Spy x Family is a relatively recent show that is still gaining new fans. The espionage and paranormal elements of this popular anime attract its large audience, but it also brings up a lot of questions that newer fans might have about the show.
Spy x Family is mostly a comedy, but there are many aspects of the setting and story that have deeper and darker undertones of which some fans may not be aware. Everything from Loid Forger's past to the tension between Westalis and Ostania has some answers for new viewers, even if they are still mostly a mystery to anime fans.
10 East & West Germany
The central conflict of Spy x Family is the tension between the countries of Westalis and Ostania. Although they are rather similar, Westalis and Ostania have different ideas of what government should look like. Any fans who find this conflict familiar would be correct in thinking that Ostania and Westalis are based on East and West Germany.
Ostania in the East represents a facsimile of what East Germany used to be like. The capital of Ostania is even Berlint, which gets its name from Berlin, Germany. Westalis, on the other hand, represents West Germany and its ties to NATO and keeping peace.
9 The Forgers Are Fakes
It is no secret to any Spy x Family fan that the Forger family is not a true family. They are only trying to keep up pretenses to further Loid's mission and keep Yor out of suspicion from the government. However, their name is a cheeky reference to their fake identities.
The Forgers are named as such since they are a forgery of a family. They look and sound like a real family, but aren't in actuality. Their chosen surname is a nice little pun for fans who catch it.
8 Twilight Doesn't Remember His Name
Twilight is one of the most reputable spies in the world. No one can seem to catch him due to his chameleonic disguises and his impressive abilities. However, one of the worst side effects of Twilight doing well is that he doesn't seem to remember his real name.
Twilight was thrust into the line of duty when he was very young and was trained to have as little presence as possible. This is why he uses the alias Twilight. However, it has been so long since his real name was used that it appears to have been forgotten by everyone, including Twilight.
7 Secret Experiments
One of the biggest mysteries that has yet to be solved is how Anya got her powers. Her telepathic abilities have yet to be properly explained, but viewers eventually get a clue when they meet the Forgers' future pet, Bond.
Like Anya, Bond has a special ability. He can see different futures. Fans see that he was one of many animals that were part of some sort of experiment. Though it is still unclear what the experiment was, and who was behind it, it's interesting to speculate about how Anya and Bond are connected.
6 Yuri Works For The State Security Service
Loid, Yor, and Anya Forger aren't the only ones in their new family with secret occupations and talents. Even though he is only 20 years old, Yuri Briar—Yor's brother—is a high-ranking official in the Ostanian State Security Service.
Despite his age, Yuri is known for his brutal interrogation tactics and is even feared by some of his colleagues. Yuri's position is a direct threat to Loid's mission, as Yuri's job is to sniff out Westalian spies and punish them accordingly.
5 Secret Agent Names
The various members of WISE all have special names that they call each other (except for Frankie). Many of them give up their given names and only refer to themselves as their agent names when they aren't in disguise. All the agents working in the field seem to be named after different times of the day.
Loid Forger's agent name is Twilight. His coworker Frost's agent name is Nightfall. There is also a character who names himself "Daybreak." Daybreak considers himself to be Twilight's arch-nemesis. Even though he isn't a WISE-sanctioned agent, he still follows their naming guidelines.
4 Twilight Is An Orphan Of War
One of the many reasons why Special Agent Twilight became a spy was because of his own experiences with war. Fans are still in the dark about much of Twilight's past, but they do know that he was orphaned by the last Westalian and Ostanian war.
This tragic incident has led Twilight to vow to protect any other children from experiencing the same loneliness and grief that he did. Twilight may have buried his past deep in his subconscious, but it's his driving force for all the work he does today.
3 Hungaria & Nortica
Westalis and Ostania may be the two most conflicting countries, but there are other countries in the world of Spy x Family as well. Westalis and Ostania border each other in the middle, but they are also near Hungaria and Nortica.
Anime fans haven't heard a great deal about Nortica yet, but Hungaria is mentioned a few times by Yuri Briar. He uses it as a cover for any trips he takes, even though Loid sees through his deception. Hungaria is based on the real country, Hungary.
2 Political Manhunt
During the Soviet era, the KGB was known to detain and question people they thought might harbor anti-Soviet sentiments. The government began a manhunt that took the lives of many innocent people and destroyed others' livelihoods. This phenomenon can also be found in Spy x Family.
Much like the Soviet government of the past, Ostanian officials hope to capture any Westalian sympathizers. This includes women who are close to or over 30 years old and are unmarried. Unfortunately, Yor Briar falls into this category, which is why she eagerly accepts Loid's seemingly out-of-the-blue proposal. By marrying Loid, Yor hopes to save herself from being interrogated, jailed, or much worse.
1 WISE's Logo Looks To The East
The Westalian Intelligence Service's Eastern-Focused Division (WISE) is an espionage contingent determined to keep the peace between Westalis and its Eastern neighbor, Ostania from going to war. They keep tabs on all goings-on East of the border to ensure that conflicts stay to a minimum. WISE agents can even recognize each other by their bespoke insignia that they usually have strategically placed.
The emblem, depicting a black half-moon shape combined with another black circle to look like an eye, is a symbol of their constant vigilance. The "Eye" always looks toward the right, representing Westalis always keeping an eye on the Eastern Ostania.
