*contains some meaty spoilers from the anime and hints from the manga/for the second part*
“Don’t let the hype ruin you.”
Well, it did.
But it doesn’t mean it’s bad. At least, I have proven myself right that this show isn’t a masterpiece or a masterclass of media after all. I still don’t get the hype that revolves around this show, and I’m kind of sad that the word, “masterpiece” is being beaten up to death. People are just easily pleased these days and I don’t know what the heck are the reasons why. What does it take to be a show a “masterpiece”? Great story, great characters, great production design, a great message from the author to the audience, and the overall wow factor from the audience, who are enjoying it. It can’t be flawless, but it’s something “perfect”. But all of that is subjective. Does this show meet the corresponding criteria? Let’s see…
I have an example scenario:
My friend told me about this famous restaurant that’s trending for most people. I went there to check it out.
Me: Waiter, what’s your best-selling dish?
Waiter: Tomato Pasta.
Me: Is this Tomato Pasta popular in this restaurant?
Waiter: Yes.
I ordered that pasta and went for a taste. The taste was just the same and I noticed it was nothing special. My friend asked me how’s the taste of that pasta from that restaurant. I wanted to be honest but I ended up saying, “It’s great…”. I don’t want to it it was bad. In the end, it’s the same Tomato Pasta all over again, and to be honest, my cooking is better than the restaurant.
What’s the lesson from this scenario? There are three things but the last one is at the end of the review:
- Just because it’s new and popular, doesn’t mean it’s good. (It applies to other new and popular animes)
- Mainstream fans don’t want to it the obvious faults or flaws of a certain show because it’s “enjoyable”.
When this show got an anime adaptation, I how I used to made a research about this. I went to many forums on the internet, and I was surprised that many manga fans were hyped about this. They said this is a great action, great characters, a great story, and a refreshing action show because it’s a spy story. They even called it the anime version of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”. I love Mr. and Mrs. Smith, and action spy stories because they made up my childhood even now. Especially it’s an action-spy comedy show, and I’m a massive fan of it. Even bounty hunter stories, police buddy-cop action-comedy like White Chicks and Central Intelligence, thrilling spy-agent stories like Die Hard and Mission Impossible, and criminal heists action stories like Fast and Furious.
I went up and read the manga, and I the first impression of my older brother while reading. Same as for me and my friends who read the manga. All of us were watching the anime adaptation every weekend. Yes, we were somewhat enjoying it. But at the same time, we found ourselves scratching our heads and asking, “when does it get good?” I saw several manga readers set the bar high for the anime-onlies that this is a “masterpiece” of an action. But in the end, I think the fans deserve a “HYPE BACKLASH”.
[Spy x Fam Narrator Voice:]
[Hype Backlash. According to the internet, your friends have been bugging you to watch the latest TV show that everyone's talking about. Every newspaper raves about its originality, well-deserved popularity, and effective mix of comedy and drama, on the front page of the Entertainment section. Critics are rushing to hail it as the re-definition of its genre. After the thirtieth or so "Just watch it already, geez!" and maybe a Hype Aversion stage, you finally give in; you rent the show's first season on DVD, pop it in your player, and lay back to enjoy the latest masterpiece...
...Except you come away with a very different opinion than your friends; to you, it's at best a mediocre show with average plots and few laughs or an utterly confusing one with more than enough twists to boggle the mind, a show that isn't the seminal classic everyone's touting it as.]
Thank you for that! Now, where were we..?
Spy x Family is an action… Wait, I made a mistake there so let me fix it.
*scribble* *scribble*
Spy x Family is a situational comedy or sitcom, slice of life, drama show that both manga and anime onlies widely anticipated. They said it’s a great and refreshing “action” because it’s rare for action animes to get a spy theme. Fans were cried out of happiness because they wanted an anime adaptation of the “perfect manga” for a long time, and their wish granted. They said it lives up to the hype and called it a “masterclass and masterpiece” of modern shounen. Wait, the question is, is it true? I guess? However, I found some problems or flaws that I found the show, not incredibly great.
So the story is about the main character, Anya— Wait, I made a mistake again so let me just fix it…
*scribble* *scribble*
So the story is about the main character, Twilight. It’s just his codename. He’s a spy from the west and his mission was to create a family to infiltrate an elegant academy. Because there’s this Desmond guy who wanted to start a war between the east and the west camp. But the twisted part was his daughter was a telepath, and his wife a contract killer or assassin. The three of them were from different backgrounds and throughout the story, they somewhat forge a bond to become a family, even though it’s a façade.
The premise is quite interesting and intriguing, not gonna lie about that. But throughout, the story and narrative fell flat from a potential masterpiece to a decent/average show. That’s problem #1. I the manga was promoted as an “action-packed” story. But, the author didn’t intend this show as an action spy story. Instead of getting a Mr. and Mrs. Smith kind of a story, I got a family sitcom show The Simpsons. Most of the parts were like episodic fillers or slice-of-life sitcom moments from the fake Forger family than focusing on the Operation Strix mission. It’s more like, OPERATION STRIPPED. I mean, the story should focus on Operation Strix, since it’s the premise of the show. The exploration of characters is also a great thing, but again, Operation Strix is the main concept of the show. I noticed that most of the scenes were focused on Anya inside the school. The author should’ve named it, “The Daily Life of Anya” or whatever. Now don’t give me that shit when you say “This show focus only on the wholesomeness of the Forger family”, because if that’s so, the show should be intended as a gag show in the first place. Now back on the reason why she seemed the primary main character of the show and the supposedly main characters are getting sidetracked. Even in the manga, it’s not focused. It’s full of fillers or side quests that aren’t related to the main mission and to the point that it went nowhere. It kinda re me of what happened in Black Lagoon. I don’t mind the comedy aspects, since comedy makes the action more entertaining. Even the moments of them being a fake family. But the author somewhat forgot that his work is supposed to be an action spy. The action spy story lacked the depth that would make the show more thrilling and exciting. I failed to see this show as an action, it was somewhat a gag sitcom show. If I will compare this show to a similar anime, it would be Angel Beats! or Gintama. Yes, Gintama is an action and I’ll consider it to be great for what it had because the gorilla intended his work to be a gag show from the start. In Angel Beats!, they had the same formula but the difference was the show lacked some exploration of the characters, and the “action” element in Spy x Fam’s case.
Problem #2 are plot inconsistencies, and lacking a common concept of realism and basic knowledge. You see, one of the objectives in Operation Strix was either to get Anya into some superclass section or to be friends with the son of Desmond guy. But rather than focusing on that objective, why don’t just Twilight infiltrate the school or the enemy instead? He can disguise himself as one of Desmond’s henchmen or whatever and he’s a “spy”, right? I bet he’s professionally trained for that, and a spy is like a ninja. He should know that his time for the mission is running out and Desmond’s plan can be carried out anytime he likes. He’s so-called the master of disguise and he completed any missions, even if it’s light or difficult.
The second one is the setting. The story was set in a European setting. I’m not being racist or sexist, but to be honest, how the heck there are no black European people there? I don’t understand the reason why but it’s like in a setting, only guys are there but no women. I don’t know if I’m going to believe this kind of concept, but this was kind of ridonkeylous (eh, it’s just a minor issue so let’s move on).
The third one is about Anya. How the heck a 6-year-old child, can act, do, and think like an adult, with a professional status? Yes, she’s an esper, she can read minds but does she know what the heck is the meaning of those thoughts she reads? She’s a child in the first place, but how she can help her parents in their missions perfectly? It’s freaking ridiculous somewhat, no offense.
The fourth one is about Yor. In episode 2, before Twilight’s engagement, they were somewhat attacked by some gangsters because of the treasure. I seriously couldn’t believe that Yor didn’t know that they were attacked by some gangster who fired some guns at them. She received a hand grenade pin as a ring on their engagement, and she somewhat didn’t notice that it was a hand grenade pin. Yes, she’s dumb. But come on, she’s a contract killer, right? I’m sure she encountered and fought many co-assassins and gangsters who carried guns and explosives. I’m sure she had seen a gun or an explosive and how it works, right? And where does she see a psychiatrist that is being chased and shooting guns? Dumb, right?
The fifth one is this, in episode 5 when Yor confronts Loid in a battle. How the fuck didn’t he notice when Yor was great in fistfights? She wounded his face with she kicked him and he didn’t feel her dark aura at all? Are you sure he’s a spy? I’m sure a spy is intelligent.
The sixth one is when Yor’s brother, Yuri visited their home. the part when he asked why Yor didn’t say to his baby brother that she’s already married? And Yor said while smiling, “I forgot!”. And then he asked again, and then she said, “I forgot!”. And then he accepted it. What the fuck? It’s a lame excuse that Yor just forgot to tell Yuri that she’s married. And the funny part is, they were married for already a year! Did Yuri forget that he’s police from a secret organization? I doubt he knows what’s the difference between an excuse and a truth. I almost forgot, do you the part when Yuri told about his childhood with his sister? When he was a child, he saw Yor when she came home, drenched in blood. I repeat, drenched in blood. Yes, he was a child, but didn’t he think about it when he became the police? I don’t get it. Police that acting so tough in front of other people or criminals, but an idiot. Even I will freak out if I see my older sister that her clothes drenched in blood. Much of course, I would be so worried. Well, I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from a tree.
There were many ridonkeylous moments I’ve seen from the manga that I want to mention, but it’s the first part of the show so I’m not giving any spoilers.
Even with those ridonkeylous moments I’ve mentioned so far, there were many decent scenes from the show. There were moments and cheesy dialogues that were easily predictable, and somewhat felt a bit cringing. I mean, if you want to shut your brains off while watching this, it could be this so-called, “wholesome” for you. But for us, was pretty… okay, I guess. Heck, I don’t know what’s the meaning of wholesome anymore. It’s beaten up to death. As for the comedy… I hate to say it but it’s very plain average, and it’s quite repetitive so far. It was 95% more predictable than I expected. Not gonna lie, the jokes from the anime were trying hard from the manga. In other words, the jokes from the manga were pretty much better. I’ve seen many comedies shows that were pure masterclass of comedy telling. The comedy factor of Gintama, Grand Blue, Baka to Test, School Rumble, etc., and even the second season of Komi-san’s comedy made me impressed so far. I know comedy shows can be a “masterpiece”, but this show ain’t going to sur that, even by comedy standards. If you lived inside a rock and you’re new to comedy, you might find it a “masterpiece”. It can be hit or missed for some people, but generally, it’s still average. But not that garbage or trying hard either. I think Anya was somewhat “carried” the whole show in of comedy. The author made her a comic relief but it could be better if all the characters share the same screentime of comedy.
“But Anya is so cute and it’s loved by many so why you didn’t just enjoy it?”
So what if Anya is cute? Haven’t you seen any cute characters or kids from other animes in your entire life? Haven’t you seen any more entertaining shows than this? Again, only those who lived under a rock or first-timers will only enjoy this. And almost forgot, she kinda annoyed me to the highest level. She acts like a spoiled brat from the rest of the show (even in future stories).
And there’s this Desmond kid. His character became one of those male tsundere when he’s in denial mode to his relationship with Anya. Not gonna lie, that part became one of those cliched and cringe moments in my whole years of watching. I don’t know why the fuck they did that, but still, no friendship had been developed between them in the story.
The close relationship part of Yor and Loid was pretty fine, as they were gradually close to each other from strangers from different backgrounds. I predicted what would happen if the moment comes when they found each other’s hidden status and agendas. But I’m sure it will happen in the manga. The characters were pretty good though but it needs more depth and development, as well as the story.
The production quality was decent. I didn’t notice the signature artwork of both Wit and Cloverworks. They were doing great in adapting the manga. But I think it could be better if only Wit adapted it. Because most of the animation sequences looked like from Cloverworks. The detail and style of every were quite lacking, but the character designs were good. It’s not very detailed, but it’s decent enough for the show.
The sound is very decent enough. It reminds me of Cowboy Bebop and Black Lagoon. The OP and ED were pretty decent enough, but it’s somewhat forgettable. The seiyuu performances were really good, especially of Saori Hayami and Takuya Eguchi. They made me every weekend great because they reminded me how they used to work in Oregairu, as Hachiman and Yukinoshita. Although, I found the performance of Anya very annoying. She’s not that kind of annoying from the manga but it could be better.
Overall, we enjoyed it, despite those problems we’ve said. But it seems we will not be considered it as one of the best action anime, because of the misconception that this is an action spy comedy show. This is one of the poorly representations of the action genre. The hype from the manga fans made us feel some massive disappointments from this show, but it’s not bad either. It had some ups and many downs. In other words, the story is still lacking and it’s one of those not-so-solid shows. If you come to this show and expect this a great action spy, then please don’t watch this if you don’t want to get disappointed. This show is another type of those show that might you want to rely on for your enjoyment. Don’t let yourself be swept by these hype-tards and watch it from your judgment. This show overall is pretty decent. Not a garbage, special, or masterpiece. But sadly, to say, it could be better.
I have five words to say before ending this review, as my 3rd thing that I learned and advice for the potential viewers there;
DON’T. RIDE. THE. FUCKING. HYPE.
Thank you for reading and see you see at my next review.
Story: 5/10
Animation: 8/10
Characters: 5/10
Sound: 7/10
Entertainment factor (Action: 2/5, Comedy: 2/5): 4/10
Enjoyment: 6/10
Score: 6/10
