James Bond is probably the most famous spy outside of the Tinker Tailor Soldier, but being famous is not necessarily a positive for those in the espionage game. The secret heroes of the story who lurk behind the scenes are often overlooked because they're too good at their jobs.
Great at combat, stealth, and sometimes superhumanly overpowered, it's a wonder why they choose to operate from the shadows. Their stories, those secret wonders, and thoughts after doing the dirtiest of jobs to keep the country safe, are so interesting to look at and why one shouldn't judge the book by the cover. These spies especially should not go overlooked.
10 Motoko Kusanagi's Cybernetic Body Was Made For Spying (Ghost In The Shell)
Containing a fully cybernetic body, Ghost in the Shell's Major, Motoko Kusanagi, has reached unbelievable results when it comes to stealth and getting information. Her Cyber Mind and expert hacking abilities allow her to mess with others' cybernetic implants, making it possible to create illusions, obtain their memories, and sometimes mind control them into submission. In addition to the Major's accelerated mental powers, she's gained superhuman physical characteristics like thermo-optical camouflage, which allows her to become invisible, exceptional marksmanship, and a titanium skeleton that basically makes her immune to small firearms.
9 Hei Is Equipped With Advanced Martial Arts Skills & Improvised Weaponry (Darker Than Black)
Hei, also known as the Black Reaper or BK-201, could be one of the greatest spies ever from the many Contractors shown in Darker than Black. In addition to his past experience as a mercenary where he has gained a martial arts skillset and improvised weaponry, Hei is in peak (and perhaps super-human) physical condition. Throughout the series, he is shown slipping away from onlookers and groups whenever they look away, like Young Justice's Robin in Season 1.
Like any good agent, Hei dons some special gear including a bulletproof trench coat and a white pierrot-inspired mask that fully conceals his face. He also has the most coveted power among Contractors -- the ability to manipulate electricity and molecular structures. With that and his strategical knowledge from working for the Syndicate and CIA, he is a top-tier spy.
8 Lust Is The Ultimate Spear (Fullmetal Alchemist & Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood)
Fullmetal Alchemist has a roster of characters who make great spies. Envy, for example, had the ability to turn into anyone and killed off one of the most beloved characters of the franchise, Maes Hughes. However, Lust is perhaps the most trusted spy among Father's homunculus children. During her fight with Roy Mustang and Jean Havoc in Research Laboratory 3, viewers learn that Jean's secret lady is, in fact, this bloodlust homunculus. Lust's skill set includes "Ultimate Spear" which allows her to create long, flexible, claws that can cut through just about anything. She also has classic rapid regeneration, immortality, and immunity to all poisons, toxins, venoms, and viruses that are typical of the homunculi.
7 Toru Hagakure Has Invisibility On Her Side (My Hero Academia)
While not an official spy yet, My Hero Academia's Toru Hagakure is sure to become one of the best in the world because her quirk keeps her out of sight. Her invisibility gives her an exceptional starting hand in the stealth category, making espionage the ideal role for her during missions. This quirk has a secondary use, Warp Refraction. As her invisibility is gained through light refraction, by using the refractive ability, Toru can redirect light that passes through her. This is shown when she redirects Yuga's Navel Laser and creates blinding flash-bombs with her body.
6 Kabuto Yakushi Is Sneaky Even Among Other Ninja (Naruto)
Ninjas in Naruto are all versed in espionage. However, Kabuto Yakushi stands out among the many as a true undercover agent. Kabuto is able to carry on in the ninja villages for a while without being discovered by the watchful eye of the many skilled ninja both above and below him.
He enters the Naruto franchise pretending to be unable to pass the Chunin Exams. However, it is soon revealed that Kabuto is actually a shinobi well above the Chunin level who is passing valuable information to Orochimaru.
5 Rolo Lamperouge Can Manipulate Time (Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion R2)
While Rolo's role as Lelouch's younger brother is a short-term operation in the Code Geass series, his abilities prove that he makes a fantastic spy. At only sixteen, Rolo's skill in firearms and explosives is a definite talent, plus his piloting abilities and time-manipulative Geass make him practically unstoppable. Rolo's kill count is also very high as one of his most notable quotes is, "I can't remember how many people I've killed. Nobody counts how many times they brush their teeth or eat a meal, same with this." It's pretty dark for one so young, but it's also an indication of how skilled he is as a spy to be placed in this undercover position at the age of only sixteen.
4 Jodie Starling Is An Observant FBI Agent (Detective Conan)
In the early episodes of Detective Conan, Jodie Starling is seen as the new English teacher at Teitan High School. However, her real job is that of an FBI agent out to get the mysterious Black Organization. Level-headed and observant, Jodie is well aware of more than she lets on and has shown her deadly side when it comes to handling guns. She's also shown to be a great judge of character, especially when trusting Conan in times of crisis, meaning that she may even know that he is actually Shinichi Kudo. However, an onlooker wouldn't know this just from seeing Jodie's playful, video-game-playing teacher persona.
3 Fred Porlock Is An Agile "Double" Agent (Moriarty The Patriot)
One of Baker Street's petty criminals is Fred Porlock from Moriarty the Patriot. Fred is, like many agents, adept at combat whether it be hand-to-hand or with weaponry like guns and knives. He also practices martial arts and can even go toe-to-toe with Sherlock Holmes, another skilled combatant.
One of Fred's better traits is his agililty, which is seen best when he jumps from carriages and works his way up walls. Fred uses his skill set primarily for reconnaissance and cryptanalysis for Moriarty, making him the better spy in the group despite being the youngest member.
2 Josak Gurrier Doesn't Need Modern Technology To Track Down The Demon King (Kyou Kara Maou)
Somehow, Kyou Kara Maou's Josak Gurrier goes by unnoticed despite his flamboyant orange hair and bulging muscles. Acting as an international spy for his country and people, Josak reports directly to King Yuuri's aide, Gwendal von Voltaire. More than once, Josak has infiltrated cruises and castles quickly, like some sort of deus ex machine, oftentimes dressed as a woman with a very vibrant personality.
However, Josak can switch just as fast to a less conspicuous disguise, sometimes donning the appearance and personality of an old farmer or that of a young construction worker. As a spy, he's fast to find information and can seemingly locate the missing Demon King in a matter of hours or days without the benefit of modern technology.
1 Andy Hinomiya, USEI Investigator & P.A.N.D.R.A. Rebel (The Unlimited - Hyoubu Kyousuke)
At the beginning of The Unlimited, Andy Hinomiya is working as an undercover agent of the United States ESP Investigation Department (USEI for short) who has infiltrated into P.A.N.D.R.A. organization. During his time as a spy for the USEI, Andy is one of the best. His main abilities come from the implanted biochip found in his left eye. Andy's left eye allows him to access and use six different supernatural abilities from selected icons, including scanning areas and identifying unseeable to the naked eye images, like fingerprints. Another ability heightens his speed and force, and he can also direct his unique ESP to suppress or disable others' ESP abilities. This all makes him the best agent in USEI and P.A.N.D.R.A.