Chapter 5 is the 5th chapter of Kodocha, and the fifth chapter of the first book in the all releases of the series. In the Tankōbon Release, this chapter is followed by the Extra Chapter: Destroy the Hayama Monster! / Misako & Maro.
Summary[]
Sana films the TV movie, and Akito's family watches it when it premieres. As Sana had hoped, it seems to cause his family to think more about how they've been treating him.
Plot[]
Sana Kurata is in the car on the way to start filming the TV movie she's been cast in. She dwells on Akito's family, and how she believes it's unacceptable that they treat Akito so badly, and how that has created his attitude problems. She arrives on set, and meets Asako Kurumi, who she will be co-starring with in the movie, they start off on a good foot since both are fans of each other's work. Sana notices Rei is no where to be seen on set, but brushes it off as she has work to do. Concurrently, Tsuyoshi and Akito are at school, Tsuyoshi mentions Sana is skipping school to film the movie, and that she had told him she hopes it helps Akito. Akito responds, saying he doesn't think he deserves help.
Sana then records a scene alongside Asako, where Asako's character yells at Sana's, saying similar things to what Sana has heard Akito's sister say to him. After the scene is recorded, Sana keeps crying, thinking about how it was hurtful to hear even though she was only acting, let alone that being yelled in earnest, which makes her feel even worse for Akito.
During a break, Asako asks Sana if she'd like to appear on a talk show show she's doing, where Sana agrees, but Asako seems disappointed when Sana mentions her manager isn't on set today. Sana writes in her journal about the filming continued to go well, it ended up being a 5 day shoot, and that she's excited for it to be on TV.
Cutting to presumably a little while later, Sana shows up announced at Akito's house. His sister answers the door, and tells Sana he's not home because he went out for dinner, acting polite at this point, she asks to be let in. Upon seeing Akito's father as well, she calls the whole family stupid morons, and yells about how they've treated Akito horribly, and that they're to blame for his attitude problems. She insists they watch the movie she's in, and leaves to find Akito, leaving the two speechless. Sana finds Akito eating fast food on a park bench. She asks him if he's sad he doesn't have a mom, and he says no, since he never had one so he can't miss her. Sana insists to play pretend, where she is his mom, Akito reluctantly plays along.
Simultaneously, Akito's family is watching the movie Sana is in, and having the reaction she'd hoped.
Back to the two, Sana recites some dialogue from the movie to Akito about how his mom loves him, he doesn't say it, but seems to be at ease from the sentiment. This moment is cut short as Sana notices Akito has a fever, she tries bringing him back to his house, but they run into Akito's dad, who came to look for him. Akito insists to both Sana and his dad that he doesn't need help, and his father notes that his eyes look like those of an adult, and that he's sorry.
As Akito is carried away by his dad, Sana thinks about how she hopes the movie did what she wanted, and that in that moment, Akito looked like a kid.
Characters[]
Author's Notes[]
Come on down, guest!:
Miho Obana: "Hello! Let me introduce Miss Mihona Fujii. She's like a sister to me. (She's even the same age as my real sister!) She's so nice and always forgives me when I do dumb things.
She's been going to school and working at the same time. She will focus on comic books this year, and I know she'll do great!"
Mihona Fujii: "Hello, I'm Mihona Fujii! Congratulations to Miho on publishing book 1 of Kodocha! Ms. Obana and I have been close for a very long time. We really are just like sisters! (Take care of me, sis!) We've even put our characters (Sana and Erika) in each other's comics, but no one believes us! Grrrr! It's true –– when Miss Obana came over to my place, we drew our characters on each other's artwork. (We were drinking. Hee-hee. Let's do it again!) Ms. Obana is the best sister I could ask for. I have a lot to learn from her. Her work is really deep, compared to mine. I wish I could have her insight. My favorite character is Rei, because he's nice –– and so cool! Be happy with your strong spirit, Sana! I'll be here for you! All right guys, bye! P.S. Let's go drinking again, Ms. Obana!"
Miho Obana: "P.S. to Fujii: Yeah, let's go! Let's ditch work!"
All About "I": ""I" was a classmate of mine from junior high. Later, he became a professional fighter. In school, he was the smallest boy in class, and everyone used to tease him. But now he's a pro boxer! After he went to Thailand for training, he came back for a match, So I went to check it out. (I had a chance to see one of his matches before he left, but I couldn't because of a snowstorm.) He was so impressive, I couldn't believe it was him! I videotaped him with this really cool video camera I bought. H.K. (an actor who was all over the tabloids then) was there also, so I got a good close-up of him. (ha!) "I" won in the third round with the TKO. He was so much cooler than H.K! To be continued."
"I", Part II "It was the first time I had ever seen boxing matches. I felt sorry for the losers and couldn't really applaud for the winners. But for "I"'s match, I cheered for him really loudly. I did feel sorry for his opponent, but I tried to comfort him by saying, "you did well" and "good luck." (Ha!) I like athletes. None of my friends were athletes, so the way boxers were so serious and stoic was refreshing. All my friends were into bikes, bands, or working part-time for cash. I wish I could draw a comic about athlete someday! Maybe I'll give it a try..."
Information on Coming Kodocha: "Because the story seems to be going so fast, many fans have been worried that the series will end soon. Hayama really settled down fast, didn't he? I'd like to make it to book 4, so I'm working on more story. And be warned –– I'm planning on a cult quiz for the last book. It's gonna be a really tough one; so tough only I would know all the answers! Hee-hee. So pay attention guys! Tee-hee. Also, the animated video of Kodocha will be released this summer (1995) in Japan. I'm going on a national tour for the premiere of the movie, just like a band touring for an album. I'll be making a lot of boyfriends here and there... no! Just kidding! Let me calm down... The video isn't finished yet, so check out book 2 for further info. And save up to buy it this summer, guys! Thanks!"
Trivia[]
- This chapter was adapted into the episode Crazy Stew Family Crisis.
- Erika from the series Passion Girls appears as a cameo on page 156, as drawn by Mihona Fujii as explained in the author's notes.
