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Summary
Tatsuya Endo, creator of the belovedSpy x Familyseries, has created a world so unique and carefully crafted, that it often feels as if it is alive. One of how he achieves this effect is in the attention to detail he offers his story. In this world, even the smallest details have a reason to exist, proven by a small but significant detail hidden in chapter #99.
During this chapter,the backstory of Henry Henderson, Anya’s teacher and one of anime’s most elegant characters, continues. His anti-war speech gets him tortured and put in jail, as he was considered a traitor by Ostania’s government. It was during this chapter thatthe origins of his iconic monocle were revealed, with Endo demonstrating the care he puts into his work once again.
Spy x Family Just Revealed its Best Love Story and it isn’t Loid and Yor
Romance is a prevailing theme of Spy x Family, but yet the main characters, Loid and Yor, may be upstaged for best love story in the series.
The Reason Why Henderson Uses a Monocle Proves How Amazing Spy x Family Is
This Detail, While Not Vital, Makes the Story So Much Better
Despite being a secondary character, Master Henderson is perhaps one of the most recognizable and brilliant individuals featured inSpy x Family. His fondness for elegance and his pristine attire make him an extremely hard man to forget. This is in part thanks to his monocle, an accessory not often seen in anime. When Henderson was first introduced, this item was believed to be nothing more than a fun detail to make his character look even more elegant. Still, in chapter #99 it was revealed that the monocle was more than a simple accessory.
After Henry receives news of his beloved Martha’s battalion being attacked by Westalian forces, the young teacher becomes enraged with Ostania’s government. His anger leads him to speak out loud about his anti-war sentiment, causing him to be considered a traitor and imprisoned for his actions. During his imprisonment,Henry was tortured and physically harmed, resulting in his left eye being permanently damaged. Soon after, he began using a monocle, as he could not see as well as before through his left eye.
The monocle once believed to be a symbol of his elegant demeanor, suddenly became a painful memory of one of Henry’s darkest moments. This detail was not strictly necessary for Endo to include in Henderson’s backstory, as excluding it would not have made his past any less tragic. By choosing to add it to the story, Endo demonstrated his passion and care for the characters he created. He transformed Henderson’s monocle into a reminder of the atrocities committed by Ostania against its citizens. Small but significant details like this make the story significantly more enjoyable for readers.
Henderson’s Monocle Is Not the First Detail To Confirm Endo’s Dedication
Endo Has Always Shown His Commitment to the Story Through Small Features
Since the beginning of theSpy x Familymanga series, fans have discovered small details left by Endo that make the series more engaging. Despite how inconspicuous these moments or items may seem, they often become key parts of the story. For example, Loid’s iconic pose in chapter 1 of the manga was later referenced inAgent Twilight’s tragic backstory. This moment highlighted the young man’s growth, from a child playing war with his friends to an accomplished spy helping preserve peace.
Another great example of Endo’s dedication can be found in the special chapter Short-Mission 4. In this entry of the manga series, Henderson can be seen writing a letter, although the contents are not revealed in the chapter. By looking closely at Henry’s writing, it can be seen that this letter was addressed to his daughter and son-in-law, two characters who have never been introduced in the story. This was also a subtle foreshadowing thatHenry and Martha would not end up together, despite their love for each other.
Spy x Familyis a series that has something for everyone, from wholesome family moments to action-packed scenes, from hilarious comedy to emotional backstories. The franchise shines thanks to Endo’s dedication to giving fans an incredibly rich lore and loveable characters. The small details found in the series, like Henderosn’s monocle, prove whySpy x Familydeserves its popularity and the love of the millions of fans who wait patiently for each new chapter to be released.
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.
