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うさぎドロップ [Usagi Drop] #1
Bunny Drop, Vol. 1
Going home for his grandfather's funeral, thirty-year-old bachelor
Daikichi is floored to discover that the old man had an illegitimate
child with a younger lover! The rest of his family is equally shocked
and embarrassed by this surprise development, and not one of them wants
anything to do with the silent little girl, Rin. In a fit of angry
spontaneity, Daikichi decides to take her in himself! But will living
with this overgrown teenager of man help Rin come out of her shell? And
hang on, won't this turn of events spell doom for Daikichi's love life?!
Daikichi is floored to discover that the old man had an illegitimate
child with a younger lover! The rest of his family is equally shocked
and embarrassed by this surprise development, and not one of them wants
anything to do with the silent little girl, Rin. In a fit of angry
spontaneity, Daikichi decides to take her in himself! But will living
with this overgrown teenager of man help Rin come out of her shell? And
hang on, won't this turn of events spell doom for Daikichi's love life?!
208 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2006
34 people are currently reading
3662 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 265 reviews
November 20, 2015
First 4 volumes: 4 1/2 stars
Entire series: 1 1/2 stars
Let me tell you why as a warning to any who go into this series without previous knowledge.
The first 4 volumes of this manga are deep and tackle a lot of issues overlooked in Japanese society and how one man takes them head on for his new adoptive daughter. He tackles being a single father, how to juggle the long hours of the normal Japanese businessman with a stay-at-home dad job. He also quits smoking and deals with the the acceptance issues with his family and society. It is very deep and moving for all age groups and makes you stop to appreciate the little things in life. A really good connection between daughter and new father. It would be great if it had ended there as he starts to accept and change for her and comes to love his new role as a dad.
However, it did not. In this next section I will tell you why the rest of the manga got such a low rating. This section contains SPOILERS, however I feel like they are needed if you want to know where I think you should end reading this series. When I look back on this reading I try to just pretend that it is a series between a father and a daughter. Then in volume 5 there is a time skip to when she has become a young woman and he has, in turn, become a middle aged man. She was a bright child when she was younger, even surprising her dad at times with how intuitive she was. However, she not only seems to become somewhat of a dramatic teenage airhead she also seems to have developed a deep romantic love for her adoptive father. That's right this manga is a ROMANCE. The issues that were tackled until now in this manga were moral and just ones that Japanese society should not ignore. Some people may get mad at me for saying this and tell me 'age does not matter', and in a way that is true. However, for the adoptive father he never saw her as anything more than a daughter. He loved her as such and treated her as such. She might not have been a blood-related daughter, but it does not change the fact that that is what the first 4 volumes were building up. A deep and meaningful father-daughter relationship that is so beautifully shown in the first 4 volumes is utterly destroyed by the rest of the teenage-drama ending. The characters seemed to lose what was built up and the meaning behind the struggles and the plot seem to crumble after the time jump. If you are like me and this deeply disturbs you then I suggest to read the first 4 volumes and just stop. It ends at a beautiful place, the same place the anime does, and moved me to tears.
Thank you for reading my review!
Entire series: 1 1/2 stars
Let me tell you why as a warning to any who go into this series without previous knowledge.
The first 4 volumes of this manga are deep and tackle a lot of issues overlooked in Japanese society and how one man takes them head on for his new adoptive daughter. He tackles being a single father, how to juggle the long hours of the normal Japanese businessman with a stay-at-home dad job. He also quits smoking and deals with the the acceptance issues with his family and society. It is very deep and moving for all age groups and makes you stop to appreciate the little things in life. A really good connection between daughter and new father. It would be great if it had ended there as he starts to accept and change for her and comes to love his new role as a dad.
However, it did not. In this next section I will tell you why the rest of the manga got such a low rating. This section contains SPOILERS, however I feel like they are needed if you want to know where I think you should end reading this series. When I look back on this reading I try to just pretend that it is a series between a father and a daughter. Then in volume 5 there is a time skip to when she has become a young woman and he has, in turn, become a middle aged man. She was a bright child when she was younger, even surprising her dad at times with how intuitive she was. However, she not only seems to become somewhat of a dramatic teenage airhead she also seems to have developed a deep romantic love for her adoptive father. That's right this manga is a ROMANCE. The issues that were tackled until now in this manga were moral and just ones that Japanese society should not ignore. Some people may get mad at me for saying this and tell me 'age does not matter', and in a way that is true. However, for the adoptive father he never saw her as anything more than a daughter. He loved her as such and treated her as such. She might not have been a blood-related daughter, but it does not change the fact that that is what the first 4 volumes were building up. A deep and meaningful father-daughter relationship that is so beautifully shown in the first 4 volumes is utterly destroyed by the rest of the teenage-drama ending. The characters seemed to lose what was built up and the meaning behind the struggles and the plot seem to crumble after the time jump. If you are like me and this deeply disturbs you then I suggest to read the first 4 volumes and just stop. It ends at a beautiful place, the same place the anime does, and moved me to tears.
Thank you for reading my review!
March 4, 2018
Well I won't lie, this idea is pretty interesting, and it's also very adorable little manga.
So this opens up with the death of the main character's grandpa. We then find out the old man had a kid, a six year old kid, and now the grandson decides to take care of her. So I guess the grandson would be taking care of his aunt? Weird huh? Either way this really feels like a father and daughter type story, the way it builds up, and how to become the man you need to be in order to take care of the ones you love.
Good: The art is simple but honestly perfect for the atmosphere and feel. The characters are well established and interesting most of the time. The cuteness level is at a all time high (she's adorable) and the way he tries his best to be a good dad is great. Also his sister is nuts and that's the funny parts.
Bad: The pacing can be dreadfully slow. Adding in monologue that can be done in a page or two to cover 6 to 9 pages worth of it. I had trouble caring sometimes about the characters cause the pacing got in the way and took away my enjoyment.
Overall this is a cute, fun, and adorable story might want to check out. I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 for being very enjoyable story. Check it out!
So this opens up with the death of the main character's grandpa. We then find out the old man had a kid, a six year old kid, and now the grandson decides to take care of her. So I guess the grandson would be taking care of his aunt? Weird huh? Either way this really feels like a father and daughter type story, the way it builds up, and how to become the man you need to be in order to take care of the ones you love.
Good: The art is simple but honestly perfect for the atmosphere and feel. The characters are well established and interesting most of the time. The cuteness level is at a all time high (she's adorable) and the way he tries his best to be a good dad is great. Also his sister is nuts and that's the funny parts.
Bad: The pacing can be dreadfully slow. Adding in monologue that can be done in a page or two to cover 6 to 9 pages worth of it. I had trouble caring sometimes about the characters cause the pacing got in the way and took away my enjoyment.
Overall this is a cute, fun, and adorable story might want to check out. I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 for being very enjoyable story. Check it out!
August 2, 2021
4/5 While the premise is sad Bunny Drop really is a heart warming manga. Daikichi’s grandfather passes away at 79 and the family discovers he has a six year old daughter, Rin. The family has no ideas what to do and while they are discussing what should be done with her and no one really wanting to take care of Rin Daikichi gets frustrated and agrees to take her in.
Daikichi is a 30 year old bachelor with a busy work schedule and no experience with children so the story is very cute as he changes his life and learns how to raise Rin.
I really did enjoy this. It’s a very feel good story with no overly sad moments. You’re just allowed to enjoy it and smile as the two adapt to their new lives. Daikichi taking care of his 6 year old aunt really is well worth the read.
Read for Manga Squads August 2021 Manga of the Month(Josei)
Rin and her plush rabbit on the cover of volume 1.
Read 8/2/21
Daikichi is a 30 year old bachelor with a busy work schedule and no experience with children so the story is very cute as he changes his life and learns how to raise Rin.
I really did enjoy this. It’s a very feel good story with no overly sad moments. You’re just allowed to enjoy it and smile as the two adapt to their new lives. Daikichi taking care of his 6 year old aunt really is well worth the read.
Read for Manga Squads August 2021 Manga of the Month(Josei)
Rin and her plush rabbit on the cover of volume 1.
Read 8/2/21
April 2, 2024
I really enjoyed this first volume! It was so cute! Also Rin so freaking adorable! I will definitely be reading more of this series! That cliffhanger ending! I must know what is going to happen which makes me glad that I have the whole series so I can keep reading!
August 24, 2025
ডাইকিচির নানুর অন্ত্যেষ্টিক্রিয়ায় ৬ বছরের পিচ্চি মিষ্টি মেয়ে রিনের সাথে সবার পরিচয় হয়। তার নানুর অবৈধ সন্তানকে কেউ মেনেই নিতে পারছে না দায়িত্ব নেওয়া তো আরও পরের হিসাব। ৩০ বছরের ডাইকিচি সিন্ধান্ত নেয় সেই রিনের দায়িত্ব নিবে। কিন্তু ছোট একটা বাচ্চার দায়িত্ব নেওয়া যে মুখের কথা নয় ধীরে ধীরে বুঝতে পারে ডাইকিচি। তাদের জন্য করা তার মা'য়ের ত্যাগ আরও ভালো মতো বুঝতে পারে কেন মা তাকে প্রথমেই সাবধান করেছিলেন।
মাঙ্গার ওপর বানানো মুভি ও অ্যানিমেও আছে। তবে আমার কাছে মুভিটা বেশি ভালো লেগেছে। মুভিতে দেখানো পিচ্চি রিন এতো মিষ্টি একটা বাচ্চা। অজানা দুইজন মানুষের হঠাৎ দেখা হওয়ার পর যেনো বাবা-মেয়ের মিষ্টি একটা সম্পর্ক গড়ে ওঠে। খুবই রাগ লেগেছিল রিনের মা'য়ের এক্সকিউজ শুনে। যারা সন্তানের দায়িত্ব নিতে চায় না তারা কেন আগেই সচেতন হয় না? অসচেতন ও দায়িত্ব জ্ঞানহীন বাবা-মা'র জন্য নিষ্পাপ বাচ্চাদের শৈশব ধ্বংস হয়ে যায়।
মাঙ্গার ওপর বানানো মুভি ও অ্যানিমেও আছে। তবে আমার কাছে মুভিটা বেশি ভালো লেগেছে। মুভিতে দেখানো পিচ্চি রিন এতো মিষ্টি একটা বাচ্চা। অজানা দুইজন মানুষের হঠাৎ দেখা হওয়ার পর যেনো বাবা-মেয়ের মিষ্টি একটা সম্পর্ক গড়ে ওঠে। খুবই রাগ লেগেছিল রিনের মা'য়ের এক্সকিউজ শুনে। যারা সন্তানের দায়িত্ব নিতে চায় না তারা কেন আগেই সচেতন হয় না? অসচেতন ও দায়িত্ব জ্ঞানহীন বাবা-মা'র জন্য নিষ্পাপ বাচ্চাদের শৈশব ধ্বংস হয়ে যায়।
May 27, 2015
Love the drawings in this manga, they are perfectly suited to the story. I love how Daikichi is so cutely drawn when he is freaking out and how Rin is drawn. Between his expressions and her body movements the art entrances me.
Their first meeting was so perfect. I love stories where someone commits to someone before realizing the massive effect that person will have on their life. Daikichi gives in to impulse and other stirring emotions toward Rin. I love the odd relationship Rin has with her own father and hence with Dai.
The story is spot on, almost a single dad / new experiences type. The clothes shopping was so funny and his challenges with day care excellent. I love how she wakes him up and the pinkie swearing. Just such cute, poignant and heart wrenching moments.
I love how they explore the stresses that Rin is under with the sweat and the health program and how Dai is starting to understand sacrifice and what it means to be a parent. Also the mystery of grandpa is delved into, such a well balanced story!
BOTTOM LINE: WOW!
Their first meeting was so perfect. I love stories where someone commits to someone before realizing the massive effect that person will have on their life. Daikichi gives in to impulse and other stirring emotions toward Rin. I love the odd relationship Rin has with her own father and hence with Dai.
The story is spot on, almost a single dad / new experiences type. The clothes shopping was so funny and his challenges with day care excellent. I love how she wakes him up and the pinkie swearing. Just such cute, poignant and heart wrenching moments.
I love how they explore the stresses that Rin is under with the sweat and the health program and how Dai is starting to understand sacrifice and what it means to be a parent. Also the mystery of grandpa is delved into, such a well balanced story!
BOTTOM LINE: WOW!
September 1, 2017
This was pretty okay. I don’t feel super attached to the characters, but I would like to see what happens next. This is my first ever manga! I picked it up because the cover was super cute, and I was intrigued by the synopsis...
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Aubrey Joy
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Aubrey Joy
June 23, 2015
Actual rating: 3.5 stars.
This was cute and I enjoyed it. But, I have heard of the ending for this series so I'm still debating whether or not I want to continue reading this series.
But this first volume was definitely cute and sweet and I would recommend it.
This was cute and I enjoyed it. But, I have heard of the ending for this series so I'm still debating whether or not I want to continue reading this series.
But this first volume was definitely cute and sweet and I would recommend it.
July 14, 2010
best manga very--human drama with plot line. drawn very well. Highly recommended to those looking for a daily life drama manga!
April 9, 2015
One of the cutest manga I've ever read. Can't wait to read more! ^_^
May 29, 2020
This was super sweet!
The main character’s grandfather (79 yo) had a kid with the live in help. He dies and his children (excluding the youngest) debate on who is going to take care of the youngest. Her name is Rin and she’s four years old and the most precious thing! The main character decides to step up and take care of her.
It was adorable and a super sweet slice of life. It’s more believable than a 17yo taking care of a baby, or a 10yo or anything else. The MC is 30 and has a steady job. He’s super nice and treats Rin very well. He stepped into the father role well, in my opinion.
The cliffhanger is so funny! 😂
The main character’s grandfather (79 yo) had a kid with the live in help. He dies and his children (excluding the youngest) debate on who is going to take care of the youngest. Her name is Rin and she’s four years old and the most precious thing! The main character decides to step up and take care of her.
It was adorable and a super sweet slice of life. It’s more believable than a 17yo taking care of a baby, or a 10yo or anything else. The MC is 30 and has a steady job. He’s super nice and treats Rin very well. He stepped into the father role well, in my opinion.
The cliffhanger is so funny! 😂
November 15, 2025
Un oficinista treintañero decide hacerse cargo de una niña de 6 años viendo que nadie más de la familia está dispuesto a mostrarle un poco de amabilidad a la pobre niña.
No es que sea un dramón, o una comedia descacharrante, ni haya acción a raudales, este manga es simplemente eso: un treintañero que se hace cargo de una niña pequeña y tiene que empezar a pensar en buscar guardería, comprar ropa infantil, etc.
Me ha gustado muchísimo, supongo que por la manera de relacionarse adulto y niña.
Parece que sí que hay misterio, pero vamos, en este primer tomo, casi me ha dado igual.
No es que sea un dramón, o una comedia descacharrante, ni haya acción a raudales, este manga es simplemente eso: un treintañero que se hace cargo de una niña pequeña y tiene que empezar a pensar en buscar guardería, comprar ropa infantil, etc.
Me ha gustado muchísimo, supongo que por la manera de relacionarse adulto y niña.
Parece que sí que hay misterio, pero vamos, en este primer tomo, casi me ha dado igual.
October 29, 2010
I came across this today in my travels & decided what the heck- it sounded pretty cute. A manga full of grins later, I'm glad that I took the time to read this volume. It has to be one of the cuter ones I've seen lately that isn't on the cutesy side.
Daikichi is a 30 year old bachelor that has been going about his life as always until the day his grandfather dies. He goes to show his respects, only to discover that his grandfather had a life he'd never suspected. His grandfather had a mysterious mistress that is nowhere to be seen, the only evidence of which is the shy child Rin. Daikichi's other family members treat her as if she was an embarrassment, but it is only Daikichi that volunteers to care for this girl when everyone else comes up with nothing but excuses. Little does he know that taking in little Rin will be one of the most challenging & rewarding tasks he's ever set upon.
I really enjoyed this manga. I loved that all of the characters were so realistic in their portrayals. Daikichi isn't some manga heartthrob, nor does he suddenly start raking in the ladies as soon as he adopts Rin. There is a hint of a possible future romance, but by large the manga focuses on the growing parent/child relationship between the two main characters. I also liked that despite the heartwarming & cute moments, that this manga didn't try to go for the cliche cute that seems to abound in many mangas nowadays.
If you really want to read something that'll make you glad to have read it by the last page, then you definitely want this manga. It's one that I anticipate collecting every volume for.
Daikichi is a 30 year old bachelor that has been going about his life as always until the day his grandfather dies. He goes to show his respects, only to discover that his grandfather had a life he'd never suspected. His grandfather had a mysterious mistress that is nowhere to be seen, the only evidence of which is the shy child Rin. Daikichi's other family members treat her as if she was an embarrassment, but it is only Daikichi that volunteers to care for this girl when everyone else comes up with nothing but excuses. Little does he know that taking in little Rin will be one of the most challenging & rewarding tasks he's ever set upon.
I really enjoyed this manga. I loved that all of the characters were so realistic in their portrayals. Daikichi isn't some manga heartthrob, nor does he suddenly start raking in the ladies as soon as he adopts Rin. There is a hint of a possible future romance, but by large the manga focuses on the growing parent/child relationship between the two main characters. I also liked that despite the heartwarming & cute moments, that this manga didn't try to go for the cliche cute that seems to abound in many mangas nowadays.
If you really want to read something that'll make you glad to have read it by the last page, then you definitely want this manga. It's one that I anticipate collecting every volume for.
April 6, 2012
Daikichi, a 30 year old bachelor, takes time off from work to attend his grandfather’s funeral. The family is shocked to learn that grandpa has had a six-year-old child, Rin, out of wedlock with a mysterious woman who doesn’t appear to be in the picture or the child’s life at all. Tempers flare as they debate what to *do* about Rin, and Daikichi surprises everyone – including himself – by stepping in to become the girl’s guardian. Accustomed to living on his own, Daikichi isn’t what you would call a “father figure,” but he and Rin really take to each other. Everything in his life, however, begins to change with the addition of this new little person – his work schedule, his position, and the way he structures his time. Rin makes him really think about everything he does, and reevaluate the way he’s living his life (he quits smoking, working late, rearranges his house, is careful with what he watches on TV). Rin has to make some adjustments, too – learning to trust Daikichi and overcoming her fears that everyone in her life is going to leave her behind.
This is a very touching story – Daikichi has hidden depths and is unexpectedly sweet and understanding with Rin (even if he’s stressed out and impatient about/with everything/everyone else. Humorous, but sweet, too – I’m really enjoying this manga series.
This is a very touching story – Daikichi has hidden depths and is unexpectedly sweet and understanding with Rin (even if he’s stressed out and impatient about/with everything/everyone else. Humorous, but sweet, too – I’m really enjoying this manga series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2017
Just finished volume 10. It was a bittersweet volume, since it was mostly flash backs to when they were younger, but overall I really enjoyed this series. It was sweet and funny with great characters. And at ten volumes it's a quick read compared to other series. The pacing may be slow for some but I still really enjoyed it!
...however!
...however!
May 22, 2017
This was really good, it touched on sensitive issues very well. Rin is so cute! It’s an odd situation but that’s never played up, Daikichi never shames Rin for who she is or how she came to be. I didn’t particularly like the drawing style, but the graphic novel overall was just plain good.
November 9, 2014
I really enjoyed this!! The two main characters are adorable. The ending left off and I'm excited to read the next one.
April 27, 2016
The child maketh the father.
Cute and thoughtful piece on single fatherhood and the rigid salary-man culture of corporate Japan.
Cute and thoughtful piece on single fatherhood and the rigid salary-man culture of corporate Japan.
February 15, 2022
This is a story about how an unmarried man adopts his grandfather's secret child and turns his life around. The struggles he has to go through in taking care of a 6 year old girl and how he tackles everything is very amusing. He gets anxious of her getting into nursery and then school, making friends and getting along with everyone. In relation is his aunt but he kinda becomes a father figure to her. Although she doesn't take his name she is very much attached and rely on him for everything.
Daikichi and Rin are adorable characters. First 4 volumes are about how Daikichi is learning to be a good single parent. And I think he is doing great.
This is a heartwarming drama story. If you are into these type of family drama without any nonsense then this is just for you.
Daikichi and Rin are adorable characters. First 4 volumes are about how Daikichi is learning to be a good single parent. And I think he is doing great.
This is a heartwarming drama story. If you are into these type of family drama without any nonsense then this is just for you.
April 22, 2017
The story of a 30 something career man who decides to adopt his six year old aunt (she was a love child of the recently deceased grandfather). With that premise, you might think this is a bit silly, but it gets fairly serious with themes of life and death, divorce, and other issues kids and parents deal with.
Overall, this was a decent start. The hook for the next volume I guess is finding out more about the mother of this child, but I don't feel too invested yet, just sort of curious. Art is just ok, the occasional amazing drawing to open a section followed by your average bare setting manga panel. This is more about characters and story than art.
Overall, this was a decent start. The hook for the next volume I guess is finding out more about the mother of this child, but I don't feel too invested yet, just sort of curious. Art is just ok, the occasional amazing drawing to open a section followed by your average bare setting manga panel. This is more about characters and story than art.
April 15, 2018
I'm unsure how I feel about this - it was interesting and cute but weird at the same time - Rin I adorable though I think everything kind of stressed her out - I mean, she's smart for that age for sure - crazy smart - I feel perhaps she is written a bit older than her age
April 8, 2017
Some parts were a little crazy, but dealt with interesting societal issues of single parenthood. I am looking forward to reading book 2.
Read
October 12, 2017I quite liked this story, but the spoilers I read for later volumes have me running for the hills.
February 2, 2020
Me ha gustado el comienzo de esta historia, pero por ahora creo que no la voy a continuar.
September 1, 2024
This was such a sweet read, and a little cliffhanger at the end….what more could you want!
July 6, 2019
Really cute. Translation feels a tad “wonky” maybe? But otherwise really adorable.
January 8, 2021
When Daikichi's grandfather dies, he leaves behind a young daughter that the rest of the family is ashamed of. When discussion starts about taking her to an orphanage, Daikichi decides he will not abandon her and takes her in. He now must adjust his bachelor lifestyle to that of a single parent and it's not easy! He tackles many different issues from what clothes to buy to how to talk to a 6-year-old about death.
I've seen a bit of the anime before so I knew what I was getting into and this story is adorable and touching. I'll have to wait for my library to buy the next volumes before I can continue the story. :/
I've seen a bit of the anime before so I knew what I was getting into and this story is adorable and touching. I'll have to wait for my library to buy the next volumes before I can continue the story. :/
September 23, 2011
{I've been reading through the manga series "Bunny Drop", beginning with Bunny Drop, Volume 1. I've been through the first 2 volumes so far, and as it's a continuing story, I'm just going to treat it as a whole.}
The story centers on a Daikichi, a 30-year-old man whose grandfather has just died. At the funeral, he discovers that his grandfather, a widower, kept secrets from his family. The grandfather has been having a relationship with a younger woman (whom we never meet, or at least have not met yet) and has fathered a child. The mother is nowhere to be found, but preschool-age Rin is there, looking lost and afraid. The family is scandalized at grandfather's secret, and no one wants anything to do with the little girl. No one wishes to take her in and take responsibility for her, preferring to turn her over to the state. But Daikichi, who feels something of an outsider in his own family, recognizes something of himself in young Rin and decides to adopt her himself. He can't bear that his family would rather cast her off as unwanted than take her in when she has lost her parent.
Daikichi must make many adjustments. He lives in a efficiency flat, and he's never cared for a child. He must learn about little girls' clothing, food, and play needs as well as learn to share his time and space. He works full-time in a fairly demanding job, and he must take a voluntary demotion to have time at home. Much turmoil comes of his attempts to learn about daycare and find a suitable arrangement for Rin, as well as from Rin's habit of wetting the bed/futon.
Daikichi learns much in a very short time and comes to empathize with parents and especially with mothers, as he is playing all parental roles. He tries asking women he knows about children, but he soon learns that just because a person has a uterus does not mean they have some inborn knowledge; none of the women he knows have children, so they are as clueless as he is! He finds a co-worker with a child, but as hers is only 2 years old, she feels she should go to him for advice!
Rin is very shy but begins to come out of her shell with Daikichi. She teaches him about her favorite cartoon character (something of a bunny Sanrio/Hello Kitty analog) and the intricacies of children's clothing...and when she makes a friend at daycare, she and her new pal begin to (innocently) try to hook up Daikichi with the little boy's widowed mother.
It's a low-key comedy, a slice of life, and a charming tale of misfits fitting together. I was surprised by this unusual tale and find that although I originally only planned on reading the first volume, I couldn't stop there. I have to know how things work out! Luckily, there are currently 9 volumes in the series to fill me in.
The story centers on a Daikichi, a 30-year-old man whose grandfather has just died. At the funeral, he discovers that his grandfather, a widower, kept secrets from his family. The grandfather has been having a relationship with a younger woman (whom we never meet, or at least have not met yet) and has fathered a child. The mother is nowhere to be found, but preschool-age Rin is there, looking lost and afraid. The family is scandalized at grandfather's secret, and no one wants anything to do with the little girl. No one wishes to take her in and take responsibility for her, preferring to turn her over to the state. But Daikichi, who feels something of an outsider in his own family, recognizes something of himself in young Rin and decides to adopt her himself. He can't bear that his family would rather cast her off as unwanted than take her in when she has lost her parent.
Daikichi must make many adjustments. He lives in a efficiency flat, and he's never cared for a child. He must learn about little girls' clothing, food, and play needs as well as learn to share his time and space. He works full-time in a fairly demanding job, and he must take a voluntary demotion to have time at home. Much turmoil comes of his attempts to learn about daycare and find a suitable arrangement for Rin, as well as from Rin's habit of wetting the bed/futon.
Daikichi learns much in a very short time and comes to empathize with parents and especially with mothers, as he is playing all parental roles. He tries asking women he knows about children, but he soon learns that just because a person has a uterus does not mean they have some inborn knowledge; none of the women he knows have children, so they are as clueless as he is! He finds a co-worker with a child, but as hers is only 2 years old, she feels she should go to him for advice!
Rin is very shy but begins to come out of her shell with Daikichi. She teaches him about her favorite cartoon character (something of a bunny Sanrio/Hello Kitty analog) and the intricacies of children's clothing...and when she makes a friend at daycare, she and her new pal begin to (innocently) try to hook up Daikichi with the little boy's widowed mother.
It's a low-key comedy, a slice of life, and a charming tale of misfits fitting together. I was surprised by this unusual tale and find that although I originally only planned on reading the first volume, I couldn't stop there. I have to know how things work out! Luckily, there are currently 9 volumes in the series to fill me in.
December 28, 2011
Daikichi is a 30 year old bachelor grinding away at life as a salaryman. When he returns home for his grandpa's funeral, he discovers that he has a six year old aunt that no one in the family knew about. Turns out the old guy was a real horn-dog.
The women in the family are mortified at this revelation; the men pretend to be mortified while high-fiving each other when the women aren't around. But the two groups have one thing in common -- neither of them want anything to do with the girl, Rin. They spend the entire funeral ignoring her and when they finally have no choice but to decide what to do with her, they all have reasons why they can't take her in. They're good excuses, too -- too busy with work, already have a kid, too old -- but it's clear everyone made up their mind first and are just coming up with post-hoc justifications for their decision. Fed up with the way they're treating Rin, Daikichi steps forward and announces that he'll take her in.
Sounds like the setup to a real corn-ball story, the sort of crappy sit-com premise you'd give to a washed-up actor whose only a couple speedballs from a psychotic break with reality. But in Yumi Unita's hands, the story doesn't become pap. Instead of going for the cheap laughs about how men have no idea how to raise kids, she instead treats the situation seriously. A good portion of this first volume revolves around Daikichi searching for a daycare center that (A) has an immediate opening, (B) is located close to his home or office, and (C) can accommodate his hours. When he can't find anything that meets all these criteria, he's faced with the prospect of getting a new job.
Artwise, Unita has a simple but beautiful style. But despite the simplicity, each character looks unique and is instantly recognizable -- something I wish she'd teach to other manga artists who, even though they put great effort into detailed backgrounds, end up with characters who are as indistinguishable as smurfs.
The women in the family are mortified at this revelation; the men pretend to be mortified while high-fiving each other when the women aren't around. But the two groups have one thing in common -- neither of them want anything to do with the girl, Rin. They spend the entire funeral ignoring her and when they finally have no choice but to decide what to do with her, they all have reasons why they can't take her in. They're good excuses, too -- too busy with work, already have a kid, too old -- but it's clear everyone made up their mind first and are just coming up with post-hoc justifications for their decision. Fed up with the way they're treating Rin, Daikichi steps forward and announces that he'll take her in.
Sounds like the setup to a real corn-ball story, the sort of crappy sit-com premise you'd give to a washed-up actor whose only a couple speedballs from a psychotic break with reality. But in Yumi Unita's hands, the story doesn't become pap. Instead of going for the cheap laughs about how men have no idea how to raise kids, she instead treats the situation seriously. A good portion of this first volume revolves around Daikichi searching for a daycare center that (A) has an immediate opening, (B) is located close to his home or office, and (C) can accommodate his hours. When he can't find anything that meets all these criteria, he's faced with the prospect of getting a new job.
Artwise, Unita has a simple but beautiful style. But despite the simplicity, each character looks unique and is instantly recognizable -- something I wish she'd teach to other manga artists who, even though they put great effort into detailed backgrounds, end up with characters who are as indistinguishable as smurfs.
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