Kodocha: Sana's Stage - Recommendations

• TV (25 eps)
• 2008 - 2009

Kyoko moves to the big city with the prince of her dreams Shotaro; he wants to make it big in the entertainment business, so she works hard at many different jobs to support him as he achieves his dream. However, one day, Kyoko accidentally discovers the horrible truth: the love of her life thinks of her as a 'plain and boring woman!' Outraged, Kyoko swears revenge – she will make it even bigger than Shotaro in the entertainment world. The only question is, how will she fulfill her desire?

• OVA (1 ep)
• 1992

Mio Hagiwara is a young and upcoming actress who has a fairly normal life -- high school, fame, and a well-known idol singer for a best friend. There is only one thing missing from her life: love. Enter Ichiya Kumagai, a budding film director with funding for a hot new flick, and an eye out for Mio. With tensions rising and love on the rise, the show must go on!

• OVA (3 eps)
• 1998 - 1999

Maya is a young woman who spends her afternoons at school and her evenings helping out with the family restaurant, but secretly she loves acting and is lucky enough to see the play Madam White Rose one day. Afterwards, she is cast in the school production as Bibi, the sad and pitiful girl. Troubled by the role, Maya seeks out advice from a mysterious woman who tells her to 'wear Bibi's mask'. Through that experience, Maya realizes that the stage is her true passion, and she sets off to fulfill her dream to be a great actress, great enough to play the role of the Crimson Goddess. But is she as talented as her rival, the famous Ayumi?

• TV (23 eps)
• 1984

Young Maya’s passion is drama and the theatre -- so much so that sometimes her grip on reality wavers. Most consider her to be a lost cause, destined to live with her head in the clouds… but things change when the legendary actress Tsukikage sees potential in Maya; and when she offers to train her, Maya eagerly accepts. Yet the road to fame is paved with hardship; with strong rivals to test her and close friends to spur her on, will Maya be able to reach her ultimate goal?

• TV (51 eps)
• 2005 - 2006

Maya is a dreamy young girl whose clumsiness is matched only by her absent-mindedness. While others have given up on her, the legendary actress Tsukikage sees her hidden potential and offers to take Maya under her tutelage. Maya loves the theatre more than anything, and as there's not much she can do about it at home, she chooses to run away with Tsukikage. The world of theatre is harsh, however, especially for a naive young girl far away from home. While she finds new friends who support her, her mentor has powerful enemies and Maya is often on the receiving end of their ruthless plans. In face of the adversity, Maya must constantly fight to develop her skills to catch up with her unbelievably talented rival, Ayumi, if she hopes to inherit Tsukikage's legendary role: The Crimson Goddess.

• Movie (1 ep)
• 2016

The short has the protagonists starring in a movie directed by Ichigo Hoshimiya, and they must find a way to acquire the magical Aikatsu card that can grant any wish.

• OVA (4 eps)
• 2013

Nijika Kohinata is a tall cheerful young girl who dreams of one day being an actress like her mother.

• TV (26 eps)
• 2006

Yano Motoharu is the most popular guy in class, the school’s basketball ace, and highly charismatic to boot! No wonder Nanami Takahashi can’t resist falling in love with him. When Yano returns Nana’s feelings, things seem too good to be true and the two begin a relationship; but Yano has a contradictory personality which confuses Nana most of the time. On top of that, tragic events in Yano’s past won’t stop haunting their relationship. Unable to halt their passionate feelings, are Yano and Nana heading for disaster or can they save each other from irreparable hurt?

• Movie (1 ep)
• 1997

In present day New York a group of talented people are rehearsing the latest Broadway show -- but behind the scenes, a young girl named Tsukushi does the dirty work, cleaning the floors in the building. Though poor in monetary terms, she is rich in spirit, with her only dream being to one day become a star and dance in the spotlight. In her spare time, and on her way home, she practices diligently to make her body perform according to her wishes, hoping to someday get her big break. But does she have have what it takes, let alone the guts and confidence, to be a performer?

• TV (12 eps)
• 2023

The best actors are known as "Dai Star", creating a worldwide popularity boom for theater. Kokona Otori, a sixteen-year-old girl, aims to become a "World Dai Star" by auditioning for Sirius, a theater company that she admires greatly. She follows her dreams and a story of passion and aspiration unfolds as the cultivation of Kokona's unique "sense" for the stage results propels her forward.