10 best spy anime you can't afford to miss

The shadowy world of espionage has long captivated audiences, and spy anime is no exception. Spy anime allows viewers to immerse themselves in tales of intrigue, double-crosses, cutting-edge gadgets, and agents navigating tense situations, relying on their cunning instead of brute force.

From uncovering conspiracies threatening global destruction to more lighthearted secret agent exploits, these shows shine a spotlight on characters who think their way out of perilous scenarios.

Proving brains can outmatch brawn any day, and anime spies combine combat training with quick improvisation to accomplish their missions and expose the truth hidden by powerful interests.

Viewers gain insight into the moral ambiguities surrounding intelligence work as well as grand-scale conflicts between ideologies. So for those looking to indulge their inner agent fantasies from the comfort of home, here are some top-tier spy anime covering a range of settings and styles.

10 must-watch spy anime for thrill seekers

1) Spy x Family

Spy x Family (Image via Wit Studio, CloverWorks)

Spy x Family has quickly become one of the most popular recent spy anime since its release in 2022. It centers around the Forger family - Westalis spy Twilight, assassin Yor Forger (codename Thorn Princess), and Anya who pretend to be a family as part of Twilight's undercover mission.

The family must keep their real identities secret while balancing their daily life. This unique "fake family" premise combined with the show's charming characters, humor, and espionage action have earned Spy x Family widespread critical acclaim.

The anime skillfully balances tense spy thrills with lighthearted, sitcom-style family comedy.

2) Joker Game

Set before World War II in 1937, Joker Game follows a spy training facility known as the "D Agency" in Tokyo. The organization recruits Japan's top intelligence agents who use their cunning tactics and manipulation skills to conduct espionage activities abroad.

Sakuma, a military officer assigned to oversee the D Agency, initially struggles to understand the spies' amoral, ends-justify-means approach towards espionage. The retro historical setting and focus on spy tradecraft and psychological manipulation set Joker Game apart as an intricate, slower-paced spy thriller.

3) 86 Eighty-Six

In the sci-fi dystopian world of 86 Eighty-Six, an ongoing war is being fought between the Republic of San Magnolia and the robotic legions of the Empire. While the Republic claims to use unmanned drones, the units are actually piloted by the "86" - San Magnolia's oppressed racial minority group forced into combat roles.

The anime follows 86 squad leader Shinei Nouzen and Lena, his Republic handler, who uncover a governmental conspiracy seeking to hide the truth surrounding this tokenized labor force. 86 Eighty-Six sets itself apart with gritty mecha action, political intrigue, and rich characterization amidst the inequities of war.

4) Ghost in the Shell

Ghost in the Shell (Image via Production I.G)

Set in a futuristic world where technology enhances human capabilities, Ghost in the Shell follows Public Security Section 9, an elite counter-cyberterrorism task force. Led by Major Motoko Kusanagi, Section 9 specializes in high-risk cases involving hacking, cybernetic enhancements, and technology threatening Japan’s national security.

Blending sci-fi and espionage, Ghost in the Shell stands apart for its innovative animation showcasing the Major’s exploits tracking down hackers through cyberspace alongside Section 9.

The franchise has examined transhumanist themes of technology's impact on consciousness and what defines being human. Both the intricate plotting and influential philosophical questions raised have solidified its classic status.

5) Golgo 13

Golgo 13 follows professional assassin Duke Togo, codenamed Golgo 13. His lethal skill with weapons, combined with preparation, cunning, and discretion have given him a perfect record across the 50-episode anime series.

The long-running series features self-contained stories depicting Togo accepting and carrying out various assassination assignments while evading law enforcement and enemy hitmen sent to kill him first.

More a dark anti-hero than a moral secret agent, Golgo 13 redefined the anime assassin archetype, making it a notable entry in spy anime history.

6) Lycoris Recoil

In this 2022 sci-fi series, the Lycoris counter-terrorism agency uses advanced technology to augment human operatives specially trained from childhood. Experienced agent Chisato Nishikigi partners up with new recruit Takina Inoue to take on the sinister organization.

Lycoris Recoil sets itself apart through slick action sequences as the contrasting protagonists unleash their distinct special abilities while uncovering conspiracies threatening the city. Balancing fun lighthearted moments with an overarching sinister mystery, Lycoris Recoil puts a fresh high-tech spin on the spy anime genre.

7) Noir

Produced in 2001, Noir was one of the first anime TV series centered on the actions of female assassins. It follows experienced assassin Mireille Bouquet and innocent schoolgirl-turned-assassin Kirika Yuumura who suffers from amnesia.

Together, they form an alliance to uncover the secrets of Kirika's past and the shadowy organization known as Les Soldats. Noir combines action, suspense, and intricate choreography amidst its cat-and-mouse spy game to deliver an uncompromising experience true to its name.

The stylish animation and exploration of existentialist philosophy also contribute to Noir's distinguishing mood and aesthetic.

8) Princess Principal

Princess Principal (Image via Studio 3Hz, Actas)

In an alternate early 20th century steampunk London divided between the Kingdom and Commonwealth, five girls secretly spy for the kingdom's intelligence service undercover within the Princess Principal spy team.

From infiltrating finishing schools to carrying out heists and sabotage, the team combines their diverse skills and backgrounds to complete their missions. Despite its fanciful premise, Princess Principal grounds itself with well-written characters and historically inspired locations true to the real Victorian era that offer an enticing spy story backdrop.

The show has been praised for deftly combining elements of action, politics, technology, and mystery within its setting, making it a unique entry in the spy anime genre.

9) 91 Days

Set in Prohibition-era America in 1928, Avilio Bruno returns to his hometown of Lawless seven years after his family was murdered.

Setting a revenge plot in motion, Avilio infiltrates the Vanetti crime family behind the killings while hiding his true identity. 91 Days offers a gritty period drama focusing on mob wars and personal vendettas.

As Avilio navigates escalating tensions between Lawless’s ruling families, his commitment to his mission is tested by both lingering trauma and the moral dilemma of shedding more blood. More slow-burn character study than an action thriller, 91 Days provides a dramatic spy anime premise in a historical setting.

10) Jormungand

Jormungand centers around Koko Hekmatyar, a young arms dealer who leads the shipping company HCLI carrying out weapons smuggling operations all across the globe. The series follows Koko's team of elite bodyguards on their dangerous missions transporting weapons to global hotspots, often putting them in the crosshairs of the CIA, foreign militaries, and rival dealers.

As clever as she is, Koko balances her secret machinations and idealism with a charisma matched only by Jormungand's intense action sequences spanning deserts, jungles, and oceans that characterize the globe-spanning anime. This spy anime combines high-stakes action with deep character exploration.

Conclusion

The thrilling, high-stakes adventures and complex character relationships that define spy anime have cemented the genre's popularity. The strategic cat-and-mouse games, technology and sci-fi elements, and ethical issues surrounding deception and secrecy make for an intellectually stimulating viewing experience.

The anime mentioned here represents just a sampling of the multifaceted spy anime stories animators have brought to life on-screen. From timeless classics to recent hits drawing widespread acclaim, the covert operations showcased allow viewers to live out their undercover agent fantasies.

So whether you prefer spy anime fiction rooted in reality or more fanciful premises, discover your next binge-watch obsession with some of the best spy anime out there waiting to be streamed.