Instruct: Given a question, retrieve documents that answer the question.
Query: When was the visual novel Clannad first released?
Clannad(クラナド,Kuranado) is a Japanese visual novel developed by Key and released on April 28, 2004 for Windows PCs. While both of Key's first two previous works, Kanon and Air, had been released first as adult games and then censored for the younger market, Clannad was released with a rating for all ages. It was later ported to the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch consoles. An English version for Windows was released on Steam by Sekai Project in 2015. The story follows the life of Tomoya Okazaki, an average high school student who meets many people in his last year at school, including five girls, and helps resolve their individual problems.
 is an image album for the "Clannad" visual novel, and was first released on December 28, 2003 in Japan by Key Sounds Label bearing the catalog number "KSLA-0009". The album contains one disc with six tracks sung by Riya that sample tunes from background music featured in the "Clannad Original Soundtrack". The album is composed, arranged, and produced by Shinji Orito, Magome Togoshi, Riya, Manyo, and Takumaru.
A third Clannad manga illustrated by Shaa began serialization in the August 2007 issue of ASCII Media Works' Dengeki G's Magazine, published on June 30, 2007.[71] The manga ended serialization in Dengeki G's Magazine in the July 2009 issue, and was serialized in Dengeki G's Festival! Comic between October 26, 2009 and April 28, 2014.[72][73][74] ASCII Media Works published five volumes for Shaa's Clannad manga under their Dengeki Comics imprint between February 27, 2008 and July 26, 2014.[75][76] A fourth manga, titled Clannad: Tomoyo Dearest and illustrated by Yukiko Sumiyoshi, was serialized between February 20 and August 20, 2008 in Fujimi Shobo's Dragon Age Pure magazine.[77][78] The story centers on Tomoyo's arc from the Clannad visual novel.[79] A single volume for Clannad: Tomoyo Dearest was released on October 9, 2008.[80]
 is a piano arrange album with songs taken from the "Clannad" and "" visual novels and arranged into piano versions. It was first released on December 29, 2005 in Japan by Key Sounds Label bearing the catalog number "KSLA-0021". The album contains one disc with ten tracks; the first five songs are from "Clannad" while the last five are from "Tomoyo After". The album is composed, and produced by Jun Maeda, Shinji Orito, Magome Togoshi, and Eufonius; all the tracks are arranged by Ryō Mizutsuki.
Key's third game "Clannad" is a visual novel similar to Key's previous games, but contains no adult content. "Clannad" was meant to be released in 2002, but was delayed, leading to the game finally being released on April 28, 2004. Seven months after "Clannad"'s release, Key released their shortest game, "", on November 29, 2004 with a rating for all ages. "Planetarian", in contrast to Key's past games, is a linear visual novel that does not require the user to make choices during gameplay; this is what is referred to as a kinetic novel. The brand's fifth game is "", an adult game and spin-off to "Clannad" released on November 25, 2005, which expanded on the scenario of the heroine Tomoyo Sakagami from "Clannad". Key released their sixth game, "Little Busters!", on July 27, 2007 with no adult content, but released another version of the game entitled "Little Busters! Ecstasy" on July 25, 2008 with added adult content, story, and visuals.
There are two separate sets of drama CDs based on the Clannad series. The first set, produced by Frontier Works, contains five CDs each focusing on a different heroine in Clannad's story ranging from Nagisa, to Kotomi, Fuko, Kyou, and Tomoyo. The first volume was released in Japan on April 25, 2007 as a limited edition with an extra track added. The second through fifth volumes followed in one month increments between May 25, 2007 and August 24, 2007.[88] The second set, produced by Prototype, contains four CDs; the first was released on July 25, 2007. Volumes two through four were released in one month intervals after that, with the last being released on October 24, 2007.[89] Each CD is based on the stories from the Official Another Story Clannad: Hikari Mimamoru Sakamichi de collection. The artist GotoP, who provided the illustrations for the short stories, also illustrates the drama CD covers.[89] The drama CDs, with text and visuals, are available as downloadable content via Xbox Live and the PlayStation Store when playing the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions of Clannad, respectively.[33][34]
A set of 14 illustrated short stories which added to Clannad's story were serialized between the September 2004 and October 2005 issues of ASCII Media Works' Dengeki G's Magazine.[46][47] Titled Official Another Story Clannad: Hikari Mimamoru Sakamichi de(Official Another Story Clannad 光見守る坂道で,Official Another Story Clannad: On the Hillside Path that Light Watches Over), there were 13 regular chapters and one extra bonus chapter. The installments were written by Key's scenario staff and each story was accompanied by illustrations by Japanese artist GotoP. Two more stories were included when they were collected into a 103-page bound volume released on November 25, 2005.[48]
Hikari Mimamoru Sakamichi de was later re-released via SoftBank 3G and FOMA mobile phones produced by Prototype through VisualArt's Motto starting in January 2008.[49] One chapter was released weekly with the SoftBank 3G releases three weeks behind the version for FOMA phones.[50] Prototype again re-released the short story collection, this time on the PSP in two volumes, each containing eight chapters and including the original art by GotoP. The first volume was released on June 3, 2010 and the second followed on July 15, 2010;[51] the re-release is described by the developers as a "visual sound novel".[52] Prototype released the short story collection as downloadable content on July 6, 2011 for the PS3 version of Clannad.[53] Hikari Mimamoru Sakamichi de was released in two volumes on Android devices: the first volume on November 30, 2011,[54][55] and volume two on April 11, 2012.[56]
After the ending of the 23rd episode of the first Clannad anime series, a 15-second teaser trailer aired promoting a second season titled Clannad After Story. The anime is again animated by Kyoto Animation, and animates the After Story arc from the visual novel, which is a continuation of Nagisa's story, into 24 episodes. The same staff and cast from the first anime were used and the series broadcast in Japan between October 3, 2008 and March 26, 2009.[97][98] Of the 24 episodes, 22 are regular episodes, the 23rd is an extra episode, and the last episode is a summary episode showcasing highlights from the series. The episodes were released on eight DVD compilation volumes between December 3, 2008 and July 1, 2009.[99] The eighth DVD volume came with an additional OVA episode set in an alternate universe from the anime series where Tomoya and Kyou are dating. The OVA episode was previewed on May 24, 2009 to a limited number of people.[100] A BD box set of Clannad After Story was released on April 20, 2011 in Japan with English subtitles.[99][101]
Across the national ranking of bishōjo games in amount sold in Japan, the Clannad limited edition Windows release premiered at number one twice since its release,[121] and the third ranking brought the Windows release down to 46 out of 50.[122] The first two weeks of June 2004 held the final ranking for the original release at 40 out of 50.[123] The Clannad regular edition Windows release premiered at number 26 in the rankings.[124] The next two rankings for the regular edition were at 37 and 41.[125] According to sales information taken from the Japanese Amazon website, the original Windows version of Clannad sold 100,560 copies in 2004.[126] Clannad Full Voice ranked twice in terms of highest selling PC games nationally in Japan, achieving sales rankings of 7 and 20 in February and March 2008, respectively.[127][128] For the week of April 18, 2011, the PlayStation 3 port of Clannad sold 7,466 units.[129] As of April 18, 2011, the console versions of Clannad had sold over 113,000 copies.[130][131] The two-volume PSP editions of Hikari Mimamoru Sakamichi de sold 28,984 copies by the end of 2010.[131] The English release of the Windows version debuted on the Steam charts at number three, above Call of Duty: Black Ops III and Grand Theft Auto V, and just below Fallout 4 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.[26][132]
In 2008, several of Key's visual novels were voted in the Dengeki poll of the ten most tear-inducing games of all time, including Clannad at No. 2, Kanon at No. 4, Air at No. 7, and Little Busters! at No. 10.[37] In 2011, several visual novels were also voted in Famitsu's poll of 20 most tear-inducing games of all time, with Clannad at No. 4, Steins;Gate at No. 6, Air at No. 7, Little Busters! at No. 10, and 428: Shibuya Scramble at No. 14.[38]
The license holding company Sentai Filmworks licensed the Clannad anime series,[102] and ADV Films localized and distributed the television series and the OVA starting with the first half season box set consisting of 12 episodes with English subtitles, Japanese audio, and no English language track, which was released on March 3, 2009.[103] The second half season box set containing the remaining episodes was released on May 5, 2009.[104] Sentai Filmworks licensed the Clannad After Story anime series;[105] Section23 Films localized and distributed both the television series and OVA starting with the first half season box set with English subtitles released on October 20, 2009. The second half box set was released on December 8, 2009. Sentai Filmworks re-released Clannad in a complete collection set on June 15, 2010, which featured an English dub, produced at Seraphim Digital.[106][107] The English dub premiered on March 25, 2010 on the Anime Network.[108] Sentai Filmworks re-released Clannad After Story with an English dub on April 19, 2011,[109] and re-released Clannad on BD in November 2011.[110]
 is an image album for the "Clannad" visual novel, and was first released on December 28, 2004 in Japan by Key Sounds Label bearing the catalog number "KSLA-0015". The album is a follow-up to the earlier released "Sorarado", and contains one disc with four tracks sung by Riya that sample tunes from background music featured in the "Clannad Original Soundtrack". The album is composed, arranged, and produced by Jun Maeda, Magome Togoshi, Manyo, and Takumaru.
A continuation of the first anime series titled Clannad After Story produced by the same staff as with the first series, and containing the same cast of voice actors, adapts the After Story arc from the Clannad visual novel, which is a continuation of Nagisa's scenario. Clannad After Story has 25 episodes, 24 of which aired in Japan between October 2008 and March 2009. The last episode was again released as an OVA on the eighth DVD in July 2009. The episodes were released on eight DVD compilation volumes between December 2008 and July 2009. Sentai Filmworks also licensed Clannad After Story and Section23 Films localized and distributed the television series and OVA starting with the first half season box set with English subtitles released in October 2009.[5] The second half season box set containing the remaining episodes was released in December 2009. Sentai Filmworks re-released Clannad After Story with an English dub on April 19, 2011.[6]
There have also been four sets of manga anthologies produced by different companies and drawn by a multitude of different artists. The first volume of the earliest anthology series, released by Ohzora under the title Clannad, was released in June 2004 under their Twin Heart Comics imprint.[81] Volumes for this series continued to be released until April 2005 with the fifth volume.[82] The second anthology was released in a single volume by Jive on January 25, 2005 titled Clannad Comic Anthology: Another Symphony.[83] The third anthology series was released in two volumes by Ichijinsha on June 25, 2004 and July 24, 2004 under their DNA Media Comics;[84][85] a third special volume was released much later on December 25, 2007.[86] The first volume of the last anthology series, a collection of four-panel comic strips released by Enterbrain under the title Magi-Cu 4-koma Clannad, was released on February 25, 2008 under their MC Comics imprint; the tenth volume in the series was released on August 26, 2009.[87] Each of the anthology series are written and drawn by an average of 20 people per volume.[87]
"Mabinogi" is an arrange album which contains a selection of songs from the visual novel "Clannad", remixed by Hideki Higuchi. This album was released as a bonus item, included with the limited edition first printing of the PC version of the game released on April 28, 2004 by Key Sounds Label bearing the catalog number "KSLA-0010", though this was later corrected to "KSLA-0011". This album was not released for individual sale. Of the nine tracks on the one-disc album, only the first eight were arranged versions of background music found in the game. In 2014, it was re-released through Sekai Project's Kickstarter for the official English translation of the game. It was available as part of the "Clannad" Kickstarter Limited Box, a digital only addition to some tiers, and as a separate digital only Kickstarter add-on.
However, some of these games are later re-released with the addition of erotic scenes, or have a sequel with such. For example, Little Busters! was first released as an all-ages visual novel, but a version with erotic scenes titled Little Busters! Ecstasy came out later, and though Clannad is also all-ages, its spinoff Tomoyo After: It's a Wonderful Life is not.
Key's fifth game, "", was released in 2005 as an adult game and spin-off from "Clannad"; it expanded on the scenario of the heroine Tomoyo Sakagami. Key released their sixth visual novel, "Little Busters!", in 2007 with a rating for all ages. Key's seventh title, "Little Busters! Ecstasy", was an expanded, adult version of "Little Busters!" released in 2008. Key's eighth game, "Kud Wafter", was released in 2010 as an adult game and spin-off from "Little Busters! Ecstasy"; it expanded on the scenario of the heroine Kudryavka Noumi. Key released their ninth game "Rewrite" in 2011 with a rating for all ages. Key released a fan disc of "Rewrite" titled "Rewrite Harvest festa!" in 2012. The first volume in the episodic "Angel Beats!" visual novel was released in 2015. Key released the kinetic novel "Harmonia" in 2016. Key release the visual novel "Summer Pockets" in 2018.
Two Clannad anthology character novels were written by several authors and published by Jive in September and December 2004.[57][58] The first volume of a short story anthology compilation series written by Hiro Akizuki and Mutsuki Misaki titled Clannad.(くらなど。) was released in November 2008 published by Harvest;[59] the third volume was released in October 2009.[60] Three volumes of a short story compilation series by several authors titled Clannad SSS were published by Harvest between June and August 2009. Harvest published a novel titled Clannad Mystery File in August 2010 and another novel titled Clannad: Magic Hour in December 2010.[61]
Clannad is a drama and romance visual novel in which the player assumes the role of Tomoya Okazaki. Much of its gameplay is spent on reading the story's narrative and dialogue. Clannad follows a branching plot line with multiple endings; depending on the decisions that the player makes during the game, the plot will progress in a specific direction.
Clannad was released for Windows on Steam by Sekai Project in English on November 23, 2015.[20][21] In November 2014, Sekai Project used the crowdfunding website Kickstarter to raise funds to produce the English translation of Clannad.[22] After less than 24 hours, the project reached its goal of US$140,000.[23] When the Kickstarter campaign reached its US$320,000 stretch goal, Sekai Project announced that they would also be translating and releasing the Hikari Mimamoru Sakamichi de side stories for Windows.[24] Overall, the Kickstarter campaign raised US$541,161, exceeding all of its stretch goals.[25][26] Hikari Mimamoru Sakamichi de was released on Steam on June 2, 2016.[27]
Key announced in 2001 a release date of 2002[14] for Clannad and, after several postponements, Clannad was released on April 28, 2004 as a limited edition version, playable on a Windows PC as a DVD.[15][16] The limited edition came bundled with the remix album Mabinogi remixing background music tracks featured in the visual novel.[16] The regular edition was released on August 6, 2004;[15] While Clannad originally had no voice acting, Key released a version for Windows titled Clannad Full Voice on February 29, 2008 with full voice acting (except for Tomoya).[15] Clannad Full Voice contained one new CG,[15] and had updated support for Windows Vista PCs.[17] Clannad Full Voice was re-released by Key under the name Clannad on July 31, 2009 in a box set containing five other Key visual novels called Key 10th Memorial Box.[18] An updated version compatible for Windows 7 PCs titled Clannad Memorial Edition was released on May 28, 2010.[15][19]
The Clannad animated television series is based on the visual novel Clannad by the Japanese visual novel brand Key. The episodes, produced by the animation studio Kyoto Animation, are directed by Tatsuya Ishihara, written by Fumihiko Shimo, and features character design by Kazumi Ikeda who based the designs on Itaru Hinoue's original concept. The story follows the main character Tomoya Okazaki, a discontent high school student whose life changes when he meets a girl one year older than he is, named Nagisa Furukawa.
The "Clannad Original Soundtrack", from the visual novel "Clannad", was first released on August 13, 2004 in Japan by Key Sounds Label bearing the catalog numbers "KSLA-0012—0014". The soundtrack contains three discs totaling fifty-six songs composed, arranged, and produced by Jun Maeda, Shinji Orito, and Magome Togoshi. Tracks nine through nineteen on disc three are considered to be bonus tracks. Riya provides vocals for three songs, "Mag Mell", "-Kage Futatsu-", and "Chiisana Tenohira"; Lia provides vocals for the song "Ana".
In the October 2007 issue of Dengeki G's Magazine, poll results for the 50 best bishōjo games were released. Out of 249 titles, Clannad ranked first at 114 votes; in comparison, the second place title, Fate/stay night, got 78 votes.[133] The PlayStation 2 release in 2006 was reviewed by the Japanese video game magazine Famitsu, which gave it an overall score of 26/40 (out of the four individual review scores of 7, 7, 6, and 6).[134] In 2008, Clannad was voted No. 2 in the Dengeki poll of the most emotional games of all time.[135] In 2011, Clannad was voted No. 4 in Famitsu's poll of the most tear-inducing games of all time.[136] In 2014, Sony Computer Entertainment conducted a poll with over 10,000 Japanese fans, where Clannad was voted No. 18 on the "Most Moving Games Over Books and Movies" list.[137]