Spy x Family has captivated audiences with its unique blend of action, comedy, and heartfelt family dynamics.
The story revolves around Loid Forger, a spy tasked with creating a fake family for a mission, including his assassin wife, Yor, and mind-reading adopted daughter, Anya.
Together, they navigate their secret lives while forming genuine bonds. Its themes of secret identities, found families, and subversive humor make it one of the most innovative anime in recent years.
For fans seeking similar narratives, here are 15 underrated anime that share thematic or stylistic elements with Spy x Family.
1. Buddy Daddies (2023)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 8.11
Episodes: 12
Two assassins, Rei and Kazuki, unexpectedly become caretakers for Miri, a young girl whose father they killed during a mission. Despite their chaotic lives, they form a heartwarming found family.
Similarities to Spy x Family: Both feature unconventional families formed under extraordinary circumstances and balance action-packed sequences with touching moments of familial bonding.
2. Kakushigoto (2020)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
MAL Rating: 7.98
Episodes: 12
Kakushi Gotou is a manga artist who hides his raunchy profession from his daughter Hime to protect her innocence while building a loving relationship.
Similarities to Spy x Family: Both explore the theme of parents hiding their true identities while fostering genuine connections with their children.
3. Kotaro Lives Alone (2022)
Streaming Availability: Netflix
MAL Rating: 8.20
Episodes: 10
Kotaro, a mature four-year-old living alone in an apartment complex, befriends his neighbors while dealing with the mysteries of his past.
Similarities to Spy x Family: Kotaro’s independence and quirky personality echo Anya’s charm, while the show highlights unconventional family dynamics.
4. Hinamatsuri (2018)
Streaming Availability: Not currently available
MAL Rating: 8.12
Episodes: 12
A yakuza member unexpectedly becomes the guardian of Hina, a girl with supernatural powers who disrupts his life in hilarious ways.
Similarities to Spy x Family: Both feature found families formed under unusual circumstances and balance humor with emotional growth.
5. Usagi Drop (2011)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Tubi TV
MAL Rating: 8.35
Episodes: 11
Daikichi Kawachi adopts Rin Kaga, his grandfather’s illegitimate daughter, and learns the joys and challenges of parenthood.
Similarities to Spy x Family: Both focus on the evolving bond between adoptive parents and children while showcasing heartfelt moments.
6. The Yakuza’s Guide to Babysitting (2022)
Streaming Availability: Netflix
MAL Rating: 7.80
Episodes: 12
Kirishima Tooru, a ruthless yakuza enforcer, is tasked with babysitting his boss’s daughter—a job that changes his life forever.
Similarities to Spy x Family: Both highlight tough characters adapting to domestic roles while forming meaningful relationships.
7. Barakamon (2014)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 8.40
Episodes: 12
Seishu Handa moves to a rural village to refine his calligraphy skills but ends up bonding with the eccentric villagers—especially Naru, a lively young girl.
Similarities to Spy x Family: Both showcase heartwarming interactions between adults and children that lead to personal growth.
8. ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept. (2017)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.66
Episodes: 12
Jean Otus works as an inspector in a bureaucratic organization tasked with maintaining peace across divided territories while uncovering political conspiracies.
Similarities to Spy x Family: Both involve espionage and characters navigating secretive roles within complex societal structures.
9. The Eccentric Family (2013)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.92
Episodes: 13
Set in Kyoto’s magical realist world where humans coexist with tanuki and tengu, the Shimogamo family navigates their quirky lives after losing their patriarch.
Similarities to Spy x Family: Both explore unconventional family dynamics in fantastical settings with humor and emotional depth.
10. School Babysitters (2018)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.85
Episodes: 12
Ryuuichi becomes the caretaker for toddlers at a daycare after losing his parents and finds himself bonding with the children despite initial challenges.
Similarities to Spy x Family: Both focus on nurturing relationships between adults and children while balancing humor and heartfelt storytelling.
11. My Roommate is a Cat (2019)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.75
Episodes: 12
Subaru Mikazuki is an introverted writer who learns about companionship through his interactions with Haru, a stray cat he adopts as his roommate.
Similarities to Spy x Family: Both explore themes of unlikely bonds leading to personal growth in humorous yet touching ways.
12. Sweetness & Lightning (2016)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.65
Episodes: 12
A widowed father learns how to cook for his young daughter by attending cooking classes hosted by one of his students—a journey filled with love and food!
Similarities to Spy x Family: Both emphasize familial bonds through shared experiences and moments of warmth amidst challenges.
13. Kaguya-sama: Love Is War (2019)
Streaming Availability: Netflix, Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 8.62 (Season One)
Episodes: Ongoing
Two student council members secretly in love engage in hilarious mind games as they try to make the other confess first.
Similarities to Spy x Family: Both feature clever humor and characters hiding their true intentions amidst chaotic situations.
14. March Comes in Like a Lion (2016)
Streaming Availability: Crunchyroll, Funimation
MAL Rating: 8.44
Episodes: Ongoing
Rei Kiriyama is a professional shogi player struggling with loneliness until he forms bonds with three sisters who help him find emotional healing.
Similarities to Spy x Family: Both delve into interpersonal relationships that lead characters toward emotional growth and acceptance.
15. The Devil Is a Part-Timer! (2013)
Streaming Availability: Hulu, Funimation
MAL Rating: 7.80
Episodes: Ongoing
Satan relocates to modern-day Tokyo after losing power in another world and works at a fast-food restaurant while plotting his return—hilarity ensues!
Similarities to Spy x Family: Both balance action-packed sequences with situational comedy driven by characters living dual lives.
Why These Anime Work for Spy x Family Fans
Each anime on this list captures elements that make Spy x Family so beloved: unconventional families navigating secret lives, humorous yet heartfelt character dynamics, and themes of personal growth through connection and acceptance. Whether it’s found families formed under extraordinary circumstances or characters balancing hidden identities with everyday struggles, these underrated gems offer fresh perspectives while evoking the same emotional depth and charm that fans of Spy x Family adore.
