Customer Reviews

KODOCHA: Sana's Stage, Volume 1

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you are thinking of buying this book, don't think anymore! Quit reading my review, and go buy it! If you are not too financially strapped, buy all of the others in the series, or at least a few more, because from the first volume it just gets better.

Okay, if you stuck around for some reason, I will explain to you why you should get Kodocha: Sana's Stage. The standard explanation for the book is that it is about a hyper child actress named Kurata Sana, and her enemy, Hayama Akito. The heading on the back of the manga says, "comedy". I feel this is wrong, though, because Kodomo no Omocha (Child's Toy) is so much more than that.

Kodomo no Omocha is a story about relationships. That's its main focus. Relationships, between Sana and her mother, Sana and her manager, Sana and her friends, and of course, the main one, Sana and Akito. This is the only manga, by the way, that can make me cry and then, on the very next page, make me crack up. If you buy this book, you are making a commitment, because you will become addicted. Also, it goes on a wild roller coaster ride of emotions, particularly in books 9-10, which grow very serious and deal with big issues like depression. Don't be surprised if you find yourself a little down when Sana is, and on the top of the world when she is. It is especially gratifying, and somehow beautiful, to watch Akito grow and emerge with his emotions.

So don't be fooled by anything, not even the covers. This is a brilliant work of art, not just a manga, and in my opinion it is not even comparable to other manga, because it soars above the rest. Buy all ten volumes, and don't expect not to be on the edge of your seat at the end of each one. Even my review cannot do this series justice.

WHY ARE YOU STILL READING??? BUY IT!!!

A good friend of mine first introduced me to the Kodomo no omocha anime back in 2000, and since then I have waited patiently for it to be translated into English. I can read Japanese, but my knowledge of the language mainly deals with formal speech that is hardly used in manga. Anyway this is a very entertaining series about an 11 year old actress named Sana. Sana is a very happy girl, loving life, her mama, her friends, and her gigolo, pimp, Rei. Don't ask you must read this to understand. Sana, however, does have one blemish on her perfect world, and that blemish is Hayama Akito, a mean spirited bully.

Kodocha is a very funny series, but it is also very serious. It tackles many issues, including divorce, death of loved ones, and family turmoil. It is a very good series that should be read by any who are a fan of good manga.

WHoo Hooo! Kodocha is the best manga written!! This is about a girl named Sana, she is a child T.V star living in Japan. If you thought you had it bad in your school just wait 'till you read Kodocha. A bully named Akito is harrassing teachers and students. Sana and her friends haven't done school work in months. Sana finnally gets extremely fed up with what is going on so she tries stopping Akito, and boy is that gonna be hard. First off he has a huge following, or as Sana calls it his "Monkey Group" second off he is extremely strong and not afraid of hurting girls. -Sorry I'm probably revealing a little too much.
Anyways the reason I love Kodocha is becuase the characters are just so darn hilarious. The all have there own kooky traits and personalities so you feel like you actually know them. I also like the drawings. They're not amazing but they're sone with so much detail and personal style so they're fun for the eye. Kodocha takes a very long time to read because there is so much fine print and hilararious background drawings. The beginning of the first book is a little strange and confusing, but so is most manga and anime when you first start it. Over all I love Kodocha but my one problem with it is that the covers are so corny. Do NOT be fooled by the terrible front covers. Kodocha is hilarious for pretty much all ages mabye 11+ You're gonna have to stick with this wonderful characters. All in all there is 10 Kodocha's in Japanese but sadly at this moment (2/24/2003) there is only 5 out in English GRRRRRRRRR. The first one is probably my 3rd favorite of the ones I have read, meanign Kodocha just gets better and better. YAY go out and buy it today:-)
The hilarious side pannels are great also, don't forget to read these.

Kodocha is a wonderful series. This book will hook you from the very beginning that you read it. It's a shame to see that many people have forgotten about this wonderful series recently, but I'm still a die-hard fan of it so, fans who came to find this book, BUY IT! Trust me, it's well worth your money and will get you hooked, so, set some cash aside for the other books which are also brilliant works!
In this book, we meet Sana Kurata. An quirky 11-year-old with a heart of gold and a role in the famous TV series "Kodomo No Omocha". She was just moved to 6th Grade: Class 3 where she meets the one person who will change her life forever - Akito Hayama. At first, Sana pays no attention to him, but one day, decides to take a stand. Then, she find out there is much more to this boy than anyone could have ever guessed.
The book says "Comedy" on the back and I almost laughed when I read that. It's so much more. The entire series tells a story that all people can relate to and learn from - young and old. It talks about relationships, trust, issues that happen in life, and still keeps the reader interested with quirky bits of humor. Though that is what the book says, take it from me, Kodocha is definately NOT your average comedy.

Kodocha (Short for Kodomo No Omocha which means Child's toy) tells the unique story of Sana and her life as a child star, and a student. How ever one person ruins her life daily, Hayama, whom she calls "The Demon". You do not really get to many stories like that, it reminds me of an odd day dream I would have a young child. But its more then that, the characters actully devolop VERY well, and this is only the first volume, Sana and Hayma always remind me of Amuro Rei and Char Aznable from "Mobile Suit Gundam" an there is a real chemistry between this characters, as their relationship changes from rivals, to more friendly terms, its quite interesting to read through. There are also other neat characters, like Sana's "gigilo", that relationship is interesting because when they ask Sana if she knows what a gigolo is she explains how she pays him to spend time with her, Sana's mom is a real interesting character, probably because she has an animal living in her hair. As the book progresses it begins to deal with some serious issues, including things like depression and suicide.

Would I suguest this? Yea, but I do not really suguest getting this for young children, becuase it eventaully deals with issues like depression and suicide.

Kodocha not only has wonderful artwork, but an interesting storyline that drew me in right away. The story is well written and the characters are very realistic, making them somewhat easy to relate to. Throughout the ten volumes, my interest never died out, what with all the cliffhangers and plot twists.

The first couple of volumes, I admit, seemed a little on the goofy and childish side, but this didn't continue as much throughout the series. In fact, Kodocha actually takes a very serious turn, during the last three volumes in particular. Overall, this book is, in my opinion, one of the better series out there, and I'd definitely recommend it to someone else. It has made me both laugh and cry at times, and is a story I love to read over again and again.

This is a great story! It has comedy with a little bit of romance in it! Sana has a reputation that is always happy and still mysteriouse at the same time! Akito also has a reputation of leave me aone. It is just a perfect conflict! I really think you should get it! You won't regret it!

I totally think Kodocha is one of the best manga books I have ever read!! It is amazingly funny, but not so light that it gets boring to read. It combines just the rigt amount of romance and childishness. Throughout the whole series the characters change a lot in the way they act and think. The book is fairly esey to relate to which is so fun! I would like to reccomend this book to people who like Tokyo Mew Mew, Girl Got Game, Ranma 1/2, and Marmalade Boy. I know that you will like the book!!!

kodocha, out of all the other manga out there [ manga = japanese graphic novel // comic book ] is probably on my list of top five. this is an excellent book. not only is it a comedy, but it also has a good plot and a bit of romance. did i fail to mention that this is funny? well ... i lied ... it's hilarious.

the drawings are exceptional, opposed to some other mangas where it literally hurts my eyes, or leaves me confused. miho obana is a great mangaka [ manga drawer ]. buying kodocha is an excellent way to start off a manga collection.

[ ps: even though it may seem kid - ish ... it really isnt. it starts out that way, but then the characters and the plot matures. i highly reccomend this book to romantic comedy fans ]

other mangas you'd like : maramlade boy // fushigi yugi // wild act [ for older teens ] // and kare kano [ his and her circumstances ]

Kodocha was the first manga I ever read, and it got me hooked. It is an awesome and inspiring rollercoaster ride of comedy, romance, comedy, family, comedy, life, comedy, school...and did I meantion comedy? Kodocha is a story about child actress Sana Kurata, a cheerful, optimistic, and all around happy-go-lucky girl. Though her life may seem like any childs dream, it is far from it. Everyday in her sixth grade class, the girls and the teacher are tortured by "demon child" Akito Hayama, and his band of monkeys(as Sana calls them). The first book mostly focuses on Sana's relationship with her 'gigolo' Rei Sagami, and her attempted defeat of Akito through many hilairious and very far-fetched challenges that include bungi-jumping, black-mail, and several others. After the first book, the story mostly focuses on Sana's relationships with Akito, her romantic rivals, her friends, her family, and her own problems. Kodocha is one of few manga stories that can make you cry and laugh at the same time. It is one of the greatest manga series out there.