Buddy Daddies

I went into this anime not really expecting anything special. I'm a huge fan of the Spy Family, and although I expected it to be similar, I did not expect it to be nearly as enjoyable. However, I can comfortably say that my expectations were surpassed. The protagonist in the story (Miri) is an extraordinarily well designed character, and essentially the main factor of what makes this series so wholesome and enjoyable. You have Kazuki and Rei who have different backgrounds, different personalities, and different reasons for their work, but in the series, they prioritize trying to provide Miri with the best life they possibly can.

The comedy in this series is wholesome, the plot it's for the most part pretty solid, but I would say that the action is pretty lackluster. In Spy Family, I feel like each character has certain traits which are extremely defined, and are said to be the character's strengths and weaknesses. However, Kazuki nor Rei really have a variety of traits that stand out, and most of the focus is put on to Miri, and rightfully so. Although you may not get the same action, I feel that this is a show that you can get into and just truly have fun with. I'm hoping for a season 2, but given the ending of the series, I doubt it, but you never know.

It's an anime that I personally didn't expect much from, both in terms of technical aspects, design, and plot (which had few information due to being original), however, it was really good. It had an interesting beginning and an incredible ending. The plot is the main point, it's something worth seeing, while the animation itself is not lacking and doesn't require much fluidity, it still delivers nonetheless. The script is pleasing and not over-the-top.

The main characters start in a certain way, with questionable behaviors, and throughout the episodes, they are developed in a natural way as events unfold. You don't feel like they are rushing or forcing it. The initial and middle episodes are good, but the final three episodes are impactful and set the plot to revolve around the problems to solve, so in the end, watch to find out.

Watched on: 10 April 2025

I have no idea why I watched this so late. It's a family-comedy-drama with action and emotions. At first it feels like a fun action series but by the end it really gets to you. I didn't expect it and I'm sure many others won't either.

The story follows two assassins - Kazuki Kurusu and Rei Suwa - who live together and never miss their targets. But everything changes when a little girl named Miri enters their lives. From that point on the story shifts and becomes more about parenting, growth and relationships.

You'll see gunfights, blood and missions but also heartwarming scenes that show how these two cold assassins slowly turn into caring father figures. The animation is clean, music and sound effects are great and Miri's Hindi voice is so cute and lovable.

Most of the anime is light and fun but the last 2-3 episodes hit hard with emotional depth. I wasn't ready for that and honestly I was caught off guard.

This feels like a complete story and I don't think it'll get a second season. Still it's worth watching. You won't regret it.

Even if it may not "deserve" a perfect score technically I'm giving it a 10/10 - because of how it made me feel.

I think this show was consistently great, and original animes always have that surprise factor to them. Buddy Daddies was just a very warm, sweet, tense and somewhat emotionally conflicting story. I can't say I'm surprised because I expect a lot from PA. Works, and they always make some unique animes that don't always take the generic route. Akiba Maid War last season is a great example. If you want a comparison with Spy x Family - while they share similarities in their synopsis, I think they have different overall themes, and vibes to them. This show is going for a more heart-warming vibe, while being a somewhat tense story as well.

I actually really loved Buddy Daddies. All the characters are very likeable and both the main characters have a great character arc to them. The show also always managed to make me smile with all of it's heart-warming family moments. And the biggest compliment I can give it is that none of these moments felt distant or artificial. They always felt natural. The show also becomes very tense towards the end, and I actually couldn't predict what direction are they going to take, given PA Works' history of making unusual stories. This show is also a bit dark. When you think about how this family came to be, it's actually somewhat controversial. But it doesn't do that just for the sake of it, because it did raise some dilemmas that had the viewers divided about what was the right thing for the characters to do. For a show appearing to be a slice-of-life, I was not expecting that. The animation and character designs are gorgeous too.

As the officially recognized "original anime" studio, P. A. Works has produced a few hit or miss series over the past few years, but if you watch even one of them, you'll quickly realize that this is the company's defining characteristic. And this season, in collaboration with series composer Yuuko Kakihara, scriptwriter Vio Shimokura of Nitroplus (of last winter's chaotic Tokyo 24th Ward), director Yoshiyuki Asai (of Jun Maeda's Key anime adaptations that went from bad to worse), and series writer Vio Shimokura, the "shameless copy" that is Buddy Daddies arrives to smash people's hearts in a way akin to Spy X Family.

The ways that Spy X Family and Buddy Daddies raise their families and raise kids are comparable. Nonetheless, the show's producers, Mitsuhito Tsuji and Toba Yosuke, ground its ideas in actual parenting experiences, emphasizing the notion of assassins rearing children. Using the knowledge of their personnel to comprehend the complex layers of parenting in the anime, they create a sense of humor with minute nuances.

The show Buddy Daddies centers on two same-sex assassins, Kazuki Kurusu and Rei Suwa, who are skilled in both execution and intelligence gathering. They are entrusted with looking for Miri Unasaka, a 4-year-old who lives on the streets without her parents. The assassins, who are portrayed as Yazuka's caregivers and gangster househusbands, are entrusted with looking after her because they think they are her biological fathers. A variety of "same same, but different" characters can be found throughout the program.

For many years, TV and movies have utilized the cliche of "unlikely parents raising a child together." In "Buddy Daddies," a pair of murderers who are not blood relatives are responsible for parenting a child. Despite their jobs, Kazuki and Rei, the characters, are embracing Miri since they have experienced past heartbreak. The narrative examines the difficulties the parents encounter in parenting a kid and the effects of their relationship with Miri on their own life.

Former pals Kazuki and Rei were both part of a family assassination group under Shigeki's leadership. Kazuki's concealed career caused his wife's death while she was pregnant. Shigeki's son Rei was in charge of finishing secret missions for Kazuki and his dad. Four-year-old Miri and her prostitute mother, Misaki, were the targets.

Buddy Daddies centers on two contract killers who have to juggle motherhood and their work. Their surprising occupations and difficulties with basic childcare are the main topics of the episode. The show is pleasant to watch because of its humorous and endearing aspects, including Miri's relationship with the Buddy Daddies. It might not, however, be as funny as it could be. In spite of this, viewers will find the show to be entertaining and novel because it is full of comedy, drama, and action.

Buddy Daddies is not a carbon replica or clone of the Spy X Family, even if there are enough similarities to refer to it as the "Dad" version of the spy series. It's not even close to the end of 2023, yet this program is among the greatest of the season. Above all, it's just a terrific anime to watch with kids, if you have any. It's charming, entertaining, and will make you feel like a parent whether you are or are not.

Works, P. A. I humbly welcome you into 2023 with a shotgun's bang, straight out of the gate. Watch Buddy Daddies; you won't be let down, guaranteed.