No, the two male leads in Buddy Daddies are not depicted as a romantic couple within the series.
Understanding the Relationship in Buddy Daddies
While Buddy Daddies features two male protagonists, Kazuki Kurusu and Rei Suwa, raising a young girl, Miri Unasaka, the show does not portray their relationship as romantic. The narrative intentionally moves away from depicting a love story between the two male leads.
Key aspects of their relationship and the series' themes include:
- Absence of Romantic Depiction: The series makes it clear that a romantic relationship between Kazuki and Rei is not the focus, and it does not engage in typical "queerbaiting" or "ship-teasing" for romantic pairings.
- Queer Readership and Found Family: Despite the lack of romance, Buddy Daddies can still be interpreted as a queer series. This perspective often stems from its exploration of themes such as:
- Found Family: The core of the story revolves around the unconventional family unit formed by Kazuki, Rei, and Miri, highlighting that family bonds can extend beyond traditional or biological ties.
- Queerplatonic Relationships: The deep, non-romantic bond between Kazuki and Rei, characterized by significant emotional intimacy, commitment, and mutual support in raising Miri, aligns with the concept of a queerplatonic relationship. This type of relationship goes beyond typical friendship but is not romantic.
The Dynamics of Kazuki and Rei
The relationship between Kazuki and Rei is central to the series' charm, focusing on their growth as individuals and as co-parents. Their interactions, though often comedic or tense due to their contrasting personalities and professional backgrounds (as assassins), consistently emphasize their commitment to Miri and to each other as partners in parenthood. Their bond is built on shared responsibility, loyalty, and a evolving understanding of family life, rather than romantic attraction.
