The “assassins meet childcare” trope has proven to be a recipe for success in recent years, with titles like Spy x Family and Buddy Daddies blending action-packed storytelling with humorous domestic themes. Both series captivated audiences by the high-stakes lives of spies and assassins with the tender, often chaotic, world of childcare. Kindergarten Wars takes this concept and pushes it to a new extreme by situating its story in a kindergarten staffed by reformed criminals.
Leaked reports from @sugoiLITE on X (formerly Twitter) suggest that Kindergarten Wars might be getting an anime adaptation. While we’re still waiting for official confirmation, the source is well-regarded in anime industry circles. If true, this adaptation could tap into the ongoing popularity of the “assassins meet childcare” trope, seen in successful series like Spy x Family and Buddy Daddies.
For those unfamiliar, Kindergarten Wars is a manga by You Chiba that began serialization on Shueisha’s Shōnen Jump+ in September 2022. It combines action, comedy, and romance.
The series centers around Kindergarten Noir, an elite school founded to protect the children of society’s most influential figures like politicians, business magnates, and celebrities. These children are constant targets for kidnappers, assassins, and other criminals, so the school takes extraordinary measures to ensure their safety.
Instead of traditional educators, Kindergarten Noir hires reformed criminals, many of them ex-assassins, thieves, and gang members as teachers. These individuals, selected for their unique combat abilities and strategic thinking, are offered reduced prison sentences in exchange for their work as bodyguards.
These criminals/teachers teach basic lessons while secretly guarding their students, blending academic instruction with covert protection missions.
At the heart of the story is Rita, famously known as Convict #999, a former top-tier assassin with a dark and infamous past. Rita was once feared across the underworld for her unmatched combat prowess and ruthlessness.
However, after being caught, she accepts the unusual deal offered by Kindergarten Noir as a means to shorten her sentence and carve out a chance for redemption. Tasked with protecting the children of VIPs, Rita faces constant threats, including enemy assassins and intricate plots aimed at the students under her care.
Beyond her professional duties, Rita’s story takes a personal twist. Despite her intimidating background, she’s hilariously inept at navigating everyday social interactions, especially when it comes to romance. Her dream of finding a partner adds a funny twist to the story, as she juggles high-stakes missions with awkward attempts to connect with others emotionally.
The series often juxtaposes intense, well-choreographed action sequences with comedic moments, such as Rita awkwardly trying to impress a potential love interest while subduing attackers in the same scene. This duality is part of what makes Kindergarten Wars stand out. It thrives on the contrast between its high-stakes action and lighthearted, often absurd, romantic comedy gags.
How Is It Different From Spy x Family?
The manga’s premise isn’t entirely unique, but its execution is what sets it apart. While Spy x Family and Buddy Daddies focus on family dynamics and childcare, Kindergarten Wars shifts the lens toward the adults in the story, especially their struggles and personal growth.
By putting the reformed criminals, rather than the children, at the center of the story, the series offers something fresh while maintaining the charm of the “assassins meet childcare” formula.
Rita’s character is particularly noteworthy. Her tough exterior contrasts with her underlying insecurities and desire for a better future, making her a compelling and multi-dimensional protagonist. Additionally, the manga is peppered with references to shoujo manga tropes, which add a layer of self-aware humor and appeal for fans of romantic comedies.
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Series Popularity
Kindergarten Wars has steadily gained popularity, ranking third in the 2023 Next Manga Award’s web manga category and ninth in AnimeJapan’s 2024 “Most Wanted Anime Adaptation” poll.
With the anime adaptation rumored to be on the horizon, it will be interesting to see which studio gets to animate the series and how the studio handles the balance between action, comedy, and romance that defines the series.
If done well like Spy x Family, Kindergarten Wars has the potential to join the ranks of other highly regarded action-comedy anime adaptations.
Source: @sugoiLITE
