Spy x Family is taking the anime community by storm with the number of discussions, reviews, and even memes online. It is mainly due to the intriguing premise and shenanigans brought about by Loid Forger’s made-up family. Considering the show's popularity, is Spy x Family appropriate for children?
Spy x Family is one of those shows that features a young character that is loved by the community.
In fact, Anya Forger is so beloved that even her meme face has become iconic.
With all the love pouring in for Anya Forger, can she be used as a role model for children?
Related: The Best Detective Anime to Watch
What Is the Age Rating for Spy x Family?
In the US, Spy x Family is rated TV-14, which technically means that the anime contains content strongly cautioned by parents.
Interestingly, Spy x Family is rated PG12 in Japan, which is two years below the regulated rating in the US.
In some Asian countries such as the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, Spy x Family is rated 13+ but it is self-applied.
Meanwhile, countries like Brazil and France rated Spy x Family as 18, which is equivalent to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA)'s NC-17 rating.
Surprisingly, both Brazil and France consider Spy x Family to be a show that is not appropriate for children under the age of 18.
What's more surprising is that, in France, this rating is rarely used. Spy x Family, with a rating of 18, is considered to incite violence.
On the other hand, Germany gave Spy x Family a rating of 12, while countries such as Argentina and Peru gave it a 14-age rating.
Related: When Will Spy x Family Be Dubbed in English?
Is Spy x Family Appropriate for Children?
Based on the ratings provided by each country, Spy x Family can still be enjoyed by children as long as they have parental supervision.
At the end of the day, it is up to parents to guide their children in watching shows that are appropriate for their age.
However, the following factors will assist parents in determining Spy x Family's level of child-friendliness for younger viewers:
Spy x Family's Sex and Nudity
The anime lacks sex and nudity, with the exception of a painting of a naked woman shown in one episode.
Nonetheless, the painting is not detailed enough to be considered explicit.
Spy x Family’s Violence and Gore
The violence in the show is considered mild only because it is shown in a quick, bloodless manner.
Because the show's theme is centered on spies and assassins, some characters are beaten and killed, but these violent scenes are not highlighted.
At times, violence is used as a joke, and the characters become cartoonish.
Spy x Family’s Profanity
There is almost no profanity in the anime. There is, however, some infrequent use of curse words and children's slang.
In one episode, the children jokingly called each other "uggos," a slang term for "ugly."
Spy x Family’s Alcohol, Drugs, & Smoking
Alcohol and smoking are present in the series, as Yor's alcohol tolerance has become a running gag.
Yor has been drunk several times in the show, from her reunion with Yuri to her participation in Anya's princess roleplay.
Spy x Family’s Frightening and Intense Scenes
Because Spy x Family is also an action anime, there are many intense and frightening scenes in the show.
From bombs exploding to kidnapping to the use of weapon dogs, Spy x Family has a lot of action that parents should be aware of.