This year has seen an impressive surge of darker-themed anime, especially during the summer season. Notably, Crunchyroll produced one of the bleakest titles in recent years with Takopi’s Original Sin, alongside the similarly grim shonen series Gachiakuta.
However, in an unexpected twist, the lighthearted comedy of the fall season’s Spy x Family takes a surprisingly dark turn. In its first two seasons, the anime adaptation of Tatsuya Endo’s manga (produced by Wit Studio and CloverWorks) maintained a gentle comedic tone centered on the fake family life of Loid, Yor, and Anya.
Yet beneath the story was always a deeper premise rooted in the harsh realities of the Cold War. Now, that truth is no longer hidden. Spy x Family season 3 reveals Twilight’s (Loid Forger’s) tragic past, something fans have long been curious about. This shift has transformed the anime’s tone significantly, turning what was once a light comedy into one of the darkest anime of 2025.
Spy x Family Shifts from Lighthearted to One of 2025’s Darkest Anime
Episode 2 of Spy x Family season 3 marks the moment the series begins to delve deeply into Twilight’s past. This episode completely sets aside the lighthearted humor that had been a hallmark of the series.
Usually, even when Spy x Family explores tense storylines, it balances them with comedic moments. But as Loid’s past unfolds, the humor disappears, replaced by grim and brutal scenes fitting a story born from the realities of war.
The episode reveals Loid’s childhood dream of joining the military, set against the backdrop of his homeland being attacked by a neighboring country. This assault results in the deaths of many children, including Loid’s friends, hinted at by the bombing of the area where they once played.
This tragedy lays the foundation for Loid’s extraordinary talents and his eventual path to becoming his nation’s greatest spy. However, his backstory is far from over, as the preview for the next episode confirms that more of Loid’s past will be explored.
From the preview alone, the dark tone appears set to continue, showing Loid in increasingly harsh situations. If this trend holds, Spy x Family could become even darker in upcoming episodes, potentially outshining other series to claim the title of the darkest anime of the year.