Anime Veteran Kikuko Inoue Joins Spy×Family Season 3 Cast as Melinda Desmond

The highly anticipated third season of the acclaimed anime series Spy×Family is set to introduce a pivotal new character, Melinda Desmond, with legendary voice actress Kikuko Inoue lending her distinctive talent to the role. Renowned for her extensive career as a Japanese voice actress, singer, and narrator, Inoue's addition promises to bring profound depth to the popular franchise.

Melinda Desmond's Debut

Fans can mark their calendars for November 1, when Melinda Desmond, identified as the wife of Donovan Desmond and mother to Damian Desmond, will make her grand debut in the series' 42nd episode. Intriguingly, Melinda also holds the significant position of chairwoman within the series' intricate lore.

The third season of Spy×Family officially commenced its global broadcast on October 4, 2025, with Crunchyroll streaming the episodes worldwide, excluding Asian territories. Since its inception, the anime has garnered widespread critical and fan praise for its masterful blend of high-octane action, heartwarming comedy, and compelling family dynamics, cultivating a massive international following. The series meticulously adapts Tatsuya Endō's original manga, brought to vibrant life through the collaborative efforts of Wit Studio and CloverWorks.

Kikuko Inoue's illustrious career, marked by her involvement in countless iconic anime productions, positions her as an ideal choice for a character of Melinda Desmond's stature. Her reputation for portraying complex, often maternal, roles with nuanced emotion is expected to significantly enrich the narrative fabric of Spy×Family. Her casting is poised to introduce fresh dynamics into the storyline, further enhancing the intricate family relationships that lie at the heart of the show.

Beyond the animated series, the Spy×Family universe has expanded its reach into various other forms of media, including successful stage musicals and a captivating spin-off special titled Spy x Family Code: White. The enduring popularity of the franchise is a testament to its unique ability to seamlessly intertwine thrilling espionage elements with relatable, family-centric themes, appealing to a remarkably broad audience demographic.

Under the direction of Yukiko Imai, with invaluable contributions from artists like Yuki Takeuchi and Tomomi Sugimoto overseeing art settings, the third season continues to uphold the series' high production standards. The sustained success of Spy×Family underscores its engaging storytelling and impeccably developed characters, which have consistently captivated both Japanese and global audiences. With the formidable talent of Kikuko Inoue now part of its esteemed cast, Spy×Family is well-positioned to continue its trajectory as a global anime phenomenon, expertly balancing action and comedy while delving into profound themes of family, identity, and belonging.