Spy fiction holds a significant place in Western culture, almost ingrained in our collective consciousness. Yet, despite its prevalence, it’s a genre that doesn’t typically pique my interest. The idea of secret agents infiltrating bases might sound exciting, but I’ve always been drawn more to the over-the-top action of shonen manga, where heroes overcome impossible odds with sheer willpower and newly discovered powers. So, when a fellow manga enthusiast recommended Spy x Family, a series that explicitly states its genre in the title, I was initially hesitant. That was until I saw its incredibly high rating on MyAnimeList. As someone who appreciates quality storytelling, high ratings are a surefire way to grab my attention, signaling a potentially great read.
Spy x Family Rating
The premise of Spy x Family is set against the backdrop of simmering political tensions between Westalis and Ostania. These two nations are engaged in a covert war, each attempting to destabilize the other through espionage and clandestine operations. Enter Twilight, Westalis’s most skilled spy. He’s tasked with a critical mission: investigate a prominent Ostanian politician and uncover any information that could be detrimental to the opposing nation. The challenge? This politician is reclusive, only venturing out for his son’s school events. Directly approaching him is out of the question. To infiltrate the politician’s inner circle, Twilight adopts the alias Loid Forger and constructs a fabricated family. This involves finding a child to enroll in the prestigious Eden Academy, the same school the target’s son attends, and a wife to complete the facade of a conventional family unit, as the school is skeptical of single parents. While Loid conceals his true identity as a spy from his new wife and daughter, unbeknownst to him, they harbor secrets of their own, setting the stage for a uniquely comedic and heartwarming family dynamic.
Spy x Family Extra Mission Color Page
Anya Forger is the first addition to Twilight’s makeshift family, and she quickly becomes the undeniable heart of the manga. Her backstory is both poignant and amusing. Born in a lab and subjected to experiments, Anya developed telepathic abilities. She escaped this traumatic past and navigated a series of orphanages, being adopted and returned multiple times due to her perceived strangeness—the “weirdness” of reading minds, that is. While her history is tinged with sadness, Anya herself doesn’t dwell on it. Like any child, her primary desire is to experience the warmth and security of a loving family. She wholeheartedly embraces her role in Twilight’s mission, understanding that maintaining her place in the Forger family hinges on her academic success at Eden Academy. Anya is also keenly aware of her leverage within the family dynamic. She isn’t shy about using tantrums or the threat of expulsion to manipulate her adoptive parents into granting her wishes, knowing that her continued enrollment is crucial for Twilight’s mission. Despite her childish simplicity and occasional mischievousness, Anya is genuinely endearing. Her earnest efforts to contribute to her family’s “mission,” coupled with her hilarious reactions to her parents’ secret lives, make her incredibly captivating. Her adorableness is so potent, it might even spark a fleeting desire for parenthood!
Anya Forger adorably preparing for school, highlighting her central role in the comedic and heartwarming aspects of Spy x Family.
For the role of wife, Twilight seeks out Yor Briar. By day, Yor is a seemingly ordinary civil servant, but by night, she transforms into the Thorn Princess, a highly skilled assassin who efficiently eliminates targets without leaving a trace. Content with her solitary life, Yor finds herself in a precarious situation as the political climate intensifies. Unmarried women in their mid-twenties become subject to increased scrutiny, posing a threat to the secrecy of her clandestine activities. To deflect suspicion and maintain her cover, Yor decides to find a husband. She agrees to marry Twilight and become Anya’s stepmother, entering into a mutually beneficial arrangement that masks their individual secrets.
Yor Briar showcasing her incredible strength with a superkick, demonstrating her formidable assassin skills and comedic over-the-top action.
And yes, she can indeed superkick speeding cars, a testament to her extraordinary abilities.
Initially, I anticipated that Anya’s enrollment at Eden Academy would be the central focus of the first arc, with subsequent missions unfolding thereafter. While Anya’s admission is indeed achieved relatively quickly, the manga cleverly shifts the long-term goal. The new objective becomes Anya earning enough Stella Stars to become an Imperial Scholar, a prestigious honor within Eden Academy and a status held by the target politician’s son. Adding another layer of tension, Anya also faces a demerit point system that threatens expulsion should she accumulate too many Tonitrus Bolts. For Anya, who is arguably not the most academically inclined student, it becomes a race against time to see if she can become a model student before her antics lead to her expulsion.
One of the most consistently praised aspects of Spy x Family, and rightfully so, is its exceptional humor. Anya is the epicenter of much of this comedy. Her reactions to her parents’ internal monologues about espionage and assassination are a recurring source of amusement, serving as a springboard for a wide range of comedic situations. Many aspects of her character development are interwoven with comedy, from navigating schoolyard bullies to concocting flimsy excuses to assist her parents without revealing her telepathy. While her plans are often poorly executed, things tend to work out for Anya in hilariously unexpected ways. There’s an undeniable charm in watching this young girl wholeheartedly strive to keep her unconventional family together and happy.
Anya Forger making an excuse, illustrating her comedic attempts to navigate her family’s spy life and her own childish misunderstandings.
The skillful writing of Anya’s character is indicative of the overall quality of Spy x Family. From the chapter structuring to the scene execution, everything is sharp, witty, and maximizes the potential of its characters. The Cold War-esque setting never feels overly serious, allowing the humor and heart to shine through. The manga also thoughtfully pauses to showcase the family’s genuine moments of connection. Despite the layers of deception and hidden identities, it’s evident that Loid, Yor, and Anya deeply care for each other beyond the superficial benefits of their arrangement. This is particularly evident in Yor’s rapidly developing maternal affection for Anya, openly referring to herself as Anya’s mother. Twilight, while more emotionally reserved due to his spy training, also has moments where his carefully constructed facade crumbles, revealing genuine affection for Yor and Anya.
However, Spy x Family does occasionally suffer from a slight case of narrative ADD. Numerous side stories pepper its run, and even the central plotline, Operation Strix, is sometimes sidelined by Twilight’s various unrelated missions. While these diversions offer refreshing breaks and showcase the characters’ abilities in diverse and often comical situations, they can make the overarching narrative feel somewhat slow-paced. Personally, I wouldn’t mind entire volumes dedicated solely to Anya’s chaotic school days, as they consistently deliver comedic gold and heartwarming family interactions.
Anya Forger enjoying her school days, highlighting the manga’s focus on her comedic and sometimes challenging experiences at Eden Academy.
Expanding on elements I’d like to see more of, Yor’s assassin missions are a prime example. We are aware of her nighttime profession, but the manga often only offers glimpses, quickly returning to her domestic life. This is somewhat compensated by her portrayal as a formidable force who will fiercely protect Anya from any perceived threat. Watching Yor unleash her incredible strength, like superkicking cars, is endlessly entertaining. However, I hope future arcs delve deeper into her assassin activities, perhaps even exploring potential conflicts arising from her dual life and her growing attachment to Twilight and Anya.
Spy x Family is brimming with potential. The Forger family, built on a foundation of lies and secrets, is inherently unstable, and the narrative frequently introduces elements of suspense and foreshadowing. It’s only a matter of time before these carefully laid fuses reach their powder kegs. Some of these plot threads might fizzle out, but even if they do, the journey is bound to be filled with vibrant and memorable moments, perhaps punctuated by Yor delivering a well-deserved superkick to some unsuspecting antagonist.
Surprise appearance of Yor Forger, suggesting unexpected plot twists and her readiness to protect her family in Spy x Family.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a manga that seamlessly blends spy action, heartwarming family dynamics, and laugh-out-loud comedy, then you absolutely need to Read Spy X Family. Its engaging characters, witty writing, and unique premise make it a standout series in the current manga landscape. Don’t miss out on the Forger family’s hilarious and thrilling adventures!
