Spy X Family is one of the biggest new anime of the year. It combines espionage action with domestic slice-of-life elements. It also can be quite funny due to the main character failing to adapt to domestic life. Loud Forger, also known as Twilight, is one of anime’s best spies.
He isn’t alone in espionage work in anime. There are plenty of other great spy characters who are just as good at espionage as Loid. Not all of them have the same unique family situation, of course. These are still the best of the best when it comes to stealth and spying.
Rob Lucci (One Piece)
One Piece is one of the biggest anime in the world, and it also has one of the biggest spy groups. Cipher Pol is a series of spy organizations that partake in covert espionage for the World Government. Rob Lucci is one of the strongest of the organization. He’s less sympathetic than Loid, but his stealth skill is definitely on par.
He initially sets himself up to be an ally. He and his entire group turn out to be trying to steal blueprints though and position himself as a major antagonist. He highlights one of the One Piece manga’s best arcs. He’s also the rare antagonist that fights as a normal human, although he eventually does turn into a beastman to fight.
Envy (Fullmetal Alchemist)
Shapeshifters are going to have a natural advantage in spying. Envy the sin from Fullmetal Alchemist is a pretty devious mole. Their shape-shifting abilities allow them to progress the homunculi’s plans with ease. While they don’t often use shapeshifting to fool protagonists, they are devious in using it during fights.
Envy is used as a tool to manipulate history. Their role in events like the Ishvalan war makes them a classical agents of espionage. Loid possesses more scruples even though they’re both masters of disguise. Fullmetal Alchemist 2003 Envy is a little more family-focused, but not by much.
Walter (Hellsing)
We don’t learn a lot about Walter C. Dornez from Hellsing. It’s safe to say that he is a mole of some sort, however. Initially, a long-time serving member of the Hellsing Group, he is revealed to be a spy for Millenium in the final arc. He ends up as the final antagonist of the story.
This is even though a Hellsing traitor has been suspected since early on. Readers and characters were unaware of Walter’s treachery until it was far too late. His skill with monofilament wires also makes him a deadly assassin. Walter again maybe a mean guy, but his skill in deception truly is excellent in hindsight.
Ryoji Kaji (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
A classic spy’s allegiance is always in flux. It’s good to be constantly playing the board so that nobody can guess your true objective. Even though Loid is a patriot, he would agree with this. Ryoji Kaji is a classic example of a triple agent and one of Neon Genesis Evangelion’s most enigmatic characters
Ryoji is related pretty strongly to some of the leads, being Asuka’s former guardian, Misato’s ex, and a father figure to Shinji. His chief influence is actually in the background, though. He works for Gendo and NERV, Seele, and the Japanese Government, investigating each one on behalf of the others. He also has a strong personal motivation that has left fans speculating.
Lisa (Fire Force)
Falling in love while on a mission is a classic spy trope. Loid is heading in this direction with Yor and the adorable Anya in Spy X Family. Lisa Isarabi from Fire Force is also in the same boat. She was an informant sent by the White Clad to monitor Vulcan Joseph, but fell for him and switched sides.
Her initial mission was to stop Vulcan from asking questions about the Amaterasu power plant. In the end, she ed him as she was impressed by his kind heart and technical experience. Being mistreated by the evil Dr. Giovanni also helped her make up her mind. Her pyrokinetic powers eventually earned her a spot in the Fire Force.
Rolo Lamperouge (Code Geass)
Speaking of falling in love with the mark, Rolo from for Code Geass' dysfunctional royal family, but very vulnerable when people showed him true kindness. His assignment was to act as a fake brother to Lelouch vi Britannia.
Lelouch hated Rolo for replacing his sister Nunally but manipulated him with fake love. Rolo became an instrument of espionage for Lelouch. He did this using his Geass, a power that let him freeze people’s perception of time. In the end, Rolo did end up earning Lelouch’s love, even if he would never it it.
Mest Gryder (Fairy Tail)
The sleeper agent is a classic spy trope. Spy X Family hasn’t approached it yet in anime, but it’s still a classic. Of all series, the fantasy Fairy Tail used it effectively with the character Mest Gryder. The character is a double-layer nested agent for the Fairy Tail guild.
He’s introduced as a member of the guild but is soon revealed to be using memory manipulation to blend in on orders from the Magic Council. It’s an extremely strong power, but even he didn’t know how far it went. He was a guild member sent to investigate the council by using his memory manipulation on himself. This nesting of alliances is classic spy behavior.
Hei (Darker Than Black)
A good spy has many names, as is the case with the protagonist of the 2007 anime Darker Than Black. He goes by Li Shenzhen, the Black Reaper, and Hei. He’s an unstoppable spy with history in the CIA and the nebulous Syndicate. Most dangerous of all is his contractor powers which allow him to manipulate electricity.
Hei is a family man in the end, however. His true motivation is to find his missing sister Bai, and all the jobs he takes are extensions of that. He’s a kind guy deep down and even goes looking for his partner in the show’s sequel. In addition, the character’s dual personalities make them fun to watch. His civilian life and spy life are completely different and complemented well.
Aikuro Mikisugi (Kill la Kill)
Spies and secret agents can also be excellent mentors. Loid is covering well for Yor in his life, just like Aikuro teaches Kill la Kill. Aikuro is an agent for Nudist Beach, an anti-extraterrestrial group. He goes undercover at Ryuko’s school to investigate Satsuki Kiryuin. He ends up finding a bigger ally in Ryuko.
Aikuro is a lot flashier than other spies. He’s still a solid ally to Ryuko though, frequently nursing her back to health after tough fights. His schoolteacher disguise also never really gets blown. Instead, the school willingly accepts his influence and that of Nudist Beach in a successful infiltration.
Itachi Uchiha (Naruto)
Itachi Uchiha’s motivations are a mystery for a large part of Naruto. It’s the driving force for his brother Sasuke and the source of his antagonism. Itachi is propped up as a villain for many arcs and his motivations are a mystery. In the end, it turns out that he was a spy that was always loyal to Naruto’s village of Konoha.
Loid would agree that every good spy should have backup plans and be prepared to go down the line of duty. Itachi has plans upon plans and ends up giving his life for his beliefs. After hearing the Uchiha clan planning a coup, he and the third Hokage conspire on a double agent plot to squash the coup and get information from the Akatsuki. It’s very complicated as plans go, but Itachi is one of Naruto’s most complex characters.
