15 Animes Similar to Totally Spies

By Matt Hudson

Published on:

Totally Spies! captivated audiences with its blend of teenage drama and high-stakes espionage, following three Beverly Hills girls balancing high school life with covert missions for a global spy agency. Its core themes—teamwork, empowerment, and witty action—resonate through underdog narratives and creative power systems.

These 15 underrated anime series deserve attention for echoing similar thrills, often overshadowed by mainstream hits despite innovative storytelling and dynamic character dynamics.

1. Martin Mystery (2003)

Martin Mystery
  • Streaming: Limited; occasional reruns on Tubi.
  • Plot: Teenage stepsiblings Martin and Diana investigate supernatural threats for a secret agency while navigating boarding school life.
  • Similarities: Shares Totally Spies!’s producer and anime-inspired style, blending paranormal missions with comedic school antics.
  • Ratings: IMDb 7.0; 65 episodes. Studio: Marathon Animation.

2. W.I.T.C.H. (2004)

W.I.T.C.H
  • Streaming: Disney+.
  • Plot: Five girls wield elemental powers to protect parallel worlds, juggling high school and interdimensional crises.
  • Similarities: Team-based action, female-led dynamics, and secret-identity tropes mirror Totally Spies!’s camaraderie.
  • Ratings: IMDb 6.8; 52 episodes. Studio: SIP Animation.

3. Release the Spyce (2018)

Release The Spyce
  • Streaming: Crunchyroll, HiDive.
  • Plot: High schooler Momo joins Tsukikage, a spy group using spices for superpowers to combat urban crime.
  • Similarities: Teen spies balancing school and missions, with lighthearted action and gadget-focused plots akin to WOOHP’s flair.
  • Ratings: MAL 6.94; 12 episodes. Studio: Lay-duce.

4. Spy Classroom (2023)

Spy Classroom
  • Streaming: Crunchyroll.
  • Plot: Seven failing spy trainees undergo rigorous training for “impossible missions” under a master operative.
  • Similarities: Focus on inexperienced heroes evolving into a team, echoing Totally Spies!’s underdog growth.
  • Ratings: MAL 6.38; 12 episodes (S1). Studio: Feel.

5. Princess Principal (2017)

Princess Principal
  • Streaming: Crunchyroll, HiDive.
  • Plot: In steampunk London, five schoolgirls conduct espionage for a rebellion against monarchy.
  • Similarities: Dual-life tension and female-driven spy teamwork, with stylish action comparable to Totally Spies!’s missions.
  • Ratings: MAL 7.38; 12 episodes + films. Studio: Studio 3Hz.

6. Joker Game (2016)

Joker Game
  • Streaming: Crunchyroll.
  • Plot: WWII spies from Japan’s “D Agency” execute psychological operations against global threats.
  • Similarities: Espionage-driven narratives and team strategy, though darker, align with Totally Spies!’s mission structures.
  • Ratings: MAL 7.15; 12 episodes. Studio: Production I.G.

7. 009-1 (2006)

  • Streaming: RetroCrush (limited).
  • Plot: Cyborg agent Mylene Hoffman undertakes covert ops in a perpetual Cold War era.
  • Similarities: Female-led spy action with sci-fi gadgets, reminiscent of Totally Spies!’s tech-centric flair.
  • Ratings: MAL 6.60; 12 episodes. Studio: Ishimori Entertainment.

8. Higashi no Eden (Eden of the East) (2009)

Higashi No Eden (Eden Of The East)
  • Streaming: Crunchyroll.
  • Plot: A woman and an amnesiac man unravel a conspiracy behind missile attacks on Japan.
  • Similarities: Mystery-thriller teamwork and unexpected alliances parallel Totally Spies!’s episodic intrigue.
  • Ratings: MAL 7.94; 11 episodes. Awards: Animation Kobe Theme Award (2009).

9. Kim Possible (2002)

Kim Possible
  • Streaming: Disney+.
  • Plot: Cheerleader Kim Possible combats villains globally with her clumsy best friend and tech whiz.
  • Similarities: Teen heroine balancing school and spy life, plus comedic gadgetry akin to Totally Spies!.
  • Ratings: IMDb 7.5; 87 episodes. Studio: Disney TV Animation.

10. Team Galaxy (2006)

Team Galaxy
  • Streaming: Rare; DVD-only.
  • Plot: Students train as Space Marshals, battling cosmic threats while managing academy life.
  • Similarities: Trio dynamics and sci-fi escapades mirror Totally Spies!’s blend of teamwork and extraterrestrial foes.
  • Ratings: IMDb 6.4; 52 episodes. Studio: SIP Animation.

11. The Amazing Spiez! (2009)

The Amazing Spiez!
  • Streaming: Not available.
  • Plot: Four sibling spies tackle global crises as a family unit.
  • Similarities: Direct spin-off of Totally Spies! with identical animation and spy-organization tropes.
  • Ratings: IMDb 5.4; 52 episodes. Studio: Zodiak Kids.

12. Code Lyoko (2003)

Code Lyoko
  • Streaming: Netflix, Tubi.
  • Plot: Students enter a virtual world to destroy a malicious AI, hiding their battles from school.
  • Similarities: Secret dual identities and team-based problem-solving reflect Totally Spies!’s core formula.
  • Ratings: IMDb 7.5; 97 episodes. Studio: MoonScoop.

13. Grossology (2006)

Grossology
  • Streaming: Not available.
  • Plot: Siblings combat monsters born from slime and pollution using science.
  • Similarities: Monster-of-the-week structure and teen protagonists align with Totally Spies!’s quirky adversaries.
  • Ratings: IMDb 6.1; 52 episodes. Studio: Nelvana.

14. Archie’s Weird Mysteries (1999)

Archie’s Weird Mysteries
  • Streaming: Not available.
  • Plot: Archie and friends solve supernatural occurrences in Riverdale.
  • Similarities: High schoolers facing bizarre threats parallels Totally Spies!’s mix of mundane and extraordinary.
  • Ratings: IMDb 6.9; 40 episodes. Studio: DIC Entertainment.

15. Ben 10 (2005)

Ben
  • Streaming: HBO Max.
  • Plot: A boy uses an alien device to transform into heroes, battling intergalactic menaces.
  • Similarities: Gadget-driven action and youthful heroism echo Totally Spies!’s energetic tone.
  • Ratings: IMDb 7.6; 49 episodes. Awards: 4 Emmys. Studio: Cartoon Network.

Why These Anime Work for Totally Spies Fans

These series excel in capturing team-driven espionage, youthful resilience, and creative problem-solving central to Totally Spies!. From Release the Spyce’s spice-powered spies to Princess Principal’s steampunk intrigue, they offer fresh takes on secret missions without sacrificing humor or heart. Their underrated status often stems from niche streaming or overshadowing by blockbusters, yet their innovative animation styles—like Spy Classroom’s sleek art—and emphasis on growth make them ideal for fans craving more spy-fi charm.

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