Years later, Clannad is still the epitome of tragic anime in books, but there’s a movie that will make you cry a liter of tears.
Kodoani.com – Appearance, Clannad seems to be a classic tale of youth. The signature art style with exaggerated features and warm colors seems geared towards a casual romantic anime. The story follows Tomoya Okazaki, who gets caught up in the dullness and monotony of life. That is until the guy has a strange encounter with a girl named Nagisa Furukawa, who finds herself in the lonely world after being held back for a year due to a serious illness. As Tomoya grows up to befriend this strange girl, he begins to discover that life may not be as boring as he initially thought.
Years after its release, Clannad is still a well-known name in the anime community, especially for those looking for an anime classic. Since then, very few titles have truly achieved the emotional impact of the famous Clannad, but, traditional cinema might have what fans are looking for. Japanese live-action films can often be overshadowed by the popularity of anime among international audiences. 1 Litre Of Tears is a prime example of a film that hasn’t received as much attention as an anime that conveys a similar theme to Clannad.
Symbolic tragedy in Clannad
There’s a reason why Clannad become synonymous with tragedy-drama and that’s what it hides beneath its peaceful exterior. Each character has their own troubled past, and no matter how they choose to overcome it, it’s still a part of them. What makes Clannad really attract many viewers is its simplicity. Nothing is overly exaggerated, so there’s a sense of poignancy that comes from watching the characters overcome their everyday troubles and grow as a human.
Many viewers believe that the real crux of the tragedy lies in Clannad: After Story, focuses on Tomoya and Nagisa’s lives after high school as they face difficulties in adult life, marriage, and parenthood. Once again, Clannad grounded reality with its simplicity and focused on the characters’ personal struggles and how they relate and interact with the environment.
Introducing 1 Liter of Tears
1 Liter of Tears Based on the true story of fifteen-year-old Aya Kito, who suffers from an incurable neurodegenerative disease that gradually loses her ability to walk, speak, write, and eat. What makes the disease so cruel is the fact that it doesn’t affect the patient’s cognitive abilities, leaving them in a state where their bodies gradually spiral out of control. The film is based on a diary that Aya kept during her illness until she could no longer hold a pen. It offers a heartfelt and bittersweet look into the mind of an ordinary teenage girl as she confronts her debilitating illness.
What makes this movie reminiscent Clannad is how hope alternates with despair. Of course, the fact that it ties into the real life story of an ordinary girl in extraordinary circumstances also adds to the emotional weight. Part of how 1 Litre Of Tears manages to bring out the same emotions as Clannad is its use of symbolism to convey deep themes while still managing to avoid overwhelming the viewer. The addition of a love interest for Aya blends seamlessly into the overall story and provides additional depth to the complex web of relationships.
Chief Clannad and 1 Liter of Tears are all prime examples of shows that successfully use symbolic tools and great storytelling to evoke deep and complex emotions. 1 Litre Of Tears deserves the same recognition as Clannad and should not be hindered by factors such as the popularity of its media form.
Via: Kodoani.com
