~~~Spy x Family Review – A Comfort Anime That Pulled Me Back In~~~

When Spy x Family first dropped, I’ll be honest—I hated it. Well, maybe "hate" is too strong, but I definitely dropped it halfway through Season 1, Cour 1 and 2. At the time, I was deep in my anime burnout era—convinced I’d seen everything worth watching, and nothing new could grab me. I stopped keeping up with seasonal anime altogether, only rewatching old favorites out of habit. Life felt stale, and anime just... wasn’t hitting like it used to.

Then, life decided to kick me while I was down. A messy breakup left me feeling like garbage, and I was stuck in that awful loop of self-doubt and numbness. That’s when YouTube’s algorithm, like some kind of psychic matchmaker, started feeding me Spy x Family clips—Anya’s "Waku waku!" face, Loid’s painfully awkward spy-dad moments, Yor "cooking" (if you can call it that). I didn’t even know there was a second season and a movie out by then, but something about those dumb, wholesome clips made me pause.

So I gave it another shot.... And holy hell—I get it now......

Why It’s a 9.5/10

This show isn’t just good—it’s brilliant at what it does. The characters aren’t just funny; they feel real. Anya’s chaotic energy, Loid’s internal panic as he juggles fatherhood and espionage, Yor’s deadly-but-sweet charm—their chemistry is perfect. Even the side characters (Becky, Franky, Bond) steal every scene they’re in.

The comedy? Flawless. Not just cheap gags, but character-driven humor that lands every time. Anya’s failed attempts at being a genius, Yor’s accidental destruction of kitchens (and enemies), Loid’s constant "I’m a normal dad, definitely not a spy" face—it’s wholesome chaos, and I adore it.

And the music? Absolute bangers. The openings ("Kigeki," "Souvenir") are inst``ant mood-lifters, and the endings like ("Comedy," "Shikisai") are weirdly therapeutic. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve zoned out to these tracks after a rough day.

The Missing 0.5

Why not a full 10? If I’m nitpicking:

1. The main plot (spy x assassin x telepath) moves slowly—it’s more of a backdrop than a driving force.

1. Some gags get slightly repetitive (how many times can Yor nearly kill someone with a potato peeler?).

1. The tonal shifts can feel jarring (one minute it’s a heartwarming family moment, the next it’s a brutal fight scene).

But these are tiny flaws in what’s otherwise a near-perfect show.

Why It Mattered to Me

This show didn’t just entertain me—it dragged me out of a slump. It’s not trying to be Attack on Titan or Monster; it’s better, because it knows exactly what it is: a feel-good, character-driven masterpiece that prioritizes joy over everything else.

And screw anyone who says anime is "for kids" or "a waste of time." If something can make you smile when life sucks, that’s priceless.

Signing off with a big ol' HEH and a WAKU WAKU!