Spy x Family: CODE: White Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		0.5
Overall		4.0

Spy x Family: CODE: White Blu-ray Movie Review

Spy x Family CODE: White is enormous fun and is a must-see for fans of the anime. Created by Tatsuya Endō, Spy x Family CODE: White is a gem. Featuring original character designs by Tatsuya Endō, Spy x Family CODE: White is a great achievement in continuing the franchise.

Spy x Family CODE: White is executive produced by Akifumi Fujio (The Elusive Samurai, Spy×Family) and Kazutaka Yamanaka (My Hero Academia, Trigun Stampede). Spy x Family CODE: White is a special theatrical feature and one that anime fans will cherish as part of the anime series. The wonderful theatrical filmmaking expands on the anime series and brings something special to the table.

Produced by Masaya Saitō (FLCL Alternative, Jujutsu Kaisen 0), Mirai Yamauchi (Fruits Basket, Restaurant to Another World), Mirei Tsumura (My Hero Academia, Spy×Family), Sōichirō Saitō (My Hero Academia, Raven of the Inner Palace), Takako Yamamori (Spy×Family, DAN DA DAN), Tetsuya Nakatake (Bunny Drop, Spy×Family), and Yūichi Fukushima (Spy×Family, Wind Breaker), Spy x Family CODE: White is fantastic. The feature-film has theme music performances by Official HiGE DANdism and Gen Hoshino (ending). Spy x Family CODE: White features animation production by CloverWorks (Black Butler: Emerald Witch Arc, The Elusive Samurai) and Wit Studio (Attack on Titan, Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress). Spy x Family CODE: White features voice performances by Takuya Eguchi, Atsumi Tanezaki, Kenichirō Matsuda, and Saori Hayami.

Loid Forger (Takuya Eguchi) gets the wrong end of a stick when he receives a notice that he is being fired and replaced. Loid is taken aback by the ridiculous notice – and doesn’t like the news that he is set to be terminated and replaced by someone else with Operation Strix. In order to try and resolve the issue and restore his work, Loid sets out to aid Anya Forger (Atsumi Tanezaki) make a perfect meal for Eden Academy and the prestigious cooking competition.

Can Anya win the cooking competition? Will a cooking win ultimately help prevent Loid from being replaced in Operation Strix? As the adventure continues, the entire Forger family – including Bond Forger (Kenichirō Matsuda) and Yor Forger (Saori Hayami) – set forth on their biggest mission. Traveling across the world, the Forger family is determined to win big. Yet the epic journey could lead to bigger stakes concerning the future of society in general (and the survival of the planet).

The characters are essential to the filmmaking. Spy x Family CODE: White features an excellent cast of characters. The characters have vibrant and engaging personalities. The family dynamic is something that adds a lot to the storytelling. One of the greatest strengths of Spy x Family CODE: White is the family element and what it brings to the story.

The character designs by Kazuaki Shimada (The Promised Neverland, Spy×Family) are well-done. The character art makes a fantastic impression. There is so much wonder to the character art and the designs stand out in spades. Shimada did something special here – providing each character an incredible aesthetic that fans will cherish.

The animation is exceptional and one of the best qualities of the production. Spy x Family CODE: White features excellent art direction by Ayumi Kojima (The Elusive Samurai, The Iceblade Sorcerer Shall Rule the World) and Tomomi Sugimoto (Combatants Will Be Dispatched!, Spy×Family). The chief animation direction by Kyoji Asano (Attack on Titan, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex) is top-notch too.

The animation is a wonderful aspect of the production. The background animation and line art are wonderful. The fun animation provides a sense of wonder to the entire feature. The animation somehow manages to expand on the already excellent animation of the anime series. The film impresses with even more robust animation – the budget is obviously even bigger and the film showcases a lot of creativity. The animation also diverts into some unique watercolor style art during a portion of the feature-film and this section was visually incredible.

The mecha designs by Satoshi Takabatake (COLORs, Five Numbers!) are excellent, too. The action set pieces are all the better because of the fantastic mecha designs. These elements of the production add to the filmmaking.

The cinematography by Akane Fushihara (Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card, Kandagawa Jet Girls) is lush and gorgeous. The cinematography provides a sense of beautiful elegance to the filmmaking. There certainly is a lot to appreciate about the beautiful visuals and what the cinematographer brings to the Spy x Family CODE: White.

Written by Ichirō Ōkōchi (Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch From Mercury), Spy x Family CODE: White is a well written script. The screenplay is a lot of fun. The story manages to be entertaining throughout. The characters are given fantastic moments throughout. Wonderful storytelling.

Directed by Takashi Katagiri (Spy×Family, Great Pretender), Spy x Family CODE: White is a fantastic feature. Katagiri expands on the anime series and brings a new chapter to the table. The film has incredible production values. Spy x Family CODE: White is a gem through-and-through. There is something beautiful about the epic adventure and fans won’t feel disappointed. Well worthwhile.

Spy x Family: CODE: White Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Crunchyroll, Spy x Family CODE: White is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.78:1 widescreen. The high-definition presentation is engaging throughout the anime feature-film. Spy x Family CODE: White has lush colors and visuals. The cinematography is beautifully reproduced on the release. The background animation, line artwork, and detail is enormously pleasing.

Physical media can provide better encoding compared to streaming video services. Streaming video services often have a myriad of other variables that can occasionally impact picture quality – such as streaming service plan tiers, internet service speeds, data caps, number of connected users, weather issues, internet outages, and more. With physical media, there is something dependable about the physical media option – it is something you can hold in your hand.

Spy x Family: CODE: White Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a selection of lossless audio options: English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 and Japanese Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (with English subtitles). The sound direction by Shōji Hata (Fairy Tail, Spy×Family) is well done throughout. The score is well reproduced and integrated into the sound mix. The surround presentation is top-notch. The dynamics of the sound mixing are incredible.

One of the great qualities of physical media is the lossless audio encoding. Streaming video services only provide lossy (non-lossless) audio encoding on the release. For enthusiasts wanting the best possible audio, the Blu-ray release provides lossless. Home theater enthusiasts and audiophiles alike will appreciate the encoding quality. A well-done presentation.  

Spy x Family: CODE: White Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The standard edition comes with an o-card slipcover. The slipcover features alternate key artwork – different from the artwork underneath the slipcover. The standard edition is a combo pack and includes both a Blu-ray and DVD disc.

A separately available limited edition exclusive features a gorgeous steelbook design. Steelbook fans will want to opt for the high-quality steelbook – which features a nice gloss texture and looks great in hand. The limited edition is well worthwhile.

On disc:

Special Feature – Trailers (HD, 2:39)

Spy x Family: CODE: White Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Spy x Family CODE: White is a gorgeous anime theatrical feature film. Spy x Family CODE: White features a wonderful cast of characters. The production values are outstanding and there are so many superb intricacies in the feature to appreciate.

The music in Spy x Family CODE: White is fantastic and adds a lot to the film. The script expands on the storytelling of the anime. The characters are a joy and fans will love what has been done with this theatrical adventure.

The Blu-ray release features a top-notch presentation and lossless audio. The first print run includes an o-card slipcover. Highly recommended.