by Since its broadcast began in 2022, “SPY×FAMILY” (available free of charge every Saturday night at 11:00 on TV Tokyo/ABEMA and other networks, starting at 11:30 on Saturday nights) has quickly captivated anime fans worldwide and become a social phenomenon.
The story, woven with stylish spy action, heartwarming sitcoms, and above all, charming characters, has captured the hearts of many people. Season 3 of “SPY×FAMILY” has been airing since October.
Furthermore, ABEMA has a solid system in place, allowing all episodes of Seasons 1 and 2 to be enjoyed for free throughout the broadcast period of Season 3. In this article, we will take a look back at the history of the Forger family and explore the appeal of this work, examining why it is so beloved. *Contains spoilers for Seasons 1 and 2
Why are we so obsessed with “SPY x FAMILY”? The appeal of “SPY x FAMILY” cannot be explained simply as a spy story or a comedy. It harbors universal themes and clever devices that resonate with people across time and generations.
Appeal (1): At the heart of this strange and incredibly cool “fake family” setting is a “fake family” made up of people who could never possibly cross paths: spy father Lloyd, assassin mother Yor, psychic daughter Anya, and future-seeking dog Bond. They pretend to be a family for their own purposes, but they are unaware of each other’s true identities. This “secret” creates exquisite tension and unpredictable comedy in the story. In other words, the father is unaware that his daughter has the ability to read minds, and the mother is unaware that her husband is a spy.
The fact that only the daughter knows their true identities makes the various situations even more interesting. However, the essence of this work lies in its careful depiction of the process by which true love and bonds emerge from this false relationship. The way these characters, who have never known what a “normal” family is, fumble, awkwardly, and yet earnestly try to become a “family” warmly and movingly moves us—appeal (2): A miraculous fusion of seriousness and comedy.
This work is set in a tense world where the Cold War between East and West continues. Lloyd’s spy missions and Yor’s assassination missions are serious affairs where one wrong move could cost someone their life. The thrilling action and ingenious intelligence battles are significant highlights of the story, captivating readers and viewers.
However, this tension is brilliantly balanced by Anya’s innocent behavior and the comical interactions that permeate the Forger family’s daily life. The story’s pace and versatility are the true essence of “SPY x FAMILY,” as Anya’s unusual behavior immediately follows a serious spy mission and makes us laugh.
This exquisite balance keeps viewers engaged and draws them deeply into the story. Charm (3): Characters you can’t help but love. Lloyd is a cool, perfect superhuman, but he becomes a doting father when it comes to Anya. Yor has a gentle, naive personality and exceptional combat abilities. And Anya drives the story with her expressive expressions and “exciting” spirit. These three members of the Forger family (and one dog) are full of charm that makes everyone want to root for them. Furthermore, the supporting characters, such as Anya’s tsundere rival Damien, Yuri, the secret police officer who dotes on his sister Yor, and Fiona, a colleague who unrequitedly worships Lloyd, are also very unique. Their addition to the story makes the relationships between the characters more complex and interesting.
The Forger Family’s Journey! Season 1 & 2 Story and Highlights Season 1: The birth of a fake family! The turbulent Operation Owl. It all started here. In “Operation Owl,” a skilled spy from the West, Twilight, creates a fake family and infiltrates the prestigious Eden School to get closer to Donovan Desmond, the leader of the National Unity Party, who threatens peace.
This absurd mission ultimately creates a miraculous family. From the moment they first meet until their enrollment at Eden, Twilight, who has decided to call himself psychic Lloyd Forger, adopts Anya from an orphanage as the “child” needed for his mission. However, she turns out to be a psychic with the ability to read minds. Next, he meets Yor Briar, a city hall employee, who will play his wife. Her true identity is Sleeping Beauty, a feared assassin in the underworld.
The three enter into a fake marriage for mutual benefit, overcome numerous challenges, and successfully pass the entrance exam to Eden School. Highlights (1): The shocking proposal and the birth of a family (MISSION: 1-2). The most compelling aspect of the story is the fast-paced and comical developments that lead up to the formation of the family. In particular, the scene where, while escaping their pursuers, Lloyd proposes to Yoru using a grenade pin as a ring is a memorable moment that symbolizes the worldview of this work. Highlight (2): The Birth of a True Bond (MISSION: 4-5) At the interview for Eden School, the moment Anya bursts into tears after being asked a mean question, Lloyd throws away his spy mask and reveals his genuine anger as a father.
This is the decisive moment when genuine feelings begin to blossom in a relationship that was initially formed for the sake of a mission. Later, to celebrate Anya’s passing, Lloyd’s doting fatherly side emerges as he mobilizes all his colleagues from WISE (Western Intelligence Agency), rents out an old castle, and plays serious spy games in honor of Anya. It makes you feel that a particular “real” is beginning to dwell within the fake. Storyline: New allies and first contact with the target. Anya, who has enrolled at Eden School, is tasked by Lloyd with befriending the target’s son, Damien, in Operation Nakayoshi, but the road ahead is fraught with difficulties. Meanwhile, Bond, a dog with the ability to predict the future, joins the family. Furthermore, Fiona, a spy colleague of Lloyd’s who harbors a twisted love for him, appears, and a quiet spark flies between her and Yor, further enriching the family’s relationships.
The story then moves toward the climax of Season 1, where Lloyd finally makes contact with the target, Donovan Desmond. Highlight (3): Completion of the Forger Family (MISSION: 13-15). Anya, caught up in a terrorist incident, meets a dog with the ability to predict the future (later known as Bond). Her exploits, as she utilizes Bond’s powers to prevent the incident from happening, are a must-see. With Bond now a member of the family, the most potent and bizarre family ever was completed: a spy, an assassin, a psychic, and a future-seeing dog.
Highlight (4): A Brief Encounter (MISSION: 25) At a social gathering at Eden, Lloyd finally manages to speak directly with Donovan Desmond. However, Desmond displays an ironclad guard that prevents him from reading his mind and an eerily elusive nature. This brief conversation scene once again reminds viewers of the arduous nature of Operation Owl, providing a stunning finale that builds anticipation for Season 2. Season 2: The Cruise Ship Arc is Hot! Yor’s Untold Battle. The star of Season 2 is Yor Forger, the mother. Her secret role as Sleeping Beauty, an assassin, elevates the story to a new level.
The fierce battle that unfolds on a cruise ship, disguised as a family vacation, is one of the series’s most popular episodes. Storyline: Trio (ensemble) on a luxury cruise ship, Yor is ordered by his organization, Garden, to escort a mafia dignitary and escape the country.
The setting is the luxury cruise ship Princess Lorelei. Coincidentally, Lloyd and Anya also win tickets to the same cruise ship in a lottery, and the Forger family goes on a family trip. On the surface, it is an elegant cruise, but beneath the surface, Yor is engaged in a life-or-death battle with numerous assassins, and Lloyd is secretly working hard to prevent a terrorist bomb planted on the ship. Anya then uses her psychic powers to sense the danger the two are in and helps them from behind the scenes. Highlights (1): Sleeping Beauty’s True Powers at Work (MISSION:31-33)
This episode is packed with superhuman combat scenes featuring Yoru, a character unimaginable given her usual airheaded and gentle demeanor. Yoru’s dancing, knife-wielding combat is genuinely worthy of the nickname “Sleeping Beauty.” Mission 33, “Symphony on the Ship,” is one of the series’ most memorable scenes, combining the beauty of the fireworks sparkling in the night sky with the intensity of the battle. Her overwhelming strength and the underlying gentle conviction to “protect someone’s peaceful daily life” are deeply portrayed, undoubtedly deepening her character’s appeal. Highlight (2): Family Unity and a Miraculous Intersection (MISSION 34) At the story’s climax, Yoru battles the final enemy on the ship’s deck, while Lloyd attempts to defuse a bomb aboard. Unaware of each other’s presence, the two fight for the same goal (protecting the ship and its passengers), while Anya rushes to support them.
This was a fantastic episode, showcasing the Forger family’s unwitting teamwork. Currently, Abema’s official free channel for “Spy×Family” is broadcasting all 37 episodes from Season 1 to Season 2 for free for six consecutive days, from Tuesday, October 7, to Sunday, October 12. Additionally, Season 3 of the TV anime “SPY×FAMILY” will begin broadcasting for free on Abema Anime Channel 2 every Saturday at 11:30 p.m., starting Saturday, October 4. During the broadcast period of Season 3, all episodes from Season 1 to the latest episode of Season 3 will be available to watch for free. Text by Okamoto Daisuke
