Spy x Family 1×17 gives us three stories in one week. First, Anya has to learn how to work with Damian in order to help him impress his father. Second, we get a glimpse into the kind of person Sylvia Sherwood is and how she’s not perfect. Third, there’s a flashback to see how Yor served up dishes for Yuri when they were younger. This episode wasn’t one of my favorites, but it provided a new, unexpected format for Spy x Family. Perhaps from now on, this could be a slice-of-life anime we were missing.
That’s not to mean it’s going to outdo Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War as my favorite slice-of-life anime. But. there is potential for competition.
ANYA’S FRIENDSHIP SCHEME PT. 2
Spy x Family 1×17 gives Anya a chance to make amends with Damian after her initial plans to make friends failed. But, whenever they don’t get along, it’s too funny and makes this anime longer – so why would she succeed so soon? Back in Eden College, Anya thinks that if she can flaunt her dog, she’s definitely getting Damian’s approval to come over. Instead, she gets Becky’s attention when Becky sees how hot Loid is. She thinks Anya knows nothing about love and is too immature to understand the feelings between a man and a woman. It’s true, but there’s no way Anya is going to understand that Damian’s bullying is his way of flirting with her.
Unfortunately, this anime plays on tropes like “if he bullies you, he likes you,” but it seems like Anya knows better than that. Becky’s the focus of this scene. She’s so obsessed with love, she thinks her friend will never be on her level. Not to mention she’s got a crush on a much older man. Get in line, Becky; we all love Loid. But she teaches Anya a powerful lesson, “If you have love, you can fly.” Despite her childish views on love, it leaves an impression on Anya. So Anya takes that with her and “flies” with it.
OPERATION GRIFFIN
This episode pairs Anya and Damian together once again to build animals with limited materials. Based on past episodes, we know that Damian’s mission is to get his father’s approval. When tasked with making a griffin in arts and crafts, Damian thinks it’s his chance to impress his father with the family symbol. Except, he doesn’t know that his telepathic partner is trying to help him as best as she can. Anya was never one for perfection, but she can carry out a grand gesture occasionally. Basically, Spy x Family 1×17 puts them in yet another hilarious scenario where their ambitions get them in each other’s way.
When Master Henderson notices Anya offering to help Damian, he thinks “most intriguing, Forger and Desmond.” Which, to me, made me think about Loid and Donovan – if Anya and Damian can manage to forge a strong relationship, does that mean world peace? Despite the silly spats, perhaps the two can manage to show what peace looks like after so much fighting. It’s almost like the anime has an overarching parallel to their relationship… For now, we get hilarious situations that have me cackling almost every time.
‘FULLMETAL LADY’ & ‘OMELET RICE’
“Fullmetal Lady” gave us imperfect spies in a world where spies are perceived to be the best. Sylvia doesn’t know that her coat has the tag on it, and Loid doesn’t have good updates for Operation Strix. There are only so many updates they can give each other now that this mission is playing the long game. “Omelet Rice” takes us back to Yor’s kitchen to when Yuri suffered from Yor’s cooking for years. It’s the reason his endurance for pain and suffering is so high. Yor’s love taps don’t feel so lovely.
Despite having three stories in Spy x Family 1×17, both “Fullmetal Lady” and “Omelet Rice” were just filler stories. Neither of them carries any significant weight to the overarching story so it feels like there’s not much to say. However, if Spy x Family truly were to become a slice-of-life anime, it could work. Although I would say it would only work if the story continues after Agent Twilight completes his mission – but now that we’re at a point where the whole Forger family is together, it makes sense that we are here one story at a time.
Overall Thoughts
- Becky crushing over Loid was too relatable, in more ways than just thinking this 2D man is attractive.
- I will never get over Anya’s look of shock every time Damian disses her.
- Not me thinking “Fullmetal Lady” was going to be similar to Fullmetal Alchemist.
- “Omelet Rice” was such a last-episode type of story.
- Finally, the series has teased Yuri and Anya’s relationship, but we haven’t seen it yet.
Spy x Family new episodes premiere on Saturdays on Crunchyroll.
