The following contains spoilers for Spy x Family Episode 5, "Will They Pass or Fail?" now streaming on Crunchyroll.
A lot of people skip filler episodes, and for good reason. They detract from the main storyline and in some cases, they drag on for so long that it makes it difficult to get back to the main plot at hand. Filler episodes are literally all filler and no substance, as they don't do much to develop any of the characters or their relationships with each other. Very rarely do anime series do filler episodes right, but Spy x Family continues to impress with this week's episode.
The episode focused on Anya's reward for getting into Eden Academy. In the manga, this scene only took up half a chapter and served as some light-hearted fluff; however, the anime chose to expand it to a full-fledged episode complete with anime-original scenes. And the show has done the impossible: while this artistic direction would have sunk a lot of shows, Spy x Family has imbued so much relationship development and entertainment into this episode that it doesn't even feel like a filler.
The Anime-Only Material Fit Seamlessly
Because the actual scene in the manga was quite short, the anime had to add some original material to stretch it out to a full episode, and the scenes that were added felt very organic. Even the little details that were woven in felt like they belonged and added to the overall enjoyment of the episode, such as Loid donning Loidman's disguise or how he went the whole nine yards to make his daughter happy. It was incredibly over-the-top with the blimp, renting out the entire castle and recruiting hundreds of WISE agency spies, but it somehow fit the vibe of Spy x Family, which often toes the line between ridiculousness and heartwarming. Loid didn't have to do any of this -- Anya isn't his real daughter -- but he did anyway because he wanted to make it a memorable experience for her.
In the manga, the only fight that happens in Loidman's rescue of Princess Anya is his fight with Yorticia, but it ends quickly. Not only does the episode expand on this particular fight but it also adds a new confrontation between Loidman and the evil boss's minions in a thrilling fight filled with bouncy balls. The animation with Loidman dodging the onslaught of bouncy balls and minions was impeccably smooth, and the insert song that accompanied the entire action sequence was brilliant, showing off Loid's cool side juxtaposed against an otherwise childish scene. Loid and Yor's fight also perfectly captured just how strong Yor is with her rapid-fire kicks and punches. The close-up of Loid blocking Yor's kicks from the side was particularly well done, especially with the material from his gloves crumbling from the sheer force of her attacks.
The Focus Is Back on Family
Operation Strix took center stage and backstage simultaneously in this episode. The only way that Loid could get the other agents to come for this elaborate act was under the pretense of it being done in the name of Operation Strix. Of course, this has nothing to do with the actual objective of the mission, which is to get close to Donovan Desmond, but part of Operation Strix is for Loid to find a family, and by expanding this short scene, the episode is focused on further developing Anya's relationship with Loid and Yor in a much more light-hearted context.
Despite knowing Anya for only a short period of time -- and being flat-out drunk -- Yor was extremely protective and showed her Thorn Princess side because she thought Loidman was going to take Anya away from her. However, it was Anya's relationship with her father that really shone. The new anime-original scenes were very subtle in demonstrating just how close the two of them are. For example, one of the scenes was of Loid being quizzed by Franky on how well he knew Anya. When he got the first question wrong and was teasingly mocked by Franky, it lit a fire in him as he demanded the next few questions. Even though he didn't get the last question right, the fact that he pondered and thought hard about what Anya wanted and came up with an answer that sounded pretty plausible proved that he does indeed know his daughter well.
The last scene was the most touching. As father and daughter gazed at the fireworks, Anya promised to work hard at school. On the surface level, it's a promise that all children make to their parents, but the viewers knew just how heavy the weight was behind Anya's words, especially given what she said before about how much fun she's been having since meeting her "father." Anya was promising to work hard so that she could continue having fun with her father and mother -- so that this wouldn't be the last time. And Loid patting Anya's head like the doting father he is was the perfect touch to a fun yet sweet episode.