Spy x Family by Tatsuya Endo is an action-packed comedy manga that’s nothing short of entertaining with a core group of characters that develop incredibly over the course of the chapters both individually and as a unit. It's also a refreshing and extremely well-rounded series that would translate really well into an anime adaptation.
I’m positive this one is going to get its time on screen within the next few years given its rise in popularity, but it’s one that deserves to be adapted regardless thanks to its refreshing premise and intriguing characters.
Update: Since the time of writing this post, an anime for Spy x Family has been confirmed for 2022 with animation by Wit Studio and CloverWorks.
Spy x Family is a story about an immensely charming family that are anything but typical. The father Loid aka Twilight is a spy, the mother Yor is an assassin, and the daughter Anya is a telepath. They were all brought together by Twilight because he needed a family to complete his mission that requires he infiltrate the highly prestigious Eden Academy to get close to his target Donovan Desmond.
As far as characters go, Spy x Family features a lot of interesting and likable personalities. Loid and Yor are two of my favorites, but Anya is the shining star of the bunch with her funny expressions and remarks. She also has a big heart which adds a lot of endearing moments to this series as well. While I’m most excited to see her come to life in an anime adaptation, I’m also excited to see all of the others in action as well.
This is a family of mysterious misfits that share more in common than they realize; Each with secrets of their own that makes for an interesting dynamic, and this in turn, adds a lot of humor to the dialogue and interaction between them. And of course, there’s the fact that Anya knows everyone’s secrets but keeps this a secret as well that makes this scenario that much more comical.
There’s two different kinds of dialogue within Spy x Family, you have the inner monologue these characters are having with themselves and then there’s the conversations they have with one another. The series really excels at showing you the difference between how they are feeling and how they are portraying themselves to the world and those closest to them. What comes out of these characters' mouths is often very different from what they are thinking in their heads, and while the manga does a great job at distinguishing between the two, I can’t wait to hear the differences in their tones and voices in an adaptation.
Even though Spy x Family features a lot of comedy, there are some serious notes as well that really connect you to the characters. You see this fake family become more like a real family over the course of the chapters and this is something I really want to see unfold in an adaptation. Being able to see and hear these characters and witness their full expressions and connections with one another is something I can’t wait to experience.
The series is driven by great dialogue but it also features action-packed scenes and heartwarming moments as well that would translate really well into an adaptation. Spy x Family overall is a fast-paced series, and even though it takes little side missions here and there, the story never loses focus. Nothing feels like it's forced into the storyline and I really appreciate this about this series. Because of this, I feel like an anime adaptation would be just as enjoyable if they were to take note and follow in the same footsteps as the manga.
Another thing that makes Spy x Family so good is its unique setting, which feels old-timey, like a place from history, but also very modern at the same time. In the series, there’s a witch hunt occurring to seek out those involved with espionage, which gives a very dark tone to the story and creates this overall feeling of fear and suspense. But the humor throughout makes you forget this altogether as if you are being distracted from the real issues at hand.
Even so, you are reminded of the issues that plague this world time and time again through characters like Yor's brother Yuri and his profession, but also through other side characters, such as Yor’s coworkers who are always looking over their shoulders. And you also see how stark things really are when you learn more about the differing ways in which war has affected characters like Twilight and some of his comrades as well as Bond, who has a backstory that hit me hard emotionally.
There’s a strong juxtaposition between the setting and the overall feel of the series, but this is a large reason as to why it’s so amazing; Underneath it all, it's serious, but it never comes across this way thanks to its lighthearted and humorous approach.
Spy x Family features scenes that I really want to see animated as well. As far as who I would like to see animate this series, I personally think A-1 Pictures would be well-suited for this one, especially given their work on Kaguya-sama: Love Is War and Sword Art Online: Alicization, but CloverWorks would be a phenomenal pick as well. They’ve shown they do action sequences well, which there are plenty of in Spy x Family, and I think they’d do the unique character designs and overall style of the series justice also.
Spy x Family has made me laugh more times than I can count, but it's also moved me as well. I feel deeply connected to the plight of its characters, which keeps me emotionally invested in the series. A big part of its appeal is its thrilling and dramatic scenes, but it’s story keeps you hooked as well. I really hope this one gets an anime adaptation soon, because if it does, it will assuredly be one of the best new series to release within quite some time.
To learn more about Spy x Family and get a free preview of the series, check out the manga's official page on Viz!
In other manga news, see everything that's releasing from Viz in 2021, including more volumes of Spy x Family!
