Team Dad / Anime & Manga

• This trope is very common in sports manga/anime, with the captains and/or coaches acting as if they were the fathers of their teammates or pupils (and possibly working alongside a Big Brother Mentor and/or a Cute Sports Club Manager):
  • Bamboo Blade — Toraji "Kojiro" Ishida, for the Muroe High School kendo team.
  • Captain Tsubasa — Roberto Hongo (Nankatsu Elementary), Kouzou Kira (Meiwa Elementary), Takashi Furuoya (Nankatsu Junior High) and Makoto Kitazume (Tohou Junior High).
    • Tatsuo Mikami and later Gamo Minato are Team Dads to the Japanese National Squad. To a degree, so is Munemasa Katagiri, but in a more distant way.
  • Future GPX Cyber Formula — Tetsuichiro Kurumada of Sugo Asurada, whom Hayato calls him Oyaji-san, and in turn, sees Hayato as a son to him. Edelhi Bootsvorz of Missing Link, after his Heel–Face Turn, becomes a fatherly figure to his teammates.
  • Haikyuu!! — Karasuno's captain Daichi was the closest thing the team had to adult supervision before Coach Ukai and Takeda came to supervise them. He is probably the most responsible and level-headed member of the team and can be quite strict compared to his vice-captain and Team Mom counterpart Koushi Sugawara, but cares a lot about the rest of the team and makes sure they don't overwork themselves.
  • Hajime no Ippo — Genji Kamogawa (Kamogawa Gym). Sendoh's trainer Yanaoka (Naniwa Gym), Ozma's coach Hachinohe (Hachinohe Gym; Ozma does nickname him "dad" in canon), Volg's trainer Ramuda and Eiji Date (Nakadai Gym) after he retires are quite younger versions of the trope.
  • The Prince of Tennis — Captains Kippei Tachibana (Fudomine) and Kunimitsu Tezuka (Seigaku), alongside vice-captain Genichirou Sanada (Rikkai), are Team Dads for their school tennis teams. If we check on coaches, the best example is Ojii from Rokkaku, whereas Taro Sakaki from Hyoutei and Osamu Watanabe from Shotenhouji are younger versions. Also Mikiya "Banji" Banda from Yamabuki, though he's more of a Trickster Mentor.
  • Slam Dunk — Coach Mitsuyoshi Anzai and captain Takenori Akagi from Shohoku, as well as coaches Moichi Taoka from Ryounan (who specially shows his Team Dad ID by counseling freshman!Uozumi when he almost leaves the team due to his upperclassmen's bullying) and Riki Takato from Kainan.
• Attack on Titan has Reiner Braun and Marco Bott, though their styles are slightly different. Marco plays it straighter, primarily keeping order among the trainees while offering occasional support or advice to them. In contrast, Reiner is something of a Big Brother Mentor, and blends some of the nurturing elements of the Team Mom through his efforts to keep morale up or encourage them to excel. Marco ends up as a Sacrificial Lion, killed during the defense of Trost. On the other hand, Reiner is actually The Mole and his attachment to the others causes him to begin suffering Sanity Slippage due to guilt.
• Black Lagoon: Dutch very much fills this role to his employees on the Lagoon.
• Captain Jushiro Ukitake in Bleach acts more like a father than a captain towards his subordinates.
  • In a huge subversion, so did Sousuke Aizen... before he faked his own death and then was revealed to be the Big Bad
• In Brave10, Kakei is older, more conservative, and tends to vocally correct the misbehaviours of the Braves around him. Naturally he gets along quite well with the Team Mom, Rokuro, both of them being fairly orthodox people in a cast of eccentrics.
• A rather sui-generis one is Akira Mimasaka form Boys over Flowers. He doesn't particularly care about forcing morality on the group (and probably couldn't if he wanted to) but is the general mediator for conflicts and seems to take it upon his shoulders when the group isn't getting along, eventually leading to him getting in a fistfight with Tsukasa when the latter won't stop stirring up drama with Rui.
• Tomoya Okazaki from CLANNAD, as the Only Sane Man in his group.
• In Classi9, Bach is Class S-'s resident dad friend: he is the one indulging Haydn and his antics the most, he makes sure Ren understands the lessons and passes her his notes, watches out for Chopin, repairs the pianos Liszt has broken, makes sure Mozart and Tchaiko keep it in their pants at least while inside the school... His Berserk Button is hurting or insulting his family ones, and yes that includes his classmates. Mozart constantly lampshades it by calling him by dad-themed names and the first part of chapter 11 focuses on his fatherly habits.
• Cowboy Bebop: Jet Black, who also is the male Team Mom.
• Cyborg 009 — Dr. Isaac Gilmore and Dr. Koizumi. Chang Changku (Cyborg 006) has traits of both this and a male Team Mom (hilariously lampshaded in an episode of the 2001 series).
• Senshi of Delicious in Dungeon views himself as one. When the party runs low on food, he blames himself for "not being able to provide food for the youngsters".
• Doraemon: Doraemon himself is often the closest thing the main kids have to an authority figure in their group, especially in the movies. He takes it upon himself to make sure they're safe and cared for on their adventures, and will reprimand them for poor behavior. He's also the one the kids tend to call for when they get in over their heads.
• Digimon:
  • Digimon Adventure brings us the current page image, Jou/Joe Kido. There was a very good reason he was appropriately chosen to be the bearer of the "Crest of Reliability" as the dub calls it, and pretty much all of the possible translations for its Japanese name (Honesty, Faith, Sincerity) are fitting too. Despite being scared out of his wits and always vouching for the "safest" option, he was often the first to throw himself at attacking Digimon to protect the other Chosen children (aka Digidestined) and his own partner Digimon, even though said partner Digimon was there to protect him! His top priorities were always to make certain everyone was safe, getting along, and would give emotional support and advice when needed. This carried over into the sequel too - despite being regularly bogged down with the rigors of Japanese higher education, Jou/Joe was always there as a figure of guidance and support for Iori/Cody, the youngest of the Digidestined, whenever he needed him.
  • Digimon Data Squad — Captain Satsuma. Better known as a stern disciplinarian to everyone else in DATS, he is also a Badass Longcoat and very dangerous when the need arises.
• Dragon Ball — Master Roshi, at least until the Saiyan arc of Dragon Ball Z. Piccolo also qualifies in the Cell and Buu arcs.
• Eyeshield 21 — Youichi Hiruma fits the trope quite well... If you don't pay attention to his: blackmailing everyone he wants to, screaming and shouting, constant evil laughing, harsh training, shooting his own teammates, and adding a certain swear word to every noun he says. Also, his ability to turn his head 180 degrees, spiky dyed hair and teeth that are just as sharp, his habit of spinning his AK 47 like a pencil and shooting it at the same time. As long as you don't pay attention to that, he fits the bill.
• Fairy Tail: Master Makarov is the prime example, to the entire guild.
• In Fang of the Sun Dougram, this role is split between Professor Samarin and Dick Raltaff. Samarin is the leader the liberation movement, but is especially close to the protagonist and his team, while Raltaff is more of a mentor.
• Houshou Takigawa, aka Bou-san or Monk, from Ghost Hunt, with Ayako as Team Mom.
• In Gintama, Gintoki acts as a father figure towards Shinpachi and Kagura, when he's not acting like a child himself, that is.
• Hellsing's Alexander Anderson has his moments with his people. Surprisingly, so does Alucard in the manga in a twisted way, towards his interaction with Seras, Bernadotte and mercenaries. He's also known to lecture the vampire punks before he kills them, and when he starts calling Seras by her name he actually pats her on the head almost like a dad praising his little girl.
• Hetalia: Axis Powers: Even after The American Revolution, England can't fully get his former protege America off his back. And even more after the Allies are formed and he often has to be the Only Sane Man... if you stretch the "sane" part a bit.
  • Austria also is like this towards North Italy and The Clan. As a bonus, he marries the local Cool Big Sis and makes her his Team Mom.
  • Among the Asians, China tries to be this... but the straightest example seems to be Macau instead. Specially when he has to deal with China and Hong Kong.
  • Denmark sees himself as the leader and "older brother" (re: this) of the Nordics. The others don't seem to agree.
  • France insists on being called "big brother" by everyone younger than him, and in a deleted strip he denies America alcohol because of his age (though it may have been to insult him). This makes the strip "Even if I depart, You Shall Remain" all the more of a Tear Jerker, as it shows France's immortality will prevent him from being a true father. When he sees the human protagonist with a son, he makes a sad smile.
  • Though Russia is childish, he sees himself as this towards his subordinates and his people, in a twisted way. In "Lithuania's Out-Sourcing", he acts like a concerned parent when telling America to take care of Lithuania...until he pulls a Slasher Smile and calls Lithuania his "ex". Then there was "Bloody Sunday", where he snaps and decides the only way to make the best for his citizens is to gun down some rebels, because "we don't want children who can't play nice."
• Inuyasha's title character, believe it or not. He's pretty unorthodox, but he tries to give The Lancer / Team Mom emotional support, physically prevents the Action Girl from giving up on her brother and The Smart Guy from throwing his life away, and is an example for both the Tagalong Kid and the aforementioned Team Mom's little brother.
• Kalos Eido, boss of the Kaleido Star troupe. To a smaller degree, Marion's father; makes sense since while Kalos handles the big decisions, Mr. Begnini is the one in charge of the stagehands and technical issues.
• In Lyrical Nanoha, despite being female, The Stoic Blazing General Signum often takes this role in the teams she's in, leading by example and taking responsibility for the things her group did, as well as being the one most willing to discipline a team member who's out of line; when Teana starts complaining about being taken off active duty (more because she's not in the right physical or mental shape for it than as a punitive measure), Signum punches her in the face and says that she will only get spoiled if her whining is tolerated. This gets a Lampshade Hanging in the Real Trailer, Fake Movie Magical Family Lyrical Wolken Omake included in the Special Edition of Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha The Movie 2nd As, where she was assigned the father role while Shamal was assigned the mother role.
• Jojos Bizarre Adventure Golden Wind: Leone Abbachio is the oldest member of Bruno Bucciarati's faction of Passione. His tragic past as a police officer has molded him into a stern man who doesn't take shit from anyone, refusing to particpate in shenangians with the rest of the team. He is openly hostile to the newbie Giorno until he proves himself on a field mission, though he'd never admit this to his face.
• Mazinger Z: Prof. Yumi was Team Dad by the heroes (and Parental Substitute for Kouji and Shiro). He was mature, serious and disciplined, and tried to lead through those traits.
  • Great Mazinger: Prof. Kenzo Kabuto filled the same role.
  • UFO Robo Grendizer: And Dr. Umon.
• Mobile Suit Gundam — Bright Noah. Who ends up married to the local Team Mom, Mirai Yashima.
  • Also Captain Henken Beckener and Commander Blex Forrer from Zeta Gundam, as well as Jamil Neate from After War Gundam X.
  • Gundam SEED has Mu La Flaga take this role for the Archangel's crew, and after Mu's death Andrew Waldfelt eventually ascends to this role in the sequel.
  • Gundam SEED Destiny has a dark example in Neo Roanoke ( actually a Criminal Amnesiac La Flaga), a bitter and cynical Zen Survivor who serves as the Team Dad and Evil Mentor the the Extended, demonstrating legitimate concern for their well-being, all while making sure they stay in line and follow Djibril's orders.
  • Gundam 00: Johann Trinity is this to his siblings Michael and Nena, as a part of him getting a Promotion to Parent of sorts. Among the Gundam Meisters, Lockon Stratos (the first one) is a mix of this and Big Brother Mentor.
• Masayuki Hori from Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun, being both the rest of the cast's senpai and the president of the drama club, takes on a lot of responsibility over for his underclassmen, including attempting to coach Nozaki on how to either draw backgrounds or learn to get better at laying things out for the actual background artist (himself). His dadly-ness is best demonstrated during the Karaoke Box chapter, when, as soon as the gang arrive, he asks Kashima if she wants to sing first, only to announce an order for everyone to sing when she says no. She and Mikoshiba wonder if Hori suspects the truth... until Hori continues on pointing out where the bathrooms are and asking what everyone wants from the food and drink menu, and they realize that, no, Hori is just a dad.
• Jiraya eventually becomes this to Naruto which also fits on how Tsunade is the Team Mom for him. Turns out Jiraiya is technically Naruto's godfather, but was not available for his early years for many reasons (being a spy master protecting the village along with his own lechery being prime examples.)
  • Iruka Umino, being actually responsible for most of the pre-ninja training of the kids, bounces between Team Dad and Team Mom (specially to Naruto). Also Kakashi and Asuma, as team leaders.
  • Interestingly enough, Shikamaru seems to be developing into this for the Konoha 11 Group. Makes sense, they lost their Team Dad Asuma to Hidan.
  • Let's not forget that Hiruzen Sarutobi aka the Third Hokage was the Team Dad for most of Konoha, barring his former teammates and Danzo, his former friend.
  • To a degree, it can be said that every male Kage plays the Team Dad role for their village, in their own ways. As the new Kazekage, Gaara is still too young, but he's got Baki-sensei to back him up. Baki himself wasn't exactly the Team Dad for the Sand siblings at first, but acts more like that after the Time Skip.
• Negima! Magister Negi Magi has some odd examples.
  • Takamichi Takahata seems to fill this position in the early chapters, but the position eventually gets passed to Chamo.
  • Later on, Jack Rakan, of all people, seems to fill in.
  • Evangeline sort of counts as a female example, although she would of course deny this vigorously if confronted about it.
  • In the Ala Rubra days, the Team Dad was Eishun Konoe and Alberio Imma was his Team Mom.
• In Neon Genesis Evangelion, Kouzou Fuyutsuki and Gendo Ikari would be the Team Dads... if the series was, well, NOT Neon Genesis Evangelion.
  • Gendou deconstructs the trope big time (he's Shinji's father and team leader all right, but his actions are only remotely dad-like towards his adoptive daughter of sorts Rei), but Fuyutsuki plays it straight as he's still got some degree of concern for others around him. That's what gets him arrested by SEELE.
• One Piece:
  • Franky towards his original True Companions before he left, and now, as confirmed by Word of God, towards Luffy's crew. Though he's a particularly... immature example.
    • Zoro and Sanji though younger than Franky, have shades of this trope towards their more immature and childish crewmates. Both Zoro and Sanji give Chopper in particular guidance in “how to be manly“, and they also give him shoulder rides sometimes. Zoro and Sanji also commonly both give orders to other crew members alongside same as Team Mom Nami.
    • Jimbei effortlessly takes this position when he joins the crew in Wano thanks to being more mature than Franky and generally having more experience than Zoro and Sanji.
  • Whitebeard as a Father to His Men was literal example for the Whitebeard Pirates, even when Squard stabs him Whitebeard just hugs his “foolish son” and forgives him immediately causing Squard to cry.
  • Smoker similar to Whitebeard was this for the G-5 Marines and Tashigi thus Smoker was extremely pissed when he learned The Mole Vergo had attacked and nearly killed all of them.
  • Charlotte Katakuri invokes this towards his siblings, not only will he use his Devil Fruit powers to aid them in battle but will protect them ferociously. Luffy learned this the hard way.
  • Kozuki Oden was this to his True Companions the Nine Scabbards and plenty of others in Wano country, even some of his most badass samurai friends gave Oden The Glomp, much to his annoyance. Oden’s death protecting his family and friends still brings tears to his followers’s eyes.
• Ouran High School Host Club — Tamaki Suoh is the self-proclaimed Team Dad (and assigns Kyouya the Team Mom role), but the rest of the team pretty much just play along because they feel like it; when they boycott him, Tamaki throws tantrums about why they're being so disobedient. This gets even more complicated once Tamaki starts developing feelings for Haruhi that he keeps handwaving as "fatherly concern".
  • This, of course, leads to Ho Yay courtesy of the Twins: "Mommy kept a secret from Daddy."
• Kanba Takakura from Penguindrum, who has to take care of both his younger siblings and their penguins. With his sister Himari as the Team Mom.
• Brock in the Pokémon: The Series, who like Jet Black does double duty as both the Team Dad and the Team Mom.
  • In Pokémon the Series: Black & White, Cilan makes a strange aversion, considering how similar he is to Brock.
  • Pikachu takes up the role when no humans are present, mostly to take care of the younger Pokémon.
  • In Pokémon the Series: XY, Ash himself is the one who has the Team Dad role as this is the series where he's at his most mature.
  • For the Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, the Team Dad role usually goes to Professor Kukui, literally being Ash's surrogate father in the series, but Kiawe also takes up the role when it's just Ash and his classmates.
• Romeo × Juliet — Conrad, with the bonus of having his grandson Antonio in the group and having raised Juliet and Cordelia after the Capulet massacre.
• Mamoru Chiba acted like one from time to time in Sailor Moon, mostly to the Inner Senshi since he was older and more responsible than them, being a mentor figure towards Ami in particular, always taking care of Chibiusa (his future daughter), and even aiding the Senshi in battle whenever he can.
• Science Ninja Team Gatchaman — Kozaburou Nambu, also The Professor.
• Soul Eater: Dr. Stein, oddly enough. In the last chapter of the manga, it turns out he Marie are going to be an actual mom and dad.
  • Shinigami-sama and Spirit Albarn may qualify as well.
• Super Dimension Fortress Macross and Robotech — Captain Bruno J. Global/Henry J. Gloval.
• Tsubasa -RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE- — Kurogane, to go along with the overwhelming sea of Ho Yay between him and (male) Team Mom Fai. This becomes particularly visible around the Wham Chapters in which everything goes to hell and Kurogane does quite a bit of stepping up and taking charge in order to keep the team together.
• Enho from The Twelve Kingdoms mixes this and Old Retainer. Keiki also has some shades of the trope.
• X/1999 — Wind Master Aoki Seiichirou is this with Kasumi Karen taking on the role of "Team Mom".
• Zombie Land Saga: Ai Mizuno, of a mentor variety. She is the one most responsible so far for the girls' training drills, teaching the newcomers the basics of the business, and is the one most vocal about the way of thinking they should approach their shared goal with. When a member is struggling or has a particularly important role to play in a new song, she coaches that member directly by way of example and takes it upon herself to review songs as a whole when the entire band is having trouble. Also, while she always strives to be constructive and, ordinarily, is by no means any less open-hearted than the rest of the group, she firmly believes that they won't get anywhere by "just playing friends all the time" and does not mince words with someone if she feels they are out of line.

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