Usagi Drop 02
Don't push me away, dude
“Family values in this country are going down the toilet and it’s because of people like you (who throw children away). Men and women raising a child together is a proven system a thousand years old. There are parental roles that need to be filled here right? Otherwise the kid winds up roaming the streets, having unprotected sex with multiple partners, sharing needles and contracting the HIV virus and it’s all your fault. Are you happy Dee? Is this what you wanted? You just gave this baby full-blown aids.”
– Mac from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Okay, so I’ve finally found a place where I could fully use that awesome quote. I know it’s a bit random and it doesn’t really mean anything in the context of this post, but it seems pretty fitting right? In this throwaway culture where everyone passes the buck, it seems to perfectly mirror the way Rin was handled in the last episode. Thankfully for us, Daikichi isn’t one of those people and the second episode encompasses the difficult first days of Rin and Daikichi’s new lives.
Don't worry Daikichi, chicks dig the "children" angle
But before I get into that, I’ll tell y’all the truth. I initially had worries that this might be a bit too “pedo-centric” for me. I didn’t mention it in the first impressions post, but given how things can often turn on its head in anime, I was very wary of Usagi Drop falling into the same trappings. You can blame that on this particular “culture” that is cultivated through stereotypical loli-anime out there. Thankfully for me, Usagi Drop is still very far removed from all that garbage. The second episode is yet another realistic take on a rarely touched upon situation and I’m glad there is nothing to worry about now.
Now let’s jump straight back in. Given how mature and grounded Rin is, it’s a bit weird to realize that she is still pretty much a kid at heart. She still has child-like worries (eg. being seen with her “dad” among friends and “sweating” the bed) but seeing her lecture Daikichi on manners brings me back to my own younger days, where I tried my best to act older than I really am (the things kids do right?)
Parenting 101 - Don't sweat the details
Even so, she has definitely dealt with more than the typical kid her age and after getting shoved from place to place in her previous arrangement, it was very sad to realize that she still fears abandonment. Granted, this was their first weekend together but the mere thought of seeing her abandoned again was really gut wrenching, even though as viewers we know it wasn’t going to happen. It’s great characterization and Daikichi, being the totally awesome adult that he is, acknowledges and resolves the situation in a totally kid-friendly way.
That’s probably the most surprising thing about Usagi Drop for me. Street-wise, mature children are pretty much the norm on television these days but to see an adult who is fully aware of a child’s feelings is a refreshing take. Maybe that’s just a result of me watching adults act immaturely in American sitcoms too much (see: It’s Always Sunny), but Daikichi is no typical slouch (2011 has been kind to adult anime characters so far, with Kotetsu from Tiger and Bunny being another standout.)
Parenting 101 - You can't win against a child in a staring contest
While it’s difficult for the child to experience such hardships, watching Daikichi adapt Rin into his own grueling work schedule has a very grounding feel to it. He tries his best to make Rin happy and as I grow older, I start to notice and appreciate the sacrifices that parents make for their children. It definitely makes you wonder about how they do it in real life and seeing as Daikichi is acting as a single parent, it gives me perspective on my own life and how I try to view my own future.
And therein lies the reason that I tune into Usagi Drop for: to gain some valuable insight into what being a new parent is like. Even though it’s still very far in the future, it’s nice to be prepared and given the authentic nature of Usagi Drop, it’s probably somewhat similar to the real thing (if you skip past the first 8 years of growing up). Of course, having a child as well-behaved as Rin is like winning the lottery (Reina being the perfect contrast here yet again) but seriously, Rin just makes me have all these man-ternal feelings inside. It’s just great to see how Rin and Daikichi’s relationship is slowly developing further and it wasn’t until this episode that I fully understood the tone of the OP/ED and the meaning to the title.
Don't ever leave me, brah....
If you haven’t given this show a chance yet, now’s the time to start. It may not have awesome badass penguins but it does have a totally charming and adorable bunny. Seriously, Usagi Drop will make even the hardest man soft and I can’t give a higher recommendation than that.
HHHNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGG
GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!
………..
HHHNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGG
GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!
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I was also worried that Usagi Drop would be a bit pedo, but I read a good deal into the manga and learned beforehand that it wasn't. Family relations are often eschewed for romantic ones, since romance is more dramatic. I'm glad Usagi Drop hasn't taken that route at all.
That gif is too cute. Rin is so cute! I'm definitely not ready for a kid though, especially not after seeing what Daikichi has been through, even with a kid as easy as her. xD But I agree the show portrays the sacrifices parents make really well.
I have a younger brother 15 years my junior, so I’ve had a lot of experience taking care of a child haha. My parents delegating responsibilities definitely helped me out in that respect and while I’m not particularly ready in the immediate future, it’s definitely an interesting thought every once in a while haha.
"It’s just great to see how Rin and Daikichi’s relationship is slowly developing further and it wasn’t until this episode that I fully understood the tone of the OP/ED and the meaning to the title."
What was it that you understood about the tone of the OP and ED and the meaning of the title Bass? Cause I haven't yet understood them or what they mean. I do think the OP and ED sounds befitting for Usagi Drop though.
As a side note, is it just me or does Rin look like a younger version of the main girl from Arakawa?
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Well adults usually say that having a baby is the most rewarding and precious moments of their lives, and the OP/ED of Usagi Drop feels exactly like that to me: precious. There's something about the mood and the visuals that really caught my eye there and it fits well with that theme of discovering the paternal instincts you never knew you had, or wanted.
And YES! I thought the same too, she does sort of look like Nino. I think it's that lethargic, almost absent-minded look in their eyes lol. Good catch
My recent post Indiefest 03 (K-Hip Hop ~ Drunken Tiger)
I love this show!! It's in my top 3 of this season for sure. I know I wasn't particularly excited about it at first but it's made me tear up every episode thus far. Sure, there are only two episodes out thus far but STILL – that's pretty damn good.
Rin is so. Fricking. CUTE. Like, I have never seen a more realistic child in an anime than her. And Reina? I want to roundhouse kick her. I don't know how she ended up like that but she's annoying as hell. However, I still appreciate that she's there, just because she provides quite the contrast to Rin. xD Daikichi is a baller for taking care of her. I wonder if he'll fix his work schedule somehow to make it easier on himself.
I have a younger sister, so I've always had maternal instincts and they definitely flared up with this. xD Nice to know that paternal instincts are affected as well. xD Awesome post!
Lolol it's good to know that people are tearing up at this while I can't even come close to it haha.
I think part of the reason why Rin seems so precious is her voice actor, who is actually a kid as well (though everyone knows this at this point). Rather than having an adult try to fake the innocence of a child, I think the kid has done an amazing job thus far. It's super authentic and you really feel the honesty in her voice, something that I doubt that adults can really capture.
I may knock on Reina a lot but yea she is crucial to Rin, just to add that contrast. It was really awesome to see that they were friends though, Daikichi isn't the only one who treats Rin like a human being.
My recent post Indiefest 03 (K-Hip Hop ~ Drunken Tiger)
Bawwwww that gif of Rin was adorable. I had the same worry that it might go pedo, but I think this show has a bit more class than that. And Daikichi just doesn't give off those creeper vibes.
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Lol Daikichi may be suspect at best in terms of appearance but he has an amazingly generous heart. Giving up the bachelor life to raise an adolescent child is a huge commitment, even if he thinks it's only for the short term. Mad respect.
My recent post Indiefest 03 (K-Hip Hop ~ Drunken Tiger)
Hahaha, oh Mac. This was definitely the last post I’d expect to hear from him in!
I really liked the way this episode worked to characterize both Rin and Daikichi and showed both of their faults. Daikichi clearly went into this with the best of intentions, but he really rushed into child raising and isn’t prepared at all for things like Rin’s education or balancing her with his job. As for Rin, I like that while she acts more mature than other kids she’s still a kid at heart, and does childish things like breaking that brick fort when she gets upset. And it was nice to see Daikichi make has lateness up to her by finding a substitute for 1000 needles to chew on. He’s going to need to find a way to balance his job with raising Rin in the future, though.
I hope this episode means we get to see more of Daikichi’s family, too, since there are a lot of plots you could base around his and Rin’s interactions with them. I’d even like to see more of Reina, she makes a good foil to Rin and does treat her better than anyone else in the family but Daikichi, as obnoxious and bratty as she acts.
Haha I've been watching through all my Sunny episodes and it just popped to me that even the gang had a brush with an abandoned child. The quote slips right in perfectly haha. Good to know that there are other Sunny fans out there reading this blog :)
I think Daikichi chewing on the 1000 needles was awesome, I really think that it's rare to see an adult so considerate to a child's feelings, ESPECIALLY one who has had no previous experience raising one. I guess that just goes to show that Daikichi is just a generous guy to begin with, which is such a gratifying thing to witness.
And yes, Reina while bratty, is still a child. She doesn't see the world through tainted glasses so even though she acts wrong, she means well. I really look forward to seeing her defending Rin at some point in the future (I can definitely see this being a big moment for Rin and the family's relationship)
My recent post Indiefest 03 (K-Hip Hop ~ Drunken Tiger)
The subtlety with which they show the emotions of the characters (especially Rin) is fantastic. Just watch how when Daikichi makes it back to the day care she is relieved and then realizes she's mad at him for making her worry. Her pout is just too precious. They've nailed that type of child's personality to a Tee.
Oh, and the image of Rin on her futon? HHHNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGG
GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG is so right!
The subtlety draws me in the most I think. It's a direct contrast to Ano Hana, which layered on the emotions real thick and tried to evoke emotion with the subtlety of a baboon. I love how Usagi handles the drama and it doesn't at any point feel forced. Though it's still early days yet, I really hope the rest of the series doesn't stray away from this path. Rin's child voice actress is doing a brilliant job, and I hope she continues on doing this well.
My recent post Indiefest 03 (K-Hip Hop ~ Drunken Tiger)
Nice quote there. This is my favourite one though. :p
Mac: I do not even understand the smell coming from your body, dude.
Charlie: Oh my God, dude, relax. Dude, I forgot to put on deodorant, okay?
Mac: I have never once, never once seen you wear deodorant, Charlie, never once.
Charlie: Yeah, well, you’ve never seen me once wash my testicles either, but that doesn't mean I don’t do it every Friday.
Lol I didn't know you watched Sunny! I love that show haha.
Seriously, the show has soo many awesome quotes, it's tough to pick up just one. And I love how Mac is always the intellectual one, even if his morals, ethics and understanding of his own thoughts are suspect at times.
My fav is prolly the entirety of Charlie's Nightman Cometh play. Tbh, a lot of my posts are peppered with references to It's Always Sunny and other american comedies. Pity that no one ever really picks up on them haha
My recent post Indiefest 03 (K-Hip Hop ~ Drunken Tiger)
Dood, I LOVE Sunny. <3 I agree, it's got so many awesome quotes and episodes and characters that it's really tough to single out a favourite one.
Lolol, the play was pretty fucked up. Especially the bedroom scene rofl. My favourites are probably Greenman, the one where Dee gets into boxing and the basketball episode. And really? How come I've never noticed these references? : /
Btw, this looks interesting. There's nothing like a good D'awwww anime. I was worried it was gonna be another dime-a-dozen romcom but I'm glad the premise completely averts that.
You should definitely give this one a shot, it's not as melodramatic as Ano Hana so I'm pretty sure you'll like this one much better. Very subtle use of emotions and the characterization is very humanizing and realistic.
My recent post Indiefest 03 (K-Hip Hop ~ Drunken Tiger)
So I finally buckled down and watched both episodes. It's fantastic. Absolutely fucking fantastic. From the subdued performances to the unique pastel background to the relevant, contemporary and realistic issues to obviously Rin's adorableness. I love love love it. Did some research and found out it's based on a critically lauded Josei manga.
That explains the great character designs which are a major breath of fresh air after the saturation of bland, generic characters in recent times. Based on first impressions alone, easily the best anime of 2010 and this year that I've seen. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better than Hanasaku Iroha and Ano Hana.
HHHNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGG
GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!
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HHHNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGG
GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!
Exactly! Pretty much my thoughts on this.
Also, there's a lot of subtlety to this anime that I really appreciate. It's turning out to be a very interesting story about parenting and responsibilities. Love it!
And yes, it's totally not pedo-centric. ^ ^
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