In addition to the main story and a series of short joke strips, volumes one and two also contain a charming side feature: a left column text piece (first heading: "Obana's Incoherent Babbling") that appears every ten pages or so. In it, the writer/artist cheerfully discusses the influences on her story, her childhood, the anime adaptation of her comic and anything that seemingly strikes her fancy. As translated by Dyer, Obana comes across as giddy and not much older than her audience. I'm betting that there are some readers who flip through the book to read the text pages first - just as early Marvel Comics readers often hit the letters' page to see what their favorite creators had to say.
Tokyopop quotes two critics praising Dyer's work on adapting Obana's text, incidentally: an intriguing aspect to consider, especially given the apparent controversy over Keith Giffen's similar work for the English adaptation of Tokyopop's Battle Royale. Are there purist Kodocha fans as equally put-out by Dyer's puns ("sins" for "sense," for instance) as there seem to be for Royale? I haven't come across any, so perhaps shoujo readers aren't as obsessive-compulsive as shonen manga fans.
On one level, Kodocha isn't all that far removed from American comics like the old Harvey titles (think Richie Rich, with its ultra-wealthy boy hero) or Archie - though neither of those lines would've approved a story that turned on the death of a parent. Maybe this willingness to not coddle its young readers, to deal with plot elements most kids already recognize from books or movies, is part of the key to the shoujo manga's success.
Article comments
1 - Ines Ait
I love the Kodocha series, they are so awsome. I'm at the ninth one and i can't seem to find number ten anywhere, they are probably sold out. i really can't way to read it!
2 - Ines Ait
I love the Kodocha series, they are so awsome. I'm at the ninth one and I can't seem to find number ten anywhere, they are probably sold out. I really can't way to read it!
3 - deedee maro
all the girls in my class are reading kodocha i am on the 7th book there great!:)
look maro!
OO
(..)
(00)
(oo)
4 - Mistix
Kodocha is a wonderful series :) Many, many times while reading in class I have burst into laughter and had people staring at me ("HAYAMA! I'll stay a virgin for you!!!")
XD
If you liked this, i would suggest picking up a copy of Digi Charat (Yes, it looks incredibly girly, but it really isn't - it's not about love and friendship, it's more about money, defeating enemies, eye beams, and selling products with their faces on it). It's really a hilarious, wacky series, despite its appearance.
5 - Mariah Fowler
I have all but # 5 and i'm not sure if i read it..... Has any1 ever laughed when your the only one who read the book and once u tried to explain it they still dont noe wat your talkin about? I always said , " Your wasting my time reading now be quiet pleaz!!!" >..
6 - Mariah Fowler
I have all but # 5 and i'm not sure if i read it..... Has anybody ever laughed when your the only one who read the book and once u tried to explain it they still dont noe wat your talkin about? I always say, " Your wasting my time reading now be quiet pleaz!!!" >.<'
7 - kp
kodocha is sooo great.I LOVE IT ! IT'S FATASTIC ! SANA IS SOOOO LUCKY TO HAVE HAYAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8 - SM
I have 1,2,10 They are all great i never read 3,4,5,6,7,8,9 I read ten i couldnt help myself! Hayama i luv you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
9 - habiba khan
KODOCHA IS THE GREATEST BOOK EVERRR!!!!! sana is Sooooooo luky to have HAYAMA!!!!!!! he's really CUTE!!!!! i wish i could be in that book !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!{L}!!
10 - Sana
I love Kodocha!!!!!!!!!It's sooo good it's amazing! I want to watch the anime but the manga will always be my favorite. I love it, love it, love it!!!!! I read it like 2 years ago but I remember every bit!
11 - Emily
I LOVE KODOCHA OF COURSE THE EPISODE WHERE AKITO KISSES SANA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
12 - liz
I had first read 1 at home it was so cool i have to get the DVDs and see them wow! i saw 1,2,3,4,5,6,and 9 but i cant waite to see 7,8,and 10 i love HAYAMA!!!!!!!!!! he is really CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i wish i could be in that book!!!!!!!!!! "(:"
13 - Liz
Yo this is so COOL!!!!!!!!!!! I wish i have a live story like that!!! i feel like some one like Akito should be in my life and be my BF!!! (: