(L) Usagi Drop

[Vexx]

Originally Posted by Akka

Way to spontaneously jump to (false) conclusions...
What makes you think that I consider the ending to be a disgrace because of some kind of "it's not a bland happy end !!!" reason ? Just so you could seize the pretext to act cool and superior ?

Well, you've been warned. Do what you want, you will only have yourself to blame later (and if you actually like it... well, you will only have yourself to blame even more).

I'm sorry but you're not making any sense whatsoever... you provided insufficient information for any other conclusion. You didn't say whether it was the writing that bothered you or how the various story threads were resolved or... and virtually everyone who doesn't like the latter half has pretty much the same complaints.

So, you may have liked the ending but I'm not supposed to read on for my own good? You didn't like the ending and I'm not supposed to form my own judgement? I'm "cool and superior" because I don't trust your judgement since you provide no basis for me to trust your judgement?

... and please stop confusing your opinion as "fact" You have an opinion about the story, that's fine, there's a wide range of opinions on Usagi Drop.

[Akka]

Originally Posted by Vexx

I'm sorry but you're not making any sense whatsoever... you provided insufficient information for any other conclusion. You didn't say whether it was the writing that bothered you or how the various story threads were resolved or... and virtually everyone who doesn't like the latter half has pretty much the same complaints.

So, you may have liked the ending but I'm not supposed to read on for my own good? You didn't like the ending and I'm not supposed to form my own judgement? I'm "cool and superior" because I don't trust your judgement since you provide no basis for me to trust your judgement?

Actually, the only thing I said is "don't read it". I didn't say why (and that was the point, because the less said about it the better in my opinion, knowing the details would just kill the point of not reading it, and explaining too much would push people to read it out of curiosity).
If I don't give any information about why I hate it, I don't really see how you can conclude that I dislike it "because X".

You're the one making no sense :
"Don't read it, it's crap !"
"Hey, unlike you I'm able to enjoy works that aren't childish fantasy land ! I am mature enough to appreciate them and hence don't need some predictable happy ending !"
"Err... Where did I say that I considered it crap because of supposed lack of happy ending ?"
"Oh well, it was the only logical deduction !"


Though if that is your idea of logic, maybe you'll actually like the ending, after all.

Anyway, I'm giving you the advice of not reading the ending because there is a very strong chance that it will ruins the whole story for you. Now if you are so eager to just jump on any occasion to transform it into some kind of chest-banging contest, I'll just shrug and give up. My intent was simply to attempt to shield people from extreme disappointment, not to one-up anyone.

... and please stop confusing your opinion as "fact" You have an opinion about the story, that's fine, there's a wide range of opinions on Usagi Drop.

Well, there is a wide range of opinions on about everything, even on subjects which are beyond proven. There is still people arguing seriously that the Earth is 6000 years old after all

Everything can be rationalized away if someone is intent enough to do it. Some pointless details can be blown out of proportion to be claimed as "evidence" while much more numerous and strongly-standing pillars of the story can be ignored, if someone wants it.

But the last part of the Usagi Drop manga is just so full of contradiction with the premisses, and in such complete disconnect with the whole rest of the work, that I don't really see how to call it anything other than "fact", save for the persons that will try to dissect it to find reasons to fuel some kind of rationalization as said above.

[TinyRedLeaf]

Kaga Rin: "Stop fighting!!!"

Me: "Stop telling me things I don't need to know. I will read what I want. It's not for anyone to tell me what not to read or how I should bubble wrap my own sensitive feelings."

[Vexx]

Well... the implied suggestion that if I don't arrive at the same conclusions he has that I'm stupid and the accompanied insults certainly validate his assertions...

Never mind that this is the anime thread... not the manga thread.

If it is written poorly, it certainly wouldn't be the first time I've run into annoying writing. The first manga I ever read had me curling my lips at the author's inept jerking around the characters. His "intended ending" no longer made sense because he'd gone in another direction too well and it was quite a trainwreck forcing it back.

[Pocari_Sweat]

Leaving aside the discussion about manga, the Usagi Drop anime was the best slice of life/drama of 2011 with Hourou Musuko and Colorful (film) being honorable mentions. Realistic, heartwarming, likable and an adult male lead that you could associate yourself with, it never dwelled into melodrama nor did it go overboard with its comedy. It was the anime that gave me a smile every Friday (I think that's when it aired) and I have gladly bought the DVDs which were available in my country, and I have absolutely no regrets.

It was best series to have aired on noitamina in a while, and we haven't had anything since then that could beat it (Sakamichi no Appollon could not touch it imo due to its somewhat poor pacing and terrible last episode). I fully endorse it and approve of it winning the slice of life award for the Animesuki Awards 2011.

[SeijiSensei]

Those of us who pre-ordered the NISA release of Usagi Drop should see their copies arriving any day now. If you're looking to purchase the show now, you'll have to wait until September since NISA has apparently already sold out the entire first pressing. Robert of Robert's Anime Corner Store reports reports on his blog that Usagi Drop "has been the most heavily pre-ordered title for us so far this year." I find it both remarkable and a hopeful sign that a show about a thirty-year-old man and five-year-old girl without ecchi, fighting or dubbing reached the top spot instead of (dubbed) shows like Panty & Stocking.

[Guardian Enzo]

The show fared decently on BD/DVD in Japan, actually - not great, but better than most NoitaminA works - so this isn't a complete shock. But yes, a very hopeful sign.

I'd like to see NoitaminA air an adaptation of the second half of the manga, just because it would look like "Scanners" in here...

[Kirarakim]

Originally Posted by SeijiSensei

Those of us who pre-ordered the NISA release of Usagi Drop should see their copies arriving any day now. If you're looking to purchase the show now, you'll have to wait until September since NISA has apparently already sold out the entire first pressing. Robert of Robert's Anime Corner Store reports reports on his blog that Usagi Drop "has been the most heavily pre-ordered title for us so far this year." I find it both remarkable and a hopeful sign that a show about a thirty-year-old man and five-year-old girl without ecchi, fighting or dubbing reached the top spot instead of (dubbed) shows like Panty & Stocking.

Wow I wasn't expecting that at all. Good for Usagi Drop but also good for NISA who is fast becoming my favorite US anime company.

Anyways I am happy to say my copy is on its way.

[wandering-dreamer]

Holy cow, I'm short on money now so I didn't get a copy but I guess I'll have make sure I get it soon, glad to hear it's selling so well!

[anigu]

Originally Posted by SeijiSensei

Those of us who pre-ordered the NISA release of Usagi Drop should see their copies arriving any day now. If you're looking to purchase the show now, you'll have to wait until September since NISA has apparently already sold out the entire first pressing. Robert of Robert's Anime Corner Store reports reports on his blog that Usagi Drop "has been the most heavily pre-ordered title for us so far this year." I find it both remarkable and a hopeful sign that a show about a thirty-year-old man and five-year-old girl without ecchi, fighting or dubbing reached the top spot instead of (dubbed) shows like Panty & Stocking.

Now they will learn to bring more shows like this gem to us. Honestly, I also didn't expect such good sales.

[Kirarakim]

Got mine in the mail today, there is an interview in the art book with practically everyone involved with the anime: director, key animation director/character designer, screenwriter, opening sequence directors, & Yumi Hotta the manga-ka.

I am very impressed!

There is also something on the ending sequence with images of all the little changes made to the ending each episode.

[willx]

So, I read the manga a while ago, including the whole slice of life -> josei transition (which I had mixed feelings about, but could understand) .. but only just recently watched the anime!

How charming it is! It, of course, reminds me of Aishiteruze Baby! but.. the pastels, the animation usage of SD faces and Daikichi's deadpan expressions totally made it for me. It definitely brought a smile to my face and made me nostalgic (or dreaming..) for simpler times..

[brocko]

I recently had a chance to watch the Live Action version of the film very recently on the big screens so I'll just cross-post my quick thoughts on it here

Originally Posted by brocko

... Great film, great actors, great comedy and great warmth all around. I'm sure many will be glad to hear that the notorious time skip is not covered at all in the film. The film is mostly faithful to the events of the anime, although due to a lack of a story-telling climax they had to kind of make one up towards the end lol

One of the very first thing that striked me when watching the film was how much younger Daikichi looked in comparison to his anime counterpart lol. It took a little while to get accustomed to at first but soon enough you begin to lose yourself within the film and it doesn't become much of a bother anymore (even if it was a little petty one). In retrospect I think the actors youthfulness just adds onto the naivety of Daikichi's character as he cluelessly takes on the challenges of being a single parent.

Kouki's mum however felt a little jarring to watch in comparison, much for the same 'looks younger than expected' reason. I can't quite put my finger exactly on it yet, but to me she also seemed to be portrayed as slightly different character than what I had been accustomed to in the anime. My friends that I had watched it with, seemed to disagree somewhat though so maybe it was just a problem with me lol.

A lot of the other side characters do manage to make appearances but due to time constraints they don't really stay for all that long. Which is fine because a large part of what makes the Usagi Drop narrative so enjoyable is the interactions between Rin and Daikichi anyway. Something that the two lead actors portray amazingly well together.

I'd really recommend all those out to give the Usagi Drop film a watch, especially those that enjoyed the original works (or well... at least the first half of the original lol). There are no shortages of cute laughs or heart-warming sweetness to go around, nor are they overused and overstay their welcome either. The movie itself feels very similar and faithful in nature to the anime. If anything watch it for all the 'Sweet Drops' to be had, because just hearing it at the ending credits made me so happy, happy, happy~ lol

Protip: google 'Yhu5zLW36dw' for an adorable youtube film