Spy x Family is one of the most renowned and loved anime that stands right next to so many Shonen shows. The route it takes is much different from other anime of the same category. Jujutsu Kaisen, One Piece, and even Bleach have an action-oriented path that focuses primarily on the goal ahead as compared to the sidelines where Tatsuya Endo’s manga often finds itself.
Following the possibility of avoiding a civil war between Westalis and Ostania, the story follows an Assassin, a spy, and a telepath. While the pairing is odd on its own, it is the way that the story is executed that makes it all worthwhile.
Despite it all, there can be an issue in balancing these characters and giving them all the spotlight they deserve. The biggest example of the same is Yor Forger, an assassin turned into a shadow.
Botching Identities in Spy x Family
Spy x Family has both strong and weak moments. Incorporating a series of characters isn’t an easy task and many authors find it difficult to balance so many characters without disregarding one or the other. At the same time, some take their time in establishing these characters one by one instead of mixing it all up together. As pointed out in an episode of Trash Taste, Yor seems to be a target of the same.
“Yor is just like the most bland, boring character of all time who does nothing.” He added, “You’re like the world’s best assassin? Forget it. Sandwiches need to be made.”
Yor is introduced as a deadly assassin, a secret known only by her adopted daughter Anya. This secret gets put forward as a means to show that each family member has a hidden side, one that, perhaps with time, would be exposed to the rest of them. However, unlike Anya and Loid, Yor’s display of her talents gets put on the sidelines.
She becomes a mother first, a wife, and then an assassin, or that is what is shown. The anime is called Spy x Family, not Assassin x Family. The story primarily focuses on Loid’s story, then Anya’s, and finally Yor’s.
Keeping Up with Disguises
Spy x Family has a goal introduced aside from the brewing civil war, a disguise. The con of a perfect family. A loving husband, a wonderful wife, and a stellar daughter. Loid, Yor, and Anya all find their own reasons to keep up with this ruse, using the opportunity to their advantage. The second season sees Yor battling with that identity as well. Does she enjoy being an assassin or being a mother more?
The problem with Yor isn't that she's bland, but that she's completely underutilized. Tatsuya Endo just can't figure out what to do with her. He doesn't want to progress her relationship and there's no conflict to help her grow. The focus on Anya and Lloid also doesn't help.…
— Brandon Varnell (@BrandonBVarnell) April 27, 2024
Isn’t the entire point of Spy x Family exactly this plot line though. Idk why they thought a series about a bunch of menaces to society trying to come together and be a family would be linear
— Brady ⛩️ (@BakaFlick) April 27, 2024
Yor serves a greater purpose more than people think. Most of the people residing with their opinionated take on Yor are most likely superficial and based their reasoning on extreme biased views. Yor is slowly contemplating how to live a normal life, as she always had to be…
— AUSTIN (@iamlabyrinth_) April 27, 2024
"One pop off"… she has an entire arc where she fights dozens of assassins and she is in the spotlight. I'm 99% sure this guy didn't watch season 2 or season 1. He got his opinions from a 30 second compilation reel that showed Yor being a good mom.
— Cozy Gamer Gimp (@GrumpyCatterman) April 27, 2024
Yor’s thing is that being an assassin is the only thing she’s good at and it provided for her family growing up, her development as a normal person is just what she is focused on now, even if it can be boring, that’s her struggle in order to protect her lifestyle
— ASI (@invalidpass_) April 27, 2024
This ongoing battle makes her almost quit being an assassin, only for her to realize that her job gives her the ability to protect her family. Disguises help them mix in a world that can never understand them anyway. For Yor, these disguises become even more important because, unlike Loid, she actually wanted a domestic life.
While there is the point where Yor’s side as an assassin gets disregarded, there is also the fact that Tatsuya Endo is taking turns in establishing each character and what this family means to them.
Spy x Family is available to watch on Hulu.
