Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. ~Jane Howard
Genre: Slice-of-life/Drama
Review Status: Incomplete (3 Volumes/ ? Volumes)
Licensed: This manga is licensed in the US
Art: Simple and airy. It seems like the sketches were lined in. The art is decently detailed.
Summary: 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?! (Yen Press)
Review: This has to be one of the best manga I’ve come across in a while. You know the premise from the summary, so here’s what I thought about it:
Bunny Drop is alternately hilarious and tearjerking. You followe Rin as she deals with learning to like and trust Daichi, deals with scornful classmates, and makes a friend who understood. You see her little ups and downs in life, from the grief from missing her father to the interest of losing her first tooth. You also see the world from Daichi’s POV, from how to pick a good daycare and the sacrifices that come with being a single caretaker to the small joys that come from being able to be loved and trusted by Rin.
This gets into some interesting territory that you won’t often see. You get interesting discussions between him and a coworker about the cultural differences that come with being a working parent, and how the expectations of parenthood are different between men and women. There is also a lot of heavy thought about Rin and her mom.
What’s nice is that you see Rin grow up. While I didn’t read all of Volume 4, in it she has grown into a lovely young woman who’s got a lot on her mind. I will definitely be updating on this when
Overall, this is a sweet story about a man and a girl learning to live with an love eachother.
Recommended: 12+ for some alcohol consumption (and the tipsiness that comes with it). Rin’s mom refuses to take responsibility for her or even meet her. There is also some minor language, which peters out when Daichi realizes that he shouldn’t say it in front of Rin. This probably won’t interest anyone who doesn’t like little kids, or prefer less realistic manga.
Other titles you might enjoy:
Yotsuba&! (manga)
Aishiteruze Baby (anime or manga)
Kurenai (anime)
Flat (manga)
Saturn Apartments (manga)
Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms (manga)
Bunny Drop is cute and I think it puts single fathers in a good light. A lot of them get a lot of criticism, compared to single mothers. Not all of them are scumbags.
ReplyDeleteI do think the series takes a look at men growing up emotionally as well. I wrote about this and more at: http://www.mangatherapy.com/post/3216853374/bunny-drop-parenting
The manga is currently at 8 volumes, though I hear Volume 5 takes a HUGE turn in the story.
Wow! That was a great article! And it does touch on and say somethings that I had missed or hadn't put in.
ReplyDeleteIt really does do a good job of putting Daichi in a good light as a responsible, upright single father- and absolutely does have him grow up as he takes on his new responsibility. I couldn't agree more with the article!
Thanks so much for the link! It was a great read!