Koichi-chan

Koichi-chan, also simply known as Koichi, is a Japanese slice of life manga series written and illustrated by Yoshiya Toichi from 1954 to 2005. The series depicts the everyday life of Koichi Matashichi and Makiko Chiharu from various perspectives, including in a fictionalized version of the author's hometown, while dealing with surrealistic adventures and situations.
==Characters==
===Main===
* Koichi Matashichi - The main character of the series. She is an active girl, who always tries to help the others. She is very kind, hard-working, and caring, but also very competitive. Not only that, but she usually gets into fights with others, meanwhile dealing with bizarre and surrealistic, or wacky situations. She is also a bit of a drama queen, as well as a crybaby and a self-dramatist.
*Makiko Chiharu - The second main character of the series. He is Koichi's best friend, and is very cheerful, energetic, and outgoing.
===Supporting===
*Nagatsuka Shigemasa - A young rich man who typically gets into fights with Koichi. He is also very strong, but can be short-tempered.
*Hatake Sen - She is an accident-prone girl who often gets into accidents. She is very hard-working and caring.
*Ishii Tetsuyuki - He is a boy who often acts like a jerk or bully to others, though in reality, he is a very kind and caring person, often doing things for others. He is an avid gamer and video game fan, often playing his games and reading manga.
*Oyama Shumei - Ishii's best friend, who shares a similar character as him.
*Kanemoto Yosuke -
*Miura Umeko -
*Ishiwata Oriana -
*Sawa Kahoru -
*Hashimoto Eho -
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
==Influence and legacy==
==Reception==
===Manga===
The manga series is considered to be the "classic" type of series from the Golden Age. Manga experts agree that the manga series is a masterpiece. The Manga has been praised for its humor, realism, artwork, animation, character designs, and story. It was one of the most acclaimed series of its generation.
The anime was also praised for its humor and the series was considered to be one of the best anime series of the Golden Age. Koichi's character was well received, and the series was considered to be one of the best slice of life series. Fans and reviewers praised the animation, character design, and the overall atmosphere.
===Anime===
====Early success====
The first episode of the anime received a great response from fans and the manga's popularity was still high in 1979. As a result of the anime's success, Yoshiya Toichi's series saw a sharp increase in sales. At the same time, the anime has been considered one of the first successful anime series and has also been credited for helping the anime industry.
==== Funimation dub ====
The Funimation dub was praised for the characterization and story. The main criticism of the series was the poor quality of the English translation and soundtrack.
=== Sales and ratings ===
The manga series has sold 4.2 million copies as of May 2008. The anime version of Koichi-chan was also successful. However, the ratings were not high. The animation was not high either. But both the anime and the manga has some fans.
=== Live-action series ===
The first live action version of the series received positive reviews. Reviewers praised the cast of the series and the series itself. The second version of the series was criticized for its bad quality.
==Criticism and controversy==
===Allegations of declining quality===
Ever since of 1994 after the first film, the anime had been undergoing with unoriginal filler episodes, poor writing, pandering to the otaku, and low production values that resembled the earlier parts of the anime. Filler episodes is a major problem. A lot of fans started to leave the series, but new fans come in. Some people even suggested that in time the anime got declined quality in general. The quality decline may be due to the decline in sales and viewers. The show's quality may have also been due to a lack of a serious story and lack of characters who have a meaningful presence.
==Media==
=== Live-action series ===
The series was also adapted into two live-action television series in 1965 and 1976. The 1976 version, which has sixteen episodes, was broadcast on NHK.
===Anime=== 
The anime was directed by Fujikawa Yoshihiro and Wakaki Seishisai. It is produced by and it has premiered on on November 20, 1979.
The series was first dubbed into English by in 2003 and aired on in the United Kingdom from August 27, 2004 until June 20, 2008. acquired the Koichi-chan North America license in 2007. A rerelease of the dub of the series was added to Netflix on November 30, 2014.
===Spin-offs===
===Films===
*Let's GO Koichi-chan! (1993)
*TBD (2002)
*TBD (2016)
===Video games===
*TBD (1992)
*TBD (1994)
*TBD (1997)
*TBD (1999)
*TBD (2003)
==Gallery==
===Anime===
Koichi Matashichi.svg|Koichi Matashichi
Koichi Matashichi '79 (REDONE).svg|Koichi's original 1979-1983 design.
Koichi Matashichi '84.svg|Koichi's 1983-1989 design.
Koichi Matashichi '89.svg|Koichi's 1989-1994 design.
Koichi Matashichi '94.svg|Koichi's 1994-2001 design.
Modern Makiko Chiharu.svg|Makiko Chiharu
Makiko Chiharu '79.svg|Makiko's original 1979-1983 design.
Makiko Chiharu '83.svg|Makiko's 1983-1989 design.
Category:TobySilva77's ideas
Category:1954 manga
Category:1979 anime television series debuts
Category:Yoshiya Toichi
Category:Manga series