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Summary
The Desmond family is endlessly enigmatic inSpy x Family, with its patriarch,Donovan Desmond, looming over the series as its main villain. Precious little is known about him in his current days other than his position as Chairman of the National Unity Party and how crucial it is for Loid Forger to meet with him and potentially broker peace. While much of him is a mystery,a surprising glimpse of Donovan Desmond is given in chapter #99 ofSpy x Family, looking at his past as a student at Eden Academy.
Donovan’s adult self inSpy x Familyis presented as an infamously untrusting politician, curt to the point of being blunt even in attempts for cordial interaction. This means he’s casually turned down Loid’s kindness in early arcs and been painfully sparing with his praise for his children, even as they are each extraordinary achievers.
However, through Henry Henderson’s flashback of his early teaching career at Eden,Donovan’s childhood is shown as surprisingly innocent, even if his jaded personality is somewhat jarring initially.
Spy x Family Confirmed For Season 3 With Amazing Teaser Visual
Spy x Family has officially confirmed season 3 is in the works with an all-new amazing teaser visual featuring Anya and Bond.
Donovan Desmond’s Past in Spy x Family Was Bright Yet Jaded
The Main Villain Was Surprisingly Likable in the Past
In Spy x Family chapter #99, while Henry’s psyche falls apart with Martha going into service as a fighter for Ostania, Donovan Desmond is shown as a charming yet cynical high achiever at Eden Academy. Early signs of his suspicious nature show in how he handles school debates,claiming humanity will never be free from war, citing history, and the pervasive human nature of dishonesty. All the while, Henry listens to Donovan’s points, barely listening,instead desperate for another letter to confirm Martha is still alive inSpy x Family.
While blunt, Donovan Desmond is seemingly an ordinary, precocious child grappling with the grim realities of war as only a child observing from the outside could. His natural trust issues are still not detailed, but this is a running theme inSpy x Family, as he doesn’t dare venture outside without an escort or accept gifts or company from strangers. Yet, when Donovan welcomes Henry back after the teacher’s brief fall from grace,the two have an earnest heart-to-heart, with Henry surprising Donovan with some poignant wisdom at the end ofSpy x Familychapter #99.
Donovan is a Reminder of What’s Important for Henry
Eden Academy’s Most Elegant Teacher Recovers from Trauma Thanks to His Students
Henry, believing Martha to be dead, has an outburst at an Eden Academy assembly, previously foreshadowed in chapter #97, when he is bullied for his non-violent beliefs inSpy x Family.He is hauled away to jail as a traitor, speaking out against the mythologizing of human lives sacrificed on the war front.Donovan serves as an inspiration as the first student Henry sees outside of jail, the student reminding him that the class hardly progressed while he was away, along with some choice words that provoke Henry.
It’s a pivotal moment inSpy x Family, where Henry, troubled by Donovan’s misanthropic beliefs, is reminded that he pursued a job as a teacher to foster peace in the future. Even though Donovan Desmond is the series' main antagonist, moments like these tease he can still be sympathetic yet misunderstood, at least until fans are fully aware ofDonovan’s dark secret. Given the theories about him and some telltale scars, it’s also not likely the last time readers will see glimpses into Donovan’s past.
Spy x Family Can Still Explore More of Donovan Desmond’s Story
Some Scars Run Deeper
Donovan’s appearance inSpy x Familychapter #99 is relatively innocent compared to his adult state, and this could be because his most crucial formative events haven’t happened in this flashback. While uncertain, his haircut doesn’t hang much lower in the flashback than in the present, where readers will notice no scars above his temples. This means there is room to explore what inflicted those scars and whether they confirma current fan theory suggesting Donovan or others in the Desmond family can read minds inSpy x Family.
The series lacks an explanation for Anya’s telepathy aside from a possible connection to Project Apple and allusions to experiments on P.O.W.s inSpy x Familychapter #98.Donovan’s hand in this could easily be explained, with the evident and nefarious potential of having telepathy for strategic purposes and to vindicate the man’s infamously suspicious behavior. However, there could also be a more straightforward connection, such as Anya andDonovan’s seemingly similar views on humanity’s capacity for lying inSpy x Family.
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.
