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Anime of the Year Nominee Spotlight: SPY x FAMILY

Loid, Anya, and Yor Forger from SPY x FAMILY

 

SPY x FAMILY is one of many examples where the anime adaptation is better than the source material. As someone who read the manga, I was blown away by the voice actors, animation and theme songs from the show. 
 

SPY x FAMILY does so many things right for a show that balances chaos with normalcy. It also has two of my top anime crushes of 2022, Loid and Yor Forger, but that’s not the only reason to love the series. In celebration of its nomination for Anime of the Year, I want to share why SPY x FAMILY means so much to me. 
 

Found Family

 

The Forgers having dinner together in SPY x FAMILY

 

I live for the found family trope (no one asked but Gintama will always be my number one). While most of the shows don’t assign a “role” to a character, SPY x FAMILY takes the trope at face value. We have Loid looking for a wife and daughter to complete his perfect family and everyone has their part to play. It’s also in his fake last name: Forger, a man who forges a family of total strangers and lies. 
 

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Everyone knows the Forgers are far from perfect — and that’s OK. I’m not watching the show because I want to start my own picture-perfect family. I love the Forgers because they want a chance at a normal life in between saving the world. Each person came from a place where their family was never whole, so while they’re a “fake” family, they’re genuinely the happiest when they’re together. I get the warm fuzzies just watching them.
 

Pushing the Envelope on Gender Roles… Sorta
 

Yor Forger from SPY x FAMILY

 

Move Loid, it’s my turn with Yor! Jokes aside, I really adore Yor (heh) because society is pushing her to get married and have kids but she’s out there slitting men’s throats instead. It was never her intention to seek out romance or start a family, but to avoid being an outcast, she finds herself with Loid and Anya. Lucky for her, Loid isn’t seeking a romantic relationship either. That said, Yor constantly gets validation from Loid and Anya for being herself. Whether it’s Loid defending her from the terrible school headmaster or Anya reassuring her she’s still Best Mom despite going overboard sometimes, these moments remind Yor that it’s fine to be her regular self. 

 

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We do get an episode where Yor tries to learn how to cook because she feels guilty that Loid has taken up the apron. Honestly, let the man cook! I don’t fault the show for nudging Yor into the housewife role for the sake of their family’s appearance, but it was refreshing to see a woman in her mid-to-late twenties not immediately becoming a wife and mother (officially). I relate to her as someone who’s not in a hurry to fulfill either role (but if a real-life Loid appears, that’s a different story). 
 

The Forgers having a family outing at the aquarium in SPY x FAMILY

 

What makes SPY x FAMILY a joy to watch is each Forger’s secret identity slipping through the cracks during moments of normal family life. They’re all leading a double life, with the secret one taking a toll on Loid. It’s impressive that the man can keep his composure most of the time while he’s with Yor and Anya, especially during the aquarium episode where the most stressful thing wasn’t to complete the mission but to make sure he leaves a good impression on the neighbors. It’s also hilarious to me that Loid and Anya aren’t surprised by Yor’s monstrous strength anymore; they went from shock after seeing her take out a wild animal to unfazed when she faces off against Fiona in a tennis match. Goes to show how close the family has gotten! 
 

One of the best episodes for me is when the Forgers stopped a terrorist attack. While they didn’t work together in the literal sense, they each used their own power to put a stop to a deadly situation. Anya uses her telepathy to help Loid where she can, but since she’s a kid, she does it in the most childish way by leaving a message using ketchup. Not only did they become heroes but they also welcome a new family member and best doggo, Bond. With the addition of a pet, the Forgers are now a true nuclear family. Also Bond can see the future so he fits right in!
 

Loid x Yor = OTP

 

Yor and Loid hiding behind a trash dumpster in SPY x FAMILY

 

In the wise words of Anya: “Papa and Mama are flirting.” I know an OTP (One True Pairing) when I see one, and the moment Loid proposed to Yor with a grenade exploding in the background… poetic cinema. You can’t tell me Loid doesn’t have feelings for Yor, this man can’t help but smile whenever he is around her. He’s even blushed a few times! Your honor, they’re in love. They’re a power couple because both can kill (their looks can kill too) and they really want the best for Anya as her pretend parents. 
 

I like that they’re amicable and respectful to each other. We’ve seen that, in a physical fight between the two of them, Yor wins — no contest. But Loid doesn’t feel threatened by her inhuman strength and is intent on keeping Yor as his “wife.” Not only does he see her as the best fit for a partner but also for a mother. This is apparent when Fiona shows up and threatens to take Yor’s position in the family but Loid doesn’t even acknowledge this and is fine staying with Yor (even though it’s the most logical choice because Fiona is aware of the mission). 
 

RELATED: The SPY x FAMILY Jealousy Episode Highlights How Borfingly Heartwarming the Series Is

 

I also don’t think I’ve seen Loid and Yor argue over how to raise Anya together, mainly because Yor knows her boundaries and tends to give advice in a way that doesn’t undermine what Loid’s doing. It’s such a healthy dynamic. 

 

Best Kid Anya

 

Anya in SPY x FAMILY

 

If there’s one character who steals the spotlight whenever they appear on the screen it’s the little gremlin Anya. She’s a fan-favorite for a reason: her meme-worthy expressions, her realistic depiction of a child, her lovable yet troublesome personality, and her adorable character design. Anya isn’t stirring up trouble in the sense that chaos ensues wherever she goes, but she does her best to help out her Papa with his mission… even if things don’t go exactly as planned. 
 

Anya is someone who I think everyone wants to protect at all costs — her smile, her love for her family and her obsession with peanuts. She’s the perfect example of a kid who doesn’t have a filter whenever they talk and she reacts in a manner that suits her age. She’s perfect is what I’m saying.
 

Was SPY x FAMILY one of your favorite anime of 2022? Let us know in the comments!