Like a Chameleon: Deception Language in Spy x Family

Annas Secario Choirul Huda (Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Mas Said Surakarta)
Ryo Adi Buwono (Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Mas Said Surakarta)
Muhammad Fikri Rafi (Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Mas Said Surakarta)
Daffa Mahfud Suseno (Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Mas Said Surakarta)
Wisnu Arya Nandwita (Universitas Islam Negeri Raden Mas Said Surakarta)

MAKNA: Jurnal Kajian Komunikasi, Bahasa dan Budaya
Vol. 16 No. 1 (2025): MAKNA: Jurnal Kajian Komunikasi, Bahasa dan Budaya

Critical analysis of deceptions in fictions can provide a comprehensive discourse. The study examined deception within the Forger family in Spy x Family, where each member hides their true identity: Loid is a spy, Yor an assassin, and Anya an esper. Using Shuy's (2012) theory, a qualitative analysis of their dialogue identified nine types of deception: giving overly detailed or marginally relevant details, complicating stories, providing unusual or external associations, displaying subjectivity, correcting spontaneously, acknowledging memory loss, and excessive self-reference. The most common deception type in family interactions is giving marginally relevant details. The research highlights deception's key role in the anime's plot and character relationships and serves as a foundation for future studies on deception.