Spy x Family 1×21 explores jealousy in more than one way this week. Although we’ve met her before, Agent Nightfall officially makes her debut in “Nightfall.” Then, Bond and Anya have a falling out in “First Fit of Jealousy.” While this anime continues to be killer at thier storytelling. There may be too many similarities between Nightfall and Yuri, the sister-loving maniac. However, she’s a bit better than Yuri in more of a storytelling sense.
Then, when Bond and Anya have their first falling out, it’s up to Loid to bring them back together. Fortunately, this side story doesn’t stray too far from the main plot as well. Let’s just say putting difficult topics in layman’s terms is what this show does best.
INTRODUCING AGENT NIGHTFALL
Fiona Frost was someone we met last episode when Anya toured Loid’s hospital. From the opening of the show and yes, some manga spoilers, I knew that Fiona was going to be more important than she initally appeared to be. But, what I didn’t expect was how high on my shit list she was going to be. Fiona Frost AKA Agent Nightfall is another WISE spy with close ties to Twlight. He was her mentor, she grew up under his guidance. So when she heard that Operation Strix is taking longer than expected, she wanted to take control of the situation – even after The Handler said no.
However, Spy x Family 1×21 is not on my shit list, not like 1×19 is. The frustrating part of this episode was watching someone think they were better than Yor for the entire mission. Yor’s mission so far as been to be the perfect wife and mother all while keeping her assassin life a secret. It would be fun if it was less of a secret to us in this anime, but that’s besides the point. Nightfall wants to switch wtih Yor so bad and brings her down in the process. She reminds me the most of Yuri and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing. Couldn’t there have been another reason she was interested in Twilight?
NIGHT(FALLING) FOR TWILIGHT
Has “I wuv you?” ever been a good reason to derail an entire mission? Unfortunately, for Nightfall, it is. Anya reads Nightfall’s mind and it is just filled with her obsessive love for Twilight. To Nigthfall, he is Twilight, Loid Forger is simply a facade he puts on for the mission, and only the mission. In her mind, if he spent less time as Loid Forger, Operation Strix would be done by now. Despite her crazy love obsession, Nightfall can actually be used as a good checkpoint for Twilight’s journey during this anime. Yes, my English degree will be put to use here, so hear me out.
When we first met Twilight, he was all about doing everything “for the mission.” He figured that setting Anya up with a strict study regimen would be the best way to get the mission done. But now, as “Loid Forger,” father and husband, he is likely to be more patient and understanding. He even shows that care to Yor when she thinks she’s a bad housewife. Nightfall would be incapable of caring like that – not with the way Twilight initially mentored her. In the ending credits, we see Twilight talking to Nightfall across the table, explaining something to her. Perhaps his Loid Forger persona can change Nightfall and other WISE agents to become more caring, making their society less of an “us versus them” mentality. Nightfall is Twilight before Operation Strix and it’s only a matter of time before she becomes like him.
JEALOUS DOG = UNHAPPY HOME
When I read “First Fit of Jealousy,” I assumed the whole episode would be about Nightfall’s jealousy towards Yor. Then, when the end credits played, I thought that was it, there was no other next mission, but Spy x Family 1×21 delivered. When Anya mourns the loss of her favorite penguin in her anime, Bond becomes jealous when she cuddles her stuffed penguin when she goes to sleep. When she wakes up, her penguin is torn apart and Bond does nothing to hide his resentment. If there is one thing I want more out of this anime, it is more sassy Bond.
Anya and Bond instantly fight like kids and make up just as quickly. The most important part of this “mission” is what Loid says at the end. He wishes that the tensions between the East and the West could be resolved just as easily. It’s obvious that this anime is simply a kid’s view of the cold war going on. There was a major casualty and both Anya and Bond were on opposing sides. Based on the first half of the cour, it’s true that world peace would be at stake if certain people died. Which is all the more reason to check in on Yor’s assassin duties – and keep an eye on how that is reflected in Anya’s school life. The kids will end up running the show and the trajectory everyone takes in the end, watch.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
- Nightfall, don’t you dare come for my girl Yor. She will kick your ass.
- Nightfall makes me uncomfortable the same way Yuri does, but somehow less so. Did she also have to go down the romance route? Please leave the infatuation with Loid to Becky and the rest of us.
- Yes, we gave a lot of attention to Bond at the beginning of this cour, but more of his personality, please!
- Will Nightfall end up being the mistress of disguise and get in Yor’s way next episode?
- If the fandom hadn’t spoiled the manga for me so much, Nightfall’s introduction would make me more anxious. But I know that Yor reigns supreme in the Forger household.
