Kodomo no omocha Manga review

English: Kodocha: Sana's Stage

Synonyms: Kodocha, Child's Toy

Type: Manga

Volumes: 10

Chapters: 54

Status: Finished

Published: Aug 1994 to Nov 1998

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance, School, Shoujo, Slice of Life

Authors: Obana, Miho (Story & Art)

Serialization: Ribon Magazine

Check out the Anime review here

Wow, Kodocha was the very first manga I ever read with such a great blend of entertainment and romance and well of course to me it's a classic. I find it like no other shoujo manga and in fact, I can't find one with it's 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.  This manga has been made into a lengthy anime of 102 episodes. The manga is very different from the anime. The storylines are different. I think the manga is better with the storyline  and the ending but the anime is still good. I recommend anime too.

The story is about Sana Kurata, a famous child actress, and her relationship with Hayama Akito. At first she hates him because he is a trouble maker and cold, but over the course of the manga their relationship grows into a really deep conection. The story itself is a romantic comedy, with drama mixed in. It moves quickly but nothing feels left out or missing. There are many unexpected twists and turns that make it really exciting. It's really one of the best shoujo stories since it's not in any way a typical shoujo or idol manga. One of the reasons I loved this manga was because it stands out from others of the same genre.

I am a huge fan of art.The art style is very "shoujo" so many characters do infact have the same style of eyes. However, the mangaka did a great job of expressing the emotions of the characters. For a manga of its time the art is very good, and of course the art gets better as the manga progresses.

The characters are what make the story. Each character has a distinctive trait that makes him/her special. Sana is really hyper and says the weirdest things. Hayama is cold, says what's on his mind, and never ever smiles. Tsuyoshi is sweet and a pacifist, until he snaps and throws desks all over the room. Mama, Sana's mother, has crazy hairstyles and a squirell lives in it. I could keep going. However, aside from their quirky personalities, the character development over the manga series is great. No one is perfect, and this manga shows how a lot of the individuals may not be who everyone thinks they are. Sana is also not your typical heroine. She is not a crybaby who relies on her love interest. Instead she is hyper, dense, and always wants to do the right thing. The fact that the characters aren't extreme shoujo stereotypes made the story interesting.

Yeah, if you can't tell by now I really enjoyed this series, There are lots of funny moments that made me laugh. But there are also really series moments that really surprised me! It's hard to put into words exactly why I enjoyed it, but I was not bored a single moment in this manga, even though I had seen the anime beforehand.

Overall: If you're a shoujo fan, you have got to read this manga. It's one of the most unique mangas I've read and it really is a great story. I would like to say that non-shoujo lovers would be able to enjoy it as well, because it's not all "lovey-dovey" like most. The romantic drama is secondary and is defenitely not the main focus. I highly encourage everyone to try it out. 

Say I love you Manga review

Warning: Age restricted since manga contains profanity

Synonyms: Say I Love You, Sukitte Ii na yo

Type: Manga

Volumes: Unknown

Chapters: Unknown

Status: Publishing

Published: Feb 24, 2008 to ?

Genres: Romance, School, Shoujo

Authors: Hazuki, Kanae (Story & Art)

Serialization: Dessert

Check out the anime review here

I have been hearing a lot about this Manga and I finally decided to try it. For people who judged this manga on how it was drawn, don't be mistaken because this manga has really nice elements.

The two main characters are complete opposites, and yet both completely endearing.

I would like to say that if you like Kimi no todoke you will absoulty enjoy this

A girl who's never made friends before and who has given up on people is suddenly befriended by the most charismatic, popular boy in school. Sure, it's very shoujo-ish, but it stands out because it's so well done. Standard "episodes" like The First Kiss and The Overnight Trip and The Interfering Playboy are treated with surprising originality and depth. It's also more mature, but the "smut" isn't gratuitous; it's refreshing reading a manga like this that isn't about the heroine accepting the hero's feelings but about the progression of their very real, romantic relationship. Early on, they start dating, and THAT'S the focus, not on all the obstacles in the way of them starting to date, as often happens (e.g. Hana Yori Dango).

The heroine is adorable--small,untidy, pretty, and awkward at times. The mangaka managed to convey her stubbornness and strength in her appearance. The hero is GORGEOUS. I often complain about male leads just not being good looking enough, but this guy was designed great. He's sparkly (the way only manga guys can be) and while he isn't muscle-bound, the mangaka managed to make him look like a sportsman, not another super-slim pretty boy you often see in these stories.

The hero and heroine are what make me love this story so much. In stories like this, usually the heroine is timid and needs to be coaxed out of her shell. Here, she's unsociable, hot-tempered, and stubborn. She's also very straightforward and insightful when it comes to people. It's refreshing having a strong heroine like her, who isn't just adorable and afraid of people, and who also isn't always putting herself in stupid,embarrassing situations she needs to be rescued from by the hero. The guy I also really like; he's very popular and charming, but also very kind, and his feelings for the girl are in the open from the start.

With regards to this particular, "loner girl" formula. It's got just the right blend of comedy, depth, and smut. I strongly suggest reading the manga if your looking for a warming story that will keep to interested till the very end. They do say nothing ventured nothing gained so pick this one up next time you have the chance.