Spy x Family Code: White (2023)

“Spy x Family Code: White” stars Takuya Eguchi, Atsumi Tanezaki, Saori Hayami, and Kenichirō Matsuda. Released in Japan on December 22, 2023, the film has the Forgers unexpectedly finding adventure during a winter getaway.

The film was directed by Takashi Katagiri, and it is based on the manga series by Tatsuya Endo. Families are anything but ordinary, but we love them regardless of their dysfunctional personalities, whether they’re by blood or not. However, this family takes “abnormality” to another level…by pretending to be one. Tatsuya Endo’s manga series about a spy forming a “normal” family to prevent a war between rival nations was a bonafide hit when released in 2019, selling over 34 million copies as of this writing. It even received critical acclaim for its comedy, story, characters, and action. In response to the massive success, the manga spawned an anime television series in 2022, which gained the same amount of praise for translating the manga to the screen. Currently, the series only consists of two seasons, and its third season has yet to be announced. While the show’s future hasn’t been written yet, that doesn’t mean we’ve seen the last of the Forgers.

Following the release of the first season of “Spy x Family”, a feature film was announced at the Jump Festa 2023 event, taking the characters on an unforgettable winter vacation. Although, this vacation is far from relaxing, especially with the Forgers around. After having a successful box office run in Japan around the holidays, the film finally reached the United States this weekend for American fans to join the spy-centric party. Considering my immense enjoyment of the series, this was something that I shouldn’t save for last. Does it deliver a continuation as fun and hilarious as the series, or is this family vacation a bust? Let’s find out.

The story centers on the Forgers, a seemingly regular family that isn’t without their secrets. Loid (Eguchi) is the father who’s secretly Agent Twilight, a spy sent on a mission known as Operation Strix to form a pretend family and maintain world peace between the East and the West. Yor Forger (Hayami) is a kind-hearted yet sensitive mother who’s also a skilled assassin called the Thorn Princess. Anya (Tanezaki) is their adopted daughter with telepathic abilities. Neither know each other’s true identities, and they strive to keep their secrets hidden. Loid finds himself in hot water when he receives an order from her handler, Sylvia Sherwood (Yūko Kaida), to be replaced in the operation. To maintain his position, Loid must help Anya pass a cooking class at Eden Academy by making the school principal, Henry Henderson (Kazuhiro Yamaji), his favorite dessert. However, the dessert originated in a snowy region, resulting in Loid and the Forgers traveling there via a “family vacation”. His mission quickly turns south when Anya sets off a chain reaction that puts the world and her family at risk of destruction. As a result, Loid must protect his family from the country’s military squad led by Snidel (Banjō Ginga).

“Spy x Family” was one of the shows I didn’t expect to love that much until I started watching it. What seemed like another goofy anime comedy was actually a spectacular mixture of spy action, slice-of-life comedy, and heart. Packed with vibrant animation, memorable characters, and boatloads of charm and laughs, the series is one of my favorite shows in the anime department, sitting comfortably alongside “Demon Slayer” and “My Hero Academia”. Plus, Anya is exceptionally adorable in the series, and Yor’s badass persona was just as satisfying as her motherly side. Yor can kick my butt anytime she wants, and I won’t bat an eye.  

When I heard about the film, I immediately became excited to see how the franchise would translate as a feature-length movie, let alone one made for theaters. The only anime films I thought were great as theatrical experiences are the ones based on “Demon Slayer” and “My Hero Academia” regarding the animation styles and scopes. Of course, there are also the “One Piece” movies, but I’ve only seen “Red” in the theater, so it’s not enough to compare. So, where does “Spy x Family Code: White” lie regarding the trend of anime theatrical experiences? I would say it’s similar to “One Piece” and the recent “My Hero Academia” movie regarding the canonical universe. It may be inconsequential to the series's overall arc, but the film is a bundle of fun regardless, with just enough stylish action and charm to craft a delectable dessert for anime fans to consume easily.

For fans of the show and manga, “Spy x Family Code: White” is a highly fulfilling and comically entertaining expansion to the “Spy x Family” lore whose world-saving plot and scale are worthy enough to receive the big-screen treatment. But that’s not the only reason for the film’s success. It is also a fantastic starting point for newcomers and a fun, witty action comedy for casual moviegoers. The film periodically explores the manga’s concept amid its original narrative, especially regarding its characters and world-building, which should help ease people’s concerns about going into it blind. This direction assists the audience in immediately growing attached to the main characters and their attempts at keeping the faux family together. Unfortunately, this approach also includes squeezing every supporting character from the show into its 110-minute runtime, along with new characters made exclusively for the movie. It can often come across as stuffed or unnecessary, with the prime offender being Yor’s brother, Yuri Briar (Kensho Ono). If you remove him from the film, the story will remain the same.

Despite its overabundance of characters, “Code: White” offers exactly what you’d expect from the series: amusing misunderstandings and comical scenarios that balance exceptionally well with its action-packed set pieces and irresistible charm. The difference is that the film is longer and more cinematic. Does it provide quality storytelling on the same levels as Pixar or Studio Ghibli? No, but it doesn’t need to. It’s straightforward but also packs enough heart and humor in its scenarios and characters to compensate for its simplicity. Part of that is due to its stellar voice cast, who reprised their roles from the anime, including Eguchi and Hayami as Loid and Yor, respectively. They delivered the charismatic and infectious flair in their chemistry as they have been in the show, especially Atsumi Tanezaki, who continues to remind me why Anya is one of the best characters in anime history. Anya is undoubtedly adorable, and Tanezaki nails that personality as always. Banjō Ginga was also decent as the film’s antagonist, Snidel, who plans to use a microfilm chip to ignite a war between the East and West. That is, until Anya unintentionally got in the way.

Like the show, “Code: White” is produced by Wit Studio and CloverWorks. "Spy x Family" boasts an exemplary animation style that seamlessly integrates satire and action, making it one of the most outstanding elements of the show. The animation's cartoonish expressions and vivid backgrounds capture the essence of this genre-defying series, providing the best of both worlds that left me either laughing my butt off or amazed by its set pieces. Unsurprisingly, “Code: White” shows that the animation companies haven’t lost their groove, especially regarding its exciting action sequences. It also provides a combination of traditional animation and CGI for specific scenes. A few of them may look rough at times, but they’re hardly an issue when this blend is used to the best of its capabilities.

Overall, “Spy x Family Code: White” is an immensely entertaining and wholesome addition to the franchise that easily accomplishes its cinematic mission. It’s no secret that the film doesn’t reach the high standards of animation quality regarding its inconsequential plot and abundance of characters. However, it’s still the most fun I had from an anime movie this year, let alone one based on one of the best anime shows in recent memory. Not only does it cater to fans of the manga and series, but it also works for casual moviegoers as a hilarious and suitably simplistic spy adventure that benefits from its lively humor and heart. With its stellar voice cast, great animation, delightful characters, and diverting story, the movie shows that there’s no family vacation without “family”. If you’re eager for more lighthearted adventures with the Forgers or are in the mood for teen-rated anime goodness, you should definitely accept this mission. ​

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