Aishiteruze Baby
Encyclopedia
is a shōjo romance
manga
by Yoko Maki
. It was serialized by Shueisha
in Ribon
from April 2002 and January 2005 and collected in seven bound volumes
. It was adapted as a 26-episode anime
television series produced by TMS Entertainment and Animax
, broadcast in Japan on Animax from April to October 2004. The series is about a teenage boy, Kippei, who becomes the caretaker of his 5-year-old cousin, Yuzuyu, after her mother abandons her. Both the manga and anime have been praised for successfully mixing serious issues with a light-hearted tone.
In Japanese, is a casual, masculine way of saying "I love you" (see Gender differences in spoken Japanese
).
and
Shouta
and
and
. It was serialized by Shueisha
the shōjo (aimed at teenage girls) manga magazine Ribon
from April 2002 to January 2005. The serial chapters were collected in seven tankōbon
volumes under the Ribon Mascot Comics imprint. It is licensed in North America by Viz Media
, which has released all seven volumes in English starting in April 2006. It is also licensed in France by Génération Comics, in Italy by Panini Comics
, in Germany by Tokyopop
Germany, and in South Korea by Seoul Media Group.
television series by TMS
and Animax
. It was directed by Masaharu Okuwaki, with music by Miki Kasamatsu and character designs by Junko Yamanaka and Masatomo Sudo. The opening theme was "Sunny Side Up" performed by Yo Hitoto
, and the ending theme was performed by Yo Hitoto.
The series was initially broadcast in 26 episodes across Japan on Animax from 3 April 2004 to 9 October 2004. It is licensed in France by Taifu Video.
A reviewer at T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews praised the anime as "a touching and heartfelt shōjo drama," giving it 5 out of 5 stars. The reviewer cited the character of Yuzuyu as part of the success, as "a kid who actually acts like a kid and not like a little adult." The reviewer noted that the animation was "somewhat low-budget," and that the character designs only somewhat resemble the Maki's designs in the original manga.
Romance novel
The romance novel is a literary genre developed in Western culture, mainly in English-speaking countries. Novels in this genre place their primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and must have an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending." Through the late...
manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
by Yoko Maki
Yoko Maki (manga artist)
is a Japanese manga artist best known for Aishiteruze Baby. Maki debuted in 1999 with Love Service! in Ribon Original magazine. She also has a pet dog named Leo and her profile in the Aishiteruze Baby comic says her hobby is "...blowing soap bubbles" and that one of her skills is "...passing...
. It was serialized by Shueisha
Shueisha
is a major publisher in Japan. The company was founded in 1925 as the entertainment-related publishing division of Japanese publisher Shogakukan. The following year, Shueisha became a separate, independent company. Magazines published by Shueisha include Weekly Shōnen Jump, Weekly Young Jump,...
in Ribon
Ribon
is a monthly Japanese shōjo manga magazine published by Shueisha. First issued in August 1955, its rivals are Nakayoshi and Ciao. Its target audience is young girls roughly 9–13 years old. In 2009, the magazine's circulation was 274,167, down from the previous year's circulation numbers of 330,000...
from April 2002 and January 2005 and collected in seven bound volumes
Tankobon
, with a literal meaning close to "independently appearing book", is the Japanese term for a book that is complete in itself and is not part of a series , though the manga industry uses it for volumes which may be in a series...
. It was adapted as a 26-episode anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
television series produced by TMS Entertainment and Animax
Animax
is a Japanese anime satellite television network, dedicated to broadcasting anime programming. A subsidiary of Japanese media conglomerate Sony, it is headquartered in in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, with its co-founders and shareholders including Sony Pictures Entertainment and the noted anime studios...
, broadcast in Japan on Animax from April to October 2004. The series is about a teenage boy, Kippei, who becomes the caretaker of his 5-year-old cousin, Yuzuyu, after her mother abandons her. Both the manga and anime have been praised for successfully mixing serious issues with a light-hearted tone.
Plot
Aishiteruze Baby is a shōjo manga series that revolves around the life of Kippei, a popular high-school playboy who flirts with any girl he sees, without thinking about their feelings. His life is turned upside down when one day his aunt abandons his five-year-old cousin Yuzuyu at his house. Kippei is assigned the task of taking care of Yuzuyu for the time being, and he must learn how to become the "mother" she needs. As Kippei learns how to care for Yuzuyu, he also learns to care for Kokoro, a quiet girl at his school, who helps him out.In Japanese, is a casual, masculine way of saying "I love you" (see Gender differences in spoken Japanese
Gender differences in spoken Japanese
The Japanese language is unusual among major languages in the high degree to which the speech of women collectively differs from that of men. Differences in the ways that girls and boys use language have been detected in children as young as three years old ....
).
Characters
- Kippei is a promiscuous high school student, well-known for his playboy habits. However, due to his friendly personality, he is very popular at school. One day, his 5-year-old cousin, Yuzuyu, is suddenly placed in his care. At first, Kippei is unsure of how to take care of his cousin. When he realizes that taking care of Yuzuyu is a full time job, he drops his promiscuous ways. As the story progresses, Kippei matures quickly into a responsible "parent", making sure Yuzuyu is his top priority. Not only does Kippei wake up early everyday to make Yuzuyu lunch, he walks her to and from her kindergarten. In addition, he cares for Yuzuyu's psychological well-being due to the absence of her mother. Meanwhile, Kippei also pursues his love interest, Tokunaga Kokoro, whom he finds to be a great woman. Eventually, Kippei, realizing how lonely Kokoro is living by herself, asks his family for her to move in with them, to which they quickly agree. Near the end of the series, Yuzuyu's mother returns to bring Yuzuyu back. Despite his attachment to Yuzuyu, Kippei understands that she needs her mother and reluctantly says goodbye. At the end of volume seven, years have passed and Kokoro is still living with Kippei. The manga ends with Yuzuyu's letter to Kippei, thanking him for taking care of her when she was young.
- Yuzuyu ("Yuzu" for short) is a bubbly little 5-year-old girl. Having been abandoned by her mother, Yuzuyu begins to adapt to her new life with Kippei. As the story progresses, Yuzuyu grows very attached to Kippei and becomes overprotective of him. When Yuzuyu met Kokoro, she is scared Kokoro will take Kippei away from her. However, she eventually warms up to Kokoro and they become friends. Throughout the series, Yuzuyu struggles with the absence of her mother and is often seen crying to sleep. Yuzuyu tries her best in hopes that her mother will one day come back for her. This conflicts with her wish to stay with Kippei. At the end of volume seven, Yuzuyu is a happy teenager who has reunited with her childhood friend, Shouta.
- Kokoro is a pretty classmate of Kippei. Because she lost her mother at a young age, she has a quiet personality. Her father quickly remarried and left Kokoro to fend for herself in a luxurious apartment. Unfortunately, she felt extremely lonely living by herself with no one to rely on. Kokoro initially despises Kippei for his promiscuous ways. However, after seeing how gentle he is and how much he cares for Yuzuyu, Kokoro begins to fall in love with him. Kokoro sympathizes with Yuzuyu and understands Kippei's responsibility for Yuzuyu. As such, she lets him get away with a lot of idiotic behaviors. At the end of volume six, Kokoro has a brief moment where she believes she's pregnant, only to find out that it was a false alarm. However, she admits to Kippei that she had hoped she was because it would meant that she would be able to spend more time with him. Soon after, Kokoro moves in with Kippei's family. At the end of the manga, it is presumed that Kokoro and Kippei got married and are still living under the same roof.
- Kippei's mother. She is a school crossing guard, among other things. She taught Kippei how to make onigiri (rice-balls). She is the older sister of Aunt Miyako.
- Nee-chan (or "Sis" in the English version) is the bold and controlling sister of Kippei. She is a cosmetologistCosmetologyCosmetology is the study and application of beauty treatment. Branches of specialty including hairstyling, skin care, cosmetics, manicures/pedicures, and electrology....
and everyone in Kippei's family follows her orders. Yet there is a secret nee-chan has been keeping to herself: that she cannot have any children. She is known for her stylish outfits and nails.
- Yuzuyu's mother. Her husband had died recently and taking care of Yuzuyu by herself was more than she could handle. She admits to Kippei that she once struck Yuzuyu and it is inferred that this is what caused her to leave. She says she intends to come back once she can be a better, more proper mother to Yuzuyu. She does take care of Yuzuyu in the end of the manga. She is the younger sister of Misako.
- Satsuki is Kippei's 12-year-old brother. He is 156 cm tall. He seems emotionless and very smart, as well as a bit weird. He doesn't really like children, but gets along well with Yuzuyu. He gets a girlfriend, Ayumi, near the end of the story.
and
- Kokoro's friends. They usually show a bitter attitude towards Kippei and don't approve much of Kokoro and Kippei's relationship. Especially Aki. But in reality they just really want what is best for Kokoro. Aki is in love with Shin. Voiced by: Maki SaitōMaki Saitois a Japanese female seiyuu.-Voice roles:*Aishiteruze Baby *Good Morning Call *Meine Liebe...
(Aki) and Fuyuka ŌuraFuyuka Ourais a Japanese voice actress affiliated with Haikyo. Her hometown is Sapporo, Hokkaidō.-TV anime:*Aishiteruze Baby - Mai Motoki*Animal Yokocho - Takeru, Kotaro Matsuzaki*Bakugan Series - Serena Sheen *Basquash! - Thousand...
(Mai)
Shouta
- One of Yuzuyu's best friends and her first love. Kippei is unhappy that Yuzuyu has a crush on him. When Shouta first meets Yuzuyu, the two become instant friends and begin to do everything together. Shouta loves his family dearly, however he was abused by his mother for sometime. When Yuzuyu witnessed Shouta being hit, she began to cry and scream and the entire preschool as well as the parents found out about him and his mother. Kippei is greatly affected by Shouta's being abused and tries to help by talking to the child's mother. After receiving a concussion from his mother, which results in a trip to the hospital, his parents decide to go into family counseling and move in with Shouta's grandparents for more support. When he leaves, he promises Yuzuyu that he will always be her friend. While separated, they contact each other with many letters so that their friendship will never end. Eventually he and Yuzuyu meet again as teenagers.
- Miki is Yuzuyu's cousin from her father's side. Volume 4 of the manga is mostly Miki's story. In the manga, she holds a knife, in the anime it was changed to a bike-chain. Miki attended a prestigious school. She witnessed her teacher beating up a boy. When she told on her teacher, everything backfired. She was harassed by her peers and teacher, but refused to tell her parents. She tried to take Yuzuyu away from the Katakura residence in order to replace herself, then attempt suicide. (In the anime she intends to jump from a building, in the manga she uses a knife.) In the end, everything is resolved with her and her parents. From the scars and burns on her wrists, it is obvious that Miki self-harmed herself (though this has likely stopped since most of her issues have been resolved.) She appears again in Volume 6.
and
- Yuzuyu's friends from kindergarten. Marika can be quite stuck-up for a five-year-old and has a big crush on Kippei, often asking who girls he shows up at the pre-school with are. Ken is kind and strong. They are all good friends.Voiced by: Aoi Yabusaki (Marika) and Yuutaro Motoshiro (Ken)
- Kippei's friend and classmate. He and Aki have feelings for each other.
- A former "girlfriend" (more a "friends with benefits" since there is evidence that they have had sexual intercourse in the past) of Kippei. Natsu has strong feelings for Kippei and misses the way he was before he became responsible. Despite this though, she is not a major threat to Kokoro. Natsumi seems to fall in love easily. Her nickname is "Natsu".
and
- Akari and Aya are more or less in the same position as Kippei and Yuzuyu -- Aya and Akari's parents work all day forcing Akari to take care of her sister, who is Yuzuyu's classmate and friend. Akari is Kippei's classmate. Akari confiding in Kippei, among other things, results in trouble. They only appear in the manga series but not in the anime series. Voiced by: Koumi Yoshida (Aya)
- Ayumi is Satsuki's classmate and works part-time as a model. She is 160 centimeters tall, four centimeters taller than Satsuki. She is secretly in love with him. Due to various rumors around the school, Ayumi begins to hate herself because she seems to possess traits that Satsuki is rumored to dislike. However, after confessing her love to him, Satsuki tells her that he does not mind any of her traits. She is seen eating dinner at the Katakura house and is presumed to be Satsuki's girlfriend.
- Itagaki is from Kippei's school and has a crush on Kokoro. He confesses his love to her and even forces a kiss on her. Kokoro later becomes scared and afraid of people touching her even Kippei. Eventually during the School Trip everything is resolved and Itagaki is threatened by Kippei,"Anyway, with regards to Kokoro-Chan, don't bother her anymore! But if something happens again... I will kill you!" After this Itagaki no longer appears in the manga.
Manga
The manga Aishiteruze Baby was written and illustrated by Yoko MakiYoko Maki (manga artist)
is a Japanese manga artist best known for Aishiteruze Baby. Maki debuted in 1999 with Love Service! in Ribon Original magazine. She also has a pet dog named Leo and her profile in the Aishiteruze Baby comic says her hobby is "...blowing soap bubbles" and that one of her skills is "...passing...
. It was serialized by Shueisha
Shueisha
is a major publisher in Japan. The company was founded in 1925 as the entertainment-related publishing division of Japanese publisher Shogakukan. The following year, Shueisha became a separate, independent company. Magazines published by Shueisha include Weekly Shōnen Jump, Weekly Young Jump,...
the shōjo (aimed at teenage girls) manga magazine Ribon
Ribon
is a monthly Japanese shōjo manga magazine published by Shueisha. First issued in August 1955, its rivals are Nakayoshi and Ciao. Its target audience is young girls roughly 9–13 years old. In 2009, the magazine's circulation was 274,167, down from the previous year's circulation numbers of 330,000...
from April 2002 to January 2005. The serial chapters were collected in seven tankōbon
Tankobon
, with a literal meaning close to "independently appearing book", is the Japanese term for a book that is complete in itself and is not part of a series , though the manga industry uses it for volumes which may be in a series...
volumes under the Ribon Mascot Comics imprint. It is licensed in North America by Viz Media
VIZ Media
VIZ Media, LLC, headquartered in San Francisco, is an anime, manga, and Japanese entertainment company. It was founded in 1986 as VIZ LLC. In 2005, VIZ LLC and ShoPro Entertainment merged to form the current VIZ Media LLC, which is jointly owned by Japanese publishers Shogakukan and Shueisha, and...
, which has released all seven volumes in English starting in April 2006. It is also licensed in France by Génération Comics, in Italy by Panini Comics
Panini Comics
Panini Comics is an Italian comic book publisher. A division of Panini Group, best known for their collectible stickers, it is headquartered in Modena, Italy...
, in Germany by Tokyopop
Tokyopop
Tokyopop, styled TOKYOPOP, and formerly known as Mixx, is a distributor, licensor, and publisher of anime, manga, manhwa, and Western manga-style works. The existing German publishing division produces German translations of licensed Japanese properties and original English-language manga, as well...
Germany, and in South Korea by Seoul Media Group.
Anime
Aishiteruze Baby was adapted into an animeAnime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
television series by TMS
Tokyo Movie Shinsha
, formerly known as , is a Japanese animation studio, founded on October 1946. One of the oldest and most prominent anime studios in Japan, it has also produced numerous animated series airing in other countries such as France, the United States, and Italy. The company currently uses "TMS...
and Animax
Animax
is a Japanese anime satellite television network, dedicated to broadcasting anime programming. A subsidiary of Japanese media conglomerate Sony, it is headquartered in in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, with its co-founders and shareholders including Sony Pictures Entertainment and the noted anime studios...
. It was directed by Masaharu Okuwaki, with music by Miki Kasamatsu and character designs by Junko Yamanaka and Masatomo Sudo. The opening theme was "Sunny Side Up" performed by Yo Hitoto
Yo Hitoto
is a Japanese pop singer. Her mother is Japanese and her father is Taiwanese. She can speak three languages: Japanese, English, and Mandarin. Tae Hitoto is her older sister. Her name Hitoto is not her real surname, it is her mother's maiden name. She changed her name when she came to Japan...
, and the ending theme was performed by Yo Hitoto.
The series was initially broadcast in 26 episodes across Japan on Animax from 3 April 2004 to 9 October 2004. It is licensed in France by Taifu Video.
| # | Title | | Original airdate |
|---|
Reception
According to the German manga journal MangasZene, Aishiteruze Baby is drawn in a style typical of shōjo manga, with non-uniform panel layouts and frequent use of screentones. The reviewer praised the clean use of backgrounds, well-differentiated character designs, and Maki's handling of delicate issues such as the rival, Miki, and parental abandonment, while still keeping a comic tone. The same article described anime adaption as one of the shōjo anime highlights of 2004. The reviewer criticized the art of the anime adaptation as not as successful as the manga, being done in a simpler style, but praised the Japanese voice actors as well as mood-setting of the opening song, "Sunny Side Up."A reviewer at T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews praised the anime as "a touching and heartfelt shōjo drama," giving it 5 out of 5 stars. The reviewer cited the character of Yuzuyu as part of the success, as "a kid who actually acts like a kid and not like a little adult." The reviewer noted that the animation was "somewhat low-budget," and that the character designs only somewhat resemble the Maki's designs in the original manga.