Often when reviewing anime and especially manga, the intended audience for the title is clear as day once you start reading, even if you did not know its origin. Sometimes, like School Rumble (a shonen title), that line can be blurred. Kanakuri Odette is one of those exceptions, but on the other end of the spectrum. Kanakuri Odette is a sci-fi shōjo comedy manga about an high-school aged female android, Odette Yoshizawa, who wants to become as close to human as possible. This includes going so far as to limit her functions to that of a typical human.
Highlights:
I was a bit surprised at the depth Kanakuri Odette had in it. It was thinking it was going to be more of a typical comedy romance novel with a robot as the main female lead. While there are hints of relationships developing, the manga actually focuses more on existentialism, albeit at a level most teenagers could understand. It's not the next Hamlet or even the next Neon Genesis Evangelion (yet, at least), but Kanakuri Odette tries to delve into what makes us human though the fictional eyes of a an android wanting to be as close to human as possible.
Overview:
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the manga and believe that, in spite of its shōjo origins, it could do well among certain male populations. In fact, it very well could have been a shonen title with a bit more action scenes, larger female cast, bit more comedy and some male fan service; there are specific points you'd expect to find them, especially the fan service, in a shonen title, such as when Odette jumps out a 2nd story window — that's when a panty flash would be shown and there is none. However, the art style is cute and the stories are well done, especially as it's Julietta Suzuki's first attempt at such a foray into the field.
As with other shōjo titles, translated comments from the mangaka are posted during the chapter as well as the end which I also appreciate. I with more shonen titles would do that as it allows you to get to know the authors. Sometimes comments are put at the end in some seinen manga, like Mushi-shi, but it's not the same as reading it while immersed in the manga itself. I realize a lot of shonen mangaka do omake chapters, but that's not quite the same. Those little extras, like the bonus material at the end of Sayonara, Zetsubou-sensei, add up and make the manga experience more complete.
There is still some improvement that could be done. Odette's creator, Dr. Yoshizawa, could use some more character development, such as why he wanted to create such a realistic girl. The world architecture seems to need some fleshing out as it's unclear just how common androids are since there were two others in the series and even a virus targeted specifically for androids and yet Odette must keep her identity a secret, even from her closest friends.
I am looking forward to what Suzuki has in store for Odette and the trouble she'll unitentally cause for her parental-like creator. This is definitely a title that has the potential to go beyond the bounds of its genre and go for a much wider appeal.
ComicsOnline gives Kamakuri Odette 4 out of 5 human-like androids.
