An anime series produced by Wit Studio and CloverWorks. Spy x family is directed by Kazuhiro Furuhashi, with character designs handled by Kazuaki Shimada. The show is based on a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tatsuya Endo. The story follows a spy who has to "build a family" to execute a mission, not realizing that the girl he adopts as his daughter is a telepath, and the woman he agrees to be in a marriage with is a skilled assassin.
I’ve already read roughly two chapters of the manga before even watching a single episode of the anime so I sort of had an idea what to expect diving into Spy x Family. That being said I was still skeptical how they will turn into the anime it is now. Also minor spoilers.
Oh and btw the title being written in English and with a "cross" in between, was influenced by Hunter × Hunter. According to Tatsuya Ando’s editor Shihei Lin the series takes elements from three of Endo's Jump Square one-shots: I Spy, Ishi ni Usubeni, Tetsu ni Hoshi and Rengoku no Āshe. That also being Anya being inspired by the main character of Rengoku no Ashe hence the similar look.
The first episode of the anime covers the first chapter manga with the introduction of our MC the renowned spy Twilight. I do love how they balance the drama elements with the spy elements of the series for Spy x family making the show more believable. It has the Mr and Mrs Smith concept plus a telepathic little girl but has the comedic charm of movies like Arnold Schwarzenegger True Lies and Mr Bean Johny Enligh without the show being overly slapstick. All this cause of interlaced with character driven plot and storylines.
The action scenes in the show few as they may feels like it was made for a Bond movie with enough action, tension and high stakes. Folks do get beat up, gets shot or blown up in Spy x Family from time to time reminding folks that despite the shows somewhat slice of life aspect it is still partly a high stakes spy series. There is even an entire episode based on one page of the manga where they expand on the idea just to show Twilight in action taking out hundreds of evil henchmen on a remote island. Yes, THAT episode.
The series selling point is definitely its well written characters. Like Loyd being one of the main character having a somewhat stoic and serious personality who at first doesn’t like the idea of going undercover as a family still cares for both Anya and Yor in a deep heartfelt manner even though he doesn’t express it often. This kind of set up carried over to both Yor and Anya in similar fashion in their own way. Because of this the characters likable and one easily know that when all thing is said and done Loyd, Yor and Anya will do the right thing to protect that “family” of theirs….made up or otherwise.
The main issue I had with Spy x family is the shows pacing. Some episode feels like fillers and slows down drastically as what you are used to. Spy x Family is often cute but the violence can get out of hand in one or two episodes that one feels they are probably not for young kids anymore. The episodes also switch from excellently well written to stupid and dumb as some scenes are just done for gag factor and in some cases has a Scooby Doo-ish type of slapstick humor.
If you
are a fan of action or good character and plot there is definitely something love
in the series. Be it the character drama or the comedy. The show could use some
improvement but what they have is already praise worthy. If you love anime and
is probably jumping into anime for the first time this would be a decent anime
recommendation to watch.
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