I finished both routes, already, but I didn't previously feel like making an entry for either one.  But, now that I have some time, I'll just combine my thoughts on both at the same time.

I really enjoyed the Kotomi route.  She is just such a likeable character in many reguards.  I want my future girlfriend to have her personality.  And she suffers from a tragic past, which contributes to her fractured psyche.  Although, one thing I noticed about the route that was different from the anime was that they actually did not have many references to God in the show, and yet there were a few instances in the game that kind of took me by surprise.  

Things like Kotomi trying to get Tomoya to read the Old Testament was interesting to me, with what she had to say about it (which was actually handled with some degree of respect, as opposed to what you'd find in America).  She mentioned how it's an adored book all around the world, having been translated in many languages, and that her favorite story was Noah's Ark (which, to me, is a rather strange and interesting choice, but whatever).  But specifically stated that it was such an amazing Book that while even scholars would read it with fervency, it can even be understood by a small child.  So, I enjoyed that, and if I had the chance to sit down with this fictional character, I'd specifically ask if she picked up the underlying message (the "velvet thread", as it were) in the historical accounts.

I also noticed that her parents, the scholars, weren't precisely string theorists like many fans of the show believed.  I recall a specific line from an anime that was expounded upon in the game.

"Those who pursue truth must not be arrogant. Just because it can't be proven scientifically, you must not laugh at miracles. You must not deny your eyes the beauty of this world."

Once he said that, he mentioned something about the world being made of harps, or something like that, and that's how Kotomi got her name.  I'm kind of fuzzy on the details from that part.  And in the anime, after that interesting bit of info, the conversation shifts.  But in the game, her Dad mentions something quite straight and to the point.  I believe Kotomi asks why the world is like that.  And what is his answer?

"I believe it's God".

That particular line is what got me.  They didn't mention that in the show, and it disappoints me.  That's why Kotomi made that promise to God about being a good girl in the first place at a pivotal point in her story, and yet... it's just somewhat confusing in the show when she mentions the promise.  I don't know, I guess it can still be understood, but it loses some of its impact.

And the previous statement REALLY got me.  It sounds like he's positing an argument from design, which is something I believe wholeheartedly.  The specific parts of his statement is also quite revealing, and it's almost like Kyoto Animation is making a statement against the so-called "scientists" today.  Let me explain: 

"Those who pursue the truth must not be arrogant".  This is exactly the type of thing happening with leading atheists like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, who simply mock the very idea of God, and, if I may say, are quite arrogant in their claims.  They almost say that people shouldn't even challenge what they have said, and any opponents should just shut up (because their opponents are so OBVIOUSLY biased and closed-minded).

"Just because it can't be proven scientifically, you must not laugh at miracles".  Again, this is exactly what we're dealing with in the world today.  Scientists will simply not allow for a divine "foot in the door", as it is.  Their presuppositions automatically assume that there is no chance whatsoever for something miraculous to happen, so that's how they interpret everything they come across.  I believe, and many will agree, that presuppositions are something that should be set aside when interpreting evidence in the way that it is, rather than forcing our presuppositions on the evidence in order to interpret it in the way we want it to be interpreted.  It's the same thing with exogesis and eisogesis, but that's another topic entirely.

"You must not deny your eyes the beauty of this world" This, again, is an acceptable argument from design.  But nowadays, scientists are trying to completely downplay the sheer inestimable complexity of the world we live in today.  This truly is a beautiful world, make no mistake about it.  And yet scientists are trying to make this world seem "normal" and "routine".  And I have to ask, WHAT is normal and routine about this world?  This is a world with so many mysteries that it'd be impossible to solve even a fraction of them!  Science can surely explain the process of how a seed becomes a tree, but it can't answer WHY it happens.  There is simply no naturalistic reason behind why a seed can grow into a tree!  And yet, it happens!  That's just one, single example.  We also have no natural explanation as to why the universe obeys certain laws, either.  Do you want to realize how small your existence is compared to this beautiful world and universe we live in?  Just read The Book of Job, Chapters 38, 39, and 40.  Maybe you'll gain an understanding as to how amazing this world is that we live in.

That was kind of a tangeant... I didn't know I could look this deeply into something from a computer game.

Anyway, as for the Fuko route, it was nice, I guess.  It had the signature humor that was in the anime, but some funny jokes were left out of the show, obviously due to time issues and whatnot.  It was a cute story, and I enjoyed the true ending.

I feel so strange talking about Fuko's route after giving such a lengthy commentary on a certain part of Kotomi's route... xD

I actually spent a good half hour on some preliminary work on the novel series I'd like to make.  Yes, I believe I'm actually going to write this thing.  I had such great inspiration last night and earlier today as to one of the big story elements I'd like to implement.  I think I'd like to create that particular scene I envisioned in my mind as a test chapter, since it's such an emotionally gripping moment, and if I do well enough with that, I know I'm able to write somewhat coherently.  It'll be great, but I don't know who I'd make it available to.  I guess I could put it up as a download in this journal for anyone to come by and read, as long as they comment on it after they finish.  It'll be awhile before I can get that done, I'm pretty sure, however.  Unless I surprise myself and actually come up with good names for the characters.  Considering that it is going to be illustrated with anime-styled artwork (once I find an artist, of course), I'll just go with Japanese names.  Just a stylistic choice on my part, and I'm not one of those fans who insist that Japan is the end-all, be-all awesome country.  I prefer America, thank you.  And English, of course.

...What was I doing, again?

Oh yeah, so, I'll make a test chapter available when I'm finished, for critiquing and whatnot.  Look forward to that.

I got an opportunity to view a screening of a horror movie, today.  It was one of those test screening deals where the filmmakers allow an audience to watch a movie that is still in development in order to get data in order to make the movie better.  I filled out a questionaire and everything, it was neat.  The movie was decent, but there was far too much cursing and blasphemy, and I really hate that sort of thing (I even mentioned it on the comments section, so maybe they'll take heed).  I took Ben, Jay, and Bronson, and I was going to take Steven, but he bowed out at the last minute in order to finish homework, so that was pretty sad.  It was kind of funny when we got there, though, since the movie theater wouldn't let anybody inside for almost an hour AFTER we arrived there, so we ended up buying chips and salsa from a nearby Mexican restaurant and just snacked and talked during that time on the tailgate of Bronson's truck.  It was a fantastic bonding moment. :3

I can't get over how awesome this Dragonball CD is.  It's my first Japanese CD purchase, and I'm so content with the songs on this album.  I've listened to the album at least once today, and I'm relistening to it right now.  I really like the remastered songs, specifically "CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA", "We Gotta Power!", "Hikari no Tabi", "HERO", and especially "Kimi no Sora e".  They are just adorable songs.

I'm going to be taking piano lessons pretty soon, hopefully.  I started playing around on the keyboard a couple days ago, and I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner.  I really, really like the piano, and it's the one instrument that I could see myself playing as a hobby.  I can already somewhat play Nagisa's Theme from Clannad, as well as part of the Super Mario Bros. World 1-1 song, and the Twoson Theme from Earthbound, and the first group of notes from the Forest level in Super Mario RPG.  And some other various parts of other songs.  And it's fun!  I want to mainly play video game music, but I'm good with anything, really.  I just want to be "that guy", the person who is able to play the piano at a party that is housed in a place that has a piano.  I think it'd be neat.  I can kinda read sheet music, though I have to study it beforehand before I can actually play anything.  I need to read it better, as well as learn finger placement and work on my timing, although timing won't really be a problem with songs I know.

I'm going to be a piano man. :3