Bunny Drop (2011)

Okay, let's see. What can i say of this movie?
It is cute all over, it doesn't bore you, it doesn't make you skip any parts, it enters your heart, grows inside and leaves happily.
I am neutral about the music, there was a german song in the beginning, it was quite fun to watch Daikichi's fantasy and the music fitted it but other than that one song i don't really remember others, means they don't really stand out.
the story is nice, i love Daikichi and Rin's relationship. they do no cuddling, no "i love you so much daddy" but you just feel the love. It is the success of both the story and the actors.
so if you want to have a change of your cliché someone-dying, someone-fighting-so-hard-for-love movies, take the shot, you won't regret it.

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Usagi Drop it's the heartwarming story of the trials and rewards Daikichi, a 30 year old single man, faces when he, against his family's wishes, decides to raise a 6 year old girl named Rin, whois his late grandfather's illegitimate daughter.

I had watched anime last year and when I found out about the movie I couldn't wait. I had fallen in love with the story and how they go about it. The movie is not fast paced since the story itself isn't. It is somewhat slow, but the almost two hours went by fairly fast all the same.

The two main actors, Matsuyama Kenichi and Ashida Mana, do such a great job acting that even without obvious caring words, they pull off showing how much their bond and relationship has grown as time passes. I also liked the acting of the rest of the cast.

The music leaves something to be desired, but for me, it doesn't hinder the story at all.

This is the first movie adaptation I've been happy with in a while, so I'll definitely re-watch it sometime.

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i sat down to watching this after rave reviews from a very dear frend..as it turns out if not for her i would have missed such a gem of a movie..
at first look this sounds like a boring movie about the relationship between a man and a little girl but this movie goes layers deep and provides us with such a story that takes my breathe away..
Ashida Mana as Rin is spectacular and her simple yet emotional acting shows that she's got potential..lots of it..Matsuyama kenichi as Daikichi is perfect.he brings in just the right emotions and a touch of love that makes his character fullof life.throughout the movie my eyes were glued to this weird pair who keep on running trying to get Rin to school in time.the movie is so cute and adorable and at the same time capable of bringing out emotions that are hardly there in movies nowadays.it provides a different side of a father daughter relationship coz though we know its hard raising a kid alone we hardly witness it the way this shows us.it further goes on to say everything is okay as long as the little has a smile on her face.that's what is so amzing about this movie.its about the trails and tribulations and coming out of them as victorious.dialogues are sharp and full of meaning.the movie is shot beautifully too with close ups and simultaneously with long shots too.its amazing

the music is played at just the right places and if i was given a chance to recast this one..i'd definately cast the original ones coz the cast is simply perfect for this beautiful movie..:)
i recommend this to anyone who wants to see what unconditional love is in the truest and purest form possible

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“At some point we all grow up, fall in love, get married, give birth and become parents. And kids in their turn become parents from this angle.As far as i can see, the world is all fathers and mothers. Isn’t it like a big wave of love?”

What a heartwarming tale of a man coming of age and learning responsibility and what it means to become someone’s father, and how it can affect your life. Though this movie is based off an anime, and we don’t get to see the whole story, and how everything turns out in the end, we get a glimpse into this characters life and how in a short time, things can change you as a person. Though I have never seen this anime, I might watch it sometime. I think that this movie would give you a good introduction into the anime, since it was that good.

The characters in this drama, even though we only see them for 114 minutes, we get to know them, pretty well, and can see the emotion that they go through. Life as a single young man, raising a child , especially of the opposite sex, isn’t always the easiest thing. When you want to become independent, and do everything on your own, throwing a child into that mix, can sometimes, or most times, tempt you to lean on someone, which is fine. But for those who want to become independent adults, holding your ground and growing up with your child can be very rewarding. Daikichi (Matsuyama Kenichi) learns that becoming a parent isn’t as easy as it seems, and that raising a child, can come with some downfalls, and a lot of rewards. He can truly understand the difficulty that his parents went through raising him and his sister, therefore realizing how precious and amazing a parent really is to someone.

The acting in this drama was good, especially since its more of a dramatic story than a comedy, though there are parts that will make you laugh, or make smile come across your face. I have never seen Matsuyama Kenichi in a movie or drama before, but I am pretty pleased with his acting ability. He could be serious and serious can come, and show heartbreaking emotion, and yet he could be funny, which I really liked. Ashida Mana shows great potential to become a very good actress when she grows up, she is really good now, and I can’t wait to see her in the future, and in more dramas because she can show her emotions and says dialogue well, which isn’t always the case with child actors and actresses.

I still don’t know why it is called Usagi Drop (Bunny Drop), but it doesn’t really worry me, since this movie doesn’t show the true whole story of the anime, and drama , which means I will have to either read or watch those to be able to fully understand the title. Overall I found this movie to be very heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. The story of a single “father” really compels me to show my emotions, single mothers as well, and really gets under your skin and embraces you with a lot of thoughts and emotions because even in the western world , life as a single parents isn’t always as glamorous or even as disturbing as we make it out to be (16 and pregnant). So I give this movie a high score for being able to portray something like this, so beautifully and emotionally. I think this movie/anime/manga deserves a whole live action drama series because it is very interesting, and I think it would make for a good contrast for what is usually popular in Asian dramas right now. So a I recommend that you take 114 minutes out of your day, you have a 1440 in a day, and watch this movie, and actually see what I mean. It doesn’t really have any romance, but it leaves you with a greater message about family and coming of age, and will touch your heartstrings, even just a little.

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Usagi Drop is among those movies which can be deemed as 'perfect'. This has to be one of the most touching and heartwarming movies that I have seen till date. The whole story with the illegitimate daughter of a grandfather and his grandson taking the little girl in after his grandfather dies, was really beautiful.

This movie had a variation of emotions that really consumed me wholly. It had the perfect plot, perfect actors and the story is absolutely flawless from the beginning to end. It is depicted in a way that can leave the best of the people in tears because it is so touching. It hits you right at the spot. I am a person that hardly ever cries while watching a movie or drama, but this movie had places which strongly brought tears to my eyes. I generally get touched by movies about little kids because their innocence and outlook of this world is so sweet.

Even in this film, the little girl is cute and so harmless. It makes you want to hug her tightly when she is sad or play with her when she is in a good mood. Her loss of both parents- one dying, and the other abandoning here is so sad that you can actually feel it even though the girl hardly shows it. But when she is taken in by her father's grandson she becomes very attached to him- just like a real parent. Their relationship was portrayed very naturally. I also liked the main guy because he was so selfless for this little girl. He is ready to sacrifice everything for her. She is an easy child because most of the times she is quiet and obedient. But he understands that she feels deeply and in fact, tries to hide her pain and loneliness most of the times. Even he takes time to understand what she is feeling because he is not used to being a parent.

This movie is basically about learning to love unconditionally and at the same time- maturing. It also showcases the complex relationship of a parent and child wonderfully. It shows that while parenting can be rainbows and sunshine, it can also be equally difficult. But really, I believe in reality that the love of a parent is love in its purest form and this movie kind of felt the same to me. It mostly depicts the purity of such love and the equal gentleness that a child has. It also shows how parents cater to the need of their children and do everything possible for them.

The direction, writing, editing, sound and cinematography were all brilliant. I was happy with everything in this film. And I really loved that little girl. I was worried that she wouldn't be able to act, but she won me over right from the first scene itself.

I would really, really ask everyone to give this movie a chance and appreciate it because it is not often we get movies like these. It is not at all depressing, but it touches you very deeply. Its rewatch value and everything else is a perfect 10.

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OMG What a little gem of a movie.
L.O.V.E.D it.

Story:
It was nothing I've never seen before, well except the fact that the child was his Granpa's illegitimate kid (that is really awkward). Nevertheless it was still a very very enjoyable movie to watch. I loved that he took her in when no one else would and then the next morning his like, "WHAT THE HELL did I get myself into." Unlike most in his situation he didn't give up, he kept going on. And the child, Rin was just gorgeous. She was shy at first, like a flower that is struggling to bloom. To see her start opening up throughout the movie and bloom to a gorgeous little flower was just so heart-warming.

Acting:
*CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP* Amazing! Matsuyama Kenichi, I seen him in Death Note and he is just gorgeous. When you see his name in a movie, you know that you will receive quality and the movie (well the acting side) would be flawless. He acted as the perfect 30 year old guy, who decide to take custody of the child. He really adapted himself well into the situation. Seeing him sacrifice his job so he can spend more time with her, the smile he gives her, the raw emotion of hwne he thought he lost her. That was seriously amazing.
Ashida Mana, she is going to be BIG when she;s older. Her acting skills was top, from the sad lonely young girl to a happy, smiling one. The pure joy in her face when she's with him, the fear in her face when he leaves her in the nursery school because she believes he would not come back for her. I have not flaws to point out.
The vibe between Matsuyama and Ashida was bloody awesome. You really did feel like they were father and daughter.
The other actors/actresses were really great as well, especially that young boy who acted as Khouki (Rin's friend).

Music:
I really didn't pay attention to the music, I guess it was good because music does aid in the creation of the atmosphere/mood of the film. The only piece of music I remembered was this german(?) one. It was so absurd to hear that in a Japanese movie.

Rewatch Value:
I would rewatch it any day. So heart warming :3

Overall:
You, reading this review better add this into your plan-to-watch dramalist or better, go watch it. It is a movie that would make you feel warm and fuzzy. The acting is amazing and the story was great. Just go watch it! GOGOGOGOGO

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Usagi Drop is basically a young man's struggle with parenthood and the thing is—he's not taking care of his own child, but his grandpa's. The chemistry between Matsuyama Kenichi and Ashida Mana is surprisingly good especially in the scenes where Daikichi (Kenichi) shows his concern for Rin (Mana). It's like they have this real but hidden connection. However, the thing is, Kenichi ends up looking like an older brother to Mana for a reason I can't explain and Mana wasn't able to show this kind of aura of maturity that Rin was giving off in the anime or in the manga. Well, as for the music, the music is very exceptional and fits right into the scenes. However, I do think that a long time will pass before I rewatch Usagi Drop (up to the point that I have forgotten some parts of it). No doubt, Usagi Drop is indeed a lighthearted feel good movie to me.

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This movie perhaps isn’t the best movie around, but it’s a good drama which will draw your smile with warm feeling for sure.
In short, it was about the struggle, the joy, the regret, the so-called sacrifice, the little “reward”, the hectic, all things you’ll find from a working single dad’s story. It’s sweet, touching, quite detailed, and simply heart-warming. Go see for the trailer to catch up the overall feel it will give you.

-----detailed review:

Story: 3.5/5 » The story was good, but it could be better. I like the storytelling though. 8/10 for the storytelling alone. The ending was great for my taste. For me, it just felt so right in the place. If they did it more or less, it won’t be as great. The opening scene was nicely done too. Nice enough to instantly drew me to the story.

Acting: 4.5/5 » The acting were great, especially the little girl’s, Mana Ashida. She just come out soooo natural. And each time I hear her voice, or saw her gesture and everything, I just couldn’t help but smile. I want to rate Ashida’s act alone 5/5. She was just perfectly excellent for the role. Rin won’t be the same without her. I’ve watched many shows with acting kids, I found many of them were very lovely, cute with great acting skill, etc, but in Ashida’s Rin, you’ll find something called: Natural!
For Matsuyama, he was great and had great chemistry with Ashida, I love his portrayal of Daikichi, but at scenes when he had to show comical facials, a couple of his expressions at those scenes looked kinda awkward. It didn’t awkward enough to bother me though. The rest of the cast did good jobs.

Directing & Editing: 5/5 » It’s amazing how an-almost-2-hours drama without much real conflict didn’t make me bored. Rare.

Cinematography: 4.5/5 » The scenes were simply beautiful.

Music: 3/5 » The music was descent and fit the mood nicely, but not much remarkable.

OVERALL: 4/5 » It’s a great movie if you are in the mood for a heart-warming drama. Somehow, it probably isn’t for you if you are easily get bored, because the movie was long, and there weren’t much real conflict.
But if you’re into (at least one of) the genre (heart-warming drama / kids with overload cuteness / family), just give it a go..

PS The rewatch value is high for me, because I love Daikichi-Rin moments so much.

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