REVIEW: ‘Spy x Family,’ Episode 13 – “Operation: Apple”

Spy x Family is an action/comedy shonen anime produced by WIT Studio and CloverWorks. With Operation Strix well underway, the Forgers find themselves out on the town to get Anya her desired reward for her recent accomplishment. But with a dangerous plot being hatched, the family may get caught up in more than just dog shopping in Spy x Family Episode 13.

As is always the case with our favorite newly formed family, the casual day out to buy a dog quickly escalates into far more. Interrogations, kidnappings, Yor being an absolute boss, and one very special dog are all elements that come together to make Spy x Family Episode 13 a wonderful introduction back to the show’s world.

Right at the center of this story’s stage is Anya. The adorable little one is growing so fast. From seeing her smoothly covering for Loid as he must slip away to do his spy work, to how well she manages to adapt to the episode’s worsening situation the girl is learning the ropes of her new life incredibly well. Her adventures have already begun to craft her into a great spy herself, and this episode tease into how she will continue to grow only has me more eager for what is to come as the season unfolds.

While Spy x Family Episode 13’s primary focus is on the smallest Forger, Loid and Yor get their fair time to shine as well. We see Loid in his element as he helps his government try to get a handle on a growing threat to continued peace. Calm, cool, and confident Loid feel both natural and strange to me. While he is a world-renowned super-spy, he spends so much of the series in a blind panic that I often forget how competent he is when he is actually in his element.

Yor is wonderful as well in this episode, though her part to play does leave me with a minor concern. Yor’s time within this narrative is spent doing exactly what we’ve seen her do in the past. This pigeon-holing of her character could get repetitive and lose some of its charms if the series starts utilizing it too much. While Yor remains my favorite character in the series, I hope the show can find other things to do with her within the family’s adventures.

With each Forger playing their familiar parts, one might think that there would be little more to say about this story. But there is more. A new element is introduced into the family’s life that looks like it will shake things up in a big way. The character exhibits a similar mix of charm and oddity that makes Anya so appealing, though in a different way. I’m certainly excited to see what this new addition will bring to the show’s overall dynamic.

The visual design of Spy x Family Episode 13 manages to blend the cool action scenes perfectly with the narrative’s overriding comedic energy. The series continues to be not only aware of the absurdity of some of its moments but is even more than willing to poke a little fun at them.

Spy x Family Episode 13 gets the story of the Forger Family going again wonderfully. While a couple of elements are a bit repetitive, the characters are so wonderful and fun that my laughter and fondness for them suffer little for it.

Spy x Family Episode 13 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.