Spy x Familyis beloved worldwide as an enormously successful series under the Shonen Jump+ digital imprint by Shueisha. While it’s a wholesome experience for readers,its creation wasn’t that easy for Tatsuya Endo. The manga bears many of its creator’s traits, such as his signature character and facial designs, wonderful backgrounds, and ability to shift tones at the drop of a hat in the series. In celebrating the continued success of the anime, the newly-releasedSpy x Family: The Official Anime Guide - Mission Report: 220409-0625details interviews with its creator where he talks about the difficulties he faced.
Spy x Familyisa hilarious, heartwarming, action-packed espionage comedy seriesset in a fictional world whose peace hinges on the success of Operation Strix. The mission, led by Agent Twilight aka Loid Forger, is meant to broker stronger ties between the fictional Westalis and Ostania. Yet, in forming his deep disguise, he forms a beautiful and genuine bond with the Forger family. Whileeven the Forgers can have a dark side, their creation is just as meaningful and therapeutic asSpy x Family’sfinal product is for readers.
“Manga Is Fun!” — Tatsuya Endo Discusses Motivation While Creating Spy x Family
The Unseen Problems in the Creative World
While promoting the newSpy x Familyanime on a radio show alongside Atsumi Tanezaki, the Japanese voice of Anya Forger, Tatsuya Endo carefully opens up more about his difficulties staying motivated in the manga industry. Courtesy of a review copy of the newSpy x Familyanime guide localized by VIZ Media for release on June 13, 2025, Endo is asked by Tanezaki about his experiences working on the series. He refers tohis rehabilitation period anddifficulties in the years before creatingSpy x Familyas anything but wholesome.
I guess the reason for my rehabilitation period was so I could return from my abandonment of my work. For about ten years, making manga hadn’t been very enjoyable for me. It had nothing to do with my level of success or the nature of what I was making. It was a purely psychological issue. But after struggling through various things, I think I’m now able to approach making manga in a slightly more optimistic way. I even wrote “Manga is fun!” on a piece of paper and taped it to my bedroom wall, as if to try to persuade myself into believing it. [laughs]
-Tatsuya Endo, Spy x Family: The Official Anime Guide
Endo frequently talks about returning to a place where he can enjoy drawing manga, and the ten years beforeSpy x Family’s success weren’t empty; he had two serialized mangas before, includingTista,Blade of the Moon Princess, and multiple one-shots. Whileit’s difficult to perceive the turmoil and whether it found its way onto the page, this interview isn’t the only instance where Endo talks about a rehabilitation period.Spy x Family’screation was a process in which Endo could put aside certain hangups as a creator and write.
Spy x Family Is Still a Comedy at the End of the Day
Endo’s Success Was Loaded With Compromise
It’s not unusual for mangaka to be humble or self-deprecating, deflecting from many of the enormous challenges in the industry. Still,Tatsuya Endo’s case is one in which his work reflects how far he has come as a creator.Endo had been publishing stories and manga one-shots since 2000, andSpy x Family’ssuccess was loaded with compromises, such as Endo making generally cute and attractive characters. While he shows interest in military storytelling and imagery, such as in the recentSpy x FamilyMartha substory, Endo reminds himself it’s still a comedy.
At the end of the day, this is a comedy, so I have to remind myself not to create a deeper world than necessary.
-Tatsuya Endo, Spy x Family: The Official Guide—Eyes Only
While these show Endo’s meticulous mind has many ideas still simmering beneath the surface, his understanding of what works and is popular has madeSpy x Familya smash hit. With adoring fans worldwide, his work deserves the recognition that, hopefully, continues to spark creativity and perhaps even some joy, as his work means a lot to his readers and viewers.Spy x Familyis a special series, and while it’s a comedy at the end of the day, it’s also relentlessly deep and a massive win for its creator, with over 35 million copies sold worldwide.
Spy x Family
Cast
Created by Tatsuya Endo, Spy X Family is an action-adventure comedy anime that follows the misadventures of a found family with unique quirks. The story follows spy Twilight (known as Loid Forger), who, while on assignment, builds a fake family to get closer to his target. Unbeknownst to him, his new family carries their quirks. His wife, Yor, is a kind but deadly assassin, while his daughter, Anya, has telepathic powers - and is the only one who knows their secrets.
