Spy x Family, Vol. 1

This was a really fun read. There were several out-of-this-world elements to it but I found those tolerable if you focus on the main premise of this book: how a “fake” family of 3 people harbouring secrets of their own will deal with that tension while inevitably getting closer and more attached to each other.

Our protagonist is a spy, codename Twilight, who receives a mission to get closer to a reclusive politician. The only public appearance this politician makes is when he attends parent-teacher conferences at the school his son is attending: the prestigious Eden Academy. In order to get close enough to his target, Twilight has to create a “fake” family and pass off as a parent of a legitimate enrolled student in the Academy. He adopts Anya from the orphanage, not knowing that she is in fact psychic and knew from the very beginning about his true job as a spy and the nature of his mission. Later, he meets and proposes a fake marriage to Yor, a salesgirl with a predilection for kicking ass, also without knowing that she is in fact a secret assassin. The scene where Twilight “proposes” to Yor was truly iconic.

While the premise might have the tendency to get gritty, the story is uplifted by good doses of humour. It doesn't hurt to have little Anya around to lift the mood as well. There're some slightly more conservative values in here, at least in this first volume. The reason why Twilight needs to find a fake wife in the first place is because Eden Academy emphasizes traditional family value - so no single-parent families apparently.

Nevertheless, this was a light-hearted, episodic, and enjoyable read and I'd look forward to reading more from the series.

It's official, I love this series.
The night with Yuri and the Forgers escalates. Loid starts to wonder what's going on with Yor. Anya actually gets some chances to get ahead with becoming an elite student.

There is something so wholesome about this. Everyone constantly lies, but in contrast with that we have Anya earnestly trying her best because she knows what's going on, but doesn't understand it. Her little fantasies about how avoiding war can happen are the most adorably childish things ever.
I have no doubts about Yor and Loid ending up together, but what I appreciate more is that they are becoming a family first and foremost and while the two of them do bond, it's more than just them being into each other. They appreciate each other's effort and try to do their best.
There is action in this. There are punches thrown, explosions and guns, but it's still such a feel-good thing because the characters make it so.
I also love how they are doing all the things a proper, healthy family needs to do, but it's all framed in this “we need to do this” way. But then it still just works.

We already know the gag of the story. We do, but there are just so many layers to it, because the lies vs the truth modify the relationships between all the characters. Even if one or two things eventually get uncovered, there will be enough left to go on.

And also... they are getting a fluffy dog! I'm a sucker for animal characters and I'm so excited about a dog coming, I can't even explain. Again, they are doing things for the mission or for peace or for appearances... and they are so typical wholesome family!