CloverWorks and Wit Studio’s adaptation of Tatsuya Endo’sSpy x Familyhas been delighting audiencessince its debut in the Spring with a mix of action and cutesy familial shenanigans. However, Aniplex announced on October 22 that an original “buddy anime” is airing in Winter 2023, and the project, titledBuddy Daddies, seems an awful lot like a gay answer toSpy x Family.
A promotional teaser was released alongside a poster and cast announcement during a live stream by Aniplex to unveil the project. No synopsis was given, but the teaser, poster, and character bios revealed a little more about the kind of story audiences can expect.“The buddy assassins' most formidable target is… a little girl!?” reads the tagline on the poster, setting upa pair of trained killersto be the guardians of a young girl. As yet, however, the exact circumstances that lead to them being the girl’s daddies are unknown, and the phrasing makes it seem like the girl might initially be a target.
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The Cast
Toshiyuki Toyonaga is playing Kazuki Kurusu, who is described as a “man running away from love,” a gambler, and a womanizer. Toyonaga also plays Juinichirou Tanizaki inBungo Stray Dogs, Mikado Ryuugamine inDurarara, and his most famous role, Yuri Katsuki in 2016’sYuri on Ice.
Opposite of Toyonaga is Kouki Uchiyama, playing Rei Suwa, described as very much the opposite of Kurusu, lacking experience in love. He’s a much more serious character just based on appearance alone. Uchiyama is voicing Rin Itoshiin this season’sBlue Lock, but more famously voices Tomura Shigaraki inMy Hero Academia.
In the small details given about the characters during the stream, their history of love is emphasized, clearly a hint towards a larger theme about love. Maybe even with each other, though there is only so much that can be speculated based on what has been revealed. At the same time though, the name and the inferred premise are pretty on the nose.
The child in the center of it all is Hina Kina, playing Miri Unasaka. She recently voiced Alas Ramus in the second season ofThe Devil is a Part-Timer, but has also voiced roles inKaguya-sama Love is War,Sword Art Online, and more. It’s her character’s description that really begs some important questions.
Miri is described as “a four-year-old girl whose father is the kingpin of a human-trafficking mafia, and whose mother is the kingpin’s lover.” It’s unclear if that is merely the background, and she is an orphan, or if the story will begin with her parents still in the picture. Either way, she is presumably ending up in the care of two assassins, after which only hilarity can ensue.
The Staff
Credits regarding animation are scarce this soon after the announcement, but the director, writers, composer, and character designs have already been credited. Yoshiyuki Asai is directing the series, having previously helmedCharlotteand directed 2017’sFate/Apocrypha. While P.A. Works has a very diverse portfolio they are capable of some truly impressive action, and Asai’s involvement is a good sign.
He’s worked on a great many shows for Studio Bones, notably some of their most sakuga-heavy action shows, both as an episode director and storyboard artist. While he might not have the same reputation as someone like Masahiro Ando or Takuya Igarashi, there is enough to feel confident that the action of this series is in competent hands.
The original story was penned by Vio Shimokura, a writer from Nitroplus who helped withSteins;Gateand recently wroteTokyo 24th Ward. The series writer will be Yuuko Kakihara, who is currently penning the series compositionfor the reboot ofUrusei Yatsura, and who is also known for writingCells at Work,Orange, andChihayafuru, to name just a few.
So far, the biggest similarity between this andSpy x Familyhas been the “assassin/spy parents watching over a kid of special import” dynamic. But the music in the trailer has a similar jazzy, classic spy feel to it that feels incredibly reminiscent of that vibe that makesSpy x Familyso appealing.
The score comes courtesy of Katsutoshi Kitagawa, a member of ROUND TABLE, the band that GAINAX fans may rememberfrom the opening theme toDiebuster, Groovin' Magic. His credits in anime composing have been sparse since 2015’sMy Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU, but his repertoire is no less impressive.
Apart from the amusing title, there isn’t much to confirm about whether this show will be the next anime to get folks excited about more queer representation. It certainly wouldn’t be surprising to see though, given recent trends. Regardless, it’s funny to seeSpy x Familyat least appear to become an inspiration for new projects to follow its lead.
