Looking back, Clannad was my very first anime watched in its un-dubbed form (Dragonball Z and Pokémon were earlier but they were dubbed).  After watching the first season and started watching the second season and couldn’t carry on watching after the 16 episode of ~After Story~. Only as soon as the final episode was released, I returned to watch them all in one go. There was some debate of the ending as the film was released before the series ~After Story~. Pessimists believed the film ending, while others had a more positive view for the series. I believed that the glass is half-full and it would be blissful conclusion. *SPOILER ALERT!!!* >>>

The final episode of Clannad ~After Story~ returns to episode 16, but down a different path. Nagisa survives and both she and Tomoya raise Ushio together[click here to see scene]. This song, Chiisana Tenohira (translated as “The Palm of a Tiny Hand”; good song title imo) is played during the accelerated life of them raising Ushio, with them finally taking a trip to visit Tomoya’s grandmother. This is one epic song and would just bring a tear to someone’s eye. Riya nails this song perfectly; giving the song meaning and an emotional standing ovation.

Also what makes it so difficult is that this song is hard to get on CD; found the 3CD soundtrack, however at $80 (£50) it is a bit steep. Nevertheless, this is an absolutely brilliant song so enjoy. If you like, here is the same song, but sung by Lia (Not as epic as the original but still up there as an excellent cover by Lia).

13. Mitsu no Yoake by Arai Akino

12. Counter Identity by Unison Square Garden
11. Long Kiss Good Bye by HALCALI
10. Ana by Lia
9. Sky by Fripside
8. Ao-Iconoclast by KOTOKO
7. Help!! -Heaven- & -Hell- Sides by Ayana Taketatsu & Saori Hayami
6. Be As One by W-inds
5. 99% by BOWL
4. Summer Song by YUI
3. Smile -You & Me- by Elisa
2. COLORS by FLOW
1. Zankoku na Tenshi no THESE by Yoko Takahashi