"Spy x Family" Is Japan's Most Popular Anime Right Now, Here's 3 Reasons Why It Might Be Yours As Well
As an anime fan, I am always watching shows after they have premiered or ended, partly because binging makes it easier to stay consistent with a story, but also, who likes waiting for a new episode when there are so many shows already fully released. Enter: Spy x Family, a comedic spy thriller that revolves around a master spy, Twilight, who is tasked to create a faux family to investigate a high profile target by enrolling his child in the same prestigious school his target's son goes to.
As a shonen fan, I wasn't sure if this kind of plot was something I'd be interested in, but after seeing so much praise for the show, my girlfriend and I finally put it on. When I say that this show did not disappoint, I mean it. I was so used to these high-octane flashy shows like Demon Slayer and Attack on Titan, which are exceptional in their own right and have a rich story themselves, but Spy x Family just feels like a breath of fresh air. Although mature in its own way, Spy x Family dives into three characters who are all hiding something from each other while also trying to pursue a similar mission and find a deeper connection in their "fake" family life.
As a parent myself, there was something familiar about seeing this "family" trying to figure each other out to make things better for each other. If you were ever a fan of FX's The Americans, then this show is definitely up your alley. Here are three more reasons why you should be watching Spy x Family.
Wit Studios/Cloverworks
1.The Characters
With only five episodes so far, the show has already given us great glimpses into how these characters operate. Whether it's Twilight's meticulous mind always at work being the master spy he is, Anya's hilarious reactions to being able to read people's minds, or Yor's awkward blood lust at times, these three make for the perfect team and "family" that will help keep peace among two rival countries. Even some of the side characters that have been introduced are charming and serve the story perfectly, but for now, let me tell you a little more about the "Forger" family.
Loid Forger aka Twilight
This suave badass spy is giving James Bond a run for his money. Similar to Mr. Bond, Twilight prefers to work alone. Still, after being tasked to spy on a high-profile politician, he is given orders to find people that will make up his fake family. The ultimate goal being "his child" can eventually go to the same prestigious school as the politician's son so that he may receive an invitation to an exclusive party for the parents of the school in which he can finally spy on his target. James Bond is remarkable, but could he ever create a family and pretend to be the best dad ever while still kicking ass and being as "elegant" as possible? I don't think so.
Up until now, we've not only seen his fighting acumen but his ability to be a supportive father and husband while maintaining his spying ability. As a parent, we see his slow ascension into fatherhood and just how far he will go to accomplish his mission and be the dedicated father he will eventually become regardless of the task at hand. This early foreshadowing is not anything new when it comes to seeing characters resisting something only to become the thing they were dreading, but to see it done this way with this character has caught my attention not only as a dad but as an anime fan, and I can't wait to see more.
Anya Forger
This sweetheart of a telepath steals most scenes she's in. Whether it's her childish responses to things or her ability to call Twilight a liar in the sweetest fashion, I can't help but smile when she speaks. There's still much to explore when it comes to her backstory and the reason she has the abilities she does, but being the only one who knows the truth about Yor and Twilight's other professions is comedy gold along with her passion for her favorite spy show Spy Wars.
Yor Forger aka Thorn Princess
Yor's sweet demeanor contrasts with her moonlighting as a cold-blooded assassin, but that balance is fantastic to watch. We see how women are judged by their peers in this time period, and their social status is dependent on whether they're in a relationship. Luckily for Yor, she found a mutual partner in Twilight or "Loid" who has similar goals for faking relationships to help with a bigger picture, in Yor's case, to help her brother's career. This selfless act by her shows her true character as loving and caring for those she holds near and dear to her heart. Though her side job as an assassin might eventually be a problem for the "Forger" family, only time will tell how, at this point, her skills have already helped the family in crisis and shows she's a perfect match for Twilight.
2.Fantastically Styled Animation
Wit Studio/CloverWorks
Like most anime out there nowadays, Spy x Family delivers a beautifully styled anime that delivers in creating some amazing action set pieces. With studios like Wit Studio and CloverWorks behind it, it's no wonder that this show looks as amazing as it does. Whether it's the hostage situation in Episode 1 or the castle scene in Episode 5, each moment is perfectly illustrated and makes the action just as formidable as something you'd see in shows like Demon Slayer and Fire Force. There's something to say when it comes to a show as grounded as this one that these two studios can keep creating such beautifully crafted animation set in a more modern setting than some fantasy properties they've worked on in the past.
3.Rich World Building Story
Although the story focuses on the "Forgers" and their ability to pretend to be the perfect family, the ultimate goal is always mentioned, as peace between Westalis and Ostania hangs on the success of Twilight's mission. The history is told early in the show as we're informed what exactly is at stake for the master spy and his fellow citizens. The world-building displayed so far shows a very reminiscent time of the '50s. From the fashion to the social standards of that time, we are taken back and shown the good and the bad of how it was to live in the mid-20th century.
Though clearly, Twilight is a man ahead of his time as he is quick to dispel certain "norms" for that time to help his partner and wife Yor and be a better father to young Anya. It's this rich world that they have quickly presented in these last five episodes that have displayed the reasoning for Twilight's mission and the rules by which they must play to achieve said mission. This premise isn't new, but I think their unique take sets it apart from others.
