The Best Episodes Directed By Naoko Yamada

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   9.4/10(5 votes)

   #1 - White Darkness

   S2:E161/30/2009

   Winter comes and Nagisa enters the final months of her pregnancy, but she becomes sick again. On a snowy day, Nagisa goes into labor two weeks early and her family, unable to transport her to a hospital in time, is forced to have her give birth at home. After an excruciating process, Nagisa successfully gives birth to her daughter, Ushio, but the delivery and her illness combined take their toll on her and Nagisa dies moments after seeing her newborn baby. Tomoya, who has stayed by her side for the entire time, does not take the sudden turn of events well. His dream of raising their daughter together as a family is shattered.

   Director:Naoko Yamada

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Naoko Yamada

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2. 

   8.8/10(5 votes)

   #2 - Small Palms

   S2:E223/13/2009

   The girl in the Illusionary World is dying in the snow, and the robot regrets having her take the journey. The girl can finally hear the robot, and tells him that they once existed in another world. As she hums the tune of "Dango Daikazoku", the Illusionary World starts to collapse. As the robot is swept away, the girl calls him "Papa" and disappears with the world. Back at the hill, Tomoya calls after Nagisa, and she is glad that he did so. Nagisa brings Tomoya through time, and together the voices of the robot and Tomoya note the end of his long journey. Tomoya awakens to Ushio's birth, but this time, Nagisa miraculously survives. After Nagisa watches Tomoya give Ushio her first bath, she and Tomoya see that countless orbs of light are floating throughout the city outside the window. They both sing to Ushio and from then on, Tomoya and Nagisa experience a happy life raising their daughter together, finally free of their cursed fate.

   Director:Naoko Yamada

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Naoko Yamada

   Writer:N/A
3. 

   8.6/10(5 votes)

   #3 - A Season of Beginnings

   S2:E1012/5/2008

   Shortly after his graduation, Tomoya decides to be more independent, and works toward this goal by first taking up a job at the bakery. Meanwhile, Nagisa has begun her new school year, although she makes few friends and her attempt to reestablish the theater club ends in failure. Tomoya eventually moves out of Nagisa's home to a small apartment of his own, while taking up a job as an electrician with Yusuke Yoshino. After his first day of work, Tomoya returns to his home completely exhausted, barely able to stay awake during his dinner with Nagisa.

   Director:Naoko Yamada

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Naoko Yamada

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4. 

   7.8/10(6 votes)

   #4 - Hearts Out of Synch

   S2:E310/17/2008

   Yohei and Sanae go out on a date, accompanied by Mei, Tomoya and Nagisa. During the date the group witnesses a young girl being bullied by some slightly older boys. The scene is resolved by the girls older brother rushing in to help his sister. Mei remembers how Yohei used to be like that, but once he joined the football club he didn't seem to care about her any more. The group then tries to provoke a brotherly response from Yohei, to get him to stand up for his sister; Tomoya pretends to be romantically interested in Mei, but despite being shocked, Yohei doesn't say anything to oppose them. Mei decides to stay a little while longer, as she can't leave things the way that they are.

   Director:Naoko Yamada

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Naoko Yamada

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5. 

   7.7/10(3 votes)

   #5 - The Sigh of Haruhi Suzumiya (1)

   S1:E248/14/2009

   North High School is preparing for the North High Festival. Kyon and Haruhi's class, class 1-5, decides to do some questionnaire. Haruhi does not like that decision and tells Kyon that the SOS Brigade will do something more interesting. She decides to make a movie clip that has Mikuru as the protagonist. One day, after school, Haruhi, Kyon, and Mikuru go to stores in order to get a camera and airsoft guns.

   Director:Naoko Yamada

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Naoko Yamada

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6. 

   7.6/10(5 votes)

   #6 - A Room Without Anyone

   S1:E172/8/2008

   After watching the basketball game, the choir club decides to share Koumura with the drama club, but the student council will not allow it. Nagisa collapses at school and cannot come to school for a few days. During this time, Tomoyo starts waking up Tomoya and Youhei before classes start so they will not be late anymore. Kyou continues to set up situations where Tomoya and Ryou are together, such as eating lunch together. Yukine tries to help Tomoya with a charm book, and he performs a charm to get locked in the gym equipment room with Kyou, which ends up happening. Kyou does not act like her usual self while in the room, and thinks that Tomoya may end up trying to have sex with her. Tomoya undoes the charm and the door is opened by one of Kyou's classmates. Tomoya and Tomoyo start to walk home after school, but a a bunch of gang members are at the school's entrance looking to fight Tomoyo.

   Director:Naoko Yamada

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Naoko Yamada

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7. 

   7.5/10(2 votes)

   #7 - Chartreuse Light

   S1:E510/30/2013

   Mirai isn't allowed to hunt youmu for one month as punishment for going near the Hollow Shadow. Now she must get a part-time job to pay the bills. As Mirai comes out of her shell, perhaps she will heal the hearts of those around her...

   Director:Naoko Yamada

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Naoko Yamada

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8. 

   7.3/10(9 votes)

   #8 - New Dragon, Elma! (She's Finally Appearing, Huh?)

   S1:E83/2/2017

   Kobayashi and Tohru challenge each other to a cook-off to decide who will make a lunchbox for Kanna's field trip, with Tohru ultimately getting disqualified for using an otherworldly fruit for dessert. Later that night, Tohru's rival from an opposing faction, Elma, comes to try and force Tohru to return home, but Tohru puts an abrupt end to their battle. Unable to return to her world, Elma begins working under Kobayashi at her company, prompting some jealousy from Tohru.

   Director:Naoko Yamada

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Naoko Yamada

   Writer:N/A
9. 

   7.0/10(3 votes)

   #9 - The Events of Summer Holidays

   S0:E13/28/2008

   It is now during summer vacation, but despite now having been going out for weeks, both Tomoya and Nagisa are still very nervous about it and have not done much to progress their relationship which comes as a shock to their friends. Mei comes back for another visit and after learning of Tomoya's and Nagisa's current stagnant relationship, decides to be their personal cupid of love in order to advance things along. Mei thinks up a whole plan which Nagisa attempts to follow despite it being very embarrassing for her at times. After Tomoya calls Mei out, she runs away, though Nagisa stops Tomoya from chasing after her. With some time left in the day, Tomoya and Nagisa take a walk together.

   Director:Naoko Yamada

   Writer:N/A

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   Director:Naoko Yamada

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10. 

    5.7/10(3 votes)

    #10 - The Case of the Furuoka Deserted Village Murder

    S1:E96/18/2012

    In search of a conclusion to their movie, the assistant director, the prop master, and the publicist meet with the Classic Lit Club members one at a time to propose their solutions to the unfinished murder mystery.

    Director:Naoko Yamada

    Writer:N/A

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    Director:Naoko Yamada

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11. 

    5.3/10(3 votes)

    #11 - Wild Fire

    S1:E147/23/2012

    The Classic Lit Club cooking team competes against three other teams in the Cooking Club's timed "Wild Fire" competition. However, Mayaka is delayed drawing posters for the Manga Club. Will she be able to finish in time to compete?

    Director:Naoko Yamada

    Writer:N/A

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    Director:Naoko Yamada

    Writer:N/A