Usagi Drop [ep 11 END]

What? This is the LAST episode?! Totally caught me off guard because I never thought that the show will only have 11 episodes, with how the story's heading. I guess I was anticipating too much from the show. 

As a recap, Daikichi, Rin and Kouichi is shopping for some food since Kouchi's mom, Yukari is sick. Rin is worried that she caught the flu from her. Daikichi assures her that she could've caught it anywhere and from anyone. Kouichi's tooth falls off suddenly there. 

Jeezz...this gave me scare!

At school, Rin is having skipping test and so Daikichi is accompanying her to the park for practice. Daikichi finally tells the other daddies that he is not Rin's real father but only started living with her for a year. He expresses his worries about how long he can bear it, but the other parents give him their support. That gives Daikichi all the more confidence to see it through. 

Rin and Daikichi then visits his parents. I find the little chat between him and the sister a bit heart-warming, because the sister expresses her doubt in starting a family with her new husband. She rants about all the things she can not do if she starts having children. Daikichi can definitely relate but he says that it's something we can't help if the children's there. His sister also seems to don't mind having Rin around anymore. 

Towards the end, Daikichi seems to have come to a decision, that is to raise Rin and do his best. We're not sure whether he'll end up with Yukari or not coz it wasn't shown, but I'm pretty sure down the road, there's a huge possibility since they seem to have great chemistry. 

Thoughts:

It's an overall, a heart-warming with comic relief every now and then. Being a slice of life genre, don't hope for anything drastic or dramatic. But Rin is too cute to resist. I guess shows like these are meant to let people know that being a family doesn't mean you need to have blood relations. Though I'm a bit disappointed that it ends this fast, still it's a good anime.

Overall rating: 8/10

Usagi Drop [ep 10]

It' WINTER and Daikichi learns what most parents are afraid of during that season. Falling sick is a dreadful experience and all parents take precautions to prevent it from happening to their children. Daikichi however recalls his own experiences as a young mischievous boy.

Basically the episode begins with Daikichi making friends with a bunch of other fathers in the school. One of which is a model, same age as Daikichi but obviously much cuter, handsome and dresses smart. He makes Daikichi looks like an old ojiisan in comparison.

He meets Yukari there and overhears a conversation between the mothers about the weather and worrying about their children catching a cold. Later that day, Rin shows unwanted symptoms and Yukari is convinced she has a fever. Daikichi brings her to the doctor who confirms that she doesn't have a flu but only a fever. Equipped with medicines, they go home but Rin refuses to take the meds.

When you have a sick kid and as stubborn as Rin who wouldn't take any meds no matter what, feed her ice. yes, ICE CUBES. So, Yukari saves the day for Daikichi who's worried sick watching Rin's face blooming red and looking as if the worst is about to happen. Yukari comes back during the night and makes Rin porridge. Rin starts eating again and the next morning, she's all good. So Daikichi definitely owes it to Yukari for helping so much. Won't be surprised if they end up together and that's make Kouki Rin's stepbrother lol. Daikichi definitely worries too much in this episode. You can practically see his facial hair growing by the day, unshaved! gosh...

An okay episode. Rin's sick so there's not much to see. I prefer the happy and energetic Rin. But it gives room for Daikichi and Yukari to develop. Rating: 7/10

Usagi Drop [ep 9]

Summary:  A typhoon is approaching the city of Tokyo and everyone is preparing for the worst. For example, Daikichi’s company has sandbags placed at strategic places. As for the kids, Kouichi is as usual causing chaos in school. May I just say this, his female teacher is kowaiii! Reminds me of one of my teachers back in primary school. Watching Kouichi not behaving himself, Rin grows frustrated and scolds him. And remarkably, despite how Kouichi never listens to his teachers, he obeys Rin obediently. Hehehe

oh this brings back memories of when I first learned Japanese! Natsukashiii!~

 Later that evening, typhoon comes and Daikichi couldn’t bear to just leave Kouichi alone at the school, so he and Rin invites him over to their house while waiting for his mother. So when the mother arrives, they prepare dinner together, well…more like Rin and the mother while the guys linger around, like they always do xD.

Thoughts:

Another simple and light-hearted episode. I can see Kouichi and the mother appearing more often now that their steady relationship with both Daikichi and Rin is established.  I won’t be surprised if it advances to Daikichi being partnered up with the mother. They’ll make a perfect family, but it’d be a cliché though. I can just imagine how Daikichi getting annoyed by Kouichi’s constant mischievous acts. Rating: 7.5/10

Usagi Drop [ep 8]

Summary: Basically this episode focused on Rin's mother. We get to know a little but more on her, her work condition, ambition, as well as the orange haired guy who I thought was her boyfriend...but now, doubtful.

she's as tall as a washing machine!

Good to know their trees are growing well...

Masako had been working her ass off lately and her colleague, the guy I suspect to be her boyfriend, told her to take a break. She also contemplated whether or not to accept a new offer, adding to her current burden.

nice pose...Daikichi...

It's summer holiday so Daikichi proposed that they go visit Grandpa's grave. At the grave, Daikichi found that it had been cleaned, (it's a custom for Japanese to pour water over the grave stone) and there was also bellflowers in an INK BOTTLE... The ink bottle just popped out of nowhere...I mean, seriously? Ink bottle in replacement for a vase? 

Daikichi managed to chase after Masako and the boyfriend, but Masako decided not to meet Rin in person. However, she couldn't resist taking a peep on her and realized how much Rin had grown. She also noticed how much she resembled Souichi (Grandpa). Are we to be sure now that Rin IS AFTERALL Grandpa's daughter?

Watching Rin growing up to be such wonderful child, Masako decided not to give up on her current work/ambition. Later that day, Daikichi and Rin visited Grandpa's old house which now belongs to his uncle. They found that the bellflowers were all gone. Sad to see that...but at least they still have a new one growing in their own garden and they saved Rin's tree!

The night then ended with Daikichi celebrating Rin's birthday with a chocolate cake. Rating:7.5/10

Usagi Drop [ep 6+7]

Okay gonna combine two eps together since ep6 was rather bland. Bland in a good way though. In summary, it's all about having a tree planted when you're born. Japanese seem to have this kind of creative idea to do that, not in my country though. I shall do the same for my kids, if I ever have in the future xDD C'mon, you're surely curious too as to how the tree your age would look like right??? We all are!

The idea came when Daikichi told Rin about his tree, a fragrant olive, planted by his parents when he was born. Then, as to commemorate Rin's acceptance in the junior school, Rin decided to plant a loquat tree. What the hell is a loquat tree? So I did google it up as the name is foreign to me, apparently, its origin is China, but has since naturally cultivated in Japan. It's a type of fruit tree btw. Looks yummy.

Rin goes to school with Kouki to school every morning now. And Daikichi decided to probe further into the tree issue. I don't know why he was so into it but he did discover through Masako (yes, they met again), that Grandpa did plant a tree for Rin. So Daikichi went to dig it up and guess what?

It's a fragrant olive tree tooo! The same as Daikichi's!~

Yay!
Basically that's it to ep6. Simple but equally heart-warming. Rating:7.5/10


Next ep7.

So what happens in this episode...well, it's simple and true to many married couples in life. Haruko, Daikichi's cousin, Reina' mother, suddenly appear at his house. He finds that they actually ran away from home. Haruko's reason being she can't longer stand her in-laws and husband who obviously does not look at her the same way as before. The thing about the episode is...Haruko seems rash in making the decision to me, almost childish-like i you ask me. Because you don't just take your child and run away like that...well, stranger things may have happened in anime and j-dramas. still Usagi Drop until now has offered very realistic and serious tone to me so I was quite surprised Haruko would do that.

Haruko's action imo was a bit irrational, leaving a letter and then ran away with her child. Luckily they have Daikichi's place to stay in. And though Reina's annoying, funny how Rin seems to enjoy her company. Haruko then laments to Daikichi about her household, how her stress as a wife, mother and daughter-in-law has been building up ages ago and she can't take it any longer.

There was a particular scene where Rin scolded both of them and told them to play nice, and not quarrel. Love Rin so much!

Thoughts:
The only point I find odd was how fast Haruko realized her mistake and then helplessly returned to her family. This made her look childish for acting like this.The episode was so-so as it deals with Haruko's problems. Not much development on Rin or Daikichi. Rating: 7.0/10

Good night, Rin-chan...

Usagi Drop [ep 5] - estranged mother

Aww....Rin still wakes up ocassionally in the middle of the night, crying...and while Daikichi thought she has bad dreams, he finds the reason why after he meets the mother. Before going into the mother part, let's just talk more on Rin. Not sure what urges her, but apparently, she finds a liking in making food for Daikichi. She asks for a children's knife. Are those real knives or just plastic ones? Ummm...

Upon getting the knife, she makes curry, under Daikichi's supervision of course. So hilarious when she forgets whether she should pull or push while cutting the potatoes. xD How many 6 year old kids around you is as independent as Rin, cooks and knows how to tend for herself...

wonder if the curry really tastes as nice as Daikichi claims...
Now onto the estranged mother part. Finally, Daikichi arranges a meeting with her near Grandpa's place. I for one, thought she'd have been far far away from home, but surprised to find she's still very much near Rin after all this time. Masako gives me a distant and odd impression, almost gauche and sometimes cold in the way she communicates with Daikichi. She doesn't have any problem in speaking her mind, instead, in some ways, she's more blunt that I thought she'd be. Like how she never hesitates one bit when Daikichi asks if she has any objection in having Rin stay with him in the future. Half of me wished she'd at least pause or think twice, or even maybe say she wants Rin back, but what a letdown. She has no problem with that plan as she claims that she's no longer Rin's mother and how it wouldn't be fair to decide for Rin after abandoning her.

By the end of the conversation, I don't know whether I should be happy for Rin or not for having such a mother. It was like, the meeting won't make much difference at all. Oh but, it's still not clear whether Rin's really Grandpa's child. Along the conversation, I have a feeling that Rin is Masako's child with another guy, and somehow she ended up being a maid at Grandpa's, being pregnant and all, Grandpa decides to raise Rin. If it's like that, then Grandpa has inherited his good genes to Daikichi because that's exactly what he's doing now. Taking care of a stranger's child.

Rin's mother has only one request from Daikichi. She hopes he'd change Rin's surname to his family's, making it from Kaga Rin to Kawachi Rin. Daikichi as to respect Rin's decision, wants to discuss the issue properly with Rin before making his own. Rin refuses to change her surname. For her, it's precious to keep it as Kaga Rin, because that's the name Grandpa gave her. So it stays that way then!

Sometimes I wonder if Rin's really just a 6 year old kid. At times, she can handle adult conversations like these, something people way beyond her age only can do. But Rin is mature in that sense. And her bond, her unbreakable bond with Grandpa! Sooo sweeeeet. Grandpa really is very important for her huh?

So Masako is living with another guy, probably boyfriend? I notice she eats a lot...when she's upset or something.

Will we see a change of heart in Masako?
Rating: 8/10

Usagi Drop [ep 4]

Finally, finally....the revelation is near. I was thinking maybe we'll never get to know about Rin's past and her mother, but looks like Daikichi manages to dig out quite a lot of stuffs in this episode! 

But first, a little summary- Rin's classmates at the nursery questions about Daikichi. They are shocked to hear that Daikichi isn't her father, and she doesn't have a mother. What's more shocking is when she tells them that Grandpa is her daddy!

Rin befriends a boy whose mum is divorced and a single mother. From him, she learned the word 'divorce'. And Daikichi again and again...sacrifices more and more for Rin. He decides to transfer to another department which enables him to have more time for Rin. I have tonnes of things to praise for Daikichi. I mean, he gives up smoking, he gives up drinking...and now, he gives up his career. No, not career literally, just a transfer. But he does so much for Rin even only knowing her for 3 months!  

Rin finally meets her competition in hand-tuggin!

Rin has a liking for younger kids! I can foresee her being a great caring oneechan if she ever has little bro or sis. She's just so naturally drawn to play with them or care for them...take for example, feeding the little kid above.

Rin blushes when praised! How cute is that!

Daikichi also befriends the boy's single mother at nursery. Will we see sparks between the two in future epis?

I think Daikichi making friends with other parents, especially single parents will help in boosting his confidence and also to share certain experiences or ask advices on various things.

Rin is also very fond of Usagi stuffs...she has a bunny pillow, a bunny bag etc...and now she's into bunny hair fashion!~ I'm just immediately reminded of Mana-chan's hair back in Marumo no Okite ...and it's similar! Good to see the resemblance already because Mana-chan is portraying Rin in the live-action version of this anime.

So back to the revelation...Rin's mother was a maid in Grandpa's house?! That was far more shocking that anything I've anticipated. And to add to that, Grandpa had a blog online! Wow...though he made mistakes in kanji and stuffs, it helps Daikichi discover more about Rin's mother. So, the mother was working as a maid back in the house, and Grandpa's will makes her sound like a good mother, but wasn't ready to become one. But what reason for her to leave such an adorable kid like Rin behind without any trace? And it wasn't stated in the will whether Rin truly is his blood and flesh. So that still remains a grey subject. But whatever it is, Rin turns out to be an obedient child.

Rating: 8.5/10

Usagi Drop [ep 3]

Daikichi brings Rin back to his parent's house and surprisingly, his parents seem to accept her much better compared to the first episode. It's like a 180 degree change which makes it kinda abrupt at first. Rin, when surrounded by the people who detest her before, is shy and always hides behind Daikichi. It's really heart-warming to watch her clinging on to Daikichi wherever he goes, even to the loo! Daikichi is the only one she finds comfort in.

Daikichi has another mission by going back to the hometown. He wants to try find out more about Rin's mother. He searched high and low at Grandpa's old house, only to find random letters and a modem. What's with the modem anyway? Grandpa has internet in his house?! We should not underestimate a 79 year old grandpa from now on.

Despite the sudden change in Daikichi's parents' attitude, Daikichi's sister is still pretty much in dismay to discover that her brother has taken Rin under his wings. Seriously, does she always have to appear in such a scary and horrifying expression eevrytime she appears on screen? Anyone would be terrified by her, let alone a 6 year old innocent kid! Please do not traumatize her further.

Rin acts differently when she's alone with Daikichi and when she's around his family. At home, as Daikichi tells his parents and sister, Rin is a much more cheerful kid who gets excited over the tiniest thing. Daikichi is right on the spot by saying that Rin behaves more quiet in front of the others because of the impression they gave her before at the funeral. They were not only watching her with such unwelcoming expression on their faces but also as if Rin's a burden none of them want anything to do with. So then, the parents try to warm up to Rin. It's lovely to see Rin slowly warming up to their approach.

Even Daikichi's monster sister takes the initiative to give advices on how to dress her up pretty. xD

Overall, the family's acceptance is a very much needed huge step in order to provide Rin with a better environment. Daikichi needs all the support he can get too so it's pleasant watch this happening.

Whenever Rin tugs on Daikichi's coat, or whatever he's wearing, I feel like hugging the little kid! 

Rating: 8/10

P.S. Am I the only one who thinks that the illustration somehow is similar to Studio Ghibli's artwork? Because the more I watch this, the more I'm reminded of Ghibli, especially Hayao Miyazaki's work.

Till the next episode!

Usagi Drop [ep 2] - Nursery

What I like about this anime is how realistic it is. A single guy taking care of a girl, thought to be his grandpa's child, which makes her his aunt. It's not easy to raise a kid, especially when the guy's working from morning till night and all he has to worry about is himself. As if his life isn't busy enough, an addition like Rin makes it even tougher to cope.

This episode is the beginning of life together under the roof for both Rin and Daikichi. He brings her to get new clothes and finds out that he hasn't thought about nursery for Rin. He then phones his sister for information, but it doesn't even look like she helped much. Reina still annoys me a lot, I wonder if she's gonna ever be quieter by the end of the show. A polar opposite from Rin.

Juggling between work and caring Rin proves to be a tough task for Daikichi. Still, he pushes himself to the limit and I'm amazed how he's more worried about Rin than himself. What a noble guy you are, Daikichi! But in the midst of it, he has doubts, which adds to the realism of the show. What if he has a girlfriend in the long run? How long can he possibly take care of Rin?

Rin neither frets nor complain when Daikichi is late to pick her up. Well, she did show a sad face, maybe a little upset, but at least she doesn't scream or cry out loud like what I think Reina would've done. Rin's an independent little girl. It seems like she's used to being alone or left alone. But she doesn't make herself look pitiful. This is yet another point that adds to her strength.

Why do the relatives have such a negative attitude towards Rin anyway? I understand the shock when somebody tells you that your Grandpa has a 6 year old child, is it even possible you might think, naturally. Still, the child's a victim. How can they just leave her like that? It really gives a bad impression on the society, but that's the sad truth. Easier said than done- one might say.

And the mother issue. I for one, strongly think that they should at least try to find the birth-mother. A mother's bond is not something you just forgot about. I'm sure whatever it is, there must be a valid reason she leaves Rin with Grandpa. Shouldn't they at least find out the truth? Aren't they the least curious about how Rin came about?
Rating: 8/10

How long can you stay with Daikichi, Rin?

Usagi Drop [ep 1]

Beware of the kawaii overload below...forgive me for posting lots of shots for just one episode. Rin is just toooo cuteee to be missed!

Omg...how can I miss this awesome anime this season!!!~ I first heard of Usagi Drop (Bunny Drop) when they announced the live-action of the show, starring Kenichi Matsuyama and Ashida Mana. Yes, Mana-chan is definitely the most famous youngest child star in Japan right about now. She's been on my lookout list ever since I saw her in Mother. Then, I kinda forgotten about the movie, it is out yet anyway? Definitely watching the movie, once it's subbed.

But here's the anime version. Halfway through the show, I felt tears stinging in my eyes. I don't do that for anime, well...rarely. Plus, the music is really gooood too. Background music is worth mentioning and is of cinematic quality.

Usagi Drop tells the story of Daikichi, a 30-year old salaryman who finds that his 79-year old grandfather has an illegitimate child during his funeral. Rin is a very shy and let me just say it out loud here, KAWAII 6-year old girl.

So then upon arrival at Grandpa's house, Daikichi notices the girl, often running away from the crowd, hiding behind doors and speaks very little. Actually, she doesn't speak much at all to anybody, which makes the relatives think of her as weird. However, amazingly though...Daikichi finds himself attracted to her and able to communicate with her more so than the rest. Rin finds comfort with Daikichi too.

The artwork for the anime wasn't really attractive for me, initially. But then, it grows on me little by little and now, I don't have any problem with it anymore. The paintbrush and sketchy illustrations make the anime all the more special and unique, making it stand out than the usual animes. Though, I have to admit, Daikichi's worn out and Ojiisan look did turn me off in the beginning, but gladly I got used to him after a while.

But Rin on the other hand is total kawaiiness...I'm not big on kids, I think I mentioned that earlier in other posts before, but I'm fond of quiet and well-behaved kids. Naughty and noisy ones totally turn me off immediately. So naturally, Rin is one of those that I don't mind playing with or just be around with. For some odd reason, Daikichi also finds himself protecting Rin, despite only knowing her for a few days.

As opposed to Rin, Reina is such an annoying girl, who nearly turned the funeral service into a circus, if not for her mother to drag her away. Earlier on, Rin is thought to not speak much at all by the relatives, but when she's alone with Daikichi, she speaks naturally with him! The power of Daikichi shall not be underestimated from now on!

When the discussion about how to handle Rin now that Grandpa is dead, Daikichi strongly opposed to their decision to send Rin to the welfare. Instead, he boldly asks if Rin wants to stay with him. So finally, he takes care of her, for the time being, I suppose until they find a better way. It's hilarious to think that Rin is supposed to be his Aunt, when he's like 30 years old older than she is. Amazing Grandpa Daikichi has. However, it's still not proven that Rin is grandpa's child. It may sound rather ridiculous since Grandpa's 79 years old, but I don't mind that. Rin and Daikichi makes a perfect pair!

Rating: 9/10 
It moved me. That's all it counts. xDD Watch it now!