Spy x Family 1×16 treats us to two stories in one episode this week. With “Yor’s Kitchen” and “The Informant’s Great Romance Plan,” the wholesomeness of the Spy x Family anime is on full display. Both stories are unrelated to each other but have great character development for both Yor and Loid – and Franky too.
Although we had a lot of time with Anya and Bond at the beginning of this cour, it feels refreshing to give time back to the adults. These adults are bound to experience crazy hijinks too. It is an anime after all. Albeit, their hijinks were more lowkey than stopping a bomb, but just as exciting. Sometimes we just need a break from all the tension and Spy x Family 1×16 did just that.
YOR’S SECRET PLAN
The start of the episode is so misleading – it’s perfect. It’s almost expected that Loid would question Yor’s late-night activities if she doesn’t get home in time. But, if there’s one thing this anime does well is that it provides plenty of red herrings. With cuts on her hands and a glum look on her face, we’re led to believe that her second life as an assassin is in jeopardy. Yor’s got a bloody grocery bag and goes to Camilla’s house. There’s no way that they’re not involved in an assassination plan. Perhaps they are going to kill each other? Based on the title of Spy x Family 1×16, the only thing that’s deadly is Yor’s cooking. She wants lessons to improve her skills for Loid and Anya because bad cooking might equal divorce. To Yor, divorce = prison. So, she grabs tomatoes and heads to Camilla’s for the minestrone.
Yor was never known for her strong cooking skills but always wants to be the best for her family. If this episode came right after Spy x Family 1×09, they would be the perfect pair. In 1×09, Loid was questioning Yor secretly and she believed she was being a terrible wife. In this episode, there’s a parallel, only Yor is more aware of what she needs to work on. So, this anime called back on moments we didn’t think were so important to the story but they are important to the characters. Yor’s bad cooking was totally the butt of the joke but is a testament to how much she cares for her family and will continue to do so.
LEARNING FROM THEIR ROOTS
We still don’t know much about Yor and perhaps that’s on purpose, but Spy x Family 1×16 opened a lot for her. Going back to a dish her mother used to make helped bring out the real caretaker in her. When Camilla notices the change in Yor’s cooking behavior, Yor is surprised. But thinking about her mother’s cooking changed it all, she didn’t think she would lose her job as an assassin if she didn’t cook well, but thought of her family first. Loid and Anya were top of mind when she made a meal that was great. There was a sense that Yor’s tears were happy tears, but of course, Bond wasn’t going to explain that to Anya.
Every pairing during “Yor’s Kitchen” played off of each other. Dominic would cool Camilla’s hot-headed nature. Yor is the caretaker and Yuri follows her every move, even if it means eating and puking at the same time… Even with Loid and Anya – their reactions to Yor’s cooking were pulled from the same brain cell. These characters are maturing, especially anyone in the Forger family. Finally, Yor sees more of a purpose besides her killer life and will hopefully continue to strengthen her bond with Loid and Anya from here.
FRANKY’S DILEMMA
Spy x Family 1×16 gives Loid a mission he didn’t expect: helping Franky take his crush out on a date. While this would be something to expect from a high school anime, it’s hilarious to see the adults of this anime be so silly. Watching Loid react to Franky’s threat and disguising himself as Monica were the highlights of the episode. Sometimes it seems like Loid doesn’t have any personality besides being a spy, but he is funny as hell. Franky’s also got some redeeming qualities to him.
What Franky doesn’t know is that he had thousands of people thirsting after him when he wore that disguise in 1×09. Honestly, it’s a little surprising that they didn’t put Franky in disguise again. But seeing Loid as the girl Franky has a crush on was hilarious. While this story was simply for humor, it was worth it to see the bond between Loid and Franky grow. The more that Loid and Franky appear as brothers, the stronger they become. However, Loid makes a good point. It’s hard for spies to maintain relationships because they will probably be torn apart later. Does that stand for them as well? Perhaps Franky and Loid can have more than just a spy/informant relationship. This is just proof that despite all the action and the silliness of Spy x Family, this anime always knows how to bring in the heart.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
- A little disappointed that this anime continues to ignore Yor’s assassin life. What’s going on there?
- Finally a break from the super spy mission, I can’t handle the stress each week!
- I genuinely hope my cooking isn’t that bad.
- Loid’s disguise as Franky’s crush made me laugh harder than ever before
- Looks like it’s back to Eden Academy next week!
