SPY x FAMILY: An Underappreciated Comedy

Let's just cut to the chase, shall we?

So hear me out: an international spy, a contract killer, and a gifted Esper all walk into a bar...

... carrying various motives and dealing with circumstances, these strangers (somehow) all ended up forming a family of three together.

Did I grab your attention? Great!

sO LeT's JuST jUmP iNtO iT

#Ķyreviewos

Intro

Here's a little story: See, when I was once a wee young child... I've always dreamt of becoming a superhero like Spiderman. Always roaming through the world like a paragon of hope & determination. However, due to the harsh reality of my position in this society; as a normal, bland, functioning member inside the middle class, I... I... can't be the spooder man. Instead, here I am reviewing a random manga for y'all in this anime amino. A post that'll probably [definitely] be forgotten and irrelevant in about a week, maybe 4 days if I'm unlucky. Hell Yeah! Let's do this! :D

*because self aware humor is just so hysterical*

It's a joke. But seriously, I digress.

After living in this anime community for about 3 and a half years now, I've experienced and gone through an excessive plethora of terrible stuff. Be it anime, manga, or whatever. And that's to be expected. I mean, when you're invested in exploring a cave, you're bound to not get diamonds and fall into lava. Like bro wtf I had an ender pearl inside my inventory! I could have survived that lava pool! Giant Bruh moment. :punch: :pensive: Constantly wayfaring through agonizing amounts of terrible writing, excruciating clichés or annoyingly dense characters. Dude, you just name it. Now, you are inclined to like whatever the hell you want. I'm not gonna attempt riding through some pretentious high horse boasting how I have the most high class, refined taste. Elitists have the big gay. I won't make myself fall into that stinky rabbit hole. However, I feel like it is blatantly apparent that repetitive isekai's and generic harems always seem to be digested and regurgitated infinitely by the general consumer. While I can't deny that the multitudinous population can bring forth genuinely awesome shows... can it hurt to have some original ideas my dude? Gatekeeping isn't what I admire, it's creativity that needs to be appreciated. And so...

To keep my sanity and interest on anime sane, idiosyncratic delicacies bask into my spotlight. (I seriously can just say "good shows", but I need to make this long af to look like a proper review oof) Again, I digress. Whether it be philosophical gems like Angel's Egg, Monster and Perfect Blue; Emotional rollercoasters like 3-Gatsu no Lion and Mushishi; or disturbing adventures like Made in Abyss and various Junji Ito manga. Whatever the case may be for the genre, I always am welcome to see whatever great stuff Japan has to offer. Breaking new boundaries from the conformities is always an ultra epic gamer moment. With this specific case, we meet an new manga called Spy x Family. What ground will this break? What spicy flavours will it bring to the table? Well bois, with this manga, we dive deep into the comedy genre. As it typically goes: "humor is subjective", but I feel as though right here is one of those rare instances where subjectivity shouldn't exist.

Because if you at least didn't have a smile whilst reading this manga, we'd have trouble beings friends. To be very frank about it lmao

christ sake who decided to use that terrible, bland font for what could've been a pretty decent maymay! also why is it horizontal? the perspective ratio's all wack smh my head :pensive:

Well, anyways

General Understanding

Spy X Family is a newfangled Shounen Jump manga that is just incredibly difficult to despise. Since it escorts forth creative ideas, and executes them to a fault. It's a manga that is written and illustrated by Tatsuya Endo; and currently (as of me writing this review) only has 16 chapters available at the moment. So yeah, this manga is still on it's baby steps. Who knows? Maybe in time, it might lose serialisation already. (God I really hope that doesn't happen... ) Well, while the amount of accessible content isn't the most remarkable in length out there, SxF is a manga that definitely gave me one hell of an staggering impression with what it had to offer. The premise is creative, the artwork's excellent, and the character interactions are just filled with immeasurable fun, charm, and ebullience.

This manga is like the wonderful love child of Baccano, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Kaguya-Sama: Love is War, and Hinamatsuri. That's one hell of a combination if ya ask me. Whilst it may seem to be juggling a whole lot of contrasting ideas, it does not lose sight of the vision that it wants to blossom as. Just sixteen chapters in, and I am already committed to say that the potential of SpyxFamily is nonpareil. I genuinely do hope that this series gets the recognition that it desperately deserves. It's addictive charisma and charm is cavernous. Allow me to illustrate exactly why this brand new manga is just so appealing:

Expressive Art & Pacing

I'll have to put credit where credit is due. This mangaka, Endo san, has done an incredible job in molding the specific aesthetic for Spy X Family. The Eastern Europe, Ruffian 20th century vibe that i'm getting at is just oozing tremendously. Endo san is superb at creating what appears to just be nonchalantly mundane situations; and flip them upside down to carve them into emotionally engaging, resonating action sequences. It doesn't overstate it's welcome, and crafts action choreography that is unchallenging to follow. Action set pieces in manga sometimes get hard to almost impossible to understand. Death march to a parallel world, How to get started as the demon king, and heck... even JoJo Stone Ocean had extensive confusion with it's panels. What I'm basically saying is: this manga, at times, handles being fast paced in a fundamental manner. It does not take it's ironic, gangster comedy gimmick to sacrifice slow, genuine development for it's characters. The fast paced nature of various scenes is just an amplified overexaggeration to enhance the hilarity of this wonderful manga.

Whether it be for a serious badass moment, or an instance of ironic comedy, the artwork in this manga is simply joyful eye candy. Embroidered movements of irony is what keeps the vision of Endo-Sensei overflowing with fresh, fresh ideas. It's complements through it's easily consumable nature. Do yourself a favor. Avoid paying your taxes. Leave your wife. Abandon the insignificant bygones of your everyday life. And. Go. Binge. Read. This. Manga. Please? Ok? Thanks.

because boooiii this meat fresh like a pancake

Fun, Wholesome Fluff

This dude seriously just pulled off a proposal whilst being chased and used the grenade's tip to act as the ring AND it explodes! Killing the enemies in the process! That's probably one of most extra, flamboyant thing you could ever do! Massive respect. That is the definition of masculinity right there. "The Chad Ultimatum", as they say. [Yeah, they don't say that.]

Seriously, this manga is way too adorable.

What's really amazing about the comedy in this manga is how the three main Characters, (or the family, for that matter) all have flaws and quirks that supplements around each other so well.

The pretense of a character making what seems to be a decision solely based on their already established personality slightly gets molded into an ironic alteration due to the misfits adventures of this bizzare, bizzare familia. (I said Bizarre and Adventure in the same sentence so it could be a JoJo Reference?) Again and Again, I digress.

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The Dynamic

The zany and way-out banter of their entire dynamic is so incredibly cute that I just want to hug them all. Lloyd and Yoru make fantastic Tsundere Pseudo-Parents to the daughter, Anya-- Whose "Cute-Kawaii-Loli" interactions seem garden fresh due to the over-the-top nature of it all. Anya reactions definitely puts Dr. Stone a run for their money. She's basically the cheery on top for this tasty, tasty delicacy. Essentially, it's an explosive escapade that follows through genuinely wholesome characters to tug your heartstrings. What's not to love? It isn't something that will "pErMEaTe ThE iNnER CoNfiNeS oF OuR MoRaLiTY" or some complicated stuff like that. It's a premise that found it's sthick and doesn't let go of it. Whilst evading through the possibilities of staleness due to the abstract presentations presented at the present. (wow such creative word-play by me)

Indeed the characters go through prolific amounts of absurdity. However, the end product of their dynamic isn't solely to create a run-on-the-mill gag like some sitcom. Every member of the family develops, in some roundabout fashion.

Especially so with the new addition of a character named Yuri. Can't think of a better segway so let's just get straight to him.

Yuri Briar

One who was briefly mentioned by Yoru in an insignificant conversation early on. Quite literally sincs she actually forgot his entire existence. Don't you just hate it when you forget your own brother because you're a contract killer who married a spy for beneficial gain? Yeah dude, it's a real struggle out there for us commonfolk.

All sarcasm aside, his entire existence follows through the pre-established theme of espionage and identity pursuit absurdity. Blatantly (and purposely) structured to just suddenly appear in Chapter 11, with no sense of foreshadowing whatsoever-- we are lead to believe that he is an ordinary character. Due to the fact that there is no pedestal to make the viewers simply understand the importance of his existence. Some will gain the impression that a new arc is occurring, or the sudden introduction of a new cast member to avoid staleness (well, that is particularly true, but he is more unique than simply that) or perhaps "lazy writing" can also be a pretense to the causality. He's continously shown to have a timid, frail attitude. Perhaps a duality can form y'know? A perfectly normal brother with a sister that is under heavy, heavy circumstancial discrepancies. That could have potential for some funny ideas, not gonn lie to ya chief. However, as it turns out...

He's a lieutenant of a vigilante organisation whose purpose is to interrogate, threaten & torture accused suspects of espionage.

Welp, this just went a full 180° didn't it?

Every. Single. Damn. Character. Everyone has a bigger role to themselves in this story lol. This revelation may have been a bit of a stretch with no structure, but the entire essence of this show is to structure out stretchy ludicrousness.

Maybe some of y'all could have predicted something ridiculous like this, but not way in hell were you definitely sure about it. Well anyways, his dynamic suddenly grew exponentially with the main cast due to the fact that his group is specifically in the hunt of Lloyd himself! Some nice character banter here and there, (I don't wanna spoil the jokes for you, just read 'em yourself) but more importantly-- it further delved into the inner psyche of Lloyd.

Lloyd was always shown to be selfless. His motivation to be a spy is to create a world where no child has to cry. This ideal has been definitely showcased with the amounts of resolve he has put through himself to embrace the ridiculous adversities brought upon him. However, he actually showed a sense of envy when seeing his 'wife' feel happy with his 'step-brother.' Seeing Lloyd actually feel a sense of powerlessness, despite the capability he previously inhabited really gave a nice sprinkle of nuance to the ladd.

Definitely interested to see Yuri's "mutual friendship" sprout out. Very, very excited.

Anya Appreciation Post

This loli is incredibly gifted. Both in a literal and an emotional sense. This isn't your regular little child. The specs inside this underage girl-- aaaaaayt imma stop that potentially offensive joke right there! Let's genuinely get into why I love Anya so much. (Platonical love, I swear)

The aforementioned Esper Loli is, in fact, an Esper. (Wow what a twist, I may as well be a potential candidate to act as the successor of Early M. Night Shyamalan woOoah)

In all seriousness, her quirky gimmick in this tale of contretempts is the fact she inadvertently eavesdrops into the personal thoughts of the people around her vicinity. Y'know, just like what any other Esper would eventually have to do. Generally speaking, it simply gives out comedic effect with her various facial reaction. (Which may I add, the background image of this post is extremely blessed and I give my respect to whoever edited it) Well, aaanyways...

Anya's supernatural esper power acts as the embodiment of mordrant, self-aware progression. That is to say, she acts as a dues ex machina to obliterate banality with prototypical storytelling.

In particular, it is evasion towards exposition dumps with the typical character monologues. Her strange membership into such preposterous adversities automatically gives the ironic reactions of an innocent child to such unsullied thoughts that a contract killer an international spy would have. She is the scapegoat upon herself, and may I say it's incredibly hilarious. Furthermore, Anya's telepathy acts as a roundabout approach to world building by delving into the morality of others in seemingly nonchalant conversations. I swear, this loli is revolutionary. A gem of all gems, I'm telling you. Not only is she incredibly adorable, her humor acts as an ingenious form of post-ironic writing.

Heh.

Unexpected Valor

What's more, the most recent chapter (as of me writing this review) shows the unexpected resolve and valor Anya has within herself. Her hearing the cries of a little boy drowning unbeknownst to anyone brings an uncomfortable amount of guilt for anyone. To hear the outcries of someone on the edge of their life, and she couldn't share it to anyone. Must be tough. To be placed in a position where everyone shares themselves to you, and maintaining it all to yourself alone. Under certain scenarios, one might go crazy in such psychological turbulence. Professor X Bois where you at? Another example of this is the immature ridicule she hears from her classmates in school. For a little girl to handle such a stressful gift is very, very commendable. However, the resistance to amplified gossiping wasn't as intense as the outcries of the previously mentioned drowning boy. Despite the circumstances of him and Lloyd leaving the (what-chu-ma-call-it) building, she bursted through running to save the boy without hesitation. She couldn't swim professionally yet still tried to continue downwards onto the poll. While Lloyd managed to save them both, her immediate retaliation to danger is just... something else. When I was her age, I probably ate papers and cried for having stomach aches. Anya isn't simply a gimmick for others. Her established gimmick also acts as character development for herself.

Heh.

Retarded, Smug Loli's is the future.

It's the dawn for a revolution.

We have achieved untarnished, radiating perfection.

Heh.

Closing Remarks

Sooo, yeah. A tsundere Johan Liebert, A thiccer Kaguya Shinomiya, a revolutionary Loli, and a pinch of magnificent artistry from a gifted mangaka can bring ya a binge-worthy comedy manga that'll make this world a slightly more warm place. A manga that is comedic, whilst also engaging. A manga that is expressive, whilst also mellow and wholesome. A manga that's-- okay, okay I think you understand already at this point. The important matter of all is...

Check this manga out :> You will probably (hopefully) ((definitely)) have a good time with it. I dream of a reality where this manga gets so much recognition, with a wholesome community devoid of toxicity. But such dreams cannot be reality without hardwork and patience.

Incredible, Incredible patience. Since... every. chapter. takes. so. long. to. release.

I did my part by making this blog to give this manga more attention, albeit ever so slightly. bUT HEY it's still something! But anyways, I shall digress for the last time. That's all for me :)

très élégant