Spy x Family’s Loid Forger has become one of the most recognizable and beloved anime characters of recent years. His charismatic personality, impressive intelligence, and near-superhuman abilities make it hard for viewers not to enjoy every moment he is on-screen. Loid is the definition of what a good spy must be: competent, enchanting, and secretive.

This is why many fans have been shocked by the origins of this iconic character, as the concept for Agent Twilight was quite different from the one fans are familiar with. According to Tatsuya Endo, the creator of the Spy x Family manga, in his notes, the character of Loid was supposed to be an incompetent spy looking for glory, instead of the gallant gentleman seen in the series.

Loid Forger Could Have Been Much Different

Endo’s Concept Depicted Him as a Complete Disaster

Most fans consider Loid Forger as one of the most skillful and intelligent Spy x Family characters. He has been trained since he was a young man in the art of espionage, acquiring a plethora of abilities that help him survive any situation he might encounter. The man has proven to be a master of disguise and combat, as well as possessing knowledge about almost any topic known to men. Few characters in anime history demonstrated such competence, which has helped Agent Twilight quickly become beloved and respected among the community.

Yet, when looking at the notes Endo wrote before beginning to work on his world-famous manga, Loid’s character is almost unrecognizable. The author began his text by claiming that the protagonist of the series was supposed to be a charismatic and social person, able to charm and talk with almost anyone he came across. Lamentably, he was not a competent spy, a fact that caused his reputation among his peers to drop drastically with each new mission he was assigned.

This version of Loid is drastically different from the one fans see with each new chapter that is released. Anya’s father is by no means a social individual, preferring to keep people at a distance. The manga has proven that, despite his growing love for Anya and Yor, the latter becoming one of his only weaknesses, the man refuses to admit the truth. Imagining a version of Loid open about his emotions and unable to successfully carry out his work seems almost impossible for those who have read the manga over the years.

Loid’s Mission Was Also Extremely Different

The Reason Behind Wanting a Family Was Not What Fans Expected

While the idea of Loid being an incompetent, but charming, spy is already quite odd for fans, the origins of his missions will be even stranger. In Endo’s notes, it is specified that the prototype of Agent Twilight was not assigned to the vitally important Operation Strix due to his performance on previous missions. Rather, the announcement of this important task, which involved surveying an unknown individual, likely the first draft of the series’ main villain, Donovan, was sent to all spies.

Twilight, wanting to redeem his name and gain fame within the organization, decided to accept the mission, not before finding a fake family, as the briefing had stated. Adopting Anya and finding Yor was not a calculated move on his part, like it was in the final version of the manga. It was a coincidence that he met people who could willingly help him achieve his goals. Although the result was the same as the one fans know from the story’s final draft, the circumstances surrounding the missions could have been exceedingly different.

Loid’s Changes Helped the Series’ Tone

​​​​​​​A Comedic Agent Twilight Would Have Clashed With the Story

Even though it is true that Spy x Family is a manga that shines for both its comedic and action-packed moments, what has helped the series succeed is its balance. Anya’s jokes are a landmark of the story, but so are the tragic backstories that made the beloved characters who they are today. Loid is a key player in maintaining this balance, being the most serious and responsible member of the Forger Family. Without his carefully laid-out plans and amazing skills, the family would have died several times over.

As such, transforming Agent Twilight from the comedic-relief character he was planned to be during the series’ initial draft might have been one of Endo’s best ideas. His contributions have been vital for the story to proceed without any issues while helping the funniest moments in the manga shine brighter. Without Anya’s father keeping order, the best arcs in the series would have lost the emotional weight that made audiences love them so much. Overall, Loid is an amazing character just as he is right now, and the fandom likely agrees that he does not need any changes.

Spy x Family

Release Date

April 9, 2022

Directors

Kazuhiro Furuhashi, Takahiro Harada

Writers

Kazuhiro Furuhashi, Ichirō Ōkouchi

• 

•