20 Best “Heist” or “Infiltration” Episodes In Anime

From gentleman thieves to covert operatives and desperate rescue missions, anime has delivered some of the most inventive capers and break-ins on screen. This list gathers twenty standout episodes where the plot hinges on a theft, con, raid, or undercover operation—spanning classic franchises and modern hits. Each pick notes the series context, the core objective of the mission, key characters involved, and production or arc details that help place the episode within its show.

‘Lupin the 3rd’ (1971) – ‘Is Lupin Burning?’

This early episode sets the template for the franchise’s caper-driven style, introducing Arsène Lupin III’s crew as they plan and execute a high-stakes theft under Inspector Zenigata’s watch. The story establishes Lupin’s partnership with ‘Daisuke Jigen’ and the on-again, off-again entanglement with ‘Fujiko Mine’. It blends gadgets, disguises, and double-crosses that became series hallmarks. The Part I run laid the groundwork for later ‘Lupin the Third’ entries, where self-contained heists are the norm.

‘Cowboy Bebop’ (1998) – ‘Honky Tonk Women’

The crew’s brush with a rigged casino chip turns into an improvised infiltration inside a luxury space casino. Faye Valentine’s entanglement with a crime syndicate forces Spike and Jet to navigate security systems while juggling a hostage exchange. The episode’s setpieces revolve around sleight-of-hand, surveillance, and quick costume changes. It’s a classic standalone caper within the anthology structure of ‘Cowboy Bebop’.

‘Great Pretender’ (2020) – ‘Los Angeles Connection, Episode 1’

The premiere launches the series’ long-con format with a cross-border sting targeting a Hollywood producer tied to drug trafficking. Con artist Makoto Edamura falls in with Laurent Thierry’s crew and begins a multilayered infiltration of the target’s operation using forged identities. The job unfolds in phases—meeting the mark, seeding trust, and manipulating a fake product demo. The episode sets up the arc’s heist mechanics that continue across subsequent parts of ‘Los Angeles Connection’.

‘Attack on Titan’ (2013) – ‘Declaration of War’

Eren Jaeger infiltrates Marley under an alias, embedding himself to trigger a public confrontation during a state ceremony. The Scouts coordinate covert entry into the city, positioning assets while enemy military police maintain tight perimeter control. The mission pivots on timing, with an assault launched the moment the declaration is broadcast. This episode marks the operational shift to offensive espionage and urban raids in ‘Attack on Titan’.

‘Naruto Shippūden’ (2007) – ‘The Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant’

Jiraiya conducts a deep-cover infiltration of Amegakure to identify the leader of the Akatsuki. He uses summons, code techniques, and disguise tactics to breach layered city security and gather human-intelligence from informants. The episode intercuts recon with escalating countermeasures from the local authorities. It anchors a pivotal arc where clandestine information directly shapes the strategy against the Akatsuki.

‘Bleach’ (2004) – ‘Formation! The Worst Tag’

After breaching the barrier to Soul Society, Ichigo’s group is scattered inside Seireitei and forced into ad-hoc infiltration teams. The episode focuses on navigating fortified districts, avoiding patrols, and dealing with the Seireitei gate system. Improvised alliances and diversion tactics drive the forward movement toward the detention area. It’s a key step in the larger rescue operation that defines the arc.

‘Death Note’ (2006) – ‘Matsuda’

The task force executes an undercover operation against the Yotsuba Group by inserting Touta Matsuda under a false identity. Wiretaps, staged incidents, and controlled leaks are used to expose the corporate Kira collaborator without tipping off security. The episode details surveillance placement and coordination with outside assets. It’s a procedural look at infiltration applied to a white-collar criminal syndicate within ‘Death Note’.

‘Princess Principal’ (2017) – ‘Case 13: Wired Liar’

The series opens in medias res with a spy team infiltrating a research facility in a steampunk-divided London. Ange and Dorothy exploit class divides and forged credentials to access restricted zones. The mission hinges on a gravity-defying device that shapes both the plan and the getaway. The episode establishes the show’s case-file structure, where each “Case” is a discrete infiltration with shifting team roles.

‘Akudama Drive’ (2020) – ‘Se7en’

A group of criminals is coerced into a precision jailbreak and transport assault that unfolds across neon-lit Kansai. The episode maps roles—hacker, courier, brawler, and assassin—into a synchronized entry against police cordons. Setpieces include slicing security drones, spoofing checkpoints, and hijacking a convoy under heavy surveillance. It kicks off a larger heist storyline that escalates into a bullet-train operation.

‘Spy x Family’ (2022) – ‘Will They Pass or Fail?’

WISE engineers an elaborate mock castle infiltration to test ‘Operation Strix’, complete with staged threats and a moving objective. Loid Forger navigates a maze of agents acting as defenders while balancing mission optics with protecting Anya. The exercise demonstrates comms discipline, resource improvisation, and route clearing under time pressure. Though played as a “game,” it functions as a formal assessment of infiltration capability within the series.

‘Baccano!’ (2007) – ‘Jacuzzi Splot Cries, Gets Scared, and Musters Reckless Valor’

Amid the ‘Flying Pussyfoot’ train hijacking, multiple criminal factions attempt overlapping raids and rescues. This episode tracks one team’s covert movements through carriages while rival groups control chokepoints. Hidden compartments, decoy hostages, and synchronized car-to-car advances structure the operation. The train setting compresses the heist into tight corridors and timed crossings that affect every faction’s plan.

‘Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex’ (2002) – ‘SECTION-9’

Public Security Section 9 conducts a hostage-rescue infiltration at a high-end facility compromised by cyber-terrorists. Major Kusanagi coordinates thermal scans, breaching patterns, and cyberbrain countermeasures with Tachikoma support. The episode outlines stack formation, room-by-room clearing, and network isolation to prevent remote overrides. It’s a foundational procedural for the team’s tactics in ‘Stand Alone Complex’.

‘JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind’ (2018) – ‘The Grateful Dead – Part 1’

Passione’s escort team boards a coastal train to transport a key objective while enemy assassins stage a rolling infiltration. Temperature manipulation and compartment control force the protagonists to adapt their security plan mid-journey. Surveillance of passenger movement and concealed contraband searches become central to the defense. The episode inaugurates a multi-part train caper that tests the crew’s protection protocols.

‘Hunter x Hunter’ (2011) – ‘Strengthen × And × Threaten’

In the buildup to the Yorknew City auction, Kurapika’s alliance prepares to infiltrate mafia-run venues targeted by the Phantom Troupe. The operation involves black-market access, false credentials, and coordination with bodyguards to monitor item transfers. Information-gathering on auction logistics and security rotations shapes the approach to intercepts. The episode positions the heist landscape that drives the confrontation with the Troupe.

‘Detective Conan’ (1996) – ‘Conan vs. Kaitou Kid’

Kaito Kid announces a jewel theft in advance, forcing police and private security to harden a museum while he embeds among staff and guests. Conan counters with counter-surveillance, decoy placement, and tight-window response plans during the unveiling. The heist relies on misdirection, aerial escape methods, and costume swaps. It’s a definitive clash between master thief and detective within the long-running ‘Case Closed’.

‘Mob Psycho 100’ (2016) – ‘Master ~Leader~’

Shigeo and allies penetrate Claw’s 7th Division facility to extract kidnapped espers. The episode maps entry points, cell locations, and the hierarchy of security personnel with layered psychic defenses. Team members split duties—disruption, rescue, and control of corridors—to keep momentum through the complex. The raid’s structure showcases the show’s approach to coordinated infiltration against an organized enemy group.

‘Vinland Saga’ (2019) – ‘The Light of Dawn’

Askeladd’s band executes a nocturnal infiltration of a fortified village, using terrain and weather to mask movement. Scouts neutralize sentries and open access for the main force while maintaining silence to avoid rallying defenders. The episode details route selection, timing, and contingency signals for extraction. It’s a grounded depiction of pre-modern raid tactics within ‘Vinland Saga’.

‘One Piece’ (1999) – ‘Landing to Get Robin! Luffy vs. Blueno!’

The Straw Hat crew breaches Enies Lobby to reach the Judicial Tower and seize a path to Nico Robin. Entry involves knocking out gate defenses, splitting teams for diversion and direct assault, and adapting to the island’s security architecture. The episode’s clash with Blueno is staged around controlling access points like doors and bridges. It marks the formal start of the government-stronghold infiltration that defines the arc.

‘Black Lagoon’ (2006) – ‘Maid to Kill’

Roberta infiltrates a cartel-connected hotel to retrieve her young master, moving through private floors and armed checkpoints. The episode contrasts ceremonial staff access with hidden weapons and rapid vertical movement between levels. Security teams respond with layered defenses, forcing room-clearing and stairwell engagements. It’s a tight, building-scale assault that intersects with the Lagoon Company’s operations.

‘Darker than Black’ (2007) – ‘The Fallen Star of a Contract… Part 1’

Contractor agent Hei undertakes a covert mission in Tokyo that requires breaking into a research site tied to the Heaven’s Gate incident. The infiltration uses surveillance evasion, rooftop traversal, and staged identities to gain lab access. Concurrent police investigations close in, tightening the window for data exfiltration. The episode launches the series’ pattern of mission-based covert operations anchored by urban stealth.

Share your favorite anime caper or undercover episode in the comments—what did we miss, and which mission kept you on the edge of your seat?