8Bit/Digi

A Spy… An Assassin… And Excitement!

Since its debut in 2022, Spy x Family has become one of the most celebrated anime series. Fans remain captivated by the Forgers, whose chaotic charm helped the first season deliver on its early hype. The second season expanded the story while giving viewers a deeper look at the supporting cast. Season 3 delves deeper into the background of our main characters while also testing their resolve in the heat of danger.

Season 3 of Spy x Family continues the adventure of the Forger family. Loid works to preserve the fragile peace between Westalis and Ostania, Anya stirs up mischief in hopes of aiding the mission, and Yor tries to be a good mother while hiding her double life as the assassin, Thorn Princess. Nothing comes easy, and danger waits around every corner, though that’s expected when a spy, an assassin, and a telepath are pretending to be a family.

It should be noted that I’m anime only regarding the series. Hence, this review will not be comparing Spy x Family with the manga. Instead, my critique will be based on the anime adaptations’ own merit.

Avoid Getting Tonitrus Bolts

Meet the Forger family. On the surface, they present themselves as exemplary citizens residing in Berlint, the capital of Ostania. Beneath the facade, each member harbors a secret. Loid Forger operates covertly as a spy for Westalis, known by the codename “Twilight”, to discreetly monitor the activities of the National Unity Party. Yor Forger is a proficient assassin known by the moniker “Thorn Princess.” Anya Forger is a telepath and the only one who knows the truth about her adoptive parents. Together, they work to be a perfect family while working to preserve world peace and thwart any threats that come.

Season 3 begins with the Loid’s Past Arc and concludes with the Wheeler Arc, with most of the focus on the Bus Hijacking Arc. It opens by exploring Loid’s childhood and how he lost everything at the start of the Second East-West War of Unification, only to become a hardened soldier by its end. The story then shifts to Anya’s efforts to befriend Damian Desmond, while Yor has an unexpected run-in with Melinda Desmond (Damian’s mother) that leads to a surprising friendship. The season’s highlight is the Bus Hijacking Arc, which brings back the Red Circus in a far greater role and places Anya in the position of a hero for once.

There are also several side stories that spotlight characters we haven’t seen much of before. Some are suspenseful, while others carry the familiar charm the series is known for.

Mission and Family

Loid’s Past Arc is the standout story of the season, giving us a deeper look into the childhood of the boy who would one day become Twilight. Although his name is blurred out (for security reasons), we still see the life he once had and the family he once had. We’re shown a boy who wants to be a hero, despite having parents who understand the true horrors of war. That innocence is shattered when Ostania invades Westalis and everyone close to him is killed. With his entire life destroyed, he becomes a hardened soldier whose actions draw the attention of WISE.

“The Mommy-Friends Scheme” is a standout episode that focuses more on Yor and her effort to be a good mother to Anya. This leads to a few awkward moments before she has a chance encounter with Melinda Desmond. During this introduction, Yor finds camaraderie with other mothers who share the same struggles with their children. At the same time, we get a glimpse into the Desmond family and their relationships with their own kids.

One character who was given several chances to shine this season was Fiona Frost. It begins with a mission alongside Frankie as they navigate Berlint’s criminal underworld. Later, she takes center stage in an episode where she must protect Loid’s cover and reputation from a jealous superior at the hospital. However, the pinnacle of her involvement comes when she risks everything to save Loid from Winston Wheeler. Another standout this season is Yuri Briar, who plays a key role in both the Bus Hijacking Arc and the Wheeler Arc. Despite his disdain for Loid, Yuri goes above and beyond to protect Anya during the hijacking, even though he knows he can’t leverage the act to impress Yor without compromising his cover. He proves pivotal again during the Wheeler Arc, where his presence alone puts Loid in a difficult position.

Anya’s Era

One thing I’ve always appreciated about Spy x Family is how it approaches the family spy comedy without leaning on the usual tropes associated with the genre. When it comes to spy films, I’ve always preferred stories set against the backdrop of the Cold War, especially the works of Ian Fleming and John le Carré. On the other hand, I’ve never been a fan of family spy comedies, which often feel overly tailored for children and overloaded with the most obnoxious tropes found in kid-focused films. Spy x Family takes a different approach as a family spy comedy that is more grounded, set in the backdrop of a Cold War climate, while also finding a balance in context. Season 3 seamlessly continues this trend, maintaining the series’ unique identity while steering clear of the clichés that typically accompany family spy themed works.

The series has always followed a strong narrative path, striking a near-perfect balance in developing multi-layered characters. Season 3 continues this trend through the evolving roles of Fiona Frost and the introduction of Melinda Desmond. Fiona is torn between her love for Twilight and her commitment to the mission, yet she manages to reconcile both without compromising herself. In contrast, Melinda is similarly caught between love and duty, but unlike Fiona, she struggles to find that balance. This ends with her sacrificing one for the other. This theme resurfaces with Yuri Briar during the season’s two major arcs, further reinforcing the idea that characters in Spy x Family can either grow into better versions of themselves or be undone by their personal flaws.

[Redacted] Memories

My only issue with Spy x Family Season 3 lies in its inconsistent pacing across several episodes. This becomes especially apparent during the Bus Hijacking Arc and the Wheeler Arc. Transitions between key moments often feel rushed, with abrupt shifts that disrupt the story’s rhythm. Some episodes even end just as the tension reaches a peak, cutting off the momentum and weakening the emotional payoff in the following episode. This problem likely stems from a lack of consideration for the show’s 30 minute format during the planning of certain story beats.

But don’t let this shortcoming discourage you from coming back to the series if you missed it.

Commencing Operation Strix

Season 3 of Spy x Family continues the adventures of the Forger family while giving supporting characters more room to shine. Loid remains focused on preserving a fragile peace, Anya continues to stir up mischief in her attempts to help the mission, and Yor tries to balance motherhood with her secret life as an assassin. This season also introduces Melinda Desmond and further explores the complexities of Fiona Frost and Yuri Briar. It remains a strong entry in the series while offering well-written characters who continue to grow on a personal level.

Disclaimer: I watched the entire season on Crunchyroll, which I pay for myself.

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Spy x Family (Season 3)

9

Excellent

9.0/10

Pros

• Quality animation that brings the world to life.
• “The Mommy-Friends Scheme” is a standout episode that focuses on Yor and Melinda.
• A solid spy family series that doesn’t use the obnoxious tropes of the genre.
• Characters that are well written and are developing on a personal level.

Cons

• Some episodes were poorly paced and ended abruptly.