Advert
Advert
These are both titles that appeal to broad audiences, breaking down a small boundary between general anime lovers and video game fans which, I’ll admit, is almost a Venn diagram. However, if you love games of all types and want to get into some great anime, you might be wondering where to start. After all, a quick browse of Crunchyroll, the leading anime streaming service, will show there are hundreds of options.
So, as a self-confessed weeb, and an avid gamer of over 30 years, I wanted to take a moment to recommend some of the great anime currently showing, or recently finished, that will scratch the itch of offering up a gaming-like experience.
Shangri-La Frontier
Crunchyroll
Advert
Advert
This anime is just starting its second season and follows a character called Rakuro Hizutome, a guy who loves to play the worst games ever made. He adores ‘trash’ games - the more bugs and glitches, the better. Playing these games has made him an elite gamer and one day he seeks to try out a very good game instead and starts to play Shangri-La Frontier.
Solo Levelling
Crunchyroll
Advert
Advert
His strength builds, he grows taller and more muscular. His skills improve and while he’s still classed as a Rank E hunter, he can outperform and outbattle some of the best in the business. Gamers will recognise so many tropes from gaming here, from the act of levelling up, to the assignment of skills and buying weapons through menus. It’s bloody, brutal, and brimming with darkness.
Recovery of an MMO Junkie
Crunchyroll
Advert
Advert
Then there’s the more light-heartedRecovery of an MMO Junkiewhich takes a look at a growing problem in the world of games, but does so with bags of heart. It’s often incredibly funny, especially if you’ve ever caught yourself thinking about an MMO, or gaming generally, while doing other things.
It’s more of a ‘slice of life’ anime, than anything bursting with adventure and action, but the connection to gaming is one that proves to be an accessible entry point for those wanting to explore anime further. Morioka Moriko is a great protagonist and her dealings with every day life are often charming, especially when she begins to find love.
.hack//SIGN
Adult Swim
Advert
Advert
It would be remiss of me not to include.hack//SIGNon this list as it’s probably one of the most popular examples of gaming infiltrating anime. It’s showing its age a little now, as it came out in 2002, but that does at least mean it’s finished and you can watch the whole thing. The show is a slow-burn mystery that takes place in ‘The World’, an MMO-style game. This is where Tsukasa awakens and begins to meet a variety of characters.
It doesn’t feature much action, but what it does have is a wealth of great moments that focus on a strong cast of characters and some heavy and meaningful topics like anxiety, relationships, and escapism through media. This is definitely one to watch if you prefer the in-depth chats within RPGs over the combat.
Overlord
Crunchyroll
With some tremendous world-building and a cast of unforgettable characters,Overlorddoes a great job of creating a place you want to experience as a game. I often left episodes just wishing there was an equivalent game for me to play, and that goes a long way to pulling you into the story. If you always find yourself loving the bad guy, or at least rooting for them, this one is for you as the villains are superb.
Topics:Anime,TV And Film,Opinion
