Bunny Drop - Reviews

Straight up, I ruined this for myself by looking up the show on Google.  It was an innocent search!  I was just trying to remember some people's names and I accidentally read the ending of the manga.  I CAN'T EVEN.  It ruined the show for me and, from then on, everytime I watched this, I got pretty reasonably creeped out.  

Therefore, I'm not going to do my usual in-depth review because I don't think I can get over the creep-factor just yet.  I will say that I powered through this anime, which means it's definitely worth the watch, in my opinion.  It's a beautiful story of a man who ends up raising his grandfather's illegitamite child and how he and the child, Rin, grow to form a sort of family of their own.

The animation is beautiful and it's quite different from a lot of the cookie cutter anime that's coming out nowadays (since 2010, really).  It's simple with a watercolor effect with makes it a powerful backdrop for this kind of story.

If you're looking for something a bit unusual (I'd never seen an anime like this), sweet and uplifting, then I'd recommend this.  I really think it's worth the watch.

Just don't google the manga ending.  Seriously.

Story: Never knew slice of life could be so realistic and beautiful. There is little overdramatic or surprising that happens throughout the series. It's simply about a man in his 30's getting a daughter who is 6. It's heart warming, and cozy feeling. Episodes just fly by without needing to much fluff or drama. It's just the both of them settling in with each other and slowly opening up. One of the most endearing relationships I have seen in an anime. You can't not be happy after watching an episode.

Animation: I loved the style of the series. It's definitely different and has a watercolor look to it. I adored it and love the character designs. It matches the series.

Sound: Nice but not too memorable. It matched greatly with the plot and animation. The seiyuus were just perfect though.

Characters: *I copied this from my manga review about the series because it sums up my feelings for this section* The star contenders are obviously Daikichi and Rin. They are amazing characters who are so realisitc and lovable. They are completely relatable and the decisions they make are understandable. I could see myself in their shoes which is something I don't see in many female orientated series. Also, their relationship is heart warming. One of the most endearing relationships I have seen. They don't lie about their feelings. Daikichi does show how much trouble having a child can be. He doesn't lie about the fact that he made sacrifices for Rin. However, throughout the series, you see how his prospective of her changes into a beautfiul and meaningful relationship. The same goes for Rin. The secondary characters are also given adequate time and development. One of the best things about the series is you can always see where the love comes from. In many female-orientated series (mainly but not limited to shoujo), characters just love each other without you seeing why. There is no question why they love each other in Usagi Drop because you see the reasons clearly.

Overall: Watch it regardless of your prefences especially fans of the manga. It stops right before the second arc which is something I know I appreciate. Also, one of the my top anime series of all time.

*SPOILERS*

For the Longest time I have always held a very special place in my heart for Usagi Drop. That is why when I found out that in the manga they get together in the last volume I had no words for the emotional crash I suffered. Looking back on the whole anime now and imaging the Dad and just another disgusting pedophile and the daughter as a grooming victim...

It breaks my heart.

At first, I was kind of skeptical about watching Usagi Drop. I read that it touched upon some mature themes and it didn't seem like an anime that I would personally enjoy. I'm glad I gave it a chance though. Only being 11 episodes long, I decided why not give it a try. I wish it was a tad longer though.

THE STORY IS: Daikichi is a 30 year old bachelor who lives by himself and occupies his time by working a lot. Upon receiving a call that his grandfather had passed away, Daikichi packs and heads back to his hometown for the funeral. There, he briefly meets a girl that he, nor anyone else, have ever seen before. Nobody knows who this little 4 year old girl is. We come to find that her name is Rin and she is Daikichi's grandfather's illegitimate love child...little strange, I know. After the funeral is done, the family is trying to decide what to do with Rin. Daikichi is disgusted with some of the ideas being thrown around and, on a whim, decides to take her in and raise her himself. Not having any knowledge or experience as a parent himself, Daikichi sets out to learn and do the best he can.

Like I said before, I was skeptical to watch this show. I'm glad I did. It's a bit of a strange story at first because of Daikichi's grandfather having a 4 year old daughter, who is also technically Daikichi's aunt. It's a little hard to digest, but after you get over that and see how hard Daikichi struggles with trying to balance work and raising a child with no knowledge on what to do, it becomes an endearing story to follow. It's a short anime and I wish it was longer. It's not that it felt incomplete, I would have just loved to see Rin and the other kids she associates with grow up and see how some things turn out more in the future towards adulthood. It's not a story that is heartbreaking, but it has you feel like Daikichi feels. Not having a clue about parenthood, making sacrifices for the better of your child, and debating whether to have Rin meet her mother or not. I never understood what they meant by "exploring some mature themes," but now I do. Definitely a subject that a lot of people wouldn't take a risk on.

THE ANIMATION was honestly very good. It has a very bright and optimistic vibe to it. Definitely went perfect with the theme of the anime without a doubt.

THE SOUND was very good as well. The intro/outro songs were decent, but they more than fit the anime. The voice acting was very spot on with the characters and very well acted.

THE CHARACTERS were definitely a big point of this anime along with the story. The interaction with Daikichi and his family are like a typical family. You see the gradual growth in relationship between Rin and Daikichi. Other parents interact with Daikichi and you see a more parent to parent interaction going on. What I'm saying is, the way all of the characters interact with each other is pretty close to a real life situation. Daikichi is a sort of awkward kind of person who panics because he doesn't know what to do half the time. Rin is very fun and easy going and a typical young girl. Rin's friend Kouki is a typical boy. Kouki and Daikichi get into it a lot because Daikichi sees a lot of himself in Kouki as a young boy. Every character has their own role and has enough face time to get to know them and see what their life is like and the sacrifices they made for their children. 

OVERALL I was very surprised with the way Usagi Drop turned out. I was not expecting to like it, but ended up loving it. It's definitely not an anime for everyone. It's not action packed or gory or anything like that. Usagi Drop is a very mellow, coming of age tale that shows the hardships of being a parent and the sacrifices people make for the sake of their children. I'm not a parent myself, which is probably why I was able to relate to Daikichi a bit because I would be exactly like that if I took on that kind of responsibility. Very highly recommended.

Story: Long story short, it's about a 30 year old bachelor who adopts a six year old girl named Rin. Those are roughly the ages but a simple premise leads to one of the most heartwarming and adorable series I've ever had the pleasure to watch. It's strictly slice-of-life and doesn't devaite from it with any fancy, wacky sci-fi fantasy whatever elements, and since it's just everyday stuff, it should be tame and boring but it's fun and so endearing that it's captivating. It's not simply Daikichi taking care of Rin, but also the other way around sometimes, and both of them learning, especially Daikichi, what it means to take care of/being a kid.

It's unbelievably adorable, and may cause your heart to explode in rainbow bunny fluff. The everyday mundane stuff is made cute with "Dawwwwww" moments throughout, and that's the main charm of the series; seeing Daikichi and Rin go through with their daily ordeals.

Animation: The beginning of every episode features a style different from the rest of it and that beginning, is so gorgeous that there was no way they had a budget for it. So artistically beautiful that you wish that the rest of the show was the same style. Unfortunately, the rest of it doesn't compare to it but still looks the part with it's simple, peaceful glory. No heavy black lines or stylistic shading, it's perfect and enhances the adorability of everything.

Sound: Massive props on not making Rin's voice annoying and just enhancing the cuteness. The other voice actors are great, the OP/EP are pretty good and the sound just compliments it overall.

Characters: This is the bread, butter, muffin, orange juice and cheese danish of the anime breakfast. It's about Rin and Daikichi, their interactions, their routine, their everything. It focuses on them, has them at the centerpoint and they are the best part of the show. How Rin goes from distant at the start to an outgoing, smiling girl, and Daikichi from his bachelor status to a full-fledged parent, the journey they take, it's... it's just beautiful. Their development is as perfect as can be and the side characters compliment them and help them grow, which is as good as it gets.

Overall: Watch this for Rin and Daikichi and how they grow and adapt. This is without a doubt, one of the best slice-of-life anime I've ever seen in my life, or will see. Amazing on so many levels that the only problem is that it was only 12 episodes of majesty. And one of the most adorable things I've ever watched, to the point where I cried because it was so heartwarming.

I'm not kidding on the adorability.