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Tatsuya Endo is the author ofSpy x Family. His work is not just a masterclass in manga storytelling; it’s a visual spectacle that extends beyond the panels of black and white and seamlessly integrates storytelling into every element of the work, including its iconic covers.
While most manga use covers as mere eye-catching art to draw in readers, with fancy images and incredible feats drawn out,Spy x Familyelevates these cover pages into a storytelling device that captures the essence of the volumes.
A recurring theme in the covers of the manga is the imagery of characters seated on luxurious, stylish chairs, a subtle nod to their personas and the facades they maintain. However, Volume 10 breaks this tradition in a subtle way which manages to speak volumes about Loid Forger’s journey.
Spy x Family is meticulously crafted with narrative details on the cover
But in Volume 10, Loid is no longer seated on a luxurious chair but on a broken piece of wall as a child, andhe is holding a toy gun. The luxurious chairs of earlier volumes represent the characters’ personalities, but the crumbling wall reflects a world that is no longer stable.
The toy gun in his hand symbolizes both control and the necessity to fight to get justice for oneself. This shift in cover design by Endo has been done in order to reflect the difficult themes of Volume 10. It is difficult not just for the characters involved but for Endo as well, as he took great pains in writing it.
“Gotta call the Dandadan crew at this point”: Spy x Family’s Chapter 109 Comes With a Twist That Would Almost Force Loid to Retire
Endos said that he initially aimed to create content that wouldn’t cause him significant strain and would sell well. However, as the manga grew popular, the demands ofaccurately portraying Loid’s backstorywere piling up.
A story that is unconstrained by the pages
However,in a candid interviewduring a discussion on MISSION REPORT:220409-0625, Endo disclosed that delving into protagonist and ultimate spy Loid Forger’s past took a significant emotional and physical toll on him, leading to him choosing a temporary shift towards a more lighthearted and relaxing chapters.
It’s a visual representation of Loid’s struggle, and the seat that is a broken piece of wall is, in actuality, the most valuable of all because what it cost him is his childhood. Endo’s ability to create such depth into just a single cover is a testament to his brilliance as a storyteller and a revolutionary.
Tatsuya Endo might seem like a cheerful mangaka since his series,Spy x Family, is known for seamlessly blending comedy, action, and heartfelt storytelling. Endo recounted how crafting the arc focused on Loid’s past left him shattered as the process of exploring serious themes hadalready been haunting himduring the ten years of downward dive in his writing.
“I just wanted to do something that wouldn’t cause me a lot of mental or physical strain”: One Spy x Family Arc Completely Destroyed Tatsuya Endo
To write the protagonist’s traumatic history required Endo to immerse himself deeply. This immersion had considerable repercussions on his health and well-being, both mentally and physically.
You can streamSpy x Familyon Netflix and Crunchyroll.
Chandra Shekhar
Anime Writer
Articles Published :856
Chandra Shekhar is an Anime Writer at FandomWire with over 800 published articles under his belt. A law student by training but a storyteller at heart, he blends his sharp analysis with a deep love for all things anime. From the old-school Yu Yu Hakusho to the eldritch horrors of Lord of the Mysteries, his knowledge spans decades and genres. When he’s not writing, he’s likely buried in webnovels, silently hoping his favorite ones get the anime adaptation they deserve.
