Spy x Family Episode 13

Spy x Family Episode 13 returns viewers to the Spy X Family universe with a bang. The show picked up from where we left off in part 1–with Anya going out with her family to pick out the dog she earned.

Ok, to be fair we actually begin with the new opening theme. As much as I liked Part One’s OP, I really like Part Two’s as well. The animation of this one is much more traditional than the experimental stuff in part 1, but it's just so beautiful. I could essentially save each different image in the opening theme and use it as computer wallpaper. I also like the contrast between the dark shots and the colorful scenes with the family. I feel it really shows the two different moods the show tends to operate in.

Picking up with the episode, Loid had prepared a mock shop set up by his agency for Anya. Unfortunately the dogs the agency picked lack the cute factor. Anya rejects all three of them. However, the stop serves a purpose, as the spy agency has a new mission for him. He fakes needing to poop to get away from the family, which uh leads to this line.

By the way, inquiring minds want to know. Is this just an awkward translation, or is it what Anya actually says? If you know, let us know, either in The Geekly Grind Discord or in the comments.

At this point, the episode focuses on Loid’s viewpoint and the political intrigue that is the backdrop to the episode. Poor Loid, his work/life balance for his fake life is non-existent. But there is a legitimate emergency as someone wants to assassinate the foreign minister with the foolproof plan of…dogs? Trained dogs with bombs strapped to them to be precise. It’s definitely different, that’s for sure.

This is also where it gets interesting. The perpetrators are a bunch of isolationist college students.  As Loid points out, this makes no sense, as training dogs cost a TON of money which…well college students just wouldn’t have these types of fund. This implies there’s a mysterious entity–the anime states a far-right person or sympathetic person from a third power- with a lot of resources funding the students–meaning if this fails, they can funnel resources into another political event.

This is especially bad as relations between the East and West are in poor shape. Even if it fails, as long as the public sees it happen, this could result in war breaking out. Loid and agency sure have their work cut out for them!

Cut to Yor and Anya at an adoption event at the shelter. Warning: Cute Animal abounds alert. There are puppies, kittens, bunnies, etc. Yor gets caught up with a shelter attendant as the dogs for the assassination attempt walk by. 

Among the dogs is an adorable huge white dog we’ve seen before. I believe he was first introduced in episode 10 or 11 as a cameo, and he’s been seen in a few short clips with the college students throughout this episode. This is his time seeing a Forger, and it so happens to be with Anya. She reads his mind and sees an image of the three Forgers. Then the dog is led into an unlabeled building across the street. Anya’s interest is piqued and she follows after the dog, and right into the terrorist territory.

The young Forger makes it back to the room with the dogs. Upon which she is quickly discovered by the terrorists and the lovely piece of work which is the leader–he’s a total asshole. Keith is his name, trying to murder small children is his game.

The dog leaps in to protect Anya…up until one of the underlings threatens him with a pipe. And thus the viewer has the entertaining site of this big dog cowering behind the tiny Anya.

Shift to Yor, who has noticed Anya is missing. Using her best ninja skills, she quickly ascertains that Anya is not at the animal shelter anymore. The conclusion is obvious–Anya has been kidnapped to be made a young bride and forced into marriage.

(It should be noted if you haven’t guessed that this is a VERY dark episode, and even this misunderstanding, while still dark, brings some welcome levity to the episode.)

Switch to Loid for info dump time. Introducing Project Apple, a research project from Ostenia to create intelligent animals for military purposes–and the possible source of origin of the dogs. The project itself as far as anyone knows is no longer active, with it never having produced any notable results. The animals from the project ended up being sold on the black market, where the students may have possibly found them.

The no notable results thing, as it turns out, is highly questionable, as we cut back to Anya and the dog. Anya is in a tough position, but the dog is still trying to help. He sends Anya an image a few seconds in the future of the phone ringing, revealing he too is psychic. The terrorist answered to phone to find out suspicious people (Loid and his agency) who have been investigating some of their old hangouts. They talk amongst themselves, with the leader deciding now is time for Plan B.

While this goes down, Anya and the dog make their escape. The dog is big enough that Anya can ride. It’s too damn cute. As they run through town, both Yor, and Keith. Unfortunately for Anya, the now-dubbed “Mister Dog” just runs in one big circle, allowing the terrorist to catch up. But it also allows Yor to catch up, and she’s in full Mama Bear mode. She kicks one of the college students in the face, as she decries their attempt to make Anya their child bride.

And this is where Part 2 Episode 1 ends. Originally I was going to do both episodes as one post, but we’ll talk about episode 2 and the ending theme in the next post as this is uh, way too long as is.

Did you enjoy the article? Follow us on Twitter! Join the Discord! And check out the next episode’s post, as well as other anime we’ll be covering this season (like the New Gundam)! I have a couple more series (Bocchi the Rock and Mushikabari Hime) that I’ll be getting posts out about this week!