A spy, a telepath, and an assassin walk into a school… You might think that’s the start of a bad joke, but it’s actually the premise for one of our favorite manga series!
This month’s manga spotlight is an action-comedy that you won’t read anywhere else: Spy X Family!
First released to English readers in 2020, we consider this manga to be one of the few good things to come out of the pandemic. It’s written by Tatsuya Endo and published by the ever popular Shonen Jump. Spy X Family currently has 15 manga volumes for readers to enjoy, but it also has a 3-season anime, a movie, and an official guidebook for fans who want more content.
What exactly is it that makes Spy X Family such a popular series? Read on to find out, because we’re going to take a deep dive and crack the code on what makes Spy X Family shine!
#1: The manga’s captivating blend of tones!
Think of your favorite genre to read. Maybe it’s a cleverly crafted comedy. Perhaps you prefer a wholesome slice of life manga. Or maybe you love manga with intense action that gets your heart pumping. Believe it or not, Spy X Family has all that– and more! Spy X Family’s unique premise allows it to blend tones as needed, making it interesting to a wide range of fans.
Here’s a quick rundown of the plot– our next paragraph contains minor spoilers, so don’t read if you want a completely spoiler-free experience!
The premise starts off with an air of action and intrigue. Master spy Twilight is the top agent for the WISE intelligence agency, and he’s just gotten one of his most challenging missions yet: investigate shady politician Donovan Desmond and prevent him from starting a war! In order to get close to his target, Twilight disguises himself as Loid Forger and is tasked with starting a fake family and enrolling a child at Eden Academy where Desmond’s son attends school. That might seem like a typical action plot, but there’s a comedic twist. Unknown to him, the adoptive daughter he finds is secretly a telepath, and the woman he convinces to be his fake wife is an assassin trying to look normal as a cover for her double life! The child telepath Anya is the only one to know their secrets, leading to hilarious shenanigans and character dynamics. Although they start off the manga as strangers, this trio has been quickly growing to care for each other like a real family. The manga focuses on wholesome slice-of-life shenanigans when not featuring cool action sequences, giving it a charming tone that’s hard to look away from.
#2: Spy X Family’s charming cast of characters!
Spy X Family has a ton of great characters, so we can’t cover them all. Here are our favorite characters in the Spy X Family world!
- Loid Forger: Also known by his codename Twilight, Loid plays the part of a regular civilian but in reality he’s a super spy and a master of disguise. He prides himself on his logic, intelligence, and ability to remain cool under pressure. However, although he claims it’s only for the mission, Loid has a secret soft side for his new family.
- Anya Forger: Anya is an enthusiastic but naive child who has a secret– she’s a telepath! Thanks to her mind-reading ability, Anya has learned about her adoptive father’s mission and decided to secretly help him. When she’s not busy trying to save the day, Anya loves peanuts, spies, and her stuffed animals.
- Yor Forger: Housewife by day, assassin by night! Known to her enemies as the Thorn Princess, Yor is a beautiful woman who loves her brother and new family. Despite the seriousness of her job, Yor is actually a very kind and protective woman who can be surprisingly gullible and overly trusting.
- Bond Forger: The Forger family’s loyal dog with a calm and gentle temperament. Like his owners, Bond also has a secret– he can see the future!
- Damian Desmond: Damian is Anya’s frenemy and the youngest child of Donovan Desmond. He has lofty expectations of both himself and those around him, constantly wanting to be the best in order to gain his father’s attention and pride. However, while he’d never admit it out loud Damian longs to be close friends with Anya and embrace his playful childish side.
- Becky Blackwell: This confident and outspoken child is Anya’s best friend! Becky enjoys fashion, shopping, and acting mature. She’s a romantic at heart and loves to encourage the budding “romance” between Damian and Anya.
#3: The detailed and rich setting!
The depth and complexity of Spy X Family’s world is a treat to see on page, and makes a great backdrop for its plot and characters. While Endo’s world is technically fictional, it is largely inspired by Cold-War Era Germany and takes place during the 1960s-70s. The rival nations of Ostania and Westalis are parallels of East and West Germany respectively, while Ostania’s capital city of Berlint was inspired by Berlin and is where most of the manga’s main action takes place. Eden Academy is another location that is crucial to the plot of Spy X Family, and is where Anya and other students attend school. Other than its physical locations, Endo has also enriched his world with various organizations including the WISE intelligence agency, the State Security Service (SSS) counterintelligence, and The Garden assassination group. Significant aspects of history are integrated naturally into the plot via flashbacks and other events for readers who want to learn more about Spy X Family’s vibrant world.
We love Spy X Family! How about you? Who’s your favorite character from the manga– cool Loid, enthusiastic Anya, or caring Yor?