Why is that relevant? Because later the cops ask him is he’s her father first and he says no. What does he tells them instead? He says “I’m her Papa”

Buddy Daddies character bios

Kurusu Kazuki

28 years old, assassin

Lives with his colleague and buddy Rei, and looks after his daily needs. When working with Rei, his responsibilities are mostly arranging the contract, gathering intel in advance, and setting up the plan for execution. Excellent communication skills. Fond of women and gambling. Good at cooking and cleaning, and periodically chides Rei for his sloppy lifestyle. Was married in the past, and his wife was pregnant, but she died as a result of some shady business dealings.

Suwa Rei

25 years old, assassin

A man of few words. Usually doesn’t even bat an eye when Kazuki comes staggering home. Outstanding physical ability; at the top of the field in hand-to-hand combat and marksmanship. There is a drastic contrast between his ON (professional) and OFF (private) modes - at home, he just shuts himself in and plays games. Born into a large mob family, he received special assassin training from his parents ever since his childhood. Unable to escape the conflicts in his family, he has no understanding of normal parent-child relationships.

Unasaka Miri

4 years old

A truly lively, innocent girl with absolutely no fear. Her father is a prominent human trafficker and a mafia boss. Her mother is the boss’s lover. She showed up at a hotel in search of her father, and got caught up in a gunfight, but was rescued by Kazuki. An affectionate child, she calls Kazuki “Kazuki-papa”, and Rei “Rei-papa”.

Kugi Kyutaro

32 years old, cafe owner

Ogino Ryo

Age unknown, assassin

A killing machine who has murdered many people without a trace of emotion. He’s destroyed numerous organisations with his massive physique and overwhelming strength, and travels all over in search of work. Acquainted with Kyutaro. He is connected with the incident in which Kazuki’s wife died. Kazuki is unaware of this.

Edit: this scene was likely designed to set up for future character development. It’s only ep 3; let them be flawed and raw with their emotions!

I believe that while Miri’s mom does harbor resentment, she did what she could. She cared about Miri enough to raise her for 4 years. Miri was well dressed, well groomed, and appeared healthy. Miri told Rei that her mom would cast “smile spell” to make her feel better. Miri’s mom did what she could despite everything. We saw her “man” was abusive towards her and she clearly struggles a lot in many ways, including postpartum depression. I think she sent Miri away to her bio dad because she thought that might be the best option for her. He has the resources to support Miri in a better environment, despite being a human trafficker… Had the bio dad actually met Miri under different circumstances, he’d reacted differently. I don’t know if he’d accept her but nothing was going to turn out well during a gunfight. She did what she could. I won’t tolerate victim blaming.

I also believe the show runners didn’t write Kazuki’s lines because it’s “right”. It’s not. Kazuki’s argument shows that he’s idealistic and has romanticized therefore unrealistic assumptions of what familial bond and parenting look like. Kazuki never met his parents and he longs for a family of his own as a result. He started a family and they both wanted the child. In his view, it’s “natural” because that’s what he wished he had. Just because he wanted to be a dad, it doesn’t mean he truly knows what it takes. He’s sweet with Miri but he doesn’t know what to do with her a lot of the times. To me, he looks like someone with a baby fever. He’s projecting all of this on Miri’s mom.

No one is perfect; and in the case of Buddy Daddies, they all have messed up experiences and circumstances. But they are all doing their best and Miri is loved and that is the truth.

What she forgets though, is the 'half a wedding vow' that Twilight gives her when he first asks him to be a partner in parenting Anya: Yor will be everything he lacks, she will be everything he's not. But what's unspoken is that this relationship is reciprocal - he will be what she lacks, he will be what she's not.

And she is. Yor provides Anya with all the physical affection Twilight is not ready to show his daughter just yet.

She cares for Anya when he's not around.

She plays with Anya when he can't.

She is slowly making him understand he had worth as a man, not the Spy, that he should look after himself.

She is his rock, his strength, bringing him down to earth, reminding him he is only human when his Spy Brain kicks in and he blames himself for not being perfect.

Sure, Yor might be lacking in some areas. But her flaws have never troubled Twilight. Even at the start, when his wife was truly 'pretend', he understands everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. And he eats all the food she lovingly serves him, never complaining.

Because he is what she lacks, what she is not. He is her confidence. He assures her she is a good mother. He makes her come out of her shell. He makes her smile.

Yes, in a sense, both Yor and Twilight are lacking. But their strengths and weaknesses complement each other. They support each other, they work as a team, they are partners, whether they know it or not.

… And then the stars come in and light up all their world.

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