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こどものおもちゃ [Kodomo no Omocha] #8
Kodocha: Sana's Stage, Vol. 08
Take one young actress used to getting her way, add a handful of ruthless bullies, some humorous twists, and a plastic toy hammer, and you've got the recipe for one crazy story Kodocha follows the antics of Sana, a spoiled 11-year-old TV star, and Hayama, a 6th grade Machiavelli who terrorizes both his teachers and his classmates. In their classroom war of wills, Sana and Hayama find there is more to both of them than meets the eye.
184 pages, Paperback
First published March 13, 1998
2 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
About the author
Miho Obana
45 books114 followersMiho Obana ( 小花美穂, born April 26, 1970) is a shōjo manga artist born in Tokyo, Japan.
She began her manga career as an assistant to Momoko Sakura, creator of Chibi Maruko-chan. She debuted in 1990 with the (one-shot manga) Mado no Mukō, which was published in the autumn 1990 issue of Ribon Bikkuri. Soon, stories from her started appearing in Ribon Original and in the regular Ribon magazine too.
Other notable manga by Miho Obana include Kodomo no Omocha (10 volumes, for which she won the Kodansha Manga Award for shōjo in 1998; the official English title is Kodocha), Partner, (3 volumes) and Andante (3 volumes). Partner is especially noted for its dark, mature, and almost disturbing tone, which is very rare in a Ribon series.
Her most recent manga is Honey Bitter, which has run in Cookie since February 2004. Also in 2004, she made a foray into the world of josei manga, writing several manga for the josei magazine Chorus. She has been on maternity leave for the past year, but will be returning soon, as Honey Bitter is expected to start up again in the Dec. 26 issue of Cookie.
Other works include Mizu no Yakata; a spin-off of Kodocha, Neko no Shima, Pochi, Setsunai ne, and Shiranami no Gensō.
She began her manga career as an assistant to Momoko Sakura, creator of Chibi Maruko-chan. She debuted in 1990 with the (one-shot manga) Mado no Mukō, which was published in the autumn 1990 issue of Ribon Bikkuri. Soon, stories from her started appearing in Ribon Original and in the regular Ribon magazine too.
Other notable manga by Miho Obana include Kodomo no Omocha (10 volumes, for which she won the Kodansha Manga Award for shōjo in 1998; the official English title is Kodocha), Partner, (3 volumes) and Andante (3 volumes). Partner is especially noted for its dark, mature, and almost disturbing tone, which is very rare in a Ribon series.
Her most recent manga is Honey Bitter, which has run in Cookie since February 2004. Also in 2004, she made a foray into the world of josei manga, writing several manga for the josei magazine Chorus. She has been on maternity leave for the past year, but will be returning soon, as Honey Bitter is expected to start up again in the Dec. 26 issue of Cookie.
Other works include Mizu no Yakata; a spin-off of Kodocha, Neko no Shima, Pochi, Setsunai ne, and Shiranami no Gensō.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 15, 2022
This manga-series brings up so many hard themes to ponder over. Simply outstanding story-telling. This story is so ahead of its time. I love Hayama`s redemption arc, i just love his understanding and him being so much self aware of his past deeds like all the bullying he put people through. Also him and Sana finally being together in this volume, aghhhh finally!!! They are the cutest couple ever!
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September 6, 2024
3.5-3.75
Me ha emocionado y todo uf, muy fuerte.
Me ha emocionado y todo uf, muy fuerte.
March 23, 2013
~4-4.5/5
[Also available on my blog.]
I’m getting so close to the end! Urghh…
This volume starts right where the last one left off, with Akito going to find Kazuyuki and Sana worrying about it but going home. Akito searches the forest for quite a while, I’m not sure how long exactly, and eventually finds him. And Kazuyuki looks exhausted, drained, and psychotic. This chapter flashes back and forth between Akito dealing with Kazuyuki and Sana telling the adults that she knows where the two are and worrying about when he’ll get back and if he’ll be okay.
He’s not okay when he gets back. Because Kazuyuki gets crazy and sets up how he and Akito are going to die together, but Akito doesn’t believe he’s strong enough to go through with it, so he goads him, and Kazuyuki runs at him with a knife, but stabs him in the arm and cries, because he is too afraid to do anything more. Akito is hurt, but immediately after getting stabbed, he wraps up the wound and tells the kid that they’re going back home now. It’s a treacherous walk back, but they get there, Akito barely holding on. And when they finally get home and he sees his family and Sana, who are all freaking out, he passes out and is rushed to the emergency room.
Everyone is freaking out as they wait to find out what’s going on with Akito, and whether he’s going to live since he’s bled so much, and the tension is high. Which means it doesn’t help when the police try to question Kazuyuki and his mother gets all defensive and yells and blames Akito. Sana, Fuka, Tsuyoshi, and Aya don’t take kindly to that and yell at her. Afterward, Sana’s mother even goes over to Kazuyuki's mother and tells her that she thinks she’s not a very good parent to her son, who is obviously not doing okay, and is feeling bombarded with pressure from her.
During this, Akito’s heart is slowing down, and his ghost tries to move on, only to be stopped by someone… I’ve decided not to say who, even though it’s not a huge surprise, but in the end he goes back to his body and starts fighting and breathing, and everyone finds out that he’s going to live. Although, the talk with that person and the whole experience seems to have made him feel really guilty about everything that he’s done in the past. I’m not saying he shouldn’t be for some of it, but he shouldn’t feel it so overwhelmingly so.
Oh yea, Sana ditched a live show to stay at the hospital, which Naozumi fills in for at the last minute, but she hears that Akito is going to be okay and makes it for the last half of the show. The producers aren’t happy about it, but neither her or Rei care, as long as Akito is okay. The press is also really curious about it, but Sana avoids saying anything about Akito or a friend, just that it was because of personal reasons.
After that, Sana decides that she doesn’t need to see Akito, as long as he’s okay. But, finally Fuka has a talk with him and they break up, and Sana doesn’t know till Fuka tells her that Akito needs her. Akito’s been having some kind of fit every night, including throwing up, and no one knows why. Also, his hand is paralyzed, because the knife hit some nerves. When Sana hears about this, she doesn’t waste much time getting to the hospital to see him. Which is a very sweet scene, and a little heartbreaking, and I love it.
God, the romance between these two is just perfect. It’s a bit unexpected, seeing as this seems like a kids series at first, but the romance… They are just perfect for each other. That scene, and one later in this volume, really proves it, too. They haven’t really kissed, aside from those surprise attacks earlier in the series, and they don’t get affectionate too often, but that doesn’t matter. Really, all that matter is the look on Akito’s face when he sees her, when you can tell that he needs her right then (and not in a lust way, but in a vulnerable way), and what he says in this volume, how he knows that she’s the one, she’s the one that’s capable of keeping him sane and alive… There’s this line, about how there’s that special someone out there for everyone, and Akito knows that Sana’s that person for him, but the way it’s done in this volume is so… So completely perfect. It’s what dreams are made of, you guys. God, they’re just… It’s all just perfect and I love it all so very much.
For the rest of the volume, Sana has another talk with Fuka, Sana and Akito go say farewell to Kazuyuki, who is now officially Akito’s friend (which is really good and understandable, from what happened between them in this volume) but is moving away, and there’s a cute scene between Akito and Sana, and a nice scene between Akito and his family (where we find out some more about Akito’s mom, which, aww…).
At the end of the volume, it seems like the rousing fight between Akito and his teacher (who is a complete jerk) is finally going to come to a head. Also, there’s mention of a Christmas Eve midway-Birthday party for Sana and Akito (and Fuka, who’s actual birthday is that day).
This series just keeps getting better and better. I am really loving it right now. I like the more serious parts, but there’s also been a lot of really sweet moments and funny ones, which oddly seem to work much better than they did in the beginning (the humor more so than the sweet stuff; the sweet stuff has always been pretty good, just seems to have gotten better). Right now this series, as a whole, is at a very high 4 stars, and might even be leaning higher. I’m really surprised, and really glad.
I’m really looking forward to the next volume, even if it is the last one that I currently own.
Sidenote/Update: in the first chapter of this volume, Obana snuck in three ghostly figures, and I noticed one through my first read, but she mentioned it in one of the side panels, which made me go back and try to find the others. I found two, but it was really bothering me that I couldn’t find the last one. In volume nine, though, she says where they are; I was totally off on where I thought the last one would be. Ugh… I’m glad she said, though, because it was driving me crazy. I was about ready to look it up online.
[Also available on my blog.]
I’m getting so close to the end! Urghh…
This volume starts right where the last one left off, with Akito going to find Kazuyuki and Sana worrying about it but going home. Akito searches the forest for quite a while, I’m not sure how long exactly, and eventually finds him. And Kazuyuki looks exhausted, drained, and psychotic. This chapter flashes back and forth between Akito dealing with Kazuyuki and Sana telling the adults that she knows where the two are and worrying about when he’ll get back and if he’ll be okay.
He’s not okay when he gets back. Because Kazuyuki gets crazy and sets up how he and Akito are going to die together, but Akito doesn’t believe he’s strong enough to go through with it, so he goads him, and Kazuyuki runs at him with a knife, but stabs him in the arm and cries, because he is too afraid to do anything more. Akito is hurt, but immediately after getting stabbed, he wraps up the wound and tells the kid that they’re going back home now. It’s a treacherous walk back, but they get there, Akito barely holding on. And when they finally get home and he sees his family and Sana, who are all freaking out, he passes out and is rushed to the emergency room.
Everyone is freaking out as they wait to find out what’s going on with Akito, and whether he’s going to live since he’s bled so much, and the tension is high. Which means it doesn’t help when the police try to question Kazuyuki and his mother gets all defensive and yells and blames Akito. Sana, Fuka, Tsuyoshi, and Aya don’t take kindly to that and yell at her. Afterward, Sana’s mother even goes over to Kazuyuki's mother and tells her that she thinks she’s not a very good parent to her son, who is obviously not doing okay, and is feeling bombarded with pressure from her.
During this, Akito’s heart is slowing down, and his ghost tries to move on, only to be stopped by someone… I’ve decided not to say who, even though it’s not a huge surprise, but in the end he goes back to his body and starts fighting and breathing, and everyone finds out that he’s going to live. Although, the talk with that person and the whole experience seems to have made him feel really guilty about everything that he’s done in the past. I’m not saying he shouldn’t be for some of it, but he shouldn’t feel it so overwhelmingly so.
Oh yea, Sana ditched a live show to stay at the hospital, which Naozumi fills in for at the last minute, but she hears that Akito is going to be okay and makes it for the last half of the show. The producers aren’t happy about it, but neither her or Rei care, as long as Akito is okay. The press is also really curious about it, but Sana avoids saying anything about Akito or a friend, just that it was because of personal reasons.
After that, Sana decides that she doesn’t need to see Akito, as long as he’s okay. But, finally Fuka has a talk with him and they break up, and Sana doesn’t know till Fuka tells her that Akito needs her. Akito’s been having some kind of fit every night, including throwing up, and no one knows why. Also, his hand is paralyzed, because the knife hit some nerves. When Sana hears about this, she doesn’t waste much time getting to the hospital to see him. Which is a very sweet scene, and a little heartbreaking, and I love it.
God, the romance between these two is just perfect. It’s a bit unexpected, seeing as this seems like a kids series at first, but the romance… They are just perfect for each other. That scene, and one later in this volume, really proves it, too. They haven’t really kissed, aside from those surprise attacks earlier in the series, and they don’t get affectionate too often, but that doesn’t matter. Really, all that matter is the look on Akito’s face when he sees her, when you can tell that he needs her right then (and not in a lust way, but in a vulnerable way), and what he says in this volume, how he knows that she’s the one, she’s the one that’s capable of keeping him sane and alive… There’s this line, about how there’s that special someone out there for everyone, and Akito knows that Sana’s that person for him, but the way it’s done in this volume is so… So completely perfect. It’s what dreams are made of, you guys. God, they’re just… It’s all just perfect and I love it all so very much.
For the rest of the volume, Sana has another talk with Fuka, Sana and Akito go say farewell to Kazuyuki, who is now officially Akito’s friend (which is really good and understandable, from what happened between them in this volume) but is moving away, and there’s a cute scene between Akito and Sana, and a nice scene between Akito and his family (where we find out some more about Akito’s mom, which, aww…).
At the end of the volume, it seems like the rousing fight between Akito and his teacher (who is a complete jerk) is finally going to come to a head. Also, there’s mention of a Christmas Eve midway-Birthday party for Sana and Akito (and Fuka, who’s actual birthday is that day).
This series just keeps getting better and better. I am really loving it right now. I like the more serious parts, but there’s also been a lot of really sweet moments and funny ones, which oddly seem to work much better than they did in the beginning (the humor more so than the sweet stuff; the sweet stuff has always been pretty good, just seems to have gotten better). Right now this series, as a whole, is at a very high 4 stars, and might even be leaning higher. I’m really surprised, and really glad.
I’m really looking forward to the next volume, even if it is the last one that I currently own.
Sidenote/Update: in the first chapter of this volume, Obana snuck in three ghostly figures, and I noticed one through my first read, but she mentioned it in one of the side panels, which made me go back and try to find the others. I found two, but it was really bothering me that I couldn’t find the last one. In volume nine, though, she says where they are; I was totally off on where I thought the last one would be. Ugh… I’m glad she said, though, because it was driving me crazy. I was about ready to look it up online.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2025
this volume was fully insane filled to the brim with drama but I am really happy with all of the development that we got. Both Sana and Akito have grown so much.
Also this is quite accidental, but as someone who has an arm related nerve injury I think Akito has a very fresh attitude about it all. Sana is shocked about how he is going to keep at it with karate, but since it is his passion now he is not going to give it up. and unexpectedly this is really good disability representation. You can adjust things and activities are your own range, you don't have to give them up. that's something I wish I would have know at the age the characters are at. Not the representation I expected, but the one we deserved.
Also this is quite accidental, but as someone who has an arm related nerve injury I think Akito has a very fresh attitude about it all. Sana is shocked about how he is going to keep at it with karate, but since it is his passion now he is not going to give it up. and unexpectedly this is really good disability representation. You can adjust things and activities are your own range, you don't have to give them up. that's something I wish I would have know at the age the characters are at. Not the representation I expected, but the one we deserved.
December 22, 2022
2.8!
wow💀
man, this is kinda ridiculous atp. what the hell happened 😭😭 hayama literally got stabbed, and they’re both having a heart-to-heart after that like no biggie 😭😭💀. not gonna comment on the medical accuracy of this entire thing either LOL but it does help that hayama got plot armor so he can’t die 😼👍. anyone else—RIP.
wow💀
man, this is kinda ridiculous atp. what the hell happened 😭😭 hayama literally got stabbed, and they’re both having a heart-to-heart after that like no biggie 😭😭💀. not gonna comment on the medical accuracy of this entire thing either LOL but it does help that hayama got plot armor so he can’t die 😼👍. anyone else—RIP.
July 8, 2025
Another volume of Kodacha in the bag! While it's more of the usual stuff here there is one bit of departure from the previous seven volumes. The mature drama that always comes once per volume lasted a bit longer here than before. This isn't a bad thing, just an interesting change and given the subject material it was warranted. There was also some great development with the characters too.
September 21, 2021
My favourite manga <3
Also fun fact: I named a character Eric in my book (Ciao, Ambra) after the Italian translation for Akito. I named another Akito in my second book. They were both named after Eric.
Also fun fact: I named a character Eric in my book (Ciao, Ambra) after the Italian translation for Akito. I named another Akito in my second book. They were both named after Eric.
April 23, 2024
Hurt people hurt people. After trauma, people either go against what caused them pain or they continue the cycle and cause pain…
Hayama and Sana are wise beyond their years… but it took so long for Sana to notice her feelings??! Lol
Hayama and Sana are wise beyond their years… but it took so long for Sana to notice her feelings??! Lol
September 24, 2020
那個「發作」啊，我小時候住院時也這樣過耶～
毫無道理，大概只能說是心理因素吧
毫無道理，大概只能說是心理因素吧
December 7, 2020
In questo volume ci sono alcune vicende carine, altre molto discutibili.
July 11, 2024
Suddenly this is super dark Y___Y
January 6, 2025
oh my god oh my god
June 30, 2010
Hayama's classmate, Komori, is about to commit suicide because of him! Everybody's blaming Hayama even though it's not the truth. So Hayama went to go look for Komori and a really bad thing happened. Komori stabbed Hayama's arm and he's losing a lot of blood. He ended up in the hospital with a critical condition.
At that point, Fuuka also realizes that Hayama will only like Sana and not her. So she decided to break up with Hayama, even though she feels really sad about it, she's determined to move on with her life.
The shocking news is that because of the incident with Komori, Hayama's right hand is paralyzed. He's having a hard time at school becaue he has to do everything left-handed. :(
At that point, Fuuka also realizes that Hayama will only like Sana and not her. So she decided to break up with Hayama, even though she feels really sad about it, she's determined to move on with her life.
The shocking news is that because of the incident with Komori, Hayama's right hand is paralyzed. He's having a hard time at school becaue he has to do everything left-handed. :(
January 29, 2012
The same as what I said for Volume 7
I watched the whole anime and I loved it, it's so funny, I've never laughed this much from a tv show or a book before. I just started reading the manga a few months ago, and I love it too. Even though I'm past the age group for this manga and anime by the time I got to it, I still love it, and this is rare that my sisters actually like an anime, they hate animes and mangas, plus I rarely rate anything 5 stars. Also, I usually read and like books that are in the supernatural, fantasy, action, mystery genre, but I just ended up loving this one and I want to buy the anime and manga volumes so much.
This isn't exactly a review this time, it's more like a mini review, a very mini review.
I watched the whole anime and I loved it, it's so funny, I've never laughed this much from a tv show or a book before. I just started reading the manga a few months ago, and I love it too. Even though I'm past the age group for this manga and anime by the time I got to it, I still love it, and this is rare that my sisters actually like an anime, they hate animes and mangas, plus I rarely rate anything 5 stars. Also, I usually read and like books that are in the supernatural, fantasy, action, mystery genre, but I just ended up loving this one and I want to buy the anime and manga volumes so much.
This isn't exactly a review this time, it's more like a mini review, a very mini review.
July 10, 2023
La mia recensione sarà identica per tutti i volumi di questa serie manga.
Sono veramente stupendi, l'anime è identico per moltissimi aspetti, cambia solo verso la fine, dato che almeno in Italia il finale è stato censurato.
Tornando ai volumi devo ammettere che li ho divorati.
Sono molto scorrevoli e pertanto li consiglio veramente tanto!!
L'intreccio che si crea tra Sana, Heric, Charles e Alyssa è un qualcosa di stupendo essendo dedicato principalmente verso un pubblico giovane.
Sono veramente stupendi, l'anime è identico per moltissimi aspetti, cambia solo verso la fine, dato che almeno in Italia il finale è stato censurato.
Tornando ai volumi devo ammettere che li ho divorati.
Sono molto scorrevoli e pertanto li consiglio veramente tanto!!
L'intreccio che si crea tra Sana, Heric, Charles e Alyssa è un qualcosa di stupendo essendo dedicato principalmente verso un pubblico giovane.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2013
I soo loved this manga. I loved the art though it looked pretty much old for today’s generation. I loved the story. I laughed, became sad and even shed one to four drops of tears haha. I really enjoyed it!!
March 4, 2020
Ho pianto come una scema per gran parte della lettura. Questo manga riesce a farmi provare emozioni che non provavo da tempo durante la lettura. Ed è bello rileggerlo per la seconda volta dopo 4 anni di distanza.
Read
August 5, 2011What a cute and funny little series! :D I enjoyed reading this, though I was out of the target age group by the time I got to it.
July 30, 2021
Adoro la mamma di Hayama! Anche il padre è un bel personaggio.
Sempre più drammatico, non me lo ricordavo.
Sempre più drammatico, non me lo ricordavo.
March 15, 2015
Watched the anime loved it
July 19, 2020
羽山也成了願意且可以幫助他人的人，好感動TT
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2014
4.5 stars
This one got a little dark and really emotional, and more character development!
This one got a little dark and really emotional, and more character development!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews