Spy×Family 31

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis

Yor and her boss have dinner on the ship with the City Hall guys and “Grey” family. On their way back, the Director senses an assassin and quietly deals with him after getting some intel. He takes “Mr. Grey” back to the 1st class cabin, where he learns the man accidentally caused the leak of their information for assassins to obtain. In the cabin, Yor and Olka talk until room service arrives. However, Olka didn’t order it, and the disguised assassin shoots through the door.

Yor saves Olka and her child. The Director and “Grey” arrive, distracting the assassin long enough for Yor to kill him. They dispose of the body. At the Director’s request, Yor leads the masked Grey’s to a masquerade ball in one of the lounges. However, she senses an assassin and knocks him out with a button. Another assassin makes a move, so Yor quietly takes care of him.

Elsewhere, Anya and Loid are in a gift shop. After attempting to get her papa to buy a skeleton keychain, Anya senses another assassin targeting Yor. Fearing Yor’s role as an assassin might be discovered, Anya has Loid try on clothes from the store. Anya sneaks out of the store, expecting a battle. But the assassin walks past Yor and her charges. He then turns and attacks, but Yor dodges while still protecting the Greys.

Thoughts/Review

Wow. When a manga gets adapted into an anime, there are things that are really enhanced there. Such was the case with Spy×Family 31.

Modifications to the Source Material

Source manga chapters 46, 47, and the first 8 1/3 pages of chapter 48 compose Spy×Family 31. As usual, there are no changes of significance in the anime adaptation. It is SO nice to have an anime adaptation of a manga where the anime production team doesn’t feel the need to put their own stamp on things.

Anime Enhancements

There were two things I felt Spy×Family 31 enhanced over the source manga material. Hearing the Director breaking the bones of the one assassin was one such enhancement. While the cracking and crunch sounds are in spelled out in the manga, they don’t have the same impact as hearing them in the anime. It makes the Director (whom I don’t think the anime has named) a force to be reckoned with.

The other enhancement in the episode isn’t exactly a positive one. In the manga, the scene where Anya detects the thoughts of the assassin doesn’t seem as long. In the anime, it really brings to light the pacing problem the moment causes.I kept thinking, “Man, the assassin has to already be at Yor’s location by now.” 😅

Don’t get me wrong, it had to be there. The assassin had to be close enough to Anya for Anya to read his mind. But a moment that seems to play out faster in the manga seems to take an eternity in the anime. 😂 Well, the episode is so good, a minor pacing issue is something I’ll let pass.

Yor the Beast

Normally, the only time I give a pass to a weaker woman beating up a man is when said woman has a special power or supernatural ability. However, as I stated long ago, I give Yor a pass due to how awesome she is. And that continues in Spy×Family 31. She’s a girl boss without being an insufferable bint. Take her nervousness at dinner, or her conversation with Olka in the cabin. It makes Yor very likable and human.

Yet when an assassin threatens Olka and her child, Yor’s “mama bear” part comes to life. I’d forgotten she sent one of her stiletto daggers through the door and into the assassin’s head. 😅 That’s some over-the-top strength there, but this is Yor and I loved it. Likewise, when she knocked out an assassin with a button, I laughed out loud, not because it was silly, but because its Yor being awesomely awesome!

I even give Yor a pass when she broke that one assassin’s fingers by interlocking her small hands with his large hands. I just can’t help but love Yor as a character. I can’t wait to see her battle with Sickle-and-Chain Barnaby.

Final Thoughts and Conclusion

I need to get to bed, so let me wrap up with some final thoughts.

• Anya always imagines the worst when it comes to her fears that Loid will abandon her. But said imaginations are still humorous. That said, it does make me wonder why she acts like a brat at times, other than she’s still a child.
• Speaking of Anya and humor, I did chuckle at her scarfing food at the buffet.
• Gotta feel a bit sorry for Loid. He really does try hard at the fatherhood thing. And Anya not giving all the information, lest she be uncovered as a telepath, doesn’t help things.

In the end, Spy×Family 31 is another good outing in a great series. Its nice seeing Yor get so much love as a character.