From the same studio that brought us this . . . this . . . and this!, is a heartwarming series about a middle-aged man named, Daikichi, and an adorable little girl named, Rin. And although Production I.G is an animation studio that is generally praised for its highly detailed and fluid animation, it is always nice to see a little flexibility in their art. It was also nice to see them stir away from their usual Sci-Fi works like say, Ghost in the Shell series, or the recent airing anime series, Psycho Pass. Usagi Drop stands out in an ocean of technological dramas and offers us a simpler approach.
This show is basically the anime equivalent of a warm hug. :)
Adapted from a Slice of Life – Josei manga(aimed at woman), Unita, Yumi(author) presents to us a universal concept. Parenthood. I know what you’re thinking. Not everyone is at that stage of their lives, or not everyone will have children. Whatever the case, it is a pretty familiar concept. And I, not knowing what it’s like to be a parent, not having children of my own, found this series to be simply, delightful . . . And I don’t typically like children, okay?
Sounds simple enough, right? That’s basically the whole plot in a nutshell. There is not much else I can aggregate. The story is very simple, it has no overarching story line, so I wouldn’t worry about any possible spoilers. Every episode, you witness individual story lines about Daikichi and Rin and how they cope and bond with each other. The beautiful thing about this show, is not how the story begins(although I thought its pilot episode was masterfully done), it is the journey these two share. It is the positive-outlook it gives us on parenthood, and on life.
Regardless, Rin is the best thing of this show. And the main benefactor to the charm of the series. Unlike most six year olds, Rin is very independent and mature for her age(even more so than many adults that I know). She is also considerate, thoughtful, and is basically the most adorable little thing ever. She puts the “usagi” in Usagi Drop. Without her, this show would be absolutely nothing. No doubt, she will win you over.
In terms of production values, it’s Production I.G., so its excellent soundtrack is excellent. No worries there. The artwork demonstrate’s the studio’s versatility and the only down side is that it is a tad bit short. Personally, 11 episodes were not enough for me and two extra episodes could have gone a long way.
All things considered, Usagi Drop is not a masterpiece. It’s not the greatest thing since sliced bread. But it is pretty good. It may not be your cup of tea, considering you only like heavy storytelling and things constantly blowing up. Or maybe you’re downright afraid of kids. But to those looking for something calm and relaxing, this may be the anime for you. And because I believe every anime is an experience, this show is sure to add a comforting layer of dimension to your life.
Rating: [9.3/10] [A-] (Not as great the second time around. Rin, however, never fails to make it an enjoyable experience).
Cely Belly Nonsense | Anime Blog . . . not completely rubbish. 