Spy x Family Season 3 Episode 9 was a moment for Anya to shine as she got her well-deserved Stella star from her school. After an intense Bus Hijacking arc, the series shifted its tone to a more lighthearted comedic installment. We got a combination of tenderness and humor that made viewers feel emotional after watching kids run to their guardians after facing a traumatic event, including Anya and Damian, who acted tough but broke down at the sight of their loved ones.
This reinforced the idea that they, too, are still children and choose to be vulnerable in front of selected people. Their school also ended up recognizing their bravery and celebrated the courage of these Eden students. Spy x Family Season 3 Episode 9 started with showing us Anya, Damian, Becky, and Bill getting a Stella in front of the school.

These kids were praised for supporting each other and ensuring that there was not a single casualty. As a result of this event, their perspective shifted, and now their peers view them differently, especially Anya. From there, Spy x Family Season 3 Episode 9 rewinds to the immediate aftermath of the hijacking. This quieter sequence is one of the episode’s most powerful moments. The chaos is gone. The students are safe.
We are shown that the Security Bureau had contacted these children's parents and requested them to come and pick up their kids. As family members kept on showing up, the only two people who kept on waiting for someone were Damian and Anya. Both of them are patiently waiting and maintaining their strong persona.
Anya, Damian, and the honest moment that never lasts

With only Damian and Anya left waiting for someone to come and pick them up in Spy x Family Season 3 Episode 9, they share a wholesome moment. Damian is trying to be vulnerable in front of Anya as he calls her his friend and praises her by calling her "kind of cool." This is a rare moment to watch because he rarely tends to keep his guard down and be open about his feelings.
Meanwhile, Anya quickly misreads his softness and wants to help her father out, and she continues to talk about how she should come over to his place. Mortified, he backtracks, flustered and defensive. The sequence perfectly balances warmth and comedy. Just when the police offer the duo a ride home, we are shown that Yor is running at full speed towards Anya. She is in a panic mode as she is frantically checking up on her.
This is the moment where Anya realises that there is someone to care for her and completely breaks down and starts crying. Meanwhile, Damian’s mother, Melinda Desmond, appears in Spy x Family Season 3 Episode 9 for her own reunion. She runs towards her son, and Anya reads her mind for it to be revealing that she is worried about her son.
But then the vibe shifts when he asks Melinda not to tell his dad that he cried. Suddenly her mind is having conflicting thoughts as on one hand she is worried about her son, but on the other are some concerning, ugly thoughts. But in the end, she is also a mother and wants to comfort her child even if she is troubled.
A new celebrity at Eden Academy: The rise of Anya Forger

Later on, when the school resumes in Spy x Family Season 3 Episode 9, its usual schedule, we see that other students are trying to talk to Anya as the stories of her bravery have reached everyone. And this is enough for her to have an ego boost, and she starts to fabricate stories to make friends. Even Damian struggles with how much attention she’s receiving.
Maybe he is jealous, but he says a few insensitive things that make her cry. We know that she does affect him in ways that he does not seem to understand his own emotions. Although they are kids, and she bounces back fast, both of them end up fighting again.
Final thoughts on Spy x Family Season 3 Episode 9
The episode ends with a warm, playful atmosphere as Damian and Anya are back to their usual bickering. Spy x Family Season 3 Episode 9 will be memorable because it shows Anya having character development. Moreover, even if she is in a fake family dynamic, Loid and Yor care about her well-being. Even if Loid cannot accept it, he was present to check up on her, and he chalked it up to his mission, but it is clear that he is warming up to Anya.
After this episode, we know now that things are changing for Anya, as it is the beginning of a new era for her, one where she truly begins to shine, not just as a telepathic secret weapon for Operation Strix, but as a beloved friend and unexpected hero at Eden Academy.