Tatsuya Endo’s Spy x Family is a series that has never shied away from depicting the harsh realities of the world. Everything from the atrocities of war to the palpable tension between rival nations can be found in the pages of the manga. The story is an endearing but accurate depiction of the circumstances that accompany a military conflict.
Chapter 100 is a perfect example of Endo’s passion for educating his readers, as the series delved into one of the most heinous tactics used in wartime, widespread propaganda. The false information fed to both Westalis and Ostania’s citizens was challenged thanks to a kind but hurting woman who helped Martha after her severe injury during a battle.
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Spy x Family Finally Reveals the Backstory of Its Main Villain
The main villain of Spy x Family gets surprising exposure to his past in the latest chapter of Spy x Family, including a connection to a key teacher.
Martha’s Meeting With the Woman From Westalis Proves Propaganda Has Been Spread
Both Sides Consider Their Enemy Heartless Monsters Guilty of Starting the War
Once she graduated, Martha Marriot, the future butler of the Blackbell Family and Master Henderson’s star-crossed lover, joined the military to fight for Ostania. The trauma of the war caused her to see the people from Westalis as her mortal enemies, beings filled with greed who wanted nothing more than to destroy her nation. During one of the brutal battles she partook in, she was heavily injured and left for death by her superiors. Through an immense effort, Martha evaded certain death and ended up being rescued by an elderly individual named Anabel.
This woman, who was later revealed to be a widow from Westalis, nursed Martha back to health. She did this despite the Ostanian army being responsible for the death of her daughter and husband. Martha held onto her belief that Westalis was filled with horrible people, still scarred from the many losses she suffered during the war. Nonetheless, by the time the two women had to part ways, the future butler had realized that the idea she had of the people from Westalis was completely wrong. Martha understood that the Ostanian government had filled her head with hateful propaganda.
The Civilians From Both Sides Suffer Due to Their Governments’ Propaganda
Hate-Fueled Soldiers End See Their Enemies as Monsters That Need To Be Eliminated
Martha’s encounter with the woman from Westalis served to make her realize that her hatred for the people of the West was unfounded. She believed the lies spread by her government, created to turn the Ostanian citizens into loyal soldiers willing to do anything. If their military personnel believe that Westalis is a country run by cruel and bloodthirsty individuals, they will have no issues killing them without remorse. They dehumanize their enemies to make their chances of winning the conflict higher.
As usual, the ones who end up suffering the consequences of these actions are the innocent civilians who did nothing to start the war. Martha realized that the woman, despite having lost everything at the hands of people from Ostania, did not harbor any ill will toward her. Anabel knew that Martha was just another victim of her country’s propaganda. Chapter 100 expertly depicts how these lies can negatively affect the minds of soldiers and how hard it is for them to come to terms with the truth.
Martha’s journey through Ostania is far from over, as she has just left the house of her savior. Throughout this odyssey, the young woman will learn more about the people of Westalis, learning that they are not so different from Ostania. These adventures will likely be featured in future chapters of the Spy x Family manga.
Spy x Family
Created by Tatsuya Endo, Spy X Family is an action-adventure comedy anime that follows the misadventures of a found family with unique quirks. The story follows spy Twilight (known as Loid Forger), who, while on assignment, builds a fake family to get closer to his target. Unbeknownst to him, his new family carries their quirks. His wife, Yor, is a kind but deadly assassin, while his daughter, Anya, has telepathic powers – and is the only one who knows their secrets.
