Usagi Drop

The anime was a masterpiece and against the popular sentiment, I grade the manga in its entirety the same, albeit several notches below the anime.

The 10-year gap *is* quite a let-down when you've just read the first half and get to the second half looking forward to seeing more of little girl Rin. It is apparent though that the focus of the second half is teenage Rin so in terms of plot, those 10 years aren't really relevant. What was unfortunate was the lack of development in these 10 years. Apart from getting older, the characters didn't change at all.

This is my only complaint. Everything else, I can understand.

That Rin gets attracted with Daikichi is normal. It's an accepted fact that women who's had good childhood relationships with their fathers unconsciously get attracted to men that have the same characteristics as their fathers. Truth be told, however, the extent of Rin's attraction is a tad extreme but ultimately still realistic and actually happens a lot more than people think. But then again, the fact that Rin knows that Daikichi is not his real father (in how she keeps considering her degree of separation with Daikichi) is a plausible explanation of her persistent attraction.

Rin learning that she is not at all related to Daikichi as the catalyst that firmed her resolve is also very believable especially considering her state of mind before. However, I do think the revelation was too abrupt and this is despite the fact that I never really believed Souichi was Rin's real father either.

About Daikichi's reaction to Rin's love, I can see a lot of people find it outrageous. It is entirely possible that I'm reading too far between the lines but my take on it is that Daikichi's disbelief is so strong that he was sure that Rin would change her mind within the two years which is why he made Rin wait and this is even supported by what Daikichi said about how Rin will probably meet new people.

Of course, at the end of the manga, Daikichi has already accepted Rin's love. Rin did say that she would work hard to make Daikichi see her and love her as a woman. Two years is more than enough time to do that especially since Daikichi already loves her and since Rin *is* a woman. It doesn't help that Daikichi wants what will make Rin happy and will always support her decisions which in this case also coincides with how he wants to always be with Rin anyway.

As a whole, Daikichi and Rin's situation is extraordinary but very much believable. On Usagi Drop, I think the emphasis is not really on the end but on the means which, in it's very essence, is pure love. Not sure where the people who insist that the ending is perverted are coming from. Daikuchi's transition from doting guardian to a loving partner is an awkward situation to look at from the outside looking in but the underlying motivations and reasons are innocent and pure, especially when viewed from Rin's eyes. I think it might stem from the belief that in all situations bar none, teens are too immature to know true love and that those that are senior are all, without exemption, simply taking advantage. To that, I respectfully disagree from wisdom gained through experience similar to Rin's (in loving someone older).

A perfect 10/10 for me.