19 Best Spy Anime: Inside the World of Espionage

If you’re new to spy anime, Spy x Family is the perfect place to start. It’s filled with heartwarming comedy while also keeping you on edge with its espionage-driven suspense.

Loid Forger (aka Twilight) is a master spy tasked with building a “normal” family to infiltrate an elite school and maintain the world peace. But his family is not normal.

Yor, his “wife,” may seem like a gentle civil servant, but she secretly works as a deadly assassin. Meanwhile, their adopted daughter, Anya, can read minds but pretend she’s just ordinary little girl.

None of them know the truth about each other’s double lives (except Anya, who’s hilariously aware of everything thanks to her ability).

This show is a masterclass in balancing heartwarming slice-of-life moments with legit spy missions.

One episode, Anya’s trying to get a Stella Star for good behavior. The next, Yor’s disarming bombs in heels. And we have Loid’s sweating through parent-teacher conferences while also preventing war.

The missions are exciting, but it’s the family dynamics that make this series so charming. Just think of it as a spy thriller wrapped in a wholesome sitcom. It’s definitely worth watching.

Spy x Family info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Spring 2022
• Studios: Wit Studio, CloverWorks
• Genres: Action, Comedy
• Themes: Childcare, Super Power
• Score: 8.44 (MAL), 8.2 (IMDb)

Watch Spy x Family trailer:

If you enjoy Spy x Family, you should also check out Mission: Yozakura Family. While it leans more into action, it shares the same mix of espionage, family bonds, and quirky humor.

After a tragic event, Taiyo Asano marries his childhood friend Mutsumi Yozakura… only to discover her entire family is full of super-spies, and he’s now their newest agent-in-training.

Now, Taiyo must endure grueling daily training, survive traps and explosions, and take on dangerous missions… all while dealing with Mutsumi’s overprotective (and unhinged) eldest brother.

The Yozakura family doesn’t do quiet espionage. Expect insane spy gadgets, outrageous traps, and superhuman abilities that turn every mission into a chaotic spectacle.

It’s more action-heavy than emotional, but the humor and over-the-top family antics make it a fun watch.

Mission: Yozakura Family info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Yozakura-san Chi no Daisakusen
• Episodes: 27
• Released: Spring 2024
• Studios: SILVER LINK.
• Genres: Action, Comedy
• Themes: N/A
• Score: 7.56 (MAL), 6.7 (IMDb)

Watch Mission: Yozakura Family trailer:

Now, if you want something darker and more realistic, Joker Game is the real deal.

Joker Game drops you into the shadows of pre-WWII Japan, where the newly formed “D Agency” trains spies to survive through deception and psychology, all in order to give Japan an edge in the coming global conflict.

No superpowers. No flashy gadgets. These spies are manipulators, infiltrators, and master deceivers, using intelligence, and cunning tricks to stay one step ahead of their enemies.

It’s less about flashy fights and more about psychological battles: who can outwit who, and how far can someone bend the truth before it breaks?

If you love tense mind games, this one’s a must-watch.

Joker Game info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Spring 2016
• Studios: Production I.G
• Genres: Drama, Mystery, Suspense
• Themes: Historical, Military
• Score: 7.02 (MAL), 7.0 (IMDb)

Watch Joker Game trailer:

Princess Principal drops you into an alternate steampunk London, where the city is split in two by a giant wall and the Kingdom and the Commonwealth fight a secret war of spies instead of soldiers.

The story follows a group of schoolgirls who moonlight as undercover agents. On the surface, they attend the elite Queen’s Mayfaire School. Behind the scenes? they’re pulling off dangerous missions with style.

Expect daring infiltration missions, ingenious gadgets, and a stylish blend of elegance and danger.

With disguises, double-crosses, and just the right amount of character drama, Princess Principal strikes the perfect balance between the cool spy action and good storytelling.

It’s a classic spy story, but the unique setting keeps it fresh.

Princess Principal info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Summer 2017
• Studios: Actas, Studio 3Hz
• Genres: Action, Mystery
• Themes: Historical
• Score: 7.67 (MAL), 7.6 (IMDb)

Watch Princess Principal trailer:

Assasi- I mean, Spy Classroom follows Lily, a bright but clumsy recruit in the Din Republic who dreams of becoming a spy despite struggling in her studies.

Her chance arrives when she’s recruited into Lamplight. But here’s a catch: every other member is also a failure, and their mission is a do-or-die operation.

Seven girls. One impossible mission. Just one month of training. The odds? Practically zero.

The show emphasizes teamwork and creativity over the idea of a “perfect spy.” It shows how flawed, underestimated recruits can outwit enemies by combining their unique strengths.

The fun comes from watching them grow into their roles, bonding as a team while pulling off risky operations. It’s like Assassination Classroom (welp, said it), but with spies instead of assassins.

Spy Classroom info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Spy Kyoushitsu
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Winter 2023
• Studios: feel.
• Genres: Action, Mystery
• Themes: N/A
• Score: 6.40 (MAL), 5.8 (IMDb)

Watch Spy Classroom trailer:

Release the Spyce follows Momo Minamoto, a shy but kind-hearted teenager who inherits her late father’s sense of justice and his sharp instincts.

Gifted with heightened senses, Momo’s life changes when she encounters a group of spies known as Tsukikage, led by her school senior, Yuki Hanzoumon.

This secret organization fights against crime and corruption, with its members gaining extraordinary strength and abilities by ingesting special spices.

The series carries a classic spy vibe (though it feels closer to ninja or shinobi). Covert missions, stealthy infiltrations, and secret operations all come with a fun, superhero-like twist.

Release the Spyce info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Fall 2018
• Studios: Lay-duce
• Genres: Action
• Themes: School
• Score: 6.92 (MAL), 6.7 (IMDb)

While not “spy” in the traditional sense, Ghost in the Shell is packed with espionage vibes: government conspiracies, infiltration, cyber-hacking, and undercover ops in a futuristic setting.

Major Motoko Kusanagi and her team, Section 9, tackle terrorism, AI uprisings, and government conspiracies in a world where humans are more machine than flesh.

The spy work here is next-level, involving hacking into brains, cybernetic infiltration, and philosophical debates about identity.

It’s a deep, complex, and visually stunning series that defined what sci-fi espionage with existential dread could be.

This one is a movie, but a TV adaptation is set to arrive in 2026. Though… it’s still unclear whether it will be a remake or a continuation, but it’s definitely news worth waiting for.

Ghost in the Shell info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Koukaku Kidoutai
• Episodes: 1
• Released: 1995
• Studios: Production I.G
• Genres: Action, Award Winning, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Suspense
• Themes: Adult Cast, Detective, Mecha, Psychological
• Score: 8.27 (MAL), 7.9 (IMDb)

In a world where mysterious “Heaven’s Gate” has rewritten physics, Contractors (superpowered mercenaries) work in the shadows, and the government’s watching everyone.

At the center of it all is Hei, a Contractor feared in the underworld as the “Black Reaper.”

Working under the Syndicate, Hei operates in the shadows, infiltrating, deceiving, and eliminating targets while uncovering the truth behind the Gates.

Alongside the action, the story also explores the moral ambiguity of espionage where betrayal, manipulation, and shifting allegiances blur the line between hero and villain.

This anime pulls you into a world where every mission is layered with secrets, and every ally could just as easily be an enemy.

Darker than Black delivers the tension of classic espionage with the intrigue of a supernatural mystery, making it a must-watch for fans of shadowy spy stories.

Darker than Black info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Darker than Black: Kuro no Keiyakusha
• Episodes: 25
• Released: Spring 2007
• Studios: Bones
• Genres: Action, Mystery
• Themes: Super Power
• Score: 8.04 (MAL), 7.7 (IMDb)

Lycoris Recoil is set in a near-future Japan where peace is maintained by the secret actions of Lycoris, orphaned girls trained to silently eliminate threats before they escalate.

The story follows Chisato, the bubbly and famed Lycoris prodigy, and Takina, the serious rule-follower, as they work undercover in a café while carrying out secret orders.

Their personality makes an unlikely but irresistible duo. Their dynamic? Adorable, hilarious, and packed with action.

The series blends undercover operations, gunfights, and covert surveillance with character-driven drama.

It explores the moral gray areas of espionage, especially the tension between preserving order through lethal force versus finding non-lethal solutions.

It’s a fun balance of slice-of-life moments and explosive action sequences. If you loved the family dynamics of Spy x Family but want something with a faster pace, this one’s perfect.

I might be biased because of the girls’ dynamic, but it’s an enjoyable watch even if you’re not particularly into spy-themed stories.

Lycoris Recoil info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 13
• Released: Summer 2022
• Studios: A-1 Pictures
• Genres: Action
• Themes: N/A
• Score: 8.15 (MAL), 7.6 (IMDb)

What’s better than a spy? A filthy rich detective who acts like one. Yep, the name checks out.

Meet Daisuke Kanbe, the ultra-wealthy detective who solves cases with his vast wealth and incredible tech (like an AI-powered sports car) to solve cases that baffle traditional police.

He’s stuck working with Haru Katou, a straight-laced detective who hates his reckless, money-first methods. Naturally, they butt heads all the time, which makes things even more fun to watch.

This isn’t your average detective story. Daisuke Kanbe is a rich genius who solves crimes using high-tech gadgets, disguises, and intel networks money can buy.

While it’s technically a detective series, it has a strong spy vibe as well, like secret infiltration, undercover work, and missions where Daisuka outsmarts both criminals and allies.

The Millionaire Detective – Balance: Unlimited info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Fugou Keiji: Balance:Unlimited
• Episodes: 11
• Released: Spring 2020
• Studios: CloverWorks
• Genres: Mystery
• Themes: Adult Cast, Detective
• Score: 7.51 (MAL), 7.2 (IMDb)

Well, Monster isn’t technically about spies, but espionage themes like conspiracies, secret organizations pulling global strings, are baked deep into its story.

Monster starts with Dr. Tenma, a surgeon who saves the life of a boy who later grows up to become a chilling mastermind.

Dr. Tenma finds himself chasing a former patient who’s grown into a chilling villain, and along the way he uncovers dark conspiracies that feel straight out of a spy novel.

It’s slow-burn, deeply unsettling, and packed with espionage-level mind games. Watch it with the lights on. Trust me.

Monster info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 74
• Released: Spring 2004
• Studios: Madhouse
• Genres: Drama, Mystery, Suspense
• Themes: Adult Cast, Psychological
• Score: 8.89 (MAL), 8.7 (IMDb)

Moriarty the Patriot reimagines the story of Sherlock Holmes’ greatest rival, not as a mere villain, but as an anti-hero with a mission.

Set in late 19th century Britain, the story follows William James Moriarty and his brothers as they wage a secret war against the corrupt aristocracy, using cunning schemes, infiltration, and manipulation to dismantle Britain’s corrupt class system.

Welcome to Moriarty the Patriot, where every tea party is a trap, every ballroom hides a bomb, and every conversation is a calculated move in a game only geniuses can play.

It’s spy drama dressed as a detective story. In this anime, Moriarty doesn’t just outsmart Sherlock, he outmaneuvers entire governments.

Moriarty is the mastermind who’s running a secret network of spies, saboteurs, and social revolutionaries in the palm of his hand.

Moriarty the Patriot info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Yuukoku no Moriarty
• Episodes: 11
• Released: Fall 2020
• Studios: Production I.G
• Genres: Mystery, Suspense
• Themes: Adult Cast, Historical, Organized Crime, Psychological
• Score: 8.17 (MAL), 8.0 (IMDb)

Mafia drama meets infiltration story.

Set during Prohibition-era America, 91 Days follows Angelo, a man who infiltrates the mafia family that murdered his own family, all under the fake identity of “Avilio Bruno.”

He’s infiltrating, playing roles, gaining trust, even befriending the don’s son, all to systematically exact his vengeance from the inside.

This is pure, classic undercover infiltration. Angelo’s entire existence is a lie. Every conversation, every friendship, is a calculated move in his long game.

The tension is palpable because one wrong step, one hint of his true identity, means instant death.

91 Days info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Summer 2016
• Studios: Shuka
• Genres: Action, Drama, Suspense
• Themes: Adult Cast, Historical, Organized Crime
• Score: 7.82 (MAL), 7.6 (IMDb)

Duke Togo, better known as Golgo 13, is a professional hitman who takes on any dangerous assignments around the globe.

No flashy speeches. No emotional breakdowns. Just ice-cold precision, infiltration skills that’d make any pro sweat, and missions that blur the line between mercenary work and espionage.

While the focus is assassination, there’s plenty of espionage, covert ops, and Cold War-inspired intrigue to keep it in the spy category.

This series is episodic, with Golgo taking on a new mission in each episode. It’s old-school, but still one of the defining “spy/assassin” anime.

Golgo 13 info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 50
• Released: Spring 2008
• Studios: The Answer Studio
• Genres: Action, Adventure, Drama, Suspense
• Themes: Adult Cast
• Score: 7.51 (MAL), 7.4 (IMDb)

We’ve seen spies with high-tech gear and spies with supernatural powers. Now, let’s move on with a popular twist: a spy-themed story set in an isekai fantasy world?

Yes, it’s an isekai, but it leans heavily on spy and assassin tropes.

The main character, Lugh Tuatha Dé, was known as a world-class assassin in his old world.

Unfortunately, he’s killed by the organization he worked for and is reborn in a fantasy world with a new mission by the goddess: use his skills to kill the prophesied Hero… who is destined to destroy the world.

The protagonist approaches every fantasy problem with the mind of a professional, creating gadgets, gathering intelligence, building a network of allies, and planning the ultimate assassination.

It’s a fantastic blend of genres.

The World’s Finest Assassin Gets Reincarnated in Another World as an Aristocrat info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Sekai Saikou no Ansatsusha, Isekai Kizoku ni Tensei suru
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Fall 2021
• Studios: SILVER LINK., Studio Palette
• Genres: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Romance
• Themes: Isekai, Reincarnation
• Score: 7.32 (MAL), 7.3 (IMDb)

ACCA: 13 is set in the kingdom of Dowa, a nation held together by a fragile balance of power between the monarchy and 13 semi-autonomous states.

To maintain stability, an organization called ACCA oversees everything from public services to inspections across the country.

Jean Otus, the calm and sharp second-in-command of ACCA’s inspection department, travels between the states to audit their branches.

But as rumors of a coup d’état spread, Jean finds himself caught in a web of politics, secrets, and shifting alliances.

This one is political espionage at its finest. It’s slower-paced, but the subtle tension and behind-the-scenes power struggles make it a great pick if you enjoy intrigue over shootouts.

ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept. info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: ACCA: 13-ku Kansatsu-ka
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Winter 2017
• Studios: Madhouse
• Genres: Drama, Mystery
• Themes: Adult Cast, Detective
• Score: 7.66 (MAL), 6.9 (IMDb)

Night Raid 1931 is set in Shanghai during the turbulent years leading up to World War II, a city filled with conspiracies, political tension, and international intrigue.

At the center of it all is “Sakurai Kikan,” a secret Japanese intelligence agency whose members possess extraordinary abilities beyond normal human.

Their mission is to uncover hidden plots, sabotage threats, and prevent the world from descending into chaos.

It’s stylish, suspenseful, and a unique blend of history and spy action.

Night Raid 1931 info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Senkou no Night Raid
• Episodes: 13
• Released: Spring 2010
• Studios: A-1 Pictures
• Genres: Action
• Themes: Historical, Military, Super Power
• Score: 6.81 (MAL), 6.4 (IMDb)

The Fable tells the story of a legendary hitman known only as “Fable,” feared in the underworld as an assassin so skilled he can kill any target within six seconds.

After years of drawing too much attention, his boss orders him to lay low in Osaka for a year, living as an ordinary civilian with his partner posing as his sister.

There’s only one strict rule: do not kill anyone.

But old habits? They don’t die. They just… wait. And watch.

The Fable is a hilarious, surprisingly heartfelt ride as our stone-cold protagonist tries (and fails) to blend into civilian life while dodging old enemies.

It’s a spy story wrapped in a slice-of-life comedy, and that contrast makes it stand out.

His entire “normal” life is a cover, and the show is a masterclass in situational irony and slow-burn tension as his past constantly threatens to collide with his present.

The Fable info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 25
• Released: Spring 2024
• Studios: Tezuka Productions
• Genres: Comedy, Suspense
• Themes: Adult Cast, Organized Crime
• Score: 8.13 (MAL), 7.7 (IMDb)

Two elite hitmen. One adorable 4-year-old girl. Zero parenting experience. Buddy Daddies somehow turns “undercover assassins” into “reluctant dads” without losing the spy edge.

Buddy Daddies begins on Christmas Eve, when a four-year-old girl named Miri wanders into the middle of a hit on a mafia boss.

Instead of leaving her behind, professional assassins Kazuki Kurusu and Rei Suwa suddenly find themselves taking care of her… and their lives change forever.

It’s sweet, action-packed, and weirdly wholesome. If you liked the “found family” vibe of Spy x Family but want more adult comedy mixed in, this is a perfect pick.

Buddy Daddies info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Winter 2023
• Studios: P.A. Works
• Genres: Action, Comedy
• Themes: Childcare, Organized Crime
• Score: 8.11 (MAL), 7.9 (IMDb)

Conclusion: Secrets Uncovered

Spy anime might be a niche corner of the medium, but that’s what makes it special.

The tension of undercover missions, the thrill of deception, and the emotional weight behind every secret create a kind of storytelling you can’t find anywhere else.

Whether it’s coded messages, daring infiltrations, or agents living double lives, these stories show that true suspense doesn’t always come from explosions.

Often, it’s the quiet moments in the shadows that leave the biggest impact.

So, what about you? Do you have a favorite spy-themed series, or maybe a hidden gem that deserves more attention?