Notes: To clear up any confusion that any people may have, no this is not a review of the whole series. Nor is it a review of the whole franchise that is Spy X Family. This is strictly a review of Season 1 of Spy X Family. I didn't think I would have to clarify this, but just to ensure there's no CLOWNS who be goofing it up.

This review was also made during my first few weeks of college. Which may be confusing to some if you recall my announce of limiting my time on my socials. I felt that I should write down this review so I can get my thoughts out there while my opinion of this show was fresh and new. So I apologize to any of you who feel I lied about taking a bit of a break to figure some stuff out.

I will also link my other reviews to next seasons of Spy X Family once they are written down. So that you as a reader are able to easily continue reading about my thoughts and opinions regarding this show. I may or may not also be covering that movie that came out, but we will see.

With all of that out of the way I hope you enjoy this review.

The Actual Review: I love Spy X Family. In an era where modern films and movies that are more mainstream seem to suffer from a collective drought. A constant nauseating stream of meta humor that detracts from the story a piece of media wants to tell all for a lame pun at their audience or anyone taking their plot seriously. Where big celebrity actors are chosen over actors with genuine talent and heart who would fit their characters better than a bunch of bigshots hired for the sole purpose of their stardom.

And at first I was a bit... scared of Spy X Family. Only slightly, while I heard amazing things about this show parts of me had some doubts. A show about a family composed of a spy, assassin and telepathic girl with comedy elements sounded like an amazing premise.

But I felt like due to the climate of modern fiction and writing a show like this would crack under the pressure. Like a serpent eating its own tail I feared that this show would have wasted opportunities to have genuine profound moments and fail to take itself seriously in a sea of vile meta humor.

But it wasn't that. It had heart, it had soul. It was able to take itself seriously. There were moments were the show genuinely impressed me like how Anya using her telepathic powers could incite frustrating conflict that feels forced. That's what a lesser show would do. Or how Loid's spy agency could get him all of these resources could easily solve the conflict and that it would go unmentioned. That's what a lesser show would do. But Spy X Family doesn't do that.

It feels like every character commits to actions that are in line of what their character would do. Instead of being used to incite pointless conflict that the plot demands. Like in a different show I would imagine that Anya's telepathic powers would result in her being treated more as a plot device than a character. Like when she saved that kid drowning in the pool.

But this show takes a different approach. Anya only saved that boy in order to do her best to impress her father due to her understanding that she needs to do her best in order to further her fathers goals and thus ensuring her success. Her motivations are to the benefit of Loid's goals the same goes for Yor with her wanting to maintain appearances and do her best to keep up the illusion of a healthy and true family in order for her to continue her work as an assassin.

I would argue that Anya's telepathic powers don't make her a plot device for the other characters to use. Rather I feel she's given agency because of it. With it she's able to understand her parents motives and is thus able to act accordingly to assist them due to it benefiting her as well. I also appreciate how the characters are people rather than paragons of strength or talent. Loid is very skilled at infiltration, stealth, combat and very intelligent he can come off as cold and disjointed, he does mean well, but he does falter, he isn't versed in raising a daughter or being a part of a family. He also happens to overwork himself to the point of near exhaustion.

Yor while very strong and precise when it comes to assassinations is an anxious wreck. Her confidence isn't 100% stable and can falter when she feels she fails in someone's expectations. Anya is very determined and is able to use her telepathic powers to nudge her parents in the right direction. She can also get a better understanding of people's intentions and motivations; however, she isn't that intelligent, isn't physically strong and can be intimidated under certain circumstances. She also is just like a kid... Like she's in the first grade she isn't ultra capable and perfect, but she isn't frustratingly incompetent or obnoxious.

Some last things I want to mention before I end this. The animation and art style looks amazing. The comedy is also really nice and the show really knows how to balance its comedy and its more emotional moments. The worldbuilding is really good and convincing. Finally this show is just so gosh darn wholesome. Like I get this warm feeling in my body when I watch this show and everything feels like its okay. It's comforting and I love the show for that.

9.5/10.

See you in the next review in ~~Season 2~~ Season 1.5. Until then Goodnight Westopolis.