Since many of my readers may have had a chance to see the latest remediation Usagi Drop (the anime), I thought it would be fun to take a look at the manga that inspired this anime. Much to my delight, most of this manga is very similar in the feel of anime (which has been generally well received), and has the the same heartwarming realistic tone. That is until the ending, which despite continuing to be well written made no sense, and I feel had no business being part of the story. Besides the lousy ending, however this work is really able to portray it’s unusual subject matter more accurately, and sensitively then most manga can, all while keeping it a interesting read.
The one area that I really can’t say is so stellar is the artwork. While the character designs were unique and enjoyable, the backgrounds left something to be desired. While I am aware that crowded backgrounds might have spoiled the quiet and thoughtful mood of this manga, the backgrounds just didn’t cut it for me. The backgrounds in this work are weak, and particularly boring when they are at all presented. On the other hand the character designs were fantastically expressive, and gave each character a unique look. Usagi Drop’s creator ensures that the characters are given body language that is both natural and expressive. While I loved the character designs, the poor background designs really hurt this manga’s overall art, making it merely okay rather then excellent.
Usagi Drop is a slow heartwarming story about single Japanese thirty year old who knows little about children, and then ends up adopting a young girl named Rin. While going to his grandfather’s funeral Daikichi Kawachi discovers that his grandfather had a illegitimate child, and that the childs mother left her. This situation leaves Rin alone without a family or some one to care for her. Due to her illegitimate status no one else in Daikichi family seems to be willing to take care of Rin. Annoyed by his families selfish attitude Daikichi decides to take care of Rin himself. The problem is that he has little experience with children, is a single salary worker and has no idea how much of a challenge it is to care for a young girl. Throughout the manga he learns more about what it means to raise a family, and about who Rin is.
Usagi Drop succeeds so much, because it really is able to capture the family dynamics in Japan, and it’s accurate portrayal of it’s characters. The plot doesn’t really follow any sort of real sequence, other then a time skip of ten years. Instead it focuses more on important moments in Rin and Daikichi’s life. This work moves at slow gentle pace, and rather then trying to capture the readers attention constantly it takes a more sophisticated, and character driven approach, similar to that of House of the Five Leaves. It’s humor likewise doesn’t beg you to laugh at it or try to be slapstick, but rather opts for realistic situational humor. This reservation really makes Usagi Drop seem much more sophisticated then the average work.
Rarely do I feel the need to mention much about the ending of a series at all, since I like to refrain from giving spoilers. Sadly I feel I most address at least briefly the ending of manga, because it is classic example of how not end a story of this sort. I have no problem with the time skip having a greater emphasis on romance. I also applaud that this story does not have a cliched sort of romance, and has Rin assert her independence despite initially having conflicted feelings. When Rin does fall in love, however it just doesn’t make any sense at all. While the stories dialogue remains mostly solid, the ending just doesn’t work at all for this story (and in fact is somewhat creepy). The writing beyond chapter 42 creates a terrible romantic subplot, which just doesn’t feel like it belongs in this story. While there are elements that remain good after chapter 42, I’d strongly suggest stopping at that chapter, rather then reading the disappointing ending of this story.
Usagi Drop’s real strength lies within it’s characters, which are easy to relate with and to care about. Daikichi is one of the best lead characters presented in a manga, because he manages to be flawed, and at the same time compassionate and likable. He discovers of how to care for Rin in very realistic situations, and usually manages while doing this to come off as comical and/or genuinely heart warming (which is very difficult feat). Rin likewise is lovable, because she is such a heartwarming character. Her real strength as a character, however comes from her child like behavior. She asks questions that kids in her situation would ask, and although she is intelligent for her age she still behaves like a kid realistically would. These to two characters play off each well, and make a interesting family dynamic.
The minor characters are just as interesting as the leading ones, and have the same realistic feel. Rin’s childhood friend Kouki when a kid really acts like a young boy should. While he is very loving toward his mother, he has trouble showing that love. He also behaves in wild manor as a young boy would, and makes a good foil to Rin’s quiet and intelligent manor. As he grows up he outwardly he still seems silly and thoughtless, but within it’s clear that he is very caring toward Rin and his mother. His mother Yukari is a kind person who clearly has her hands full trying to take care of her son alone, while dealing with low self confidence (perhaps a result of her husband leaving her). She and Daikichi end up helping each other out, but at the same time clearly have social boundaries set up.
Rin’s mother is very interesting character, because of how conflicted a character she is. She had Rin at a very young age, and then was forced to make a devastating choice. She ends up choosing her job over Rin, and then is forced to live with the regret knowing that she abandon Rin. Normally such a character would seem selfish, and be portrayed as such, however Usagi Drop makes her character much more sympathetic then selfish. Her character is racked with guilt, feeling that she isn’t worthy of being seen as Rin’s mother, and is too afraid and ashamed to ever approach Rin. Daikichi’s relatives and coworkers, especially his parents are shown as being supportive, but also humanly flawed characters that naturally aren’t perfect all the time. The entire cast for Usagi Drop has a this really natural and human vibe to them that you don’t often find in many manga.
Usagi Drop is one of the few feel good manga series that really work. Despite it’s sweet nature it is still able to have a realistic, diverse and complex cast. While the artwork is mixed, it’s simple and charming story supported by this great cast more then makes up for this minor problem. Even for a person who isn’t a fan of most inspirational themed works (like me) this one is really worth reading. Besides the ending of this story (after chapter 42), I feel that this series is really worth purchasing. I would, however strongly advise though not read beyond chapter 42, due to the fact that the ending makes so little sense and mars the mood of the story a bit.
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