Who doesn’t love stories about spies and secret agents? If you are one such weeb, then you must be knowing about Spy X Family – the story of a spy called Twilight, who is tasked with investigating a politician by infiltrating his son’s school. As such, he creates a false family by entering into a ‘fake marriage’ with Yor Briar – who is, unbeknownst to him, a master assassin dubbed the ‘Thorn Princess,’ while also adopting Anya, a young girl, who again isn’t just a young girl, but a mind reader. Altogether, the family goes by the title of the ‘Forgers,’ with Twilight calling himself Lloyd Forger.

The entire story revolves around these three, wherein only Anya knows what truly is going on in her family.

If you liked Spy X Family, then you must be wanting to see more of such spy comedies and thrillers.

So here are 10 manga similar to Spy X Family

#1: Hinamatsuri

• Status: Finished (2010-2020)
• Genre: Slice of life, comedy

If you’re into Yakuza stuff then this one is for you. Hinamatsuri revolves around Yoshifumi Nitta – a Yakuza member – who meets Hina, a mysterious girl from the future after she emerges from a capsule that fell on his head. In the meantime, his boss is attacked by a rival gang, and the blame is put on him. As a result, he is tasked with attacking the said rival gang. This is when he realizes that the small girl he met has in fact immense telekinetic powers, which she uses to pin down all the rival members. Realizing her potential, Nitta decides to use her help to quickly rise up the Yakuza ranks.

However, their relationship isn’t just limited to defeating rival Yakuzas and is much more than that. Similar to the bond between Lloyd, Anya, and Yor from Spy X Family, Nitta and Hina share a growing father-daughter relationship, which transcends just blood relations.

#2: Mission: Yozakura Family

• Status: Ongoing (2019-present)
• Genre: Romantic comedy, spy, thriller

Mission: Yozakura Family tells the story of Taiyou Asano, a high-schooler who became socially awkward after he lost his family in a car crash. Despite losing the ability to communicate, there’s one person he can talk freely to – his childhood friend Mutsumi Yozakura. However, even his last proper friendship comes to the brink of ending when Mutsumi’s overprotective elder brother Kyouichirou Yozakura starts bullying him.

However, the fun begins when he learns that Mutsumi is the daughter of the world’s strongest family of spies – the Yokazuras. To end the torment of Kyouichirou, Taiyou has to marry Mutsumi, becoming a part of the Yozakura family, and the next spy from the family. Just like Spy X Family, the manga is a spy comedy, and definitely worth a read if you’re a fan of the former.

#3: The Way of the Househusband

• Status: Ongoing (2018-present)
• Genre: Action, comedy, slice of life

Taking a comedic approach towards the Yakuza genre, The Way of the Househusband revolves around the story of Tatsu, a highly feared Yakuza boss who suddenly disappears from the public. Retiring from his life of crime, Tatsu chooses to become a househusband, to support his wife Miku. He even masters the art of cooking and housekeeping so as to become the perfect househusband. But despite his cute actions, his appearance doesn’t quite resonate. With the looks of a middle-aged crimelord, him cooking food and going shopping create funny comedic situations when he runs into old acquaintances and rivals.

The manga is yet another Yakuza comedy and a funny must-read. Showing how humble an ex-Yakuza boss can become for just his family, its a great recommendation if you like Spy X Family.

#4: Kaguya-sama: Love is War

• Status: Ongoing (2018-present)
• Genre: Psychological, romantic comedy, slice of life

Kaguya-sama: Love is War is a rather more popular manga among those on the list. The story takes us to Shuchiin Academy. It revolves around the student council president Miyuki Shirogane – a brilliant student – and vice-president Kaguya Shinomia – the daughter of a wealthy family. To others, the two look like a perfect couple, but there’s a twist – neither wants to confess first. The two are at constant war, to see who confesses their feelings first.

The plethora of mind games each of them plays to trick the other into falling for the trap is similar to how Lloyd from Spy X Family uses his experience and intellect as a spy to buy a perfect dress for his daughter. A romantic comedy, Kaguya-sama: Love is War is a great recommendation if you like Spy X Family.

#5: Death Note

• Status: Finished (2003-2006)
• Genre: Mystery, psychological thriller, supernatural thriller

Probably the most popular manga on the list, Death Note is a masterpiece in playing the game of wits. Revolving around the ‘Death Note,’ – a notebook that can kill anyone whose name is written on it – it strongly questions the readers’ sense of justice. The protagonist, Light Yagami, comes across this notebook near his school. Although initially in disbelief, Light quickly comes into understanding of the potential of the power the notebook holds. Using his personal sense of justice, Light begins eliminating criminals, and soon gains notoriety by the name of ‘Kira.’

The story starts getting intriguing when the world’s greatest detective ‘L’ joins the investigation to find the man behind the mantle of Kira. Light and L, both being two of the most brilliant minds in the country, play with the minds of their opponent in order to defeat them. The level of mind games Death Note shows us are beyond normal comprehension, similar to Spy X Family and Kaguya-sama: Love is War. A must-read, if you’re a fan of both of the two.

#6: Candy and Cigarettes

• Status: Finished (2017-2021)
• Genre: Action, neo-noir, thriller

Candy and Cigarettes tells us the story of Raizou Hiraga, a 65-year-old retired police officer, whose grandson is suffering from an incurable disease. Not being able to meet the treatment expenses even after selling his home and all his pension, Raizou is forced out of retirement, and takes up a ‘cleaning’ job whose pay exactly matches the treatment costs. However, he is shocked on the first day of his job when he is tasked with cleaning up a dead body assassinated by an 11-year-old master assassin Suzukaze Miharu. It doesn’t take Raizou long enough to realize that his job is simple – Suzukaze kills, and he cleans up all the evidence.

The manga shows the wholesome relationship between Raizou and Suzukaze, as the two work on missions together. Besides, the panels feature great gunfights as well. If you liked the chemistry between Lloyd, Anya and Yor, then you’ll surely love Candy and Cigarettes.

#7: Kimi wa 008

• Status: Ongoing (2018-present)
• Genre: Action, spy

Kimi wa 008 revolves around the story of Eight Akashi, a young boy excited for going into high school. However, somehow he fails all high school entrance tests. But to his surprise, there is one offer letter from a school he doesn’t remember applying to. Nevertheless, he accepts the letter and heads to study at the said school. Unlike anything he expected, the new ‘school’ he got into was in fact a training institute for secret agents. Upon learning this, he immediately wants to dropout, but is stopped by the Director who makes a breathtaking revelation – that his father himself was a student trained at the school.

Wanting to know more about his past and the cause of his father’s death, he stays in the school, ready to start training as a secret agent. However, there’s one challenge up ahead – Eight has to face a deadly exam that tests the skills of the students. If the spy-ness of Spy X Family excites you, then Kimi wa 008 should surely be on your manga bucket list.

#8: Sakamoto Days

• Status: Ongoing (2020-present)
• Genre: Action, comedy

Sakamoto Days tells the story of Taro Sakamoto – an unrivaled and feared hitman – who stood at the top of the underground world. However one day, Sakamoto falls in love, gets married, has children, gets overweight, retires from his crime-life, and starts working as a convenience store owner.

However, even after leaving the underground world, he is still admired by the world of hitmen, while some even show up in hopes of killing him. To maintain a clean profile, Sakamoto must not kill, but rather find creative ways to pin down his enemies, while also protecting his family. He achieves this with the help of Shin, a mind reader. Similar to Spy X Family, Sakamoto Days is an action-comedy and a must-read if you’re a fan of the former.

#9: Tesla Note

• Status: Ongoing (2021-present)
• Genre: Action, spy

An excellent spy thriller, Tesla Note tells the story of Botan Negoro, a young girl raised as a ninja, who is recruited by a secret organization and trained to become the ultimate spy. She is partnered with a rather loudmouthed but talented spy, Kuruma. Together, they are tasked with recovering the ‘Shards of Tesla,’ the legacy of genius inventor Nikola Tesla, in order to save the world. However they’re not alone – agents and spies from other countries are also looking for the Shards, and the two have to hurry before they fall into the wrong hands.

The manga has good comedy and writing – although not the best – but it surely is one of the best recommendations if you’re a fan of spy comedies like Spy X Family.

#10: Mousou Telepathy

• Status: Finished (2016-2020)
• Genre: Comedy, romance

Not necessarily a spy manga with breathtaking action, Mousou Telepathy is a rather softer romantic comedy. It revolves around Ayako Nakano, a schoolgirl who can read the minds of others. Throughout her school life, her mind-reading abilities have made it difficult for her to make friends, as knowing the selfish intentions of others all the time makes it a pain to trust others. Choosing to stay isolated and not tell anyone about her power, Ayako is all set to begin her final year of high school.

Things change when she meets Hayato Toda – the popular guy of her school – and learns that he has a big crush on her. Moreover, he also has wild fantasies about her – almost all the time. Despite this, Ayako knows how sweet of a guy Hayato is, and doesn’t mind having to hear his perverted fantasies about her. The manga draws parallels with Spy X Family‘s Anya, wherein she gets terrified and at the same time excited upon learning that her parents are secret agents, just like how Ayako reads minds and learns about other people’s thoughts. A great comedy to read if you’re looking for one. (hypecloth.com)

Conclusion

So that was my list for 10 exciting manga similar to Spy X Family. Be it thrillers like Death Note and Candy and Cigarettes or rollercoasters of action like Tesla Note and Kimi wa 008, each one on the list is a piece of art and a must-read if you’re into similar action and spy manga. Also, be sure to check out Anime Similar to Classroom of the Elite and thebiem Instagram for more awesome anime content.