Spy x Family is a manga / anime series that follows Agent Twilight who has been tasked by W.I.S.E. to conduct Operation Strix — an operation to gain information on their target Donovan Desmond, a senior politician in the country of Ostania. For peace in both Westalis and Ostania, Twilight or Loid Forger as we know him must form a fake family to infiltrate the school Donovan’s son goes to. Along with his ‘wife’ Yor Forger who is secretly an assassin, and Anya Forger, a telepath that he adopts this family is formed but none of them know the true identities of each other except for Anya. Luckily for them, Anya has the brain of a peanut and thinks that spies are the greatest thing since sliced bread. They are later joined by Bond, an adorable dog who can see into the future to the joy of Anya. Bond’s basically free transport for her and a confidant.

Like all popular anime franchises that print money both domestically in Japan and abroad we have a movie! And thanks to Anime Limited for distributing it to UK audiences. We were lucky enough to be invited the premier — we are eternally grateful for the invite!

Spy x Family Code White starts with Operation Strix under threat after Loid meets the Handler to discuss spy matters. In fear of being replaced, Loid turns to Anya who has been set a cooking task at Eden Academy where the principal will be judging. Desperate not to be replaced (or in Yor’s case, to prove herself as a wife and a mother), the Forgers take a trip to the country of origin of the principal’s favourite dessert. After some hijinks on the train ride there caused by a special chocolate, antics ensue that threaten world peace.

First of all, this movie is very funny. Building on the humour and the story beats of the anime, some of these jokes play out excellently. All the tropes from the series are there such as Yor’s misunderstandings, Anya’s penchant for mischief, Franky’s bad luck, Agent Nightfall’s delusions and Yuri’s obsession with his sister. Like the majority of tie-in anime movies, the status quo does not change. Some of these characters barely show up in season two, so if you were missing Agent Nightfall in season two you will be happy with this movie.

The plot is also very in line with the series, it is not too wild and some of the elements that seem wild make some of sense in the movie and the time it is roughly set in. There’s one element that seems a bit out there technology-wise, but in the movie it makes some sense but then again this is the franchise with Yor’s super-human strength. There’s another moment that is a moment of disbelief but it’s in line with the movie. It’s not reality. Also there are things to look out for in the film which come back at the climax at the film and there are some things I can not look at in the same way.

There’s also heartwarming moments in this film — Bond really steals the show in the film because you do feel sorry for him and often (even in the manga) he doesn’t get much airtime for himself. Their is a moment where he is not invited into a restaurant because even in anime movies dogs aren’t allowed in restaurants but the owners still give him a bowl of food. Some of the resolutions in this film are especially heart warming and very in theme with the rest of the series.

The animation in this movie is top tier, as WIT is renown to be a very good anime studio and it feels as if a lot of money and care has been put into animating this movie, including a scene which breaks the typical style of animation (and in my personal opinion the funniest scene in the movie). There’s also some amazing set pieces of animation, especially towards the end of the movie. Also the ending titles is a lovely callback to the ending titles of the first season, even with the same singer.

For an anime movie the time will fly by, as some people did say the second season dragged a little and you don’t get that as much in this movie. This is close to two hours of film time which is about average for Shonen Jump movies.

If you’re expecting something different to what you see in the anime or in the manga then prepare to be disappointed. It’s almost a checklist of what staple jokes pop up in the movie but then again this is an anime franchise movie and the status quo is something that needs to be stuck to the majority of the time, especially if both anime and manga are currently still running with no signs of wrapping up.

Most of the main focus is on the Forger family so if you’re expecting an adventure like the episodes that focus on some of the side characters like Mr Henderson, the Handler and Damian then this movie may disappoint. Even Bond gets sidelined once the main action of the film kicks in but logistics wise it makes sense.

There is a tease for those who have read the manga and for anime-onlies to wonder about until it gets animated down the line.

Can you see this if you haven’t watched Spy x Family before? Yes but they would be a little confused at some parts.

Can you see this if you haven’t caught up to Spy x Family? Yes. If you’ve watched all of Season 1 you will not be missing out on anything.

And there is a post credits scene!

The original manga is serialized on Shonen Jump Plus, a digital manga service in Japan. It is also available on the Shonen Jump app and MangaPlus. Manga volumes, a guidebook and a light novel are available to purchase in English where books are sold.

Spy x Family is currently streaming on Crunchyroll and Netflix (UK). The Blu-Rays of Season 1 are also available via Crunchyroll Home Video. Spy x Family Code White is arriving into UK Cinemas on the 26th April.