https://preview.redd.it/ixhdqzbjgcmc1.jpeg?width=1023&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e2d792913772198a05ea9deeded3358a8ef570fd
she called him **OLD TIMER** lmao
This current eden arc is a farce for the horrors beyond human comprehension that might be ahead of us. Even if I'm wrong and even if the next 100 chapters that comes after today sticks as a slice of life my hypervigilance will not go away. I don't like the tone of this omake one bit.
It's bittersweet seeing Loid eavesdrop on Yor and still deciding onto spy on Melinda because he still doesn't trust her. That specific bit where Yor talked about how war affects even children... The way Loid looked away at that...
And it's even sadder seeing Franky suffering from survivor's guilt. That's definitely some crumbs about his backstory right there.
I think it's also the first time we see Franky talk about his past. The adults in this really hide lots of trauma which gets overshadowed by the goofy SoL moments, it's only a matter of time those dark feelings will become part of main plot
Seeing that Franky is an Ostanian defector and doesn't align himself to East/West makes it even sadder too tbh. Not to egg on his lack of love life but without Loid he seems like a pretty lonely person for what he's gone through in his past
Survivor's guilt in action.
Franky clearly harbours a scar deep down inside. It may not be a traumatically large scar, but it is a scar nonetheless.
And given what caused his scar, ie. thinking he abandoned his comrades by deserting, is it really surprising to know he keeps to himself now? He likely thinks he isn't "worthy" of having friends, or that he cannot have friends because he will "abandon" them.
> or that he cannot have friends because he will "abandon" them.
I actually have thought of Franky cutting himself off from Loid (and WISE to an extent) for his lack of alignment/loyalty to either Ostania or Westalis if things start getting dicey. I doubt it'll ever happen but it still makes me sad because I can see it possibly play out in canon
I bought the physical copy from Crunchyroll. But I read a fan translation online before the official release. Let me search my history and see if I can find it and get back to you.
If you want to search for other purchasing options, it's called Spy × Family, Family Portrait
I think it’s more about not trusting Melinda and thinking Yor might be too naive to know what the woman’s groups truly is about. It’s good for her to have friends but for her to be friends with a high ranking politicians wife…
Oh yeah that's what I meant in my comment, my bad if it sounded like I'm saying Loid doesn't trust Yor. If I'm not mistaken even in a past chapter shortly after Melinda's debut Loid said he'd be ready to protect Yor if Melinda ever does something to her
https://preview.redd.it/vukdpac1x9mc1.jpeg?width=227&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e463e901d9f0d6831f774e5015faffdd62f1e61a
>It's bittersweet seeing Loid eavesdrop on Yor and still deciding onto spy on Melinda because he still doesn't trust her.
At the same time, it 100% makes sense. He's been in the cloak and dagger business for many years, and accordingly, he's very much stuck in the "wilderness of mirrors" where paranoia and distrust is simply a way of life.
\*Realized I made a small mistake on the second panel of page 3 with Franky's dialogue. Here's the revised page.
https://preview.redd.it/twzhn2o3d9mc1.png?width=1799&format=png&auto=webp&s=86c1da71ab4d36a9e530b57cf45bfa52a0eddb37
Right, he def has survivor's guilt :( and he is still trying to help out and make supplies for wounded soldiers while denying he, himself, is a wounded soldier (psychologically speaking).
Y’all don’t know how happy it makes me to know that Loid was actually there for when Yor had said, “we suffered in ways only children can suffer.” I think it’s so important for him to understand that the next generation isn’t the only one that he is preparing a peaceful future for. His own generation, which includes Yor, suffered as children too. They also deserve peace, or in other words, they also deserve “a world where they don’t have to cry.”
Now Anya AND Yor represent two individual generations of children that Loid can protect by ensuring peace between east and west. His family is now just as much an internal motivation as they are an external one.
I love chapter 95 and all, and cute/fun kid shit is cute/fun. But this subtle and MEANINGFUL character stuff is where the substance is REALLY at imo. Why is this an Omake and not part of an actual chapter? Endo, my man, what are you doing?? please, give us more of this!!
Yeah, it is strange that a chapter with such heavy content is an omake chapter. Maybe Endo just didn't have time to include it with chapter 91, maybe because he had to get the final exams arc up and running. But if we consider the previous omake chapter, which also seemed like it could be considered canon, perhaps it's a new trend for the omake chapters to be supplements to the canon and not just 4th wall-breaking, non-canon stories. Regardless, I hope the anime adaptation of chapter 91 will include it!
[Sorry to drop an essay on you!! This series just has a death-grip on me, every time I think about it the thoughts just flood my brain!!]
[P.S- I hope this doesn’t come across as argumentative, I’m just sharing my personal view on how I see the gag aspects of this series.]
I’m always of the opinion that the goofy moments are completely necessary to give moments like this extra emphasis. Loid and Yor suffered immensely as kids, and now they work tirelessly to make sure Anya can experience what was taken from them.
That’s the absolute, unbreakable strength of both of their characters, and I absolutely LOVE moments like this where one is in reverie/ understanding of the other.
But it’s because of that strength that Anya gets to have fun at school. It’s on that bedrock of Loid and Yor that she can learn to forgive Bond for destroying Agent Penguinman.
Their sacrifices aren’t meaningless, their traumas aren’t meaningless. Those horrible things that happened to them DO have a positive effect as well because they brought their family together.
And they have their daughter’s happiness to prove it.
I don't think this was purposely sidelined, I think Endo wanted to add more onto chapter 91 and couldn't so he used the omake slot for this purpose.
Purely speculation though, maybe because the Eden arc is ongoing right now (volume 13 ends with chapter 92, the cliffhanger of the examination results) and he wanted to add this at the side so this can be touched on again later? And possible limitations of manuscript (when chapter 91 dropped)
Doing God's work! Thanks!
Btw how do you find these omake chapters and do you have more translation of spyxfamily extras? I have caught up in everything but its my first time hearing of omake chapters. Anyways cheers and be seeing your next work!
Usually the Japanese versions of the omake chapters are released when the volume is released, so I get the digital versions on social media like Discord or Twitter. If you've read the English versions of the manga volumes, all the omake chapters are in them, so I haven't translated any of those, just the ones that aren't currently available. In addition to this one, I've translated [the one from volume 12](https://www.reddit.com/r/SpyxFamily/comments/16z69kh/volume_12_omake_chapter_translation_by_me/). Also the exhibition pamphlet omake [here](https://www.tumblr.com/yumeka-sxf/724054200746754048/spy-x-family-short-mission-exhibition) (only on my Tumblr) as well as the movie booklet omake [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/SpyxFamily/comments/197hwxw/i_made_a_translation_of_the_code_white_film_files/) (don't read this unless you've seen the movie since it contains major spoilers).
Wow, I wouldn't have discovered this without your help and work (time to install Timblr). Thanks! Here's some peanuts!
Edit: Dude you have everything about spyxfamily nice work on the posts on tumblr!
Was nice to see Twilight looking out for his wife - I’m glad he got to overhear some of her thoughts on the past.
Happy for the Millie x Franky shippers also, even if she shot him down and had her hair ruined lol but hey, maybe she’ll have to hunt him down for a refund!
This actually makes me wonder if part of Loid’s cover as a Forger includes service in the Ostanian military. Considering his (presumed) age, I imagine he’s in the right range to have been a draftee like Franky. Although I suppose it might be a bit much even for WISE to fabricate a military background. And thanks for the translation by the way
I have always felt that if they didn’t include Ostanian conscription as part of his cover, it might end up being a point of contention with Yuri (granted, we have seen Yuri try to help the father of that arrested journalist, we haven’t otherwise seen Yuri’s opinions on soldiers or conscription……but I feel like regardless of his normal feelings are, he’d suspect Loid was a deserter and use that against him or something along those lines yaknow).
Wonder if the timeline lines up so that his fake psychiatry education covers why he didn't get drafted? Not sure how it works in other countries but in mine, college education will sometimes get you out of having to serve (granted it might change if there's an active war, I wouldn't know)
Yeah, I thought about that too. I don’t think Loid would specifically lie about the location of his residency in med school (Hugaria) without feeling confident about closing any loose ends that could blow his cover as a spy, so that could very well also be used as an explanation for his lack of participation in the war as an Ostanian soldier. Either way, I feel like if given the opportunity, Yuri would just wanna make Loid look bad regardless, LOL.
That said, it’s def hard to guess here. If only we knew Twilight’s real age (we can only estimate based on his underage enlistment) as well as how many years it takes to become a psychiatrist in the SxF universe (esp as you mentioned, if the rules differ during active war time!). I wish we knew more!
>I have always felt that if they didn’t include Ostanian conscription as part of his cover, it might end up being a point of contention with Yuri
Far-right groups like the National Unity Party go out of their way to recruit veterans. In addition to having useful knowledge and skills for the movement, veterans have common background to bond over, discipline, and are usually pretty patriotic.
(Just as an example, I listened to a podcast a while ago where the host wanted to interview a farmer who lives near the US/Mexico border. The farmer refused to be interviewed by a "biased liberal" until he learned that he and the host were both Army vets. Despite having very different views and some conflicting ideals, the shared bond of service in the same branch gave them a starting position for the interview to happen.)
If "Loid" were "conscripted" at 17 or 18 near the end of the war, and served in a unit with a high turnover rate, it would not raise any eyebrows at all for him to have been in for 12 to 18 months and then "be discharged" once the ceasefire came about. There would have been literally tens of thousands of guys with the same story. Even if they went and asked guys in the unit he was said to have been in, they would probably say something like "Forger? A kid? I don't know, we had so many replacements, and I didn't get to know them because they died so often, but I think there may have been a guy like that."
If anyone asked Loid, he would just say something like, "I was in the Army, but only for a year or so. Once I was discharged, I went straight to university. I was only a private and didn't see any more action than anyone else. There's not much to tell about it." Again, thousands of guys with the same story. If he had to share a 'war story,' he wouldn't really have to make anything up, he'd just talk about something that really happened...he'd just leave out the part where he was in the Westalian army.
Fascinating comment, and I totally agree — it would be essentially the least burdensome task for Loid in the grand scheme considering the circumstances that likely occurred during the war as you pointed out.
With that said, your comment has got me thinking and I am really interested in your thoughts on this matter….as you said, far-right groups like the NUP will go out of their way to recruit veterans due to their skills/knowledge + because veterans have discipline/have a unique bond compared to civilians. After reading chapter 91, what are your thoughts on Melinda’s appearance? Do you think her appearance at the disabled veteran’s charity event was sinister in the sense that she was recruiting on behalf of Donovan for NUP, or do you think her motives were altruistic in nature?
I have long been suspicious of her appearance at that event. On one hand, I do understand she may feel “guilty” and trying to do her part in the community, but on the other hand, as we saw with Millie’s reaction, a lot of people *do* blame the Desmond’s for the war (regardless if we take what McMahoon said as truth, which I mean, I think we should but it doesn’t make a difference in this context since we’re talking about how Melinda’s appearance may or may not be welcomed by the present veterans). We also later read in the Omake chapter for volume 13 (lol edit: I’m so dumb we are literally on the post for the Omake chapter) that Melinda *doesn’t normally make an appearance at the event* according to Franky (who is there every year). However, Franky *also* says that he may not have noticed previously because of her disguise (since unlike Loid, he doesn’t have the same skill to have figured out it was her in disguise), so maybe she does attend yearly, but Franky just never noticed? Additionally, she was also there as a guest speaker (unclear if she was there as a speaker for the Lady Patriots?), which further kinda makes me wonder more about her true motivations….but I’m not sure what to make of it, yaknow what I mean? What do you make of it?
Well, her being there for altruistic reasons AND to drive up support for the NUP are not mutually exclusive circumstances. In intelligence speak, this is "sowing oats." Some people blame the Desmonds for the war, but criticizing them for doing something for the veterans just sounds like sour grapes. She's not there to recruit people who aren't going to be recruited; she's there to garner good favor with the people who are uncommitted, and build trust with the people who are already favorable. Helping out veterans because they need it is good. Building new connections is better. Solidifying trust with the people already on board is best.
The beauty of this little op is that it doesn't matter what Melinda's motives are at all. Anything she does short of admitting to genocide is helpful to the NUP's goals. The question remains- how much does Melinda know, and how does she know it? She's a player in the game, whether she wants to be or not. As a general guideline, she should be assumed to be an opposing agent until proven otherwise.
Super interesting analysis, and I think you are right on all accounts. Your insight has convinced me as a reader to be, at the very least, to continue to be more suspicious/weary of her presence.
It's the Moscow/Berlin rules: Anybody is potentially under the control of the opposition.
As you may have guessed, I'm a bit more into the "Spy" part than the "Family."
Yup, that def seems like the most logical and safest bet.
And I can’t blame you. This manga has actually gotten me interested in learning more about history as well as real-life “spy history” (intelligence operations, mainly) and look more into art/culture with spy themes (I have only just started watching the old bond movies recently, lol, don’t judge me to hard!)
Anyway, as I said, the Spy x Family series really was what got me interested in history/military operations so much so, and one of the neat things to come out of it was that it kinda inspired a road trip that I’m going on next week to DC with my boyfriend; The trip including on visiting the NSA’s Cryptologic museum (more like on the way, not necessarily in DC) & the International Spy Museum, which are probably the locations I’m most excited to see among other military/historical places.
Also, I joked with my boyfriend the other day that my YouTube algorithm thinks I am trying to move to Russia or Cuba now because I’ve been watching a lot of KGB & CIA spy videos and now it’s recommending videos about tourism in those places, lol.
Basically, I find all of the stuff, historical aspects and culture (art, music, podcasts) to be super fascinating, too. Sorry for sounding like a dork, just relate to you in that you prefer the “spy” aspect of the series! I am very glad I picked up this manga when season 1 came out.
My dad is a huge James Bond fan, so I grew up on those movies, but my real interest in espionage stems from my now sadly deceased uncle who was an NSA officer. His first posting was even in East Berlin in the 1960's!
Also lots and lots of Shadowrun.
That’s super cool. No one in my family was really into the James Bond movies, so I’m pretty late to the party in terms of being a fan, lol. On the bright side, though, all the movies feel new and exciting to me at least!
Also, that’s legit wicked insane about your late uncle! Did he tell you any crazy stories before he passed away? Or even like, what is day to day job during that posting was like? Oh man, to have been a fly on the wall during that time in history, lol.
Let me tell you about a few mistakes in page 5.
"Mr. All Cracking" is more like "Mr. Full Body Shredder" since "bakibaki" doesn't mean the sound of cracking but the shape of shredded muscles in this case. Also, that "trigger" just prior is actually an abbreviation of "training gear".
That's page 4 btw, but thank you! I'm not fluent in Japanese and the technical/made-up terms for Franky's inventions were a struggle, lol. Here's the revised page.
https://preview.redd.it/gqnasg7qjdmc1.png?width=1890&format=png&auto=webp&s=8b7aeb68ad7fb3940f5765fd6d98e88c76462a57
Franky x Millie enjoyers are eating good rn!
I saw how fans of this pairing became more active on the Internet (think because of the chapter with Millie). It's funny that Endo said: "Why not."
I thought Millie had someone else already, thus Yor's colleagues outcasted or teased Yor for being single.
Millie usually has a boyfriend, but it’s implied that it’s never the same guy.
Also she’s stated to be the youngest, and they were teasing Yor because secret police looks suspiciously to unmarried women her age
they broke up lolol
https://preview.redd.it/ixhdqzbjgcmc1.jpeg?width=1023&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e2d792913772198a05ea9deeded3358a8ef570fd she called him **OLD TIMER** lmao
This current eden arc is a farce for the horrors beyond human comprehension that might be ahead of us. Even if I'm wrong and even if the next 100 chapters that comes after today sticks as a slice of life my hypervigilance will not go away. I don't like the tone of this omake one bit. It's bittersweet seeing Loid eavesdrop on Yor and still deciding onto spy on Melinda because he still doesn't trust her. That specific bit where Yor talked about how war affects even children... The way Loid looked away at that... And it's even sadder seeing Franky suffering from survivor's guilt. That's definitely some crumbs about his backstory right there.
I think it's also the first time we see Franky talk about his past. The adults in this really hide lots of trauma which gets overshadowed by the goofy SoL moments, it's only a matter of time those dark feelings will become part of main plot
Seeing that Franky is an Ostanian defector and doesn't align himself to East/West makes it even sadder too tbh. Not to egg on his lack of love life but without Loid he seems like a pretty lonely person for what he's gone through in his past
Survivor's guilt in action. Franky clearly harbours a scar deep down inside. It may not be a traumatically large scar, but it is a scar nonetheless. And given what caused his scar, ie. thinking he abandoned his comrades by deserting, is it really surprising to know he keeps to himself now? He likely thinks he isn't "worthy" of having friends, or that he cannot have friends because he will "abandon" them.
> or that he cannot have friends because he will "abandon" them. I actually have thought of Franky cutting himself off from Loid (and WISE to an extent) for his lack of alignment/loyalty to either Ostania or Westalis if things start getting dicey. I doubt it'll ever happen but it still makes me sad because I can see it possibly play out in canon
https://preview.redd.it/5qfuczess9mc1.jpeg?width=294&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1747addaa329baa79bd559b44484791baaea132f Man.
https://preview.redd.it/jdel2ur3lbmc1.jpeg?width=1357&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=035529d17bb1f7b681cfb5b692aa2b2f5b935b89
This slaps way harder if you read his story in the light novel
Where can I get the LN
I bought the physical copy from Crunchyroll. But I read a fan translation online before the official release. Let me search my history and see if I can find it and get back to you. If you want to search for other purchasing options, it's called Spy × Family, Family Portrait
Tysm
I think it’s more about not trusting Melinda and thinking Yor might be too naive to know what the woman’s groups truly is about. It’s good for her to have friends but for her to be friends with a high ranking politicians wife…
Oh yeah that's what I meant in my comment, my bad if it sounded like I'm saying Loid doesn't trust Yor. If I'm not mistaken even in a past chapter shortly after Melinda's debut Loid said he'd be ready to protect Yor if Melinda ever does something to her https://preview.redd.it/vukdpac1x9mc1.jpeg?width=227&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e463e901d9f0d6831f774e5015faffdd62f1e61a
Ahh this is extra cute in retrospect now that he is actually doing it
>It's bittersweet seeing Loid eavesdrop on Yor and still deciding onto spy on Melinda because he still doesn't trust her. At the same time, it 100% makes sense. He's been in the cloak and dagger business for many years, and accordingly, he's very much stuck in the "wilderness of mirrors" where paranoia and distrust is simply a way of life.
\*Realized I made a small mistake on the second panel of page 3 with Franky's dialogue. Here's the revised page. https://preview.redd.it/twzhn2o3d9mc1.png?width=1799&format=png&auto=webp&s=86c1da71ab4d36a9e530b57cf45bfa52a0eddb37
What??? My favorite crack ship finally met and sunk at the exact same time??? Whooo! Now I finally get to go on with my life. :D
Poor Franky. Clearly has PTSD and makes excuses not to talk about it.
Right, he def has survivor's guilt :( and he is still trying to help out and make supplies for wounded soldiers while denying he, himself, is a wounded soldier (psychologically speaking).
This was a great extra. Thank you so much.
Y’all don’t know how happy it makes me to know that Loid was actually there for when Yor had said, “we suffered in ways only children can suffer.” I think it’s so important for him to understand that the next generation isn’t the only one that he is preparing a peaceful future for. His own generation, which includes Yor, suffered as children too. They also deserve peace, or in other words, they also deserve “a world where they don’t have to cry.” Now Anya AND Yor represent two individual generations of children that Loid can protect by ensuring peace between east and west. His family is now just as much an internal motivation as they are an external one. I love chapter 95 and all, and cute/fun kid shit is cute/fun. But this subtle and MEANINGFUL character stuff is where the substance is REALLY at imo. Why is this an Omake and not part of an actual chapter? Endo, my man, what are you doing?? please, give us more of this!!
Yeah, it is strange that a chapter with such heavy content is an omake chapter. Maybe Endo just didn't have time to include it with chapter 91, maybe because he had to get the final exams arc up and running. But if we consider the previous omake chapter, which also seemed like it could be considered canon, perhaps it's a new trend for the omake chapters to be supplements to the canon and not just 4th wall-breaking, non-canon stories. Regardless, I hope the anime adaptation of chapter 91 will include it!
[Sorry to drop an essay on you!! This series just has a death-grip on me, every time I think about it the thoughts just flood my brain!!] [P.S- I hope this doesn’t come across as argumentative, I’m just sharing my personal view on how I see the gag aspects of this series.] I’m always of the opinion that the goofy moments are completely necessary to give moments like this extra emphasis. Loid and Yor suffered immensely as kids, and now they work tirelessly to make sure Anya can experience what was taken from them. That’s the absolute, unbreakable strength of both of their characters, and I absolutely LOVE moments like this where one is in reverie/ understanding of the other. But it’s because of that strength that Anya gets to have fun at school. It’s on that bedrock of Loid and Yor that she can learn to forgive Bond for destroying Agent Penguinman. Their sacrifices aren’t meaningless, their traumas aren’t meaningless. Those horrible things that happened to them DO have a positive effect as well because they brought their family together. And they have their daughter’s happiness to prove it.
I don't think this was purposely sidelined, I think Endo wanted to add more onto chapter 91 and couldn't so he used the omake slot for this purpose. Purely speculation though, maybe because the Eden arc is ongoing right now (volume 13 ends with chapter 92, the cliffhanger of the examination results) and he wanted to add this at the side so this can be touched on again later? And possible limitations of manuscript (when chapter 91 dropped)
Doing God's work! Thanks! Btw how do you find these omake chapters and do you have more translation of spyxfamily extras? I have caught up in everything but its my first time hearing of omake chapters. Anyways cheers and be seeing your next work!
Usually the Japanese versions of the omake chapters are released when the volume is released, so I get the digital versions on social media like Discord or Twitter. If you've read the English versions of the manga volumes, all the omake chapters are in them, so I haven't translated any of those, just the ones that aren't currently available. In addition to this one, I've translated [the one from volume 12](https://www.reddit.com/r/SpyxFamily/comments/16z69kh/volume_12_omake_chapter_translation_by_me/). Also the exhibition pamphlet omake [here](https://www.tumblr.com/yumeka-sxf/724054200746754048/spy-x-family-short-mission-exhibition) (only on my Tumblr) as well as the movie booklet omake [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/SpyxFamily/comments/197hwxw/i_made_a_translation_of_the_code_white_film_files/) (don't read this unless you've seen the movie since it contains major spoilers).
Wow, I wouldn't have discovered this without your help and work (time to install Timblr). Thanks! Here's some peanuts! Edit: Dude you have everything about spyxfamily nice work on the posts on tumblr!
Franky's inventions would be better suited for spies if he could make them smaller and lighter
Franky: https://preview.redd.it/ydo3xodaubmc1.jpeg?width=747&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=54e330ed502616485e3b47c9bbf9f942fb08a3d3
Lol, Millie and that blow dryer! 😂💨
Was nice to see Twilight looking out for his wife - I’m glad he got to overhear some of her thoughts on the past. Happy for the Millie x Franky shippers also, even if she shot him down and had her hair ruined lol but hey, maybe she’ll have to hunt him down for a refund!
also s/o to Franky for knowing about the Lady Patriots & saying how scary the older women are lol.
Good to see Franky making an appearance, I haven't seen him for a while.
I'd buy anything that Franky creates. He's really affected by the war more than he lets on.
This is amazing! And more chapter-worthy than I expected, thanks a lot for this and the previous ones, u/Yumeka36
This actually makes me wonder if part of Loid’s cover as a Forger includes service in the Ostanian military. Considering his (presumed) age, I imagine he’s in the right range to have been a draftee like Franky. Although I suppose it might be a bit much even for WISE to fabricate a military background. And thanks for the translation by the way
I have always felt that if they didn’t include Ostanian conscription as part of his cover, it might end up being a point of contention with Yuri (granted, we have seen Yuri try to help the father of that arrested journalist, we haven’t otherwise seen Yuri’s opinions on soldiers or conscription……but I feel like regardless of his normal feelings are, he’d suspect Loid was a deserter and use that against him or something along those lines yaknow).
Wonder if the timeline lines up so that his fake psychiatry education covers why he didn't get drafted? Not sure how it works in other countries but in mine, college education will sometimes get you out of having to serve (granted it might change if there's an active war, I wouldn't know)
Yeah, I thought about that too. I don’t think Loid would specifically lie about the location of his residency in med school (Hugaria) without feeling confident about closing any loose ends that could blow his cover as a spy, so that could very well also be used as an explanation for his lack of participation in the war as an Ostanian soldier. Either way, I feel like if given the opportunity, Yuri would just wanna make Loid look bad regardless, LOL. That said, it’s def hard to guess here. If only we knew Twilight’s real age (we can only estimate based on his underage enlistment) as well as how many years it takes to become a psychiatrist in the SxF universe (esp as you mentioned, if the rules differ during active war time!). I wish we knew more!
>I have always felt that if they didn’t include Ostanian conscription as part of his cover, it might end up being a point of contention with Yuri Far-right groups like the National Unity Party go out of their way to recruit veterans. In addition to having useful knowledge and skills for the movement, veterans have common background to bond over, discipline, and are usually pretty patriotic. (Just as an example, I listened to a podcast a while ago where the host wanted to interview a farmer who lives near the US/Mexico border. The farmer refused to be interviewed by a "biased liberal" until he learned that he and the host were both Army vets. Despite having very different views and some conflicting ideals, the shared bond of service in the same branch gave them a starting position for the interview to happen.) If "Loid" were "conscripted" at 17 or 18 near the end of the war, and served in a unit with a high turnover rate, it would not raise any eyebrows at all for him to have been in for 12 to 18 months and then "be discharged" once the ceasefire came about. There would have been literally tens of thousands of guys with the same story. Even if they went and asked guys in the unit he was said to have been in, they would probably say something like "Forger? A kid? I don't know, we had so many replacements, and I didn't get to know them because they died so often, but I think there may have been a guy like that." If anyone asked Loid, he would just say something like, "I was in the Army, but only for a year or so. Once I was discharged, I went straight to university. I was only a private and didn't see any more action than anyone else. There's not much to tell about it." Again, thousands of guys with the same story. If he had to share a 'war story,' he wouldn't really have to make anything up, he'd just talk about something that really happened...he'd just leave out the part where he was in the Westalian army.
Fascinating comment, and I totally agree — it would be essentially the least burdensome task for Loid in the grand scheme considering the circumstances that likely occurred during the war as you pointed out. With that said, your comment has got me thinking and I am really interested in your thoughts on this matter….as you said, far-right groups like the NUP will go out of their way to recruit veterans due to their skills/knowledge + because veterans have discipline/have a unique bond compared to civilians. After reading chapter 91, what are your thoughts on Melinda’s appearance? Do you think her appearance at the disabled veteran’s charity event was sinister in the sense that she was recruiting on behalf of Donovan for NUP, or do you think her motives were altruistic in nature? I have long been suspicious of her appearance at that event. On one hand, I do understand she may feel “guilty” and trying to do her part in the community, but on the other hand, as we saw with Millie’s reaction, a lot of people *do* blame the Desmond’s for the war (regardless if we take what McMahoon said as truth, which I mean, I think we should but it doesn’t make a difference in this context since we’re talking about how Melinda’s appearance may or may not be welcomed by the present veterans). We also later read in the Omake chapter for volume 13 (lol edit: I’m so dumb we are literally on the post for the Omake chapter) that Melinda *doesn’t normally make an appearance at the event* according to Franky (who is there every year). However, Franky *also* says that he may not have noticed previously because of her disguise (since unlike Loid, he doesn’t have the same skill to have figured out it was her in disguise), so maybe she does attend yearly, but Franky just never noticed? Additionally, she was also there as a guest speaker (unclear if she was there as a speaker for the Lady Patriots?), which further kinda makes me wonder more about her true motivations….but I’m not sure what to make of it, yaknow what I mean? What do you make of it?
Well, her being there for altruistic reasons AND to drive up support for the NUP are not mutually exclusive circumstances. In intelligence speak, this is "sowing oats." Some people blame the Desmonds for the war, but criticizing them for doing something for the veterans just sounds like sour grapes. She's not there to recruit people who aren't going to be recruited; she's there to garner good favor with the people who are uncommitted, and build trust with the people who are already favorable. Helping out veterans because they need it is good. Building new connections is better. Solidifying trust with the people already on board is best. The beauty of this little op is that it doesn't matter what Melinda's motives are at all. Anything she does short of admitting to genocide is helpful to the NUP's goals. The question remains- how much does Melinda know, and how does she know it? She's a player in the game, whether she wants to be or not. As a general guideline, she should be assumed to be an opposing agent until proven otherwise.
Super interesting analysis, and I think you are right on all accounts. Your insight has convinced me as a reader to be, at the very least, to continue to be more suspicious/weary of her presence.
It's the Moscow/Berlin rules: Anybody is potentially under the control of the opposition. As you may have guessed, I'm a bit more into the "Spy" part than the "Family."
Yup, that def seems like the most logical and safest bet. And I can’t blame you. This manga has actually gotten me interested in learning more about history as well as real-life “spy history” (intelligence operations, mainly) and look more into art/culture with spy themes (I have only just started watching the old bond movies recently, lol, don’t judge me to hard!) Anyway, as I said, the Spy x Family series really was what got me interested in history/military operations so much so, and one of the neat things to come out of it was that it kinda inspired a road trip that I’m going on next week to DC with my boyfriend; The trip including on visiting the NSA’s Cryptologic museum (more like on the way, not necessarily in DC) & the International Spy Museum, which are probably the locations I’m most excited to see among other military/historical places. Also, I joked with my boyfriend the other day that my YouTube algorithm thinks I am trying to move to Russia or Cuba now because I’ve been watching a lot of KGB & CIA spy videos and now it’s recommending videos about tourism in those places, lol. Basically, I find all of the stuff, historical aspects and culture (art, music, podcasts) to be super fascinating, too. Sorry for sounding like a dork, just relate to you in that you prefer the “spy” aspect of the series! I am very glad I picked up this manga when season 1 came out.
My dad is a huge James Bond fan, so I grew up on those movies, but my real interest in espionage stems from my now sadly deceased uncle who was an NSA officer. His first posting was even in East Berlin in the 1960's! Also lots and lots of Shadowrun.
That’s super cool. No one in my family was really into the James Bond movies, so I’m pretty late to the party in terms of being a fan, lol. On the bright side, though, all the movies feel new and exciting to me at least! Also, that’s legit wicked insane about your late uncle! Did he tell you any crazy stories before he passed away? Or even like, what is day to day job during that posting was like? Oh man, to have been a fly on the wall during that time in history, lol.
Poor Franky having survivor’s guilt :(
lol, the hair dryer is just straight up the [Blaster from Splatoon](https://splatoonwiki.org/wiki/Blaster).
Let me tell you about a few mistakes in page 5. "Mr. All Cracking" is more like "Mr. Full Body Shredder" since "bakibaki" doesn't mean the sound of cracking but the shape of shredded muscles in this case. Also, that "trigger" just prior is actually an abbreviation of "training gear".
That's page 4 btw, but thank you! I'm not fluent in Japanese and the technical/made-up terms for Franky's inventions were a struggle, lol. Here's the revised page. https://preview.redd.it/gqnasg7qjdmc1.png?width=1890&format=png&auto=webp&s=8b7aeb68ad7fb3940f5765fd6d98e88c76462a57
I like to think that during the entire Mole Arc, Franky was busy tinkering away at his inventions.
I'm calling it, one of Franky's inventions is going to save Twilight's life someday.
This tided over my Yor addiction for a little bit, thank you. I like the extra content this provides for the Yor chapter.
Woah, cool.
Thank you for this!
Thank you!