Buddy Daddies

apoc9 Apr 6, 2023

8

Comparing this series to Spy x Family would be a mistake, because it aims for more serious story, but has some silly comical moments as well. I’m very happy it has no BL. The main characters Kazuki and Rei are just friends and partners in crime. They are actually hitmen for mafia. They live relatively simple life without much trouble except being haunted by their individual tragic backstories, which are explored throughout the series. I’m usually not very enthusiastic about drama, but this is good and makes sense except the point where it doesn’t. It’s very plot convenient, but during one job they get left with little girl Miri. She doesn’t have any special powers. Nobody has in this series. She is also very hyperactive to the point, which can be really annoying not just for Kazuki and Rei, but for viewers as well. They are sort of thrown into the parental responsibility, which obviously doesn’t fit well with their job. Miri’s journey is rather tragic one, but all three together find some sort of happiness and more meaningful life. As I said there are points in the story which doesn’t make sense. Why the organization wants to kill the kid and her mum, when there is nothing to be gained. It’s just to make Rei’s father the bad guy. There is another bad guy – crazy psycho killer. They have unexpectedly hard time to kill him. The ending where they shoot up the organization, but then leave to retire doesn’t make sense. If the organization doesn’t allow one to leave, they would have to be on the run for years at the end, which doesn’t seem to be the case. Audi visually the series is nice. I couldn’t care less about OP and ED. This is one of the top series of the season. I would say it has good balance between drama and wholesomeness, but has a lot of plot holes. I do recommend it anyway.

kyozaii Mar 23, 2023

6.5

Spy x Family...but better?   So, from the moment this anime got announced, people immediately started to compare it to the beloved show Spy x Family. Granted, there are some similarities, however, you'll come to find quickly that other than the 'found family' concept, they're both different shows. Dare I say B.D is much better? Hear me out...  As someone who loves a good SOL/Feel-good anime, Spy x Family was good but got disappointing really fast (I couldn't finish it) and its main problem was finding a balance between the comedy, the action, and the SOL aspect while maintaining interesting characters and a solid storyline. Too much of (1) thing can break the balance. Buddy Daddies does better at maintaining a good balance between comedy, realistic scenarios, cute and serious moments, etc. The characters are likable and they actually use their critical thinking skills. The setup makes everything work because both main characters are aware of what their jobs entail and so it doesn't require them to hide behind excuses that exceed the bounds of stupidity. The characters have enough personality that keeps them interesting and fun. Rei has a harsh past with an abusive and cold father (aka his boss) who only trained him to be a killer, the lack of love in his childhood reflects his lack of emotion and sense of caring. Kazuki is unable to forgive himself and move forward after he lost his wife and unborn child very tragically. [Enter Miri]... Kazuki is naturally very fatherly towards her and his backstory helps you to understand why... Rei starts to open up and very much also cares for her in his own way. They're both so very protective of her, (I know Kazuki's blood pressure skyrockets every time Taiga breathes next to Miri). The two are opposites, with Kazuki being the one who cooks and takes care of everything in the house (mans need a raise fr) and Rei is the dude who is "forced to help out sometimes." Loved his development by the end <3 Let's talk about the character who makes everything possible! Miri. She is a somewhat realistic version of how kids are. Innocent, unaware, and annoying. In the first half of the show, she was a menace. Her actions very much brought out in me the "I wanna bang my head on the wall" type of emotion, I get wanting to make her look cute by being a nuisance but it was too much. The one episode where she keeps making a mess of everything and then saying 'sorry' was absolutely painful. However, she gets better after that and starts acting more reasonably. She also has an unforgiving past involving her mother, but she's just a child and still so innocent she is unaware of the type of person her mother really is. I enjoyed watching this series more than I initially thought. The character designs and animation were good, fight scenes were also pretty good. Overall, I would recommend people watch this show with an open mind for what it offers and not because it's a spy x family 'rip off'. You can like both shows. They both have their charms and some may prefer one over the other, it all comes down to personal preferences. I still think this is better in terms of the characters and overall balance but to each their own x. 

Curiousmadra Mar 31, 2023

8

**SPOILERS PLEASE WATCH THE SHOW BEFORE READING THIS** Like everybody else, I thought this was going to be another two people who don’t know that either of them are spies and have to mind a kid under their dangerous roles. Well it turns out it was far more than that and I was so surprised to see how much this show has grown on me as I kept watching more episodes. It’s basically two contract killers who were tasked to kill the father of the child they are about to look after and I just loved how their relationship changed for the better as if Miri is their own daughter (they are not a Yaoi couple unfortunately but hey two people who aren’t a couple can be become guardians to the child concerned I’m sure). I really liked the main characters Kazuki, Rei and Miri. Kazuki is like that likeable shounen hero who basically is happy go lucky and is so friendly. I do wish we could get a more in-depth about his wife and child tho. Whereas we see Rei being an antisocial gamer but really does what he has to do in order to keep Miri safe from his evil father as well his skilled “last words” henchmen. Rei is relatable btw, I can feel meh at times when it comes with socialising lol. I didn’t think I’d fall in love with Miri at first, she reminds me of some kids irl who are so loud and destructive (I’m sure people who have younger siblings or parents relate) but without her in the show, it was going to be so boring. You don’t realise she is well needed to make this show work lol! It was so sad though to see Miris mum dying in front of Kazuki’s eyes though like I am glad “tell me your last words” man is dead. Satisfying deaths in anime definitely tops that! The time skip was nice like omg Miri looks even more adorable as a teen with Kazuki and Rei just still themselves in which they own a bar. Can I please go to that bar man, looks mint lol?! The art, the soundtrack, the characters and the storyline were just so entertaining to watch. It is indeed one of the most decent animes of 2023 I watched this year!