うさぎドロップ Episode 11 (finale episode)
Usagi Drop – 11

Daikichi, Rin, and Kouki are at the supermarket to pick up some things for Nitani, who’s still sick. Rin worries that Nitani got sick because of her, but Daikichi assures her that this might not be the case. Before they leave the store, Kouki reveals that he has just lost one of his baby teeth.  Daikichi and Rin drop the food and Kouki off at Nitani’s apartment, where she thanks them for bringing her stuff and Daikichi thanks her for all she’d done for them. Daikichi mentions the concern that Nitani may have gotten sick from Rin, but she assures Daikichi that her cold might not have come from Rin as Kouki and Rin go to dispose of his fallen out baby tooth.

On Sunday, Rin is up early so she can practice jump rope.  Daikichi and Rin meet Nitani and Kouki at the part, where Kouki and Rin attempt to jump rope while the adults watch. Daikichi gives advice on how the two can jump rope better and they are joined by two other father’s who’s kids are in with Rin and Kouki’s class. Sayaka-chan has just lost one of her teeth and is embarrassed by it, but this leads Daikichi to learn about special cases to keep children’s baby teeth.  Daikichi realizes that Rin would love this and is amazed at how Rin’s entry into his life causes him to have to focus on little things like this. However, he’s OK with this.

Nitani gives Rin Kouki’s container since Kouki isn’t interested in keeping his. Daikichi tells Rin she can either keep her baby teeth or toss them, as she likes. That evening, Daikichi discovers he’s gained weight and buys his own jump rope to participate in the next practice to get some exercise, something the other parents have done as well.  Daikichi plays with the boys while Nitani helps the girls.  Afterward, as the kids play together, Daikichi catches his breath and remarks on how amazing kids are to have so much energy, but also how amazing adults are. He speaks of his own situation with Rin and the other parents laugh at Daikichi’s remarks about the changes in himself.

Going to his parent’s home, Daikichi and Rin arrive so that Rin can show off her jump rope skills and her wobbly baby teeth to Daikichi’s folks. Kazumi has already arrived, as that weekend the family will have a memorial for Grandpa.  At dinner, Rin loses her first baby tooth.  After Rin goes to bed that night, Kazumi and Daikichi talk of how Rin has grown. Kazumi speaks of her forthcoming marriage and her uncertainty about having kids, which Daikichi thinks she’ll be OK at being a mom. After the memorial, on the train ride home, Daikichi reflects on his life with Rin to date and all of the changes that have come with it.  At home, Rin loses a second tooth and wants a picture taken to be sent to Daikichi’s mother.

I didn’t expect the element of Nitani being sick at the end of episode 10 to come up at the beginning of this episode, but I liked it a lot.  It gave Daikichi another opportunity to see Nitani but also have Kouki open the door for a future invite.

I also liked that the other father’s that Daikichi met came back for this episode. I’m not sure if they are supposed to be single parents or not, but it makes sense that a group of parents would become friends as their children become friends (well, in many cases).

The whole element with Rin losing her baby teeth made me smile. I remembered losing my own two front teeth, though sadly, that happened during PE when we were racing and I and a friend tripped on some roots.  He got out with scrapes but I lost my two front teeth and then had to hear that AWFUL song for a long time thereafter. ^_^;;;

Speaking of baby teeth, I was unaware of the Japanese customs for throwing them on the roof or under the house.  No “tooth fairy” in Japan, eh? ^_~

I liked how Daikichi reflected on how his life had changed since Rin had entered it. I know my siblings have spoken of this with their own families and how things change. Its something I won’t experience, but in a weird sort of way, I did through Daikichi’s experiences.

Man, its sad to think that this series is only eleven episodes in length.  I’ll have some final thoughts later.  However, I have to say that I loved this episode and hope to buy the series one day.