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INTO THE OMEGAVERSE!

DEVON NGUYEN - Editor-in-Chief, 4th Year, Anthropology

I’ve been a firm omega rights activist for five years now

Adorable and comedic family-oriented anime have become a positive norm for seasonal anime as of late. Spy x Family made a splash in 2022 with its captivating plot and heartwarming portrayal of found family. Then, Buddy Daddies added a refreshing queer twist, breaking away from the nuclear family model established by Spy x Family and exploring whether two male friends could successfully raise a child (spoiler: they can). Now comes Tadaima, Okaeri, trading action-packed drama for cozy domesticity and bringing the omegaverse genre to the TV screen for the first time.

One of the standout aspects of the series is its seamless portrayal of same-sex couples marrying and raising children. While many BL series in recent memory are set either in worlds free of discrimination or where overcoming prejudice is a main part of the narrative, Tadaima, Okaeri goes a step further by depicting a fully realized queer family. At the heart of this story is Masaki, a devoted stay-at-home father who cares for his son, Hikari, while his loving husband, Hiromu, works tirelessly as a salaryman to support their family and ensure their happiness. The prejudice that they face has more to do with Misaki’s status as an omega rather than their sexuality, which in itself adds another interesting layer of non-traditional gender roles and trans-identity. While the terms of one’s status in regards to their secondary sex may seem alien to those unfamiliar with the omegaverse, the introduction of these aspects through such a wholesome lens was a great decision on the studio’s end. It eases people into it, not shoving it into their face and expecting them to get it on the fly.

I think a big part of Tadaima, Okaeri's appeal lies in the fact that Masaki and Hiromu are significantly older than the typical BL couple, at least in the context of anime adaptations. They’re fully-fledged adults—well-established in their personal lives— raising a child together. This adds a layer of relatability, as it’s refreshing to see an adult BL couple navigating everyday life in a way many of us aspire to: simply living authentically with both love and support from the community around us. We also get to experience the story through Hikari's perspective. From the milestones he reaches to the way he navigates life in his parents' absence, these moments allow us to connect deeply with him as the very heart of this precious show.

Even if omegaverse media isn’t someone’s thing, the breakthrough presence of Tadaima, Okaeri is undeniable. With the door wide open for these stories to be told, one can only hope to see an influx of them down the line.

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