Anime Suggestions Based on Your Favorite Type of Game Posted Jul 27, 2023
Many anime fans also enjoy gaming. In fact, now that video games are a keystone element of entertainment, almost everyone is trying out a new title, whether via smartphones, PCs, or handhelds. Given many games have drawn inspiration from anime graphics and other visual elements, there’s plenty of crossover interest.
For some fans, like those of Attack on Titan and Dragon Ball, there are even video game adaptations of their favourite series ready to sample. This creates a seamless fan experience between the show and game, letting viewers step into the shoes of their favorite characters by playing as them. But what about gamers who are instead looking to find an anime show that suits their interests?
We’ve created a list of suggested anime shows that are based on gaming interests and experience levels. If you like one, you’re likely to enjoy the other.
Poker, Joker Game
Poker is a game for those who enjoy calculations, strategy, and handling copious amounts of unknowns. The most common types of poker are Texas Hold’em and Omaha. While the former tends to see more attention, Omaha is another hugely popular variation that players seek out worldwide. In both cases, players must work with the cards they’re dealt to win the game.
But the battle involves tons of machinations and schemes, just like in the plot of Joker Game. This political thriller anime follows the D-Agency during the 1950s, a fake news crew tasked with gaining intelligence on enemy groups. To succeed, members of the D-Agency have to adopt new and never-before-seen techniques, all the while flying below the radar.
RPGs, Sword Art Online (& Others)
Some anime fans consider RPG to be its own genre, which makes selecting a suitable anime easy. For example, Ragnarök the Animation was based directly on South Korea’s Ragnarök Online, an incredibly popular RPG. This makes it a great title for anyone looking to jump from gaming into anime. Other great suggestions for RPG animes include Sword Art Online, Log Horizon, and another game-to-anime adaptation, Blade & Soul.
Sports, Re-Main
Sports simulations are some of the most popular games in the world. Titles like FIFA and NBA 2K let players become superstars, while others like Football Manager let them take a more executive look at their favorite leagues. But given anime’s approach to sports, it’s a bit tough to find a suitable series that will meet the interests of sports gamers.
Yuri on Ice, though one of the most popular sports animes, is more heavily invested in its romance storyline. Similarly, Kuroko’s Basketball is more of a coming-of-age tale. For sports fans, 2021’s Re-Main is a great option, as it deals with psychological drama as well as sports, athleticism, and the spirit of competition.
Match-Three, Demon Slayer
Sometimes, a game’s magic is in its simplicity. This is certainly the case with match-three games. These hyper-casual mobile titles jumped onto the scene in the early 2010s with hits like Candy Crush Saga, letting players match winning combinations to pass the time. But which anime series nails its simplified format?
Many fans enjoy the setup of Kimetsu no Yaiba, AKA Demon Slayer. The premise of the show is simple: demon-slayers take on the world’s most dangerous demons. The animation and graphics are considered some of the best in the industry—even if the rest of the plot is mostly action scenes that focus on character stories. So, if you want to keep things simple and exciting, Demon Slayer is a great choice.
CCG, Chihayafuru
The average anime fan is acquainted with Collectible Card Games (CCGs) thanks to hits like Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh!, which include CCG and training card game counterparts. In fact, this is one genre where CCG fans will have plenty of anime titles to choose from, as adapting CCGs to anime is quite common.
Yu-Gi-Oh! is usually considered the gold standard. Fans have tons of content to wade through, from movies to games to spin-off projects. However, a slightly more interesting take on CCGs-to-anime is Chihayafuru, a story about three friends who grow and change by playing the card game karuta throughout their lives. But karuta isn’t just any card game as it combines elements of Japanese literature, incorporating poetic themes to add a brilliant new twist to the genre.
