The Family's Defensive Alliance

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The Family's Defensive Alliance (Chikyū Bōei Kazoku) is a 13-episode Japanese anime from 2001 that blends comedy and science fiction. Created by Shōji Kawamori, it follows a dysfunctional family who are suddenly chosen to defend Earth from alien invaders. A dramatic vision reveals their future roles as Earth's defenders, and they reluctantly accept to avoid a Galaxy Federation court-martial and 100 years of penal servitude. One running gag is that every mission costs more money in weapons than they are paid, a theme used in later episodes.

The Daichis face a variety of bizarre alien threats, from floating eyes and toy aliens to heart-shaped spacecraft and even a giant plant; one enemy even appears as the Soviet emblem using hammer-and-sickle attacks. Despite the chaos, the series ends with the family growing closer as they embrace their duties.

Production details: Screenplay, original story concept, and mechanical designs are by Shōji Kawamori. The show was directed by Tetsu Kimura, with music by Shigeo Naka. The opening theme is "Samurai" by Rolly, and the ending is "Hana no Katachi" by Akino Arai.

Release and reception: It aired in Japan on WOWOW and later on Animax networks worldwide. In North America, Geneon released it on DVD under the title The Daichis: Earth Defense Family, though it was not broadcast there. Critics generally received the series well, praising its humor, genre lampooning, and surprising moments of genuine family drama, though some reviewers found the jokes repetitive.