Spy x Family has been a breakout success in recent years, with its lovable story that's full of action and romance earning the series universal acclaim. The anime tells the story of a spy, Loid Forger, who is tasked to create the perfect family for a mission, and he unknowingly ends up choosing a daughter, Anya, who is a telepath, and a wife, Yor, who is a trained assassin.
While Anya knows the true nature of both her parents, neither Floid nor Yor knows the other's true identities, and as the series progresses, Loid must learn how to be the perfect family man to fulfill his mission. This makes Spy x Family full of action, romance, and comedy in an unforgettable mix that has easily made the show one of the best new anime since 2020.
10 "Will They Pass Or Fail?" Offers Heartfelt Family Bonding
Season 1, Episode 15
This Spy x Family episode sees the family eagerly awaiting news of whether Anya passed her entrance exam for Eden Academy. She needs some motivation for her studies, which prompts the family to go on a role-playing mission in a castle.
The result is a hilarious game that sees the super-serious Loid going to extreme lengths to make his new daughter happy. It's one of the cutest moments in Spy x Family, managing to bring real wholesome, heartfelt family bonding to the action-packed series.
9 "Operation Strix" Starts the Series Strong
Season 1, Episode 1
The first episode of Spy x Family starts with a rather dark and serious tone with an assassination and plenty of espionage. Everything changes when Anya is introduced, and Spy x Family quickly establishes its tone as a blend of action, romance, drama, and comedy.
As much as Loid is a hardened spy, he's a sweetheart underneath it all, and it's easy to see that from the start of the series. Spy x Family expertly uses its best comedy tropes to enhance the action and drama, and this genius storytelling method is on full display in the premiere episode.
8 "The Friendship Scheme" Kicks Off Loid's True Mission
Season 1, Episode 6
Loid Forger is an excellent spy, but he faces many obstacles while trying to complete Operation Strix. One of Loid's biggest weaknesses in Spy x Family is Anya's performance at school impacting his mission, and the show starts to seriously get into Loid's spying goals in "The Friendship Scheme."
This episode introduces Damian Desmond, the son of Loid's target, who turns out to be both a bully and a brat to Anya. At this point in the series, Spy x Family has now introduced its cast of characters and begins to go full steam ahead in pursuing its plot, pushing past its introductory episodes and getting into the truly engaging spy action with a heap of comedic relief.
7 "The Hand That Connects to the Future" Lets Anya Be the MVP
Season 2, Episode 9
Anya Forger may just be a little girl, but her telepath powers mean she's often the smartest Spy x Family character. "The Hand That Connects to the Future" is an amazing episode that really gives Anya her moment to shine in the series after Loid leaves her at daycare and goes off to handle a bomb.
Anya manages to be the mastermind behind everything in an episode that's full of twists and turns. This episode also tenderly sees Loid and Yor begin to realize that there's more to their makeshift family than accomplishing a mission, making it one of the best in the series so far.
6 "The Great Dodgeball Plan" Plays Up Hilarious Sports Anime Tropes
Season 1, Episode 10
"The Great Dodgeball Plan" is not the most essential episode to Spy x Family's story, but it's still one of the best because of its hilariously intense nature. Loid's mission is probably the most serious part of Spy x Family's story, so seeing the series play up this children's dodgeball as if it were as intense as Loid's missions adds an extra level to the humorous nature of the show.
This episode really pays homage to some of the best sports anime tropes fans love to see, including training montages and a team of lovable underdogs as Anya vies to be the best of her classmates. Those who enjoy sports series will no doubt love this episode and its high-stakes competition.
5 "The Counter-Secret Police Cover Operation" Includes Amazing Family Dynamics
Season 1, Episode 8
Spy x Family flexes its amazing storytelling in "The Counter-Secret Police Cover Operation." This episode features Yor's brother, Yuri, who ends up being a member of the Secret Police who are hunting down spies. He arrives at the Forger residence and everything descends into chaos as the Forgers try to keep up appearances.
This episode is one of Spy x Family's best because it has plenty of drama thanks to the family dynamics in the series, and it's also full of great twists and turns. Fans are also treated to new depths of Yor's backstory, and it's hilarious to see her brother dislike Loid simply because he thinks his sister can do better, not realizing Loid is actually his greatest enemy.
4 "Project Apple" Expands the Forger Family
Season 1, Episode 13
Because of its themes of espionage and drama, Spy x Family often references the James Bond franchise, and one of the most blatant references in the series comes in the form of the family's big, fluffy dog named Bond. "Project Apple" introduces Bond and has some wonderful Anya antics while also featuring Loid going off on a spy mission, perfecting the formula of the series.
Bond is such a lovable supporting character, and it's nice to see the Forger family expand and become even more authentic. Loid's creation of the perfect family started as just another mission for the super spy, but it's obvious the family bonds are becoming more meaningful with every episode.
3 "The Symphony Upon the Ship" Shows Off Yor's Skills
As a skilled assassin, Yor has plenty of moments in Spy x Family to showcase her deadly prowess, and "The Symphony Upon the Ship" is by far the best example of her skills in action. Yor's mission reaches its climax on the ship, and she tries to help Olka escape before being surrounded by assassins.
This episode is a masterpiece in its fight scenes, and it's so enjoyable to watch Yor destroy her enemies while Anya covers for her. Yor can demonstrate her skills to their fullest while also endearing fans to her even more as she worries about the small details and realizes how much the Forger family and her brother mean to her.
2 "The Prestigious School's Interview" Lets the Whole Family Shine
Season 1, Episode 4
The time has come for Anya's interview to get into Eden Academy, but each member of the Forger family gets their moment to shine in this amazing episode. As the family tries to prove they are worthy of Anya attending the prestigious academy, hilarity ensues with the introduction of Harry Henderson.
"The Prestigious School's Interview" comes with great twists and turns, too. Loid and Yor's spy and assassin work makes it all too easy for them to see through the many tests they are put through at the academy, but best of all, we see that Loid truly cares for Anya; he's even willing to risk his entire mission for her sake.
1 "Secure a Wife" Highlights Loid's Proposal and Yor's Charm
Season 1, Episode 2
"Secure a Wife" introduces Yor to the family, completing the Forger family and allowing the group to immediately begin bonding. Yor's introduction is beautifully done, and the show succinctly shows off her skills as a trained assassin while also showing fans how hilariously naive she is, too.
Yor is such a sweet character, and it's amazing to witness her growth throughout Spy x Family. While this episode introduces Yor, it also features one of Loid's best moments in Spy x Family: his proposal to Yor is nothing short of epic, as he uses the ring on a bomb pin to propose. This moment ended up being both romantic and full of intense action, perfectly encapsulating the series as a whole and making "Secure a Wife" Spy x Family's best episode.
