MIAMI.- Following the anime structure, Spy x Family CODE: White tells us the typical conflict of any episode: Loid Forger must advance the Strix operation and to do so he must make Anya, his adopted daughter, succeed in some extraterrestrial activity that could earn him a Stella. In parallel, Yor Foger misinterprets some actions of her husband – who is focused on the mission – and begins to doubt her role in her home (leading her to make impulsive decisions). Finally, the dog Bond, thanks to his abilities to see the future, ends up getting Anya into trouble. This is how a short vacation on the outskirts of the city becomes a life or death mission on which the fate of Westalis (and the future of the Strix operation) will depend.
Written by Tatsuya Endo (anime scriptwriter) and Ichir kouchi (Code Geass, Berserk: The Golden Age Arc, Kaiju No. 8), Spy x Family CODE: White is reminiscent of the cruise ship arc from season two (one of the series’ best so far). Here, once again, the Forgers will have to face multiple dangers far from home and work as a team – without knowing it – taking care of their respective facades. Of course, this ends up generating hilarious situations and reaffirming the emotional bond that unites them (while, through transitivity, they resolve a war conflict of epic proportions). Something that is usually common in the structure of several episodes, but that requires an enormous level of filigree: we are talking about 4 plots that develop simultaneously – with a certain degree of autonomy – and that, at the same time, are intertwined, affecting each other. they. All this without the protagonists stepping on each other’s heels and exploring different genres: comedy, romance, action, espionage, suspense.
Contrary to what one might think, based on experiences with other anime, going from series to film format is not to the detriment of the story. In fact, Spy x Family CODE: White It lasts almost 2 hours but it flies by. Possibly this is due to the narrative flexibility that the anime has explored in its development (where there are episodes that focus only on a conflict that concerns the Forgers, others where only the perspective of secondary characters is told, some that bring together several chapters to form a mini arc or one or another installment made up of a kind of anthology created with snippets of stories that focus on very specific conflicts). Thanks to this experimentation that allows the universe of Spy x Family and gives the secondary characters a little more depth, we enjoy a world of short appearances of Frankie, Fiona, Sylvia, Yuri, Becky or Damian Spy x Family CODE: White.
Dirigida por Kazuhiro Furuhashi (director from anime and classics like Rurouni Kenshin, Youre Under Arrest!, Ranma 1/2) Spy x Family CODE: White It has the freshness and mix of genres that make the series so special. Using multiple references pop, its director builds tender moments with Anya (stealing the family comedy tone with a tender girl, very much in the vein of Little Miss Sunshine), convoluted spy sequences with Loid (some as a clear homage to Mission:Impossible or the James Bond saga) and epic fights with Yor (making several winks at Captain Amrica: Winter Soldier y Elysium). A whole mix of emotional registers that makes us laugh, get excited and moved from one moment to the next using chance, physical comedy and a certain level of self-parody as a common thread. Thanks to this versatility, the rhythm of Spy x Family CODE: White never falters and we feel that, far from watching a movie, we had almost 2 hours of binge watching of an extremely fun arc. Also, incredible as always the animation work of Wix y Clover Studio.
Although Spy x Family CODE: White It is an OVA and, as a rule, is not part of the canon, It has all the elements to make it so in our hearts. It gives us a fun adventure in a longer format and maintaining the rhythm that characterizes the show (a very complicated task and where many OVAs fail). Beyond giving us amazing action sequences (and dedicating the time they deserve to enjoy them as God intended) or moments to explore the emotional bond between Loid and Yor (which will make more than one person in the room scream), the most wonderful thing about this story is that it gives us a glimpse of what we’ve all been looking forward to and the series has only explored in a couple of episodes: seeing the Forgers working as a team on the same mission. Just for that and the spectacular animation that has always characterized it Spy x Family CODE: White It is a must stop to visit the movie theaters.
The best
The story stands on its own and is an excellent entry point to hook those who don’t know the series. Despite taking place in a different context than usual, all the anime characters appear. The post-credits scene.
The bad
Having to see it in spring and not at Christmas. The whole trip with the Toilet God breaks the usual visual and narrative code of the series. Perhaps, by giving us this arc in film format, we will have to wait a little longer for the new season.
About the Author
Luis Bond is a director, screenwriter, editor and teacher. Since 2010 he has dedicated himself to film criticism on the web, radio and in print publications. He is Tomatometer-approved critic in Rotten Tomatoes. His training in cinema has been complemented by studies in deep analytical psychology and symbolism.
