Usagi Drop

In addition to our continuing discussions on anime we are following together, I know that many of us are watching other series on our own. Since the intent behind the creation of this blog was to discuss all things anime (and I might even add manga to that, since for me anime and manga are so interconnected), we should also discuss our recommendations, recent discoveries, etc.


A new anime that I started watching last week is Usagi Drop. It is available on crunchyroll, with a new episode out each Thursday. The manga that the anime is based on is being released under the name Bunny Drop and has had positive reviews (here and here among others). The story is about a 30-year-old bachelor, Daikichi, who finds himself taking in his grandfather's illegitimate daughter when the rest of the family avoids taking responsibility at his grandfather's funeral. The art for the story is so unique - soft and sometimes incomplete watercolors and a simple approach to design - that sets a such a calm relaxing tone in contrast to the oftentimes over-saturated stories that abound these days.

Only one episode in, I find myself completely drawn into the story. If the anime continues to hold my interest on such a level, I might just have to check out the manga next!

Wolf's Rain, episodes 5+6

My turn this week, heh.

The group of wolves continues on their journey, following the faint smell of Lunar Flowers. Following it, they arrive at the ocean and, thanks to a well placed train track, arrive at a run down city. Here we meet a surprisingly large pack of wolves, all masquerading as human. The wolves live a rather meager life, doing a dog's work to get food. Yet while some of them call it a dog's work, they seem very testy about being called one, don't they? Why do you think that is?

This new pack also shows us the first sight of new wolves after our meeting Kiba, Hige, Tsume, and Toboe. Aside from the differences in pack size, what other differences do you note among the other group? Not just in mentality, but in their membership. What would you say that shows about the surviving wolves in this world?

Prior to arriving at the city, our boys could hardly be called a Pack, and yet, as they leave, its obvious something has changed. They look out for one another. They're a true pack now. Would you say this is a good thing for them?

And finally, there's the mystery about that book. Destruction of the moon, seemingly eternal winter, at least from what we've seen. Any thoughts on any of that?

Wolf's Rain, Episodes 3-4

Slowly, the story is starting to unfold: the myth of the wolves and their journey to paradise, the Nobles, Cheza and the smell of moon flowers, Hubb, Cher, and the laboratory where Cheza was...created? And Quent and Blue, who hunt wolves for revenge. The artwork continues to be beautiful, I remember thinking what intense eyes Kiba has, and the wolves have all met up and seem to be adopting much more of a pack mentality. Thoughts on that? Thoughts on paradise and it's relation to Cheza? Apparently the machines in that abandoned military base saw the wolves as wolves, no fooling them. That leads me to think that the human/wolf forms all have to do with the human mind and how it perceives things, at least to some extent, since things like machines and even dogs like Blue can't be fooled. Feel free to post on any or all of these things, and if anyone is interested in posting the discussion next Friday, go for it.

Two Minor Housekeeping Issues

More like a couple of random thoughts. I was thinking about the episodes we've already watched, and the comments that have been made, and it dawned on me that it might be a good idea for people to take turns leading discussion on episodes, if they're willing, because there's always something we didn't see or notice, or a different way of thinking of things. I don't want to set a schedule, so no one feels any pressure, but I do think that it would be nice if people wanted to volunteer to lead eps some weeks other than me. I'd say just volunteer week by week if you want to lead the next set, and we can go from there. I also thought it might be a good idea to consider other anime or anime movies we want to watch as a group, so that people have time to acquire them before we get to them. If people have no objection, I see no reason why we can't every so often in the middle of a series break for a movie, especially if it's a longer series and we need a change of pace. Just my thoughts, post yours below and we can decide from there.

Wolf's Rain, Episodes 1-2

Discussion time for Wolf's Rain episodes 1 and 2! How long has it been since everyone has seen this show, or has anyone not seen it before? Just a few thoughts to get us started, and then whoever wants to can take the discussion in any direction they choose. First, what's everyone's take on how the wolves appear to be people and wolves at the same time? Thoughts on Darcia and Cheza? Impressions of the wolves we've seen so far, as well as any other characters that took your notice? Animation, cast, music, or other technical comments?

Viewing Schedule for Wolf's Rain

Sounds like the consensus is two episodes a week for everyone, and that works fine for me too. Shall we say that we'll discuss the first two episodes of the series next Friday, July 1st, to give everyone a chance to get hold of the anime and watch them? Then we can discuss two eps a week or increase as people wish after that. Out of curiosity, does anyone feel that we should watch the full series specifically subbed or dubbed for the sake of consistency, or that we can watch as we prefer? I know for some series it makes a big difference, but as I've never seen this one anything but dubbed, I have no idea if this is one of them. Personally, I love this dub, especially as it's one of my favorite Crispin Freeman roles, but I can appreciate that some people prefer subs. Also, let me know if a different day of the week than Friday works better as a deadline, and we can change that as needed.

The Revival Has Come!

Hey guys, it's been a long time, but there are a few of us who thought we'd like to bring this blog back to life and see if we can spark some discussion. Kate, Maenos, and myself have decided we'd like to watch a series together and discuss it on here, and from there hopefully branch out, watch new things, and rewatch some old ones. We're thinking we'd like to watch Wolf's Rain to get things started. It aired on Adult Swim some years ago, just one run, and it's been a while since most of us have seen it. The basic idea is probably going to be something like watching a few episodes a week and then talking about them, since schedules make it hard to actually sit down and watch together in real time. Other suggestions for anime to watch in like manner are welcome, and discussion of new shows you all are watching or old ones you love are always welcome as well, of course. Once we get an idea of how many are participating, we will work out a schedule. Please join us!