@princess-unipeg / princess-unipeg.tumblr.com
As long as the students are working together to achieve something (even if he has no idea what that something is) Mr. Henry Henderson will continue to chaperone this dance turned competition without interfering with the festivities
*MANGA SPOILERS AHEAD*
Henderson, trying to shield Anya from bullets. ELEGAAAAAANNNT
(He deserves a Stella too?)
"It might not be elegant to say this, but I'd rather have my former position restored. Or barring that, a raise."
This arc was rough so ty Endo-sensei for sprinkling in some lovely Henderson moments throughout. The man has been much needed comedic relief on that cursed bus, but his response to Anya bursting into tears makes me melt. Although he’s always going to love (and fear) Anya’s ~elegance~, he also just wants to see her be a kid, wants her to feel safe enough to react the way anyone would in a situation like this – stellas for bravery aside. As an educator he continues to strike a wonderful balance between firmness/standards and genuine care, and I would’ve loved to have had someone like him for a teacher.
The anime adaptation has mostly added to the source material so far, but there's one important conversation that was cut altogether...
At the start of Episode 10, we have a sequence focused on house master Henderson that maps to Short Mission 4. It's a very faithful adaptation - we even see Henderson in the shower, because ... reasons.
This conversation, however, was cut:
It's important because 1) he's right and 2) it's Endo playing variations on the same theme of memory and forgetfulness when it comes to the war. It is easy to overlook the cost of violence when wars are what happens in that space between years on a page. There is, as Henderson puts it, a human element to it all.
I don't think the anime is trying to shy away from the serious elements here. If anything, the adaptation is leaning more into the 'war is hell/ nationalism is vile' stuff than the manga had been at this stage. They've added the scenes between Billy Watkins (Age 6) and his military general father. They've also added the lady from WISE, who is tired, and longs for a world where spies are no longer needed... I'm quite certain we will get this conversation in the anime in the future.
I am also quite certain I will not survive when they get round to adapting the War Arc.
I was skeptical when I came across Henry Henderson for the first time in the manga. Thought he would be the one to act as the antagonist. Glad to know he’s actually on our heroes side. The guy is all about elegance and excellence. But not at the expense of others especially children. Henry Henderson had these elaborate tests set up even before the prospective students had entered the interview with their folks. He was horrified that the animal rampage was real and not some elaborate part of the test. Mr. Henderson was so impressed with how the Forgers handled the situation he actually lost composure and ran up to them.
Though what really won me over was when he punched that Murdoch guy in the face for making Anya cry for his own sick amusement. He’s lucky to have Henry Henderson be the one to take a swing at him and not Loid who would have shattered his skull like he shattered that table. Or even Yor who would have easily turned him into a smear on the walls.
Even though the incident resulted in a demotion to teacher, he didn’t even mind. In fact he reveled in the fact that he’ll go back to his true passion of teaching. The guy still continues to be a firm but fair teacher. He was lenient in letting Anya only have one Bolt instead of three since she stated it was because she was defending someone else. When Damian got in trouble and his 2 friends got in trouble on purpose to be with him, Mr. Henderson set up this fun little camping trip disguised as a punishment to help them take a break and have fun like the little kids they are. Can’t wait to see more of his scenes animated.
Current SPY x FAMILY Visuals for episodes 1-7
Current SPY x FAMILY Visuals for episodes 1-5
