Buddy Daddies [Season 1 Episode 1 to Episode 12]

Buddy Daddies: A Wild Ride of Assassins and Adorable Chaos

If you’re looking for an anime that blends heartwarming family moments with high-octane action, Buddy Daddies is your go-to. Produced by P.A. Works (the studio behind gems like Shirobako and Angel Beats!), this 12-episode series follows two professional assassins, Kazuki Kurusu and Rei Suwa, whose lives take a sharp turn when they accidentally adopt a four-year-old girl named Miri Unasaka. The result? A chaotic, hilarious, and surprisingly touching story that’s been compared to Spy x Family—but with its own unique flavor.

The Premise: Hitmen Turned Dads

The first episode, Piece of Cake, throws us right into the action. Kazuki and Rei are on a mission to take out a mafia boss on Christmas Eve when Miri, a lost little girl, stumbles into their crossfire. Instead of leaving her behind (or, you know, letting her get shot), the duo ends up taking her in—mostly because Kazuki’s soft heart won’t let him abandon her.

Fans were quick to point out the similarities to Spy x Family, especially with the “found family” trope and the mix of action and comedy. But Buddy Daddies carves its own path by leaning harder into the assassins’ morally gray world. Unlike Spy x Family, where the violence is often played for laughs, Buddy Daddies doesn’t shy away from showing the darker side of Kazuki and Rei’s jobs.

What Fans Are Saying

1. “Spy x Family, but with Two Hot Dads”
   The comparisons are inevitable, and fans are divided. Some love the dynamic between Kazuki (the nurturing, cooking-obsessed assassin) and Rei (the brooding, cat-loving sniper), calling them a perfect duo. Others argue that Buddy Daddies stands on its own, especially with its focus on the emotional baggage of its protagonists.

One fan on MyAnimeList put it best: “This is closer to what I wanted Spy x Family to be. It doesn’t shy away from the fact these guys are killers.”

1. Miri: Adorable or Annoying?
   Miri’s cuteness is undeniable, but some viewers worry she might fall into the “generic moe child” trap. One commenter noted: “I hope the kid develops a personality outside of just being cute—that would get boring quick.”

Still, most fans adore her, especially her fearless attitude. “Miri didn’t give a damn about the gunfire around her—iconic,” one fan joked.

1. The Queerplatonic Vibes
   Kazuki and Rei’s relationship has sparked debates. Are they just partners? Found family? Queerplatonic? Some fans are shipping them hard (“They’re called DADDIES for a reason!”), while others appreciate the ambiguity.

One thoughtful comment read: “If it turns out to be an aromantic representation of the two men, I can recommend this to an aromantic audience. You don’t need romantic feelings to start a family.”

1. The Action: Stylish but Silly?
   The fight scenes are slick, but the “stormtrooper aim” (as one fan called it) is a bit ridiculous. Bullets fly everywhere except at our protagonists. Some viewers don’t mind (“It fits the silly vibe!”), while others roll their eyes (“The odds of Miri surviving that are astronomical.”).

2. The Emotional Gut-Punch Potential
   Fans are bracing for a heavy ending. “This anime has two possible endings: very sad or very happy,” one commenter predicted. Given P.A. Works’ track record (Looking at you, Angel Beats!), the tears might be inevitable.

Final Verdict: Should You Watch?

If you love:
– Found family stories with a twist,
– Action-comedy with heart,
– Adorable kids who somehow survive gunfights,
– Complex character dynamics,

…then Buddy Daddies is worth your time. It’s not perfect—some plot holes stretch believability, and the Spy x Family comparisons are unavoidable—but it’s a fun, emotional ride with a killer (literally) premise.

As one fan perfectly summed it up: “It’s like someone took John Wick and The Odd Couple, threw in a four-year-old, and made it anime. And I’m here for it.”

So grab some popcorn, ignore the questionable physics, and enjoy the chaos. Because when it comes to Buddy Daddies, the mess is part of the charm.

Rating: 8/10 – A wild, heartwarming, and occasionally ridiculous ride.

(Now, excuse me while I go rewatch Episode 1 for the fifth time.)