Ep 1. On the Hillside Path where Cherry Blossoms Flutter

On the Hillside Path where Cherry Blossoms Flutter is the first episode of Clannad, a Japanese anime series that originally aired from 2007 to 2008. The show is set in a fictional city of Japan and follows the story of a high school student named Tomoya Okazaki, who is disillusioned with his life and has no ambition for the future.

The episode starts with Tomoya waking up and getting ready for school. He encounters a girl named Nagisa Furukawa, who has been held back for one year due to poor health. Tomoya notices that Nagisa is trying to read a sign that says "blossom viewing path", but she can't pronounce the words correctly. Tomoya offers to help and the two of them walk to school together.

At school, Tomoya meets his friend Youhei Sunohara who is constantly getting into trouble with the school's disciplinary committee. Tomoya and Sunohara share a strained relationship due to an incident in the past. Tomoya is also introduced to Nagisa's best friend, Ryou Fujibayashi, and her twin sister, Kyou. Ryou is shy and introverted, while Kyou is outgoing and confident.

During class, the students are tasked with writing a play for the school's cultural festival. Nagisa enthusiastically suggests that they write a play together, and Tomoya agrees to help her. Ryou and Kyou, who are also interested in drama, offer their assistance. The group spends the afternoon brainstorming ideas for the play and getting to know each other better.

After school, Tomoya heads home and encounters his father. Their relationship is strained due to his father's neglect and abuse. Tomoya is reminded of the incident that caused his relationship with Sunohara to become strained, and he reflects on his desire to escape from his troubled home life.

The episode concludes with Tomoya walking along the hillside path and admiring the cherry blossom trees. Nagisa joins him, and the two of them sit together and discuss their dreams for the future. Nagisa shares her desire to revive the school's drama club, and Tomoya expresses a desire to help her achieve her goal.

On the Hillside Path where Cherry Blossoms Flutter sets the stage for the rest of the series by introducing the main characters and their motivations. The episode explores themes of friendship, family, and self-discovery. It also establishes the show's cinematography style, which features stunning visuals that capture the beauty of the Japanese countryside. Overall, it's a great start to a heartwarming and emotional story.