5 Anime to Watch If You Like ‘Spy x Family’
Spy x Family is proving one of the biggest hits of the spring anime season, and its success can partly be chalked up to its unique premise. Following a spy who needs to adopt a family for his latest mission, the series sees all three of its leads keeping secrets as they put on their facade. The Forgers have a spy, assassin, and telepath living under one roof — though only one of them knows it. It’s hard to think of many anime like Spy x Family, but those looking for new shows to watch may find similarities in these five series.
1. ‘Love of Kill’
Like Spy x Family, Love of Kill is another anime that debuted this year. And although its tone isn’t as lighthearted or wholesome, it does feature an equally fascinating premise.
Boasting a romance between a bounty hunter and an assassin, both of its leads have opposing interests. Anyone interested in the dynamics of Yor and Twilight‘s relationship may find themselves enjoying the connection between Ryang-Ha and Chateau. After all, Twilight and Yor come from enemy nations and could easily find themselves enemies down the line — likely after they’ve already developed a close bond with one another.
2. ‘Kaguya-sama: Love Is War’
Those who are looking for entertaining character dynamics like the ones in Spy x Family could give the rom-com anime Kaguya-sama: Love Is War a try. Although the main characters are all in high school and don’t have any dubious careers, their relationships are as fun and engaging as the ones between the Forgers.
Kaguya-sama: Love Is War sees two students at an elite high school having a battle of wills. Both of them have feelings for one another, but neither will admit it first. Half the fun is getting a confession out of the other. And the tension that ensues will no doubt appeal to Spy x Family fans. After all, that anime gives us plenty of hilarious and intense moments as well.
3. ‘Mob Psycho 100’
Those interested in Anya’s telepathy may enjoy Mob Psycho 100, which also features a young boy with psychic powers. Mob isn’t nearly as upbeat or silly as Anya, but those looking for a more thorough dive into telekenesis will appreciate his journey.
In addition to the anime’s compelling supernatural storyline, Mob Psycho 100 features a found family dynamic much like Spy x Family’s. While Mob still has his birth family, he looks to his mentor Regan as a father figure of sorts. And Regan has secrets of his own, even if they aren’t as impressive as Twilight’s or Yor’s. Still, they create plenty of tension, especially as viewers wonder if Mob will ever find out about his mentor’s lies.
4. ‘Hinamatsuri’
Hinamatsuri came out back in 2018, but the anime still holds up — and its premise is quite like Spy x Family‘s, especially when it comes to its character dynamics. The series sees Yoshifumi Nitta, a member of the yakuza, crossing paths with a young girl named Hina. Like Anya Forger, Hina has some seriously impressive abilities. And after Nitta takes her under his wing, she promises to be an asset to his operations.
Of course, the Forgers haven’t gone down this path yet. That’s mostly because Anya’s kept her telepathy from Twilight, even as she helps him from time to time. However, it’s not hard to see their dynamic evolving into something more like Hina and Nitta’s. And while fans wait for that to unfold, Hinamatsuri makes for an engaging watch.
5. ‘Kotaro Lives Alone’
Netflix recently released Kotaro Lives Alone, and the series didn’t get nearly as much attention as it should have. Like Spy x Family, the Netflix anime centers on an adorable kid who doesn’t have parents. Oddly enough, he manages to get by without them. And he connects with his neighbors in the process, especially manga artist Shin Karino.
That found family dynamic makes Kotaro Lives Alone a must-watch for Spy x Family fans, but that’s not the only reason to tune in. This show will definitely bring out some laughs and smiles — well, when it isn’t making you tear up, that is. Its heart will appeal to those who have fallen for the Forgers. Who doesn’t want another anime that leaves them in their feelings long after its over?
