Usagi Drop

At the funeral of elderly Souchiro Kawachi, his family is shocked to learn he had a six-year-old daughter named Rin. There is talk amongst the family of putting her up for adoption to avoid scandal and talk; disgusted at this behavior, Souchiro's grandson Daikichi decides to take her in himself and raise her as his own child. Thus he begins an arduous, consuming but ultimately satisfying trip through single parenthood, as he and Rin struggle to become a part of each other's lives and bond together. —Q. Leo Rahman