Anime Discussion :3

Oh... I know exactly what that is. It was already on my "To Watch" list, but I didn't really have any plans for watching it next.

Finished episode 19 of Kanon. How satisfactory that episode was!

To me its very hard to pick favorite anime, especially if watched sooooo many series :/

I agree. I mean, yes, there is one definitive anime for me, but then there are so many others that are so amazing that you just have to mention them when you are talking about your favourite anime.

Yeah i'm that kind of watcher who likes series on their own way (Weird, funny, sad etc.) and i
agree with you too.

I have too one anime which is very very close to my heart specific reason and that anime is One Piece. Reason is that because it was my first SERIES which pulled me to world of anime/manga and i have strong nostalgia etc.

And you seem have same problem as me: have to mention many other series when asked your favorite :D

It's 4:00am, but I'd rather do this when it's fresh in my mind... So lezz go.

A major point in people's lives is the transition into parenthood. Generally, this is when the most rewarding times come out in life, seeing yourself in your little one and how he will live on after to continue your legacy is when you simply sit back and say everything you've lived for is worth it. However, despite the rewards, raising a child is hard. Your social life, job, finance all take hits. All this fee time you had on your hands is all of a sudden taken by your child. This is especially hard when you are a single parent, as then you do not have someone else that you can rely on when you need help.

Usagi Drop, also known as Bunny Drop, details all of these, giving you insight into the life of a parent. Now, you see, who would want to watch an anime about something as ordinary as parenthood? I mean, everyone will experience it, it's not a unique experience only the magical world of anime can provide. Well, I'll tell you why you want to watch it? For those that are yet to be parents, Usagi Drop will get you very excited for it, showing you all the joys in a heartwarming manner. For those that are parents, Usagi Drop will help you remember all these momentous occasions, such as graduating kindergarten and your child losing his/her first tooth.

This kind of anime is incredibly rare in the anime world, and despite being such an ordinary topic, Usagi Drop captures all this happiness so perfectly that it never fails to put a smile, or even a laugh, on your face.

CHARACTERS
The characters in Usagi Drop are all safe, to say the least. Of course, not being too ambitious with characters is a good thing, as while it doesn't allow the opportunity for a unique character that could possibly revolutionize characters in anime (See L from Death Note), we'll still get characters that are likable. However, there is little to no character development in Usagi Drop, but rather, it's the relationship between Daikichi and Rin that develops.

Now, let's talk about the main characters. Rin is the little girl that Daikichi takes authority over. She is basically how you would expect a girl or her age to act, energetic, happy, enjoys 'kawaii' things, shy around strangers etc. You see, while she may be a typical six year old, immediately, you can tell that she is intelligent. She understands what is important and what is the right thing to do. The only thing that is preventing her 'true potential' from being unlocked is simply her lack of experience in the workings of life. Despite being a child, she will have your utmost respect, because she is a good girl (Please, she's 6 years old, don't even think about relating 'good girl' to Blurred Lines).

Daikichi is the strongest character in Usagi Drop. Although he does seem to have an apathetic look to him, he is really caring. He has his own opinions, rules, and he will stand by them. If he sees an issue that needs resolving, he will act on it. He is considerate of others and is aware of other's needs. He is an absolutely fantastic character, and an incredibly well done protagonist that people can definitely relate to.

There is one specific character that I can think of that I found to be incredibly irritating. Thankfully, despite having an important position in the anime, she isn't shown all too much.

ANIMATION QUALITY AND SOUND
The animation is very simplistic, albeit inconsistent at times. It uses very light lines, and rarely are bold colours use. The art style is to simply capture the relaxing and simplistic nature of Usagi Drop. Character designs are all simplistic as well, but they were definitely aiming for realistic character designs, and not green haired, cyborg, schoolgirl, demon, angel, vocaloid that has 2 sideswept fringes, 14 pigtails and 57 curls as well as a scythe, a sword, a pet meerkat, the Declaration of Independence and can transform her bras into a frozen manatee in which she can pummels her foes with. The characters emotions are captured well. Although it typically is a small batch of faces that are repeatedly used for every character, there are enough that the current amount do suffice.

A very upbeat instrumental soundtrack is used throughout the series. While there aren't any standout songs, they definitely do set the cheerful mood that Usagi Drop has going for it. Voice acting is also very good, with all the voices being realistic and they do suffice.

STORY
The first episode is really the only major story in the whole series. Daikichi's grandfather passes away, and to his surprise, it turns out that he was raising an illegitimate child for someone. However, when he passed away, no one wanted to take authority of her, so Daikichi, being the righteous hero of justice that he is, takes her in. After that, the story is just all over the place, but Usagi Drop is a slice of life, so it is definitely to be expected.

The storytelling is done well enough. It is simply told through Daikichi's point of view, and shows the important interactions he has with the other characters. It simply focuses on the core of any good show, and that's interactions with the dramatic environment.

The story is simple. Little to no major events happen, and episodes don't link up with other episodes. There's no suspense, it's just you watching Daikichi and Rin live out their everyday lives. If you are a slice of life fan like I am, then this storyline will be more than enough to satisfy. The lack of major events and tensions builds up to create the relaxing atmosphere the anime is striving for.

However, the ending feels inconclusive. Things that you expect to happen don't happen. So many questions feel unanswered, and there's so much potential as to what can happen in the future of Daikichi and Rin's lives that where the anime cuts off at feels like there's so much untapped potential that is simply being wasted here (although after reading the manga, it might be best to leave Usagi Drop where it is).

ENJOYMENT
How does Usagi Drop do it? I don't think I have ever felt this happy watching an anime, ever. Countless times throughout the series, you just get this feeling in your heart, a warmth, not a painful burning sensation, but just a slight warmth that while a little uncomfortable, it's pleasurable. So many moments throughout the anime make you giggle, smile or flat out laugh at just how adorable it is. A lot of things in Usagi Drop are very relatable, and even those that you can't relate to because you haven't experienced it yet, you can still feel Daikichi's joy when doing it. I believe that what I am writing here does not give this show justice as to just how happy and heartwarming this anime is. It makes you feel overwhelmingly happy.

Of course, it does have a few flaws in terms of enjoyment. The pacing is very slow, so slow that, while I was fine with it, some people may actually become bored during some parts. There are also a handful of more sadder moments, but these moments generally don't hit that emotional spot, and they fall more under the boredom category. The biggest flaw with enjoyment is just that ending. It made you feel empty. There were so many things that, looking at the direction the anime was taking, were going to happen, and you wanted to happen that don't happen. The anime just cuts off too soon, and it doesn't get the opportunity to show them. This makes you feel so empty. The ending is just flat out unsatisfying, and feels like just another episode.

However, I believe happiness is invaluable, and just how happy you feel throughout the whole series is just exceptional. It is unmatched by any other anime, and it completely outweighs the emptiness of the ending.

CONCLUSION
Usagi Drop is the best pure slice of life anime that I have seen. This anime will make you very happy throughout it, as it gives insight on the joys of parenthood and what to expect, even better than Clannad: After Story did in my opinion. Heck, this anime made me, a high school student who has not bothered to consider his future at all, look forward to being a father. All this happiness from one anime is extraordinary, and therefore, I will give Usagi Drop a final rating of...

*Tutturu!*



I would also like to make note of the specials that are also here. There are four 5 minute episodes that just shows more joys of being a parent, such as Christmas time. These are absolutely adorable and heartwarming and I definitely recommend watching these.

Anyone ever heard of Silver Spoon? It's about a city boy who enrolled in a farming school to escape family life, and he's got some pretty great development. It's got an all around great and amusing cast, so I recommend it.

After 24 episodes of pure enjoyment, I have finished Kanon. 9/10, the ending was certainly what I wanted out of this anime (not going to actually state it because spoilers).
I did feel like some of the arcs deserved their own anime, but perhaps that's because I enjoyed each one thoroughly. From Makoto's arc, to Ayu's, to Shiori's, this anime managed to grip me.
Definitely has rewatching value, and I may just do that in the future.
Hell, Ayu alone made this show worth it for me, she's definitely one of my favorite anime characters of all time, and she's my favorite character from Kanon.

Ahhh Usagi Drop,like HiFromBuddha said it captures those happy moments so perfectly. That series gave me so much joy, happiness and warm feeling. Nicely done review btw :)

@TormentedTurnip yep i have read few chapters from silver spoon and somehow i forgot it hahahah. Need to continue it. Thanks for remind me about that series ;)

@Leon Porter when some one mention or i see something about Kanon it reminds me of this one word: "Uguu~!" :D

Actually, after finding out it's still airing, it's going to have to wait for a bit. I don't watch anime that is still airing.

Next up for me most likely will be Maria�Holic, although I might watch the next season of Natsume Yuujinchou.