One thing that never fails to amaze me is how much controversy one little bit of media can garner. Be it a film showing off glorified brutality and violence for shock value or even a simple book too radical for its time, it's always astonishing to me to see something face such outright hatred for being anything less than politically correct. So is the case with the 2007 anime series Kodomo no Jikan. While a relatively unknown title, it has sparked a fair bit of controversy and not without good reason.
Based on the, manga of the same name, Kodomo no Jikan centres on Aoki Daisuke, a 23 year old starting his first year of teaching at an elementary school. All seems mostly normal save a small group of students, Mimi Usa, Kuro Kagami and the star of the show, Rin Kokonoe, a nine year old girl who introduces herself by declaring she is now Aoki's girlfriend in the middle of class. As the day continues, she only becomes more and more aggressive with explicit and perverted comments towards Aoki, from writing disturbing sexualised messages to him to performing what is referred to as "finger fellatio" on him all within the first day. And so begins Kodomo no Jikan. Yes everyone, this is a lolicon anime and the reason for its aforementioned controversy should be apparent now. But, like with most controversial titles, this subject matter is not exploited simply for the hell of it.
If you first heard of this or saw any image of it that screamed "ridiculous fanservice" to you, you'd only be half right. The series, while at first glance does seem to purely base its entire being around glorified sexuality, actually has a deep and emotional story here to tell and that is of Rin, her three friends and just why they act the way they do. What sets this anime apart form others, aside from the obvious, is how it presents itself and tells its story. The subject matter isn't something normally seen in conventional anime before as it explores the characters within it passed the sexual aspects. As the series progresses and Aoki learns more about the issues surrounding these three misfit girls, a certain charm is gained that wasn't apparent from the beginning.
The supporting stories like Mimi dealing with crippling self esteem issues stemming from her abnormal appearance for a nine year old and Kuro's hateful attitude towards Aoki brought on by jealousy that she shows both verbally and physically, the show is able to draw out just the right amount of emotion from the viewer. The characters don't just feel like "characters." They feel relatable and real, from the naive Aoki's moments of intense frustration and anger to Rin's overly sexual demeanor which she uses to hide a deeper pain all come together nicely making this more than just a simple "fanservice" type series.
Now, of course this isn't an overly philosophical or deep series by any means. While subtle messages and meanings are present, most of the series takes a rather simplistic route by simply being just as it appears, a romantic comedy anime featuring copious amounts of overly sexual characters and situations that rely on shock value or a "cute" factor to get laughs. Aoki spends the majority of the anime dodging the highly sultry advances of an infatuated Rin and dealing with typical issues commonly seen in an anime of this nature.
However, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Something this series is able to do is make the cliche work while avoiding the norm where it needs to. No other show or really any other form fo media I've seen before depicts characters quite like this before and even when the episodes featuring heavy drama, it manages to avoid being predictable with the characters past tragedies. The anime itself though should be commended for portraying the cast in the way they do. Showing small children depicted as having relatively high intelligence isn't uncommon for typical Japanese cartoons, but Jikan doesn't let its characters, or its audience for that matter, forget they are both physically and mentally children. It takes a bit of realism and like with a lot of anime before it, exaggerates the hell out of it. It takes a young child's innocent crush and takes it to an extreme that makes most people uncomfortable thinking about. Even taking that same exaggeration with adults as well, as seen with Rin's guardian and cousin, Reiji who's true feelings and reason for being with Rin are questionable at best.
An aspect that I particularly enjoy is the amount of satire I noticed during the series as well as the balance between drama and comedy. While the almost constant use of gratuitous ecchi style comedy is present, there's a deeper element as well. Now, I very well could be the only one who felt this way while watching the episodes but the continuous service cut humour felt more as if it was presenting a satirical view at other series that base themselves around that same form of comedy. This isn't something that seems to be inherently obvious, but it was something I greatly appreciated and felt made the anime stand out even more with an additional level to its comedic affect. This, coupled with the occasional, albeit abrupt, sway between both nicely done humour and well executed drama both end up adding more to the title as it isn't something frequently seen in anime.
Another rather simple and subtle element I enjoyed here was the animation style. Even though it maintains the traditional Japanese anime look and feel with vibrant colours, cutesy character animations and ridiculous proportions to hair size and height, almost all of the primary cast have more rounded features as apposed to the typical sharp faces in regular anime. This gives off a mousy look that fits with the character's nature, while those of a more stern background have more jagged and hard structures, making the appearance fit the character very well.
However, there are a few things throughout that the show seemed to lack. The one thing Kodomo no Jikan suffers from in its story telling is that it never develops any characters other than Rin, Aoki and Reiji. Rin's two best friends and their backstories that would explain their behaviour a bit more in depth are almost completely ignored. A fault that brings down a great aspect of the show is that it presents interesting and enjoyable characters but never bothers to develop them much in regards to their past. You know Mimi is constantly self conscious almost to the point of hating herself but it's only briefly mentioned as to why. Even Kuro, who is presented as having a little more than a bi-curious relationship with Rin is never really fully explored or answered to an extent I would have liked to see. Of course, the series had to be considerably watered down and edited from the original manga source material, but it would have been nice to see a bit more character development for the supporting cast rather than simply focusing on the two leads.
Speaking of which, another point I would like to raise is that one of the biggest things the anime lacks is a decent conclusion. Now, only having seen the first season and a few of the OVAs, I can't say for sure that the ending was as bad as I initially felt, but it still was a let down to see a rather lackluster and contrived ending to a series I enjoyed so much. Partly due to the original manga being canceled near its finale, but that doesn't really excuse the anime itself leaving its first, and possibly only, full season on such a dull and rather bland note. That said, having six total OVAs and four episodes in the second season dubbed "Second Term" gives hope that the series can possibly end on a note worthy to conclude it.
One word of warning, however. If you do end up watching the series, stay away from the original television broadcast. Everything from the dialogue and images on screen have been either beeped out or outright censored with a crudely placed image over anything slightly hinting at sexuality. This not only adds in a ridiculous element, but pretty much is the biggest middle finger to everyone watching the show. Why they decided to even air it with so much heavy censoring is beyond me.
Despite its flaw in execution, the heart of Kodomo no Jikan is in the right place. The change in tone and mood of the characters may be abrupt, but that doesn't take away from the simple fact that it is indeed done well. Looking passed the obvious makes this anime worth while and the deeper emotional studies of the characters turns this from a simple exploitative anime into something with true heart and emotion that managed to bring me to the point of tears a few times.
Though, overall, while Kodomo no Jikan certainly isn't an anime that everyone will enjoy or even approve of for that matter, it is a very well done series that shouldn't be overlooked simply due to its subject matter. It deserves praise for, not only the well written story and characters but also for what most people will hate it for. From a technical standpoint, however, the series can be considered a mixed bag of sorts. It suffers from some poor character development and constant mood swings between ecchi comedy and heartbreaking drama.
It isn't something I would recommend to everyone and not even a show I'd say every anime fan needs to watch as the majority of people who have seen it seem to outright despise it. However, if you can look passed the disturbing comedy and get over those uncomfortable feelings during the first episode or two, it is commendable in many respects. If ecchi comedy isn't something that irks you and assuming one can watch this without trying to condemn it to the pits of hell every chance they get, it really does become a very enjoyable anime that doesn't come near the level of horror that was constantly advertised. The deeper plot is what caught me by surprise and what kept me with the series until the end.
Remember, that I am now taking requests for reviews, so any suggestions for future reviews or lists you may have, please let me know via PM or in the replies to this review.
Based on the, manga of the same name, Kodomo no Jikan centres on Aoki Daisuke, a 23 year old starting his first year of teaching at an elementary school. All seems mostly normal save a small group of students, Mimi Usa, Kuro Kagami and the star of the show, Rin Kokonoe, a nine year old girl who introduces herself by declaring she is now Aoki's girlfriend in the middle of class. As the day continues, she only becomes more and more aggressive with explicit and perverted comments towards Aoki, from writing disturbing sexualised messages to him to performing what is referred to as "finger fellatio" on him all within the first day. And so begins Kodomo no Jikan. Yes everyone, this is a lolicon anime and the reason for its aforementioned controversy should be apparent now. But, like with most controversial titles, this subject matter is not exploited simply for the hell of it.
If you first heard of this or saw any image of it that screamed "ridiculous fanservice" to you, you'd only be half right. The series, while at first glance does seem to purely base its entire being around glorified sexuality, actually has a deep and emotional story here to tell and that is of Rin, her three friends and just why they act the way they do. What sets this anime apart form others, aside from the obvious, is how it presents itself and tells its story. The subject matter isn't something normally seen in conventional anime before as it explores the characters within it passed the sexual aspects. As the series progresses and Aoki learns more about the issues surrounding these three misfit girls, a certain charm is gained that wasn't apparent from the beginning.
Now, of course this isn't an overly philosophical or deep series by any means. While subtle messages and meanings are present, most of the series takes a rather simplistic route by simply being just as it appears, a romantic comedy anime featuring copious amounts of overly sexual characters and situations that rely on shock value or a "cute" factor to get laughs. Aoki spends the majority of the anime dodging the highly sultry advances of an infatuated Rin and dealing with typical issues commonly seen in an anime of this nature.
However, this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Something this series is able to do is make the cliche work while avoiding the norm where it needs to. No other show or really any other form fo media I've seen before depicts characters quite like this before and even when the episodes featuring heavy drama, it manages to avoid being predictable with the characters past tragedies. The anime itself though should be commended for portraying the cast in the way they do. Showing small children depicted as having relatively high intelligence isn't uncommon for typical Japanese cartoons, but Jikan doesn't let its characters, or its audience for that matter, forget they are both physically and mentally children. It takes a bit of realism and like with a lot of anime before it, exaggerates the hell out of it. It takes a young child's innocent crush and takes it to an extreme that makes most people uncomfortable thinking about. Even taking that same exaggeration with adults as well, as seen with Rin's guardian and cousin, Reiji who's true feelings and reason for being with Rin are questionable at best.
An aspect that I particularly enjoy is the amount of satire I noticed during the series as well as the balance between drama and comedy. While the almost constant use of gratuitous ecchi style comedy is present, there's a deeper element as well. Now, I very well could be the only one who felt this way while watching the episodes but the continuous service cut humour felt more as if it was presenting a satirical view at other series that base themselves around that same form of comedy. This isn't something that seems to be inherently obvious, but it was something I greatly appreciated and felt made the anime stand out even more with an additional level to its comedic affect. This, coupled with the occasional, albeit abrupt, sway between both nicely done humour and well executed drama both end up adding more to the title as it isn't something frequently seen in anime.
Another rather simple and subtle element I enjoyed here was the animation style. Even though it maintains the traditional Japanese anime look and feel with vibrant colours, cutesy character animations and ridiculous proportions to hair size and height, almost all of the primary cast have more rounded features as apposed to the typical sharp faces in regular anime. This gives off a mousy look that fits with the character's nature, while those of a more stern background have more jagged and hard structures, making the appearance fit the character very well.
However, there are a few things throughout that the show seemed to lack. The one thing Kodomo no Jikan suffers from in its story telling is that it never develops any characters other than Rin, Aoki and Reiji. Rin's two best friends and their backstories that would explain their behaviour a bit more in depth are almost completely ignored. A fault that brings down a great aspect of the show is that it presents interesting and enjoyable characters but never bothers to develop them much in regards to their past. You know Mimi is constantly self conscious almost to the point of hating herself but it's only briefly mentioned as to why. Even Kuro, who is presented as having a little more than a bi-curious relationship with Rin is never really fully explored or answered to an extent I would have liked to see. Of course, the series had to be considerably watered down and edited from the original manga source material, but it would have been nice to see a bit more character development for the supporting cast rather than simply focusing on the two leads.
Did I mention this has a lesbian loli in it? Because it liek totally does.
Speaking of which, another point I would like to raise is that one of the biggest things the anime lacks is a decent conclusion. Now, only having seen the first season and a few of the OVAs, I can't say for sure that the ending was as bad as I initially felt, but it still was a let down to see a rather lackluster and contrived ending to a series I enjoyed so much. Partly due to the original manga being canceled near its finale, but that doesn't really excuse the anime itself leaving its first, and possibly only, full season on such a dull and rather bland note. That said, having six total OVAs and four episodes in the second season dubbed "Second Term" gives hope that the series can possibly end on a note worthy to conclude it.
One word of warning, however. If you do end up watching the series, stay away from the original television broadcast. Everything from the dialogue and images on screen have been either beeped out or outright censored with a crudely placed image over anything slightly hinting at sexuality. This not only adds in a ridiculous element, but pretty much is the biggest middle finger to everyone watching the show. Why they decided to even air it with so much heavy censoring is beyond me.
Despite its flaw in execution, the heart of Kodomo no Jikan is in the right place. The change in tone and mood of the characters may be abrupt, but that doesn't take away from the simple fact that it is indeed done well. Looking passed the obvious makes this anime worth while and the deeper emotional studies of the characters turns this from a simple exploitative anime into something with true heart and emotion that managed to bring me to the point of tears a few times.
My thoughts exactly!
It isn't something I would recommend to everyone and not even a show I'd say every anime fan needs to watch as the majority of people who have seen it seem to outright despise it. However, if you can look passed the disturbing comedy and get over those uncomfortable feelings during the first episode or two, it is commendable in many respects. If ecchi comedy isn't something that irks you and assuming one can watch this without trying to condemn it to the pits of hell every chance they get, it really does become a very enjoyable anime that doesn't come near the level of horror that was constantly advertised. The deeper plot is what caught me by surprise and what kept me with the series until the end.
Movies:
Best Movies of the Decade [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.164045-Best-Films-of-the-Decade-Warning-Extremely-Long-Review] I Inception [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.215806-JK-Reviews-Inception] I Oldboy [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.236848-JK-Reviews-Oldboy] I Thirst [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.238393-JK-Reviews-Thirst] I Noroi [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.258713-JK-Reviews-Noroi] I Ghost in the Shell [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.264848-Poll-JK-Reviews-Ghost-in-the-Shell?view_results=1] I Top 25 Favourite Films [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.273264-JKs-Top-25-Favourite-Films#comment_form]
Games:
Bayonetta [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.169030-JK-Reviews-Bayonetta-Warning-May-Contain-Spoilers] I Game of the Year 2009 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.163760-Celebration-for-My-5000th-post-Game-of-the-Year-awards] I God of War III [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.182952-JK-Reviews-God-of-War-III] I NieR [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.203204-JK-Reviews-NIER] I Castlevania: Lament of Innocence [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.206361-JK-Reviews-Castlevania-Lament-of-Innocence] I Maximo: Ghosts To Glory [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.212014-JK-Reviews-Maximo-Ghosts-To-Glory] I Kingdom Hearts [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.229506-As-Per-Request-JK-Reviews-Kingdom-Hearts] I Kingdom Hearts II [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.230725-As-Per-Request-JK-Reviews-Kingdom-Hearts-II] I Assassin's Creed Brotherhood [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.248762-JK-Reviews-Assassins-Creed-Brotherhood] I Top 12 Games of 2010 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.252471-JKs-Top-12-Best-Games-of-2010] I Bioshock [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.262110-As-Per-Request-JK-Reviews-Bioshock] I Fallout: New Vegas [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.266849-JK-Reviews-Fallout-New-Vegas] I Silent Hill 2 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.270928-As-Per-Request-JK-Reviews-Silent-Hill-2] I Dragon Age 2 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.276414-JK-Reviews-Dragon-Age-II]
Music:
Equilibrium's ReKreatur [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.204108-JK-Reviews-Equilibrium-ReKreatur]
Best Movies of the Decade [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.164045-Best-Films-of-the-Decade-Warning-Extremely-Long-Review] I Inception [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.215806-JK-Reviews-Inception] I Oldboy [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.236848-JK-Reviews-Oldboy] I Thirst [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.238393-JK-Reviews-Thirst] I Noroi [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.258713-JK-Reviews-Noroi] I Ghost in the Shell [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.264848-Poll-JK-Reviews-Ghost-in-the-Shell?view_results=1] I Top 25 Favourite Films [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.273264-JKs-Top-25-Favourite-Films#comment_form]
Games:
Bayonetta [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.169030-JK-Reviews-Bayonetta-Warning-May-Contain-Spoilers] I Game of the Year 2009 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.163760-Celebration-for-My-5000th-post-Game-of-the-Year-awards] I God of War III [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.182952-JK-Reviews-God-of-War-III] I NieR [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.203204-JK-Reviews-NIER] I Castlevania: Lament of Innocence [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.206361-JK-Reviews-Castlevania-Lament-of-Innocence] I Maximo: Ghosts To Glory [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.212014-JK-Reviews-Maximo-Ghosts-To-Glory] I Kingdom Hearts [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.229506-As-Per-Request-JK-Reviews-Kingdom-Hearts] I Kingdom Hearts II [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.230725-As-Per-Request-JK-Reviews-Kingdom-Hearts-II] I Assassin's Creed Brotherhood [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.248762-JK-Reviews-Assassins-Creed-Brotherhood] I Top 12 Games of 2010 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.252471-JKs-Top-12-Best-Games-of-2010] I Bioshock [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.262110-As-Per-Request-JK-Reviews-Bioshock] I Fallout: New Vegas [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.266849-JK-Reviews-Fallout-New-Vegas] I Silent Hill 2 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.270928-As-Per-Request-JK-Reviews-Silent-Hill-2] I Dragon Age 2 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.276414-JK-Reviews-Dragon-Age-II]
Music:
Equilibrium's ReKreatur [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/326.204108-JK-Reviews-Equilibrium-ReKreatur]
Remember, that I am now taking requests for reviews, so any suggestions for future reviews or lists you may have, please let me know via PM or in the replies to this review.
