Usagi Drop
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese josei manga
series by Yumi Unita. The plot follows thirty-year old Daikichi as he becomes the guardian of Rin, the illegitimate six-year old daughter of his grandfather.
Bunny Drop was serialized in the monthly magazine Feel Young
from October 2005 to April 2011. The chapters for this manga were also collected into nine wide-ban volumes, and released by Shodensha
. The series has been licensed in English by Yen Press
with four volumes released as of September 2011. An anime
adaptation by Production I.G aired in Japan between July 8, 2011 and September 16, 2011. A live-action film adaptation of this manga premiered in Japan on August 20, 2011. A spin-off
series of this manga by Unita, entitled Usagi Drop: Bangaihen, began serialization in the July 2011 issue of Feel Young.
in the monthly josei
magazine Feel Young
between October 2005 and April 2011. Part one, which is collected in the first four volumes, concluded in the April 2008 issue, with part two (which skips ahead ten years) beginning thereafter. The chapters were collected in nine wide-ban volumes, the final volume released on July 8, 2011.
The series has been licensed in English by Yen Press
and in French by Delcourt
.
and was released in Japanese theaters on August 20, 2011.
TV series adaptation of the manga produced by Production I.G aired on the noitaminA
timeslot on Fuji TV between July 8, 2011 and September 16, 2011. In addition, the series can be watched on Kansai TV (July 12 -), Tokai TV (July 14 -), TV Nishinippon (July 20 -, every 2 weeks, 2 episodes per day), and BS Fuji (August 6 -). The series was also simulcast by Crunchyroll
and Anime News Network
. The series will be released on four Blu-ray Disc/DVD volumes between October 28, 2011 and January 27, 2012, each containing a bonus mini-episode. Two theme music are planned for the series: one opening and one ending theme. The opening theme is "Sweet Drop" by Puffy AmiYumi
and the ending theme is "High High High" by Kasarinchu.
Bonus episodes
's Deb Aoki praised the first volume for its "heartfelt drama and slice-of-life comedy", uncluttered artwork, storytelling, and the relationship between Daikichi and Rin. She notes that the artwork is a bit plain and simple. Danielle Leigh's also praised the art and the parent and child pair, calling the relationship moving and amusing. Comicsworthreading.com's Johanna Carlson commended Daikichi's character to be realistic as if he were an actual Japanese single father. She rated the first volume as one of the best manga of 2010. Carlson expressed appreciation for the small moments where Daikichi learns what it is to be a parent and states the series is unique to the manga market. The manga is a candidate for the 2011 Eisner Award
in the Best U.S. Edition of International Material-Asia category.
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
series by Yumi Unita. The plot follows thirty-year old Daikichi as he becomes the guardian of Rin, the illegitimate six-year old daughter of his grandfather.
Bunny Drop was serialized in the monthly magazine Feel Young
Feel Young
Feel Young is a monthly josei manga magazine published by Shōdensha in Japan. Manga artist whose stories have run in this magazine include Moyoco Anno, Mitsue Aoki, Mitsukazu Mihara, Kiriko Nananan, Mari Okazaki, Erica Sakurazawa, Ebine Yamaji, and others....
from October 2005 to April 2011. The chapters for this manga were also collected into nine wide-ban volumes, and released by Shodensha
Shodensha
is a Japanese publisher of mostly non-fiction magazines and books, though it has recently begun publishing light novels and manga, including magazines which contain both...
. The series has been licensed in English by Yen Press
Yen Press
Yen Press is the manga and graphic novel imprint of Hachette Book Group. In addition to their regular book releases, Yen Press produces a monthly anthology called Yen Plus. The company's varied list demonstrates an interest in publishing a wide variety of Japanese manga, Korean manhwa, and other...
with four volumes released as of September 2011. An anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
adaptation by Production I.G aired in Japan between July 8, 2011 and September 16, 2011. A live-action film adaptation of this manga premiered in Japan on August 20, 2011. A spin-off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
series of this manga by Unita, entitled Usagi Drop: Bangaihen, began serialization in the July 2011 issue of Feel Young.
Plot
When 30-year-old Daikichi returns home for his grandfather's funeral he learns about the existence of Rin, his grandfather's illegitimate six-year-old daughter by an unknown mother. The girl is an embarrassment to all his relatives and is treated as an outcast. Annoyed by their attitude, Daikichi decides to take care of Rin himself, even though he is single and has no experience raising a child. As Rin becomes part of his life, Daikichi experiences the hardship of a single parent. He is befriended by the mother of Kouki Nitani, a single mother, who gives him advice on raising Rin. After a year has passed, Daikichi acknowledges his sacrifices for Rin has been worth it. The first half of the series focuses on Daikichi's perspective and struggles raising Rin. Ten years later, Rin is a high-school student and the remainder of the series focuses on her trying to figure out how to deal with her feelings for Kouki, and her decision for a career. Rin discovers that she has no family ties to Daikichi and the series ends with Rin planning to have a child with Daikichi.Characters
- Daikichi is a 30-year-old single man and the adoptive guardian of Rin. With Rin living in his home, Daikichi quits smoking, cleans his house, and reluctantly cuts back on work hours. Despite his irresponsible life style, Daikichi is a very hard worker and considered the best in his department. He is insecure about his style on raising Rin, always asking his co-workers or Yukari for guidance. Yumi Unita stated some events Daikichi faced when raising Rin were based on her personal experiences. He is voiced by Hiroshi TsuchidaHiroshi Tsuchidais a Japanese voice actor and actor affiliated with 81 Produce. Tsuchida is best known for his role as Saizou/NinjaBlue in Ninja Sentai Kakuranger.-TV Anime:*Naruto *Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo *Honey and Clover...
in the anime and portrayed by Kenichi Matsuyama in the live action film.
- Rin is a six-year-old girl and thought to be the illegitimate daughter of Daikichi's grandfather, and manga artist . Masako abandoned her for the sake of her career. She is strongly independent and mature, often dealing with issues on her own. Living with Daikichi, she develops a fondness of cooking for him. Rin begins to wrestle with her feelings when Kouki starts wanting to have a deeper relationship with her. Rin comes to realize that she likes Daikichi, but is hesitant to pursue a relationship because they are related. Near the end of the series, however, Rin learns that Souichi was not her biological father and only adopted her. After this she opts to stay with Daikichi for life. Her child self is voiced by Ayu Matsuura in the anime and portrayed by Mana AshidaMana Ashidais a Japanese child actress, Tarento and singer from Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture. She is currently represented by JobbyKids.Mana Ashida first acted Asahi Broadcasting Corporation's ABC Short Movie 2, though she rose to prominence only after she starred in the popular television drama Mother...
in the live-action film.
- Kouki is a boy Rin befriended in her daycare. He is an immature brat, but has grown fond of Rin as they are both raised by a single parent. When they are teenagers, Kouki desires to pursue a deeper relationship with Rin. Kouki later realizes that Rin loves Daikichi and works to help her confess her feelings to him, consistently acting for her best interest despite himself. His child self is voiced by Noa Sakai in the anime.
- Yukari is an attractive 30-year-old divorced woman who is Kouki's mother. She gives guidance to Daikichi Kawachi on raising Rin. Yukari is voiced by Sayaka OharaSayaka Oharais a Japanese voice actress. She is currently affiliated with Tokyo Actor's Consumer's Cooperative Society. She is a graduate of Aoyama Gakuin University's Department of Literature. Her nickname is...
in the anime and portrayed by Karina in the live-action film.
Manga
Bunny Drop was written and illustrated by Yumi Unita. The untitled chapters were serialized by ShodenshaShodensha
is a Japanese publisher of mostly non-fiction magazines and books, though it has recently begun publishing light novels and manga, including magazines which contain both...
in the monthly josei
Josei
also known as or , is a term that refers to the target demographic of manga created mostly by women for late teenage and adult female audiences. Readers range from 15-44. In Japanese, the word josei means simply "woman", "female", "feminine", "womanhood" and has no manga-related connotations at...
magazine Feel Young
Feel Young
Feel Young is a monthly josei manga magazine published by Shōdensha in Japan. Manga artist whose stories have run in this magazine include Moyoco Anno, Mitsue Aoki, Mitsukazu Mihara, Kiriko Nananan, Mari Okazaki, Erica Sakurazawa, Ebine Yamaji, and others....
between October 2005 and April 2011. Part one, which is collected in the first four volumes, concluded in the April 2008 issue, with part two (which skips ahead ten years) beginning thereafter. The chapters were collected in nine wide-ban volumes, the final volume released on July 8, 2011.
The series has been licensed in English by Yen Press
Yen Press
Yen Press is the manga and graphic novel imprint of Hachette Book Group. In addition to their regular book releases, Yen Press produces a monthly anthology called Yen Plus. The company's varied list demonstrates an interest in publishing a wide variety of Japanese manga, Korean manhwa, and other...
and in French by Delcourt
Delcourt (publisher)
Delcourt is a French publishing house that specializes in comics and manga.It was founded in 1986 through the fusion of the magazines Charlie Mensuel and Pilote...
.
Live-action Film
In June 2010, production on a live-action film adaption of the manga was announced. The film is being directed by SabuSabu (director)
is the pseudonym of Japanese actor and director .-Career:Born in Wakayama Prefecture, Sabu studied at an Osaka fashion school before deciding to go to Tokyo to become a professional musician. It was suggested he try acting and in 1986 he made his film debut in Sorobanzuku...
and was released in Japanese theaters on August 20, 2011.
Anime
An animeAnime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
TV series adaptation of the manga produced by Production I.G aired on the noitaminA
Noitamina
– "Animation" written backwards – is a Fuji Television programming block, devoted to anime, originally broadcast each Thursday night from 24:45 to 25:15 . It was launched with the intention of expanding the target audience beyond the typical young male demographic...
timeslot on Fuji TV between July 8, 2011 and September 16, 2011. In addition, the series can be watched on Kansai TV (July 12 -), Tokai TV (July 14 -), TV Nishinippon (July 20 -, every 2 weeks, 2 episodes per day), and BS Fuji (August 6 -). The series was also simulcast by Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is an American website and international online community focused on streaming East Asian media including anime, manga, drama, music, electronic entertainment, and auto racing content...
and Anime News Network
Anime News Network
Anime News Network is an anime industry news website that reports on the status of anime, manga, Japanese popular music and other otaku-related culture within North America, Australia and Japan. Additionally, it sometimes features similar happenings throughout the Anglosphere and elsewhere in the...
. The series will be released on four Blu-ray Disc/DVD volumes between October 28, 2011 and January 27, 2012, each containing a bonus mini-episode. Two theme music are planned for the series: one opening and one ending theme. The opening theme is "Sweet Drop" by Puffy AmiYumi
Puffy AmiYumi
or Puffy AmiYumi is a Japanese rock duo that is currently signed with Sony Music Japan. The group continues to go by the moniker of PUFFY in Japan, but in order to avoid legal naming conflicts with Sean Combs, it has adopted the name Puffy AmiYumi outside of Japan...
and the ending theme is "High High High" by Kasarinchu.
Episode list
| No. | Title | Director | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
Bonus episodes
| No. | Title | Release date |
|---|---|---|
Reception
About.comAbout.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
's Deb Aoki praised the first volume for its "heartfelt drama and slice-of-life comedy", uncluttered artwork, storytelling, and the relationship between Daikichi and Rin. She notes that the artwork is a bit plain and simple. Danielle Leigh's also praised the art and the parent and child pair, calling the relationship moving and amusing. Comicsworthreading.com's Johanna Carlson commended Daikichi's character to be realistic as if he were an actual Japanese single father. She rated the first volume as one of the best manga of 2010. Carlson expressed appreciation for the small moments where Daikichi learns what it is to be a parent and states the series is unique to the manga market. The manga is a candidate for the 2011 Eisner Award
Eisner Award
The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, commonly shortened to the Eisner Awards, and sometimes referred to as the Oscar Awards of the Comics Industry, are prizes given for creative achievement in American comic books. The Eisner Awards were first conferred in 1988, created in response to the...
in the Best U.S. Edition of International Material-Asia category.
External links
- Bunny Drop at ShodenshaShodenshais a Japanese publisher of mostly non-fiction magazines and books, though it has recently begun publishing light novels and manga, including magazines which contain both...
- Bunny Drop official anime website
- Bunny Drop at Yen PressYen PressYen Press is the manga and graphic novel imprint of Hachette Book Group. In addition to their regular book releases, Yen Press produces a monthly anthology called Yen Plus. The company's varied list demonstrates an interest in publishing a wide variety of Japanese manga, Korean manhwa, and other...