Kodomo no Omocha

This might sound a bit unusual, but this was the very first manga series I ever encountered, way back in 2006 (or so I believe).

I say unusual because: 1) The series was going out of print at that time, and 2) Nobody knew about it except for the friend who introduced me to it (and I am forever grateful).

Anyway, Kodocha is a unique shoujo manga. Why? Here’s the breakdown:

1) It was penned by the eccentric yet hilarious Miho Obana. In one of the printed volumes, she mentions how each character is an extension of herself. Considering the cast, her true nature becomes quite apparent. Not only does she infuse the manga with plenty of humor, but she also adds a dark edge by incorporating themes such as underage pregnancy, suicide, death, and depression.

2) This manga features 6th-grade elementary school students who eventually grow up and move on to middle school, marking the beginning of the second half of the story.

Yes, this is a shoujo manga that portrays love between two elementary/middle school students. It sounds unbelievable, but it is executed remarkably well. Their romance feels more genuine and heartfelt than many depictions of high school romance in other manga.

3) Sana and Akito. Seriously, individually they are awesome, but together, they have the ability to make my heart swell with happiness. Their personalities, though clashing at times, complement each other and bring out the best in each other.

Some may find them annoying, especially in the second half due to all the unsaid feelings and misunderstandings (which may seem like a lot but really isn’t), but I feel their actions were justified in one way or another.

4) The artwork has a nice old-school vibe. When reading Kodocha for the first time, I immediately fell in love with how the characters were drawn. Particularly, I was drawn to their eyes—so sparkly!

If nothing else, don’t overlook this manga. Give it a try, or at least plan to read it in the future. You just might be surprised.

Thanks for reading!

P.S. If you're interested, there is an anime adaptation of this manga that spans 102 episodes. It's enjoyable, but I recommend reading the manga first and then watching the anime because the manga is way better. The anime should be seen as additional material to satisfy your Kodocha cravings.

I picked up Kodocha some time ago after hearing numerous praises for the series. I can happily say it did not disappoint!

Story: (8)
The story centers on Sana, a successful child actor, and her evolving relationship with her classmate, Akito. The initial part is fairly typical, with Sana hating Akito and their constant bickering over each other's attitudes. The beginning is the most surrealistic part of the manga, portraying an elementary classroom completely dominated by a group of boys, which isn't exactly normal. However, as the story progresses, it becomes more realistic, and the bond between Akito and Sana deepens. My main complaint about the storyline is the last arc, where the conflict arises from something I find rather silly, seeming like the mangaka's attempt to add one more volume. Overall, though, it’s very good.

Art: (7)
The art was decent but not outstanding. Backgrounds were often plain, and sometimes it felt like the mangaka didn’t put much effort into adding details. Characters had stick-thin limbs, and some looked quite similar to each other. However, while lacking in overall detail, the art excels in character expressions. Obana Miho clearly knows how to draw expressive faces.

Character: (8)
While some supporting characters were stereotypical, the main cast stands out and avoids annoying stereotypes. Sana, our protagonist, is outgoing and has a strong personality. Akito is socially awkward and far from the ideal romantic lead. Other characters like Sana’s mom, Tsuyoshi-kun, Rei, and Kamura have unique traits that set them apart. They are given substantial background stories and development.

Enjoyment: (9)
The chapters seemed to fly by as I read them! Except for the last arc, which slightly annoyed me, every other chapter was an enjoyable journey through Sana’s life.

Overall: (8)
Honestly, the fact that the main couple were kids made everything more enjoyable. It steered away from the typical teenage romance to a more innocent and awkward journey into a relationship. Kodocha is a cute story of two kids, but not so childish that older audiences can’t enjoy it.

I truly enjoyed reading this series. However, what really frustrates me is the inconsistent maturity of the characters. At times, they take responsibility seriously, while at other moments, they remain completely silent. The character development is significant and almost hard to believe, but I suppose that's acceptable. The manga is filled with unexpected, idiotic jokes in surprising places that will definitely make you laugh. There are also considerable time jumps throughout the story. The manga began when the characters were in 6th grade, and now they are in middle school. Sometimes events unfold over just a day or two, while in other instances, 2 to 3 months pass by with hardly anything happening.

It begins remarkably well in the first two or three volumes. Utilizing childish language and a cutesy demeanor, it manages to convey serious adult issues such as physical abuse within families, rape, pregnancy, and blame. The story starts off strong with two characters meeting and discovering how little they know about each other.

Initially, it didn't feel like I was reading a typical shoujo manga, but then things changed. Love triangles and even love squares emerged. What started as two distinct individuals and their friends turned into complicated romantic entanglements: one girl for the main character and another child actor vying for his attention.

The series began as an engaging romance that evolved into a family drama. However, it soon became bogged down by excessive love triangles, dramatic misunderstandings, and unnecessary plot twists. For instance, the girl nearly breaks her leg, and her love interest believes gossip from a tabloid that she's dating her co-star. How could she call him in the 90s, before cell phones were common? Pay phones were notoriously unreliable.

The story dragged on longer than necessary, and I couldn't bring myself to continue. While I love shoujo manga, this particular series just wasn't for me.

Kodocha excels in blending wit and emotion, doing justice to the romantic comedy genre. The balance between light-hearted moments and more serious themes is well-executed, making it enjoyable without being overly depressing.

Story: 10
Sana, the protagonist, is a child actress, which might initially seem unrealistic. However, instead of getting bogged down by typical idol-centric plots, the story primarily focuses on Sana's life outside the entertainment world, particularly in her classroom. Her acting career occasionally intersects with her school life, offering a realistic portrayal of the challenges she faces balancing both worlds. The central themes revolve around children growing up too fast and romance. Sana and Akito’s love-hate relationship is a joy to follow, as their feelings develop naturally and humorously. Their 'spats' are equally entertaining. Additionally, the series delves into Akito's troubled past and Sana's own complicated history, showing how they navigate maturity while still retaining elements of their youth. The title "Child's Play" aptly captures this essence.

Art: 8
The artwork is standard for shoujo manga—neither exceptional nor off-putting. It avoids exaggerated body proportions and excessive stylization, maintaining a balance that keeps the story grounded and relatable.

Characters: 9
Sana and Akito are not only an excellent couple but also compelling individual characters. While side characters have their own subplots, none match the depth and development of the two leads. Sana’s mother adds an extra layer of humor with her quirky personality.

Enjoyment: 10
Kodocha is funny and charming, striking a perfect balance between realism and over-the-top scenarios within the romantic comedy genre. It never becomes too serious or ridiculous, consistently delivering great entertainment for fans of the genre.

Overall: 10
With just 10 volumes, Kodocha manages to pack in character growth and plot development without ever becoming dull or dragging on. There are no unnecessary arcs, ensuring that every part of the story contributes to its overall appeal. It remains fresh and engaging throughout.

Wow, where do I even begin with this one? It was strange, yet beautiful. There were many unexpected moments. I experienced pure excitement, jumping out in the air, ecstatic about their development. This is a romance, and you should keep that in mind when starting it. That's the main reason I began this one too. I never thought I'd be so glad to see young kids in love and growing up together. But the theme goes beyond just that. Though they are kids, life treats them as adults. Good and bad things happen. Some characters make mistakes, while others prove themselves to be incredibly supportive. Honestly, my heart trembled during their bad moments and leaped with joy during the good ones.

You can't go wrong with these old romance stories because they show life as it really is. The setting felt very real, like there could be real kids or young adults out there going through this. All I can say to them is, "Fight on, and never forget, numbers mean strength." What this manga portrays perfectly is that none of us can make it alone. Sure, some might last longer than others, but eventually, everyone needs help. If manga and life have taught me anything, it's that when it gets too hard, ask for help. Maybe out of 100 people, 99 won't be able to help, but surely one will say, "Sure, how can I help?" And never forget that.

Judging by the release year, you can't call it cliché. This was even before that term applied to manga. So yes, I very much enjoyed it. The art style made the characters feel alive; I found myself almost crying at times. You can feel their emotions, which is no easy feat. Bravo to the artist who drew it all. For the writer, if it wasn't the mangaka, then well done, sir. If it was him, then you are a splendid author and human being for bringing such a gem to the public.

I could ramble on more, but you need to read it yourself. You'll find yourself wanting to talk about it endlessly. It's just that good. Thank you for reading this gem of a story and this review. May we meet again one day. Good luck in life, stay safe, and never forget that the day always comes after the night. For now, dear reader, farewell.

Wow, Kodocha was the very first manga I ever read, and to me, it's a classic. I find it unlike any other shoujo manga, and in fact, I can't find one with its type of humor! You'll laugh at some of the ridiculous things the characters say or do, and you'll feel the pain and agony each one faces, big or small.

The story starts with 12-year-old Sana Kurata, a soon-to-be big TV star who goes through ordinary girl problems that any girl faces—if you call "facing-her-classroom-of-crazy-monkey-boys" normal. They ruin class for the girls, and there Sana meets her arch-nemesis Akito Hayama. With that being said, these two hit it off like a battle to the death! (Not really, lol, but it's funny how they settle things.) And of course, once they set their differences aside and go through thick and thin together, they find themselves to be the closest of friends, then one of them starts to have feelings for the other. (Hmm, guess who?)

The comedy and romance are a great mix between the two in this manga, especially one that deals with young kids. Despite their age, you can feel the sweet and innocent love and really sense the awareness each one gets when they learn the ways of love. It's not easy for these two. (So much happens...) And the drama isn't overwhelming, though there will be times when it seems like it. It only shows that no matter how young you are, there will be times when you feel like a child again in an adult-like situation, and you have to face it head-on.

To sum everything up, the story is a 9. Though it seems very childish at first, the story really picks up as the characters grow, and it's interesting and enjoyable to read. No fillers or anything. The art is a 9 since most can seem to find this type of style, but either way, the author does a great job depicting each character with her own style that you'll just love. It matches the story completely. Characters I give a 10, as they're very lovable and unique to me. You can't help but cheer them on and see them as great characters. Enjoyment and overall view are a 10, as this was the very first thing I ever read. (Not superhero comics sadly, lol) But I hope this manga finds its way to your "mangas-to-read list" and that you too will find something great about it. I know I do.

Thanks for reading!

If you read the manga, then watch the anime, you'll find that the anime is really extremely different!!! Lol, but don't let that stop you from watching it because it's still funny and enjoyable to watch. In fact, maybe more humorous? Either way, I liked it. Check it out!