The world of anime can be an intimidating place, especially for people who do not actively stay on top of the latest shows. There are so many genres to choose from: drama, action, fantasy, romance, etc. A genre that is one of my personal favorites is “slice of life” dramas, shows that revolve around daily life like school, family, and friends. Today’s review is of one such show: Usagi Drop or, the English translation, Bunny Drop.

Usagi Drop starts its story by introducing us to Daikichi, an unmarried man in his early thirties, who is attending his grandfather’s funeral. Upon arriving at his grandfather’s house, he discovers a family surprise: his grandfather supposedly fathered an illegitimate child, a six year old girl named Rin. The rest of Daikichi’s family, ashamed of her status, treats Rin like an outcast. This callous treatment infuriates Daikichi, and he impulsively decides to raise Rin by himself. Usagi Drop follows Daikichi as he stumbles his way through raising a child. We see him struggle at getting basic things done like registering Rin for daycare, tracking down Rin’s mother for background information, and balancing his job with his new lifestyle that involves raising a kid. Through his ups and downs, Daikichi learns what it takes to be a good parent and experiences the joys, pains, sacrifices, and humor of taking care of a child.

This show, in my opinion, is wonderful, funny, and heartwarming. The Japanese voice acting is fantastic and matches well with the characters and their designs. Rin is one of the cutest child protagonists I’ve come across in a long time. Daikichi is a great character as well. He greatly cares for Rin and does everything he can to make sure Rin is loved and well cared for. The animation is more simple and plain than the slick, contemporary animation found today, but it is nonetheless still beautiful and fits well with the show’s style and tone.

There is no grand, overarching plot line in Usagi Drop. Each episode showcases a new challenge Daikichi must overcome. In other anime, episodic shows can get boring quickly, but Usagi Drop‘s characters and the dynamics between them kept me coming back for more. The show is pretty short, with just eleven episodes and a few bonus ones thrown in. I felt the ending was a little rushed, but the rest of the show flows well at a peaceful pace.

There is nothing inappropriate in Usagi Drop. The content might be a little mature for younger kids, but I think teenagers and adults will appreciate this calm, touching story of a guy learning the ropes of raising a kid. Overall, Usagi Drop is a sweet little show that serves as a wonderful tribute to parents everywhere who have had to sacrifice so much in raising their kids.

Interested in checking out Usagi Drop? What other anime shows would you like us to review?

Edited by: Hannah Wilkes