Decided to go to the local AMC to catch Code White in theaters. And it was really good and did exactly what I wanted from the series for once. Sure I’ve enjoyed the Spy x Family series over time, but despite really enjoying it the whole time I’ve always felt it just wasn’t reaching it’s full potential at all. And honestly I blame how popular it got for that.

Nearly 5 years after this series first started in the manga, we still haven’t made much progress at all in anything. And sure I’ve enjoyed everything along the way, I love the characters and their interactions and the atmosphere of it all. But what happened to the interest concept of this super spy, super assassin, mind reading girl, and future predicting dog living together and being a family. All the interesting and great moments that could have been built with this group, getting involved with crazy missions and events all the time trying to keep their individual secrets. And along the way they would grow closer and become a real family and all that. And yet in nearly 5 years, most of what we have gotten now is Aya slice of life stuff, with an occasional arc for Loid or Yor that just doesn’t feel like it moves things forward at all. In 5 years the relationship between these characters has barely moved, and I just feel disappointment at what could have been with this series. But I feel it exploded in popularity, everyone noticed, and now it needs to go forever so they can sell Aya spin-off games and merch for all time.

But this movie switches things up a whole bunch. And really does exactly what I wanted from the series. It puts the family in a situation in which everyone’s unique abilities get shown off. And are useful and help progress the plot and relationship in the family. Along with finally showing more of the serious side of this world that really should exist, and puts it in the proper context. This is a universe with two powerful enemy countries locked in a cold war, the threats should be big and the possible consequences of failure should feel important.

Now I didn’t love everything about the movie. It has moments that feel very unnecessary, along with a major plot point I just didn’t love. It was an attempt to merge the silly side that the manga/anime have embraced more with a very serious story. And at times that silliness just ruins a moment that should have been powerful and emotional, just to get a laugh out of the audience I feel. In general though, I feel it worked well enough.

I have to also mention the movie looks really good, with the visuals and animation in general just being great. They had some amazing action scenes that are better than anything we have seen in the anime thus far. And you can tell this isn’t just a couple episodes from the show, or an extended OVA, and instead a real movie with a decent budget behind it for making it look really good. And I am glad we are getting more anime movies that seem to have a good budget to look good, even if I wish it released faster.

In the end, I have to recommend the movie if you are a fan of the anime/manga. I think it is worth going to see if you get the chance in theaters to support bringing more anime movies to western theaters. But even if not it is well worth the time, and I think everyone will be satisfied with the story and characters in the movie.