The Kodomo No Omocha OVA is a thirty-minute animation video that was made before the TV series. It covers the first volume of the manga, so it's equivalent to TV episodes 1-6. It relates Sana's troubles with Hayama at school as a result of the "oyakodon baka" situation and culminates when Hayama's dad and sister realize their mistakes thanks to Sana's efforts.
The OVA was probably meant for fans of the manga or as a sort of introduction to the manga before the TV series existed. As such, it succeeds to some extent. But the OVA ultimately fails because it covers a lot of the story (and a very important part of it) without allowing itself enough time to properly present and develop the characters. The inevitable result is that you don't really care about what happens to them.
An OVA of this type might work a bit better with a different type of series, since Kodocha's main characters are not easy to "get" right away. For example, the impression you get of Sana from the first TV episode is very different from the one you end up with after watching the next 5, just because you get to know her better by discovering many aspects of her personality. But you don't really get the same experience from the OVA.
As far as character design is concerned, the main characters look pretty different from their TV counterparts. Sana is blonde and Hayama has lighter hair and eyes (and he also seems to always have a blank look in his eyes). Although the design and even the facial expressions might seem odd to fans of the TV series, they are still faithful enough to the style of the manga, especially when it comes to Hayama's earlier appearance. Like other manga artists, Miho Obana's style evolves as time goes on, and the OVA reflects her earlier style while the TV series reflects mostly her style in later part of the manga.
When it comes to voices, I'm not sure the OVA does as much justice to Miho Obana's characters as the TV series. For example, Hayama's voice (done by Megumi Ogata) is less expressive and more monotone than his TV voice. And Sana's voice doesn't give the impression that she's energetic and excitable as much as it gives the impression that she's just annoying.
Because of this, I think that characterization is the weakest point of the OVA -- you'd probably have to try really hard to make me think that the Sana from the manga or TV series could be annoying or lack charisma. That impression of her doesn't just come from her voice; her demeanor and general "aura" seem to lack some of that… well... "Sana-chan-ness" she has about her. It's the same way Hayama lacks that certain sadness and vulnerability he shows sometimes during the earlier part of the story that makes him seem more real and makes you hope Sana can really help him.
So if you're wondering whether you should see the OVA, I say do so only if you're really curious. Just don't expect to like it if you've watched the TV series.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|