I am particularly observant and in the know when it comes to the anime community, that’s why I think that the first episode of Spy x Family was received fairly well. That’s just the impression that I got, don’t quote me on it.
So will episode 2 live up to the standard set by the premier? I mean it was a particularly tough episode to follow. And traditionally, episode 1 is where you put all the stuff that will make the audience want to stick around, then in episode 2, you start doing the setup and such. Important but less exciting.
Oh, before we start, did we have an OP last week? I don’t think so. I’m pretty sure I would have remembered it because it was a great OP. I really liked it!
Ok, so we start episode 2 of Spy x Family and we say hello to mama. Obviously, Yor is a known quantity for me. But it was still surprising to see her in action. And boy was this story made for action. Yor is one of the archetypes I tend to really like. The jarring contradiction of sweet innocence, even kindness, and ruthless skills and professionalism. The killer with a heart of gold trope. But Yor also has this over-the-top naiveté which makes her particularly endearing to me. Especially when contrasted with Anya that knows everything through telepathy while Yor is in the dark and more than happy to believe the flimsiest cover story. It sort of subverts the traditional capable hitman trope.
I’m actually getting ahead of myself. My favourite scene in this episode, and it was hard to choose as I enjoyed a lot of them, was the meet-cute. In the dress shop, we started by seeing how much Anya and Loid’s relationship has progressed. She’s yelling about getting sold into slavery and he jokes that she won’t if she behaves. It’s not that different from before but you can tell they are much more at ease with each other. Anya doesn’t keep trying to escape and Loid isn’t freaking out about saying the wrong thing. And they seem happy to be shopping together. Awwwww.
In walks Yor. Pretty, innocent Yor. If you read my blog regularly, you’ve probably heard me say at some point, that I like dorks. I really do, I just can’t help it. I want to hug them. And in Spy x Family, Yor is the biggest dork. She’s weirdly earnest, socially clumsy and most of the time just really wants to make everyone happy. And she always has such simple solutions to every little problem. Loid lucked out when he was randomly choosing a fake wife. Ok, maybe her career ambitions could wear a bit on a normal relationship but these two crazy kids could make it work.
I think what I’m disliking the most about Spy x Family at this point, is the fact that I have to wait a week between episodes. I really wanted to just keep watching. The party was great, Yor got to have her pretty woman moment. The chase was fun and Loid’s completely unbelievable excuses were amusing. And that proposal, well what more could anyone hope for.
I think it’s pretty clear to anyone watching the show, and Anya of course, that these two are meant for each other. Now they just have to figure it out.
Coming up is the all-important family interview with the school. I really like all the scenes at Anya’s school. How will the family take in a new member all of the sudden? Anya and Loid have fallen into a rhythm but will Anya take to her new mom? Will Yor enjoy suddenly becoming a mom? And how is she going to explain all this to her brother? I can’t wait until next week, I think I’m not alone in that.
