callester

[callester]

Against the stereotypical views faced by different characters throughout the series.

Existence of individualism

Where each individual's life experience and thought process are all matters of subjectivity.

Sense of responsibility

Where each consideration on behalf of another exists, regardless of its expression or lack of it.

Possessed competence

Where superficial assumptions are surpassed through one's intellect.

Resolved nature

Where biased judgements are vanquished through one's loyalty.

Note: Stereotypical criticisms would only flourish at the expense of the critics' threatened insecurities on the scrutinised subject, be it a character or their thought process alone.

[callester]

An attempt on deciphering Endo's Japanese-English hybrid message for OPERATION <JUMP FESTA 2025> illustration.

Stage wo mitari goods wo get sitari food wo tabetari site JF wo mankitsu seyo.

ステージを見たりgoodsをgetしたりfoodを食べたりしてJFを満喫せよ。

Suteji o mitari goods o get shitari food wo tabetarishite JF wo mankitsuseyo.

Enjoy JF (Jump Festa) by watching the stage, getting goods, and eating food.

-CAUTION-

Tanin ni meiwaku wo kakeru bekarazu.

他人に迷惑をかけるべからず。

Tanin ni meiwaku wo kakeru bekarazu.

Don't cause trouble to others.

-OKAERI NO SAI-

-お帰りの際-

Okaeri no sai

When returning home

Mission kansuigo wa anzen ni kitaku seyo. Kaze wo hikanuyou atatakaku seyo. Home ni kaeru made ga ensoku.

Mission完遂後は安全に帰宅せよ。風を引かぬよう暖かくせよ。Homeに帰るまでが遠足。

Mission kansuigo ha anzen ni kitakuseyo. Kaze wo hikanuyou atatakakuseyo. Home ni kaeru made ga ensoku.

After mission completion is to go home safely. Avoid the wind and stay warm. Until you get home, it's an excursion.

Note: Another message deciphering attempt based on my basic Japanese language knowledge and some assumptions done on the romanised words. Looking forward to more future installations!

[callester]

A cool visualisation on Nightfall's cold rejection, (while in-theme to the absence of Christmas in this universe)!

Cold Rejection: Illustrated

Greetings! The holiday season is coming closer and the festive feeling is getting stronger. Inspired by the Mistlefoe™ christmas idea that surfaced in tumblr a few years ago as well as the application of the joke into the Spy × Family universe in an incorrect quote by @callester, I happen to decide on illustrating it into a chibi version.

If any of you are wondering, this is from Mission 85 of the Spy × Family manga featuring Nightfall's combat with Winston Wheeler.

With the fact that the Spy × Family universe does not celebrate Christmas, I think this idea of the Mistlefoe™ is impressively suitable as an alternative celebration!

All in all, I hope you had fun. Hope to see you soon in the next post ❄

[callester]

Cold Rejection

Wheeler: *walks under the mistletoe and notices it* Oh? I guess we should ki-

Nightfall: The rules have changed, Winston Wheeler.

Wheeler: Wh-

Nightfall: *punches in canon*

Wheeler: *half dead under the mistletoe*

Nightfall: *walks away, unbothered* Disgusting.

[Guide: Normal for spoken words, itallic for unspoken thoughts.]

Note: A festive incorrect quotes prompt based on Mistlefoe™ featuring Nightfall and Wheeler, as inspired by Mission 85.

[callester]

The fandom during the author's hiatus:

Note: Glad to finally hear from the author himself.

[callester]

Colleagues' dynamic parallels between Nightfall and Yuri in the cases of Zacharis Dossier retrieval and Chicken Circle investigation (feat. Twilight and Chloe).

• Joint Mission

As assigned by the respective superior of WISE (Handler) and SSS (First Lieutenant)

• Cover Story

Both missions involved the utilisation of being a couple as a cover story to the public eye.

• Fatal Overeach

Both Yuri and Nightfall decided to swiftly complete the mission through their impulsive means.

• Wisdom and Acceptance

Alarmed by the harm and danger that came with such action had Twilight and Chloe warned the possible dire consequences that await.

From there had the two chose to accept the verbal concern from their superior.

• Distracted Dismissal

Upon recovering from their rashed mistakes had Yuri and Nightfall dismissed the passed wisdom in resuming their personal pursues.

Note: Being too fixated with the assumption where all encounters in life as part of one's "destiny" would lead to the neglect on the importance of camaraderie, an element that is crucial in facing odds faced in the reality.

[callester]

A continuation of Mission 99's poll.

Extending from the most-voted choice:

[callester]

Contradictions portrayed by Wheeler through his apparent deviated nature when facing off Nightfall.

Unlike the ruthlessness showcased in eliminating the Westalis Intelligence agents in his escape through the utilisation of all available means (a gun discarded by an agent and using one of them as a shield), Wheeler seemed to have tuned down his aim when coming across WISE's intercept in Shellbury.

Despite having regained an advantage of breaking free from their temporary capture as well as seizing possession of a knife along the way, his supposed offensive throw had landed perfectly on the tip of the gun instead of injuring its holder, Nightfall. And judging by the fatal aim shown when ridding the Westalian agents (Mission 81), the knife's aim was likely to have been calculated when the throw was made.

Opposing his maintained radio silence throughout his escape from Westalis (Mission 81), Wheeler seemed to insist on a continuous conversational attempt with Nightfall upon their encounters, including unsolicited remarks on Nightfall's "cold-hearted" personality.

Feeling triumphant upon discovering Nightfall's "sentimental attachment" had caused Wheeler to tempt her explosive anger, in which eventually led to his own defeat by the end of their clash.

Note: While posing as an intimidating antagonist in this arc, Wheeler's contradicting demeanor throughout his interactions with Nightfall had been an interesting side case to observe upon.

Wheeler's Arc Parallels: Part I • Part II • Part III

[callester]

Further scrutinisation on Wheeler's Arc details, as continued from the previous takes (links below).

• Disguises' Foreshadow

The name play on Shellbury ("shell" + "bury") may act as a foreshadow to this arc's pinpoint on the slipping (buried) layer of one's protection (shell), as showcased in Twilight's close call of almost having his face revealed by Wheeler.

• Border Symbolism

Due to Shellbury being a town at the (northside) border of Westalis and Ostania, the location alone became the symbolism on the clash between the two countries' exact counterparts.

Bearing the same role of a skilled intelligence agent, Twilight and Wheeler became the main target of the SSS and WISE respectively, all while actively trying to tip the balance into their side's favour upon clashing.

Possessing the same sense of determination, Yuri and Nightfall came into an equal role of the persistent pursuer of Twilight and Wheeler.

Thus, the main narration perspectives of this arc had mainly focused on them due to their close calls on their respective target, as highlighted through their forward gazes (breaking the fourth wall) in Volume 13's special illustration (full analysis here).

Another worthwhile note on Yuri and Nightfall's parallels would be their contribution in stopping their targets' tracks, differed only by the sequence of events:

》 Yuri's battle with Twilight had led to his fall in the hands of Wheeler.

》 Nightfall's clash with Wheeler later had similarly cause the latter to be defeated as well.

• Strength-building

With Nightfall finding the irony in her intensive tennis rematch training to have reduced the severity of her injury, Yuri had similarly began his own with the thought of improving his own strength to capture Twilight the next time they met. Interestingly, Yor acted as the main motivator in both cases.

Note: Due to the author's flawless inclusion of numerous intricate details throughout the storyline, different connections are only realised upon every reread. And thus, this is yet another part for the analysis (series, at this point) on Wheeler's Arc.

While catching up to the latest release on a timely basis had been a source of pride to most, missing out the hints included in the main narration's background would cause one to stray further away from its actual intent upon such ignorance.

Wheeler's Arc Analysis: Parallels I • Parallels II • Contrasts

[callester]

A scrutiny into Twilight's remark in Mission 107 between the Japanese and English translated manga.

Japanese Manga

• "だとしてもオレは..." (Datoshitemo ore ha...)

"Even so, I..."

だとしても (datoshitemo) - even so

オレは... (ore ha / ore wa) - I...

With the latter part of the sentence composed of "オレ (ore, I)" and the topic particle "は ("ha", pronounced as "wa")", "オレは... (ore ha)" had directly meant "I...". The trailing end (...) of this sentence had indicated the incomplete nature of the remark due to the emphasis that was left unspoken in this scene, making Twilight's statement vague and neutral in this context.

English Translated Manga

• "And yet, here I am..."

Straying off the literal meaning of the japanese counterpart of the same sentence, the English translated version offered a slightly different view. Taking the sentence as it is, the meaning behind it seemed to suggest that the speaker expressed a sense of agreement towards the discussed topic while currently doing an opposing action. Thus, most would see this remark as one of "regret", with the trailing end of it greatly emphasising the speaker's uncertain stance.

Though if both versions are to be taken into equal consideration, the trailing end of "here I am..." could reflect the japanese version's take but only when the sentence is viewed as incomplete instead being concluded rather doubtfully by the speaker.

Additional Context: Background Interruption

Still bearing the same thoughtful expression in the following panel, Damian's victory exclaim must have been the cause to Twilight's interrupted monologue. Thus, this further solidifies the incomplete nature of the sentence instead of the "remorseful" stance assumed by some.

Note: Despite the effort poured into ensuring translations to be done within the context of a selected language, losing the initial intent of the story from its source would result to misleading details and perceptions. Hence, this post is another instance of the difference across the japanese manga and its english translation.

While it lies in the majority to rejoice upon the found flaws of others, bearing the wrong perception on it would be as fruitless as pinpointing it in the first place.

[callester]

"Ignorance, the root and stem of every evil" (Plato)

無理とはなんて無力でなんて悪

(muchi to ha nante muryoku de nante aku)

Ignorance is powerlessness and evil.

Powerlessness • 無力 (むりょく, muryoku)

In the wake of his lost, Twilight came to acknowledge the vagueness of the reality he lived in as he lack the power to save his friends as well as the comprehension on the reason behind the seemingly unending clash.

Evil • 悪 (あく, aku)

Through such realisation had Twilight concluded that being ignorant towards the present truth as "evil", where continuing down the path of relentlessly fight for an unclear purpose, as most was driven into, could not bring one closer to a desirable outcome in the future.

子どもが泣かない世界それを作りたくてオレはスパイになったんだ

(kodomo ga nakanai sekai sore wo tsukuritakute ore ha supai ni nattanda)

To make a world where children do not cry, I became a spy.

Rooted to his shattered childhood had Twilight aimed to reach a future where such past could no longer repeat itself, and thus chose to trail down a path that could grant him realistic means of moving the present towards such hope for the sake of its successors to come.

Note: In dimissing a vision due to a proclaimed sense of naivety would all hope be diminished, for no effort is given in even changing the present. And through such lens had most continue to cast doubt and criticise anything that appear to be more advanced than all that existed in the current time.

In imagining a perfected ideal would all hope exist as mere thoughts, for nothing from one's mind is actually obtained. And from holding on to such flawless idea had most turn a blind eye to the extent of their own capabilities amidst the ongoing present.

With almost anyone fitting to either side of the two contrasts easily, it should dawn in one's realisation where uttering criticisms and bearing dreams alone could not help to secure a better future envisioned by the minds of all. An ideal would remain as an ideal until it could be realised into the real world through the collective yet realistic means taken in moving towards the shared vision.

[callester]

An interpretation on the ideal echoed in Mission 107.

Vision of an Ideal

"How I hope that these children are able to remain forever unburdened by the statures and standpoints of their parents, and continue seeking out their own happiness of their own accord. It may not be my place to hope for such things, but I cannot help but wish it all the same."

In the light of witnessing the liveliness shared by the children at the festival, the ideal that was stated out by Jeeves had reached an unanimous agreement from the parents' side.

Trailing a realistic path

"And yet, here I am..."

Giving a ponder on the sentiment discussed in his background while glancing over at Anya from the distant, Twilight came to conclude his take on the said matter rather incompletely (due to being being cut off by Damian's victorious exclaim).

Despite the brief glimpse into his thoughts, his words alone were sufficient in portraying the awareness on the truth behind the spoken ideal that had long since existed in himself. Though instead of only holding onto it as a core belief, he chose to view it all in a rather realistic perspective of eventually reaching the said ideal.

Thus, from prioritising such objective-based approach had Twilight been associated with a false assumption of bearing "guilt" or "remorse" over all actions and considerations taken throughout Operation Strix.

Note: Discarding the subjectivity that comes with reality, most would opt to maintain a simplistic view of comparing righteousness between two contrasts and proceeds to choose the side that fits a generally-accepted norm over rational judgements. And trailing down such path would one ultimately lose sight of the truth.

[callester]

An alternative view on the interactions between the Desmonds in Mission 106.

Right after Damian's first attempt of starting a conversation with Donovan at the beginning of the chapter, Demetrius can be seen consuming his dinner in a rather continuous flow to the point where his speed eventually led to finishing most of his dishes first as compared to his family members.

While Demetrius can be seen as nonchalant towards the rare family dinner to the point of aiming to conclude it as soon as possible, his course of action had eventually gave way to a sliver of alone time between Donovan and Damian, right after Melinda similarly taking the cue to leave the table, in which had enabled Donovan to directly address Damian, despite only through short comments that thus strucked a sense of deep satisfaction in the latter.

Another instance taken from the past (Mission 37) would be the brief phone conversation between Demetrius and Damian, where upon the latter's request of meeting up with their father after the Imperial Scholars mixer, Demetrius had spoken up the possibility of Donovan not making it due to his busy nature in avoiding Damian from getting his hopes too high up. And despite the rather formal-like exchange between the two, Demetrius still left a space for Damian in case he needed to ask anything more before hanging up.

Note: Viewing things from the outer perspective of a situation would always grant the viewer with the ability of making effortless judgements, where most would be able to tell if one is better or worse than the other in an almost mirroring scenario, unconsciously leading them to assume which of the two is the "more correct" version and thus, adapting and expecting the said ideal to be a part of the majority's norm or standards.

Despite such ideal assumption, the reality has never strayed from its subjectivity, for not all matters could be addressed and solved simply through spoken words, with an instance being Demetrius' subtle actions showcased in this chapter. Hence, to attempt to fit everyone into the frame of a perceived perfect norm is a lost cause to begin with.

[callester]

世の中には心の風邪をひく人がたくさんいるんだ。

[callester]

"I curse this era" parallelism as expressed by Martha and Franky.

Amidst the era of conflict

Shedding a light on the physical and mental strain that came with constant battles, Martha's definition had mainly centred on the unrest of her era that crushed her dreams as well as being one of the contributors to her immense heartbreak.

In the wake of cold war

Contrasting the visible physical battles of the past, Franky's point of view reveals a different struggle that only takes place underneath the shadows. Thus, his definition had been based off the constant unseen struggles of being part of the underground information chain while trying to strike a sense of normalcy in life.

Note: Echoing Yor's point in Mission 91 on the existence of mental burden among her generation alongside the pain experienced by those in the previous one, Martha and Franky's retellings proved the unchanging truth on the presence of hardships in each era, despite in a different form.

Where human nature persists on a sense of superiority over one's triumph in conquering the difficulties in their own era, dismissing the relevance of all struggles that exist in the succeeding generations simply breeds utter ignorance. And thus, the acknowledgement towards visible scars shouldn't be used to nullify those that remain unapparent to one's sight.

[callester]

Pinpointing Twilight's constant reading habit throughout the series.

The newspapers were first introduced as the main medium of messages and codes transfer between WISE and its agents.

Despite so, reading has been his first priority in gaining more information on a particular topic that is off his extensive knowledge, namely in his attempt of understanding Anya and her favourite comic series, Spywars.

It even came off as an almost default activity regardless of time and place, as often portrayed during his free time at home and along with his familiarity on most of the books in the cruise's library.

Similarly, the author had placed the same emphasis in a few of his special illustrations.

Note: While most would settle into believing Twilight's lack of a hobby in his profile (Volume 1), placing a keen observation on the consistent behavioural pattern shown would offer a new insight.

[callester]

Extending the details for @ascalide's pinpointed observation on Nightfall's return from recovery post Wheeler's arc.

Nightfall's debut scene in Mission 105 bears a stark resemblance to an almost similar scene in Mission 60, with a subtle difference on the side of the shoulder where she carries her bag.

Through various instances previously shown, it can be assumed that Nightfall's dominant hand lies on the right side.

Though opposing that, there is a notable change on the side she chooses to carry her bag and receiving the required documents from Franky using her left hand as opposed to her dominant hand.

The reason behind the author's decision to commence such change is due to the aftermath of Nightfall's more severe right arm injury when facing off Wheeler. Mission 105 marks her return to her on-site tasks since last seen recovering in the hospital in Mission 87.

Note: While negligible to most, the detailed considerations taken by the author has always been highly appreciated.