Spy x Family, Chapter 5.5

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Spy x Family :Tatsuya Endo and his longtime editor Shihei Lin have worked together for more than a decade. Lin was first assigned as Endo’s editor during his debut series Tista (2007). When Lin later transferred from the Jump Square editorial department to Shōnen Jump+, Endo followed, and the two began developing what would become Spy × Family.

The manga draws inspiration from three of Endo’s earlier Jump Square one-shots: Rengoku no Āshe (煉獄のアーシェ, “Ashe of Purgatory”), Ishi ni Usubeni, Tetsu ni Hoshi (石に薄紅、鉄に星, “The Pink in Stone, the Star in Steel”), and I Spy. According to Lin, the concept was met with such enthusiasm within the editorial department that serialization was virtually assured before the official approval meeting even took place.

The project’s early draft was titled Spy Family in Japanese. For the final name, Endo brainstormed over 100 alternatives, but they ultimately settled on the English title Spy × Family, adding a “cross” symbol inspired by Hunter × Hunter. Lin explained that both he and Endo carefully balanced the manga’s necessary use of violence with humor, ensuring it never became too dark. Having previously created darker works like Tista and Blade of the Moon Princess, Endo was encouraged by Lin to give Spy × Family a lighter, more cheerful tone.

The character Anya was directly inspired by the protagonist of Rengoku no Āshe. Her telepathic ability was planned from the start, with Lin highlighting its comedic potential as one of the manga’s key strengths. He emphasized that the series appeals to a wide demographic, thanks in part to Endo’s clean artwork and his talent for expressing emotion.

By the time volume two was released, Lin felt that both the world and its characters had been firmly established. From that point onward, he and Endo began incorporating longer and more elaborate story arcs into the series.