Gaming anime are known to be popular among anime watchers, especially gamers. They usually have an interesting plotline and a variety of characters with very gripping backstories.
Animes usually include games in one way; however, when we talk about gaming animes, their whole story is based on the game itself. The characters are somehow part of the show, and we also get to learn a great deal about the game itself.
Gaming anime has gained so much recognition from its audience and brought the gamer nerds out in the open. Gaming animes include all kinds of games you can imagine, from computer games to physical games and outdoor and indoor games.
50. Seven Senses of the Re’Union
The anime is popularly known as “Shichisei no Subaru,” its original name. It is a PG-13 light novel series anime based on the action, sci-fi, and fantasy genre.
It is the story of an MMORPG world union where you die in reality if your character dies in the virtual game.
What ensues in the anime is the return of a team that stopped playing the game ages ago only to find their dead friend. However, they must play the game to find out about her.
49. Fastest Finger First Bakugan: Gundalian Invaders
Shiki Koshiyama is new to his high school, where he entered the world of competitive quizzes. However, his first experience was not what he expected.
Therefore, he decides to join a quiz bowl study group by persistently convincing his classmate, Mari. He strives hard to win this quiz bowl against the competitive teams.
This is not exactly your typical gaming scenario; however, it does include a competitive quiz.
48. After School Dice Club
The crux of the story is about Aya and Her new friend Miki. They both form an inseparable bond.
First, however, the committee chairman of the school introduces both of them to an analog game shop known as the “Saikaro Club” or the “Dice club.”
Aya and Miki play a very unusual German board, and fun ensues. This anime talked in detail about the concepts of the game they were trying to show. It is also an all-female show so you might be interested in watching it.
47. Mix Master: King of Cards
Mix Master is about how an ordinary town is engulfed in a magical game. All the game monsters and a Prince plots to conquer the world.
However, people look up to the main character, Ditt, an 11-year-old loafer who can become the Mixmaster and save the town from destruction.
This anime is for all those obsessed with card games or are even obsessed right now. However, it has a touch of magic in it.
46. Record of Ragnarok
It is the story of God’s council and how they assemble every 1000 years to discuss the fate of humanity. However, chaos takes place when gods decide on a common decision to extinct the humans as they deem them irredeemable.
This anime had mythological facts used as a premise for the story; however, the twit and turns were gripping. This anime might be interesting for some people to see how they talk about religion and its facts.
45. Platinum End
This is the story of Mirai Kakehashi, who doesn’t have any will to live, however he receives salvation from an angel on his graduation. He learns that he is chosen to be a part of a battle that would decide who would become the next God.
This anime has fantastic visuals and has a gripping story as well. With this one, you will feel on the edge of your seat, so you must watch this show.
44. Juni Taisen: Zodiac War
This is the story of 12 warriors who have the names of the zodiac signs and are part of a tournament where they fight against each other for their lives.
The strange warriors are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. You will get an amazing gaming vibe in this anime when you become a part of it.
Japanese zodiacs use the years to denote an animal with it. The anime is interesting as this is an entirely new concept. No show has shown animals of the zodiac sign as proper characters. You will also see the animals getting their personalities.
43. Magical Girl Raising Project
Magical Girl Raising projects is a game world that manufactures new magical girls in every single game. However, as the number reaches 16 girls, they subtract the players and fight against each other.
Therefore, the survival of the fittest begins. The visuals of this anime were stunning as they tried and showed each and everyone’s magical powers with beautiful animations.
The gaming genre might not match the typical expectations of the watcher, but it was an excellent show to match.
42. The Ones Within
It is the story where several game streamers wake up in a mysterious world of free-for-all games known as the Naka no Hito Genome.
Iride Akatsuki and seven other players must compete in games that include life-and-death scenarios but completing tasks of the game would earn them 100 million lives.
This had a complicated game shown in the anime; however, it does keep you on edge, so look out for this one.
41. Cardfight!! Vanguard
If you’re a fan of card games, this is for you. The anime shows the story of card game players of a new world where playing these games is as important as surviving.
The prominent lead masters the card game and takes part in many tournaments.
It is an exciting story with sci-fi and fantasy themes and amazing visual animations. The storyline is interesting too and something you wouldn’t have watched anywhere.
This anime is also for those who love card games and collect cards at one point in their lives.
40. Infinite Dendrogram
Infinite Dendrogram is a virtual and futuristic world where a VR game was released in this anime. Two years after its release, Reiji Mukudori finds a copy of this game to play with his sibling.
So he walks on an adventure into the world of Infinite Dendrogram. The world of this game has infinite possibilities. The storyline was a classic story of boys playing a futuristic game, making it relatable.
39. She Professed Herself, Pupil of the Wise Man
Arch Earth Online is an online game that is played by Sakimori every day. However, he falls asleep after using a card that shows how the character would look like a girl.
Later, he wakes up online inside the game, which has become more realistic than ever. It was an exciting show to watch as its animations were practical and aesthetically pleasing to the eye. So be on the lookout for this anime.
38. Phi-Brain ~ Puzzle of God
Have you ever seen a survival- puzzle game? Yeah! Me neither. Kaito is famous for playing puzzles that nobody else can solve in this anime. However, he comes across a new kind of puzzle that just turns his life upside down.
I found the anime to have a different twist and was a new take to gaming animes since puzzle games are a part of the storyline.
37. Magic of Stella
Tamaki Honda joins the SNS club known for making doujin games when she enters her new high school. She is joined by Ayame, the writer, Shiina programmer, and Kayo, the composer, and starts working as the illustrator for the game they are about to create.
This had very basic animation visuals, and the storyline was decent. However, you can give it a try if you want to, as it has some touch of comedy in it as well.
36. Eroge! H mo Game mo Kaihatsu Zanmai
Flower, a local game studio that is about to get closed even after its first release, is an absolute fail. The studio is trying to make ends meet with very difficulties. It is an all-female company and is looking for a few new employees to help on the new project to finish it and earn something.
Tomoya Mochizuki enters the scenario and points out to the employees that they have no sexual experience to make an erotic game as he specializes in erotic games. However, the girls are eager to learn, so they follow him to pursue a sexual journey and aid their project earnestly. They try everything to try and make ends meet.
35. Recovery of an MMO Junkie
Moriko Morioka is a woman working for NEET and drops out from reality to join a net game known as netoge. She is 30 years old and wants to fulfill her life with some meaning.
Therefore, she renames herself as a refreshing character known as Hayashi in the game. As she starts in the game as a beginner, a beautiful character named Lily tries to talk to her to help her in this world.
However, she comes in contact with an elite company employee who is a mysterious s guy with blond hair and handsome looks. What ensues is an anime that has comedy drama and a beautiful story.
34. Summer Wars
An adventure and action anime in which the story follows a student trying to fix a problem when he was structuring a game known as the O.Z. However, the whole thing takes place while he is trying to pretend to be the fiancé of his friend at his grandmother’s 90th birthday party.
The story is excellent, with decent animations and a cyber battle between an A.I. and a Japanese family. A very great storyline is mixed with complex and traditional family values and modern norms and values. You could enjoy this show if you like storylines that try and match two generations into one.
33. The Ryuo’s Work is never done!
A teen who loves to play shogi is the central character of the anime. However, he encounters a nine-year-old girl at his house one day who wants to become his disciple.
What ensues is a funny and romantic path with all kinds of wacky tails? Shogi is a boring game; however, the anime presents it as something full of excitement and various challenges.
They showed terrific characters with so many objectives. It is great to explore new cultures and learn about their games and habits.
32. I’m Standing on a Million Lives
Yotsuya Yuusuke gets transported to a strange world and his peers Shindou LU and Hakozaki Kusue, mythological creatures who inhabit this strange, new world. As they enter the world, they meet a man known as the Game master who hands them a quest only for a limited time.
The story follows the adventures of Yotsuya, who begins to discover how is stressful life begins as they have to protect themselves from demons and protect their own world from these more too. The anime had great animations and a good storyline; however, the show’s starting was a bit tedious.
31. Hikaru no Go
Xiao Guang discovers a Go Board, which looks ancient too by pure coincidence. From this go board, he comes across Chu Ying, and a go player stuck in the go board as the soul who has been a part of this world for ages.
This is not just about the game but also includes real-life human emotions and story arcs. It talks about themes such as perseverance, hardships and struggles, and friendship.
It has an excellent screenplay and a really good storyline. You will not get bored by this anime and have cool things to say about it.
30. Yu☆Gi☆Oh!
Yugi moto comes across an Ancient Egyptian puzzle that brings out a dark alter ego upon solving. Whenever the main character and his friends face any new evil from the Duel monster card game, his alter ego comes out to save the day.
However, if you lose against evil, you lose your soul. So now, how will Yugi moto and his friends fight against the dark? If you want to know more, look out for this anime online.
29. New Game!
This story follows Suzukaze Aoba, who has just graduated from high school gets recruited at a game company. The game company’s creator is Suzukaze Aoba’s senior at high school.
Next is how girls work in a gaming company and aspire to work at the eagle jump company. The anime is pretty great with fun and comedy. It has great colors and aesthetic beauty, and those who like cutesy animes will love this one.
28. .hack//Sign
This action and adventure anime follow the story of a boy called Tsukasa, who is a strange one and appears in an online video game known as “the world.” The twist of this story is that he claims to be alive in the game without a computer.
This is a very typical virtual reality story that we commonly see in movies and T.V. shows. However, the animations of this show brought about a difference for the people. The anime has good animations and great character arcs, and gaming is huge.
27. Selector Infected WIXOSS
Ruuko Kominato is a new girl in town and struggles to live like it. However, her brother observes her sister and decides to help her by giving her a deck of cards known as the WIXOSS game to show these off and hopefully make new friends.
Each deck has an LRIG card in this game, which becomes the player’s avatar for the game. However, if they lose all three chances, they lose the opportunity to make a wish and become cursed instead. This anime had a feminist tone and a dark undertone in the story. However, the show had decent animations and a good storyline.
26. Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor
It is the story of a loiterer, Kaiji, who passes his time by drinking and stealing hubcaps until his co-workers con him. As he cannot repay the money, he gets offered a deal to gamble in an illicit poker game on a cruise liner.
This becomes one of the most life-threatening pursuits as he goes through deceit and mind games. He faces the worst side of human nature and is forced to go through it. This anime was an inspiration for the Squid Game producer.
The undertones of the show are dark, and you see a good-for-nothing man strive to survive and go up in the game.
25. Hi-Score Girl
It is the story of a funny misadventure of a group of kids passionate about playing arcade games in Japan, 1991. The story is also filled with romance and is a coming-of-age story. You will enjoy this series if you are looking for a light-hearted anime to watch.
This anime is popular for its romantic storyline and the inclusion of friendships and trials of friendship when they play these arcade games. It is like any other story of a group of kids living their lives and enjoying it.
Arcade games were really popular back in 1991 in Japan, and some people can even watch them for nostalgia as they might bring out some fond memories from the past. So do give it a try.
24. And you thought there is never a girl online?
This is fun anime to watch with several comic nuances. Hideki Nishimura plays a game known as Legendary Age as Russian and proposes to a girl online. However, he is shocked to know that it was a guy posing as a girl online.
Hideki swears never to marry anybody online. Finally, he finds a girl online with whom he can play in marriage but is surprised to find that the girl goes to his school.
This is like a tinder game. However, unknown people catfish you. However, this had a few different touches to it. This will be a great movie-night watch if you feel like binging.
23. Alice in Borderland
This story showcases the delinquents in a survival game as they are unwillingly transported parallelly. What ensues is the story of how these characters try to survive in the game. This is like any other survival game animes, and people did not find anything interesting.
However, you would watch it if you want. This is also one of those anime that has mixed reviews as half of the people liked it while the other did not find anything exciting about it.
This has a limited series on Netflix, which is doing great as it was on #1 in several countries when released. However, people compared this with the popular show squid game, which reduced its impact a bit.
22. Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash
This is an adventure and action anime where the main character, Haruhiro, wakes up with absolutely no memory but only his name.
Even though people surround him, nobody knows what has happened. Haruhiro has no option but to stick with people and explore the area around him. This anime has mixed reviews as some people found it cringe-worthy, while some loved it.
Since this has a basic storyline, you might get bored watching it. You must give this anime a chance and see what the mystery is yourself.
21. Battle Game in 5 Seconds
It is the story of Akira, who loves games, is in high school, and loves eating Konpeito. He is suddenly grabbed by a mysterious girl and dragged into the battlefield.
Now she cannot go anywhere but participates and survives on this battlefield. She is said to be erased from the family register and would eventually gain certain powers. Therefore, Akira sets out to win the game and destroy whoever is a part of the game.
20. Tower of God
This anime is based on the saying, “if you manage to climb the top of Tower of God, your wishes will be granted.” It is the story of Rachel, who cannot live in a dark world as she is afraid of it. So she opens the tower’s door even though her closest friend tries to stop her.
Her friend tries to follow her inside, but those unworthy of good would get killed. This could be an interesting watch for you since it is full of suspense and twists. This is a good anime as it had an unexpected storyline with only a few characters.
19. Problem Children Are Coming From Another World, Aren’t They?
This is the story of three teenagers and how they receive mysterious letters to transport them to a different world called “Little Garden.” The inhabitants use their gifts to compete in the games that could be simple tasks and duels.
Sometimes, you bring them to that world if you bet on a gift. The show’s animation was very elegant and had a good story even though it does not have that much depth. Also, the story seemed a bit haywire, i.e., it did not have any meaning to it.
18. Darwin’s Game
Darwin is popular for his theory of survival of the fittest, and this anime is no different. It is the story of a 17-year old boy Kaname Sudou who receives an online invitation from a peer to play Darwin’s game on his mobile phone.
However, he does not know that the game involves real-life consequences as you have to fight a player in reality, which would lead to the death of one of the players. Therefore, Kaname also strives to find the game makers and seek revenge.
This also has a traditional storyline; however, the games and the character arcs are great, so you could watch out for them.
17. Btooom!
This is a survival-action drama that was very popular when it was released in 2012. The anime shows that the characters are stuck on a survival island and the only way to get out is to find seven hidden gems. But there’s a catch in collecting gems by killing the other survivors.
It has action, drama, fantasy themes with a hint of romance. You could enjoy this anime so give it a try. This is your typical anime where you get stuck on an island, and you have to survive. However, the show’s animations were decent, so you could find it interesting to watch.
16. Oreimo
The series follows the story of Kyosuke and how he tries to help his sister reconnect with her life and her hobbies which are a secret. He also tries to restore his relationship and face their true feelings towards each other. This is featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Best Yandere Girls in Anime as it has some crazy, obsessive scenes.
This includes a love story between a sister and his brother and how they find the relationship to develop independently. However, it has some crazy obsessive scenes that could only be good if an adult watches it. This type of anime is very popular in Japan for its incest stories mixed with obsessive behavior.
15. BOFURI: I don’t Want to get hurt, so I’ll Max out My Defences
This is how Honjou Kaede gets invited by Shiramine Risa, her friend, to play a virtual reality game. Kaede finds it difficult to play this game as she is in pain. She embarks on an adventurous journey of kills and skills, irrespective of her being unskilled.
This will be an interesting and fun anime to watch. This anime had mixed reviews as it has haters and lovers both. Some people fell in love with its plotline, gripping story, and screenplay; however, some hated the characters of this show.
Some people feel that the MMORPG industry shown is incorrect. However, the story does have touching characters.
14. Gamers!
The story shows a group of students and their common hobbies. Amano is the protagonist of the show who likes playing games with his friend Uehara Tasuku, a secret gamer. Karen and Chiaki constantly argue with each other over silly things.
The show is more about friends and their silly misunderstandings than about the game. It is the story of friends who play games together and go through their daily lives fighting and spending time together.
You will love to see how gaming is shown as a common premise among the characters. This anime is one of those amazing gaming animes that you would be glad you came across.
13. March Comes In Like a Lion
Popularly known as 3-gatsu no Lion, this is the story of a shogi player who is socially awkward and deals with adult issues such as loneliness, depression, and financial difficulties.
It uses the shogi game as a great tool to tell the story of Rei Kiriyama. There are specific story arcs that will blow your mind, and it is one of the most amazing anime made that shows the great slice of life.
This is known as one of the most underrated anime made as the shogi game played here is not as famous as other games. It is not even a tech-savvy game hence its unpopularity.
However, you get to see the works of the game and how people used to play it. Not just that, you see real relationships such as friendships and romance blossoming in the show. You also see the struggles of a shogi player.
12. Accel World
Based on a light novel series of the same name by Reki Kawahara, this anime is a fast-paced and entertaining show with a lot of depth.
The series follows protagonist Haruyuki, a bullied middle school student who spends his time playing video games and trying to forget about reality.
One day he is introduced to a brain growth program called “Brain burst” by Kuroyukihime. The program allows its users to accelerate their brain waves to a point where the person is able to control a virtual avatar just with his thoughts.
Amazed by the complexity of the program, the protagonists set out to find its developer and the reason why it was developed.
11. Future Diary
It is the story of Yukiteru Amano, who writes in a diary on his cell phone every day. He also talks to the God of time and space, Deus, and his servant Murmur, his only friends.
However, the God of time comes out to be true and he grants him a future diary that has descriptions about everything of the future. However, Deus, the God of time, has other plans as he has given the same diary to 11 other people and forces Yukiteru to fight in this ultimate royal battle.
10. Sword Art Online
Sword Art Online is a Japanese light novel series written by Reki Kawahara and adapted into an anime by A-1 Pictures. The series takes place in the near future and focuses on various virtual reality MMORPG worlds.
Sword Art Online has been adapted into four anime series, an animated film, and multiple manga adaptations. The first season of Sword Art Online follows protagonist Kazuto Kirigaya (Kirito) as he participates in a fictional massively multiplayer online role-playing game, populated entirely by players and where he must confront the truth that there is no escape from this virtual world.
The second season follows Kirito after he decides to quit playing the game after it is announced that the 100th floor of the game will be opened at the end of November 2024.
9. D-Frag!
If you’re looking for a light-hearted gaming anime series that features some great comedy moments and an interesting plot, D-Frag! might be perfect for you.
The story centers on Kenji Kazama and his gang of two new transfer students in Suzaku High.
After getting involved in a fire accident, Kenji Kazama is forced to join the Game Development Club. At first, Kenji is hesitant and afraid to join but after meeting the student council president and her three associates, he decides to settle in enjoy his newly found company.
8. Log Horizon
If you’re a fan of fantasy gaming anime, then “Log Horizon” is one show that you might want to watch. There are many animes where the MCs get trapped inside a game and Log Horizon has made an irremovable presence in this genre.
The story follows Shiroe and his friends Naotsugu and Akatsuki on their adventures in the world of Elder Tale. They start as players but are quickly forced to take roles as Adventurers after getting trapped in the game and unable to log out. From there they form a guild to help keep order in the chaotic world where players have no clue what to do next.
7. Kakegurui
Get ready for hours of high-stakes gaming that will leave you on the edge of your seat (or maybe even make you want to join in). The story takes place at Hyakkaou Private Academy, one of the most prestigious schools in Japan, where gambling is conducted to teach students money management and manipulation.
The anime follows the story of Yumeko as she begins attending an elite, private academy. There, she gets dragged into gambling games where her life and reputation are at stake. Many praise it for being a highly entertaining anime with gruesome moments that keep you hooked to your screen until the end.
6. Overlord
The anime follows the story of Ainz Ooal Gown, who is the ruler of the underground world called the Great Underground Tomb of Nazarick. Ainz continues to look for ways to build up his army and power in order to defeat any opposition that may stand in their way.
He hopes that one day soon they can become an invincible force that will be recognized throughout all of YGGDRASIL. Some people like anime because it’s full of action, adventure, and fantasy. Others think it’s too violent and gory for kids to watch. One thing most people can agree on: it’s one heck of a gaming anime.
5. Death Parade
The series centers on people who have died due to various reasons, but whose spirits are not sent to heaven or hell but got brought to a bar.
There they are given the choice to either live or perish. If they choose to live, they will be put into a death game with others like them. The games range from simple to complex tasks but with very high stakes.
Death Parade follows the events of two participants in this death game as they battle against each other with life on the line. What will these contestants do to win? And what do they have at stake if they fail?
4. The King’s Avatar
The King’s Avatar is a refreshing anime, with a setting unlike anything else I’ve seen. If you haven’t already had a taste of Chinese anime, this is a perfect show to begin with.
The show revolves around Ye Xiu, a professional online gamer who has retired from his profession but is dragged back into the world of competitive online gaming.
Ye Xiu’s excellence in online games makes his new avatar “Lord Grim” instantaneously famous in the playing community.
Stay out if you look for a serious, character-driven story. The King’s Avatar is more focused on the intense gaming battles, action sequences, and the in-game story of the avatar.
3. Chifayafuru
Chifayafuru is a Japanese anime about the game of Karuta. It follows the story of elementary student Chihaya Ayase who, despite her young age, is determined to become champion of the game.
Karuta is a card-based game where players have to name as many cards as they can from a shuffled deck in a specific order. The show has been praised for its beautiful animation and accurate portrayal of life in Japan.
Follow Chihaya on this journey as she tries to balance schoolwork, family time, and Karuta club life while also pursuing her dream of becoming Japan’s best Karuta player!
2. No Game No Life
No Game No Life, with its animated TV series and a manga adaptation, is a story of two NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) gamer siblings: Sora and Shiro.
At the beginning of the show, Sora and Shiro are just NEET gamers who are looking forward to playing their favorite MMORPG game: Disboard.
One day, he encounters Tet, a mysterious being who offers him the chance to be a god if he agrees to help Tet in the game world. Intrigued by this proposal, Shiro takes on the challenge and arrives in another world–a world that’s both unfamiliar and frighteningly similar to what he knows about life on Earth.
1. The World God Only Knows
It is the story of a boy, studying in a high school, who is an expert in winning the attention of all the girls by playing video games. However, he signs a contract with a demon unknowingly and has to win the hearts of all the girls who lost their souls to the demon.
If he does not win the games, then the collar around his neck that the demon gave him would explode, and he might lose his life- for real.
