REVIEW: ‘Spy x Family,’ Episode 4 – “The Prestigious School’s Interview”

Spy x Family is an action/comedy shonen anime produced by WIT Studio and CloverWorks. With their preparations complete, the newly minted Forger family heads out for their interview. But with the staff of this highly prestigious school judging their every move, can the trio make the impression they need to get Anya accepted in Spy x Family Episode 4?

With the first critical moment for Loid’s mission upon them, this episode was always going to be a big one for the larger plot of the show. However, Spy x Family Episode 4 exceeds its obvious importance by delivering a turning point for its trio of stars. It is here that we see the first budding of a true family. While the opening phases of the school exam and the criteria it judges its applicants on lead to several moments that deliver the series’ trademark charm and comedy, it isn’t till the Forgers get to the proper interview that the show delivers its greatest moments yet. Two of their interviewers are interested in the family’s qualifications, and a third is simply intent on attacking, embarrassing, and goading them into failure.

Loid and Yor can initially suffer the hateful barbs of this man, but when he turns his venom on Anya, the line is crossed. This moment culminates in a critical turning point for the show. How Spy x Family Episode 4 sees the calm, cool, and collected spymaster Loid respond to these attacks on his “daughter” are handly perfectly. For each of the members of the Forger family, there has always been a personal reason for accepting this new family arrangement. The interview in this episode is the beginning of that changing into something else.

Outside of the emotionally heated interview, this episode goes all out to deliver a humorous story that serves to delight, as well as a contrast from its emotional finale. While the family’s antics are as enjoyable as ever, Yor has a truly scene-stealing moment, the show does try a bit too hard with one of the school’s headmasters. While this character isn’t terrible, the show’s portrayal of the man and his responses to the Forgers’ approach to the challenges laid out before them frequently crossed the line from funny to annoying.

The animation throughout the episode delivers all the emotion and humor of the story perfectly. This is especially true for Loid. As much of the story is told from his perspective, his internal struggles are often the focus of the show’s various moments. The visuals do a great job of emphasizing how important his convictions are to him.

When all is said and done, Spy x Family Episode 4 delivers another banger of an episode. Fun, humor, emotion, and even a touch of danger are blended superbly to make another top-notch entry in one of this season’s best anime.

Spy x Family Episode 4 is streaming on Crunchyroll.