite Clannad girl, and I am devastated that she was sidelined for others in the anime. I hate the trope in the Japanese media where the childhood friend gets dicked over for someone new and exiting. I think I understand why it is so, but it does not sit right with me.
All hail the king of continuously releasing clannad content in the present day
Dude is goated
The first time I completed Kotomi’s route in the vn, I was in high school. I’ll never forget it. It was the weekend and I intended to play thru her route a little bit. I thought I’d play until like midnight or one am at the most...but I couldn’t stop. Kotomi’s route was just starting to get serious and real, *SO* much more so than what the anime covered (which was good too but still). 2 am hit. Then 3 am. 4 am. I’ll never forget staring at the ending of her route at 5:30 am....the feeling I had when the suitcase scene happened with all the languages popping up on screen, how it travelled to the ends of the earth all the way back to her. Other people in my house were actually just starting to wake up for the next day but I didn’t care. I was *awestruck* staring at my screen, just sobbing at how truly beautiful this story and route was.
I love all the Clannad characters, but Kotomi will always be my favorite character and story. Words truly don’t do it justice to communicate just how much I was affected and fell in love with this beautiful story.
I know what you mean! While I didn't stay up that late, my final recording session for Kotomi's route was about three times longer than the other ones because I couldn't put it down once it picked up
I love that you mentioned The Dandelion Girl, something a lot of clannad fans don't know about. Not to mention it is a great story in general.
I always thought it was a fascinating aspect of the story. I don't think I can talk about this route without mentioning it
I didn't know that story was so integral to Kotomi's route
@@choi-r7108 Of course you can enjoy Kotomi's route, and not being aware of it isn't going to make or break the experience. But like Tota joked, it boarders on plagiarism. So knowing about it enhances the story, and allows you to pick up on things you otherwise wouldn't even notice.
That indeed was a really interesting part!
love how regularly you talk about clannad... your videos convinced me to rewatch it after 10 years 😭 i thought clannads fanbase was dead fr
You should to join the clannad discord server then, very active
Glad to hear it! I hope you enjoyed that re-watch
The facebook fanpage is still active though
@@masteroogway9297 Can I get a link please?
@@choi-r7108 hardly
I loved the gag where tomoya says say hello and she says hello to him lmao
Out of context this doesn't sound like a joke at all but I know what you mean lol
One of my fav parts too. They all say Kotomi is bad at jokes but she can be really comedy gold when she doesn't try. I love her
@@maxlefou she the goat
Kotomi has always has a special place in my heart when it comes to the Clannad girls. I'm a huge sucker for the forgotten childhood friend trope, so she's always been my favorite character and route- although sometimes her and Fuko swap spots lol
I'm can't recall another work where I've seen the trope... I'm sure I have, just can't think of one right now. I also think it's funny that Kotomi and Fuko swap spots in universe too. Fuko was on the baseball team in the vn but Kotomi replaced her in the anime
I've just recently finished Clannad's anime as well as the Afterstory and adored just how much realism and effort they were able to put into a single story, even if that one basically had to laser focus in on Nagisa's route in order to make Afterstory work. However, getting to see you analyze and bring us through the routes of the other characters is genuinely such a treat, especially for people like me who adores story telling and clever foreshadows and such. Wonderful video yet again, Totaraum!
I'm glad you enjoyed it, thank you!
So, Kotomi Ichinose. I appreciate that girl so much. Congrats to the creators for an idea to get to know the delinquent and one of the wisest students in Japan. Very interesting idea.
What is more, as You can see it being done with almost every other primary character in Clannad, during her route You acquire a great chance to get to know Kotomi deeper, her psychology and past. It was frightening to me about how much problems she had dealt with. Moreover, thanks to Tomoya's help, she was able to overcome her problems and to go ahead.
Spoiler alert.
I really appreciate Kotomi's personality. She was very pretty, attractive girl but she wasn't aware of it. It makes her so reliable.
Also about her problems with violin playing I think it came from: a) lack of practice and b) her inner problems. I am sure that after remeeting Tomoya her attitude has changed and quality of playing has improved. :-)
To conclude with, I am really curious if the future relationship with Tomoya survived and how did it look like. Did they stay in Japan or did they move to America? How Tomoya felt with her after some time? Did he become frustrated of her success or did he stay by her side? Did she help him with the relations with his father? Finally, I wish to see Kotomi's behaviour being changed and shaped by a long relationship with Tomoya (as well as vice versa).
Thanks for Your attention.
0:23 *And her weapon is the violin*
Indeed
As someone who's never played through this game before, I was not ready for the emotional gut punch that was the teddy bear brief case
Nobody ever is lol. Clannad is crazy
Kotomi is easily my favourite Clannad girl from a personality perspective and she's also up there in general.
Kotomi's up there for me as well!
I'm proud to say I am now part of the notification squad after you have now started this series and am inching ever so closer to pateron as well...
i am not crying YOURE CRYING
ITS BEEN 15 YEARS HOW IS THIS STORY STILL SO GOOD?!?!
I'm really looking forward to the Ryou video you keep hinting theres more to her that meets to eye so I'm interested..
I'm really excited for that route as well
9:17 lmao soo freaking good
I just realised that the castanet and triangle in Kotomi's character theme are played by Nagisa and Ryou respectively...😮
I 100% Clannad last winter and i already wanna read it again. Kotomi's route is by far my favorite and this video made me cry again. Thank you for analyzing it so well.
Please do! You'd be surprised to see how much you missed the first time through. Thanks for watching!
This was a great video! I've seen plenty of people who say that Kotomi is their favorite and as an anime only I've never quite understood that since Nagisa, Kyou and Tomoyo exist. But the way you've described her VN arc here I think I can see it now. I've never really had much of a desire to play the VN but at this rate you may change my mind by the end of this series.
I’m happy to hear that! Hopefully you take the plunge soon
Kotomi is also best girl for me and reminds me most of my mother
Kotomi, the god of death and books.
And yes, Clannad is perfect. I recommended it to my friends and they said : "i'll see" and no. Bro, i want to share this perfect anime with someone PLEASE. Sorry for that lol
If you say you're going to watch something together and then just put it on one day it usually works out. It's hard to get people to invest in something by themselves
Honestly, my favorite route was Kappei's. It gave Ryou a sort of "redemption" and made me look at her differently. Kotomi's was insanely deep but independent- meaning, it was one of the only few arcs that brought all of the characters together in the VN. It didn't need to be played in a specific order to trigger certain character interactions or anything like the others needed. That was why i loved her portion so much.
I found it awkward that each path could only focus on one girl. I know that's usually how VNs play, but coming from watching the anime first with no other VN background, it frustrated me having to reset Tomoya's entire first month at school after obtaining a light orb. It was as if all of the arcs were for nothing. I guess that's why we love the anime though. I'm glad we got an adaptation of everyone interacting in one story line. It settles my OCD lol. Anyway, I get why the game plays that way; makes sense with the whole multi-dimensional/universe theory that it's supposed to be based off of.
Also Nagisa best girl no matter what. Everyone else just feels... wrong, in my eyes xD Even in an alternate universe.
That's all ;p
I agree that it can be kind of weird to reset after every route is finished, but I found that in the end it helps deepen the relationship between the game and the player. You choose to reset each time and make different choices that ultimately lead to the end of the game. It makes the true ending feel like an accomplishment that you earned, not just something you experienced like it was a movie or show. I know this is true for most visual novels but I think the structure fits clannad in particular very well
@@Totaraum Absolutely! That's also why this particular VN is so unique. Either way, I enjoy it immensely. Thanks for your response! Also, you are awesome for still making Clannad videos. I don't feel so alone on my ~lateeee~ journey through the game. Keep up the awesome videos.
@@tako-san202 I’m glad you like the videos! I got into Clannad in 2020 so you’re far from alone when it comes to experiencing it for the first time a dozen or so years late
Fuko was the best route for me until i finished playing Kotomi route.
I cried so hard during the part showing the briefcase being transfer around the world and reached Kotomi.
I feels like that part in the VN is more emotional than the anime.
I also think the vn did it better. It’s cool how sone scenes were better in the vn while others were enhanced tremendously in the anime
@@Totaraum yeah,
Especially the flower field scene.
I was fully prepared when watching the anime but it hit way harder than the VN
When you mention that weird liquid shit, weird liquid shit was coming out of my eyes.
9:20 got me
Clannad is just the best
hell yeah
I wish there a youtube channel willing to go this indepth into other Key VIsual Novels like Kanon, it's a shame how Clannad overshadows everything else when the groundbreaking success of Kanon in 1999 is what made Air and CLannad possible in the first place.
This feels like the right episode of this series to bring up Kanon in the comment section since it feels like an abandoned Kanon storlyine with the whole "knew her a child but forgot about it" thing.
Kotomi might not be my best girl but her route is my favorite one.
Kotomi is so amazing and cute loved her in the VN sm even though my favourite is nagisa, kotomi route was really something else
agreed
Nagisa will always be the "true" love interest for Tomoya, but in my eyes, Kotomi is the best one. Despite oftentimes feeling like a child Tomoya needs to take care of, she's also a genius whom he views as being out of his league. Despite having a tragic backstory and a whole lot of trauma to work through, she's also the funniest lil weirdo you'll ever see and the peak of Clannad's already amazing comedy writing. Her very subtle yet telling facial expressions, her monotone yet somehow expressive voice, her countless bizarre catchphrases and odd mannerisms, Kotomi is the sweetest lil autist ever.
Whatsyour 2000 sub special gonna be and are you super talkative on pateron? Whats your upload schedule btw?
These Clannad videos keep me busy, so I might not do another sub special until we hit a bigger number. When the time comes I'll probably ask you all through the community tab what you'd like to see.
I haven't made any posts on the patreon page yet, but I respond to all the messages I get (which has been about 2 or 3 lol). I'm thinking some day I could have exclusive polls or maybe sneak peaks at future content on patreon.
As for uploads I try to make sure every new video is out within 20 days of the last one, and usually I upload around the 15-17 day mark. Every two-ish weeks
Finally, video on best girl
cant believe how much i cried watching this video
I’m glad to hear that, but also sorry if you didn’t plan on crying today lol
Kotomi is best VN route.
Fuko is best Anime route.
And yet, Kyou is best girl.
It's hard for me to put anything above After Story, but I will 100% agree with you on Kyou
10:21 Hate to be that guy, but the design of playing cards where based of tarrot cards, the numbered cards being minor arcana and the faced ones being most of the major arcana.
As well as the kings representing 4 of the most well known rulers in history.
And yes, i am absolutely a freaking nerd
Huh, that actually makes sense. Thanks for letting me know
@@Totaraum its a fact i myself didnt learn until 2 weeks ago.
I really need to rewatch clannad this year
Man I never realized how hard this route hits until now, it went from one of my least favorites to my top 3
Glad to hear it!
Clannad!
i would never expect a punpun reference in Clannad video
I finished reading it last week and felt like this was a good opportunity to sneak something in
@@Totaraum yes it was perfect place for it there
Also, Hate how even just someone mentioning certain plot points genuinely make me tear up.
But at the same time i love ot cause it always feels like im watching Clannad for the first time again
Tomoya x Nagisa is top ship for me i mean its the whole story , but Kotomi will always be best girl :) only i am partial to Kyou as well
All great choices
You see totarum. Plants are not people and thus, it is permissible to brutalize them and products made from them with zero remorse.
I'm glad to hear that, it looks like I'm safe for now
@@Totaraum I eagerly await kotomi's UA-cam channel which parodies howtobasic only with books instead of eggs.
My ears hurt
I'm sorry, I tried to make it tolerable lol
I commend your efforts but the damage has been done, it’s gonna take like 2 weeks for me to recover. Gun damn !
Why is it calling violin? Because it causes Vio-LENCE. Famous violinist Kaori hits his pianist partner with 🎻-nce.
And Kotomi breaks her entire school's eardrums with 🎻-nce
Oh god, both of their name starts with K.
That means both of them K-can struck K-chord in everyone's heart.
Kotomi would solo the Dragon Ball verse
You know it
𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘮 🙈
THank you for making this video! Kotomi is my favorite Clannad girl, and I am devastated that she was sidelined for others in the anime. I hate the trope in the Japanese media where the childhood friend gets dicked over for someone new and exiting. I think I understand why it is so, but it does not sit right with me.
Yeah, unfortunately the anime has to compromise on stuff like that, they still did the best with what they had though. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!