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うさぎドロップ [Usagi Drop] #5
Usagi Drop 05
Over the last ten years, Daikichi has put his adopted daughter Rin before himself and found happiness in her happiness. But having given what some would call the best years of his life to raising his grandfather's illegitimate child, the now-forty-something Daikichi has all but given up on finding the woman of his dreams. Though this situation has yet to strain the relationship between Daikichi and Rin, will the ups-and-downs of adolescence leave Rin, now a thoughtful young woman, wanting for a motherly influence in her life? And as Rin becomes embroiled in the whirlwind of exams, dating, and the like, can Daikichi only sit back and watch?
214 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
6 people are currently reading
253 people want to read
About the author
Yumi Unita
56 books85 followersJapanese Name (宇仁田ゆみ)
Yumi Unita was born in Mie Prefecture on May 10th, 1972. In 1998, she debuted with "VOICE" in Hakusensha's Young Animal. Since then, she has worked in many genres, having her works featured in seinen, josei, and shounen magazines.
Yumi Unita was born in Mie Prefecture on May 10th, 1972. In 1998, she debuted with "VOICE" in Hakusensha's Young Animal. Since then, she has worked in many genres, having her works featured in seinen, josei, and shounen magazines.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
April 21, 2012
I've had this on my shelf for a couple weeks now, but I couldn't bring myself to read it. I've heard spoilers about what happens in the second half of the series and ... gah! Do not want.
But I finally plucked up my courage and gave it a shot.
Damn you, Yumi Unita! What have you done to my mellow slice-of-life about single parenthood in modern Japan? If you haven't heard, volume 5 begins with a ten year time skip. Rin is now a teenager and acting all teenagery, which sucks. And Kouki too is a teenager and acting all teenagery, which sucks. Reina also is a teenager and acting all teenagery, which ... well, actually, it's a huge improvement for her, which combined with the layers of suck added to everyone else makes her the most compelling character in the series now.
Meanwhile, Daikichi is entering middle age, as is Kouki's mom, Nitani. Despite knowing each other for a decade at this point, Daikichi hasn't made a move on her, even though it was obvious by the middle of volume 2 that they were perfect for each other. Dude! Ten years and you can't advance your relationship? What the hell is wrong with you?
Okay, to be fair, we find out in a flashback that he did make a move. Once. At a time when Kouki and Rin were acting super teenagery, and Nitani was all, "I don't think it's a good idea to place two balls of hormones in the same house."
Gah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's only volume 5 and I want to smack every single character (except Reina). God help me when I get to the crazy stuff in volume 8.
But I finally plucked up my courage and gave it a shot.
Damn you, Yumi Unita! What have you done to my mellow slice-of-life about single parenthood in modern Japan? If you haven't heard, volume 5 begins with a ten year time skip. Rin is now a teenager and acting all teenagery, which sucks. And Kouki too is a teenager and acting all teenagery, which sucks. Reina also is a teenager and acting all teenagery, which ... well, actually, it's a huge improvement for her, which combined with the layers of suck added to everyone else makes her the most compelling character in the series now.
Meanwhile, Daikichi is entering middle age, as is Kouki's mom, Nitani. Despite knowing each other for a decade at this point, Daikichi hasn't made a move on her, even though it was obvious by the middle of volume 2 that they were perfect for each other. Dude! Ten years and you can't advance your relationship? What the hell is wrong with you?
Okay, to be fair, we find out in a flashback that he did make a move. Once. At a time when Kouki and Rin were acting super teenagery, and Nitani was all, "I don't think it's a good idea to place two balls of hormones in the same house."
Gah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's only volume 5 and I want to smack every single character (except Reina). God help me when I get to the crazy stuff in volume 8.
July 4, 2019
This one was a little bit different, especially with the time jump. I didn't even take the time to see what this one was about since I was so excited that my library had it.
I was nervous that this book would taint a series I've enjoyed thus far. But to my surprise, the new underlying theme matched the overall message of "figuring it out as we go."
I wish we saw more of Daikichi and Rin together, but seeing every character interact with one another was fulfilling. Also, my babies are all tiny teenagers now with tons of emotion, and I'm digging it.
Who knows when I'll get the next book, but I can't wait till then.
Honorable Quote:
"Your mom is cute and nice."
"If you marry me, that cute mom comes with the package."
"Idiot."
I was nervous that this book would taint a series I've enjoyed thus far. But to my surprise, the new underlying theme matched the overall message of "figuring it out as we go."
I wish we saw more of Daikichi and Rin together, but seeing every character interact with one another was fulfilling. Also, my babies are all tiny teenagers now with tons of emotion, and I'm digging it.
Who knows when I'll get the next book, but I can't wait till then.
Honorable Quote:
"Your mom is cute and nice."
"If you marry me, that cute mom comes with the package."
"Idiot."
August 19, 2021
3/5 In volume 5 we leap ahead 10 years and it’s jarring. The whole dynamic of the manga has changed. We’ve changed from a cute slice of life about a bachelor raising a child to a romance manga. Kouki, Rin’s childhood friend, wants to date her. We also get a romance chapter about Daikichi and Koiki’s mother
While the story isn’t bad this just isn’t as enjoyable to me as it was in previous volumes. I still love the characters so I’ll stick with it a bit. I also didn’t like how after building up Rin’s mother in the first few volumes she has just disappeared from the series. Especially frustrating after the 10 year time leap.
High school Rin on the cover of volume 5.
Read 8/19/21
While the story isn’t bad this just isn’t as enjoyable to me as it was in previous volumes. I still love the characters so I’ll stick with it a bit. I also didn’t like how after building up Rin’s mother in the first few volumes she has just disappeared from the series. Especially frustrating after the 10 year time leap.
High school Rin on the cover of volume 5.
Read 8/19/21
October 22, 2012
Daikichi is now 40, and Rin is in her first year of high school. Kouki and Rin are still friends, but they act a little like an old married couple (bickering). Kouki went through some kind of rebellious phase in his middle school years and gave everyone a lot of grief. He started dating an older girl – Akari – and hanging out in arcades at all hours of the night (sometimes not returning home). Although his relationship with Akari seems like it may have been coerced, it’s not clear exactly what happened (or what power she held over him – besides the obvious/hot older girl). Kouki continued to have feelings for Rin during this time, and in this volume, he asks her out. She turns him down. Daikichi also faces rejection when he proposes living together to Nitani (Kouki’s mom).
I was hoping that Kouki’s mysterious relationship would be unmasked in this volume, as I’d accidentally skipped ahead to Vol. 6. Unfortunately, there is no new information here. Vol. 6 actually rehashes – at a slightly later date – the events of Vol. 5, with the exception of Rin’s being focused on going to college, rather than just graduating and getting a job as quickly as possible. Daikichi encourages her to make the most of her educational opportunities and do something (real, big, amazing) with her life.
As another reviewer pointed out - this skips about 10 years ahead. So if you were hoping - like me - for a year by year exposition, prepare to be disappointed. :(
I was hoping that Kouki’s mysterious relationship would be unmasked in this volume, as I’d accidentally skipped ahead to Vol. 6. Unfortunately, there is no new information here. Vol. 6 actually rehashes – at a slightly later date – the events of Vol. 5, with the exception of Rin’s being focused on going to college, rather than just graduating and getting a job as quickly as possible. Daikichi encourages her to make the most of her educational opportunities and do something (real, big, amazing) with her life.
As another reviewer pointed out - this skips about 10 years ahead. So if you were hoping - like me - for a year by year exposition, prepare to be disappointed. :(
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2013
You know, when I first started reading this series, I said, "Wait, single male parent? That's really rare!" and began reading it for the lovely artwork and the strangeness of a story centering around not just a single parent, but a single GUY parent.
This volume... threw that out the window.
Originally it was more about Daikichi and the difficulties of being a single parent in Japan. Now, though, the story seems to focus on Rin entering adulthood. Nothing against that, but high school problems are so common in manga that they almost instantaneously lose my interest. It takes quite a bit of quirk to salvage a high school plot. Rin's story... doesn't have that originality. I feel like I've read about her problems in other series, like Azumanga Daioh (what do I do after high school?) or Kare First Love (what do I do about my relationship after high school?). I think I would've preferred Daikichi having to deal with a high school daughter. That's what really set Bunny Drop apart, and though it's far more serious than your average high school drama, it's still getting too close for comfort.
Chapter 30 was more like what I wanted to see, with Daikichi trying to help with Kouki while handling a middle-school Rin (yes, flashback). Why couldn't the whole thing be like that?
Go back to Daikichi's life, please!
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This volume... threw that out the window.
Originally it was more about Daikichi and the difficulties of being a single parent in Japan. Now, though, the story seems to focus on Rin entering adulthood. Nothing against that, but high school problems are so common in manga that they almost instantaneously lose my interest. It takes quite a bit of quirk to salvage a high school plot. Rin's story... doesn't have that originality. I feel like I've read about her problems in other series, like Azumanga Daioh (what do I do after high school?) or Kare First Love (what do I do about my relationship after high school?). I think I would've preferred Daikichi having to deal with a high school daughter. That's what really set Bunny Drop apart, and though it's far more serious than your average high school drama, it's still getting too close for comfort.
Chapter 30 was more like what I wanted to see, with Daikichi trying to help with Kouki while handling a middle-school Rin (yes, flashback). Why couldn't the whole thing be like that?
Go back to Daikichi's life, please!
[image error]
July 17, 2012
The jump forward of ten years is jarring and poorly transitioned, and the switch from Daikichi to Rin as the main character is disappointing, but the flashback at the end featuring Daikichi saved the volume for me.
February 20, 2022
From this volume onwards they have grown and already thinking of university. The time jump kinda makes me feel like we missed something important but they do talk about it also there are some flashback scenes. I really want Daikichi and Nitani-San to become a couple but the struggles of having kids to take care of makes it difficult. It is understandable and yet the heart yearns on both sides. Kouki and Rin too could be a thing but I'm not sure it would happen.
Moreover, it still is interesting.
Moreover, it still is interesting.
June 22, 2015
So I had read about how this manga has serious quality problems after the 10 year time jump. I decided to try to finish the series anyway. I love Rin and Daikichi and want to see how their father/daughter relationship ends and what trials he has with her when she's a teenager.
I guess my expectations were totally off! The magic of the series was totally missing. There were no little cute lessons Daikichi learned as a parent. There were no moments when Rin was an endearingly adult voice then shamelessly still childlike. There was no depth to the events in each chapter, what you read is what you got and that is so not like Bunny Drop to be so shallow! The interactions with the other single parent were down right depressing and so singularly wrong headed that the whole volume was a turn off.
I was really sad by the lack of character Daikichi had! He's receded into the background like a sad sack instead of the cool, learning and loving single parent he's always been in the past! Rin was so not like Rin either! I get it that when a friend is hanging out with someone you don't like that it is a tough situation and maybe you do reconsider being their friend...still I don't really want to read about Rin having to experience this! Especially as I've skipped 10 years of history between the two (her and Kouki).
I think that time jump was a complete misstep!
BOTTOM LINE: The charm has vanished.
I guess my expectations were totally off! The magic of the series was totally missing. There were no little cute lessons Daikichi learned as a parent. There were no moments when Rin was an endearingly adult voice then shamelessly still childlike. There was no depth to the events in each chapter, what you read is what you got and that is so not like Bunny Drop to be so shallow! The interactions with the other single parent were down right depressing and so singularly wrong headed that the whole volume was a turn off.
I was really sad by the lack of character Daikichi had! He's receded into the background like a sad sack instead of the cool, learning and loving single parent he's always been in the past! Rin was so not like Rin either! I get it that when a friend is hanging out with someone you don't like that it is a tough situation and maybe you do reconsider being their friend...still I don't really want to read about Rin having to experience this! Especially as I've skipped 10 years of history between the two (her and Kouki).
I think that time jump was a complete misstep!
BOTTOM LINE: The charm has vanished.
November 19, 2014
She's all grown up and it makes for such an interesting plot change! Possibly my favourite, definitely one of, so far!
April 26, 2015
Another great volume
November 14, 2022
The ongoing story of Daikichi, a bachelor, who is the guardian of Rin, a young girl he’s cared for since she was 6 years old.
The first ¾ of this volume takes place approximately 10 years after volume 4 so Rin is now a teenager. Daikichi is still the sweet and somewhat clueless guy when it comes to women and relationships. He’s still very much a worry wart when it comes to Rin. Sadly, people tend to judge him based on his looks. This volume shows how teens struggle to figure out relationships and how sometimes a single decision can alter them. A lot of teen girls discussing how certain male stereotypes such as the “Mama’s boy” may interfere with developing relationships or may actually end them as the boy (or man) puts his Mama above everyone else. When
The last ¼ is a flash back to when Rin and Kouki were in middle school and you get to see a little more of the dynamic between Natani-san, Kouki’s mom, and Daikichi. How low self esteem and self worth can affect how a relationship develops. Also, on how single parents will sometimes put their own love lives on holds for the sake of the children.
The first ¾ of this volume takes place approximately 10 years after volume 4 so Rin is now a teenager. Daikichi is still the sweet and somewhat clueless guy when it comes to women and relationships. He’s still very much a worry wart when it comes to Rin. Sadly, people tend to judge him based on his looks. This volume shows how teens struggle to figure out relationships and how sometimes a single decision can alter them. A lot of teen girls discussing how certain male stereotypes such as the “Mama’s boy” may interfere with developing relationships or may actually end them as the boy (or man) puts his Mama above everyone else. When
The last ¼ is a flash back to when Rin and Kouki were in middle school and you get to see a little more of the dynamic between Natani-san, Kouki’s mom, and Daikichi. How low self esteem and self worth can affect how a relationship develops. Also, on how single parents will sometimes put their own love lives on holds for the sake of the children.
Read
September 24, 2021I first started reading Bunny Drop back in 2012 and thought it was really cute, so I bought all the volumes up to 7 (which were all that had been published in English at the time). The story and characters go a bit downhill once Rin reaches her teen years, so I actually only ever read through volume 6, but always kind of meant to go back and continue the series eventually. Cut to years later and I learned about the problematic turn the story takes by the end:
Despite that, I've had fond memories of the first few volumes and still owned volumes 1-7 for almost a decade. I needed to decide whether to keep or unhaul the manga, so I finally re-read and completed the unread portions of the manga, since there's only ten volumes. And yeah, it for sure goes downhill after volume 4, and the uncomfortable topic begins in volume 8. I am sort of glad to finally have finished the series and seen for myself how the story devolves. While I do genuinely still like the beginning of this series, I won't be rating any of them because I don't want to encourage anyone to begin reading without knowing the trajectory the story takes, and I don't really want to further support an author who would write this kind of storyline (I read the last three volumes I didn't already own through online scans).
For new readers, I would definitely suggest stopping either after volume 4 or volume 7. Both of those volumes have decent ending points without any of the weirdness of the final volumes. But also this is one of those cases where you should definitely know spoilers before deciding to start reading.
Despite that, I've had fond memories of the first few volumes and still owned volumes 1-7 for almost a decade. I needed to decide whether to keep or unhaul the manga, so I finally re-read and completed the unread portions of the manga, since there's only ten volumes. And yeah, it for sure goes downhill after volume 4, and the uncomfortable topic begins in volume 8. I am sort of glad to finally have finished the series and seen for myself how the story devolves. While I do genuinely still like the beginning of this series, I won't be rating any of them because I don't want to encourage anyone to begin reading without knowing the trajectory the story takes, and I don't really want to further support an author who would write this kind of storyline (I read the last three volumes I didn't already own through online scans).
For new readers, I would definitely suggest stopping either after volume 4 or volume 7. Both of those volumes have decent ending points without any of the weirdness of the final volumes. But also this is one of those cases where you should definitely know spoilers before deciding to start reading.
October 2, 2019
Well, this one skips forward 10 years into the future, which I wasn't expecting. And I wasn't too thrilled about that... What I LIKED about the series was Daikichi learning how to be a dad.
But it's kinda cool he's being a dad with a teenager now, I guess. It stresses me out that Rin doesn't want to go to college, so I identify with him in that.
I'm really NOT loving the Kouki/Rin maybe romance, though. He's a pushy jerk!
I'm loving the Daikishi/Nitani slow burn though. I'm a sucker for middle-aged people finding love.
But it's kinda cool he's being a dad with a teenager now, I guess. It stresses me out that Rin doesn't want to go to college, so I identify with him in that.
I'm really NOT loving the Kouki/Rin maybe romance, though. He's a pushy jerk!
I'm loving the Daikishi/Nitani slow burn though. I'm a sucker for middle-aged people finding love.
June 10, 2021
Ten years have passed since we've last seen our quirky family. Rin and Kouki are in high school now and dealing with the weird ups and downs that come with friends and dating. Though Rin and Kouki aren't together and neither are Daikichi and Kouki's mom, which is a bummer, but there's still more books to come and this volume definitely leaves me feeling hopeful.
I also like how they use small flashbacks to hint at what's been going on these past 10 years. Usually this stuff gets on my nerves, but it works for this series.
This series has 10 volumes.
I also like how they use small flashbacks to hint at what's been going on these past 10 years. Usually this stuff gets on my nerves, but it works for this series.
This series has 10 volumes.
September 2, 2017
This volume takes place ten years after the previous one, with little Rin in high school and thinking about her options for college. She is also dealing with her relationship with Kouki which has been anything but simple. The final chapter in this one also gives a little bit of a look backward at a moment between Diakichi and Nitani (Kouki's mother) when their children were in middle school. I love the evolving story of each of the characters and look forward to more in these final chapters.
July 29, 2018
I wish they hadn't skipped right to high school, but at the same time I understand why, and I think they are doing flashbacks well and appropriately to show time/important events we missed.
It's continuing to be an interesting story, however our library files it under teen graphic novels, and somehow I feel the content is more adult. Not graphically, but largely mentally. Still I am enjoying it and looking forward to seeing how the story continues.
It's continuing to be an interesting story, however our library files it under teen graphic novels, and somehow I feel the content is more adult. Not graphically, but largely mentally. Still I am enjoying it and looking forward to seeing how the story continues.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2019
Ecco che la qualità comincia a calare un po'. Prima c'era un tocco di originalità nella storia con il rapporto tra la piccola Rin e Daikichi. Ma adesso Rin ha sedici anni ed è al liceo.
Strano questo salto in avanti di dieci anni, anche perché poi l'autrice deve sempre tornare indietro per raccontare ciò che non è stato detto. Ci sono flashback sul rapporto tra Rin e Koki e su quello tra Diakichi e la mamma di Koki.
Chissà dove arriverà la storia...
Strano questo salto in avanti di dieci anni, anche perché poi l'autrice deve sempre tornare indietro per raccontare ciò che non è stato detto. Ci sono flashback sul rapporto tra Rin e Koki e su quello tra Diakichi e la mamma di Koki.
Chissà dove arriverà la storia...
August 23, 2023
3.5 stars
Well I generally don’t like time jumps so I was a bit afraid going into this one. It was actually fun to get to see them growing up a little. Rin was lacking personality tho, waiting to see what’s wrong with her. Kouki grew up quite a lot and he is super cute. Hopping for a romance even tho they are on a whacky situation. Also, Daikichi is the same old, I really like him and loves the flash back in this book.
Well I generally don’t like time jumps so I was a bit afraid going into this one. It was actually fun to get to see them growing up a little. Rin was lacking personality tho, waiting to see what’s wrong with her. Kouki grew up quite a lot and he is super cute. Hopping for a romance even tho they are on a whacky situation. Also, Daikichi is the same old, I really like him and loves the flash back in this book.
April 22, 2020
And just like that, Bunny Drop has become less of a drama about raising a child as a single parent to a high-school love drama, complete with a Bitch Squad. I'm disappointed to say the least. I'll keep reading, if only to finish the series, but I find it hard to recommend this series now since it feels like a completely different story. It's gone from good to eh.
April 30, 2021
Entre ce tome et le précèdent, dix ans se sont écoulés et Rin est maintenant au lycée. C’est vraiment bizarre au début de faire un si grand saut dans le futur car on se pose plein de questions sur ce qu’il a pu se passer entre nos personnages. Ce tome commence à répondre à nos questions mais pas complètement, il y a encore plein de mystère. J’ai bien rigolé en tout cas.
4/5
4/5
August 10, 2017
The jump to 10 years later is a little awkward and I would have liked to have watched Rin grow up. Daikichi seems to have gotten a handle on this parenting thing. I will keep going as I want to see happens.
April 16, 2018
By far my favourite of the series - I feel like having an older Rin makes for a better book - I get we needed to establish her younger being but this is way more entertaining and school life is hard!
April 29, 2020
Not really happy with the time jump in the story. So many open topics were just skipped and suddenly Rin is 16. Also, the plot is shifting from Rin's relationship with Daikichi into the random teenage shoujo crap.
August 19, 2024
First 4 volumes are fine. After that, not so much. It all becomes pretty grossin retrospect. Don't recommend it. I couldn't sleep so I decided to read a series that I had very little context for other than people hated the ending. I see why.
January 18, 2025
Although I really don’t like the time jump, because of *that thing*, this book has one of my favourite moments in the series between Daikichi and Nitani. It’s very grown up, very mature, very mindful.
June 24, 2017
I am enjoying this series!
September 18, 2017
This book takes a ten year time jump. Rin is now in high school and trying to navigate that world. Daichiki is still single, but that is not what it seems. I liked it.
November 2, 2017
3'5 en realidad.
Lo del salto de 10 años así de repente me ha resultado un poquito brusco y creo que empieza a decaer un poco pero bueno, ya voy por la mitad así que no voy a dejarlo ahora.
Lo del salto de 10 años así de repente me ha resultado un poquito brusco y creo que empieza a decaer un poco pero bueno, ya voy por la mitad así que no voy a dejarlo ahora.
March 5, 2018
J'avais un peu peur de ne pas reconnaitre les personnages après ce saut de 10 ans dans l'avenir mais finalement, j'ai beaucoup aimé, ça apporte une autre dimension à l’histoire.
Lu le 05/03/2018
Lu le 05/03/2018
January 7, 2019
i spoiled myself on what happens in the second half of this series and... no
i’ll still finish it because i’m a completist but....... i want to dead
i’ll still finish it because i’m a completist but....... i want to dead
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews