ANIME REVIEW: SPY X FAMILY - Season 2

4/5

I Spy. 

12 Episodes. Starring: Takuya Eguchi, Saori Hayami & Atsumi Tanezaki. Director: Kazuhiro Furuhashi. On: Netflix, Disney +, Amazon Prime, Crunchyroll.

A gold star for the stellar second season of 'Spy x Family' that still seems to be the most popular anime coming straight out of Japan, even if Bruno Mars, back in the land of the rising sun to sell out more domes, is Instagram holding a copy of the manga everybody is reading right now, Jujutsu Kaisen, next to something as modern day Japanese as that...a vending machine. A crane game prize under his other arm, as fans across the drops of gold in the ocean look to UFO catch an Anya (check, but with an ex) and Bond (check...ruff) fluffy for its biggest and cutest rival. This family of spies and such starring Takuya Eguchi, Saori Hayami and Atsumi Tanezaki are again streaming on everything right now. Netflix, Disney +, Amazon Prime, and of course, Crunchyroll outside of Asia. And sure, Kazuhiro Furuhashi's series sequel may only have a dozen episodes next to last season's quarter-century, but how about a movie?

'Code: White' is dominating Japan cinemas right now, like the Far East's very own latest Studio Ghibli ('The Boy and The Heron') and kaiju ('Godzilla Minus One') are across the globe. And that's the tea, like the classic opening credits and theme song 'KuruKura' from Ado that bumps like chicken. Animated by Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken's Masaaki Yuasa, this march with teacups will have you all singing, walking and drinking along like those addicted to hot plastic bottled brews from vendors and conbinis. Eugene Winter's closing credits, featuring Vaundry's (featuring Cory Wong) Todome no Ichigeki" (トドメの一撃, lit. "Finishing Strike") are a joy too, for a show that stops any enemy in its tracks, even when it just comes to the songs they sing. Add the power of this short but sweet season's epic episodes in twilight, and now you're speaking everybody's language like a telepath. Nothing is lost in translation in this successful second season and massive movie that may as well have been a precognitive-preordained spy hit.

Anya is still the cutest, and that green suit from Loid Forger still signature to this sleuthing style of European elegance, but it's Yor's amazing assassin who truly kills it. Stealing the show in this second season, especially on-board the several episode arc of a boat that could rock like its own blockbuster movie. Complete with the hanabai of a truly explosive fireworks' festival, masking what's happening above deck. These impossibly inspired, infectious missions are mesmerizing to your good mood. Even if being shot in the buttocks like 'Forrest Gump' or Denzel in 'Training Day' will make an ass out of an opening episode date. Whether we camp with 'Damian's Filed Research' trip, or take a dog's day out or two with Bond, the skinny fur on this series is fun-filled, albeit absolutely moving at times. You'll laugh. You'll cry. You'll wonder why this sniper shot of a mission is over before it all began. And just wait until you watch the latest Bondman 'Spy Wars', episode within an episode spin-off. Make this one your choice (or else), as this family spies hard again between macaroons and lost cats astray. Unrequited love from all sides, and the feeling that this family is closer than they let on to each other. Even between what is not said in read minds and hidden thoughts. 'Spy x Family' is a multiplying hit by the book that won't fold like origami. If we can see the future, it reads like getting away with murder. As easy as, I spy, with my little eye, something beginning with peanuts to an elephant. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Spy x Family-Code: White', 'Holmes In Kyoto', 'Detective Conan'.