For the next week I would like to have a discussion about the manga that focuses on the key elements that we here on MAL use to critically rate a manga: Art, Characters, Story, and Enjoyment.
I would like everyone to approach this thread as if you were going to write a review and structure your initial post like this:
Art - insert rating
Characters - insert rating
Story - insert rating
Enjoyment - insert rating
Art - discuss any pros and cons of the art styling used in the series, try to include some specifics.
Character - describe any of the things you liked or didn't care for in regards to specific characters in the series
etc...
If you are having trouble writing up a review or coming up with specific pros and cons, please don't worry. Just do the best you can with it and if you can only write two or three sentences about any of the 4 elements then that's OK. Not everyone here is currently at a level which will allow them to articulate their thoughts and opinions.
After your initial post is made you can feel free to civilly discuss issues of contention. I am sure there will be many opinions expressed here that some of us will disagree upon and criticise and it is for that reason that this entire club exists. So I hope everyone has fun and I am really looking forward to seeing how this discussion will develop.
*Since this manga has made the cut-off percentage-wise but has failed to gather enough votes, it is now once more available for nomination due to rule changes. (August 2011)
RESULTS OF THE YOU DECIDE POLL
Kodomo no Omocha passed, but failed to meet the minimum voting requirements:
8 Yes - 80.0%
2 No - 20.0%
62 Don't know this manga - 86.1% of the total number polled
0 Abstained - 0.0% of the total number polled
On 03/25/11 Kodoma no Omocha will be voted on for a second time
This is one of my favorite manga, out of shoujo and nonshoujo works. I was a huge fan of the anime in middle school, but really the anime has half the serious elements that the manga does.
The manga starts off silly and random, with some thrown in shoujo cliches, but it also focuses on Sana and Hayama as people and how they grow up with all their ~really dramatic~ situations. It's a lovestory for sure, but it lacks the indesiciveness that most shoujo series love, and sana makes a really likeable lead, and hayama is a likeable male role as well. Even now, after reading -so much- shoujo stories, kodocha is one of those that still has a unique execution of the storyline and does not end up being as generic as it definitely could have been.
Also, my review for the manga is under the spoiler.
Story: So 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 connection. 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 it was because it stands out from others of the same genre.
Art: I am a huge fan of Miho Obana's art. Her art style is very "shoujo" so many characters do in fact have the same style of eyes--which even becomes a joke in the story at some point. However, she does a great job of expressing the emotions of the characters. I am bothered by the lack of definition in arms and legs (they're just like sticks), but that's not really unusual for the style, also they aren't adults so it makes sense. For a manga of its time the art is very good, and of course the art gets better as the manga progresses, well.. a little bit.
Character: 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 squirrel lives in it. I could keep going. However, aside from their quirky personalities, the character development overqll 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 stereotypes made the story interesting.
Enjoyment: 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 to some extent and is not the main focus. I highly encourage everyone to try it out. show less
Honestly, with all the "shoujo-hate" in this club (lack of females, possibly?) I don't expect this series to stand a chance. But I think it deserves a spot (moreso than *gasp* hanadan)