If you ask me whether to read the Spy x Family manga or watch its anime, I’d probably recommend watching the anime first and then reading the manga. The anime excels in adapting the source material in every sense of the word. Period.
Art animation, original soundtrack, voice-overs, anime-only scenes…you name it. We’ve seen the execution of these elements on several episodes, and Spy x Family delivers spectacularly and beautifully!
What more can I say? Well, I have lots of things to say, hence this discussion. So, without further ado, let’s talk about whether the anime is an honest adaptation of the manga.
Is Spy x Family an Honest Adaptation of the Manga?
Spy x Family anime is an honest adaptation of the manga. In fact, it has done a better job than the manga itself thus far. The studios keep adding anime-only scenes here and there that enliven the series.
Are There Any Differences Between the Anime and the Manga?
There are lots of differences between the Spy x Family anime and manga. Episodes 5, 7, and 10 are a testament to this.
In episode 5, the studios extended the scene where the main cast spent time in the castle. That may only be 10 to 15 minutes of anime-only content, but Loid was exceptional because his scene was accompanied by a cool OST fit for a hero!
Then, there’s the infamous episode 7 where Damian’s “Anya filter” activated. This was only one panel in the manga. However, the animators drew Shōjo-like scenes to make Anya’s green eyes sparkle brighter, to make her hair fluffier, etc. basically, to make her cuter in Damian’s eyes. How sweet!
And lest we forget, Planet Namek (a famous location in the Dragon Ball franchise) was referenced in episode 10 during Damian’s dodgeball training scene. So many anime-only scenes padded this dodgeball episode, but the Dragon Ball reference stood out with many viewers.
Even if Planet Namek was added in Spy x Family to promote the new Dragon Ball Super movie airing in Japan, it’s still a hilarious reference in this family-friendly show. It made this dodgeball episode more exciting!
In any case, these are the three Spy x Family episodes enriched with anime-only content. It may be few, but manga readers like me are thankful to see them because the anime supersedes the manga.
Are the Differences Between the Anime and Manga Good or Bad?
The differences between the Spy x Family anime and manga are good. Not only is the animation and music directing of Spy x Family flawless, but every episode ensures that the audience is glued to their seats in just under 30 minutes.
The character interactions also enrich the dynamics of the show. Take “Starlight Anya” for example in episode 11.
We’ve always known that Anya is the star of the show that glues this makeshift family that Loid put together at the last minute (shown in Episodes 1 to 2). But whenever Anya is on screen, her faces are always meme-worthy.
She’s down in the dumps in one moment but elated in the next scene. Her facial expressions are so rich that it’s worth watching a new episode of Spy x Family twice!
Lovely art animation, immaculate voice acting, and a music beat with the 80s or 90s vibes in them…these elements converge to make a coherent Spy x Family anime that’s worth binge-watching with your family and friends.
CloverWorks and Wit Studio succeeded to ensure that its audience is enamored with Loid, Yor, and Anya’s apartment; their homely life; and of course, the upper-crust society that they’re living in despite the Cold War atmosphere looming in the air.
Moreover, every time I finish an episode, I feel as if I want to live in the characters’ world. Don’t you?
Not a single episode passed where I did not say nor thought of any of the following statements:
It’s just that good. Spy x Family is a unique series among the ubiquitous school life and romcom shows we’re used to. The manga stood out during its first few months of publication.
And with the anime ongoing and a second cour coming this Fall 2022, Spy x Family is still at the center of attention among young and adult viewers.
So, what are you waiting for? Try the show if you haven’t yet. Or read the manga after you finish watching the first cour of the anime. We can’t wait to see the Forger family return in Fall 2022 for Spy x Family anime’s second cour.
About Spy × Family
Spy × Family is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Tatsuya Endo in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump.
The story follows a spy who has to “build a family” to execute a mission, not realizing that the girl he adopts as a daughter and the woman he agrees to be in a fake marriage with are a mind reader and an assassin respectively.
Season 2 and a theatrical film are releasing in 2023.
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