"You're strong, Yor. Perhaps that isn't the sort of compliment an unmarried (in the real sense) woman hopes to receive...but you are already an incredible mother. And I have no intention of replacing you as Anya's guardian."
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
❗May contain some minor spoilers❗
⚠️Trigger Warning: Graphic Violence⚠️
So, I changed my mind. I decided that instead of writing reviews for each volume, I should just write one review for all (released) volumes. This way, I'll avoid becoming so repetitive (which I noticed was happening in each review).
I'm gonna start by saying that I loved this manga so much I am full-blown obsessed over it. It's been a while since I've read a manga series, so I was even more excited to start this one. I can definitely see the hype. I get it and I'm part of it. I was going through a rough time this past few days, my mood was pretty bad but this series was so absurdly hilarious it actually got me out of it. What was equally helpful to me was all the sweetness (mostly Anya but also Yor and Loid) and excruciatingly slow-burn romance that utterly destroyed me every time. Not to mention, the awesome fight scenes and bloodbath in almost every chapter. Yor and Loid are seriously soo damn cool. This manga is honestly a cure for the soul. Also, despite all the fun in the series, there were several emotional moments that effectively ruined my mental health completely. It was hanging on by a thread for a while though but still...
Loid Forger, a.k.a. handsome spy Twilight, has officially entered the never-ending list of fictional characters I love, yet can never have. Yes, Yor is in there too. These two are absolute badasses. They may be my all-time favourite spy and assassin so far. I love their ridiculously incredible fighting skills and strength, and how much they care about Anya (even though they are both pretending to be doing it for their own personal/professional gain. Most of all though, I love their dynamic and outright refusal to realise they have feelings for each other and SHOULD GET TOGETHER IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE WAITED LONG ENOUGH!!! Any romantic moments between them are so minimal they make my eyes twitch. They could at least make out or something. For me. 😭😭
Anya is as awesome as her fake parents (how should just become her real parent already - they are too cute to keep at it like that). As a psychic, she can read everyone's thoughts making every scene she's in even more delightful than it would have been. Watching her read her parents' minds and basically being their personal relationship buffer is one of my favourite things about this manga. Not only that but she constantly helps them with their missions like a guardian angel and it only makes me love her even more. 😍😍 I should also mention how much I love her relationship with her dog Bond. Firstly, big dogs are the best dogs. No doubt about that. (I like small dogs too. Don't worry. 😝😝) This dog in particular, though, with his clairvoyant abilities is the match for Anya. Together they are unstoppable. I know they can make for an amazing spy team. Not to mention that they both come from equally tragic backstories that tore my heart out of my chest. I also deeply love Anya's friend Becky. She's so supportive, loyal, and protective. The best person to be Anya's best friend. Her crush on Loid was hilarious, completely plausible for her age, and a giant mood to be perfectly honest. These girls aren't the only adorable kids in this series. Damian Desmond is pretty adorable too. Sure he was a complete jerk at first but it's clear that he is a much better person than he shows and he definitely has an intense crush on Anya. How cute is that??? 😍😍 My greatest hope for this series is that there will be a spin-off with teenage Anya working as a spy with her awesome parents and getting Damian (and Becky) into all sorts of trouble as they try to figure out their own excruciatingly slow-burn romance. I want that so badly I might be able to manifest it.
There are three other characters I want to talk to you about. One is Franky "Scruffy" Franklin. He is "hopeless and awkward and desperate for love." (did ya get my reference?? 😝😝) He is adorable, and Loid's only sort-of friend. He honestly feels part of the Forger family. He celebrated with them when Anya got into Eden Academy and he has babysat and dog-sat so many times he deserves to be an honorary member at least. Not to mention that his and Loid's first meeting was pretty hilarious, and maybe even a little bittersweet. The second character I wanted to write about is Yuri, Yor's brother. I don't have much to say about him actually, other than I don't really like him. He is too obsesssive and possessive of his sister on a level that reaches way past creepy. Honestly, he makes me kind of uncomfortable. Also, he is Loid's enemy and all of Loid's enemies are my enemies. Finally, there's Fiona Frost, Loid's agent 'friend' and a lady that I dislike very very much. Okay fine... I hate her. She is trying to cause discord between my lovebirds and I don't like that one bit. Not that she succeeded but still. You never know. She needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. She did not deserve to be on the cover of Volume 6. 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️
Thoughts on the anime:
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⚠️Trigger Warning: Graphic Violence⚠️
I was so excited to start the anime I squealed out loud as soon as it began. The thing I love most about manga-to-anime adaptations is the accuracy. It's like watching the manga you just read in colour and fun music. You can never get that with book-to-movie adaptations and it always sucks, even a little. I didn't doubt I would like it, of course. If the manga was so incredible then the anime would be too. All the hype over it was a pretty big clue too. It is equally hilarious, sweet, and emotional. Other than seeing these awesome characters in colour and hearing them talk, I particularly loved the soundtrack. It always makes me want to dance a little bit. I'm probably going to binge-watch it again. It's only twelve episodes and part b of season 1 won't come out until October. I need something to hold me over until then. The manga isn't too much help either. I have to wait two weeks for a new chapter to be uploaded. 😭😭 This might be the end of me.
If there's even anyone left that did not read or watch Spy x Family then what are you still doing here? GOOOO!!