spy x family‘s first-ever leap to the big screen brings its lovable, quirky crew from your living room to the theater with all of the original series’ charming charm. However, much like Lloyd Forger’s carefree cover stories, it doesn’t hold up to closer scrutiny. While the film’s greatest asset remains the inimitable Anya Forger – a mischievous short-statured telepath with pink hair and a fondness for death-defying trouble – at the center of the chaos, this spinoff adventure ultimately feels like an enjoyable but momentary diversion for all but the most ardent fans.
From its inception in 2022, spy x family (The ‘x’ is silent for those unfamiliar) The series has firmly established its characters in the hearts of otaku around the world. The series’ diverse crew – Lloyd, the extremely competent detective; Yor, the oblivious killer’s wife; Anya, the adopted child who can read minds; the telekinetic dog that Bond shares – form a fake family that brilliantly blends espionage, domestic life and comedy. Its strength has always been in its ability to seamlessly blend these disparate elements, creating a wholesome but silly comedy in which anything goes. And now, this delightful chaos finds itself in the chilly climes of Frigis, ostensibly to cook up some local delicacies, but, as can be predicted, nothing is as it seems.
Spy x Family Code: White (Japanese)
Director: Takashi Katagiri
Mould: Atsumi Tanezaki, Takuya Eguchi, Saori Hayami
Order: 110 minutes
StoryA detective, an assassin and their adopted psychic daughter keep their double lives to themselves while pretending to be the perfect family
On the surface, their mission is to master a local dessert for Anya’s cooking competition. In reality, it’s another level of Lloyd’s spycraft, meant to further his secret mission. This mix of high-stakes espionage and low-stakes family antics is classic spy x family Rent.
A scene from ‘Spy x Family Code: White’
Director Takashi Katagiri, who also directed the second season of the series, brings a visually dynamic approach to the big screen. Every scene is filled with an exaggerated sense of drama, turning mundane tasks into high-octane sequences. This is a world where a routine grocery shopping can turn into a reconnaissance mission, and even mundane objects are given exaggerated importance. This stylistic choice makes it clear that spy x family It never takes itself too seriously (as it shouldn’t).
The beauty of the original series lay in its ability to blend different genres together without missing a single comedic point. Code: White Sticking to this formula, the minutiae of daily life are presented with the same dramatic seriousness as the latest 007.
Anya, as always, remains the crown jewel of the franchise. Her exaggerated wide-eyed expressions, combined with her hilariously candid internal monologues, keep the humor flowing. Whether she’s dealing with family squabbles or inadvertently thwarting sinister plots, Anya’s presence is charming. The film makes great use of Anya’s popularity, ensuring she remains the focal point of even the most mundane moments, and it’s easy to see why she’s become an anime icon in such a short time.
One of the film’s most viscerally unforgettable moments comes when Anya, in a desperate quest to put off a crucial bathroom break, begins to hallucinate an encounter with the “Poop God.” As she clutches her stomach and struggles with the inevitable, the scene transforms into a beautiful, surreal, divine vision where the royal Poop God, decked out in royal robes and equipped with a toilet brush scepter, urges Anya to “relax your butt and be free.” This moment could very well claim the dumb and Dumber‘This man sitting on a porcelain throne has been described as having one of the funniest bowel movements ever.
A scene from ‘Spy x Family Code: White’
However, the film’s weakness is the stupidity of its story. The plot – an intriguing mix of a cooking competition and a covert military operation – while particularly spy x familyfeels more like an extended episode than a standalone movie. The trouble with its meandering pace is compounded by the need to cater to newcomers, resulting in repetitive narration (which has unfortunately become routine for most theatrical anime iterations lately) that often overwhelms the natural pace of the film.
In spite of these mistakes, Code: White manages to deliver its share of genuine enjoyment. Wit Studio is in top form – its animation is lush and fluid, especially during an action-packed climax on a giant airplane that makes full use of the cinematic format. Here, each family member gets their moment to shine, showcasing their unique skills in a thrilling finale that brings the film to a satisfying (though predictable) conclusion.
However, for all its spectacular visuals on the big screen, the film struggles to move beyond its episodic origins. The stakes, while ostensibly high, never feel particularly urgent, and its main villain is as forgettable as the last monster of the week.
Code: White It’s a gift to fans who enjoy the essence of what makes the Force heroes so beloved, presenting all the characteristics of the series that have endeared it to audiences around the world. For those unfamiliar with the series, this film entertains without exaggeration and gives us a glimpse of its carefree whimsy. Sadly, it may not provide enough content to keep them captivated for long.
In one last miraculous display of foresight, Bond sums everything up quite perfectly with a simple “Borf” before the credits roll.
Spy x Family Code: White is currently playing in theaters.
