Thoughts on Spy x Family Season 3?

I just finished SxF S3 few mins ago. While it was good, I'm slightly disappointed with certain aspects. Without spoiling anything too much I think this season was much better than S2. I did have a lot of fun with it. It's a solid 8.5 or even a low 9/10. We had 3 major arcs: The Backstory, Hijacking and the Mole. Strangely enough, it feels like so much happened while nothing happened. I think part of the reason is the story progression. We just finished ep 50 and we made very little progress on Operations Strix, Anyone discovering anyone's identities, Loid x Yor, Anya x Damian although that last one made a bit of progress I guess. While the individual arcs were still good, for whatever reason I didn't get the satisfaction I got from S1. Maybe because it feels a bitt repetitive now as we're seeing the characters antics for the 4th cour technically, which makes it less effective. I also have to point out the Tone and Humour is a bit of a miss at times. There's some humour during a tense scene of a serious arc, which makes the whole thing less serious/exciting than it actually is. The pacing was a bit inconsistent since they tried to fit 3 arcs into this one.

On the positive like I said there lots of funny moments mainly via Anya and Loid. I loved the serious arcs as well but it was already over before I knew which is a shame because this is one of the shows I've been waiting for a long time. Sadly we have to wait quite a while before the next season.

What do you think, did the quality get a bit low after season 1 or did I die inside since then?

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Commentaires

zool7142025-12-30 17:45

It was fun.

Miku-Nakano-2025-12-30 18:50

A man of few words

SoccerForEveryone2025-12-30 17:45

The best Spy X Family season for sure. Hoping the next project is another original movie. Loved Code White and want to see the characters unhinged in different locations of the Spy X Family universe.

Heapifying2025-12-30 17:46

S1 was great because everything was fresh and new for us, the spectators. We (or at least I) didn't mind the slow progression.

S2 had almost nothing of progression of the overall story. It was just rinse and repeat.

S3 is way better because it advanced the plot in many ways, we got more depth for Loyd too.

It's not that the quality is low, is that it's so damn slow, and from what I heard from manga readers, it doesn't really get any better.

Ryuuyami472025-12-30 17:48

I agree. I think slow is the word. Not exactly "bad".

ActualRound76992025-12-30 18:27

Manga reader here and yeah it’s slow. As you can imagine from the three seasons it’s basically Anya’s slice of life story with everyone else thrown in, and that doesn’t change in the manga.

It’s not RaG slow and annoying, but plot progress is still kind of a pipe dream. At least the characters are generally likable though all around. Which doesn’t make it feel as grueling.

lowrylover0072025-12-30 19:08

I feel like Loyd and Yor are not gonna get together until the end of the series

ActualRound76992025-12-30 23:15

Yup, probably. The mission will complete, they’ll all find out about each other and become a bonafide family.

lowrylover0072025-12-31 01:36

and im gonna cry at the end anyway

solythe2025-12-30 20:59

i just started reading after watching the show and caught up.

Shit has been revealed in recent chapters that absolutely will be moving the story forward, and Im really excited that I chose now to start reading. I assume it would be included in an inevitable S4.

I definitely enjoy the show for what it is, but can see why people feel like its slow, especially when we get episodes dedicated to secondary characters

robotzor2025-12-30 17:48

Slightly disappointing is a 9/10?

Ryuuyami472025-12-30 17:58

Lol yeah my ratings are kinda wierd. What I meant was I did enjoy it but not as much as the first season which I absolutely loved.

PPGN_DM_Exia2025-12-30 17:56

I liked this season the most. I felt like the action and stakes were a lot higher this season. I felt like earlier seasons maybe had too much emphasis on Anya's school life but this season was more focused on Yor and Loid.

OctillionthJoe2025-12-30 18:09

In fairness, Anya's school life is a core part of Operation Strix at this point and, seeing at how that's Loid's main mission, it'd be weird if there wasn't an emphasis on her school life.

PPGN_DM_Exia2025-12-30 18:12

I know but I just found it got a little stale at times

Solracziad2025-12-30 22:32

There was focus on Yor? She got a little side story playing volleyball and that was it. Nothing as big as the Cruise arc.

This season was definitely more Loid focused.

SA0902025-12-30 17:59

I liked S2 more overall, but this was not bad at all.

Heda-of-Aincrad2025-12-30 18:21

I've only read the manga for this part of the story so far (waiting to binge watch), but season 3 is adapting some of my favorite arcs which have a lot of excitement and big reveals.

I think part of the reason progression may have felt slow to you is the aspects you're focusing on - Operation Strix and the family discovering each other's identities - are meant to be a long-running plot threads. They do make progress with [S3] >!Anya getting another stella and nearly becoming friends with Damian, plus Yor's new connection with Donovan's wife.!< For the identity reveals though, that's something I don't expect to happen until much later because it's one of the series' main sources of comedy, everyone trying to keep their true selves hidden.

abandoned_idol2025-12-30 18:27

Your description of season 3 is what I'd expect from this story.

It's a perpetual Status x Quo.

I dropped it somewhere around the halfway point of season 2.

I never liked Yor. The male spy, while tolerable, isn't memorable. The bulk of the anime is Anya/Damian rugrats adventures.

I don't picture myself watching season 3. Thanks for the post (always nice to verify my predictions).

VStubaru902025-12-30 18:39

So why comment on a post asking for your thoughts on something you have no intention of watching lol

zool7142025-12-30 18:53

Validation

Knuckleheaded-beardo2025-12-30 19:48

Right on the money. That encapsulates it perfectly.

Calm_Enthusiasm_9682025-12-30 18:29

I haven't finished it yet 🥺

VStubaru902025-12-30 18:37

I enjoyed it, the slow pacing of the overall plot is expected as it could in theory end at any point, so it'll end up getting dragged out until the author wants to end it them things will move at a million miles an hour.

Any meaningful progression in the overall plot would likely completely change the dynamic of the main characters which is the best thing about the show imo, so that carries certain risks.

ImpenetrableYeti2025-12-30 18:53

Much much better than s2. Besides Yors boat arc in season 2 that season was just boring as fuck

Knuckleheaded-beardo2025-12-30 19:51

Can't really say. Haven't liked any of the three seasons and it's been boring every season too. Painfully repetitive and the author knows it all too well so they're not going to shake up the status quo anytime soon unless there's any editorial or publishing company mandate, which is even more unlikely since people like this series because of its static status quo and the need to play-it-safe for maximum milkability.

At least there's something for the people who enjoy the little midget's shenanigans. As for the people who don't, like me, it's an utter slogfest.

Ok-Amount33842026-01-02 04:00

Why would you even watch a show for 3 seasons if you dislike it?

Knuckleheaded-beardo2026-01-02 05:04

In the hopes that I'll find something likable in it. I'm also a completionist.

Ok-Amount33842026-01-02 05:14

Watching something for the sake of watching it sounds like a waste of time, but to each his own I suppose. Time spent watching something I don't enjoy is time that could be spent watching something that I enjoy.

Knuckleheaded-beardo2026-01-02 07:17

Watching anime or reading manga or doing anything that doesn't benefit you, is technically considered a waste of time. Doesn't stop people from doing it.

Ok-Amount33842026-01-02 07:36

Ah but if I derive enjoyment from it, then it benefits me.

Then again, perhaps you derive enjoyment from consuming things you don't enjoy, but that's fine too. Are you perhaps a consumer of Rent-A-Girlfriend by any chance? That sounds right up your alley.

Knuckleheaded-beardo2026-01-02 16:29

>Are you perhaps a consumer of Rent-A-Girlfriend by any chance? That sounds right up your alley.

Projecting, are you?

You're mistaking your alley for mine. Perhaps stuff like domestic girlfriend, life as inukai's dog, smartphone isekai, girlfriend girlfriend, isekai cheat magician, diabolik lovers, high school earth defense club love, kiss×sis, tokyo revengers, kanokon, one piece, birdie wing, sister princess, butareba: pig isekai, fairy tail, redo of healer, black clover, vending machine isekai, tougen anki, kemono michi, hero academia, rent-a-girlfriend, gakuen handsome, demon slayer, a ninja and an assassin under one roof, highschool of the dead, quintessential quintuplets, conception, citrus, onimai, solo leveling, ex-arm, green green, ikki tousen, vampire knight, etc. may find a place in your alley, but they're unwelcome in mine. I'm afraid I lack tastes quite as refined as yours if you enjoy those.

Ok-Amount33842026-01-03 16:21

Oh, very much to the contrary. Given the sheer amount of criticism Rent-A-Girlfriend has received and your repeated display of inclination to consuming stuff you don't enjoy, I figured you might actually enjoy not enjoying it.

Then again, perhaps your tastes are too peculiar for my comprehension. Why don't you continue listing even more anime for my consideration? :)

OctillionthJoe2025-12-30 20:41

I think every season so far has focused on some certain aspect of the world building in Spy x Family. Season 1's focus was on establishing the premise, introducing the Forgers & side characters, and telling tales from Agent Twilight's day to day operations. Season 2's focus was a continued building on the premise along with giving us more of a glimpse on the Thorn Princess' day to day operations. Anya's antics and participation in school/Operation Strix is a recurring plot throughout Season 1-2 obviously, but those seasons do have a particular focus on building up the characters.

Season 3 focuses more on what is at stake here. Agent Twilight's childhood arc does help further flesh out Loid's character BUT it also showcases the consequences when diplomacy fails and war erupts. The hijacking arc reveals the fragility of the current peace established in this world. A kind of reminder that its not just government and power plays that are threatening the peace. The old pained scars from the past decades also have motivation to create fresh new scars for the next generation. The mole arc establishes that it's within this fragile environment that espionage is taking place and one wrong move from either end can have things teetering towards war.

Now the stakes of Operation Strix and the various threats/risks in Spy x Family world have been mentioned and implied throughout Season 1-2 (Loid's comments about why he became a spy in the first episode, the objective of Operation Strix, etc). Season 3 really gives life to that aspect of things with storytelling that humanizes things. Kind of makes the stakes feel more real and imminent in a sense. It also gives new meaning to what Agent Twilight and the Thorn Princess are doing everyday. They're serving different people whose overall goals seem a little different from another, but their missions are a part of a broad effort to try to maintain the fragile status quo.

I think Season 3 is sort of necessary to keep the show somewhat grounded and keep it from completely turning into a silly spy show like "Spy Wars" (Anya's favorite TV show). Behind all the action are real threats and dangers and the consequences if they fail can be quite horrific. The inclusion of those less savory factors also let us (the audience) have a deeper appreciate the peaceful and silly moments. Not to mention, establishing this gritty realistic setting can help develop future plotlines that are also a little darker and grittier in nature.

Also, you not feeling as satisfied with Season 3 probably has to do with how much it focused on the threats/stakes (a lot of which are grounded and filled with harsh realities). Season 1 (and 2 as well) had quite a few silly action scenes and clear victory/mission completion moments that just felt satisfying. Other than some of the side stories/"in-between arcs" episodes though, Season 3 doesn't really have those moments and even the wins/mission completions are nuanced and unsatisfying. Agent Twilight's childhood arc gives more development to the Loid character BUT it's sad and tragic. The bus hijacking arc ends without harm to our favorite characters BUT it's not an arc where Loid or Yor do anything significant to save the day AND it's a bit of a hopeless story when considering Billy's motivations and history. The mole arc is exciting and filled with action, but it ends with a bit of a stalemate for everyone involved (Wise got wheeler but they lost their mole in the SSS). You say the tone and humor can feel a little off during these arcs, but... If there were not any humor moments added into some of these scenes, these arcs are kinda depressing and this show would lose its comedy label.

Considering all that, I do get your impression about Season 3. It just wasn't really designed to be as satisfying as Season 1 was. It's trying to build on a different aspect of the story than Season 1 was. I personally think that the creator handed the balancing out of both serious and comedic moments pretty well, but it's definitely a challenge. I get why people can have mixed impressions of it.

ChemicalBus6082025-12-31 05:17

I walked into this show expecting nothing but comfy vibes. I take it for what it is a fun ride hearing manga fans pretty much say it was slow burn. There are so many shows other shows that have a more engaging plot. That im kinda ok with this being a comfy just vibe show.

BooksEaterWaffleBuns2026-01-01 04:51

The only problem i see in s3 is that, the plot barely moved 😞💔 even in the manga the pacing is hella slow (I've been here since the release) i thought back then, at this point we would've been near the climax of the story or AT the climax of the story but each time the plot progress, it immediately goes back to "slice of life" if you get what mean...

Ryuuyami472026-01-01 18:31

Thats exactly what I mean! Its 50 fking EPs already. I didnt even realise we that far ahead.

iClaimThisNameBH2026-01-01 21:41

I really liked it! We got some much needed backstory on Lloyd which shows why he cares so much and feels like he has to be perfect.

The volleyball arc with Yor was alright. I think it could've been a little better, but she got a lot of screentime in S2 so I'm okay with it.

The school shenanigans with Anya are fun as always and are a nice breather in between the heavier parts of Lloyd's story.

I see some people complain about the fact that the show is slow-paced, but I personally really like it. It would feel cheap if Lloyd and Yor were undeniably in love, or if Anya got Stella after Stella and the entire war is going to be solved in just a few seasons. The show feels grounded and the pacing leaves room for personal conflicts and growth that don't necessarily have to happen because of one crazy, large event. They build over time

xxojxx2026-01-07 04:40

not enough Anya. I am sad when I dont get to see her do her cute stuff :(

lou287772026-01-08 06:13

This show is so bad. Season 2 was pretty bad and Season 3 continues to be awful. I dont know if I will continue with s4. Season 1 was so good compare to the rest of this crap. Nothing to do with the animation the story and arcs are just crap writing.

sprung_boy2026-01-10 19:32

I pretty much agree and I won’t be repeating what everyone else is saying here the story pacing is going pretty slow I would say, but overall, I do like the characters in the world building here. So even if it is slow, I still enjoy every episode and I think the only downside is that every time a season ends I just want more. I want to see what ends up of the story. But I suppose that’s the beauty of it.

Known_Musician_18102026-01-12 07:46

It is slow... The moment I felt it was going to advance in one direction, it changed its course so idk what to expect... I personally like the spy aspect with Lloyd and Yor's brother but they basically pushed those interactions to the back...