The following contains spoilers for Buddy Daddies Episode 2, "The Kiss Of Death," now streaming on Crunchyroll.
Riding a bike, guns blasting, sporting a suit and a stylish undercut shave -- when he makes his first appearance in Buddy Daddies Episode 1, it’s hard not to be amazed by Rei. However, in the very next scene, the show reveals the shocking truth of his day-to-day life: he is wasting away on the couch, hair down and unkempt, playing video games. It’s one of the anime’s first comedic jabs.
Rei’s character almost consists of a double personality. When he’s at home, he is mostly useless, if not actively inconvenient, but when he works, he transforms into a stylish, focused hitman who never fails to get the job done. It’s this dynamic personality that easily makes Rei the anime’s best character.
Rei Is a Hikikomori At Heart
Some of the best comedy in the show comes from Rei’s domestic life. He seems burdened by anything that isn’t his job -- he barely moves, preferring to spend his time on the couch playing video games. He brings home stray cats but doesn’t clean, cook or take care of himself. He is a recluse, refusing to go out most of the time and living his life entirely through the TV that he sits in front of.
If it weren’t for Kazuki, he would probably let himself starve to death. This dependence on his partner in crime, in addition to fueling the anime’s comedy, creates a paradoxical dynamic when Miri is added to the mix. It turns out that Kazuki has to look after not one but two children. Rei even complains when Miri takes over his video games station that he ends up having to share with her.
On the Job, Rei Turns Into the Coolest Guy Around
In Episode 2, when all seems lost, Rei comes out of hiding, walks into the enemy’s mansion with his gun out and kills everyone in his path, saving the day. He adds, "This should have been Plan A," making for the best joke in the episode. On the job, Rei is a completely different person. He looks different -- with his hair up and his badass undercut -- and he acts differently. He is fast and efficient, often making up for Kazuki’s mistakes. It’s almost as if on the job, the roles are reversed. The usually responsible Kazuki is easily distracted or sidetracked, while Rei becomes the reliable factor in the operation. Always focused and precise, he is often the one bringing the victory home, as reckless as he might be while doing it.
The range shown by Rei’s character is what makes him the best cast member of the series, at least so far. The ease with which he can go from a useless brat to a ruthless assassin makes for the most interesting dynamic in the show. Having to be Miri’s parent can only add something interesting to his character as he learns to grow and adapt so that he can take care of someone else for a change.