New Season, Same Shared Brain Cell
redbeanjelly and redbeancake came together with their shared brain cell to write up a roundtable review of Spy x Family, Season 3, Episode 1. The episode, an anime-original story, left us pondering the meaning of life (and why we’re all working so hard).
Bond Deserves Better (and Some Choccy)
Jelly: Can we talk about how Bond finding out chocolate is poison to dogs was such a mood? Like, what do you mean I can’t have that creamy deliciousness too, hooman? Poor guy just wanted some ice cream.
Cake: That’s animal abuse right there. You can’t wave ice cream in front of someone and then say, “You can’t eat it because you’ll die.” HOW DO YOU KNOW? WHO’S TO SAY? LET BOND TRY HIS ICE CREAM. HE’S A SPECIAL DOG—HE COULD SURVIVE.
Jelly: I watched you type and delete that, and there’s a lot of projecting going on, but that’s a discussion for later. Going back to Bond, the fact that he survived Yor’s cooking proves he deserves some choccy.
Cake: I don’t think the world needs to know all the dark, twisty thoughts in my head. I think Bond was having traumatic flashbacks (along with Anya) when Yor promised to add every single one of Anya’s favorite foods to dinner. Bond was probably thinking, “I should’ve taken my chances with the ice cream.”
Jelly: I think my face crumpled when Yor enthusiastically announced what she was making and how. Maybe that tractor driver would’ve realized he had more to live for if Yor had a container of her cooking on hand.
Overworked, Underpaid, and Relatable
Cake: Missed opportunity! Speaking of the tractor, that was an anime-original addition. What did you think of it as the opening for Season 3?
Jelly: My initial reaction was, “I beg your finest pardon?” But when the guy said he didn’t get paid enough, I laughed because—yeah, me too. Even though he was absolutely wrong for what he planned, I kinda get it. Sometimes you’re just too overworked and underappreciated to hold onto that last brain cell.
Cake: Haha! I immediately thought of you when he said that. The dark circles under his eyes, the resentment at seeing everyone else happy while he worked—it was too relatable.
I thought the tractor episode was a strong way to start Season 3. It got a little info-dumpy in the beginning with the narrator reminding us of the Forgers’ roles, but it was nice seeing everyone use their skills. It balanced action and Spy x Family’s signature humor. I also liked seeing a little of Yor and Loid’s relationship when he offered to buy her apple pudding. Sure, he used the excuse of “keeping up the perfect family disguise,” but we see you, Loid.
Jelly: I actually appreciated the info dump because I can barely remember what I ate for lunch yesterday. Basically, I remember the Spy x Family basics, but it’s always nice to get a refresher.
Parenting Level: Forgers
Cake: You’re usually the one with the good memory out of the two of us.
I loved how Anya’s five-year-old imagination saw the excavators as tanks—it felt realistic. All she saw were these monstrous machines, and considering Spy x Family’s setting, it makes sense. I was entertained by how we got a mecha fight in this episode while everyone in the park remained oblivious. I don’t think the old man even realized how close he was to dying—poor dog, too! And does Loid even think about collateral damage? What if Yor hadn’t been there to save them?!
Jelly: The way Anya is written perfectly captures what being a little kid is like—except she’s actually endearing. I can only speak for myself, but I was not.
I also love how quick Yor is at coming up with excuses for her agility. That’s 90% of parenting—making up plausible explanations on the fly.
The Study Lie Strikes Again
Cake: Those lies would work if Anya couldn’t see through Yor and Loid’s nonsense. Anya really needs a new excuse when she saves the world. Every time she says “school,” it backfires.
Jelly: I can’t believe they believed her! If my kids said they wanted to study, I’d be immediately suspicious. Voluntary studying? The world must be ending.
Though honestly, having to eat Yor’s cooking might be Anya’s punishment for that little white lie.
Saving the Day, One Borf at a Time
Cake: Loid needed something to hold onto. He was desperate. His daughter has more Tonitrus Bolts than Stellas!
Before moving to the second half, I have to mention how cute Anya’s ahoge was while she chowed down on ice cream—it even wagged when Loid scolded her. My heart melted when Loid and Yor immediately jumped to protect Anya and Bond from the falling debris.
Jelly: I loved that instinctive protectiveness. And Bond being Bond—his “borf” always makes me smile.
Operation: Emotional Damage
Cake: Now we get Franky and Fiona’s first meeting, which surprised me. I could’ve sworn they’d met before!
Jelly: I thought so too, but maybe we’re thinking of the manga or another anime-original episode. Fiona always makes me cringe, so I’m glad Franky was there to balance her out this time.
Cake: Agreed. Her “I wuv you” eyes at Loid are hilarious given how stoic she is otherwise. But I related to her chanting “hatehatehatehate” in her head.
Jelly: Are we… problematic? Anyway, she’s interesting, just tough to watch. Maybe she’d mellow out if someone set her up with Yor’s brother, Yuri. Their personalities might cancel each other out.
That said, I admired how proactive she was in this mission. She wouldn’t have gotten the forger on her side if she hadn’t thought ahead.
Cake: If she and Yuri ever got together, they wouldn’t last long—not because they’re a bad couple, but because they’d die of secondhand embarrassment from seeing Loid and Yor be so disgustingly in love.
I wonder if this mission was her way of getting Forger—slash Loid Forger—on her side. Too big a reach?
Jelly: Nothing’s too big a reach for Fiona. She’ll twist logic until it fits.
Cake: What did you think of Franky and Fiona’s impromptu “date”?
Jelly: Franky is too good for her. Too pure.
Cake: Ha! True. But props to Fiona for tolerating Franky’s antics as long as she did. He got to show off his “girlfriend” to at least five people! Also, she kinda rocked that cotton-candy pink wig. If she ever changes her hairstyle, she should revisit that look.
I liked how she manipulated the situation to her advantage—it caught even Franky off guard. I didn’t realize what she’d done until he pointed it out. Very slick.
Comic Relief with a Conscience
Jelly: Right? And it was funny how he freaked out when she said she’d bring him more work in the future. The way he panicked, saying he’d have no friends left if he kept helping her—it was classic Franky.
Even though the episode was lighthearted, I love how Spy x Family uses humor to balance its heavier themes, like the trauma of war or abusive upbringings.
Cake: Agreed. One of my favorite moments in “The Informant and Nightfall” was when Fiona asked Franky why he helps Westalis even though he’s from Ostania, and he said he isn’t on anyone’s side—he just disagrees with how Ostania runs things. Even though he joked about liking to stir up trouble, that line shows how strong his morals are.
Jelly: Which is more than can be said about a lot of people. Even though Franky’s a comic relief character, his moments of sincerity make him one of my favorites.
Overall, this was a strong start to the season. I wasn’t a fan of the ending song or animation at first, but seeing the quirky Bond art won me over.
From Childhoods to Found Family
Cake: Same! I also appreciated that Tatsuya Endo and the animation team didn’t make Fiona’s fight scenes gratuitous. This episode reminded me why Spy x Family appeals to such a wide audience.
The animation style felt different—especially that transition from young Loid spinning into view to Anya pulling him and young Yor to play. It hit me emotionally, and ending with the three of them as a family was perfect.
Jelly: The animation team knew exactly what they were doing. Seeing young Loid and Yor with Anya was so heartwarming, especially given their tragic pasts.
I heard Season 3 might focus on Loid’s backstory, so this ending feels fitting.
Cake: It does. I remember my heart dropping when I first read about his backstory in the manga—and waiting for new chapters every two weeks was agony. I can’t wait to experience that heartbreak again in animated form.
See You Next Mission, Agents
Jelly: I only read the manga when you remind me because I’m a menace. Loid’s story was heartbreaking, but knowing me, I’ll probably be completely normal about it this time. You still haven’t recovered from my lack of reaction to TGCF.
Guess we’ll have to wait for our next roundtable to find out!
Spy x Family Season 3 is now streaming on Crunchyroll.
