FEB 20: FAVORITE CHARACTER BESIDES THE 12 KIDS & THEIR PARTNERS
If you know me, this shouldn’t be much of a surprise. Of course it’s Hiroaki Ishida. Everyone’s Cool Dad is my favourite minor character and, in my heart, the main character of his own spinoff...
There are numerous reasons why Hiroaki is the best, but I’m just going to name a few.
Just look at him with his cigarette and the air of someone who hasn’t slept in two years, like the protagonist in a film noir. He looks cool from the start.
Hiroaki also proves his inner coolness as soon as we meet him. He gets over the shock of finding out the Digimon quickly and sets out to to give invaluable help to the Chosen Children. Even his job (investigative reporter and/or Fuji TV producer) is baddass — and fortunately, it means that he’s always at the centre of the action and can help the kids. We have no choice but to stan.
Hiroaki is the most developed parent and he has an interesting backstory and depth.
The first time we meet him, we see that he still carries a picture of his family on his wallet. This shows he’s more than the typical Japanese workaholic father who’s married to his job. He has deep love for his family and clearly carries regrets over the family’s situation. Later we learn that he didn’t want to lose his sons and the divorce, and he admits that separating the two boys was a selfish decision (though draconian divorce norms in Japan are probably to blame).
He isn’t a perfect single parent to Yamato, but you can tell he’s trying his best. Despite being often absent due to his work, he truly cares about Yamato and they have a close relationship. At times it feels like their roles were inverted a bit, but that adds to the dynamic. (There’s a lovely scene in the PSP game when Yamato brings him lunch at work and it’s a really sweet portrayal of the relationship.)
In short, he’s very caring, he helps everyone out whenever is needed, and there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for his kids. Yamato and Takeru clearly love him a lot, for good reason.
He may look tough, but Hiroaki’s sons (especially Takeru) have him wrapped around their little finger. Hiroaki agrees to take them camping as a cover up, and uses his Xmas bonus to buy them a computer.
He listens to dumb sutras and (supreme proof of inner dorkiness) he is a former a bass player.
So he’s likeable and entertaining!
PS: The little Takeru and me ships the hell out of Hiroaki and Natsuko (who herself is also cool AF). Yes, I know it’s not Realistic, but can they please get back together? Maybe a little Parent Trap situation played by Takeru (to Yamato’s horror)? Or can they just become exes with benefits as they grow older? (I’d read those fics.)
Special mentions: Daigo (RIP), Meiko, Sakurada (Hiroaki’s assistant), Mr Fujiyama, Shuu Kido (the rebel Kido brother), Chikara Hida, Kae Izumi (Best Mum), Ken’s parents, Michel (Takeru & Yamato’s grandpapa), “Chichos”.
