Clannad Character Spotlight Challenge: Tomoya Okazaki Part II
Warning: Spoilers for Clannad and Clannad After Story
Well, here it is, the final character review. This has been a whole lot of fun for me, and I hope it has been fun for you all. I started this thing with hopes of getting some advertising for my Clannad Roleplay site (which I, of course, am still happy to answer any questions you have on it), but it kind of grew into it's own separate deal. Also, it's probably been the only thing in a long time that I actually kept to a schedule for in a long time XD. No matter what, every Friday I would get on, write my review, and posts. I'm sad to see that it is at an end, but I'm glad I did. Now every time I discuss Clannad with someone, I reference here so they can get to see it all; the personalities, stories, pictures, etc. Of course, I refer them to the actual series, but they serve as a good summary for those inable to watch it for some reason or want a taste of the series.
I would like to thank all of you who have been commenting on these reviews; that really helps in getting me actually writing. Also, spurred some nice debate and made me think of things I didn't think of before.
So enough of all the thank you's and goodbye's, lets end this, appropriately enough, with....
Tomoya Okazaki (Part II)
Storyline: Now, I'm not going to focus much on the first part of After Story for Tomoya; his big moments is in the last few episodes. For more info on this first part, see the Nagisa Part II review. I do want to point one thing that happens before Nagisa's death, and it's part of a theme that haunts Tomoya throughout After Story; he is afraid of change. The town is changing all around him; the old building at the school is being destroyed, a hospital built on the grove Akio took Nagisa too, etc. With all of this, Tomoya shows a rather anger/depressed feel at the change. He doesn't want it to change. As I mentioned in the Nagisa review, this might be a fear of change resulting from a fear of loosing everything he has; his memories and, as referenced during Ushio's part of After Story, maybe a premonition/superstition/etc. that these changes could cause him to loose his family. The reason for his thought; he thought the town didn't like the changes and was feeling pain. Admittedly, in the early parts this is just a 'feeling', but not more. After Nagisa's death, it sort of becomes a stuck part of his philosophy, among other things.
After Nagisa's death, it would be an understatement to say Tomoya was affected by it. Tomoya was absolutely broken by it. For the next five years, Tomoya basically lived as a robot. The only reason he lived, was because he was alive. He tried to minimize thinking as much as possible. He used money only to waste time; he drank, gambled, smoked. His home was a complete mess, he ignored his daughter, and basically was a shell of a man. In short; he turned exactly into what he believed his father was. To represent this, at this point of time the screen is all gray and dull, just like the screen was at the beginning of the series before he met Nagisa. After all, nothing shows a deep, despair-filled shell of a life like a dark gray color scheme. To make it even worse, he now believed that meeting Nagisa was a mistake, believing that if he had never met her she wouldn't have died. So not only is he in despair about being alone and loosing the love of his life, he also now lives with a belief it all could have been avoided by never meeting her at all (something important that pops up later in After Story).
With this a shell of a life, there seems to be no hope for Tomoya....till Sanae comes to visit one day. Being her usual cheery self, she eventually talks Tomoya into coming out with her 'on a date', to get him outside of the house. They walk around town (by the way, the statue at the train station looks awesome), and eventually they end up at the restaurant that Nagisa worked at. Oddly enough, no one mentions that; you'd have thought Tomoya would have some kind of reaction to being there. Lack of emotional connection inside, Tomoya does seem to be cheering up a little when Sanae reveals her purpose in hanging out with him; asking if he would like to come on a trip with her and Akio. At first Tomoya is hesitant to do so, but with Sanae nagging him (for example, calling and then calling a second afterward) eventually Tomoya agrees to go with her on this trip.
Arriving at the bakery the next day, absolutely no one is around there. He tries to call out for them, but gets no answer. Finding a note on the table, he just pockets it when he gets the feeling someone is watching him. Searching around the house, he eventually finds out that it was Ushio who was spying on him. With this, we all get to see how Ushio has grown up in the last few years. She is a dead ringer for being Nagisa's daughter; other than the lack of the antennae, she is like a chibi-mini version of Nagisa. Now, she is rather shy around her dad, but considering she has had no major interaction with him over the last five years, it is rather understandable. Tomoya, still expecting this trip, decides to stay and basically hang out while waiting for Sanae and "Akii" (as Ushio calls Akio) to show up.
The rest of the episode is basically us getting to see the interaction between Ushio and her dad. When she trips and breaks her toy, he helps her a little (still a little distance; no comforting hugs) and fixes the toy turtle with superglue. Later, she comes in saying it won't work anymore, though that was because she didn't let the glue dry and the wheels stuck. When asked if she would throw it away, she grabs it back and says no. First toy fixed by "Daddy" is probably a very special toy for her after all; it was the first kind act her dad showed her as well (remember, Tomoya has ignored her basically for five years, leaving her with Akio and Sanae to raise). Later they go shopping, where a woman basically tells Tomoya he should be living with Ushio since their family (hmm, subtle hint there Key...), and we also find out that when it comes to rice Ushio can be rather picky with her rice (no pepper in the rice). Sanae and Akio don't show up, so Tomoya has to spend the night and watch Ushio. When they don't show up the next day either (and the only entertainment being Ushio being very informative of her bathroom uses), Tomoya eventually decides to go on the trip alone with Ushio....and Sanae and Akio's evil plans succeed (you know that was the real plan).
This trip is, in terms of importance, probably one of the most important events to occur in all of Clannad. Let's begin at the start of it.
First, on the train, Tomoya eventually snaps at a kid who is being a bother (nagging his mom about something...and I can't say I fault Tomoya on it). This scares off Ushio, who Tomoya finds out is hiding in the bathroom crying. Ushio informs Tomoya that Sanae had taught her that there is only two places where she is to cry, and that one of them is the bathroom. She doesn't tell the other one though because Tomoya interrupts, pointing out the bathroom would be a good place to cry if you didn't want to be seen. Of course, with Tomoya normally avoiding the "men don't cry" stereotype, he mentions to her that in this point in her life, there is nothing wrong about crying when you need to cry and not bottling it all up. To make up for scaring her, at the next stop he buys her a toy robot, though when she is playing with it he doubts she really wanted it. Ushio is adamant that she wanted it, but Tomoya, beating himself up, says to himself that there is no way she is having fun on this trip because she is with her.
At the hotel they stay at, Tomoya has to escort Ushio to the bathroom. On the way back, they look outside at the stars and fireflies, with Ushio looking at Tomoya's face. Eventually, Tomoya gets Ushio to reveal she wanted him to tell him about Mommy, since Sanae had told her he had to be the one to do so. Still basically broken (but getting better with Ushio), he refuses to do so and tells her to just ask Sanae. He heads back to the room, and Ushio is disappointed. Eventually they make it to the small place in the country they were to visit.
There, they find a big field of flowers
(one from the opening actually), and both of them are in awe. In a loving moment, he places Ushio on his shoulders to get a better view. Soon Ushio is romping around in the fields playing and enjoying herself, with Tomoya watching. When he wakes up from a nap, she is sad; she lost the toy robot. Tomoya goes to help her look, but they don't find it. He offers to buy her another on the way back, but she wants that particular robot. Tomoya goes off on a walk, feeling a strange remembrance of the place, and leaves Ushio to keep looking. After going up a flight of outdoor stairs, he runs into his father's mother, who was informed by Sanae he would come. She is there to tell Tomoya about his father, who Tomoya basically feels is one of the big things that ruined his life. His grandmother, however, soon reveals that wasn't the case at all. After Tomoya's mother died, his dad was obviously in pain. Instead of collapsing into complete despair, however, he kept on cause he had to take care of his son (which automatically makes Tomoya feel bad cause he went completely into despair and ignored Ushio). Working multiple jobs, he spent all his money on Tomoya for toys or snacks or whatever it was Tomoya needed. In short; he sacrificed everything (money, happiness, success, etc.) for Tomoya's well being and happiness. He wasn't perfect, but he was a good dad. With this revelation, Tomoya finally forgives his dad and actually considers him a good dad. His grandmother asks him to tell his father that he can now rest and come home.
With a new dedication to wanting to be a better father for Ushio, he returns to find Ushio is still looking for that robot toy. Tomoya tells her again he can get a new one, but Ushio tells him why she wants that one toy; it was the first gift that Daddy gave her. That, of course, would give any kid sentimental value if said dad had ignored them for five years and was now actually in their life. This, of course, is just part of one the biggest tearjerking scenes in Clannad, which I'm going to represent with video cause it deserves it. Get your tissue boxes ready:
Click to view*sniffles with tears*. With this moment, Tomoya and Ushio are fully reunited as father-daughter, and Tomoya will no longer shirk off his responsibilities. Nagisa may still be gone, but now he has a new person to love and protect; his daughter. Yes, he still misses Nagisa, but now he may be able to find happiness anyway instead of living a life like his father did or going into utter despair like he had been for the last few years. In short: Tomoya is getting his act together and moving on. Just to make the scene worse; on the way home on the train, Tomoya agrees to begin telling Ushio about Mommy. He gets through the scene on the hill before he begins to utterly break down, and Ushio and the viewers along with him. Damn, that is some heart-wrenching emotion going on in this scene....
The next two episodes or so serve as a bit of a slowdown from such emotions, giving us instead a look into the life that Tomoya has now made for himself. Still some emotional moments though, like Akio and Sanae discussing on how Ushio helped them move on with Nagisa's death, and Sanae finally able to cry for Nagisa. Of course Tomoya and Ushio spend a little time with the Furukawa's, playing ball (Ushio expect Akii to win....then Tomoya hits a homerun and breaks some windows), but eventually Ushio moves in with Tomoya. They also have to adjust their lives for school and stuff; Tomoya informs Ushio's (temporary) teacher he will be responsible for her now, and even tells some of the moms that as well (hey, they were gossiping a little...). He also gets a small break from work to pick her up and take her home, where she is to stay. Of course, Ushio picks up a habit of sneaking out of the house and wandering down to the hospital...the one that was built on the spot Akio brought Nagisa to a long time ago. Special connection between Ushio and that spot? Might explain the draw.
Fuko also returns, and quickly makes friends with Ushio. And by friends, I mean "wants to kidnap Ushio and take her home to be her little sister because she is completely and utterly adorable." Her and Tomoya get along just about the same way they did back in the Fuko Arc (of course they don't know that; they forgot all that arc). With this new friend in place, it seems everyone's life is getting better. The other person they visit is Tomoya's dad, and they tell him all about their trip and what his mother had said. Tomoya basically let's his dad know he can rest now; he has done his job. His father is grateful, and once they clean the place up and settle their affairs, Ushio sees a Light Orb being absorbed into Tomoya (no one else sees it of course). Yay foreshadowing of Tomoya's collection of Light Orbs ^_^.
Later they get to meet Ushio's real teacher...and guess what? Kyou Fujibayashi's dream of being a kindergartner teacher became true, though she does mess with Tomoya by acting like she doesn't know him. Botan has also grown to a full sized boar, becoming the class pet/playground equipment in the process. As Ushio plays, the two chat about Nagisa and Ushio, who is apparently more active than Nagisa (though the viewer could tell by this point). Knowing Ushio is in safe hands (though I do fear what she tells Ushio about Tomoya XD), Tomoyo heads off to work, and a short daily-life montage occurs. Eventually Fuko comes over to visit, giving us another comedic break as they discuss aliens, cards, trousers, and buttons you shouldn't press. There is a serious moment though as Tomoya imagines Nagisa being there playing cards. And Fuko gets a serious moment when she seems to show some sympathy for Tomoya, though she claims she just wants to come over and play with Ushio. Add in the Akio vs. Tomoya competition for the upcoming Athletic Meet at Ushio's school (and the training montage Tomoya gets), we get a nice relaxing moment of comedy and "Awwww" moments to help us cool down after the trip to the field of flowers. Then Ushio gets sick.....
When I describe After Story, I describe it as a rollercoaster, with
ups, downs, ups, downs, etc. This part, this part I describe as a down so bad it crashes into the ground. Ushio is diagnosed with the same disease that Nagisa had (the fact no one knows what that is is a level of incompetence that makes me mad....maybe I watch too much House? I'd love to see him handle the Furukawas XD), and she obviously is not getting better. Eventually Tomoya has to quit his job to be able to be with her. There is a touching moment as Yusuke and Tomoya trade screwdrivers, a promise of sorts he will come back when Ushio gets better. As the episode moves on, it's obvious she isn't getting any better. She asks about going on another trip, but Tomoya tells her not till she gets better. As time goes on, she just keeps getting worse though, till the point she can't do anything without help. When she gets sick, Ushio gets hit big time.
Sanae and Akio come over one day, and Akio and Tomoya end up going out together to the store and chatting at the hospital. There Tomoya brings up his fear again; that the changing of the town, connected with Nagisa, is causing it pain and is basically causing Nagisa and now Ushio to suffer. Personally, I'm of Akio's opinion; the town doesn't actually care, it's just sort of going "Oh, things are changing". Of course, doesn't explain why it seems Tomoya is doomed to life, but I just don't think the town is trying to "toy" with him as he puts it. His bitterness, however, is understandable since now the two people he declared he would always protect have died/getting worse before his very eyes. Not a great confidence booster for anyone obviously. Though to make things worse, after this, we get signs of Tomoya being sick, such as blurry vision and a little less grace to his movements. Maybe he is right in believing the town is toying with him....
Whatever the case may be, the next scene is just brutal. Tomoya is taking care of Ushio when she asks about the trip again. This time, Tomoya breaks down, and so the two of them begin to pack and head out. In the middle of winter. With a sick kid. My inner medical sense (I'm not wanting to be a doctor, but that's nitpicking) is screaming "YOU'RE AN IDIOT", but they follow through anyway, with Ushio barely able to walk. Tomoya did offer to carry her, but she said no (though again, I think he should have done it anyway >_>). Even after she trips up once they keep going, when it starts to snow. Ushio says she likes the snow and asks Tomoya if he did. For a moment you can see is going to say "no", but he changes his answer to a yes, for Ushio's sake I guess. A no would have made sense though since it was snowing when Nagisa died. Ushio eventually collapses again, but isn't able to get up. As Tomoya cradles her, she thinks she is at the train station, and it is getting dark. Tomoya, crying as he realizes what is happening, comforts her, telling her that is what is happening. With a little "I love you" and a drop of her arm, Ushio is dead. Tomoya breaks down completely, yelling for Nagisa or someone to save Ushio before eventually dying himself out of despair. As we move back into Illusion World territory, Tomoya finds himself standing at the hill again, with Nagisa standing there as well. He believes it best he doesn't call out to her, to avoid the miserable existence that would result from that. Cue....happy bouncing music as the credits role (no offense to Key, but that kind of whiplash in mood is kind of jarring).
This brings us back to a full circle as the first scene of the series repeats itself. This time, however, Tomoya just stands there instead of calling out to Nagisa, in hopes that by never meeting her she won't die and the miserable life he had is avoided. Now, metaphysically speaking, this may be the Light Orbs/Illusion World/etc. giving him the chance to make a choice; does he really feel that way, that life would have been better without Nagisa, or is being with her the thing that would make you truly happy. For a brief, scary moment, Tomoya just stands there, and Nagisa begins to walk off. Before she completely runs off though, Tomoya yells out to her and rushes forward into a loving hug as the color returns. His choice has been made; even with all the pain and hardship it had brought, he can't live without Nagisa. She is glad he chose to be with her, saying she was afraid he didn't want to know her. As the two embrace, the scene is fast forwarded to Ushio's birth. Tomoya is obviously confused as to what just happened (as are many of the viewers probably), but soon moves back into the groove of things as Nagisa survives the birth, and outside the window is a beautiful scene as the Light Orbs come out.
In the ending montage/song, Tomoya has eventually realized....know what, it's the last review. I'm going to spoil you all with a SECOND video XD. It's too good to pass up like this:
But in short, Tomoya has finally come to love the town, and realize the true importance of a loving, caring family and having someone to protect. He also understand the entire town is one loving family; the Dango Daikazoku as Nagisa put it. Technically, there is a scene after this, but in the big scheme of things it isn't important unless you're a Fuko fan and want one last scene. For all intents and purposes though, this is how Clannad ends; with Tomoya getting the happy ending he so really, really, REALLY deserves (for all the crap he's gotten, Key would have to be cruel not to give him a happy ending of sorts).
Summary: What can I say about Tomoya as a character? Well, I've seen all the big Key works: AIR, Kanon, Clannad, and the recently finished Angel Beats. Out of all the leading male protagonist, Tomoya is my favorite; no competition whatsoever. Part of it is cause we see more of him (40+ episodes of Clannad and After Story; 26 for AIR and Kanon, and 13 for Angel Beats). But as a character, I just feel there is a lot more to him, a lot deeper development for him as he goes from a misanthropic, sarcastic, cynical person to a loving, caring, happy, fulfilled life with Nagisa and Ushio. Also, the others all get bittersweet endings (okay, minus Yuuichi, who gets a happy one to a degree); Tomoya is the one who gets a definite happy ending. He's also the one who gets the most crap thrown at him in order to get it to happen, enough crap to get a mystical universal reset button to make it all better. Considering Key loves messing with us in other works, that means something.
And you know, that little paragraph right there actually is about all I can say about Tomoya. There really is nothing else to say that hasn't been said in other reviews before. Tomoya is a wonderful protagonist, goes through massive hardships in the process of the show, and finally gets the happy ending he deserved. His personality is a great mix of funny and tragic, as in one moment he's arguing with Fuko about something and the next breaking down in despair as his daughter dies. We have 46 episodes or so to fall in love with him, and the last episode, as you see him with his family, you get a little pain in your heart, a tear in your eye, and a little tremble in your voice as you basically tell Tomoya "You Deserve It"; you're just that happy to see him get the happy life he wanted. So with that, here's the last ending image of the Clannad Character Spotlight Challenge:
Tomoya And His Well Earned Dango Daikazoku
It was a hard road, but you deserve it Tomoya