Spy x Family Season 2

Spy x Family is the self-perpetuating motion machine of anime from a financial perspective. I wouldn't be surprised if, by the end of the show's run in however many episodes, it turns out to be one of the most profitable manga franchises of this half of the 21st Century. I've seen many apt descriptions of just how prodigiously preordained the success of this franchise was (birthed in a test tube, genetically modified, etc.), but something like Spy x Family is incredibly rare. From episode/chapter one, I think anyone who understood anime or its fans both domestically and abroad, prophetically, and viscerally, knew it would be ... popular. When Demon Slayer or Jujutsu Kaisen were initially published in Weekly Shounen Jump last decade, I don't think anyone could've envisioned the indescribable success those two properties would become, because their beginnings were kind of rough. I feel like half the discourse surrounding Demon Slayer when it first aired was "How the hell did something so basic leave such a staggering impact? Good-looking shows come out all the time." In many ways, I still ponder over whether KnY's success was some act of divine intervention.

But when it came to SxF, it was so obvious: An action-comedy Cold War era spy show surrounding the eternally resonant theme of found family. Spy x Family is ultimately light-hearted, but not too saccharine as to be nauseating to the boys/men whom the manga is theoretically aimed for. In many ways, it's kind of the perfect blend of everything, so when the show predictably blew up last year there was an incredible amount of hype going in, and it only escalated during the first twelve episodes. I have a unique relationship with the story because: for one, enjoyed SxF far more than I initially expected, and two, I was left emotionally impacted in ways I couldn't have predicted. I will admit, I might've (possibly) had some kind of trauma-related emotional response when I witnessed Loid pick up that fucking blue penguin and follow his daughter around the block because he yelled at her. I don't think I'm unique in having a childhood where a scenario demonstrating such nonchalant tenderness basically never happened, but SxF was able to effortlessly depict such casual kindness in a way as to provoke that scarred part of myself far more effectively than I'm sure Tatsuya Endo or Kazuhiro Furuhashi intended. It's like that chapter in Chainsaw Man where Makima and Denji are at a movie theater bawling at the most innocuous scene of all time, that was basically me. In short, I was in Spy x Family's camp once I finished its first cour, and was looking forward to enjoying the rest of the season along with everyone else once it was completed.

However, when season one finished airing last year, I noticed an unusual drop off concerning the level of sheer enthusiasm surrounding the IP. Regardless of its eventual lukewarm reception in the West, in Japan, the manga sold an ungodly amount of volumes and got phenomenal ratings despite being in a late night slot. Inevitably, we were gonna get more of this shit anyway, so—how is it?

I will be very clear, if you really disliked that five episode gap of season one of SxF where it was half episode side stories, you are going to dislike this season too. In fact, you are probably not going to like Spy x Family at all. One of the biggest complaints about the source material is how it starts spinning its wheels after a certain point like a lot of comedy manga tend to, the difference being, SxF pretended it actually had stakes at one point. What made SxF initially engaging to even normies was how carefully structured the early scenarios were to still be engaging and narratively relevant. But now when you're in this early-mid point in the story where you're no longer at the beginning that things are more focused, but are also too far away from the ending where the structure gets shaken up and emotionally impactful twists might happen, each individual episode lives and dies by how engaging it is on a micro level. For SxF, it peculiarly seems like it just can't do the SoL comedy without feeling like it's wasting the audience's time, so half the show is middling to straight boring. That isn't to say everything is boorishly passe in Spy x Family Season 2, they adapt one of the longer arcs of the manga in this season and that can get decently entertaining. But it simply doesn't recover the lack of any sort of fucks to give about the other episodes, even if they vary in quality.

I would describe Spy x Family as compromisingly interesting and uninteresting, where it doesn't feel as though Tatsuya Endo has nothing novel to say with this work, but more so that he has to constantly give up the weirder parts of his writing style in order to appease a pop readership base. This in tandem, does seem to please the general Japanese public that are ingesting this shit like it's air. But, to the anime fandom on the English speaking internet, particularly those for whom Spy X Family is their first unintended foray into anime SoL comedies, this does little for them.

I don't want to completely scrutinize this season into the ground, there's still some great animation and solid direction. This is quintessential modern anime in how it looks for both good and bad, even if some of the art direction feels strangely rushed and there are cg crowds for no reason. This show is by Cloverworks and Studio WIT, two studios that so consistently punch above their weight thanks to having access to solid talent, you're not going to find off model character art or any kind of grody shit like that. Kazuhira Furuhashi, whom I'm a relative fan of, is an incredibly solid director who knows how to maximize his staff regarding big IP projects, so this was always going to look good. And some of the more low-tempo episodes are pretty decent, it's just die roll almost every time if it's boring or not.

Either way, I'm too committed at this point to give up, but if you're even more sour on Spy x Family than me at this point you might as well stop while you're ahead. I'm not sure how long this story is supposed to be, but I'm sure Shueisha wants to milk this cash cow as much as it can for the rest of the decade, so probably longer than you want. This review comes, again, at a relatively nauseating period of my life. I'm still nowhere close to where I want to be, nor do I know if I'm taking the right steps to even have a shot at doing so. In other, more pernicious and anxiety inducing ways, I am constantly paranoid as to whether I am already a failure or not. I can't necessarily say Spy x Family remedied any of those feelings whatsoever, but it certainly didn't make them any worse.

Have a nice day.

By and large, Spy x Family has been the most family friendly, entertaining Anime airing for quite a while now. Whether you have a two year old or someone two short of approaching a century, you can safely introduce them to the medium of Anime via Spy x Family, and expect a positive, cheerful response. It's not a mere fluke, how very popular it is.

Plot: Will agent Twilight be able to infiltrate his way even deeper, will the little esper be able to score another Stella badge, will Thorn Princess be able to juggle her surgical appointments appropriately and her appropriate appointments surgically, because the ... fate of the world depends on them being good. However, can they juggle saving the world, while also consolidating their make believe family. That's the brief of what there is to the plot, though well garnished with a healthy amount of humour, charm and heart. An all-round package of entertainment.

Characters: All the main players that have been introduced are back as they were with a few notable new inclusions. The soul of the Anime has been the hilarious interpersonal exchanges between the characters, preposterous exchanges and at times chaotic mess they tend to create. It is also this facet of the characters that endears them more to us afterall.

Animation: Spy x Family had a very consistent and constantly fluid animation quality throughout last season. This season is no different in comparison. Cloverworks and Wit Studio both have a distinct style and charm to their work, and very rarely is that off target. Afterall how many times can there be a promise that never lands. Like almost all of their previous works, out of nowhere would come a scene that's for sure to take your breath away, this season also has those things in spades.

On a separate note, wow, what an absolute blast that opening animation was. Last season too, Spy x Family had two great openings, but the one for this season is for sure the best of the bunch. What an absolute carnival of colours and visuals that was, begining with a wonderfully comic book-ish tone and then suddenly bursting into some seriously fluid silhouette motion. Some of the best of the season so far. Also let's not forget the excellent ending sequence as well, complimenting the opening act very nicely.

Music: The goofy tone of the music suits the show really well. It enhances the overall effect and humour of the Anime by a lot, and makes it much better. The atmosphere is nicely set by the music, which neatly compliments the scene whenever and however it is necessary. The opening and the ending, already mentioned for the stellar animation they contain, also deserve their just plaudits for the music as well.

Enjoyment: As have been mentioned before, Spy x Family is an all-round family friendly Anime that can be enjoyed by just about anybody under the sky. It is extremely difficult to not find anything worth enjoying in here, you'd have to be a special kind of snowflake to not find your fill of happiness and satisfaction from here. But hey, what do I know!

Spy X Family Season 2 maintains the fantastic momentum of its predecessor, offering an engaging mix of espionage and heartwarming family dynamics. If you're looking for more of Anya's charming antics and the occasional action-packed plot laced with humor, this season lives up to expectations.

The show excels in seamlessly transitioning between thrilling spy missions and touching family moments. It avoids any "filler" episodes and strikes an ideal balance between comedy and action. "Spy X Family" leans more toward the slice-of-life genre, inviting viewers to appreciate the quirks and charisma of its characters.

What truly stands out is the dedication to developing side characters, adding depth and ... humor to the narrative. This season remains a must-watch for those seeking a unique fusion of humor, action, and family dynamics. So, if you're eager for more of Anya and the Forger family's endearing escapades, you're in for a delightful treat.

I love Spy x Family, well. I loved Spy x Family, season 1. But this season is basically an entire season of filler, with a tiny cruise ship arc thrown in the middle that lasted three episodes. I'm confused by the overwhelming positivity that this season has received, this season brought nothing new, changed nothing and was essentially completely unneeded.

Starting a season with a bunch of episodes on side characters is a weird choice to make, ending the season on a filler that doesn't tie into the movie is also an extremely weird choice to make. This season kind of feels like they threw ... the source material into a blender and pulled out random scraps to adapt leaving an unimpressive mess.

Spy x Family has truly managed to grab an audience since its premiere. With multiple seasons, games, and even an upcoming movie in the making, it's easy to say the franchise has been a success. However, it's more than a success. For what it managed to set itself from other spy-action related shows, Spy x Family proves that creative ideas combining family love and an spy elements can easily win an audience.

Taking directly off from the previous seasons, the show reintroduces our familiar main cast. The Forger family consisting of Yor, Loid, Anya, and their companion Bond undertakes misisons and daily life adventures this season. ... While not much has changed in the overall direction of the show, it continues to push the boundary of its previous established ideas and evolve them. For instance, Yor and Loid's relationship develops further with their date despite some hilarious mishaps. While we can't determine if they have fallen in love yet, it's clear they have a bond that goes beyond their original intent to be a married couple. Anya's personality and persona remains generally the same including her love of spy movies and using her mind reading talent to understand the wonders of the world.

The show's creative vision continues to adapt multiple sides of our characters' stories. Anya's school life is also a highlight as we meet her friend Becky, classmates Damian, among others. You may remember Damian from the previous season and the impressions he's made, most noticably being punched in the face. He returns again with his work ethic, and serves as a foil to Anya. It's also obvious that his feelings for Anya has grown and as a recurring gag, almost everyone seems to realize it except Anya herself.

Indeed, character work is a major strength of this show. It gives every relevant character a chance to shine including those outside of the Forger family. Often times, supporting cast is left in the dust to nowhere to be seen again in these type of shows. However, Spy x Family takes care of its cast and brings the most out of their personalities. A clear example is Becky and her infatuation towards Loid. In one of the later episodes, the show manages to arrange a meeting between them that spills into a very entertaining sitcom-like scenario. In fact, Spy x Family has been known to arrange episodes and structure them in different segments to balance out the overall tone of the show.

However, this season does have a deeper plot, most prominently known as the 'Cruise Adventure Arc' from the manga. It's here we see the deadly skills of a spy in Loid and his partner Yor, as the assassin. This arc highlights the Yor family as a resourceful group of characters who uses creative ideas to achieve success. The mixture of psychological moments along with spy-esque action and drama hits the peak of this season. It's in this arc that we see how much our main cast is different from others. To my delight, the arc also manages to hook me in with its recurring gags. It never forgets what the show is about despite the arc having the highest stakes since its debut. Believe me, it's truly an arc worth watching.

Adapting more seasons with an established franchise can sometimes be risky. Some franchises may overstay its welcome while others fails to evolve itself. However, Spy x Family manages to surprise us by delivering yet another stellar season of spy action, drama, and family love.

Season 2 of Spy x Family is back! I have been waiting for this anime for what feels like forever!

Here's some basis for Spy x Family: a spy called Twilight is under the alias of Loid Forger. He did not have a family but his mission was to get close to a war criminal named Donovan Desmond. He has to get a family since the best way to get close to Donovan is to have a child attend the prestigious Eden Academy, where Donovan Desmond's son is attending.

He first acquires Anya Forger, still the BEST character in Spy x Family and one of the ... best characters in ANY show. Steals the show whenever she is on screen. Oh my god, Anya is amazing.

Then he meets up with Yor Forger, a secret assassin who wants to be married to avoid suspicion from the government. They go on all sorts of crazy adventures together.

Together the first season, first and second cour, were pretty good. In my opinion, the first cour was significantly better but that is just me.

This season though, I feel so far is better than 2nd cour of season 1. In the first episode, Yor got shot in the behind! Loid is getting worried that their marriage is in shambles so he wants to fix that. He suggests they go on a date.

Anya Date Waku-Waku! Amazing!

Anyway, Loid devises 600-some combinations for the date. Since Yor got shot in the "behind", she did not want to travel by car. So Yor did not want to travel by car, and that reduced the 600 possibilities to around 50 which was just hilarious, that Yor could be so unpredictable to the amazing Twilight even though he is a master spy. Just goes to show no matter how experienced you are, some things you cannot get right which is this instance.

Anyway, Anya wants to spy on them, and Scruffy Head returns!! They both are an amazing duo and any scruffy head is already a W in my books. Loid wants Yor to do many things but Yor is hurt by the bullet so she does not seem to enjoy anything until the dinner. First of all a person wants to kill Yor but Anyay saves the day... by making a bomb which explodes on the guy's face... a peanut bomb...

Next, Yor drinks some poison, but the good thing is she is immune to poison as she builds a resistance to it. In fact, it really helps her pain! Finally, the date ends with Anya revealing herself. All in all good episode.

The second episode is quite the twist from the first one. It gets involved with the SoL (Slice of Life) aspect of Spy x Family.
It goes and to tell the tale of 2 stories that aren't really related to Anya. First off, it tells the tale of Bond, the dog. Bond would literally risk his life for a mission rather than eat Yor's food, which I just love the entire storyline of Yor is bad at cooking. Makes for some great comedic effect.

Next, we get this super wholesome tale of Donovan's son, Demetrius, and his two goons. They go on this camping trip and really learn about the purpose of life and such. I just loved this part of the episode. The animation, music, and storyline all were done so well!! This second episode was done very well! 10/10

In the third episode, we take a look at one of Yors Brothers mission. Here he is tasked in finding a depressed printer who prints supposed lies about Ostania and sells them into the west. It is an interesting episode and shows a side of Yors brother we havent seen that much. BTW watch until even after ED!


The animation is very well done in this show too. I praised the first season for its magnificent animation, and this one is amazing nonetheless. Probably 2nd best animation this season, maybe behind the animation of Jujutsu Kaisen S2.

Finally, the best MUSIC of the season. The Intro, "Kura Kura" is amazing! Great intro, and loved the animation of the intro.

The ED though. HOLY CRAP Cory Wong!!!!
ED was magical, literally top. Five ED's of all time! Amazing ED!

All in all this season has an amazing start!
9/10
Thanks!
-CyanCheetah

"Spy x Family" is an anime that's not just an espionage thriller; it's a rollercoaster of emotions wrapped in a cloak-and-dagger world. Set in a society where espionage is the norm, the story follows Twilight, a spy tasked with infiltrating an elite school. The catch? He needs a family to pull it off. The ingenious twist? He unwittingly marries an assassin and adopts a telepathic girl. The resulting dynamics yield a blend of action, humor, and heartfelt moments that elevate the anime beyond typical spy fare. With crisp animation and well-paced storytelling, "Spy x Family" keeps you on the edge, skillfully balancing suspense with genuine, ... endearing family moments. Each episode unravels layers of intrigue, leaving you hungry for more. It's a masterclass in genre fusion, seamlessly blending espionage with familial warmth. Dive into this captivating series, and you'll find yourself hooked on its clever plot twists and charming characters.

It was basically a filler season, the focus of the stars and Anya's evolution at school didn't exist. This season's episodes would be great in a movie, but for the 2nd season they didn't go down well, as I said, I missed the development of the anime's main plot. Overall, it wasn't bad, a 7 because it had its fun and cute moments, but disappointed because it was filler. I believe that in the next season, the focus on the main plot will return, but as some people have said, Spy x Family has become a successful franchise, and they will try to make as ... much profit as possible, so it is certain that there will be another 3 or 4 seasons to come, in addition to the films and OVAS. In fact, I didn’t think the nomination for the Anime Awards 2024 deserved.

Spy x Family Season 2 is a rollercoaster of emotions with a somewhat disappointing finale.

This season skillfully blends humor and character development, taking viewers on a journey through a variety of emotions. The conclusion of a specific arc is commendable, highlighting the series' ability to maintain an engaging narrative.

The slice-of-life moments are executed well, portraying the characters in entertaining situations that contribute to the family feel of the show. The sound, visuals, and animation, consistently top-notch since the beginning, continue to enhance the overall viewing experience.

The diverse cast, each with unique skills, contributes to a well-balanced dynamic within the "family." Humor, exemplified by characters like ... Bond and Franky, adds a delightful touch. Unexpected emotional depth, especially in Franky's interaction with Bond's training, elevates the characters beyond their initial roles.

Yor's arc on the boat is noteworthy, providing long-awaited character development and thrilling action scenes.

However, the surprise ending with a filler in the last episode prompted mixed reactions, including some disappointment on my part. Despite this, the overall sentiment appears positive, as the series maintains its charm and captivates the audience with adorable characters and a well-crafted narrative throughout the season.

IN CONCLUSION:

Spy x Family Season 2 stands out as a very good anime, offering a satisfying blend of emotions and humor. While the last episode may not have resonated with everyone, the series as a whole remains a notable addition to the anime landscape. It's remarkable considering the mangaka's initial perspective on Spy x Family as more of a rehabilitation project. Despite this, the series has become one of his most famous IPs, and I hope his engagement with it evolves positively, ensuring both creator and audience continue to find joy in the journey.

As someone who enjoyed a lot the 24 episodes of the first season, I do feel a bit disapointed by the second season, I'd still recommend it, but I hesitated a lot with the mixed feelings choice.

The thing is, it's still spy x family : the episodes are still about daily life situations that involve the 3 characters of this lovely family, and it's still funny, light hearted. It remains a good option if you are looking for an easy to watch/get into anime. While we can commend the show for keeping the same vibes, it's also part of the problem.

I haven't read ... the manga, therefore, it might be unfair to call this a lack of ambition since the anime is probably simply adapting the manga's content, but that's what it felt like. After finishing this second season, it's hard to keep in mind memorable scenes, because truth be told, there isn't much happening, there isn't any new character introduced. Regarding the plot itself, well it's a funny slice of life with action, meaning that it's natural not to expect big twists etc... but that's another disapointing thing for me : I can only think of one small development that happens at the end of an arc for one character, and that's about it, nothing else in the span of 12 episodes will really further the general plot.

All in all, Spy x Family S2 was decent, I'd still say that I enjoyed watching it, but to put it in one word, I'd choose underwhelming to describe this season.

If you're a big fan of the first season : you'll like season 2.
If you enjoyed the first season : chances are you'll like S2 aswell, but probably less than S1.

If the first season didn't appeal that much to you : you won't like either the S2.
If you hated the first season : don't bother, there's no way you'll click with the S2.

I'm so underwhelmed by this season! I still rated it a 7, but I'd say most of that is probably due to how much I already adored the characters in the context of Season 1. This still had some cute moments that made me smile or laugh, but overall it was missing what made me fall in love with this show to begin with: the family dynamic! Yor was separate from Loid and Anya for a majority of the season, there was only a couple memorable moments with the family together or even just Anya and Loid together, and even those moments were fairly forgettable ... in comparison to the first season.

I had such high hopes for this season but I find myself pretty disappointed, which is very unfortunate because of the potential this had. I'm honestly confused to see this get SUCH positive reception. It just felt like filler content to me. Oh well, if you liked Season 1, you'll probably enjoy this to a certain degree as well, but I doubt you'll like it even near as much.

It's a well-rounded and entertaining anime experience. The story is very strong, with the mix of humor and drama being perfectly balanced. The characters are well-developed and likable, making it easy to get invested in their stories. The animation and soundtrack are also top-notch, adding to the overall atmosphere and engagement of the series. In summary, Spy X Family season 2 is an entertaining and well-rounded season that will certainly please most anime fans.

Spy X Family season 2 is a thoroughly entertaining and well-rounded anime season that should definitely be watched by those looking for a funny, endearing and action-packed experience. The humor is well-written ... and memorable, the drama feels natural and understandable, and the characters are all well-resolved and relatable. The animation and soundtrack are also top-notch, lending the series even more charm and entertainment. If you're looking for something to bring a smile to your face and lift up your mood, then this season should definitely be on your watch list.

Hot take: This show became uhhh pretty mid and boring, not gonna lie. Why? Well, let me present you with a hypothetical.

You get offered cake, alright? And at first you accept it, and it's good, and then you get offered more cake, and it's fine, then you get offered more, and at that point, you get sick of it, but that's what you only get offered.

Spy x Family Season 2 is basically that. An overabundance of one thing and not really much else.
Granted, for what it does, it does really well. I think the slice of life moments are well executed, displaying the characters in ... entertaining moments, and it really helps you show that Family feel of the show. And the sound, visual, and animation department is top notch as always, and it's never going to be an object of criticism for me because from the start it's proven to be really great

But...that's basically the only thing that's in abundance. While most people deem it fine with the show just being a montage of the Forger family engaging in shenanigans, or the other side characters going about the stuff, to me personally it feels like the story has taken a back seat for the sake of filler or episodic structures where it's just characters placed in different situations without so much as a process of development or changes in the current situation in the plot.

Yes, I know Yor's arc on the boat was technically Yor getting development, but to me it feels lacking because for one, it still suffers from the issues I mentioned, feeling like filler, not adding anything to the story, and the development itself feels lacking, like there's no inherent change beyond just motivational changes. Yes, it is well animated action, but the action itself doesn't feel emotionally engaging, because the show has shown time and time again, either for the sake of a gag or just a display of coolness, how strong Yor is. While she did struggle, I never thought for a second she would lose because I knew for one reason or another that she would win, how else would the status quo of the Forger family be maintained after all, if by the end of the fight, Yor doesn't return to her family with them being none the wiser to her job?

And that realization I feel displays the writing limitations of the show. The Forger family has to keep their double lives a secret, so no matter what situation befalls on them, they'll go back to being this happy family that doesn't seem suspicious of their own lives, otherwise, there'll be a change in the dynamic, and they'll not be able to do this happy, slice of life fluff the show is known for. But having an overabundance of said SOL fluff leads to stagnancy, an element that's already shown given the lack of progression to Operation Strix, Loid's reason for starting a family in the first place. You can have the fluff, that's not my issue, but you need to have some progression, otherwise you'll tire out people from the lack of progress.

Perhaps it'll change with the upcoming movie, but as the second season stands in a vacuum, the show fails to pick up where the first season left off properly, opting to just settle with letting the characters just go through the motions of a narrative without much change in the status quo.

It's been often said, but mostly ignored, that the mangaka/writer of the show doesn't really enjoy or like Spy x Family. That he deemed it as rehab work, or a side project that he would not commit much work into. And I gotta say, with how the second season went about, it shows. Which makes this all the more depressing when his rehab work basically became his most famous IP thus far, as opposed to his previous works.

After all, if you're probably not having any fun with your work, it's gonna show, and others probably won't have any fun going through it.

Also Yor is overrated. That's it.

This season felt really underwhelming. It almost felt like nothing really happened. Part of that might be due to it only having 12 episodes (while season one had two 12 episode parts adding up to 24 eps total).

CHARACTERS:
Good characters are very important when it comes to slice-of-life/comedy anime and this show does pretty well in this department. It's pretty clear that Yor was the main focus with the cruise arc but other characters still had their time to shine, like Loid. His constant need to be a good father in order to keep the mission going creates a great dynamic between him and Anya, as ... well as some really goofy moments. Bond also seems to have a bigger focus this season with three whole episodes dedicated to him. My only real gripe is Anya doesn't have that many moments, although the few she has are pretty funny.

STORY:
This season barely progressed in terms of plot. The only fragment of progression would be the cruise arc where Yor was thinking about quiting being an assassin. Otherwise, if this show got a season three I would almost consider this season skippable filler.

That's about all I can talk about here. Overall, only watch this if you really liked season ones comedy.

Spy X Family's second season gives us more of what we have come to expect of the series while maintaining its stride. Most of the show's improvements in its structuring of stories and division of time between cast members have continued from the tail end of season 1 and into this season. Despite this, it would seem that the show is nearing the upper limit of its quality. While Spy Family is still undoubtedly entertaining and has a high level of polish in everything, from its comedic timing, animation, and voice acting, nothing truly exceptional distinguishes the series. This is not to say that the ... show has been mediocre or that there is no further capacity to up the ante in its comedy or stories. More so that the show's maximum potential in terms of its setting, themes and characters has become clearly defined by what this season sets up. That and some flaws in how the show manages viewer expectations have become a distinct limitation on its appeal to certain parts of its audience. While this level of quality and depth far surpasses what is required for a broad appeal, feel-good comedy to be considered a good watch, its potential to go from good to great is likely now beyond the trajectory it has established.

The most prominent issue that season 2 irons out is the lack of focus on Yor's character. Despite featuring prominently in the marketing and being billed as a leading cast member, she gets surprisingly little screen time in the first season despite its long 25-episode run. To the point where it felt like she was a supporting cast member more on par with her brother Yuri in terms of relevance to the spy premise and time spent on her character. Season 2 does rectify this, with the bulk of it being focused on a story led by her perspective. At the same time, the structuring of the season and its component sub-stories have been improved in how they try to distribute narrative time among the remaining characters and integrate them into a story instead of having them sit out entirely. The shorter, almost slice-of-life style, comedic scenarios are used to buttress the main multi-episode story of the season instead of the former being packed together in large chunks. This structure does away with the meandering feeling previous seasons had at times with how little narrative throughline there was between the short stories. At the same time, these "appetiser" shorts and occasional cutaways to the supporting cast members during the longer story help them maintain a presence in the viewer's mind. This could merely reflect an improvement in the adapted source material instead of a deliberate choice to rejig things, but it is still welcomed nonetheless.

It would be too harsh on the series to criticise Spy Family for not using such obvious narrative solutions until now. The very premise of the series, with every character keeping secrets and leading double lives, makes it challenging to have complex stories that include all of them simultaneously. While that secrecy is a major source of comedy, it has also made narrative efficiency difficult since it forces many characters into stories that necessarily sideline others. The cruise ship arc does change this by integrating the family in a major story, albeit with Anya and Loid still forced into minor roles, and realising the narrative potential of its premise. This also allows for greater character development in the Forgers as a family unit. Though this season's development is still fairly limited, with Anya being the only character that bridges things between Loid and Yor, it is still a step forward regarding their characters. However, it is still somewhat disappointing that Yor's greater allegiance and relationship to the spy game as a member of an assassin organisation is still left vague. While this information is not particularly important or even helpful in creating more comedy, it does feel like the writer is holding back what should be known to the audience only to draw out a few more scenarios from the mystery later. Although the desire to sustain the longevity of this whole spy premise is understandable or even prudent, it does feel a little cheap with how obvious it is.

In addition, the character growth we do get still felt very by the numbers. The trajectory of the season, and what it sets up for the series as a whole, follows the intuitive path of the Forger's fake family arrangement growing into a genuine one as the characters bond further. While it is being done at a convincing pace, at least by the standards of a show that is mostly a situational comedy, there is also nothing particularly compelling about how this dynamic is portrayed. This is not to say that Spy Family should try to "subvert" expectations with something out of tone or give up their character depth for more situational comedy. Their character work, as it stands now, is competently executed and at the expected depth for a show in its genre. However, it also means that it is hard to give it any additional praise since this is more akin to meeting a hygiene factor than something exceptional. Especially since Spy Family wants to have its cake and eat it when it comes to being both a sitcom and a more plot-driven series.

Spy Family still places a great deal of emphasis on the premise of the series being Operation Strix. Going so far as to have multiple recaps mention the tension between Westarlis and Ostania when they could have been shortened further. This does benefit the series in that the characters and setting have never felt "floaty" or unreal in the sense that they exist merely for comedic situations. There is a larger narrative throughline that ties together the various scenarios into something more coherent and bestows them additional meaning or importance. Even the most preposterous ways of linking things back to Operation Strix have been well used to extract some comedy in the absurdity of it all. However, this has also created a clash in viewer expectations since the series operates mainly like a sitcom but keeps signalling to the audience that its plot has the same importance as those in drama or action shows. This leaves a lot of Spy Family's short stories and situations feeling meandering since they are often only tenuously linked to Operation Strix. Of course, most viewers with even a moderate amount of genre savviness will conclude that the whole spy angle is merely a means to establish a sandbox and create a fun aesthetic for all the stories being told. If not from the art style and opening episodes of the series, then by recognising, consciously or not, that the series functions as a sitcom that aims to maintain the status quo for as long as it serves the comedy. Nevertheless, to have the narrative of the show constantly remind the viewer and pay lip service to Operation Strixs creates the impression that the advancement of the plot is where the meat of the show will come from.

Admittedly, it is difficult to tell if criticism the show gets about failing to advance its plot is made in good faith, given how obvious the show is about its sitcom style and feel-good tone. A lot of this "critique" seems to simultaneously complain about things like the "power level" of characters like Loid and Yor in a comedy of all things. This seems to misunderstand the show, willfully or not, as something closer to a shonen action series where the fighting and stakes are its ostensible draws. Although it is easy to dismiss this as being low-order sophistry meant to masquerade a personal dislike or disappointment as an actual justified opinion, there is still a kernel of truth in that the show does not manage expectations particularly well in this regard. It would be understandable that a viewer still expects Spy Family to operate on a dual track as more of an action comedy that places more importance on furthering its plot than a sitcom or slice-of-life show. The problem is that there are just enough continuous reminders of the goals of Operation Strix to sustain this idea. In this respect, that show does feel like it wants to have the best of both worlds without having the means to execute it since the series relishes in all its tangential stories like a sitcom would despite partially promising otherwise.

In addition, the other elements that would support a plot-driven series, like world-building and character depth, are sorely lacking. While the world of Spy Family being a pastiche of 1950s Cold War Europe is perfectly fine for a sitcom just playing around with that as an aesthetic, it makes for a shallow setting for anything with a plot. The tension between the two nations is nebulous, and there is little functional distinction between East and West, with both sides being capitalistic societies despite Ostania being based on East Germany with its secret police, among other things. One could argue that there is some kind of depth or subtext here, like that the show is attempting to point out that both sides are really the same and equally bad or something to that vague effect. But frankly, that is grasping at straws and giving the show an unwarranted amount of credit. There has been some repeated emphasis this season on former soldiers from an apparent World War 2 analogue, it is frankly still not enough to set up much beyond an interesting tidbit. Combined with the competent but fairly by-the-numbers character development and depth, it is hard to say that Spy Family is poised to do or say anything particularly interesting on its premise of nations in a cold war spying on each other.

Overall, Spy Family is somehow both precisely what is advertised on the tin and not at the same time. It is a well-done and polished sitcom that is easy to recommend, but also nothing particularly exceptional or ambitious when it comes to adding to the genre or blending it with other elements. At the same time, it also suffers from a frustrating habit of talking up its plot as if it is actually attempting to blend a comedy with a spy thriller when the whole espionage and secrecy angle is merely a means to an end for the laughs. The characters are charmingly animated and voiced but also lack any interesting depth beyond what can be anticipated by the audience. While all this still makes for a perfectly entertaining and enjoyable watch, it is hard to score the show more than an 8 out of 10 in its best moments, and for most of the run, a score of 7.5 is more apt. It is perfectly understandable why someone would love Spy Family since it has elements that seem designed to appeal to the widest possible audience and deliver on them. Yet, it seems to be biting off far more than it can chew when it comes to attracting viewers who are more interested in shows for their plots. While there is still room for the show to grow, it seems to be mostly in terms of spectacle and comedy rather than anything particularly intricate in its plot or deep with its characters. Though I will be happily surprised if it does eventually ratchet things up and make good on its constant promises to blend its two ostensible genres together, it will still have taken far too long to reach that point given the expectations it sets up.

Spy x Family was once hailed as one of the website's top-rated shows for a brief period, even managing to secure a spot within the top 20 rankings after just one episode of its first season. Nevertheless, about a year later, it appears that everyone doesn't care as much as they used to with the current season failing to breach the top 300. Let me elaborate on the possible reason behind this shift in interest.

Spy x Family consists of mainly multiple disconnected short stories that span between half an episode to two episodes which focus on different characters from a wide variety of cast members. ... Sometimes those stories include a simple but meaningful message for you to take from and deal with some dark subject matter, however, most of these stories have little to no impact on the overarching narrative of the series. With an overabundance of these disconnected short stories, the main plot becomes sidelined for extended periods, to the extent that you can sometimes forget there was a goal in the first place. This can be seen in this season especially with the main goal of getting closer to Donovan Desmond, not progressing in any sort of way. Even the goal of Anya getting 8 golden stars has been sidelined to the point where the characters even joke about how she hasn’t been getting any. As of this season, it’s become quite clear that the way the author has structured the story seems to facilitate its perpetual continuation, something often seen in comedy anime (Gintama, Saiki K). However, when the central theme is as serious as preventing a war, the copious amounts of random slice-of-life comedy episodes leaves viewers pondering when the narrative will truly advance.

Overall, the majority of Spy x Family Season 2's runtime is dominated by disconnected short stories, often lacking in references or connections to the overarching narrative, creating an impression that you're just watching filler. Even the boat arc in the middle felt like a detour as, aside from some character development for Yor which we are yet to see the full outcome of, nothing that happened there really mattered in the grand scheme of things. While episodic shows can be enjoyable, introducing an important end goal without offering any meaningful narrative payoff for an entire season can be a drawback. The show's popularity and praise has seemed to be going down as a result of the show pretty much devolving into a Saturday morning cartoon with violent action. While it may serve as a good casual time-waster if you enjoy the comedy, don't expect any plot advancements in this season.

Final Scorings
Animation: 7/10 (Good)
Sound: 7/10 (Nice music)
Story: 3/10 (Episodic, mostly aimless)
Character: 6/10 (Charismatic)
Value: 3/10 (Less than previous seasons)
Enjoyment: 4/10 (Most of the comedy was a miss)
Overall: 5/10

After a very charming and entertaining 1st season (and rightfully acclaimed), a duller second part, now comes this absolute stinker of a 2nd season. The season totally lacks everything that made the first part of the 1st season so charming and endearing - all the humor and the charming character interactions are completely gone. What we get instead is overblown drama and completely gratuitous violence and gore which totally ruined for me the original spirit of the show which for me felt like a slice of life comedy rather than an action thriller. And let's be honest, the show's premise (at least initially) was more ... of a parody that wasn't supposed to make much sense. But now everything has suddenly gotten so serious and dramatic, and are we now supposed to take seriously the idiotic plot and all these assassins with superman-like powers that fly in the air? As a kids show, which is how the first season was, this wasn't a problem because the focus was on the comedy. But now when the tone got so much more serious, the whole thing just feels extremely dumb and over the top. And as I said, I found the extreme violence and gore this season totally unnecessary and inappropriate for what is essentially a kid's show. The only good thing that remained is the top notch visuals which feel like they were wasted.

Spy x family is back with season 2 and its exactly what you'd expect: a good, fun show. No groundbreaking storyline or plot twists, just a comfy show that has fun antics, good bits of comedy, and some cool action scenes here and there. So far not much has happened in the first 3 eps of s2, which is why im rating it an 8 (I gave both parts of s1 a 9), but I can see myself increasing the score as we go on.

Characters: Spy x Family has a great cast. So far season 2 has chosen to focus on the side characters (such ... as Damian and Yuri), but I expect that we will get more focus on the family (Loid, Yor, and Anya) as their dynamic is the main appeal of the show to me, and many others.

Story: Story is good. Not much to say here. The overarching plot of getting close to the prime minister seems to be progressing at a snail's pace, but despite this, I do feel like we're moving forward

Animation: The animation quality is top tier, just like it was in season 1. The studios that are behind Spy x Family are studios WIT and Cloverworks, so this level of quality is more or less to be expected.

OST: The OST is always solid. I'll never go out of my way to listen to it on my own time, but it works well inside of the show and fits the vibe well.

OP/ED: The op and ed this season are REALLY good. Possibly my favorite so far. Ado performing the opening "Kura Kura" was an absolute treat, as she is easily one of my favorite female J-artists. And Vaundy doing the ending was also a pleasant surprise, they both killed it.

Overall I'm giving Spy x Family season 2 an 8/10 so far but I may increase my score by the end of the season if we get more action and screentime with Loid, Yor, and Anya respctively.

rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

spy x family season 2 has burst onto the anime scene with an electrifying start, proving that lightning can indeed strike twice. picking up where the first season left off, this installment of the series effortlessly weaves together espionage, humor, and heart, creating a concoction that is impossible to resist.

one of the standout elements of spy x family season 2 is its continued commitment to character development. our favorite spy, twilight, once again finds himself entangled in a web of intrigue and danger, but this time, the stakes are higher than ever. the growth of twilight's character is palpable as he navigates the ... challenges of both his professional and family life, and viewers will undoubtedly find themselves rooting for him at every turn.

the dynamic between twilight, the telepathic anya, and the psychic assassin yor is as delightful as ever, delivering moments of genuine emotion and laughter. the way the series explores the complexities of their unconventional family dynamic is a testament to the skillful storytelling and character writing.

the animation quality remains top-notch, with action sequences that are both visually stunning and choreographically impressive. the attention to detail in character expressions and the fluidity of movement add an extra layer of depth to an already captivating narrative. the artistic choices continue to enhance the overall viewing experience, making spy x family season 2 a visual feast for anime enthusiasts.

what truly sets this season apart is its ability to seamlessly blend genres. from intense spy missions to heartwarming family moments, the series effortlessly transitions between tones without losing its overall cohesion. this versatility is a testament to the creative team's understanding of the source material and their dedication to delivering a well-rounded and satisfying anime experience.

spy x family season 2 not only meets but exceeds the high expectations set by its predecessor. with a compelling narrative, well-developed characters, and stunning animation, this season proves that the spy game is far from over. whether you're a fan of espionage, comedy, or heartwarming family stories, this anime has something for everyone. strap in for another wild ride with the forger family, because spy x family season 2 is a must-watch that leaves you eagerly anticipating each new episode.

It kind of blows my mind that there’s been such a massive switch up on Spy x Family recently. It’s one of the few massively popular series to me that completely lives up to the hype and deserves the praise. This latest season encompasses everything that’s great about this series and is a must watch. From comedy, cute family moments to some really awesome sakuga, Cloverworks and WIT brought their A-Game to this one!

I really feel like Spy x Family part 2 cour 2 is the best instalment of the series so far. The cruise arc alone is better than anything we’ve had in this ... story to this date. We start to see Yor and Loid question their jobs and what they want from their futures, Anya is well, still just as dumb and loveable as ever, but it feels like the story is actually starting to progress. Now granted, this is a slice of life story at its core, so don’t expect too much, but I definitely can say I’ve seen a change in the two main leads since season 1. The family dynamic has began to shift from a pure business/mission related thing to a proper family as well. There’s so many sweet moments with the Forgers in this season that I enjoyed. Just seeing their day to day activities and everyone hiding their true abilities from one another never gets old to me.

Now a few common critiques you’ll hear in regards to Spy x Family is that it sort of wanders aimlessly from mini arc to mini arc without addressing Loid’s goal to prevent a war and Damien’s father, etc. That’s not completely wrong, there’s definitely some episodes that feel a little out of place or where nothing substantive happens, but that’s not surprising for a series that’s billed as a slice of life comedy. Additionally, stopping the war isn’t Loid’s only job. The other big task he’s got is creating a makeshift family to continue his espionage.. which, as I touched on earlier, we see happening in this season. The forgers are going from a make believe family to a real one right before our eyes. Yes, that means the plot moves slow at times, but for a character driven slice of life, what do you expect?

The production values are awesome in this season. The last two episodes of the cruise arc were really well directed and featured some great fight scenes complimented by really cool camera angles. I was genuinely impressed. Of course we’ve got all the crazy Anya facial expressions we’ve come to know and love too!

I don’t know man, at the end of the day, Spy x Family is just a good old fashioned family fun watch. It’s not going to blow anyone away story wise, but it’s not really trying to. I love all these characters, so even the most mundane episode is enjoyable to me. It’s slice of life at its purest. We really do get a nice insight into the lives of these characters and feel like we’re part of the family with them. I’ll miss this anime and can’t wait for the movie!

Spy x Family season 2 part 2 gets 9 out of 10