Spy x Family Has One Central Tragedy That's Well Hidden, & It Makes Anya One Of Anime's Most Heartbreaking Heroines

Spy x Family’s Anya is best known for being one of anime’s most cheerful and energetic characters. No matter the situation, she always tries to face her problems with a smile and a positive attitude. She mostly achieves this thanks to her fantastic ability to read the minds of those around her.

Yet, behind her constant jokes and aversion to responsibility, the series hides how much she suffers regularly. Besides her enigmatic and traumatic past, Anya has been constantly exposed to topics and situations that no child should ever have to see. From her father dying in front of her eyes to adults attempting to kill her, her cheery demeanor might likely hide how much she is hurting.

Anya Has Suffered Most Than Any Children

Besides Her Time as a Test Subject, She Has Witnessed Horrible Events

Throughout the Spy x Family manga series, few details have been revealed about Anya’s life before meeting Loid. The series has only confirmed that she was a part of Project Apple, a governmental program that experimented with different living creatures to awaken powers in them and that she somehow managed to escape. This experience has left a scar on her mind that will likely never fully heal, as proven by her reaction when talking about her birth mother in chapter #5. Anya refuses to let her past define her, which is why she tries to remain positive.

Still, it is not her early years that could be causing her major mental damage, as the series has confirmed many times that she has suffered greatly ever since she met her father. A great example of the anguish Anya has been dealt is the beloved but dark Doggy Crisis arc. After being found by Keith and his fellow terrorists in chapter #19, the pink-haired girl was about to be killed by the villain, who wanted to prevent any information from leaking out.

During the following chapter, Anya was confronted with visions of Loid, one of the few people who had given her care and affection, dead under her feet after a bomb killed him. She made it her responsibility to save her father from these dangerous circumstances, despite her young age and inexperience. Although Anya tries to remain happy and carefree, the manga shows that she has been severely affected by the horrible events that have occurred in the past. Her abilities might be a blessing, but they have also caused her more pain than any child should go through.

Anya Might Be Hiding All Her Suffering From Others

Her Nonchalant Behavior Could Be a Coping Mechanism

Despite her brave personality and willingness to risk her life for the greater good, Anya is a young child still in development. The experiences she has lived through have left a permanent mark on her mental health, which she could be hiding from others with her cheery attitude. On several occasions, Anya has shown she is an extremely selfless individual, who tends to put other’s needs in front of herself. She might still have the occasional tantrum or show an envious personality, but these are few and far between.

Loid’s daughter likely hides her pain from her loved ones by acting as if she does not have a care in the world. Her carefree attitude, rejection of authority figures, and lazy demeanors could be her mind responding to the high-stress environments she has been forced to live through. Anya hates studying and school due to the trauma of being forced to learn while on Project Apple caused her. She rebels against authority figures because she fears they will hurt her like the scientists who used her as a test subject.

Anya loves having fun and avoids her responsibilities because she wants to enjoy the childhood that was forcibly taken from her. Nonetheless, she believes that sharing her pain and trauma will make her a burden to Loid. The series has made it clear several times that she fears being abandoned by her father and losing her current relatively peaceful life. The pink-haired girl loves her father, mother, and pet dearly, as they are the only ones who have given her wholesome and joyful memories. She will need her parents’ love to fully heal and live a fulfilling life.

Spy x Family is undoubtedly one of the most heartwarming and cheerful anime franchises. Nevertheless, the series has portrayed serious topics that make it much more than just a regular comedy. Anya’s suffering is one of the best hidden details in the manga, which might have major implications for future arcs.

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.

Release Date April 9, 2022

Seasons 1

Creator(s) Tatsuya Endo