Recently I counted down the top 5 worst game anime I had ever watched. As a counter point, this week I want to look at the top 5 game anime that I’ve watched.
Whether these games are computer, boards games or other doesn’t really matter. As long as a game is central to the premise of the anime and the anime was enjoyable to watch it is in contention for this list. Which actually means those of you who have followed my blog for a long time will probably already know which anime will be number 1.
As always, this list is just my opinion so feel free to throw your favourites into the comment section below.
Best Game Anime No. 5: Bofuri
I thought about this one for awhile but Bofuri was just too cute to pass up. Immersive RPG’s feature heavily in a lot of anime as death games or trapped in a game, but having a fantasy game that the characters are just playing for fun and enjoying is a little bit different. Even the online gaming community in Bofuri are nice (as hard to imagine as that might be).
If you are after high stakes or tension, Bofuri isn’t going to provide it. Main character Maple is cute as can be and literally just playing for fun. She’s also completely over-powered, or at least her defense is, so don’t even think about taking her on.
Honestly, Bofuri deserves a place on the best game anime list because it really just reminds you how much fun playing games can be.
Best Game Anime No. 4: Sword Art Online
Okay, this is one people love to hate on but I’ve always loved the original Sword Art Online series. I loved the way Kirito ultimately made his peace with living in Aincrad even as he continued to try to clear it.
Also, aside from the whole you die in real life thing, Aincrad looks like a great world to explore and I kind of wish full dive RPG’s were actually a thing because I’d love to spend some time in that world. I doubt I’d get very far up the tower but I’d certainly have fun poking about and exploring.
Anyway, Sword Art Online is one of those anime that holds a special place in my heart (again, at least the first season) and so was always going to have a spot on a list of best game anime.
Best Game Anime No. 3: Recovery of an MMO Junkie
Recovery of an MMO Junkie might be better defined as a rom-com than a game anime however the game and the freedom it gives the characters from their lives is pivotal to the ongoing plot. And again, it is one of those cool fantasy worlds that just seems fun to spend time in.
Like Bofuri, this one is fairly relaxed viewing and in this case the older characters in the leads really did win me over as I kind of enjoyed spending time with them and watching the romance slowly form.
Again, don’t expect high stakes from the game world as it is more a setting for the story to happen rather than the driving force of the plot, but do expect some cute in-game moments.
Best Game Anime No. 2: Death Parade
Would you like a variety of games where the stakes couldn’t be higher? Death Parade has you covered. This game anime features a new game each week as two souls arrive in a bar and are judged. While some of the games are quite simple (darts or similar) there’s always a wicked twist.
While Death Parade has its issues as a series, the largest being that a lot of the potential world exploration never happens, each of the games is intriguing and learning more about the bar-tender and his assistant is certainly fun.
Though, this one is definitely on the darker side dealing with death and some of the darker sides of human nature. The boppy opening theme doesn’t exactly prepare you for the slow and contemplative episodes that follow, however the whole package is quite entertaining.
Best Game Anime No. 1: March Comes in Like a Lion
Yes, those of you who have read my blog for awhile will know about my obsession with March Comes in Like a Lion with its heavy shogi focus. Forget best game anime, March is one of my favourite anime in any category. It is a shame because there’s another shogi anime, Shion no Ou, that is actually pretty impressive with a murder mystery running through it but it can’t hold a candle to March (at least for me).
Tense game play, interesting characters, great visuals, and an overall brilliant emotional experience, I can’t really stop singing the praises of March Comes in Like a Lion. The only real caveat on that is that if you don’t like slow story telling you probably won’t click with this one but it is worth trying if you’ve never seen it.
Thank-you for reading 100 Word Anime.
Join the discussion in the comments.
Karandi James
Amazing! new follower here.
Adding my voice to those recommending “Chihayafuru”. Great show.
Enjoyed your the list. One that would be on my list is the game of kurata from Chihayafuru.
Well that’s a second call for Chihayafuru. I really need to get around to watching that anime at some point.
A few years ago I started to watch Chihayafuru and was really enjoying it, and then for some reason I just stopped. Can’t remember why anymore. But when I was sharing some of my “best” game anime last week (Saki et. al.) I wanted to list Chihayafuru but didn’t feel like I’d gotten far enough in to justify it. So I decided to watch it again, starting over from episode 1, and this time I blew through the whole first season in five days. Which is saying something for me because there aren’t many 12 episode anime that get me revved up enough to watch start to finish in five days, never mind a 25 episode anime. And yes, it is now without question joining my “best game anime” group (and I haven’t even started season 2 yet!). So thank you for inspiring me to finally pick that back up again.
Of the ones you listed, Lion was another one I started to watch and thought it was good and then stopped for no good reason I can remember, Death Parade has been in my Funi queue for a long time without my ever getting around to it, and while I’ve never had much interest in watching SAO I did read the manga adaptation of Aincrad, so I at least know the story.
Chihayafuru is one that has been in my to be watched list for a long time.
BOFURI and MMO Junkie are fantastic series, though in different ways.
They are both pretty calming to watch and I think really celebrate the positives of gaming.
Definitely. I kinda wish more online gaming were like that in reality.
aye! March and MMO Junkie for the win. Its been so long since I’ve actually watched SAO that I honestly don’t have the energy to hate it.
I wonder if we’ll get a 3rd season of March. I just love that series.
That would be interesting, but I think the second season lines up with the end of the manga, so I’m guessing not.
That’s kind of sad because I love spending time with those characters and they have so much further to go.
yeah, I feel you on that. I think I’m more or less satisfied with how it ended, especially seeing Rei get some resolution with his family.