It’s with a heavy heart that we must address Kumichou Musume to Sewagakari, known in English as The Yakuza’s Guide to Babysitting, as a prime example of wasted potential in anime. The very premise – a hardened yakuza member navigating the world of childcare and found family – is ripe for a compelling blend of action and comedy. However, this series largely relegates the yakuza setting to a mere backstory, an excuse for the protagonist Kirishima’s violent past. Worse still, the humor often falls flat, landing in cringeworthy territory rather than eliciting genuine laughs.
Upon first encountering the synopsis for The Yakuza’s Guide to Babysitting, many viewers, including myself, anticipated an experience akin to the delightful Hinamatsuri. The hope was for another quirky and heartwarming anime that could balance unusual circumstances with genuine character development and humor. Instead, what we received felt like a dish devoid of any real flavor. The anime attempts to juggle comedic moments, poignant scenes, a touch of mystery, and even action sequences, yet it unfortunately falters on nearly every front.
While the narrative framework of The Yakuza’s Guide to Babysitting undoubtedly held promise, the execution failed to extract its inherent potential. The attempts at emotional depth felt shallow and unconvincing, never truly tugging at the heartstrings. Similarly, the comedic timing and writing consistently missed the mark, failing to generate genuine amusement. Even moments intended to be dramatically impactful fizzled out quickly, lacking the necessary build-up and emotional resonance to leave a lasting impression. Despite wanting to embrace and enjoy this show, it continually reminded viewers of its pervasive mediocrity. The infamous “it was all just a dream” trope, employed in one episode, arguably extinguished any lingering hope for a meaningful narrative arc.
Furthermore, the central relationship between Kirishima and Yaeka, intended to be the emotional core of The Yakuza’s Guide to Babysitting, felt surprisingly underdeveloped. The dynamic lacked a certain depth, primarily because Yaeka’s emotional needs seemed to lean more towards a maternal figure than a paternal one. This misdirection weakened the foundational premise of their bond, making what should have been the series’ strongest element feel somewhat flimsy from the outset.
The anime landscape is rich with exceptional “found family” narratives that masterfully blend heartwarming connections with compelling storylines. Therefore, viewers seeking a genuinely engaging experience with this trope are better served by bypassing The Yakuza’s Guide to Babysitting entirely. Instead, consider exploring the widely acclaimed Spy x Family for a masterclass in comedic found family dynamics, or, for a more niche yet equally rewarding experience, delve into the quirky charm of Hinamatsuri. Both of these series offer significantly more entertainment value and emotional resonance than the bland and ultimately disappointing story presented in The Yakuza’s Guide to Babysitting.
