‘The Way of the Househusband’ (2021) – Netflix’s wholesome motion comic Yakuza comedy anime

Tatsu “the Immortal Dragon” was once a fierce Yakuza, well versed in the ways of Japan’s deadly criminal underworld, feared and respected by other criminals of his ilk, where his shades, slick hair-cut, tats and suit certainly didn’t do much to separate him from the stereotypical Yakuza image. Yet in The Way of the Househusband, he’s turned away from his life of torturing rival thugs and beating down enemy gangs to take care of more personal business… namely laundry, cooking, and house cleaning. The Way of the Househusband started as a comedy seinen manga written and illustrated by Kousuke Oono, first published in English in September 2019, and received a live-action adaptation in 2020 starring Hiroshi Tamaki, before Netflix released the anime in April 2021. But has this 5-part Netflix original anime got what it takes to live up the “Immortal Dragon’s” name, or is it a disgrace to the Yakuza?

Sales are a battlefield. Being a househusband is no joke

Tatsu’s gruelling years fighting battle after battle on the streets as a Yakuza have prepared him well for the Sale season…

When you’re known throughout the criminal underworld as a fearsome Yakuza called “the Immortal Dragon” it goes without saying, walking away from the gangster life isn’t easy. And yet Tatsu’s skills as an ex-mobster are surprisingly useful in his newfound path to become an everyday househusband. Having difficulty cleaning tricky stains out of a white shirt? To Tatsu, it doesn’t matter if it’s blood or ketchup. Chopping up meat and veg for a big meal? As it happens, he’s pretty handy with a knife. Shopping for high quality washing detergent and bread flower? He knows where the good stuff is, and which powder packs the most punch.

The Way of the Househusband follows Tatsu’s otherwise mundane everyday beats as he takes care of domestic duties while his wife, Miku, pursues her own career. He tackles even the most boring, tedious tasks with as much energy and charisma as though he were dealing with a rival henchman invading his turf, including an incident involving a cocky, big-shot cockroach trying to muscle in on his territory, as well as perfecting the art of bento box photography. Much of the comedy becomes not only situational but comes from his intense body language as his eccentric personality and intimidating character clash against his comically mundane daily tasks. Even when he’s trying to show a more sincere, gentle side, he can’t help leering like a psycho as he sings “Happy Birthday” or grin like a deranged serial killer after successfully preparing a meal, reminding us of his past and the difficulties of leaving it behind. 

My boss always said… “If it’s dead, just bury it”

While Tatsu himself struggles through his new life perfecting the art of house husbandry while keeping his intimidating Yakuza characteristics in check, we are introduced to a diverse cast who contrast against both his mobster background and banal househusband lifestyle. While his personality clashes with his now more tranquil life, if still thwart with moments of chaos, Tatsu likewise clashes with the characters around him including his new friends, the mild-mannered housewives, impressed with his home skills, yet at times taken aback by his intense personality, as well as Yakuza from his past, surprised to see the intimidating “Immortal Dragon” cleaning and cooking. His wife, meanwhile, is obsessed with the Crimewatch PriCure anime, and tries her best to “normalise” her ex-Yakuza husband. It’s the perfect set-up for a great comedy series with as kooky an idea as Kousuke’s eccentric manga, and while the anime does convey the humour well – in large part thanks to its excellent voice cast and comedic delivery – it just makes the animation direction that much more disappointing, and therefore distracting.   

In the original manga, The Way of the Househusband is structured around short episodic chapters that deliver quick punchlines with expressive art, making each tankōbon feel like a short read. Tatsu’s intimidating physique seems to be in conflict with his desire to simply wear an apron, act upon his newfound househusband duties and deal with ex-rival Yakuza in a way that is more befitting of one who finds a more conventional use for bleach than say a blood-soaked killer. This helped make every panel pop with energy and humour that made it hard to put down. Sadly, while an animated adaptation promised much for its emphasis on Tatsu’s eccentricities and exaggerated body language, the anime ended up being more of a full colour stop motion comic rather than a fully animated series. If you’ve read the manga, there isn’t much reason to watch the anime as it’s essentially the same experience, just with voices. J.C.Staff may have made the conscious choice to style their anime after a manga experience, but sadly it ended up being a detriment rather than a unique design choice. Worse still, perhaps, is that because it so closely mimics the manga, fast paced as it was already, the anime doesn’t give the humour time to stick before moving onto the next chaotic chapter in Tatsu’s adventures.

Could Yakuza and househusband be two sides of the same coin?

Netflix’s adaptation of Kousuke’s comedy does convey the humour well through its voice acting, and this remains the strongest point of the series. But the lack of animation is disappointing, even if the material is undeniably funny, and gives little time for its punchlines to land before rushing to the next episode. In this sense it just makes it more of a shame that nothing more was done to give the series its own identity – or elevate it from being more than a manga with extra steps. For a televised adaptation of The Way of the Househusband, the Nippon TV live-action adaptation featuring Hiroshi Tamaki as Tatsu is more worth your time.