Buddy Daddies – First Impression

Started with a scene where an underworld deal gets ambushed by two assassins only to be interrupted by a phone call from a kindergarten.
The show is colorful, the animation is good, the music is jazzy and it gives off a few mature vibes. But amongst all of that, this little girl’s smile shines the most as if nothing has ever shined this brightly before. It is a show about two assassins raising a child.

Crazy Plot Twist

There are a lot of shows that inspire child raising, some are Wolf Children, School Babysitters, Hinamatsuri. This one may sound a bit cliche, but how the story narrative of this anime is handled is crazy good. First, it established the characters. One is carefree but responsible, other is stoic, serious but lazy. But they both are kind inside. One has a soft spot for little kids and the other is soft for animals. Even though they are both professional hitmen who mainly dispose of underground dealers, gangs, human traffickers, etc. So we get the perfect chemistry between the main duo set up. Episode 1 focuses on the blond one. We get a glimpse of his past and what his heart yarns for the most. He regrets his past decision but only to protect those he cares for.
So then they accept a new contract which is to eliminate a human trafficker. They get to the plan and prepare for it. Then we see a cheerful kid running on the streets after she arrives on a train alone. We all probably have realized where this is going. I will not spoil it here because what comes next is mind-blowing. Go watch it yourself, 4 episodes are out by now, then come back here and let me know how it felt.

Presentation

Presentation is what one could expect from a good show. As I mentioned, it has a mature vibe yet is colorful. It’s as if we are seeing through a child’s point of view. The world is cruel and dangerous, yet everything feels optimistic & carefree. From the action moments to the still, melancholic moments; everything is handled masterfully by the studio P.A. Works, which is known for making the most wholesome anime.

Closing Thoughts

This may be my favorite anime of the season, other than Vinland Saga ofc. I was already hyped for this before the show even started. And it did not disappoint unless they do rush things like the rest. This is a must-watch.