[ Episode 5: Summer Friend ]

This was a pretty cute episode focusing on Rin feeling lonely over the summer break. One thing I thought that could have been done better was Aoki’s reaction to Houin’s school swimsuit. I thought it was priceless in the manga but somehow I didn’t laugh as hard as I did seeing it animated. That doesn’t mean it still wasn’t hilarious though since I especially loved the bounce. The way Rin preempted Houin was hilarious. I’ve lost count of how many times she’s done that overall in the manga.

*shakes fist at censors for messing up the handstand scene*

[ Episode 4: My Mother ]

Conflict is what this episode is about. Well, at least between Aoki and Rin. Oh right, and a little between Aoki and Reiji as well (we’ll see more on that later in the series I think). I always thought that it was an understandable dispute, what with Aoki slipping up by using the word “guardian” when referring to Rin when he had previously mentioned parents for a homework assign. Still though, I’m glad to see that things worked out in the end. The kiss at the end of the episode was done very well. It was cute and I was also laughing at how Aoki was basically freaking out at how she stole his first kiss! XD

[ Episode 3: Grow Up Quickly ]

How much censoring are they going to be using? It’s killing me man. D:

Anyways, this episode focused mainly on the growth of Mimi’s body. I’m not sure how large Mimi’s breasts are but for a third grader they are pretty damn big. At least she managed to find a suitable bra in the end. The hilarious parts in this episode were easily all of the times Aoki got kicked in the jewels by Kuro. That girl is vicious! XD Next episode has Aoki meeting Reiji. That should be the start of some interesting interaction. :3

[ Second Class: A reward for smiling ]

Hands down the best scenes of this episode were the ones where Rin brought the class to silence by striking the desk, the very end with Rin and Aoki walking around the school, and when Hoin-sensei and the other teacher went into “evil” mode. I really laughed hard at the last one. With this episode get to officially meet Reiji, who is Rin’s caretaker. Now that he’s introduced things are going to be quite interesting, especially when he meets Aoki. On another note, I felt that the anime team as well as the seiyuu did a great job with the scene of Aoki and Rin strolling. I felt the atmosphere getting pretty intense between the two with all the “I love you” lines being said. I gotta admit though, Rin is one mischievous little angel.

[ First Class: The first step to be friends ]

Man the censoring is right in my face…

Well, to be honest it is funny for a while but after a while I just want to see what they’re blocking out. Not that I don’t already know what’s there but that’s not the point. Anyways, aside from that I loved the first episode. Everything was well done and the cast is solid. I especially like how the dark tones were executed very well, particularly the scene where Rin and Kuro threatened Aoki. I hope that with this debut that those who didn’t initially read the manga understand that the story for KnJ has way more substance than it may appear to be. There are quite a few complex things to be shown and explained that go beyond the panties and innuendo.

Overall, KnJ is a definitely worth the time to enjoy. Sure, the censors may be distracting but one can always just view the manga as well and hope that the DVDs are uncensored when they are released.

Ah~, yes. I remember this chapter quite well in the manga. Though, I found it interesting how the OVA skipped quite a few chapters but it does make some sense that they wouldn’t start from the very beginning since the TV series aired right after this. Anyways, this OVA mainly focused on Rin in the eyes of Mimi and her interactions with Reiji and Aoki. Kodomo no Jikan in general is a very serious emotional and psychological story that, while it does have loli-fanservice, can’t be downplayed. Those who read the manga know what I’m talking about and such themes as death and personality disorders are present as well.

Overall though I enjoyed this OVA as it was very well animated and the cast is great. I look forward to their performances in the TV series. My entries on that will follow very soon. ^__^