MANGA REVIEW | "Spy × Family" - Volume Thirteen
To say that Spy × Family tackles plenty of emotions in its thirteenth volume is an understatement. One moment, it’ll leave your heart racing with an epic fight. In the next instance, you’re laughing over something a member of the Forger Family either says or does. And then, you’re left weeping over the feelings of a character whose loved ones were killed in war. Each of these situations packs the right amount of punches for what it aims to achieve, and only in the ways that Spy × Family can.
For starters, let’s get to the heat of the action, where Twilight may have met his match in hand-to-hand combat. It’s the first time readers will be glad to know that Nightfall has the hots for him, as it’s the very thing that keeps him from pushing up the daisies. Not only does Nightfall show how tough of a woman she is, but also the level of badassery she can deliver when thrown into the spotlight. Dare I say, her moment earned her many respect points!
Of course, Twilight already has a woman in his life, even if it’s for show. With that being said, Yor constantly showcases why she’s the perfect wife and mother here, be it when she’s comforting Twilight after a hard day’s work or when she’s helping Anya find the home of a lost elderly man. These situations finally allow Twilight to lift some sort of weight off of his shoulders, as Operation Strix is a heavy burden all on his own. With that being said, Yor could use a bit more help in the cooking, cleaning, washing…erm, so many department that wife needs some sprucing up in!
Even Yor’s brother Yuri has a moment to shine in this volume of Spy × Family. Although I could watch him get run over by a truck on repeat without feeling bored, Yuri does gain some growth during both the post-Twilight fight and his following mission. It’s all thanks to his coworker that Yuri sees a far bigger picture when it comes to protecting his big sister. However, it does once again lead to a misunderstanding that tweaks up his sisterly obsession just a tad.
Which now leads to Anya, the true star of Tatsuya Endo’s manga. She and Damian attempt to rendezvous so the latter can give her cakes, but everyone else has the wrong idea. Becky thinks it’s a love confession in the making; Tweedle-Dum and Tweedle-Dumbass think a fight’s about to brew. But thankfully, a certain homeroom teacher just so happens to get the kids in trouble, resulting in a fun little truce that creates more hilarious misunderstandings.
However, that isn’t the end of the headaches of Eden Academy. Anya’s got a huge exam, and she’s not the sharpest bulb in the toolshed. Fortunately, new neighbors arrive to give Anya the push she needs. For once, the little mindreader has an appreciation for studying, in a way that not even Twilight could fully realize. How it’ll affect her grades remains to be seen, but at least she can have fun studying now that she’s got an elderly scholar living close by.
As for the strongest chapter in this volume of Spy × Family, the one involving a charity bazaar for disabled veterans will take anyone by surprise. Although Yor comes in for the save, her coworker Millie demonstrates the hardships of losing family to the war. It’s hurtful seeing how others belittle her, not realizing that grief comes in many shapes and forms. But when a former First Lady enters the conversation, you get a scenario where an understanding grows between victims and leaders. Whether or not the former First Lady’s sympathy was genuine, the fact that she offers it feels earnest.
Spy × Family continues to deliver many strengths in various situations and emotions in Volume Thirteen. It juggles action, comedy, and drama in ways that many other series tend to fumble in. And yet, even with all these kinds of feelings being tossed at readers, Endo’s manga finds a way to cushion the impact with strong writing, lovable characters, and visual beauty. The time it takes for a volume of Spy × Family to come out may be a long one, but it constantly showcases why it’s always worth waiting for its arrival.
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
