Tatsuya Endo’s series Spy x Family goes beyond the cliches and stereotypes of spy stories. It is a bestselling shonen manga that stole our hearts through its thought-provoking themes and unconventional characters. That also includes the fluffy and cutesy dog Bond Forger, but there’s a catch to that as well.
Endo went against his ironclad rules to write Bond’s character. He revealed himself as a cat person in an interview. And while opinions and worldviews differ and change eventually, he had a valid reason for doing so. It also ties in well with his approach to an unconventional portrayal of spies and assassins.
Tatsuya Endo on being “a thorough cat person”
Before achieving his breakthrough with his opus, Tatsuya Endo worked on a diverse range of projects. These include one-shot and serialized manga namely Tista, Blade of the Moon Princess, and Witch Craze. It is also interesting how these works highlight his versatility as a manga artist.
On top of that, his works are centered around assassins, witches as well as warrior women. This is also reflected in Spy x Family where the character dynamics often involve strong female leads. Be it Yor or Fiona, the manga portrays women splendidly but that is not all.
The series isn’t merely about spies and assassins but also about dogs as Endo mapped it out. Yes, the Forgers are skilled in combat, poison tolerance, and clairvoyance. But fans shouldn’t ignore the floof and expertise of our beloved dog Bond who was originally unplanned as the mangaka suggested.
In a character commentary published in the fan book, Endo revealed his original idea of including a cat. He said:
Incidentally, I’m thoroughly a cat person, but Anya wouldn’t have been able to ride on a cat and run around, so the idea was dismissed.
The first thing that would come to viewers’ minds would be Catbus from Hayao Miyazaki. However, it would be inconclusive considering Endo’s vision for his manga. His including Bond in the story was probably the best thing to happen along with the offbeat representation of spies and assassins.
The unconventional portrayal of spies and assassins Spy x Family
Spy x Family is a wholesome Shonen series that does both spy and assassin portrayals brilliantly. This is true for the unconventionality reflected in both Loid and Yor’s characters. James Bond, Jack Ryan, and Ethan Hunt each have something in common and that is their popularity and appeal.
Truly, there is a certain sense of appeal with Loid’s character but it has less to do with his sensuality. The way his character is written is commendable indeed. He is a well-rounded character being a family man and a spy. This also applies to Yor’s role in the series which stands out in every aspect.
Contrary to popular representations, Yor isn’t hypers**ualized or objectified throughout the series. The idea of a female assassin being a femme fatale and a seductress has been overused in popular media. It is a rinse-and-repeat strategy that often portrays women in a rather distasteful manner.
The series overturns the cliches and tropes. Yor is a bad cook and Loid displays his weakness through his profound care for the family. Bond, too, is an important member of the family who isn’t divorced from the adversities. It is impressive how Endo managed to execute these elements immaculately.
Spy x Family is available for streaming on Crunchyroll. The manga is available for reading on Shueisha’s Manga Plus app.
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