Kodocha

This review is over the anime and manga Kodocha no Omacha (こどものおもちゃ) which translate to "Child's Toy", but is known simply as Kodocha. It is written by Miho Obana.

Genre: Shoujou, romantic-comedy
Anime: 102 episodes
Manga: 53 chapters


Synopsis:

The main character, Sana Kurata, is an 11-year old actress who lives with her mother, who is an award-winning author. Her life can be considered as perfect. She has an amazing manager/bodyguard, a fun mother, and a great career. The only problem is that her school is a mess! The boys in her class, especially Akito Hayama, are always causing problems and make learning impossible. The story revolves around how Sana eagerly tries to make school better. But doing so, she gets to know Akito more and soon makes new friends.



Main Characters:

Sana Kurata is the main character of this romantic-comedy shoujou manga. She's a loud girl who always has a smile on her face. She is a famous child actress that appears on the show "Child's Toy". Throughout both the manga and anime, her career flourishes. She lives with her mother, a well-known author and her agent/"boyfriend". She's a very nice and friendly girl, though she does often get out her hammer and hits people when she's mad - literally. She wants everything done her way (such as the situation at school), and is determined to make it happen.

Akito Hayama is a troubled classmate of Sana. He often causes problems at school, though he does not directly cause them. He's like the "boss" of the troublemakers at school. He is strong, and quiet at the beginning of the series but becomes more open and loud later on. He doesn't really like Sana in the beginning and just wants her to leave him alone. His family life is unknown at the beginning, but becomes really focused on later on in the series. His best friend is Tsuyoshi Ohki, which is very strange to everyone in the series because Tsuyoshi is like the exact opposite of Akito.



Tsuyoshi Ohki is the best friend of Akito Hayama. He's a smart and cheerful person, kind of the opposite of Akito. He is in love with Sana, even though Akito doesn't really like her. He wears glasses and has black hair [Does he not look like Detective Conan?!]. Even though he appears nice, he does get angry when someone insults his family.

Rei Sagami is Sana's manager, bodyguard, and current "boyfriend". He is probably the one person who cares about Sana more than anyone. He was found as a homeless man that Sana wanted to keep in (just like the stray dogs they own)He is very protective and does anything in his power to make sure Sana is safe and happy. He has blonde hair and always wears sunglasses to hide his "beautiful eyes" (Sana's order).

Misako Kuruta is Sana's mother. She is also a very famous novelist. She is a very creative person, as seen by her outrageous outfits and hair styles each day. She is a wise and strong woman. She usually has a squirrel on top of her head, for some reason. She offers her daughter advice and often tells her to deal with the consequences she causes, and comes off being a bit mean for this. But she means well.



My Review:


This anime is hilarious! I have no idea how to explain this any further..just watch it.

Each character has their funny moments all throughout the show, and there's a whoooole lot of characters I have not mentioned.
I'm not sure how to explain the art, but it's "old"-styled? Like Hamtaro, Detective Conan and Sailor Moon. I really like it though. It isn't too vibrant, but more subtle and plain.
I've only watched the Japanese subbed of the show, and I adored it! The voices are realistic to each character. The 11 year olds sound like 11 year olds, and the adults sound like adults. I just now watched the first episode in English, and it isn't bad, but to me it isn't great. Akito's voice is way too deep and scary.. but I like Rei's voice a lot. Maybe it's that weird effect of liking the first one you watch, then hating the second one.

The opening and endings are nice songs! They suit the anime a lot.
Especially the introduction.. it'll probably be the first thing you see too. It's catchy.


The manga was perfect. I loved it so much! Each chapter either made me experience some kind of emotion. I've laughed and smiled at some parts, and I've even cried at some parts! The art work was nice, especially the covers of each manga volume.

What I disliked about the anime was that it didn't match the manga, and it seemed weird. I just did not enjoy it. The beginning was wonderful though! I really enjoyed the first 50-ish episodes. [SPOILER] But then the whole thing changes compared to the manga! I guess if you read the manga and then watched the anime, you'll understand me.. Heck, if you even watch the anime and read the manga you'll understand! I know it would be lame for an anime and manga to match up completely, but they both just give up entirely different vibes.

Regardless, this anime will make you smile, and so will the manga. I recommend people of any taste of anime/manga to read/watch Kodocha.