This series always hits me different depending on the day and I’ll say this - it does both comedy and drama very well. The conclusion of Martha’s story of the war and her part in it is pretty harrowing.
Naturally, it also features an emotional gut punch on top of that, as if war wasn’t horrific enough without assistance or something. Becky’s interjections provide a little levity and the whole thing ends up putting her Loid fixation on the down-low, which is probably for the best.
There’s an interesting mix of both styles of Spy x Family stories in this one, honestly. My gut still tells me that having two separate series would arguably accentuate their strengths more. This is a manga where people get shot in the head and also underground tennis tournaments exist, after all.
Still, there’s the sense that things are picking up a little steam. Donovan Desmond shows up for more page time than he has in ages, and the volume has an absolute field day with the tensions that brings out.
It’s exploration of Damian’s home life, complete with an image that seems ripped out of Citizen Kane, plus a ridiculous “adventure” based on his life of utter privilege, help to flesh out his desperate need for approval from his father as well as his much better relationship with his mother.
Damian’s mom gets the most interesting character moments this time out, honestly, as we see the anxiety she lives with and her need for help. It ends up working into the main plotline, but seeing mental health brought up was a nice touch (especially when examined via the stigma of the era).
The drama works better than the comedy, but the comedy is pretty good. The seal part is basically a bit of a break more than anything, but the festival is a hoot. Seeing Loid short circuit because he can’t not be angling for an advantage is a fun twist on his character.
I’ll never fully love this series, although it is incredibly good. The things that bug me tend to do so in exactly the wrong way, but I won’t deny that it does a lot right too. Heck, even that Frankie chapter is pretty solid.
4 stars - pretty good volume all around and perfect for fans of the series. Nothing terribly wrong with it, truly.