Daijoubu

My staff of hundreds work round the clock to procure the finest versions of the latest anime. While I was too impatient to wait for a wide screen version of Clannad 13, I did get a hold of a unique alternative “director’s cut” ultimate edition, which contains the most correct presentation of the episode. Only myself and a handful in Japan have seen this version, and I will now enlighten you all with some highlights!

In a scene deleted from the broadcast version, we learn that Kotomi’s parents are so disturbed by their daughter’s spoiled behavior that they decide to call all of her friends and tell them her party’s canceled. They also tell the maid to take a vacation. This is all done in a misguided attempt to teach the girl a lesson. But the maid reports them for leaving such a young child home alone (although she fails to return, wanting the day off after all, and the overstaffed child welfare office–think Satoko in Higurashi–fail to send anyone to watch the little girl either). Later, learning that they will be arrested for their severe act of child neglect, Kotomi’s parents decide to fake their own deaths to avoid imprisonment!

KOTOMI!!!! Stop right now! Don’t you realize that thesis contains the chemical formula for a wonder drug that can wake Fuuko from her coma!!!

Tomoya is so concerned about Kotomi he doesn’t notice he has entered the wrong yard (the house next to Kotomi’s is identical to hers!). The housewife inside sees a stranger begin working on the garden, but assumes he has been hired by her husband to do yard work. When her husband returns home, he assumes his wife hired the gardener, because she had gotten fed up asking him to do the work outside. The next evening, Kotomi looks out her window and notices her friends working in the neighbor’s yard. Distraught that her friends care more about earning money after school doing yard work than visiting her and tending to her own unkempt garden, she kills herself.

Personal Aside: Every scene I look at with Kyou in it looks like this–the other girls become blurry and indistinct, while Kyou is surrounded by a glow. Could this be love?

The girls have just returned from an ear doctor and they have documented hearing loss in the wake of Kotomi’s concert. An irate Kyou has smashed the violin. This gives Nagisa an idea. They will repair the violin, but use soundless strings. This will spare everyone’s ears. Tomoya, ever the realistic one, points out that Kotomi will notice something is amiss the moment she begins to play. Ryou suggests they hide an mp3 player loaded with violin music and some small speakers in the violin, set to activate whenever Kotomi begins to play. Nagisa feels this won’t work, as Kotomi is no fool. Suddenly Fuuko makes a dramatic appearance and provides a solution! Having read the Emperor’s New Clothes as a child, she tells them to pretend they hear music when Kotomi plays. Kotomi will then just assume she has a hearing problem and will be happy. Having provided the answer, Fuuko disappears. The others are satisfied to have the problem solved, but wonder who the strange girl with the birthday hat is. Not wanting to be stalked, they decide to call the police if she appears again! (btw–Who’s hand is that on Nagisa’s leg?!!!!! Unhand her!)

Oh Kyou, you are glowing even brighter now. It must be because you are in Tsundere mode! I love you Kyou! Please go beat someone up so I can cheer you on!! I know some NICE BOAT scam people…

To cheer Nagisa up, Kyou offers her a dango.

“MUST…RESIST…URGE…TO REACH…INTO…SCREEN…AND…..” Kyou, you fap-inducing tsundere! Let’s take a bus ride together!!!

Tomoya: OK, girls, you can help in the garden, but I would hate for you to get your uniforms covered in dirt. What would your mothers say when you got home! So just strip to your underwear while we do this work. You can take showers in Kotomi’s house before you go home and I will even help scrub you clean!”