Video video games and anime have been intertwined for the reason that early 80s, and as such, it’s common for anime to characteristic video video games as a central plot level. On this article, we’ve compiled an inventory of eight video game-themed anime that we really feel have been well-executed and seamlessly integrated video games into their principal story.
We received’t be together with anime like Persona 5 The Animation or Yu-Gi-Oh!, as they have been video games first and solely acquired anime diversifications additional down the road. All entries on this checklist have been anime first, and in the event that they ever had recreation diversifications, they have been made after the anime’s launch.
Log Horizon
Oh boy. My current article talks about how much I love Log Horizon’s mechanics and the way it might translate properly if it have been made right into a recreation. The story begins with the characters being transported into the sport they’re taking part in, Elder Story. In Log Horizon, there’s much less combating and extra speaking, as the principle character, Shiroe, values diplomacy over brute pressure.
The anime portrays a practical method to being trapped in a brand new world, with the characters adjusting to the world’s tradition and politics. You’ll like this anime in the event you’re into political discuss with raiding on the facet.
Sword Artwork On-line
I debated whether or not to incorporate this one or Sword Artwork On-line Different Gun Gale On-line, however I in the end ended up settling with the unique Sword Artwork On-line, because the anime itself is concerning the journey of Kirito and his buddies in numerous video games.
Whereas this anime focuses extra on Kirito’s interpersonal relationships, video video games have at all times been the principle theme in every of the “arcs” that the anime goes by way of. In contrast to Log Horizon, there’s extra motion in SAO, so in the event you’re extra into that, give this one a shot.
No Recreation No Life
If you happen to’ve been within the anime scene for some time, you’ve in all probability already been advisable to observe No Recreation No Life. This anime is about two siblings, Shiro and Sora. After being challenged by the God of Play by way of a pc display screen, the siblings defeat him, which ends up in them being summoned to a brand new world referred to as Disboard.
In Disboard, all the things is set by the end result of a recreation that the contributors agree on. The video games could be so simple as rock-paper-scissors, or elaborate ones like a digital actuality FPS. On this anime, you’ll see how Sora and Shiro outwit their opponents because the representatives of Imanity, which is taken into account the weakest race in all of Disboard.
Bofuri: I Don’t Need to Get Harm, so I’ll Max Out My Protection
Ah sure, the primary and solely anime on this checklist with an extended identify, which is rapidly changing into the usual these days. For simplicity’s sake, we’re going to name it Bofuri. Bofuri focuses on Kaede, a schoolgirl who lately picked up NewWorld On-line, a fictional digital actuality MMORPG. As she begins her journey into the sport, she opens up the character creation device and decides to be a shielder class, placing all her stat factors into vitality as a result of she doesn’t like ache.
The anime may be very light-hearted and doesn’t take itself severely, in contrast to SAO and Log Horizon. That is obvious within the anime’s very first episode, as Kaede defeats a monster by taking bites out of it till it dies.
New Recreation!
We’re going to deviate from the norm right here for some time. In contrast to SAO and Bofuri that target the characters taking part in video games, in New Recreation! the characters are those making the video games. This anime facilities round recreation improvement, as we comply with a brand new artist’s journey up the sport improvement company ladder from beginner to steer character artist.
This anime suits into the subgenre of “cute ladies doing cute issues”, which is pretty self-explanatory. It’s a light-hearted anime you’ll be able to watch to wind down, and it has fascinating depictions of trade practices like crunch time and sleeping on the workplace to get work executed.
Restoration of an MMO Junkie
Restoration of an MMO Junkie leans extra into romance than the rest. The anime tells the story of two characters, who by coincidence discovered one another in an MMORPG, and a romance developed between them.
In contrast to SAO and Bofuri, this anime doesn’t have motion scenes and is extra targeted on what the characters do outdoors of the sport somewhat than in-game. Nonetheless, the in-game sections of the anime nonetheless present a whole lot of context. If you happen to’re inquisitive about a romance anime with a recreation as its central plot system, you may wish to test this one out.
Uncle From One other World
There’s just one phrase for this anime: Hilarious. There’s not a single episode that didn’t make me burst out laughing. Uncle From One other World follows the story of two family, an uncle and his nephew. The uncle, thought-about the principle character within the anime, was in a coma after an accident. After 17 years, he wakes up and divulges that whereas in his coma, he was truly in one other world.
At first, his nephew didn’t imagine it, till the uncle forged a magic spell. Now believing his uncle, the nephew began a YouTube channel for his uncle to point out off his magic. Uncle From One other World is an homage to the retro gaming period with a number of references to current video games like Sonic and Guardian Heroes.
Players!
A buddy of mine referred to as it “Misunderstandings: The Anime,” and he was proper. It revolves round a mismatched group of people that someway find yourself in the identical group of buddies. Friendships become crushes, and tensions escalate, with characters entering into hilarious conditions as a result of they will’t be bothered to ask the opposite particular person to make clear what they’re saying.
Amid the drama, the characters spend a number of time speaking about gaming, with references to video games like Responsible Gear and Persona 4 Area. The characters additionally confer with different video games with totally different names. I’m simply glad they gave Star Ocean some love.
I’ve watched this anime a few occasions now, and it surprisingly wasn’t as dangerous as I remembered it to be. This entry within the checklist was initially going to be a “so dangerous it’s good” form of suggestion, however as I continued to observe it, I rapidly realized it’s an anime that merely lets me flip my mind off and have enjoyable.
Concerning the creator
