Buddy Daddies: When the child chooses you.

Spoiler: Season 1

It’s Fathers Day and I found the perfect anime to represent my Dad. 

I wanted to find a character that kind of reflected who my dad is. Turns out I found two father figures in Buddy Daddies would be the perfect ones to describe him. 

This follows two friends who are assassins that take a job that leads to them taking in a little girl named Miri. Two guys and two very different personalities. 

You may be wondering how both of them are perfect for this. The answer is, they just are. 

Rei is cold, distant, and detached. The man is a homebody, who just wants to sit around and play video games. This is also the same one that sleeps in a bathtub for some unknown reason. When he has a job though, he is calculated and precise. 

Kazuki is very maternal, open, and encouraging. He is the one that cleans around the house and is willing to get out every once in a while. The one who gathers most of the information for the missions and plans them out accordingly. 

Though one particular mission changed the rest of their lives in a way that neither one was ready for. 

They had been ordered to assassin a man by the organization they worked for. What they didn’t know was he had a daughter that was going to make an entrance that same day. Making things way more complicated than it had to be. 

Miri was sent into the city to find her father and live with him. Now why was a child roaming a giant city all alone? I asked that same question. 

Her father had left before she was born because he didn’t want a child. Miri was also the product of an affair. My guess though is that she kept asking about him and that is why she was sent alone to find him. Though in the letter her mother wrote it sounded like she just wanted money to keep quiet.

We find out the whole truth later. 

After that, the only solution was to bring Miri home with them. The plan was to figure out where her mother lived to return her safely. Which is ironic because Kazuki could bring home an entire child, but Rei could keep a stray cat he found. 

Now I know a cat isn’t a child and they are two completely different beings. It is just the point being Rei really wanted that cat and Kazuki would let him keep it. The excuse was that if you bring someone into their lives they need to be prepared because of their line of work. Which meant that they really shouldn’t be raising anyone because if the enemies were to find out it would be bad.

Keeping her was never a part of the plan. Their line of work wouldn’t be great with a kid living with them. They couldn’t take her on missions, nor could she stay home alone. 

Though Miri’s mother didn’t want to take care of her anymore. Even being regretful for having Miri. Parenthood wasn’t for her especially not when she thought about punishing her child for being happy. 

Little did Kazuki and Rei know, the moment Miri had stepped into their lives. She was going to make her way into their hearts. 

Bit by bit. 

Moment by moment. 

They had become her step dads. 

Kazuki showed outright that he had the traits to be a great parent. Even saying that laughter and happiness is what brings the joy of parenthood. You could just tell that he wanted a family that he could protect. 

Where it took Rei having a conversation with Miri. Asking why she calls Kazuki Papa? Her answer was…

“The person who always makes sure you are okay and comes to save you when you are in trouble is your Papa. Got it?”

                                           – Miri

She’s not wrong, fathers are supposed to be protective and firm. I agree with her because I can always count on my dad to protect me when I need him to. 

I am pretty sure that this was the conversation that led to Rei deciding he wanted to be a better father than his. He just didn’t know how to do that. You can tell that he didn’t want to have a kid grow up how he did.  

While Kazuki also seemed like he wanted to be a father, but the chance was out of reach. 

Starting to build something for them was the next step. A family that they chose to be a part of. Something that couldn’t be taken or replaced. This is really the point they had decided to take on the role of a father.  

Lets just say having to figure out life with a little kid was not for the weak. Having to create a routine that worked for them. At home and when they had to go on a job. 

Miri would be enrolled in daycare.

Parenthood proves to be a little more difficult than expected. The noises, messes, and providing for every need this little child needed. Oh and don’t forget learning when your child isn’t having the best of time and trying to navigate that. 

Like when Kazuki had to figure out how to get Miri to have a better time at school. Which meant learning where to shop for clothes that could be played in.

Then after fixing that clothing issue, helping her open up to be able to make those friends. 

It’s really knowing when your child needs you to be there for them too.

While also worrying along the way if your child is going to grow up knowing right from wrong. Wanting to protect them when something isn’t right or even thinking sometimes that your kid couldn’t do anything wrong. In the end questioning if you’re even a good parent. You’re probably a great parent and you’re just stressing like Kazuki.  

This particular time she had gotten into a “fight” at school. Kazuki was worried trying to figure out what happened while Rei just asked if she won. 

In this instance my dad would be like Rei. 

Then showing the true struggles of working and raising a kid. Whether school is out for a couple days and their homeworks to learn what you do for work. This was extra difficult for them because they couldn’t just say their assassins. Miri was very persistent. 

Going far enough to follow Kazuki around the city until she lost him and ended up not knowing where she was. This all happens while Rei is supposed to be watching her, but is sleeping. 

Also giving us a great example of a parent who’s tired because they stayed up all night to work. 

Then both concerned parents realize and run all over the city to find their little girl. 

When they find her, she is sitting with their boss because he found her. Which then leads to them lying about being baby sitters. Where their boss then becomes the baby sitter so they could do their jobs. It’s kind of ironic. 

Everyone is able to get their work done without having any missteps.

Until one parent starts to feel like they’re putting in all the work and not getting any help. While both are trying to hide the deepest darkest thoughts, emotions, and experiences. Needing to learn to open up and enjoy the time they have with their children. 

While one is away working through what they need to, the other is having to pick up the slack.

Rei had to take care of Miri when she got sick and Kazuki wouldn’t answer his phone. Panicking because he didn’t know what to do. 

Honestly it reminded me of when my dad went knocking on every door for about a block to find my mother. While I stayed home freaking out about what to do. He figured out the problem though and came back with a solution. 

Then when Rei went to see the head of the organization (his father) for the day Kazuki and Miri threw him a surprise party with all his favorite foods. She wanted him to realize that he mattered. She wanted him to be happy because she recognized he was everything but. 

Most children just want to see their parents be happy and we’ll try to do small or big things to make them happy. At least when we are children we do.  

Then comes the infamous field day where parents go and cheer their children on in sporting events. 

Now I absolutely love the field day episode. It really demonstrates the stark contrast of each. Kazuki being outright excited and cheering Miri on. It is the comfortability behind his actions. Where Rei doesn’t know how to show his excitement, but when he does it shocked Miri because she wasn’t really expecting that. Then he blames himself for the loss.

Miri knew that even though she was bummed that she didn’t get first in that particular race didn’t mean she couldn’t try again. 

Which is where we get the scavenger hunt where she had to get her family. She already had Papa Kazuki, so the only one she needed was her Papa Rei.

The won the gold medal as a family.

Honestly I feel like Rei is the type of father that needs to hear that he is doing a good job. That when he tries it is enough. He is trying to open up. He just needs a little help though. 

Though of course something has to happen when you are just starting to think that things are going well. The association found out about Miri and their boss had contacted her mother telling her everything. Their boss did it because he didn’t want to see her get hurt. 

Kazuki and Rei realized that might be the best option for her. To be with her mother. So they planned a whole day with Miri and then passed her back over to her mom. 

It didn’t take long before it became agonizing without her being in their lives. The house all of a sudden is quiet and the only thing that breaks the silence is video games. Both of them almost turn into living zombies. Their lives started to become empty without this little girl. 

Rei sleeping with a rubber ducky that was Miri’s.

Kazuki cleaning her old room and finding a fathers day card. Then crying over said card.

Though when the big boss man couldn’t just let Miri and her mother live without having any contact with those two. Her mom ended up paying the price. She was killed by another hitman because of Rei’s father (the big boss man). Even asking Kazuki to protect her no matter what they do. 

Kazuki wanted to just fake her death and put her in foster care. To stay out of her life because he had already taken so much from her. He couldn’t think of anything else to do because she was going to keep being in danger if she stayed with them. 

Rei though wanted to take care of her. Wanting his daughter back so bad. He had finally realized that people’s hands are warm, that coming back to a home that is just that. Home. 

They both wanted to make her happy. After all, they were questioning if they could change who they were. Which absolutely can happen, even if it’s something that was grilled into your head. A child can change how you view the world and spend your time in said world. 

Kazuki and Rei were willing to change for Miri. Becoming Miri’s fathers. A real family connection is exactly what all of them needed.

They decided to cut ties with the organization. If they were to run away there was going to be an altercation eventually. They just wanted to get it over  with on their own time. Where they could hopefully control the outcome. 

They wanted a life outside of being assassins. This was pure determination to change their lives for the better. 

After they rushed back to the school for Miri’s concert. Pushing through the pain of what they just went through to please their little girl. 

In the end they would do anything for her. 

The scene after that shows them all older.

Miri is in high school. 

Kazuki opened a diner.

Rei is still making his one hit wonder. French Toast. 

They became a happy family.

That being said this is for all of the step Dads out there. You are doing great. Kids can be difficult sometimes, but if you open your heart to them. They will do the same for you.  

Oh and if a child has opened your eyes to a whole world of new emotions you are definitely not the only one. 

Happy Fathers Day. 

We see and love you all.  

I honestly couldn’t ask for a better dad. Thank you for always being there for me when I need you. Even though we weren’t yours biologically that never mattered to you. Always treating us like we were your very own. I hope you had a good day. I Love You Dad.

If you want to watch Buddy Daddies you can watch it on Crunchyroll. 

There are plenty of anime parents out there, but if you want to read about more we wrote about. Acro Silky would be a good one.