Review of The Yakuza's Guide to Babysitting

Studio feel. returns with their next adaptation, this time about a yakuza lieutenant who has decided that he needs to learn how to act like a human being and not resort to fights whenever he is in a pinch after his boss told him to be his daughter's babysitter. So, for eye candies, feel. should be able to do that job splendidly but is the source any good? While the father seems to not play a significant role in the daughter's life and the mother is tragically put into a coma, the character dynamic between Kirishima and Yaeka is executed well. The reason being is whilewe have seen our fair share of cold, hard-faced characters who have dark pasts, it is safe to say that Kirishima does not fall into the 'lazily written' category. As Yaeka is more introverted and shy to interact with people, they both help each other grow and eventually become emotionally attached. During its best, you get a decent slice-of-life show that is wholesome and soothing.

However, for a slice-of-life show, it is heavy on its drama. There are tonal inconsistencies that may be disruptive, constantly changing from light-hearted cuteness to melodramatic tragedy. Besides that, its comedy falls flat due to repetitive gags about Kirishima being the "I will beat you up if you continue this madness." whenever side characters start to do their quips.

Another issue is the side characters, where most side characters seem to be made for either being comic relief or the unhealthily obsessed with the main character. A prime example would be Sugihara Kei, whose written to be the guy who receives the punches, always the clown to make fun of. Some of the gags he's involved in usual rope in a few other yakuza members who become the butt of the jokes with barely any personality to help us recognize them other than being unanimously terrified of Kirishima. Yaeka's friends consist of a happy-go-lucky foreigner and the other quiet girl who hasn't been credited yet.

Speaking of the obsessed, a whole group of guys seem to flock around Kirishima as if he's some sort of celebrity, mostly because they are associated with his line of work (and makes sense as well). Only a couple of them escapes this, to speak a few, including Aoi Touichirou, the former right-hand man of the Sakuragi family before he left for family reasons and Ayumu who is obsessed with eating rather than Kirishima himself. Although, it comes at the cost of character depth and relevance to the drama plot. Even the boss, who is supposed to be Yaeka's father, seemingly comes to Kirishima and said he would be able to do more than what he can do himself for his own blood and flesh.

I had some fun with it, but I always think to myself how it could be better at a greater scale. For newer anime watchers, this is a nice and fun show to pick up for your dose of fluffs and wholesomeness.