Spy x Family is like a supreme pizza with all your favorite toppings – it’s got a little bit of everything! Action? Check! Comedy? Check! A fake family trying to keep up appearances while also being super spies? Absolutely! It’s wild! I devoured all 12 chapters in one sitting and now I’m left with a Spy x Family-shaped hole in my heart. Now, let me warn you, it’s darn hard to find a manga like Spy x Family that has the perfect combination of action, family life, comedy, assassins, and supernatural kids. There’s not a single manga out there that is similar to all these elements quite like Spy x Family! Yet, I managed to find great manga that felt very similar in some aspects.
Some of the manga on this list don’t even have shounen but instead feature loveable fake families and kid protagonists that you’ll love, not hate, some have forced relationships that generate endless comic moments, but no action. So, with that note, get your hands and eyes on this list of 10 manga like Spy x Family and fill that hole in your heart!
Koroshi Ai (Love of Kill)
Chateau Dankworth is the silent and stoic bounty hunter on a mission to take down notorious killer Song Ryang-ha. This dude is infamous for killing 18 high-class officials in a single night, and he’s still out there wreaking havoc.
But here’s the twist: Song Ryang-ha isn’t just after Chateau’s head, he’s after her heart. And he’s got a unique way of showing it. Instead of flowers or chocolates, he brings her the gift of her current targets – battered, beaten, and tied up like a Christmas ham. Romance sure has changed.
Chateau is less than thrilled about this arrangement, but she goes along with it anyway. And thus, the cat-and-mouse game of love between two killers begins. Either they end up together or end up killing each other.
Love of Kill is a manga like Family x Spy if they had a baby and raised it together. It’s all about bounty hunters, contractors, and some seriously intense action scenes, but no family life. The manga starts meh, but it grows on me like a fungus. And just when I thought I’d got it figured out, it changes gears between gritty and chibi joke mode. But hey, variety is the spice of life, right?
The first volume is not for the faint of heart. Some of the blood scenes are borderline, but overall it’s more of a PG-13 situation. And despite all the violence, the real standout of this manga is the characters. Chateau is a sweet badass babe, while Song Ryang-ha is a charismatic, slightly insane killer who you can’t help but love. Together, they make for an epic duo.
Sasen mo Warukunai (A Demotion Isn’t That Bad)
Once upon a time, there was a brilliant soldier named Ulises who, despite his military prowess, was demoted to a rural area. It’s not easy being a soldier, but it’s even harder when you’re not appreciated for your skills. However, Ulises’s luck changed when he met his new wife, Lea, and her quirky siblings. Suddenly, Ulises found himself learning about family and love in ways he never thought possible.
Ulises may have been a skilled fighter, but he was also pretty clueless when it came to love and relationships. Luckily, Lea was there to guide him through the ups and downs of married life. From learning how to cook to dealing with family drama, Ulises had his hands full. But with Lea’s patient guidance, he slowly but surely began to understand the true meaning of love.
This is a story that will warm your heart and put a smile on your face. Despite the occasional boorish behavior from Ulises, it’s impossible not to root for this loveable couple. The plot may be episodic, but it’s all connected in a way that feels both natural and funny.
Sasen mo Warukunai is a great read for fans of Spy x Family who want a little less action and a little more heart. Both manga feature protagonists who are badass in their way, Ulises, just like Twilight, is a skilled soldier who finds himself in a rural area, but when it comes to relationships and family life, they’re as clueless as a turtle on its back.
Yozakura-san Chi no Daisakusen ( Mission: Yozakura Family)
Meet Taiyo Asano, the shyest high school student in the world. The only person he can talk to is his childhood friend, Mutsumi Yozakura. That’s until he finds out that Mutsumi is the daughter of the ultimate spy family. And if that wasn’t enough, her overprotective and terrifying brother Kyoichiro is always breathing down their necks. So, Taiyo must take drastic measures to protect Mutsumi from her own family. Thus begins the wild ride of a spy family comedy!
The story follows a “villain of the week” format, which might not be everyone’s cup of tea. But fear not, the dialogue is light-hearted, and the slapstick comedy will have you in stitches. Taiyo always manages to come out on top, even when he’s faced with impossible odds. The humor is fresh, and the world-building is exciting. The story has a bit of everything – action, a slice of life, romance, and comedy.
The whole idea of Taiyo marrying Mutsumi at a young age to protect her might sound extreme, but it works. And it’s refreshing to see a romance story where the couple isn’t problematic or unbalanced. The two characters are sweet and complement each other well. Plus, Taiyo gets to join a family of spies and level up his skills throughout the series. What’s not to love?
It’s a fun read that kept me hooked from start to finish.
Otaku no Musume-san (Otaku’s Daughter)
Musume-san is like Spy x Family but with an otaku twist!
Kouta is a run-of-the-mill otaku, living solo in his cozy apartment surrounded by anime collectibles and body pillows. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Kanau. It turns out that Kanau is his long-lost daughter, left in his care by her mother who mysteriously disappeared. Now, Kouta must navigate the ups and downs of fatherhood, all while dealing with the eccentric otaku community in the Higansou complex.
Kanau, a bright-eyed nine-year-old, is meeting her father for the first time, and to her surprise, he’s a full-blown otaku. She moves in with him, and they quickly discover that their new living arrangements are less than ideal. From strange neighbors to awkward situations, Kouta and Kanau have their work cut out for them.
One fateful day, Kouta returns to his apartment to find Kanau waiting for him, claiming to be his daughter. Initially in denial, Kouta eventually accepts the truth and tries his best to be a responsible father. But it’s not easy, especially when his obsession with anime and manga takes over. As the two try to form a bond, they encounter all sorts of challenges, from manga conventions to weird habits.
The emotional crux of the story is the relationship between Kouta and Kanau. They must learn to connect despite their differences and the challenges they face. And, of course, there are plenty of quirky moments involving Kouta’s oddball friends and their wacky antics.
As the story progresses, a surprise plot twist throws a wrench in the works, changing the tone of the tale. Nevertheless, the heart of the story remains intact, as Kouta learns to grow up and take on the responsibilities of fatherhood.
This manga stands out from the crowd, with a unique storyline that tugs at your heartstrings. The characters are well-developed, and the emotional beats are genuine. Even amidst the absurdity, there’s a real sense of heart and authenticity to this story. It’s a journey of growth, acceptance, and connection, and it’s well worth the read.
Eleceed
Move over James Bond, because Eleceed has its spy duo! Meet Jiwoo, the young man with lightning-fast reflexes, and Kayden, the sassy secret agent trapped inside the body of an old, fat cat. Just like Spy x Family’s Forger, Assassin and Esper, Jiwoo, and Kayden are a totally unlikely duo. But together, they use their unique skills to take down bad guys and make the world a better place.
Eleceed’s world-building is as intricate as Spy x Family’s, and the characters are just as well-developed. Jiwoo is always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need, while Kayden is the sarcastic, sassy type who adds an extra layer of humor and fun to the story. They are a dynamic duo who work together to solve mysteries and keep their city safe, much like the Forger and the Assassin.
Jiwoo’s innocent and kind nature is a perfect balance to Kayden’s rough exterior, just like how Twilight’s pure-heartedness is a great match for Anya’s unfiltered nature. And just like Spy x Family, Eleceed’s storylines are full of twists and turns, keeping readers on their toes and eagerly anticipating what happens next.
Eleceed has a similar vibe but with a cat and a secret agent.
Kokosei Kazoku (High School Family)
This hilarious manga by Ryo Nakama follows the Ietani family as they enroll together as first-year students in high school. The thing I liked best is that it’s just like how Spy x Family features the quirky Forger family posing as a perfect family to infiltrate a school.
Kotaro, our protagonist, is not thrilled with the idea of his family invading his high school experience, just like how Twilight, the spy, isn’t too excited about posing as a father to a telepathic child or pretending to be a loving husband to an assassin wife. But with his father, mother, younger sister, and even their cat all determined to achieve their dreams of being in high school, there’s a lot of great comic read.
The Ietani family wins hearts with their culinary skills as well, just like how the Forger family uses their skills in espionage and assassination to accomplish their missions. And the fact that the other characters take everything seriously just adds to the hilarity.
Akasaka (Kaguya-sama: Love Is War)
Two high-school students in Tokyo happen to be in the student council together. On one hand, we have Kaguya – the daughter of one of the most influential families in Japan. She’s smart, pretty, and has everything going for her. But don’t be fooled by her cool exterior, she’s got a soft side too, and it’s just too darn cute.
On the other hand, we have Shirogane – a transfer student who’s got brains to spare but unfortunately, not the money to match. While he’s not from a wealthy family, he’s got determination and hard work to make up for it. And when it comes to mind games, this guy is a genius.
Now here’s the catch – Kaguya and Shirogane have a secret crush on each other! But they’re both too stubborn to confess because whoever does will be the “loser” in their “War of Love”. So instead, they try to trick and outsmart each other into confessing first and let me tell you, it’s just hilarious to watch.
And then there is Chika, the student council secretary. She might seem clueless, but I’m pretty sure she’s low-key manipulating things behind the scenes for her entertainment. And every time you think one of them has the upper hand, she swoops in and spoils it all.
Honestly, the chemistry between Kaguya and Shirogane is just off the charts. They play off of each other so well, and it’s just so fun to see them overthinking things and getting themselves into ridiculous situations.
Yuto Suzuki (Sakamoto Days)
Taro Sakamoto was once the ultimate assassin. But then, the unthinkable happened – he fell in love! Retirement, marriage, fatherhood – Sakamoto left the violent world of hitmen and embraced a peaceful life in the suburbs. However, as the years went by, he gained some extra weight and became the chubby guy who runs the neighborhood store. What nobody knew was that this store owner was a former legendary hitman!
Sakamoto Days is a new kind of comedy action manga like Family x Spy that combines humor and action in a subtle yet effective way. It’s the type of manga that sneaks up on you with its wholesome charm and bursts of action-packed sequences. Yuto’s art style is adorable and fits the unassuming shop owner-turned-dad like a glove. It’s like he’s the ideal dad with no care in the world, but when he needs to bring it, he brings it hard! Supporting characters like Xiaotan, is just as funny and cute and have a penchant for kicking butt.
The contrast between the bubbly art style and the dynamic action sequences is jarring in the best way possible. You never know when a fight is going to break out, but when it does, it’s a feast for the eyes. Yuto’s art style is simply amazing, bringing both Taro and Shin’s characters to life in an unforgettable way.
Hinamatsuri
Welcome to the wacky world of Hinamatsuri, where a yakuza member’s life gets turned upside down by a telekinetic girl named Hina who drops in on him from outer space! Nitta’s just minding his own business when a mysterious object falls out of the sky and hits him on the head, and before he knows it, he’s become the guardian of a genetically-engineered kid with mind-blowing powers.
Hina’s not your typical child, with a blank expression on her face and a love for salmon roe that’s out of this world. But despite her lack of emotions, she’s a force to be reckoned with, and Nitta quickly learns that he’s not in charge anymore. He’s got to play dad to this girl who can move things with her mind and let’s just say it’s not an easy job.
From destroying his precious pottery collection to making him take her to Yakuza meetings, Hina’s got Nitta wrapped around her little finger. But as they navigate the dangers of the Yakuza world and try to fit in with normal society, they start to form an unbreakable bond. Hina may be a weapon, but she’s also just a kid who wants to be loved.
Hinamatsuri knows how to handle supernatural young protagonists like Nitta and Hina, just like how the author of Family X Spy handles the psychic kid mc, Anya, both mangas do it in a way that defies all the genre’s tropes. From buying clothes to enrolling in school, every day is a new challenge for this odd couple. But hey, who needs normal when you’ve got a telekinetic kid as your roommate?
Hoshi no Samidare (Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer)
Yuuhi Amamiya never gave a hoot about saving the world. He was too busy being a loner and dodging people, thanks to his abusive grandfather’s teachings. But one day, a chatty lizard pops up and informs him that he’s one of the chosen Beast Knights to save the Earth from a gigantic hammer floating in orbit.
Yuuhi thinks the idea is bonkers and ignores the lizard, but fate has a funny way of roping you in. While minding his own business, he ends up facing a golem and reluctantly teams up with other knights, including Princess Samidare Asahina. She’s a high school girl, who also happens to be his neighbor, and is leading the group to save the world from the hammer.
But wait, there’s a twist! Samidare has a hidden motive; she wants to save the Earth to destroy it herself! It sounds counter-intuitive, but she has her reasons. And it turns out, Yuuhi is easily swayed by her devilish charm and agrees to help her achieve her goal.
The rest of the story is a delightful mix of hilarity and darkness as the characters navigate their way through this bizarre situation. Yuuhi may be an antisocial pervert, but he has a heart buried somewhere. Samidare may be the Princess and the leader, but she’s not as confident as she first appears. And the other characters introduced are equally absurd and silly, but it all works in their favor.
The Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer (or “Samidare” for short) is not your typical apocalypse manga! It’s an unpredictable and funny tale about unlikely heroes and their twisted motivations. Will they succeed in saving the world, or will Samidare’s plan come to fruition? Only time will tell.
