The 20+ Best Anime About Living A Double Life, Ranked
  • Photo 1:
    • Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion
  • Photo 2:
    • Spy x Family
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The 20+ Best Anime About Living A Double Life, Ranked

Rowan Blake
Updated December 15, 2024 22 items
Voting Rules

Vote for your favorite anime about living a double life.

Living a double life can be thrilling, and anime often captures this excitement with vivid storytelling and complex characters. The best anime about leading double lives feature protagonists who juggle secret identities, hidden powers, or clandestine missions alongside their everyday routines. These narratives are compelling because they delve into the tension between public personas and private realities, creating suspense and emotional depth.

Many double life anime have darker concepts, like the horror-filled story of Death Note's Light Yagami slowly slipping into insanity while trying to hide his secret identity of Kira. However, some of these series take a lighthearted approach, like the Forger family in Spy x Family, who all juggle their own secrets in a wholesome way. 

From high school students moonlighting as vigilantes to ordinary individuals harboring extraordinary secrets, these anime series offer a captivating blend of action, drama, and intrigue. Each story showcases the challenges of maintaining dual existences while exploring themes of identity, responsibility, and sacrifice. Vote for your favorite anime about living a double life to help shape the ultimate list of top picks!

 

  • Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion
    • Photo:
      • Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Rebellion
      • Sunrise

    Why We Love It:

    Code Geass is known for one of the best double life reveals in all of anime. This series showcases the balancing act of leading a revolution while maintaining a facade of a normal student. Lelouch's dual identity is compelling as it explores themes of justice and the ethical dilemmas of his choices.

    Premise:

    Lelouch Lamperouge, a Britannian student, uses the mystical "Power of Kings" to take down Britannia.
    22 votes
    A good show?
  • Death Note
    • Photo:
      • Death Note

    Why We Love It:

    Any anime fan knows the legendary double life in Death Note. By following Light Yagami’s journey as both an ordinary high school student and the vigilante Kira, Death Note goes deep into the moral consequences of his double life. It portrays the conflict between his pursuit of a new world order and the maintenance of his normalcy, and how it supplements his eventual spiral.

    Premise:

    A high-school student discovers a supernatural notebook that grants its user the ability to kill.
    19 votes
    A good show?
  • Fruits Basket
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      • Fruits Basket

    Why We Love It:

    Fruits Basket mixes both romance and a double life for fans to enjoy. This legendary shojo depicts Tohru Honda's interactions with the Sohma family, who harbor a secret of transforming into zodiac animals. Its double life aspect accentuates the themes of acceptance and understanding amidst complex familial bonds.

    Premise:

    An orphan girl lives with members of a reclusive family who turn into animals at awkward times.
    10 votes
    A good show?
  • Spy x Family
    • Photo:
      • Spy x Family

    Why We Love It:

    Spy x Family is a beloved parental substitute anime, focusing on a spy, an assassin, and a telepath coming together in a fabricated family setup. Each character's need to hide their true identities brings humor and tension, adding an aspect of comedy and found family to the element of leading double lives.

    Premise:

    Agent Twilight, Westalis' greatest spy, recruits a fake family to infiltrate a private school.
    17 votes
    A good show?
  • Bleach
    • Photo:
      • Bleach

    Why We Love It:

    Bleach explores the duality of protagonist Ichigo Kurosaki’s life as a high school student and a Soul Reaper, managing the responsibilities of both worlds. The tension and drama arise from his efforts to protect both his loved ones and the balance between the living and the dead.

    Premise:

    Ichigo Kurosaki becomes a Soul Reaper.
    14 votes
    A good show?
  • Mob Psycho 100
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      • Mob Psycho 100

    Why We Love It:

    Mob’s struggle to live a normal teenage life while repressing his immense psychic powers sheds light on the challenges of managing dual identities while still adding comedy into the mix. Mob Psycho 100 illustrates the intersection of extraordinary abilities and the desire for ordinary experiences.

    Premise:

    Mob, a school boy blessed with supernatural powers, leads an emotionally disturbed life.
    15 votes
    A good show?
  • Why We Love It:

    In Blue Exorcist, Rin Okumura’s journey as a teenager hiding his true identity as the son of Satan while training to become an exorcist captures the essence of dual existences. His struggle to reconcile his demonic heritage with his desire to protect humanity is a key exploration of this theme.

    Premise:

    A boy learns he is the son of Satan and vows to defeat his father.
    8 votes
    A good show?
  • Darker Than Black
    • Photo:
      • Darker Than Black

    Why We Love It:

    Darker than Black features contractors - individuals with supernatural powers who must live under assumed identities to survive. The protagonist, Hei, navigates his life as an ordinary student while operating as a feared assassin, creating a dark and complex narrative on dual lives.

    Premise:

    Hei takes orders from the syndicate in Tokyo.
    9 votes
    A good show?
  • Case Closed
    • Photo:
      • Case Closed

    Why We Love It:

    Case Closed is considered one of the best detective anime of all time. The show presents the intriguing life of a high school detective turned child, Conan Edogawa, who must solve crimes while concealing his true identity. This creates a unique dynamic as he balances the challenges of being a child with his sharp investigative skills.

    Premise:

    An ace detective who has been turned into a child adopts a new identity to solve various mysteries.
    5 votes
    A good show?
  • Tokyo Ghoul
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      • Tokyo Ghoul

    Why We Love It:

    Tokyo Ghoul centers on Ken Kaneki’s transformation into a half-ghoul, which forces him to navigate the delicate line between his human life and the ghoul world. The anime delves into his internal conflict and the societal alienation that comes from living a double life.

    Premise:

    Having survived a ghoul attack, Ken finds himself altered forever.
    18 votes
    A good show?
  • Sailor Moon
    • Photo:
      • Sailor Moon

    Why We Love It:

    This classic anime brilliantly portrays Usagi Tsukino juggling her everyday life as a schoolgirl and her responsibilities as a guardian of justice, encapsulating the notion of a secret identity in a lighthearted way. The contrast between her ordinary and heroic selves adds a layer of depth to her beloved character.

    Premise:

    A schoolgirl and her friends transform into powerful heroes to battle the forces of evil.
    7 votes
    A good show?
  • Zombie Land Saga
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    12

    Zombie Land Saga

    Why We Love It:

    Zombie Land Saga cleverly combines the genres of idol and horror by following a group of resurrected girls who live as normal idols while hiding their zombie identities. The tension between their public performances and their undead reality adds a unique twist to the double life theme.

    Premise:

    A group of deceased girls are resurrected and formed into an idol group to revitalize the Saga Prefecture while hiding their zombie identities.

    7 votes
    A good show?
  • Maid Sama!
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      • Maid-sama!

    Why We Love It:

    Maid Sama! focuses on Misaki Ayuzawa’s efforts to conceal her job as a maid at a café from her classmates while maintaining her strict demeanor as the student council president. This dual life creates a mix of funny, romantic, and dramatic situations that highlight the tension between her school and personal life identities.

    Premise:

    A student council president secretly works as a waitress in a french maid uniform part-time.
    8 votes
    A good show?
  • Why We Love It:

    Buddy Daddies centers on two contract killers who must balance their dangerous work with raising a small child, concealing their violent occupations from her and trying not to get caught by their peers. The contrast their lethal skills and parental responsibilities generates unique but fun dilemmas and growth.

    Premise:

    Assassins Kazuki Kurusu and Rei Suwa meet Miri, a girl looking for her father on Christmas Day.
    2 votes
    A good show?
  • Durarara!!

    Why We Love It:

    Durarara!! explores the lives of various characters in Ikebukuro, each hiding their own secrets and identities, from headless riders to gang leaders. The interconnected stories and concealed truths exemplify the diverse nature of living double lives in an urban setting.

    Premise:

    This action-packed anime series is based on the novels with the same name, written by Ryohgo Narita.
    0 votes
    A good show?
  • Reborn!
    • Photo:
      • Reborn!

    Why We Love It:

    Reborn! features Tsunayoshi Sawada's journey from an average middle school student to the successor of a powerful mafia family, highlighting the duality of his life. His development under the tutelage of the hitman Reborn emphasizes the theme of hidden potential and responsibility.

    Premise:

    A hit man who happens to be an infant teaches the tricks of his trade to a future mafia boss.
    0 votes
    A good show?
  • Jormungand
    • Photo:
      • Jormungand

    Why We Love It:

    Jormungand jumps into the complex life of child soldier Jonah, who works for an arms dealer while grappling with his own moral beliefs. His dual existence as both a tool of war and a seeker of peace brings depth to his character and the storyline.

    Premise:

    Koko and her bodyguards sell weapons while trying to avoid rival arms dealers and the government.
    0 votes
    A good show?
  • Himouto! Umaru-chan
    • Photo:
      • Himouto! Umaru-Chan

    Why We Love It:

    Himouto! Umaru-chan humorously explores the double life of Umaru Doma, who is a perfect high school student in public but reveals her lazy, otaku side at home. The juxtaposition of her two personas adds comedic value and highlights the challenges of maintaining such a facade.

    Premise:

    High school student Umaru Doma lives with her older brother Taihei, unsettling his life.
    0 votes
    A good show?
  • Kakushigoto
    • Photo:
      • Kakushigoto

    Why We Love It:

    Kakushigoto follows Kakushi Goto, a manga artist, who goes to great lengths to hide his adult-themed work from his young daughter - including faking his profession. The comedic and heartfelt moments stem from his efforts to maintain a wholesome image while juggling his professional identity, and make for an enjoyable anime for any fan.

    Premise:

    An artist who draws adult comic books tries to hide what he does for a living from his daughter.
    0 votes
    A good show?
  • High School DxD
    • Photo:
      • High School DxD

    Why We Love It:

    High School DxD deals with Issei Hyoudou, a high school student who becomes a devil and must balance his ordinary school life with his new supernatural duties. The mix of mundane and mystical elements emphasizes the complexity and humor in managing two vastly different worlds.

    Premise:

    A youth is brought back from the dead to serve a devil's family.
    4 votes
    A good show?
  • Strike the Blood
    • Photo:
      • Strike The Blood

    Why We Love It:

    Strike the Blood focuses on Kojo Akatsuki, who must manage his newfound existence as a powerful vampire while maintaining his life as a high school student. The anime highlights the conflict and responsibilities that come with balancing his supernatural abilities and normalcy.

    Premise:

    The Lion King Organisation assigns Yukina Himeragi to monitor Kojou Akatsuki.
    4 votes
    A good show?
  • Detroit Metal City
    • Photo:
      • Detroit Metal City
    22

    Detroit Metal City

    Why We Love It:

    Detroit Metal City follows Soichi Negishi, who dreams of a peaceful pop music career but leads a double life as the outrageous frontman of a death metal band. His struggle to reconcile his gentle nature with his aggressive stage persona creates humorous and ironic contrasts.

    Premise:

    Souichi Negishi is a shy young man who came from the rural Ota Prefecture to Tokyo for college and wished to become a kindergarten teacher. However, for some reason he became the singer and songwriter of a metal band named "Detroit Metal City," with a stage name "Johannes Krauser II." Whenever he wears the heavy makeup, Negishi becomes a completely different person, shouting the most vulgar profanities beyond anyone's imagination. With the popularity of DMC increases, Negishi starts worrying his double personalities can have negative effects on his (romantic) life off stage.
    1 votes
    A good show?