Can a Fake Family Become Real? The Anime 'Spy x Family'

There's a Japanese anime that tells the story of people who become a family one day, each hiding their own secrets.

The Japanese anime “SPY × FAMILY” is set in a fictional Cold War era, featuring a divided world with two imaginary nations: Westalis and Ostania. While the official timeline hasn't been revealed, it's speculated that the anime is based on the Cold War-era division of Germany, considering its Western-style divided nation setting.

Loid Forger, a skilled spy from Westalis operating under the codename 'Twilight', is tasked with 'Operation Strix', an operation aimed at establishing contact with Donovan Desmond, a politician in Ostania. Since direct contact with Donovan Desmond is difficult, Loid Forger decides to form a fake family to approach him through his son.

Anya, the daughter Loid Forger adopts from an orphanage, possesses the psychic ability to read others' minds. Having sensed Loid's desire for a clever child to enroll in the same school as Desmond's son, Anya acts in a way that impresses Loid and is adopted as his daughter. Anya continues to live as Loid's daughter, concealing her psychic abilities.

Anya, using her mind-reading skills, passes the written entrance exam for the same school as Desmond's son and prepares for the interview. However, the interview requires both parents to be present, prompting Loid to hurriedly search for a woman to play the role of his wife.

Yor Briar, a government employee who secretly works as an assassin, is struggling with the social pressure of being unmarried and is looking for a fake fiancé. Sensing Yor's feelings, Anya becomes curious about her and strives to make her the mother figure in their fake family, ultimately leading to Yor becoming a member of Loid's fake family.

“SPY × FAMILY” is a manga that began serialization in ‘Shonen Jump+’ in 2019, with the first volume released in Japan the same year. As of 2023, 12 volumes have been published. It achieved the unprecedented feat of receiving over 2,000 comments on the first chapter in ‘Shonen Jump+’ and has become a popular manga with over 30 million copies in circulation as of 2023. Its popularity in Japan has led to its translation and publication in various countries worldwide, including Korea, China, Southeast Asia, North America, South America, and Europe.

The anime adaptation, which aired in 2022, further boosted its popularity. The anime has also been dubbed and broadcast in Korean and North American versions.

The anime's first season's opening theme was performed by the popular Japanese band 'Official Hige Dandism,' while the ending theme was sung by the famous Japanese singer 'Gen Hoshino,' creating further buzz. Gen Hoshino also composed the theme song for the theatrical release of “SPY × FAMILY CODE: White” in 2023.

“SPY × FAMILY” was released as a novel titled “SPY × FAMILY Family Portrait” in 2021, and a video game called “SPY×FAMILY Operation Diary” was also launched in Japan in late 2023. This game is scheduled to be released in Korea and North America in the first half of 2024.

“SPY × FAMILY,” which allows you to experience the heartwarming family bond that blossoms as the three individuals with their hidden secrets live as a fake family, is currently available for viewing on Netflix, including both seasons 1 and 2.