Spy x Family is a charming comedy shonen anime that keeps surprising and delighting fans with one twist after another. Tensions are high between the nations of Westalis and Ostania, and it's up to the superspy Twilight/Loid Forger to keep the peace while posing as an ordinary family man in Berlint. His foster daughter, the beloved Anya Forger, is trying to do her part too.

Anya must earn eight Stella Stars and ace her tests to become an Imperial Scholar for the benefit of Loid's mission, and cheating with her telepathic ability is her best strategy. The fast-approaching new moon, however, will rob Anya of her powers. Oddly, Inuyasha's half-demon star has a similar weakness.

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Anya & Inuyasha Lose Their Special Powers With the New Moon

Anya has a startled expression while stood next to Bond the dog in Spy x Family

In recent Spy x Family episodes, Anya has realized to her horror that the upcoming tests at Eden Academy will be held on the day of the new moon. Loid and Yor don't see the problem, but Anya secretly knows her telepathic powers go offline every new moon. It's not clear why the lunar cycle would disrupt Anya's unique gifts, but she is certain about it, and viewers can expect an un-powered Anya to struggle with her exams before long. She barely has two weeks' notice before the new moon tests, and not even her new Great Pyrenees dog, Bond, can predict the answers. Worst of all, it's not just Anya's grades that are in peril, but Operation Strix and, by extension, all of world peace.

Similarly, Inuyasha the half-demon loses all his demon dog powers when the new moon appears. His hair turns black, his dog ears are replaced with human ones, and all his supernatural gifts vanish. He can't even wield the full power of his Tetsusaiga sword in this state, nor can he rapidly heal or use his keen senses. In years past, Inuyasha would hide indoors to protect himself, but now he's got Kagome and the others to support him during his brief state of vulnerability. The proud, battle-prone tsundere can't stand it but has no choice, and he can only hope his worst enemies don't attack him during the new moon. Even so, Inuyasha and Anya alike can look at their new moon weakness in a constructive way.

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How the New Moon Challenges Anya & Inuyasha to Grow & Adapt

Inuyasha standing alongside kagome

At a glance, Anya's and Inuyasha's new moon weakness appears to be a total liability. They lose all their powers and don't seem to gain anything in return, and for plot reasons, they often face these vulnerabilities during key moments in their respective series. Fortunately, both are shonen anime heroes, meaning they have the mental fortitude and can-do attitude to gain something from this after all.

Inuyasha needs his friends' aid during the new moon, which encourages this solitary, self-sufficient half-demon to embrace the power of friendship and appreciate what his allies can really do. He likes to take charge and do everything himself, but he can't be a one-man army. He must learn to be a team player, and when everyone in his squad except him can fight, it forces Inuyasha to look at his allies in a new light.

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Similarly, Spy x Family's Anya had the benefit of knowing her weakness ahead of time, so she can prepare herself. She loves her powers and likes to cheat, but kids like her must learn to use their own strength to overcome challenges and improve themselves along the way. Cheating isn't just dishonest -- it robs Anya of a chance to grow, and that could hurt her in the long run. So, she summoned all her willpower and courage and had her new uncle Yuri tutor her.

Anya had a tough time and didn't even know what "a grammar" is, but she is developing a self-sufficient mindset. Anya is building up her mental fortitude and sharpening her discipline which can only help her, regardless of telepathic powers. The hard work paid off and she's scored better than ever on recent tests. In that sense, the new moon is actually Anya's best friend, even if she doesn't see it that way.

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