Year in Review: The Best of 2011

Happy New Year~

Checklist: [x] Top 5 Anime | [x] Top 5 Anime Songs | [ ] Top 5 THE iDOLM@STER Songs

Suggestions on what I other things I should rank are welcome!

Usagi Drop - Review

Long overdue but as long as it's done, right? Kami-sama no Memo-chou is next.

Do you like the slice-of-life genre? Do you like a story that is realistic in virtually every way? Do you want to feel all warm and fuzzy after every episode? If so, then Usagi Drop is the anime for you! Continue reading and you'll see why.

Usagi Drop - Episode 11

Thank you for 11 great episodes, Rin! ^_^

Episode Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (4/5)

A wonderful ending to one of the best shows of the Summer 2011 season. It was nothing too exciting or overwhelming, but that was the reason why I liked it. This show proved to be a nice start to the weekend for me, never failing to make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside after every episode. However, for a series finale, I expected a bit more out of this episode - in regards to content, that is. I felt that, although things were wrapped up quite nicely, the events of this episode were not particularly noteworthy. The parts on skipping and baby teeth are appropriate for any other episode, but they ended being a bit weak when it comes to a finale. Nonetheless, the last few minutes made up for it, with the short clips that gave a look back at all that has happened over the one year being my favorite part of this episode. All in all, I really enjoyed watching Usagi Drop and this episode, as a whole, was no different.

Summary incomplete. Please check back later.

Usagi Drop - Episode 10

<3

Episode Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (4/5)

Looking back, the series really flew by fast. At the conclusion of this episode, it's still hard to tell how things will be wrapped up. I do have a few ideas here and there but the only thing I want is a closed ending (assuming that there's no second season). As for the episode itself, it was essentially about Rin recovering from a fever. I find this serves as a reminder for potential/current parents about another difficulty in raising a child. In the episode, Daikichi almost breaks down from the stress that came with looking after Rin. Luckily, having a fellow parent in Yukari by his side really helped (*hint* go get married, already! *hint*). At the end of the episode, for the first time ever, I actually approve of a cliffhanger. Yukari getting sick after taking care of Rin almost immediately allows viewers to predict that Daikichi will try to help her get better, in order to return the favor. Through this, maybe there'll be some nice Daikichi x Yukari moments. And now, I wait for the finale...

Summary incomplete. Please check back later.

Usagi Drop - Episode 9

A happy family     \(^.^)/

Episode Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (4/5)

I found this episode heartwarming in so many ways. Watching this makes me want to tell Daikichi to marry Yukari (Kouki's mother) right now. The two of them, along with Kouki and Rin, make such a warm and loving family and seeing them enjoy themselves makes it all the more heartwarming. With only two episodes left, there's not much time left for my wish to be fulfilled. However, with the direction that the story is seemingly heading, there's still hope. On a side note, the preview for the previous episode didn't actually have anything to do with this one. So, unfortunately, there was no festival and Daikichi ogling Yukari in her kimono. Nonetheless, a great episode, which doesn't really come as a surprise considering how excellent the show has been thus far. Though I'm still disappointed that there's only going to be 11 episodes.

Summary incomplete. Please check back later.

Usagi Drop - Episode 8

Happy Birthday, Rin!

Episode Rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ (3/5)

We get a little more on Masako this episode. Although she didn't do much, it's obvious that she is starting to feel some guilt and regret for abandoning Rin. Overall, there was not much happening throughout the episode. Rin's birthday was a nice surprise but, unfortunately, she only had a cake to show for it. As for the theory of Masako's boyfriend (my assumption) being the father of Rin, it's less convincing now since he seemed to know nothing about Rin. But there could also be the possibility that Masako didn't tell him that it's his child. So many questions but no answers yet. Next episode looks to be about a festival, which almost always focuses a bit on the yutakas that the female characters wear. Daikichi fantasizing about Kouki's mother shows that he is absolutely prepared for it. It'll be fun to see what happens next.

Usagi Drop - Episode 7

She's watching you...

Episode Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (4/5)

Actually, I would say that this episode deserved a 4.5/5. Anyways, I enjoyed the nice balance of comedy and drama, with many of the characters having roles. The interactions between the characters was also nice to see, especially the one involving Daikichi and Haruko. How Usagi Drop uses elements that are so realistic and easy to relate to, in order to create such an interesting story is beyond me. I'm actually disappointed that there's only four more episodes left. The story is still wide open and I feel that it will be a bit rushed if a conclusion is compressed into the last few episodes. Character-wise, I found Reina much less annoying and Kouki more entertaining. To me, the post-ED scene hints what I want to happen: Daikichi marries Kouki's mother and they form a family of four. Not sure if it's just a tease or my overly wishful thinking, but I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the story unfold.

Usagi Drop - Episode 6

Did anyone else find this image slightly disturbing?

Episode Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (4/5)

A fresh and heartwarming episode to start the weekend for me. Like always, the daily lives of Rin and Daikichi are enjoyable to watch, with elementary school now a part of their daily routines. The story about each person in the family having a tree was interesting, making me wish I had a tree, too. It's too bad that they didn't expand on the relationship between Masako and the orange-haired guy. There's only five episodes left so there isn't much time left. Since I haven't read the manga, I wonder if the anime will be able to cover everything. With the way it's going now, Usagi Drop is definitely going to be one of my favorites for the Summer 2011 season.

Usagi Drop - Episode 5

The Mysterious Couple

Episode Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (4/5)

Mixed feelings about this episode. On one hand, Rin was really moe in this episode, especially during her conversations with Daikichi. However, on the other hand, Rin's mother really annoyed me. She isn't annoying like Reina, but annoying because of how useless and selfish she is. What made me decide this was when her boyfriend (the guy who is shown to be living in her home) showed up, meaning that she not only abandoned Rin for her job but also for her own personal desires. But with the boyfriend in the picture, the story of Rin being an illegitimate child is now questionable since she must have gotten her blond hair from one or both of her parents. With her mother having black hair, one would think that the orange-haired boyfriend is most likely the father. When the one question is answered, many more come up. Guess I, along with the rest of the viewers who haven't read the manga, will have to wait and see how this guy fits in to the story.

Usagi Drop - Episode 4

Rin, why so serious?

Episode Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (4/5)

Sigh, a cliffhanger? Just when I thought we would finally get to learn about Rin's mother, Masako Yoshii, the episode ends. This is why I really dislike cliffhangers. Anyways, like always, Rin was extremely moe in this episode. Everything from interacting with the adults at Daikichi's farewell party to mingling with the other children at the nursery is nosebleed-inducing material. But with Rin's mother now in the picture, one may wonder whether this is the end of the happy days for Rin. Hopefully, it's not and that her mother will positive affect Rin. Next episode should be good.

Usagi Drop - Episode 3

Ugh... Annoying Reina's hairstyle. Good thing Rin went back to her old hairstyle after this

Episode Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (5/5)

One of the better episodes in terms of development. It's really nice to see Daikichi's parents accepting Rin, despite the fact that she's his mother's half-sister. Also, Daikichi sacrificing his position at the company so he can spend more time with Rin must have been a tough position for him to make. His personality is a good break from all the idiotic male leads that appear every season. But I still wonder how things will change when he meets Rin's mother, since the meeting is inevitable. Great story so far and I'm looking forward to seeing how everything else unfolds.

Usagi Drop - Episode 2

Feeling down? Then let Rin's smile cheer you up ^_^

Episode Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (4/5)

Once again, Rin is extremely moe throughout the episode - from buying clothes to the trips back home with Daikichi. Such a heartwarming episode but I have a feeling things are going to start getting rough for the two as Daikichi will need to figure out a way to balance both a job and the task of raising a child. If Rin's mother shows up midway through the show, some interesting drama may follow. Hopefully, everything will end up fine and a happy ending is used.

Usagi Drop - Episode 1

Did you know: Rin is voiced by a 10-year-old girl

Episode Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ (4/5)

A nice start to what looks to be a very heartwarming anime about the bonding of aunt and nephew where the nephew much older than the aunt. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed this episode although the art in the first part of it threw me off. A part of me thought about dropping it due to the messy looking art alone. Aside from the art, the story is set up well. Now, how will Daikichi's life change with his young aunt now living with him. If you've read reviews/responses about Usagi Drop, I bet you've seen this a million times but I'll write it anyways: Rin is just too moe. Also, that other kid is such an annoying brat.

Usagi Drop - Preview

With the manga having been praised for it's excellent and realistic story, I decided that I might as well see if everything that has been said about Usagi Drop is true. Although this is only an adaption of the manga, I find film has the ability to convey messages than text and graphics alone solely because of the element of sound. Sound is extremely important when setting a mood and, with a synopsis that hints a lot of drama, I think the anime should be quite good. Looking forward to watching this.

Summer 2011

Below is the list of shows I plan to watch for the Summer 2011 season (subject to change):