Book Review: Spy x Family, Vol 12 by Tatsuya Endo

 

Spy x Family, Vol 12       

Author: Aya Yajima

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: August 6, 2024

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Comedy manga/208 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

Anya is on top of the world! Having finally achieved the receipt of a Stella Star, she refers to herself as Starlight Anya! As Loid drives her to school, Anya thinks about Sy-on Boy and his family, but he mistakes her comments as criticism of his parenting and worries that the mission will be jeopardized because of him. Anya determines to be even nicer to Sy-on Boy, but once she gets to school and receives the accolades of her peers, her intentions go horribly awry.

Thomas Austin, the tutor-in-residence, has had nightmares ever since the school bus hijacking, so the headmaster suggests a good psychiatrist – none other than Loid Forger! Will Loid be able to help him, or will he discover that the root cause of the man’s troubles isn’t what he thinks it is?

Sylvia Sherwood is Loid’s handler, but she isn’t exactly the most tidy of persons or the most organized. Dried pasta on her clothes and files left at home are only the tip of the iceberg.  She’s been living alone for so long that she has really stopped caring. When she goes to meet Twilight for a scheduled briefing, she is dismayed to find Anya there, as well as their dog Bond. Loid apologizes but it couldn’t be helped. Will Anya’s presence be a hindrance to the business at hand?

Yor finds herself drawing closer to her co-workers and actually having conversations with them. But she starts to worry that she isn’t presenting her marriage as a typical marriage, according to what they say to her. So she decides to fabricate details in order to fit in. But will that plan backfire on her? Could it affect her relationship with Loid?

The next day, Yor wonders if she was… inappropriate… with Loid, but she can’t remember. Anya is off to the zoo with Becky but before Yor can say anything to Loid, her brother Yuri pops in and immediately thinks Loid is doing something hurtful to his sister. Loid becomes paranoid, wondering if Yuri knows about his secret identity, while Yor is determined to convince her brother that she and Loid are a normal married couple, complete with arguments!

It was inevitable that a situation might arise in which Loid would find himself pitted against his brother-in-law Yuri, who is a member of the SSS. Will Yuri learn that Loid is the mysterious Twilight he has been so desperately seeking? What if Loid finds himself in a position where he has to kill Yuri? That might make things awkward in the Forger household!

Another great volume of Spy x Family. I love how the author incorporates more than just the main characters, fleshing them all out as well as he does the Forgers. While I want to see Operation Strix succeed, I am hopeful the story will continue afterward. I think the Forgers will become an actual family. I believe Loid and Yor already have feelings for one another. Think of the possibilities of the family as a team! This volume has come cute bonus stories as well.

 

 

Book Review: Spy x Family, Vol 9 by Tatsuya Endo

 

Spy x Family, Vol 9   

Author: Tatsuya Endo

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: March 21, 2023

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Action & Adventure/192 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

Back to the cruise… Yor is fighting (undercover, of course) spies who are threatening to blow up the ship and kidnap the woman and child she is protecting. Loyd overhears that there is a bomb, but what to do with Anya? Anya supplies the solution herself, able to overhear her father’s dilemma, suggesting she go to the childcare area to play. But of course she has no intention of staying there, not when her family is in imminent danger!

The situation comes to a successful conclusion, with Loyd and Yor blissfully unaware of the part the other has played. But as Loyd goes to get Anya, he is worried that in doing his job, he’s abandoned his family again. Wait… since when does he actually consider Yor and Anya his family? Things are getting complicated.

Back at school after the break is over, Anya thinks to impress her schoolmates with her tale of having been on a huge ocean liner, but they don’t seem to care very much (they’re rich, you know, so used to such things), so she embellishes the truth a bit, including the arrival of pirates as well as the octopeople (total lies, of course). Back at home, she confesses to her family about what happened and doesn’t exactly get a lot of sympathy for having lied. Yor’s brother shows up, delighted to see his sister, though still not a fan of Loyd. He also denounces those who lie, which Anya finds hypocritical on all their parts, considering the secrets they all keep and the lies they tell on a regular basis.

Loyd is determined to retrain Bond, but Franky wants to know why does he have to be the one to play suspect? Loyd takes Bond for a walk, determined to break him of some of his bad habits, unaware that the dog can see the future. When they come upon a dangerous situation, they learn how to work together.

Taking inspiration from her beloved TV romances, Anya’s friend Becky is determined to come out in the open with her love for Loyd, so they can be together. Anya is appalled at first, when she realizes Becky’s intentions… until she begins to see that the idea could have some merit. But what would happen to Mama then?

Nightfall approaches Loyd, saying she needs to find someone who can forge a document. Loyd knows just the person! He sets up a meeting for her with Franky, who takes her undercover with him.

Mistress Donna Schlag of the Disciplinary Committee has decided to make an unexpected appearance at the school…and she’s determined to give out as many tonitrus bolts as she can! Oh dear, will Anya survive this? And what about Desmond, aka Sy-on boy?

I enjoyed the cruise arc, but it’s back to business and the main plot of the Strix Operation. It seems like Anya gets closer and closer to revealing her true nature, which in turn would probably lead to everyone’s secrets being revealed.  I know the series is based on no one knowing about one another, other than Anya, but I believe at some point this will change, and they will all begin to function knowingly with one another. I think that will just take everything to a whole new level, and I, for one, am all for it!

I love this series, so much, and look forward to it being around for a long time! Another great volume, looking forward to the next one, which should come out in October.

Book Review: Spy x Family, Vol 7 by Tatsuya Endo

 

Spy x Family, Vol 7    

Author: Tatsuya Endo

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: April 5, 2022

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Action & Adventure/200 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

Twilight engineers a meeting with Donovan Desmond under the guise of apologizing for Anya’s violent behavior, but the father does not seem upset about it, and brushes off Loid’s suggestions he bring a gift to the manor. Even so, it’s a beginning, and Loid has gained some insights regarding his target.

Damian Desmond may be a spoiled brat, but the truth is what he really craves is his father’s attention, affection, and especially his approval. Hearing him praise his son for his good grade has become an impetus to do even better. Having been late to morning muster, Damian must help the dorm mother with chores. His friends have no wish to leave him to this fate, so they contrive to be punished as well. The headmaster decides to give all three boys a new punishment – they must accompany Mister Green on a field research trip!

The precognitive dog Bond has a vision of darkness that he doesn’t know how to interpret! Every scenario he envisions is worse than the one before!  Afraid that Yor is trying to poison him, he seeks out Loid, who is on a mission. This could either be a huge mistake or a blessing in disguise for the spy.

Yor’s brother Yuri is a member of the secret police. He receives a new assignment which involves books that have been appearing in Ostania recently denouncing the East. His job is to follow the alleged author and find out who is publishing this trash!

At Eden Academy, students whisper about the fabled pastry of knowledge. It has been rumored that those who partake of this pastry go on to become Imperial scholars. So of course every student wants to have one. But no one knows when the mysterious patissier will show up to make these delicacies. And the competition to get them is fierce, as there are only so many to go around when he does show up. The news flies through that the school that the pastry is there and this time it’s macarons. Everyone races to get one. Anya and Desmond are neck and neck. But George is the last person to receive the prized pastry. They persuade him to gamble for the macarons in a game of Old Maid!

Twilight picks up some pictures from Franky that he needs for his mission. When he asks for more, Franky says he will, but in exchange, he needs Twilight’s help – to find a missing cat! The cat belongs to a server at his favorite café and she has been sad ever since her feline went missing. Franky is determined to see her smile again.  But Twilight seems less than interested, so Franky has to do it himself!  When he runs into Yor and explains the situation, she offers her assistance.

Yor receives a phone call pertaining to her alter ego as Thorn Princess and receives an assignment – to protect a woman and her young child after her husband and sons were killed in an internal dispute. She is seeking asylum in a foreign country and is sailing there. Yor is to accompany her. How to explain her absence to her family?

A bonus story is about Twilight’s handler, Sylvia Sherwood, and the things she has to go through in order to meet with him safely!

This volume brings to the fore the characters who normally don’t take center stage in this series and gives us a chance to get to know them better. I’m learning in my manga reading and anime watching not to make assumptions about characters you think you have pegged, because you’ll often find out you’re wrong about them. Each book is generally made up of short stories about the family, and this one is no exception. Except that it does end on a cliffhanger which I presume will be continued in the next book, and a very interesting one it is too!

The anime recently began playing on Crunchyroll. I watched the first episode and loved it! I would recommend it if you enjoy this series.

Another great volume, can’t wait for the next one (although I’ll have to lol)

Book Review: Spy x Family 5 by Tatsuya Endo

 

Spy x Family, Vol 5        

Author: Tatsuya Endo

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: June 8, 2021

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Action & Adventure/200 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

Yor is coming home later and later. Twilight is concerned but doesn’t feel he has a right to ask, all things considered. He’s alarmed to notice multiple cuts on her hands and fingers! As it turns out, his fears are groundless. Yor is learning how to cook, in order to keep her family, but it’s safe to say this is not her strong suit. And guess who just joined her class? Her little brother Yuri! He is her biggest cheerleader, even when her dishes are less than stellar. However, he also wouldn’t mind seeing her “husband”, Loyd Forger, taken out of the equation.

It’s almost time for midterms at Eden Academy, and Anya is still determined to get in good with Damian Desmond, whom she calls Sy-on Boy. She brings a picture of Bond to school, thinking he will be her way in, and surreptitiously drops it where Sy-on Boy can find it. Becky finds it instead and develops an instant crush on Loyd Forger.

The housemaster is taking charge of Anya’s art class since the teacher is sick. Everyone is to pair up for a project. To Anya’s delight, and Damian’s dismay, they are assigned to be a team. Everyone in the class is limited as to what supplies they can use. The theme is “animals” and they must create a three dimensional model. Anya is hoping to both get closer to Sy-on-Boy and to finally win a Stella star.

Yor tells Loyd she has asked her brother to help tutor Anya for the midterms. Loyd isn’t sure about this, but what can he say? It’s vital that she does well. Anya is shocked, when she reads Yuri’s mind, at the ill will he harbors for her father. Plus he’s a secret policeman. Anya is concerned about the tests because she realizes due to the moon she won’t be able to mindread on that particular day. But Yuri’s teaching methods are confusing at best. How will this work?

Twilight is concerned that Anya’s grades won’t be good enough, so he’s decided to do something about it. But the test results are strictly guarded.  As a master of disguise, it’s easy enough to assume the identity of one of the faculty. But wait, who is this other guy, someone he doesn’t recognize, who seems to be doing the same thing Twilight is intent on doing?

One of Anya’s classmates, on learning his father’s company will soon cease to exist, and that it’s because of Si-on Boy’s father, vows to get him in trouble. But Anya can’t have that, and sets out to avert that crisis at all cost.

Anya’s next assignment is to investigate an occupation that interests her, and she can interview her parents or a local business. Hmm, should she choose Papa or Mama?  As she discovers, shadowing Yor is rather gruesome, so she goes the next day to watch Papa (who besides being a spy is a psychiatrist).

Twilight receives a new mission… and a new partner. This can either be a wise move, or a very dangerous one.

I never get tired of reading this manga. It’s hilarious and heart-warming too. I just know the Forgers are going to end up as a real family someday! The more things go wrong with them, the more they go right. Becky’s crush on Twilight is funny, as are Anya’s attempts to get on Sy-on Boy’s good side.  But beware, trouble might be brewing in the form of Twilight’s new partner. She seems to have her on the prize, namely Twilight! Will Yor catch on to the danger she presents in time to do something about it?

Another great volume of Spy X Family, can’t wait for the next one!

 

Book Review: Spy x Family, Vol 3 by Tatsuya Endo

 

Spy x Family, Vol 3      

Author: Tatsuya Endo

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: December 1, 2020

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Action & Adventure/200 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

Since the cat is out of the bag, and Yor’s brother knows of his sister’s marriage, what else can they do but invite Yuri to dinner? He brings flowers for his sister but lets Loid know this doesn’t mean he approves of their marriage. Prior to Yuri’s arrival, Loid and Yor discuss what reason they are going to give for not mentioning their marriage for an entire year. Loid thinks honesty (or a close facsimile thereof) is the best policy, but Yor says she knows how to handle this and she tells Yuri that she forgot. Really?

Yuri seems to accept Yor’s explanation, but he continues to grill the couple regarding their relationship, and he’s also drinking waaaay too much.  When he and Loid compare notes on a restaurant they’ve both been to, his loose tongue alerts Loid that his new brother-in-law is a member of the State Security Service! This could be awkward, especially at family gatherings!

Not totally convinced they are a legit couple, Yuri demands the ultimate test and insists that they kiss right in front of him! Can they even do this?

The next morning, Loid is conflicted, wondering if Yor really has no idea what her brother does for a living. Anya wants to reassure him but can’t without revealing that she is a telepath. She’s convinced that once he knows that, he will send her back to the orphanage, and she doesn’t want to leave her new family. Loid finally decides to plant a bug on Yor, so he can be sure of her loyalty. When he learns nothing, he decides to set up a scenario, in which he involves Scruffy, as they pose (disguised of course) as members of the Secret Police! If she is in cahoots with her brother, surely she’ll invoke his name as protection!

Anya’s friend Becky tells her that they have a chance to earn a Stella star in PE, so Anya is determined to do so at any cost. But she’s not sure volleyball is her game, and things don’t look good since Damian Desmond has brought in a ringer for his team. Studying isn’t going well for Anya, and neither is test taking (she read the minds of the wrong students and got the wrong answers).  Maybe she’ll do better with community service! Loid takes her to a local hospital, but that doesn’t seem to be her forte either.

Meanwhile a group of wannabe revolutionaries have been training what they refer to as bomb dogs…

This volume of Spy X Family is so good, and Yor’s brother Yuri is sooo…  Well, words fail me about him. He is something else, least of which is a major control freak where his sister is concerned.  He’s got secrets, the same as they do, but Loid has figured Yuri’s out. However, what he doesn’t realize is that Yuri, in his capacity as a member of the Secret Service, wants to capture the spy named Twilight!

Damn, I thought for sure Loid and Yor were going to kiss, and I was ready for it! Damn her brother anyway lol  I think it’s just a matter of time until they do find they have actual feelings for one another, and become an actual family. Insta family does not equate to insta love, and watching their feelings develop is such sweet agony! Crossing my fingers for them!

There is a bonus mission in this volume in which Yor is accidentally injured while on an assassin mission. She can’t very well tell Loid that, though, and so she can’t explain why it’s suddenly too painful for her to sit down, even as he tries to show her a good time on their “date” night.

Love this volume, can’t wait for the next one!