Title: Aishiteruze Baby

Manga-ka: Yoko Maki

Published by: Shojo Beat

Licensed by: Viz Media

Originally Published by: Shueisha Inc.

Rated: T

 

Synopsis: Kippei Katakura is a 17-year-old playboy whose only concern is charming the girls. However, after his uncle dies, Kippei's aunt abandons her five-year-old daughter, Yuzuyu, because she feels too overwhelmed to care for her on her own. The Katakura family takes her in but decides to give the majority of the child's care to Kippei, with the hope that it will teach him responsibility.

 

 

Age:17

 

The main character, he has no respect for women, seeming to view them only as sex objects. Very few girls appear to recognize this aspect and, seeing only his charming smile and good looks, continually throw themselves at him. Very immature for his age, Kippei has a fit when he realizes he is in charge of his young cousin's care. Eventually, however, he develops affection for her. There is even indication that he may be readjusting his view of girls because of her.

Age: 17?

Kokoro is one of Kippei's schoolmates. Rather than love him, as the other girls do, she harbors an intense hatred for Kippei. She also seems to have a disdain for the type of girl with which he usually associates. She is surprised when she first meets Yuzuyu and believes the child is Kippei's daughter. Like most people in this series, she quickly develops an affection for Yuzuyu.

Age:5

 

Yuzu was, literally, abandoned by her mother. (A scene in the first manga volume indicates she woke up one morning to find her mother was gone.) Despite this traumatic event, Yuzu shows amazing resilience, seeming to easily adjust to being cared for by a teenage boy. Interestingly, Yuzu seems to be sensitive only to the fact that she currently has no mother; she doesn't appear to be upset about her lack of a father. Yuzu develops a tight bond with her cousin, Kippei, and obviously views him as a temporary surrogate "mother", but she never seems to view him in a fatherly role.

Age: 20's?

Kippei's sister, whom he refers to as "sis." (No mention is made fo her name is made in the first volume, which is currently the only volume I own.) No reference is made of her attending school, however, it is mentioned that she has a job. She still lives with the family. She is openly disdainful of Kippei's admirers, once referring to them as "stalkers." She is the first to declare that Yuzuyu's care should be Kippei's responsibility. Despite this, she doesn't seem to trust that he will not harm the child (presumably in a sexual manner) and threatens to kill him if she finds out he is doing so. She only takes out her agression on Kippei and is very sweet to Yuzuyu.

Age: ?

He only appears twice in volume one: during the family meeting, and later during a fight between Kippei and his sister. He is described as a hard worker by his wife. His name is not revealed in volume one of the manga.

Age:?

All of her children refer to her as mom.It is her sister who is mother to Yuzuyu. One incident in the manga implies that she is afraid of Kippei. She also appears to be distressed over her two oldest children's constant bickering and attitude toward the family. No reference is made to her working outside of the home. She only ever is shown cleaning the house, or talking with her famly which seems to imply that she is a housewife. No mention is made of her name in the first volume.

Age: 12

Satsuki is Kippei's younger brother. He appears to be the calmest of the the three children and doesn't engage in fights with either of his siblings. Satsuki claims to not be very good with children, but he seems to be knowledgable about Yuzuyu's wherabouts more readily than other members. Furthermore, he has cared a few times for Yuzuyu's needs, apparently disproving his words. Later, he appears to be a little envious of Kippei and Yuzuyu's relationship as it deepens. Satsuki comes off as rather reserved in his emotions and there is no indication that he has a close relationship with any member of his family.

 

 

She only appears twice in the first volume: during the family meeting and in the background a few days later. She dresses in traditional clothing. Neither her name has been revealed nor whose parent she is.

He also only appears twice, in the same scenes as "grandma" (who is, presumably, his wife). His name and whose parent he is, isn't revealed in the first volume. He wears traditional clothing, and hasn't yet spoken.

Age: 15?

A schoolmate of Kippei's, she has an obsession with him. She was content to watch him only from afar because she could tell he "didn't care about girls." However, she became jealous of Yuzuyu when she realized the affection Kippei had for his cousin and Kyoko began to hurt her. Kokoro, in contrast to her apparent hatred of Kippei, found out the name and class of Kyoko so that Kippei could talk to her. When Kippei did so, Kyoko was grateful afterward and agreed not to bother Yuzuyu any longer.