Series Review: Bunny Drop by Yumi Unita

Series Title: Bunny Drop (Original Japanese Title:うさぎドロップ)
No. of Volumes: 7 (ongoing)
Author: Yumi Unita
Genre: Slice of Life
Demographic: Josei (Women 17+)


Volume One Description: 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?!


Paperback: 208 pages 
Publisher: Yen Press (March 23, 2010)

Volume Two Description: Like a plot out of a soap opera, bachelor Daikichi Kawachi’s boringly normal life got a touch of the abnormal when he learned that his late granddad left behind a love child. And further rattling the unexpected skeleton in the closet? The ungainly, unglamorous Daikichi’s impulsive decision to take in little Rin! But as the impromptu dad and his charge learn to adapt to both one another and their very new living situation, Daikichi is plagued by thoughts of Rin’s mother. Who is she? Why has she been quiet all this time? Hot on the trail after discovering a modem at the old man’s computer-less abode, Daikichi plays detective in search for answers. But elementary school enrollment, extracurricular activities, and other parental obligations wait for no man, so when the day of confrontation with the mysterious Masato arrives, will Daikichi be prepared?!


Paperback: 208 pages 
Publisher: Yen Press (September 28, 2010)


BUNNY DROP Volume 3 | Coming March 2011 
BUNNY DROP Volume 4 | Coming September 2011


My Review: Cute. The first word that comes to mind about this series. Heartfelt, would also be a good one. Manga/Japanese graphic novels fall into the same rut as any other media, they can have played out themes and seen it before plots and characters. And I often have less tolerance for cliches when it comes to manga.


The art is simple. The characters are not excessively cute, beautiful or handsome. Josei manga is aimed at adult women, women who are tired of the juvenile themes of shoujo (girls manga). They want a more realistic story. That is why I am glad manga can grow with me. There are plenty of manga series that cater to women of my age and older. The ladies who cannot stand one more high school romance with tiring love triangles.


The story is adorable. From the start it is set-up to be awkward, but in a very sweet way. Here is a man that never had to care for anyone, who never guessed he would have a little girl foisted on him. The predicaments and solutions are the highlight of the series. Unexpected fatherhood can be a hoot. Right? Ha ha.


Rating: 4/5


If you like cute, funny and sweet graphic novels (or books) with more mature (but not too mature) themes, then try this out.


SIDE NOTE: A movie version of this series is set to be released in theaters in Japan some time next year.

Series Playlist

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