Ever since its debut, the Forger family from the Spy x Family anime series has become an inescapable staple of fandom conventions. So giving Spy x Family the full feature-length film treatment was much deserved! Code White is a standalone story that doesn’t rely too much on the anime series’ arc aside from also taking place during the ongoing conflict between the European-inspired countries of Westalis (West) and Ostania (East). The Forger family go on a vacation and visit the winter wonderland of Frigis but the trip turns out to be less relaxing than they initially thought, so now they have to fight their way to get back home. With all the hype surrounding Spy x Family Code: White before its release, was it able to deliver? Let’s find out!
Photo Credit: Encore Films Philippines
“Forger Found Family” moments
Most of the humor is derived from this badass family adjusting (and sometimes failing) to domestic life while trying their best to avoid exposing their secret identities/abilities. Loid (Westalian spy) and Yor (Ostanian assassin), in particular, often go overboard in trying to keep up the family-friendly ruse by applying their “special set of skills” to the most mundane tasks such as meticulously mapping out the grocery list or slicing food with lethal precision. And since Anya can read minds, she knows all the tea and does the most to prevent revealing the secret so she can keep her new family together. There’s also a big, fluffy dog named Bond who can predict the future whom Anya can communicate with thanks to her telepathic abilities.
Some of the funniest scenes for me include Loid overanalyzing the trajectory for a carnival shooter while also uncovering the foul corruption of the vendor who rigged the game, Yor whenever she gets into feral mode, and Anya trying to control her bowel movements (more on that later).
And of course, majority of the Loid/Twilight x Yor or TwiYor shippable scenes where they both fail so hard at communicating with each other despite being the best at their jobs. Some notable TwiYor moments feature Yor jumping on top of Loid in public (in a wholesome way!) while going on a drunken rant, Loid’s misguided attempts at reassuring Yor only to make her freak out more, their almost kiss which ended with Loid getting clobbered. To paraphrase a saying, they’re the best representation of “They’re a little confused but they’ve got the spirit!”
Deliciously decadent desserts
The Spy x Family series is also known for showcasing mouthwatering meals that make me want to desperately press my face against the screen. In Code White, it was all about indulging in a visual feast of cakes and pastries. When Anya joined a baking competition at her academy to win the coveted Stella Star, Loid went the super “extra” mile (for the mission and for the plot), and whisked his family away to Frigis so they could learn the ways of making the Meremere. This delectable dessert lived rent-free in my mind with its buttery, crumbly crust base, tart-but-sweet filling of assorted fresh fruits, moist sponge cake layer, and a generous dollop of fluffy meringue frosting that’s slightly burnt on top. Wait, what were we talking about again?
Photo Credit: Encore Films Philippines
Holding in your 💩 will save the world
Protect Anya at all costs! This pint-sized powerhouse was the standout star with her meme-worthy facial expressions, which screamed in ALL CAPS without uttering a word as she reacted to everyone else’s intrusive thoughts. My favorite storyline in Code White featured Anya and Bond–with the pre-cog dog acting as the “straight character” to her hurricane of chaos.
Mildly spoilery but Anya accidentally swallowed the movie’s Macguffin and when she’s eventually caught by the enemy, they force her to go to the toilet and let nature take its course. For the rest of Anya’s screentime since then, she wobbled about, summoning sheer willpower and muscle control to stop herself from pooping out the Macguffin. Anya’s tummy troubles were so visceral that you couldn’t help clenching it inwards in a mix of anxiety and sympathy. And to make matter worse, this poop-related predicament went on for an excruciatingly long time that it personally felt like torture. (Easily one of the “Top 10 Most Stressful Moments in Anime”)
And I had never felt more relieved for a character than when Anya was finally able to sit on the toilet.
Photo Credit: Encore Films Philippines
TL;DR Newbie-friendly intro to the anime series
Sure, the film does fall back on the anime’s episodic formula but why mess with a classic? It’s not Spy x Family if I don’t see Loid being weirdly intense about a minor chore, Yor being a shy babygirl while showing off her superhuman strength, and Anya going full Anya.
It was also nice to see familiar faces in the supporting cast such as Fiona Frost (simping over Loid), Franky (shooting his shot with a potential date), Damian (tsundere-ing over Anya), Yuri (being a Yor-obsessed younger brother), among many other brief appearances.
Admittedly, I was frustrated at the lengths that Spy x Family will go to in order to maintain the status quo (TwiYor not happening, Loid and Yor never finding out each other’s occupation nor Anya’s ability and so on) because it was really to the point of defying logic. For example, for a spy, Loid was impossibly dense and still hasn’t figured out that his waifu was not just an ordinary lady even as she openly has shown her fighting skills. And were they not suspicious about the contrived coincidence of all the Forgers somehow ending up in the same warship for the final battle?!
Speaking of fights, the high-flying action was definitely worth the cinematic treatment with Loid piloting the CG machinery and that fiery showdown Yor had against a super soldier. (That finishing move with the lipstick? I stan forever!) Among the new enemies, the main villain was mostly a forgettable despot with Yor’s adversary being the most memorable antagonist. (Who was a baddie and a “baddie!”)
But at its core, beyond the retro-style espionage and wacky domestic hijinks, Code White is a wholesome and heartwarming movie that tests the collective resolve of a found family who may not be ready to reveal their secrets to each other just yet but have enough trust to have each other’s back amidst the flying bullets. And to quote Henry Henderson, Spy x Family Code: White was “ELEGANTOOO!”
Spy x Family Code White is still showing in select cinemas. Thank you to Encore Films Philippines for the invite!
