SPY x FAMILY Code: White IGNITES!

If you know me, or if you read my reviews, you know how much I love found family. If you know me or listen to my show, you know how much I love spy-craft, especially when it’s a spy family. So, you won’t be surprised to find out how much I adore SPY x FAMILY. It’s a ‘day-at-the-amusement-park’ styled series with an ingenious blend of espionage thrills, family drama, and hijinks as endearing as it is exciting.

For the uninitiated, let me set the stage. SPY x FAMILY is crafted by the skillful hands of Tatsuya Endo. The result is a manga that charms readers with its innovative concept and beautifully detailed art. SXF is the tale of Loid, the spy, Yor, the assassin, and Anya, the telepathic little girl —three strangers playing house without knowing each other’s secret identities. Wait. Let’s up the ante to four, after all the family adopts the clairvoyant dog Bond. The anime adaptation, brought to life by the folks at Wit Studio and CloverWorks, is like a 4D ride, adding color, movement, and depth to the story. No matter which form it comes in, SPY X FAMILY is a fan-favorite, and it’s easy to see why: engaging characters, unpredictable plot, and ridiculous set-ups that keep you smiling.

At its core, the franchise captures the resilience of found families—celebrating the bonds that form when extraordinary but lonely people find themselves in extraordinary circumstances. The Forger Family doesn’t fit the traditional family mold, but the ways they nurture one another hits home. (Ooh an unintended pun.) The series also pulls no punches in its social commentary, offering a covert critique of overreaching state authority. These family adventures may be fantastical but there’s a glimmer of real-world politics and the danger of war just below the surface. As a group of misfits who choose each other (even under the guise of faking normalcy), SPY X FAMILY shows off the power of trust. They all have good reasons to keep their secrets, and their past traumas add layers of depth, reminding us of the lasting impact and importance of healing.

The Forgers can’t win without each other. Loid, Yor, Anya, and Bond unwittingly contribute their special skills to Loid’s spy missions, creating a better outcome and a tighter family bond. Yor, the skilled assassin, provides backup when the situation calls for a lethal edge. Anya reads minds to gather information covertly and provides hilarious commentary, giving the family both an advantage and a hard time. Bond sees the future so, of course, he sniffs out trouble before it arrives, helping them stay one step ahead. Each family member’s special skills complement one another, leading to better missions as they rely on each other to overcome challenges. And those are the ties that bind.

Now. I’ll warn you to keep your hands and feet inside the compartment because we’re about to embark on the wildest ride yet: SPY x FAMILY CODE: White. This new SXF movie utilizes The Forger Family’s teamwork to its fullest effect. Twilight, aka Loid, is attempting to dodge the end of Operation Strix by helping Anya win a cooking challenge at school. If she wins she’ll earn a Stella (gold star) and that will bring the family closer to the target of the Strix mission. Did I hear someone yell, ROAD TRIP? If I did, you’re right. Sounds like a mini-mission with fewer twists than a merry-go-round. Right?

But this is a SPY x FAMILY feature, bound to spin out of control with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. This is for thrill-seekers among us, whirling us around emotionally with high-speed drops, unexpected turns, and wild gags. SPY x FAMILY CODE: White exemplifies the heights of the franchise. The animation is a visual treat. For instance, the clever and color-coded way of showing who’s who when Loid fights an opp in disguise. Or Yor’s high-flying fight scene surrounded by the flames of a falling ship. That’s my favorite part. Code: White adds to the gentleness that intersects Yor’s deadliness by making her more cunning than we knew. Yet all the characters are as vibrant as ever. The villain is a true heel. Plus, Anya’s facial expressions and physicality are the delights of a rough mission.

The script is a perfectly engineered ride, keeping us on the edge through twists and turns that never lose their heart—a unique family that’s trying their best to prove their love without saying a word. As Yor repeatedly says when someone forces her to lay hands on them, “I’m just here for my husband and daughter.”