When you're a skilled yakuza but are ordered to become a babysitter for a 7-year-old girl, what do you do? The Yakuza's Guide to Babysitting is an anime that blends the darkness of the criminal underworld with the cuteness of a little girl perfectly, becoming one of the most talked-about series of 2022. Let's see why this show is worth watching!
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
The story of Toru Kirishima, a fierce-looking yakuza known for his brutality but lack of responsibility, is punished by the Sakura-gumi boss by being assigned as a babysitter for Yaeka, the boss's 7-year-old daughter. Instead of dealing with enemies, Toru must take Yaeka to school, cook breakfast, and handle the child's mischief. The relationship between Toru and Yaeka gradually develops from a duty-bound task into a genuine bond, amidst obstacles from the yakuza world and Toru's past memories.
Performance and Characters
Voice acting by quality actors led by Yoshimasa Hosoya (Toru), who conveys both sternness and warmth impressively. Meanwhile, Misaki Watada voices Yaeka with adorable brightness that makes you want to hug her. Supporting characters like Kei Sugihara, a fellow yakuza who helps out, and Kannami, the house maid, add color and warmth to the story. Every character has reasonable development, especially Toru, who transforms from a cold person into someone who deeply loves this little girl.
Direction, Visuals, and Music
Studio Feel. produced the anime beautifully with vibrant colors that contrast well with the dark yakuza theme. Character designs are cute, especially Yaeka, who looks innocent but hides intelligence. The soundtrack by Shun Narita and Yuki Hayashi creates both exciting and warm atmospheres. The opening theme 'Shall We Dance?' by ReoNa and ending theme 'My Sweet Shelter' by Tadano Natsuki fit the theme well.
Editorial Analysis
The Yakuza's Guide to Babysitting is not just a comedy anime; it's a story reflecting emotional healing through the relationship between two people with their own issues. Toru, who grew up in a world of violence, learns gentleness from Yaeka, while Yaeka, lacking warmth from her father, gains a protective babysitter. The editorial team believes this series does a great job balancing the harsh yakuza life with the cuteness of a child, while embedding life lessons about responsibility and forgiveness. Although some episodes may lean too much into cuteness, it's a selling point that makes the show unique.
Verdict
In conclusion, <strong>The Yakuza's Guide to Babysitting</strong> is a heartwarming anime suitable for those who like family-themed shows with light action, or those looking for a story about the relationship between two extremely different people who complement each other. Although it's not a deep series with flashy action, it has cuteness and hidden life lessons. If you like slice of life or comedy-drama anime, you should give it a try.
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +The relationship between Toru and Yaeka is heartwarming and develops naturally
- +High-quality voice acting and visuals
- +Perfect blend of comedy and drama
- +Every character is charming and plays an important role
- +Beautiful soundtrack that matches the story's mood
👎 Cons
- −Some episodes have repetitive plots (taking the child out and encountering problems)
- −Less action than expected from a yakuza genre
- −Pacing is slow in some parts
Top Cast
FAQ
It has 12 episodes, complete in one season.
No official announcement for season 2 yet.
It is available on Crunchyroll and Bilibili (Thai dub) in some regions.
Although it features a child character, it contains some violence and mild inappropriate language, suitable for teenagers and up (PG-13).
Yes, the original manga is written by Tsukiya and serialized in Young Gangan magazine.
