In the months leading up to the premiere of the Spy x Family anime in the winter 2022 block, I found myself deeply curious and intrigued. My curiosity had two main instigators. One was that I was shocked by how much hype there was for the anime the instant it was announced. The other matter making my brain dance was a simple question: “What do you mean, co-production?”

Indeed, Spy x Family is co-produced by CloverWorks Studio (known for The Promised Neverland, My Dress-Up Darling, Persona 5: The Animation) and Wit Studio (known for Ranking of Kings, the first three seasons of Attack on Titan). As I poked around the internet, waiting for the series to premiere, I absolutely did not think that—months later, after falling in love to the point that I think Spy x Family is the best anime of the decade so far—I would have the chance to ask the co-production question to two of the animation producers of the series. But Anime Expo 2022 (and specifically Crunchyroll—thanks, everyone!) always has a surprise in store.