#Toyonaga Toshiyuki

[yaoisex]

Suwabe and Tosshi's comments on ICE ADOLESCENCE cancellation.

Suwabe commented pretty fast after the official message, but I knew Tosshi would have a hard time saying anything because he's so connected to this character. He loves Yuri so much. So I was waiting for his comment, and it indeed came a whole day after.

The memories will never fade! Thank YOU both <3333

[paranoid-rhythm]

> A bug flew on Ishikawa Yui (Morgan)

> Waki Azumi (Baobhan) took it off her

> Ishiya Haruki (Beryl): OBEROOOON!

> Tosshi (Oberon): Sorry, sorry! My bugs! They got excited! Please excuse my child!

nsdfkljdfklgnk when life imitates art... it's always Oberon's fault...

[seekers-who-are-lovers]

“Good stuff.”

I really want this on my blog. I would like to have what Rei has. Also, I love the way he exhales and holds his cigarette here. He’s almost enjoying the whole free time until Kazuki drags him again to pick Miri up. Moreover, I find Kazuki rocks the red jacket and trousers combo.

It is also an indication that Kazuki and Rei go for drinks. That means, they used to hang out a lot. Like friends would do. After mission.

Also, I am intrigued what Kyu-chan likes for music. Classical, mostly.

Also, I am so dumb that I only noticed it recently that Rei wore white scrunchie to match his suit.

[lovestruck-katsudon]

tosshi releasing a song dedicated to yuuri on his birthday 🎉

[satori-the-miracle-boy]

No one:

Absolutely no one:

Me at any given second of any day: Katsuki Kuso Yuuri

[skeletonpunching]

Buddy Daddies interview with Toyonaga Toshiyuki and Uchiyama Koki

Interview with Toyonaga Toshiyuki and Uchiyama Koki (voice actors for Kurusu Kazuki and Suwa Rei) Interviewer: As we look back on "Buddy Daddies" up to this point - first of all, how do you feel about the early plot developments?

Toyonaga: The very beginning of episode 1 was an incredibly hard-boiled action scene, and then episode 2 was a total about-face - from that point on, it became more of a sitcom. I think that tonal shift was very intriguing, and everyone in the audience might have wondered, "Just where will things go from here?"

Uchiyama: It all started with a scene of assassins carrying out a mission, and the "assassins" premise itself was a very anime-typical hook in the first place. It seemed likely that there would be all sorts of drama, and so I expected a large proportion of the anime to be dedicated to that. But just like Toyonaga-san said, as the story progressed, the sitcom elements were unexpectedly pronounced; that left a strong impression on me as well.

Interviewer: Since then, Kurusu Kazuki, Suwa Rei, and Unasaka Miri have fully become a "family" - in review, are there any episodes that left a particular impression on you?

Toyonaga: Well, it's a fact that Kazuki and Rei are assassins, and they really did kill Miri's father...

Uchiyama: That was quite a grim start to the story, wasn't it.

Toyonaga: It sure was. And so the two of them find themselves obligated to look after this child, and they grapple with the conflicted feelings of "surely we can't actually bring her up, can we?" That's the first half of the series. Kazuki gets proactive about the parenting thing from pretty early on, but Rei's values and mindset change bit by bit over time... The part around episodes 8 and 9, when he reaches the point of thinking "it would be nice if life could go on like this", was very memorable. 

Uchiyama: Episodes 8 and 9 left a real impression on me too. Episode 8 focuses on Rei's biological family, and it depicts a tragic battle with a character who seemed closely connected with Rei in the past. So going from that to the events of sports day in episode 9 is a major shift for him. At first, Rei wasn't especially keen on parenting or living together with a child, but now he's shouting at the top of his lungs in order to cheer for Miri. I found that scene incredibly dramatic. In the recording sessions for the early episodes, I was often directed to perform Rei with more "restraint", so it came as a real shock to raise my voice during sports day and shout "Go for it!" But looking back upon the story as a whole, I've tried to portray his gradual transformation over time; that was the moment it really hit me.

Interviewer: What do you think of Kazuki and Rei's buddy relationship?

Uchiyama: The "buddy concept" is fundamental to the series, but since Miri has been part of the mix right from the start, I have a stronger impression of them as a "trio", when it comes down to it. In a manner of speaking, I think this is a story about the buddies being wrapped around Miri's finger.

Toyonaga: Kazuki and Rei each have their own dark pasts and traumatic burdens, but they've never experienced what regular children go through while growing up and as teens. Of course, the setup of these two falling under the sway of the innocent Miri might be kind of disorienting, but it sure is ripe for drama. There were just so many points where I thought, "Right, of course that's how it'd go!" In that sense, I think the balance of the three-person dynamic is absolutely perfect. And as for my approach as an actor - I give a pretty aggressive performance, so sometimes I'm really riding roughshod over Ucchi (Uchiyama)... Rei is a character who has to be defined in direct opposition to Kazuki, so I'm always like, "Ucchi, I'm so sorry." (laughs)

Uchiyama: No, no, not at all! (laughs) If anything, I really enjoy those plot developments of Rei getting pushed around. The story is richly varied, and every episode has a major shift in tone, so even we actors have a lot of fun during the recording sessions. Speaking from the audience perspective, I think this series was designed to keep the viewers hooked to the very end.

Interviewer: The ins and outs of parenting are very realistically depicted. Which of those scenes left the strongest impression on you?

Toyonaga: Out of everything till now? It's got to be the episode where they send her to daycare.  

Uchiyama: The rules and minutiae of what you have to bring to daycare really are so detailed.

Toyonaga: There's a whole list.

Uchiyama: And you need to put the name on every single thing. It was fun seeing Kazuki getting so worked up over that.

Toyonaga: I bet all the fathers and mothers of the world who've been through the same thing looked at Kazuki and Rei and went, "Right, right! It's tough, isn't it!" It's like Kazuki and Rei are receiving messages from all these viewers, and that leads to a reversal of the original setup. That's the point where I really sensed how far we'd come from episode 1's plot, and how unexpected this gap was. And this is a minor thing, but: Rei sleeping in the bathroom. It felt like a fantasy element in the middle of all this realism - that's the kind of deft balance only an anime can pull off.

Interviewer: Throughout all these interviews, we've heard from members of the staff that Toyonaga-san's performance of Kazuki and Uchiyama-san's performance of Rei "feel like the script was written for them". How do you feel about these comments?

Toyonaga: We were selected through auditions, but if that's how they feel after taking a chance on us, then I'm truly honoured as an actor. Everyone on the production team, starting with Director Asai, has given us a lot of leeway with the performances, and I think that's a huge part of it as well. Even if we take an odd or unexpected approach to the material, they allow it, and they have the capacity to chew it over and examine it closely. That's part of what brings all this together.

Uchiyama: When it comes to an original series, the cast is always wondering how the series will turn out. I suppose those on the staff side don't wonder quite as much as us, but I'm sure there are also things they don't know until they actually get going. For adaptations, the creators often turn to the source material for answers, but in an original series, the image of the characters is truly solidified by listening to the actual voices during the recording sessions. I think that's the true charm of an original series.

Toyonaga: When I think about it, it's a real privilege as an actor - receiving the outline of a character and getting to flesh that out through trial and error. By adding my personal touches to a character, I can put my own spin on things, and that's a lot of fun - but at the same time, it gives me a responsibility. There are things I have to be careful with. I need to present my own take on a character, while making sure that the emotional development and payoff fit perfectly.

Uchiyama: I've worked with Director Asai multiple times, and I know that I can safely leave the directorial decisions to him. I have faith that as long as we do our best during recording, he'll elevate our work to a whole new level with his wonderful images. I feel no misgivings at all. And so, as a viewer, I myself look forward eagerly to every completed episode.

Interviewer: "Buddy Daddies" is entering the final stages of the plot at last. What highlights does it hold?

Toyonaga: In episode 7, we see Karin - the younger sister of Kazuki's late wife. And Rei's father shows up in episode 8...

Uchiyama: You get to see their respective pasts.

Toyonaga: And after that, in episode 9, their feelings towards Miri gradually merge into one. But it's not just those "emotions" - there are also certain things which mustn't be forgotten... And from episode 10 onwards, those things truly take shape. What will they actually do with Miri? Can the trio's relationship really go on like this? And Ogino Ryo - an assassin who frequents Kyu-chan's (Kugi Kyutaro's) shop - gets involved. In this world of assassins, what will become of a girl like Miri, who lives a cheerful and hearty life despite her forlorn circumstances? That's what the story will address at last.

Interviewer: Just how will all the pieces that have been laid out so far be brought together...

Toyonaga: When you're wondering what will really happen with Miri, you should remember there's still someone who's related to her by blood... I think that relationship is going to play a key role.

Uchiyama: In a sense, there are some rather serious plot developments towards the end. I'm very curious how audiences will react at that point. I think those hard-boiled story elements are depicted in a style that's very characteristically "Buddy Daddies". I feel like those same plot points might be approached quite differently, in another series with a different atmosphere.

Interviewer: I hear the last episode has a plot point that was somewhat unexpected for both of you...?

Uchiyama: I was wondering how this story would be concluded, but I truly didn't have the slightest clue until I read the script for the finale.

Toyonaga: But the fact that Director Asai chose to end the story this way - naturally, it makes you reflect upon what he was trying to convey through this series.

Uchiyama: Personally, it came as quite a surprise.

Toyonaga: As far as the ending is concerned, I'm curious what all the viewers will make of it. For example, there are bound to be the realist types who make comments like "here's how things would go in real life", even for an anime. When it comes to those people, what I want to say isn't "fact is stranger than fiction", but rather, "Actually, isn't this surprisingly realistic?" That's the question I'll put to them. I think the ending makes you consider whether you can accept something like this.

Uchiyama: Considering the story as a whole, if you take out Kazuki, Rei, and Miri's backstories and relationship as a "pseudo-family", I think you'd be left with a very dark atmosphere. It was a new experience for me to witness how this could be depicted in an original series, through the lens of anime, and how it could be shown from this particular angle.

Toyonaga: I think you'll find yourself surprised, in some form or other. Last of all, I hope you'll enjoy each and every episode till the very end.

[haveyouseenthisseries-poll]

[exrankluck]

Dear Vocalist Momochi Translation — ＠ A・CHI・KO・CHI

disclaimer: some things might be inaccurate or awkward.

this is a bonus drama that came with the riot cd !

ディア・ヴォーカリスト Riot エントリーNo.4 モモチ 特典CD ｢プライベート・ヴォーカリスト＠A・CHI・KO・CHI｣ 【アニメイト CD4巻��入特典】 [豊永利行]

Hmm? What? Do you want that? That necklace? Mm, it's cute! But I didn't realize you liked purple this much, it's a little surprising. Ah, is that so? Ehe, that makes me happy~ It makes me feel like you're really cheering for Veronica! Hey, hey, if that's the case, how about I buy it for you? Hehe, sure! Since it's a special occasion, I'll treat you to a present. But in exchange, make sure you wear it to the next concert. That's a promise, okay? Um, excuse me, I'd like to buy this. And since it's a present, could you wrap it for me?

Ahh, I'm tired. What was with that store we just went to? The clerk was so annoying. She kept sneaking glances at me. She obviously realized that I'm Momochi from Veronica. That's why I didn't want to go. Why did we even come to Diver City? So? Are you satisfied now? There's nowhere else you want to go, right? Yeah, there isn't. Ah, I'm glad. Then let's hurry up and go home.

[1:45] Tch, it's always crowded like this. This is why I hate Sundays - ! Seriously, I'm so tired. I want to be at home right now. I want to lay down. I want a cigarette. Hah? What is that? You don't think I'm going to follow you, do you? You're an idiot. Even when we reach Shibuya, we'll only be at the halfway point. We still have to transfer trains, and the platform is ridiculously far. Plus, it's Sunday, so the station will be super packed. Ah, I wish I could at least have a smoke. But I can't smoke unless I go out of the ticket gate. And if I go outside, it's cold. By the way, when twill they finish construction at Shibuya Station? It just gets more and more inconvenient every time they renovate it. It's unbelievable. Just thinking about it makes me want to give up. Ughhh, I should have stayed home. Because you're the one who insisted on going out for no reason. Honestly, what am I going to do with you? H-h-hold on a sec - sigh That was close! What the hell? Slamming on the brakes like that, couldn't the driver stop more smoothly? So careless. Ah, this is pissing me off. Maybe I should buy a car after all? Then I wouldn't have to take the train and deal with this. But driving is a hassle too…. By the way, how long are you going to keep leaning on me? You're heavy. Get away from me already.

[4:06] Ahh, I can't take anymore, I'm at my limit. Hey, get me something to drink. Bring it over quick. My throat is so dry. Hurry! Bring it here. W-wait. I smelled something weird just now. Come here for a second. Yeah, it's what I thought. You reek of cigarettes. What's going on? And it definitely doesn't smell like the cigarettes I smoke. It stinks! It really stinks. What is this? Huh? The train? You were right next to me the whole time, weren't you? Even if it was crowded, how could the smell of someone else rub off on you? Ah, I see. Because I told you to get away from me? Eh, so you were getting close to someone else to the point where I can smell it on you… You pretend to care about me, but you that's what you do behind my back? Don't mess with me! You really can't stop cheating, can you? The moment I let my guard down, this is what happens… I can't believe this. Take off those clothes immediately. That's why I told you to take them off! Take them off right now and wash them. sigh What's wrong with that outfit? There are so many buttons, I don't get it. Hah? It's your fault for wearing clothes that are so hard to take off. Ugh, it reeks. Even if you wash it, it's useless, the smell won't come out. And the buttons fell off, too. You're never going to wear it again anyways, right? So I'm going to throw it away.

Okay, hurry up and come over here next. Hah? Where? The shower. You smell like it too, so you need to wash it off, right? Or do you want to end up like those clothes? Then be quiet and come with me.

[7:00] Is that enough…? No, a bit more. Huh? Tsk, it's empty now. This body wash is expensive, but there's not much inside. Well, the smell seems to be gone, so this should be good. Okay, I'll rinse you off. Eh? It's cold? Shut up. This entire situation is because of you doing unnecessary things. I'm exhausted, and you keep making me do more stuff. Seriously, what's the matter with you? Here, dry off with this. You can do that much yourself, right? Eh? Oh, yeah, that's right. It might not be dry yet~ I used it this morning, after all. It can't be helped. I didn't expect things would turn out like this either. I even used my first day off in a long time to go with you, and all you do is make me feel bad. I'm really fed up.

Ah, I'm tired. I need to rest or I won't last until the next day off. My schedule is packed from tomorrow, too. By the way, didn't they mention something about starting early tomorrow, like a soundcheck or something? I really can't deal with this anymore…

[8:50] Sorry, I completely forgot that I have practice tomorrow morning! I feel bad, but could you please let everyone know I'll join you later? Yeah, start practicing without me. Uh, I think I'll be able to make it around noon, probably. By the way, the studio is the same one we used last time, right? In Shinjuku? OK, then I'll see you tomorrow. Bye-bye!

Huh? Were you there the whole time? Did you dry yourself off? And your hair? Oh, I see. By the way, how long do you plan to stand there? If you're going to come in, come in. If you're going to go out, then go out. Make up your mind. The door being open is making it cold, you know.

Did you say something? I can't hear you at all. I guess apologizing means you've reflected on your actions a little. Hmm. Hey, come over here. Sit down. Mm, you smell good~ If it's like this, I won't have to kick you out.

[10:35] Oh, by the way, how about trying on the necklace I bought earlier? Since you're finally clean. So, where is it? Inside the bag? Um… found it, found it. Heh, but what is this wrapping? It's seriously tacky. It doesn't make any sense, it's hard to open too. Here, I'll put it on you. Hold your hands out in front of you. I said your hands. Both hands! Put them out. Hurry up. Mhm, just like that. Don't move. Let me do it like this. Yeah, hehe, it looks good on you! Do you have any complaints? There's no rule that says a necklace has to be worn around your neck, right? Besides, I'm the one that bought it, so I can do whatever I want with it. When both of your hands are restrained like this, you can't do anything unnecessary, can you? If you move around carelessly, this thin chain will break easily. It's a present from me, so I won't forgive you if you break it. Wouldn't you be in trouble too? You promised to wear it to the concert, didn't you? You know what will happen if you break your promise to me, right? So just stay still and behave yourself. From now on, no matter what I do, you absolutely can't move. Understand? Hehe, good girl~ You almost ruined my day off. Naturally, you have to make it up to me. Until I'm satisfied. Oh, by the way, I can take it easy tomorrow morning, you don't have to worry about that. So, Make sure you satisfy me completely, okay?

**achikochi means 'here and there'

[grassus3000]

Koki Uchiyama and Toshiyuki Toyonaga in duo 🤜🤛

[dearvoes]

Dear Vocalist Headliner [Personajes]

Veronica

SHIZURU (Teclado) (CV. Yoshitaka Yamaya） 22 años/ 174 cm / 56 kg / Sangre tipo A Afición: el vino Comida favorita: ketchup No le gusta: pimientos verdes, judías verdes

OHGI (Guitarra) (CV. Makoto Furukawa） 23 años/ 175 cm / 58 kg / Sangre tipo A Afición: Ver películas Comida favorita: espaguetis de huevas de bacalao No le gusta: las alturas (miedo a las alturas)

MOMOCHI (Vocalista) (CV. Toshiyuki Toyonaga） 22 años/ 177 cm / 53 kg / Sangre tipo O Afición: yo mismo Comida yo mismo No le gusta: yo mismo

AMA (Bajo) (CV. Kengo Kawanishi） 21 años/ 182 cm / 59 kg / Sangre tipo B Afición: contar Comida favorita: aguacates y similares No le gusta: los dulces en general

YAMATO (Bateria) (CV. Shunichi Toki） 23 años/ 176 cm / 60 kg / Sangre tipo O Afición: dardos Comida favorita: los dulces de agua (especialmente el kuzukiri) No le gusta: menta con chocolate (sabe a pasta de dientes)

[cocotome]

Sega's mobile rhythm game Yumeiro Cast TAKE A CURTAIN CALL is available on iOS and Android! Both teams have an amazing cast but especially this guy~

Tsudou Gaku, cv Hirakawa Daisuke!

He likes carbonated water, and online shopping, dislikes authority, tradition, history and carbonated juice (lol)! You may need to use something like QooApp for Android or a Japanese account for iOS to download!

[yaoisex]

Buddy Daddies Radio / 26.3, AnimeJapan2023 

Love them sfm!! ❤️💙

[toranekooo]

MI - NYA - MI ! LOVE LOVE LOVE ~!

[seekers-who-are-lovers]

Toshiyuki Toyonaga (Kazuki Kurusu) and Kouki Uchiyama (Rei Suwa) will be on stage tomorrow at the Aniplex’s 10th Anime Japan 2023 around 13:50 - 14: 20 Japan time.

The hope that they will announce a second season is not lost. Especially if the last episode is an open end.

If you can access the Aniplex YouTube channel tomorrow Sunday, then I envy you because I cannot. 😞 So please, please share.

(Woke up with a barrage of news concerning Jujutsu Kaisen’s second season, which was also presented today from a different production, but at least their YT channel was accessible.)

[agnesmontague]

Buddy Daddies Joint Interview with Uchiyama Kouki and Toyonaga Toshiyuki [Extracts]

Link to interview

THIS IS NOT THE FULL INTERVIEW TRANSLATION!! I have only done some snippets that I found interesting, or shed some light on what's to come:

Looking back on Buddy Daddies now, what did you think of its first developments?

Toyonaga: From the hardboiled action sequence of the first episode, the second episode develops into more of a sitcom. This tone change really intrigued me, and I think everyone watching it went "What's gonna happen now?"

Uchiyama: It started with a scene where they're executing a mission as assassins, and this backdrop as well as the whole assassin conceit is a hook unique to this show. I thought there would be various types of drama unfolding from that, which would take up a part of the show; but as Toyonaga said, the sitcom elements became way more pronounced as the story unfolded, which left quite an impression on me.

How do you feel about Kazuki and Rei's buddy relationship?

Uchiyama: The story is predicated on the "buddy" thing, but since Miri joined the two so early, the real impression is more of a "trio", right. The two of them getting wrapped up in Miri's pace, really.

Toyonaga: Kazuki and Rei both have heavy baggage and trauma from their pasts, and didn't have a normal puberty or experiences regular children get to have while growing up. The story of the two of them pulled hither and thither by Miri is certainly new and strange for them but makes for easy drama, too. Often I found myself thinking "yeah, this is how it would go." In that way, the three of them have a delicate balance going on. And, speaking as the actor here, I'm playing [Kazuki] in quite an aggressive way, so I fear that Uchiyama is having a hard time of it.... Rei needs to be played as an opposite to Kazuki, so I'm always like "Sorry, Ucchi...." [laughs]

Uchiyama: No, no, it's not like that! [laughs] I actually had fun with Rei getting thrown around like that. There's a lot of variation in the story and each episode varies significantly in tone so even as a cast member I've quite enjoyed it behind the scenes too. From the POV of the viewer, it really seems they're being kept on the edge of their seat.

Buddy Daddies is entering its home stretch. What will be the highlights?

Toyonaga: In Episode 7, we saw the appearance of Karin, the sister of Kazuki's late wife, and in Episode 8, we met Rei's father...

Uchiyama: We saw a bit of each of their pasts.

Toyonaga: After that, in Episode 9, Rei and Kazuki's thoughts on Miri have finally lined up. However, from Episode 10 onwards, it becomes more clear that there are things they shouldn't overlook in favor of all this "affection". What will they actually do with Miri? A hitman named Ryo Ogino, who's been frequenting Kyu-chan (Kyutaro Kugi)'s shop, gets involved. In the real world of assassins, what will happen to Miri, a girl living a cheerful and wholesome life despite her pitiful circumstances? We're finally going to reach that point in the story.

So how would the story threads tie together in the end.... did you think.

Toyonaga: When I think of what will happen to Miri, there's still the matter of people who are related to her by blood. That relationship, I feel, is key.

Uchiyama: In that sense, the final few episodes do seem to take on a more serious bent. I do wonder what viewers will think of it, and I think even those hardcore plot elements are drawn out in the typical Buddy Daddies style. If this were an anime of a different tone, maybe those elements would have been narrated from another facet.

And as for the conclusion, did the two of you find it surprising at all?

Uchiyama: I really was wondering how they would end it, and I could not predict it at all until I read the final episode's script.

Toyonaga: But with an ending like this, you'd naturally end up thinking about what Director Asai wanted to say with this piece.

Uchiyama: Personally I was quite surprised.

Toyonaga: I really am curious how viewers will react to the ending. For example, even though it is an animation, some more realistic-minded viewers might be tempted to comment "In real life, it would go more like this..." To those people, I want to say... not "reality is stranger than fiction", necessarily, but "isn't this actually real life?" I think the ending really poses the question of whether you can accept it or not.

Uchiyama: In terms of the entire story, if I were only to think about the "pseudo-family" aspect of Kazuki, Rei, and Miri's relationship, it could actually get kind of dark. It was new for me as well, to see it portrayed this way through the medium of animation, and to be able to capture it from this angle.

Toyonaga: In any case, we think it would come as a surprise to viewers. Also, I hope you enjoy each episode to the end.

[skeletonpunching]

Buddy Daddies interview with Toyonaga Toshiyuki, Uchiyama Koki, and Kino Hina

Interview with Toyonaga Toshiyuki, Uchiyama Koki, and Kino Hina (voice actors for Kurusu Kazuki, Suwa Rei, and Unasaka Miri)

[Translator's note: This interview contains spoilers for the entire series.]

Interviewer: In the final arc of "Buddy Daddies", some disturbing developments unfold in the lives of Kurusu Kazuki, Suwa Rei, and Unasaka Miri. How did that make you feel?

Kino: Kazuki, Rei, and Miri seemed to have become a real family, but once Miri's mother reappeared, I wondered just how things would progress towards the climax. Since it's an original series, I really was going ahead with zero idea of what was in store. I hoped no one would die, but in the end, Miri's mother did, and Kazuki and Rei took Miri in - that was a bit of a surprise. I was imagining all sorts of things, like, "I wonder if Rei's going to die..."

Uchiyama: Huh? Really?! (laughs)

Toyonaga: Even in the recording studio, we were chatting about "is someone gonna die..."

Kino: My father was also one of the viewers, and as he watched Rei's speedy evolution, he said, "I sure hope he doesn't die." (laughs)

Uchiyama: Come to think of it, him shouting, "Go for it!" at sports day really feels like a death flag.

Toyonaga: When it comes down to it, Miri-chan is in the most tragic situation of all - she's gone through the disaster of losing both her real parents. It's just Miri-chan's age that keeps her from fully understanding her circumstances; when we were recording live, I kept thinking that this must be so tough for Kino-san, who understands everything, but instead has to keep up that pure innocence the whole time.

Kino: The storyline and character backgrounds are rather dark, so I figured surely Miri would be heartbroken and burst into tears, sometime in the final arc. But there was no scene like that, all the way to the very end. Her only crying scenes were when she was throwing tantrums, so throughout the whole series, she stands out being as a girl with a bright smile. But I feel like the reason why Miri can stay ignorant of all this is because Kazuki-papa and Rei-papa take such good care of her. So I also tried to play the role without letting any stray thoughts get into my head.

Toyonaga: Her papas might have stayed a "comedian" and an "oil baron" until the very end. (laughs)

Interviewer: Kazuki and Rei's feelings towards Miri also underwent major changes, compared to how they started out.

Toyonaga: The entire plot was structured around the idea that the assassin job would hinder them in being parents; eventually, as a result of them being subordinates to the organisation, their ties - to Rei's father and so on - would get in the way. If so, what decision would the two of them make regarding Miri-chan? That was how things played out. And they did exchange blows with Ogino (Ryo) after all. In episode 10, they thought, "We can't change," and temporarily decided to return Miri to her mother - but in episode 11, both of them were incredibly hung up on this, and they ultimately couldn't let go. I think that's just how indispensable Miri-chan's presence had become to Kazuki and Rei, over the course of those 11 episodes.

Uchiyama: In the episode 10 ferris wheel scene, Rei expresses some lingering reluctance, with a melancholy look we've never seen from him before. That's where you can really see his emotional development. Another striking moment is in episode 11, where Rei confirms that Miri is unhurt, and brings up wanting to adopt her. It's quite a bold change for Rei to say something like that, even though Kazuki is saying it'd be better to step aside. He's voicing his feelings, in the longest lines of dialogue he's ever had, in order to change Kazuki's mind; it really has such a climactic feeling to it. I was wondering exactly how I myself should play this, in order to sway Kazuki emotionally.

Toyonaga: You really never talked so much before episode 11.

Uchiyama: In episode 12, there's also a scene where he's giving his father a long speech; when I saw the script, I went, "That's a lot..."

Toyonaga: Yeah, that was me all the time, up to episode 10. (laughs)

Uchiyama: Sorry! (laughs) Anyway, Rei's dialogue increases drastically in the second half of the show, and he displays a side you haven't seen at all in the first half. It leaves quite an impact.  

Toyonaga: The fact that he can say so much to his father - that's new too.

Interviewer: After all that, in the final episode, we're shown how the trio's future plays out. 

Uchiyama: That was a real surprise. If Miri's a high school student now, that means about ten years have passed. I was totally in the dark about that ending until I saw the script. I incorporated quite an adult tone into my voice whenever I was voicing Rei, so I thought, "If you're going to jump ahead into the future, give me a heads-up first!" (laughs) He's a dark character who's lived as an assassin this whole time, so I was already pulling out all the stops to make him as adult as I could manage. "I can't make him any older than this!" I thought.

Toyonaga: I was right next to him in the studio, and he told me, "No, I can't go any lower than this." (laughs)

Uchiyama: Actually, they didn't ask for any major changes. They weren't going for a simplistic sense of ageing - they just wanted him to seem like he'd matured somewhat emotionally. I appreciated that. Kazuki is 39 years old, I think. 

Toyonaga: Yeah, he grew a beard and all.

Uchiyama: And Rei being 36 was a shock.

Toyonaga: Likewise, rather than "Kazuki's gotten older", it was more like we should simply be aware of the passage of time. And when you think about it rationally, the 39-year-old Kazuki is around the same age as me now. I turn 39 this year. So I thought it'd be nice if I could portray a certain age-appropriate composure. Kino-san, I bet you were even more surprised?

Kino: That's right. When I received the script for episode 12, there was a drawing of a grown-up Miri on the back cover, and it gave me such a shock. Then I checked the footage and saw that she really had grown up; I was so taken aback! I usually play a lot of little kids, so I went into the studio thinking, "Will this really work out?" During rehearsals, I was keeping her age increase in mind, so I tried to give a pretty subdued performance. But I was told that the bubbliness was "very Miri", and it would be best to keep that. So I course-corrected for the actual performance. I think Miri's total emotional stability must be the result of Kazuki and Rei's trial-and-error parenting, and that's why all of them were able to find their happy ending. You can sense that they've become a real family.

Toyonaga: I once asked Director Asai, just in passing, how it would all turn out in the end. He said something like, "For a story like this, a tragic ending is also a real possibility..." So I was also on tenterhooks, wondering if they'd all die. I think the director fretted over it a lot too, but in the end, shouldering their various burdens, they moved forward together and became a family. I feel like it's an incredibly heartwarming ending, don't you?

Interviewer: Now that Miri is a high school girl, what will happen if she gets a sweetheart...?

Toyonaga: I think it'll be really tough to win Kazuki and Rei over.

Kino: I agree. In Kazuki's fantasy scenes, he said something like, "I'll kill you!"

Uchiyama: Right, he had fantasies of the future too.

Kino: There were scenes of Miri as a gyaru. And some predictions of a future with Taiga-kun.

Toyonaga: I wonder how Taiga-kun's doing in the future. Are they still in touch?

Kino: If so, Taiga-kun might be in danger. (laugh)

Interviewer: Looking back at all twelve episodes, which scenes or incidents left the strongest impression on you?

Uchiyama: Miri sang a lot. At the beginning of that episode, and at the end too.

Kino: She did. I practised once I got the scripts, but for her mother’s song, I received a demo song beforehand. Since Miri's mother was a singer, Miri loves singing; that's part of the whole setup, which was rather nervewracking. As for the kids' TV programme, I listened to the music through headphones and sang along on the spot - I went like "aaa-aaa-aaa~ ♪"

Uchiyama: It's not like Miri is in a musical - the songs contain different fluctuating emotions, and the point isn't to just sing them as beautifully as possible. It has to be a more varied portrayal. Also, Kazuki is a great cook, so I remember them eating lots of delicious-looking food.

Toyonaga: But you guys only ever grumbled about it. (laughs)

Kino: There really were quite a few scenes of "Miri hates this!"

Uchiyama: Rei has the same palate as Miri - he can't handle anything too elaborate. As for Miri, the taste of premade meals reminds her of her mother.

Toyonaga: When Rei was helping to make bento, he stuffed gummies in the onigiri.

Uchiyama: But it went over well with the children. All that food content was fun.

Toyonaga: Besides that - basically, Miri-chan's always a cutie.

Uchiyama: The thing about Miri-chan is that she doesn't just have cute or charming faces. There are plenty of "meanie Miri" expressions.

Kino: There really are. She seriously has such a rich range of expressions; as we went into the second half of the show, I kept thinking, "Wow, we get to see faces like that too?" It made me feel like my vocal performance had no restrictions either - like, "I can just let myself loose."

Toyonaga: How are you so good at playing a four-year-old?

All: (laugh)

Uchiyama: You make an incredibly realistic four-year-old.

Kino: Really? Thank you!

Toyonaga: Amazing, isn't it? When did you get this good?

Kino: When, huh... There are little kids who are naturally quiet, and there are those, like Miri, who scream "Boring!" and kick up a fuss. But starting from the audition, I figured I'd express my emotions innocently, just as they were. I wailed "Aaahh!" so much, things probably got really loud. When I was overdoing it, I was directed to dial it down a bit, and I adjusted accordingly.

Toyonaga: Whenever Miri-chan was happy or excited, she let out this incredibly high-pitched "Aaaahh!" I loved that. Kids really do react just like that.

Kino: Thank you very much. (laughs)

Interviewer: Can you tell us your personal favourite episodes?

Kino: The sports day scenes in episode 9 almost made me cry when I watched them. Kazuki was actually bawling, but it was such an incredibly warm and fluffy episode. I love it.

Uchiyama: Sports day was very exciting.

Toyonaga: It's fluffy and feel-good, but it makes you want to cry.

Kino: Rei cheering for Miri and regretting it afterwards was also very cute.

Uchiyama: It's true that Rei yelling like that totally threw Miri off. As for me, I'll say episode 10. It feels like a turning point in the story, plus it made me want to go to an amusement park. (laughs) There's something very appealing about a place like a ferris wheel. Out of all the various attractions, a ferris wheel feels most like a private room - it's an enclosed space where sound is cut off. I think it's a very special kind of space. After having fun all day, deep conversations can naturally arise within that sort of atmosphere. It was the perfect match for those story developments. You can really feel the misery of the final arc setting in; it's very memorable.

Toyonaga: And I'll go with episodes 7 and 8, which are standout episodes for Kazuki and Rei respectively. In episode 7, Kazuki talks to (Izumi) Karin-chan, his late wife's younger sister, and I kept all that incredible dramatic weight in mind when playing that scene. Approaching that material was a real challenge to me as an actor, so in that sense, it left an impression on me. And as for episode 8, when Rei is interacting with the boss of the organisation, you can really see the chains he's been shouldering this whole time, and everything that's made Rei the way he is now. Getting to learn about these things was definitely memorable.  

Interviewer: Once again, what do you think is the appeal of "Buddy Daddies"?

Kino: Kazuki, Rei, and Miri all bear their own heavy burdens from their past. Miri is separated from her mother, Rei's father has only ever taught him to live as an assassin, and Kazuki is also shackled by a tragic history. If you look at it that way, it's a dark story, but when the three of them are together, there are so many comical scenes that make you laugh, or upbeat flashy scenes. It's an exquisitely maintained balance, and you really can't get enough of watching it. There are scenes that will warm your heart, and scenes that will make you cry. That wide variety means this show can reach all sorts of people, and I think that's what makes it so wonderful.

Toyonaga: I think that different people who watch this series find different things to connect with emotionally. It can be enjoyed and judged in totally contrasting ways, depending on the viewer's individual experiences, lifestyles, and circumstances. That makes it a very fascinating show. People who are relatively young might relate to Miri-chan, and may project Kazuki and Rei onto their own parents. And that could lead to a lot of diverse opinions and reactions being exchanged - to me, that's one of the most appealing things about this show.

Uchiyama: The atmosphere of the series turns on a dime from comedic to serious, changing between one scene and the next, so you can barrel right through each episode without it ever feeling stale. I find that very enjoyable. And it ends with a timeskip to the future - that came as a real surprise to us too. All in all, the colourful plot twists and unpredictability really set this show apart. There's the unique sense of awe you only get from an original story.

Interviewer: Finally, please give a message to all the fans who have enjoyed "Buddy Daddies".

Kino: Through recording this one-cour story with a total of twelve episodes, I feel like I've gotten a glimpse of the sheer depths of human experience. I'm truly happy I could work on a series like this. As Toyonaga-san also said, it's a show which people can enjoy from many different perspectives, but since I played Miri, there were so many scenes which reminded me of my parents. The delicious cornflakes I ate as a child, being cheered on at sports day - all sorts of memories came back to me. I really hope this show also reawakened some warm memories for everyone in the audience. Thank you so much for watching to the very end.

Uchiyama: "Buddy Daddies" is an original series, so in a sense, it has plenty of blank spaces left. Kazuki and Rei's pasts, the details of the organisation, Kyu-chan's (Kugi Kyutaro's) private life... there are still some things we don't know. Also, what happened in the missing years during the finale's sudden timeskip? What sort of conversations took place as Miri was growing up? How did they end up at the diner? I think it's a lot of fun to fill in those gaps with your imagination. The anime is over, but I hope you will continue to enjoy yourselves in those blank spaces. Thank you very much for watching every episode.

Toyonaga: To everyone who watched all twelve episodes, thank you from the bottom of my heart. "Buddy Daddies" presented me, the actor Toyonaga Toshiyuki, with so many opportunities to challenge myself, and it really has been a delight. I'm also a father of one - I'm raising a daughter around Miri's age. Through playing this role and mapping it on to my own circumstances, I've learnt a lot in this one cour - both as an actor, and as father to a child. The series ended in an incredibly beautiful way, so rather than a sequel, I feel like it would lend itself well to occasional standalone spinoff episodes. I also look forward to being able to meet Kazuki, Rei, and Miri-chan again, and in the meantime, I will do my best as a real papa. Thank you so much.