| Overview |
| “ | I consider myself an expert on the topic. My father performs spiritual readings for the nation's elite, you know. | ” |
Arnold Crowley (アーノルド・クロウリー, Ānorudo Kurourī?) is a first-year student at Eden Academy in Cline Hall, Class 2.
An academically gifted student, Arnold placed first in his grade in Classical Language during the first term finals. At the end-of-class gala, he briefly drew attention after attempting to invite Anya Forger to dance. In the second term, he becomes her classmate in both Classical Language and Science.
Appearance[]
Arnold is a young boy with a square face and black hair shaped into a large, triangular, helmet-like style that tapers upward, with short, evenly cut bangs framing his forehead. He has large, wide eyes and thick, sharp eyebrows.
Like all other male students, Arnold wears Eden Academy's uniform—a black button-up shirt with black shorts. He also wears long white crew socks with black shoes.
Personality[]
Arnold is in a panic that Anya might be ensorcelled
Arnold is an intellectually curious student with a strong fascination for the paranormal, heavily influenced by his father's work in the occult. He takes pride in his academic achievements, particularly in Classical Language, and initially presents himself as confident and analytical, often eager to assert his knowledge. However, despite his self-assured demeanor, Arnold is still very much a child: he is easily unnerved and prone to panic when confronted with situations that challenge his beliefs, especially those involving fear or the unknown. While skeptical of others' explanations, he remains open to investigation and shows a cautious sense of responsibility toward his peers, even as his imagination and superstition get the better of him.
History[]
Arnold was born into the Crowley family, a somewhat well-known household in Ostania according to Loid's intelligence. His father, who sometimes goes by the pseudonym Magical★Crowley, is an occultist who performs spiritual readings for members of Ostania's elite. Arnold enrolled at Eden Academy in his first year and is a student of Cline Hall.
Synopsis[]
Term Finals Arc[]
During his first term finals, Arnold places first in his grade in Classical Language, earning a Stella Star.[2] Upon noticing that Anya Forger placed second in the subject, he takes a particular interest in her.
Damian interrupts Arnold's dance invitation to Anya
At the end-of-term gala, as students begin inviting one another to dance, Arnold is among the boys who approach Anya, hoping to speak with her about Classical Language. He is interrupted by Damian Desmond, who throws a paper ball at him out of jealousy and demands to know his identity and intentions. Arnold challenges Damian's right to interfere, and when Damian fails to give a clear reason, Anya's friend Becky Blackbell explains that Anya had originally invited Damian to dance, though Emile Elman reveals that Damian rejected her. Arnold then tells Damian to stop interfering as he and the other boys continue their invitations. To their surprise, however, Anya insists on dancing with Damian instead.[3]
Term Break Arc[]
Arnold learns that he and Anya are at the same level
On the first day of the second term, Arnold attends Science Class F, where he reunites with Anya and meets her classmate Connie. Despite his introduction, Anya does not remember him, even after he mentions that his father was present at the same winter festival where she had her fortune read during the term break. A shocked Arnold questions her intelligence, but Anya counters that they must be on the same level if they are in the same class level, which he reluctantly admits is a fair point.
Believing Anya to be similarly "enlightened," Arnold reveals that he performed poorly in Biology due to his belief that terrestrial life was designed by beings from a higher plane of existence. The trio then observes their foreign classmate Tertius getting into a fight with Freddy. While watching the situation unfold, Arnold considers that Anya could intervene due to her reputation as the "Hero of the Bus Hijacking." After Anya manages to resolve the conflict between the boys, Arnold joins Connie as they walk behind Anya, Freddy, and Tertius after class.[4]
Eden Scandal Arc[]
Arnold discusses the supernatural with his classmates
During Classical Language Class A, Arnold and Tertius overhear Anya and Connie discussing "The Devil Ritual in the Old Schoolhouse," one of Eden Academy's Seven Great Secrets. Though Arnold finds Connie's definitions of "spirit" and "devil" questionable, he is intrigued by the rumor and declares himself an expert in the paranormal, citing his father's profession. When Connie suggests investigating the old schoolhouse, Arnold reluctantly agrees, seeing it as an opportunity for paranormal research.
After class, the group invites Becky to join them, but she refuses. Damian overhears their conversation and cautions them against going to avoid getting in trouble, but Arnold reassures him by mentioning a hidden path from Cline Hall's dormitory to the schoolhouse. Damian and his friends decide to accompany them, hoping the trip will help them become Imperial Scholars due to a rumor.
The students arrive at the old schoolhouse
Upon arriving, all of the children except Anya are unsettled by the schoolhouse's imposing exterior. Arnold proposes postponing the investigation due to the impending rain, but when Anya charges inside and the rain begins, the others reluctantly follow. Inside, the atmosphere unnerves the group, and the overlapping thoughts overwhelm Anya. Arnold panics, believing she is being "ensorcelled" by a ghost.
After regaining some composure, the children resolve to locate a ghost and leave. Anya excitedly talks about catching one to earn a Stella, prompting Arnold to question her understanding of spirits. Following school rumors, the group heads toward the fine arts room. However, when a loud thump startles them, Connie and Anya suddenly run ahead, with the others chasing after them. They stop at a staircase where a soaked shoe lies on the steps. Connie casually swats it away, startling Arnold and the others, while Anya catches it in her net.
Arnold recounts the rumored experiments on Eden students
On the third floor, the group realizes that the only staircase to the fourth floor is on the opposite side of the building, forcing them to cross a long hallway. As they pass a dissection lab, Arnold recounts a rumor that the "Devil Ritual" was a code name for experiments conducted on poorly performing Eden students during the Great War. The story frightens Tertius and angers Damian, though Arnold insists he is simply attempting to understand the phenomenon.
A large shadow sweeps past the group
Shortly afterward, a large shadow resembling an Imperial Scholar's cape passes the window. Believing the ghost has appeared, the children panic and flee, with Arnold claiming the ghost killed an Imperial Scholar and stole their cape. While escaping, they encounter Bill Watkins and two Wald Hall students, who claim to have seen a ghost as well. After the two groups head out together, Damian declares that his Imperial Scholarhood is assured, a shaken Arnold agreeing outwardly. Despite their bravado, the children remain terrified on the way home, with all of them, except for Anya, too afraid to bathe or use the bathroom alone.[5]
Abilities and Skills[]
Classical Language: Arnold is very knowledgeable of classical language, which is considered advanced in today's society, as he achieved the highest score in the subject for his grade, for which he earned a Stella Star.[6]
Weaknesses[]
Science: Arnold failed his Biology exam and his Science grades overall due to his unwavering belief in the supernatural, including the conviction that all terrestrial life was created by beings from a higher plane of existence.
Relationships[]
Anya Forger[]
Arnold is frustrated by Anya's misunderstanding of ghosts
Anya is a fellow student at Eden. Initially intrigued by her academic performance and reputation as the "Hero of the Bus Hijacking," Arnold views Anya as someone unusually perceptive, even bordering on "enlightened," prompting his attempt to learn more about her by inviting her to dance during the end-of-class gala. However, he is frequently baffled and frustrated by Anya's behavior, which clashes with his occult-based worldview and undermines his confidence in his own theories.
Awards and Demerits[]
| Type | Event | Awarded | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Chapter 93 | After getting the top score on his Classical Language term final, Arnold earns his first known Stella Star. |
Chapter Appearances[]
| Mission 90 | Absent |
| Mission 91 | Absent |
| Mission 92 | Absent |
| Mission 93 | Mentioned |
| Mission 94 | Absent |
| Mission 95 | Debut |
| Mission 96 | Absent |
| Mission 103 | Absent |
| Mission 104 | Absent |
| Mission 105 | Absent |
| Mission 106 | Absent |
| Mission 107 | Absent |
| Mission 108 | Absent |
| Mission 109 | Absent |
| Mission 110 | Absent |
| Mission 111 | Absent |
| Mission 112 | Appears |
| Mission 113 | Absent |
| Mission 121 | Absent |
| Mission 122 | Absent |
| Mission 123 | Appears |
| Mission 124 | Absent |
| Mission 125 | Absent |
| Mission 126 | Absent |
| Mission 127 | Absent |
Trivia[]
- Arnold's name is most likely a reference to the real-life occultist and magician Aleister Crowley, and his unique hair shape resembles a photograph of Aleister wearing a rolled-up hood over his face.
References[]
- ↑ SPY x FAMILY Manga: Chapter 123 (p. 4).
- ↑ SPY x FAMILY Manga: Chapter 93 (p. 4).
- ↑ SPY x FAMILY Manga: Chapter 95.
- ↑ SPY x FAMILY Manga: Chapter 112.
- ↑ SPY x FAMILY Manga: Chapter 123.
- ↑ SPY x FAMILY Manga: Chapter 93.