Discover the protagonists’ apartment and each of the iconic chairs that illustrate the cover of the manga
Probably the theme “decoration in anime (Japanese animation) and manga (Japanese comics)” is not the first to come to mind when it comes to furniture. Although, Spy x Familywritten and illustrated by Tatsuya Endoreleased in Brazil by Panini Comics, it came to show that you can learn about design in a very fun way!
The story takes place in a fictional country in Europe, divided by ideological issues. The analogy with Communist and capitalist Germany is clear enough.
The plot follows Loid Forger, codenamed for Twilight, a spy who needs to create a fake family to get closer to a political leader and avoid a possible war. She adopts little Anya (the cute little girl with pink hair) and “marries” Yor, a city official, starting Operation Strix.
The twist is that Anya has psychic mind-reading powers and Yor works as a part-time killer.
With each of the family members having a secret and only Anya knowing the true nature of her new parents, the adventures of this family begin who, despite all the oddities, nurture affection and affection for each other.
The forgers’ apartment
Passing through Europe mid 20th centuryboth the manga and the anime have different references to the decorative style of the time.
The apartment of the characters is in a Victorian stylewith interiors that combine the mid-century modern with that atmosphere vintage chicwarm and welcoming.
Indeed, some trends that we can see there have reappeared in contemporary projects, such as wallpaper, wooden furniture and boiserie. In addition, of course, to the fascinating taco floor.
In the social area, Anya, Loid and Yor always get together for tea LC series sofas and armchairsby architect Le Courbusier.
Also in the living room, hanging on the wall above the phone, is a poster with Eames chairsby Charles and Ray Eames.
THE Eames armchair appears in Loid’s room, next to his bed.
One chair for each cover
The influence of the furniture in Spy x Family is so marked that each cover of the first nine volumes of the manga is composed of one of the characters seated in an iconic chair or armchair whose design refers to his personality.
Check out each of the Spy x Family armchairs below, with their creators and some of their stories!
Volume 1: Loid and LC2
Created by the Franco-Swiss architect Le Corbusieralong with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret and the designer Charlotte Perriand, in 1928, this chair was the product of in-depth studies on the human form and its sitting positions. Each line has been optimized to the maximum to arrive at a functional design without excesses. THE LC2 original consists only of the grid-shaped base, bearings and three tube-shaped steel profiles.
Like Loid, the LC2’s design is rational and understated. It may not be the most comfortable chair of all, but its exact lines and modernist “international style” aesthetics certainly exude elegance, just as our spy does.
Volume 2: Anya and the Marshmallow sofa
In the mid-1950s, an inventor told designers George Nelson and Irving Harper which would be able to quickly produce circular disc-shaped pads. Intrigued, they both grouped 18 into a metal structure and created the Marshmallow sofa. In the end, the inventor failed to fulfill his part of the agreement, but the Herman Miller company decided to produce the sofa anyway, in 1956!
The colorful version that appears in the manga is quite playful and matches Anya’s innocent and funny personality. With a pop art touch and removable cushions, this would surely be the sofa on which the character and her teddy bear, Mister Chimera, would choose to sit or play.
Volume 3: Yor and La Chaise
creation of Charles and Ray Eamesa La Chaise comes from a concept of free and curvilinear shapes, which allow the user to sit or lie down. The inspiration came from a 1927 sculpture entitled “The Floating Figure” by Gaston Lachaise, from which it takes its name. Although it was designed in 1948, it was not produced until 1991.
Yor appears seated in her Princess of Thorns dress (the Princess of Thorns), her appearance when working as an assassin. The sensual lines of La Chaise match the character fatal woman that the character embodies and the white of the seat contrasts with the red and black of her dress. The inspiration in the sculpture of a woman also reinforces the femininity of the piece.
Volume 4: Bond and the ball chair
This iconic chair was created by the Finnish designer Eero Aaron in 1963. He says he wanted to create a chair for his home that would work for all members of his family. Fascinated by navigation, Aarnio had discovered fiberglass, a material used in boats. He then creates a simple and striking design, understanding that plastic is ideal for curved shapes and that a sphere would be extremely durable.
THE ball chair became known in the cinema as a villain’s chair. Imagine a 007 enemy sitting in one of them with their face hidden by the sphere! It is fitting, therefore, to hand this chair over to the dog of the Bond family, named after the spy from Anya’s favorite TV show, Bondman. Beyond the reference to spying, it seems coherent to put the dog near the ball, don’t you think?
Volume 5: Yuri and Barcelona
In 1929, the famous architect Mies van der Rohe created this chair for the German Pavilion at that year’s Barcelona Exposition. The Pavilion was the venue for the inauguration of the event and the King of Spain was to be received there. With its slim and elegant structure composed of two chromed steel bars on each side, the Barcelona chair it is literally a royal throne. “The government would welcome a king … The chair had to be … monumental.” commented the architect.
Anyone who knew Yuri, whether in the manga or the anime, knows his somewhat arrogant and conceited personality. Therefore, in his cover, he appears sitting with a hostile face in his royal chair.
Volume 6: Fiona and the cone of the heart
As the name suggests (in English ” heart cone“stands for” cone of heart “), this chair has a striking heart shape and a pop art vibe. Verner Panton, in 1959, was born as a futuristic interpretation of the classic Chesterfield armchair. While it doesn’t seem like the safest seat to sit on, don’t worry, the stainless steel metal base ensures user stability.
The relationship between Fiona and Heart Cone is quite obvious, the character, also a spy, is madly in love with Loid, his mentor, and does everything in his power to win him over and take on the role of Yor as wife in the Strix operation.
Volume 7: Damien and Willow
Charles Rennie Mackintosh developed the Willow chair in the early 1900s (between 1903 and 1904) for Willow Tea Rooms, a tea house in Glasgow, whose interiors were all designed by him. The decor was inspired by a poem called “O Ye, All Ye That Walk in Willow Wood”, by Dante Gabriel Rossetti. The sculptural armchair has a curved backrest made with wooden trusses that form a stylized willow. It also served as a divider between the front and rear rooms.
Little Damien looks disproportionately small sitting on the sturdy Willow, but this is definitely a chair that can accommodate all of her big (and strong) personality! Coming from an important and aristocratic family, teahouses were certainly part of the character’s routine.
Volume 8: Franky and the Eames Lounge with Ottoman
Perhaps the best known on the list, the armchair Eames Lounge is another creation of Charles and Ray Eames. Although it appeared in 1956, at the height of modernist, more rigid and pragmatic design, it was created with comfort in mind. Charles said the vision of him was for a while with the “warm and welcoming look of a well-worn ‘first baseman’ glove” (“first baseman” refers to the position of baseball, i.e. those gloves used in sports) .
The fun and friendly way of insider Franky welcomes you perfectly in the Eames Lounge. The character often appears as a comic relief in the narrative and is always willing to help Loid in finding him, even taking the opportunity to have fun with Anya in the process. He appears relaxed and smiling on the cover, definitely at ease with him.
Volume 9: Becky and the Coconut Lounge
No wonder Anya’s best friend appears sitting in another creation of George Nelson for Herman Miller. The name of the piece, from 1956, comes from the inspiration for its design: Nelson says it looks like â…› of a coconut when sliced. The end that forms the back is slightly more elongated than the other two and this is the secret for the accommodation of those who are seated.
Becky takes over 100% of the space Coconut lounge also taking his sheep plush with him. Her lovable and self-confident (perhaps a little spoiled) personality fits the curved seat of the chair, which allows for multiple ways of sitting. Another playful piece for little friends.
+The best content in your email for free. Choose your favorite Earth Newsletter. Click here!
Source: Terra
Benjamin Smith is a fashion journalist and author at Gossipify, known for his coverage of the latest fashion trends and industry insights. He writes about clothing, shoes, accessories, and runway shows, providing in-depth analysis and unique perspectives. He’s respected for his ability to spot emerging designers and trends, and for providing practical fashion advice to readers.
