19 Years Later, One Classic 2000s Anime Has Held Up Better than Any Other from Its Era

Published Jul 18, 2026, 6:30 PM EDT Zach joined the ScreenRant Anime team as a contributor in June 2024, before taking on a Senior Writer role in November. Since then, he has covered breaking news and produced features and lists about the most popular anime titles. Though some anime titles have enjoyed immense success during their initial TV runs, not every smash-hit series has had what it takes to reach classic status. Regardless of how popular or widespread a show may become, it's likely that, unless it truly pushed the envelope in some way or cemented itself in viewers' minds, that show will slowly be forgotten to time. And as the years continue to pass, certain 2000s anime hits are establishing themselves as the timeless classics of their era. One of those is Kyoto Animation's 2007 two-season tear-jerker, Clannad. Based on the visual novel of the same name, Clannad blends a number of genres into a largely slice-of-life narrative that begins with playful, melodramatic high school hijinks, before it transforms into a poignant, hauntingly beautiful tale of young people stumbling their way into adulthood. Clannad will be turning 20 years old next year, and though the series has always been viewed favorably by the anime-watching masses, it appears to be gaining traction with younger viewers who were not in attendance during its first waves of success. And no show is more deserving of a second life than Clannad, which separates itself from its romance-focused peers by boldly following its main couple beyond their school lives. Clannad Is Aging Wonderfully Nearly Two Decades Later The Series Remains Unique After Almost 20 Years Quality should not be unexpected from Kyoto Animation. The illustrious studio, which was the target of a tragic and horrifying arson attack eight years ago this week, has been known throughout its history for consistent, top-notch work, and Clannad is no exception. The show is visually awe-inspiring, especially during its Illusionary World sequences, even if its art style is somewhat dated. Meanwhile, the series' soundtrack, taken largely from the original visual novel OST, is stunning and unforgettable. Beyond aesthetics, however, Clannad has earned its classic status off the back of its storytelling. Following what is a typical for the genre, though wonderfully executed first season, Clannad After Story is a rare instance of a series following its main couple beyond their high school walls. The audience is treated to Tomoya and Nagisa's journeys into adulthood, including both the beauty and turmoil that comes with two young people coming of age and beginning a family of their own. Clannad does not pull any punches in its second act, unafraid to showcase the possible horrors of young adulthood, while also communicating the importance of community and family during particularly difficult times. The series is not free of some of the tropes of its era, though compared to many others in its genre, Clannad has aged gracefully in the near two decades since its premiere, and is a show that remains a worthwhile watch for newer anime fans who may have missed out on its prime. The series is currently available to stream in its entirety on HIDIVE. Clannad Is the Crown Jewel of Kyoto Animation's Impressive Production History Kyoto Animation, which has risen to glory once again in the years since the 2019 tragedy, is one of anime's most important and consistent studios. Beyond its impressive production history, lined with classics of differing genres, the studio has been a frontrunner in creating healthy workspaces for animators and staff, an unfortunate rarity in the anime industry. Of its many classics, however, Clannad remains a step above the rest. It isn't often that viewers will connect more with an anime series as they grow older, but that's what Clannad is able to offer by following its cast throughout a story that spans several years. Nearly two decades on, no 2000s anime has aged quite like Clannad, especially for those who were fortunate enough to experience it during its initial run. Cast Yuichi Nakamura Tomoya Okazaki Creator Key (Video Game) Streaming Service(s) HIDIVE Studio Kyoto Animation