10 Greatest Anime About Playing

The finest anime about playing are among the medium’s most participating and thrilling titles, that includes suspenseful atmospheres and charming thoughts video games full of peculiar tips and surprising methods. Whether or not the stakes are excessive or low, these titles make every psychological duel as compelling as among the finest and most memorable anime fights.

As area of interest because the playing theme could seem, this medium is artistic and various sufficient for creators to determine quite a lot of methods to include playing parts of their storytelling. From grounded tales that includes lifelike video games and palpable pressure, to these distinguished by way of their fantastical or supernatural twists, each good playing title leverages its dramatic setting to ship entertaining twists and thrilling resolutions.

10 Kakegurui (2017)

Produced by MAPPA and Based mostly on the Manga by Homura Kawamoto & Tooru Naomura

Hyakkaou Non-public Academy is a prestigious college attended solely by the elite, making ready wealthy college students for his or her probably predetermined careers in enterprise and politics. Nonetheless, unbeknownst to outsiders, it turns into a very totally different institution at evening, akin solely to essentially the most questionable playing dens, changing the educational topics with bluffing, deceit, and manipulating folks. When Yumeko Jabami transfers into the varsity, everyone seems to be shocked by her unusual character – she performs to not win, however relatively purely to benefit from the thrill of playing.

Kakegurui is well one of the vital iconic playing anime, and rightfully so. Nothing about it’s even remotely lifelike, however the absurdity of the video games, the stakes, and the characters’ reactions are precisely what makes it so enjoyable to look at. That includes a various forged of characters who’re unapologetically hooked on the chance of playing, in addition to quite a lot of intriguing video games and situations that shock viewers with surprising resolutions, that is undoubtedly one of the vital entertaining and underrated anime titles on Netflix.

Watch on Netflix

9 [C] CONTROL – The Cash and Soul of Risk (2011)

Unique Sequence Produced by Tatsunoko Manufacturing

Following Japan’s financial collapse, many voters are affected by the implications, with each unemployment and crime charges consistently on the rise. In such a society, Kimimaro Yoga, a troubled college pupil, goals of nothing however a steady life. When a mysterious stranger affords him a life-changing sum of money at the price of his “future“, Kimimaro accepts, unaware of the truth that he’s about to be pulled into the damaging world of the Monetary District, the place the one approach to hold his cash and shield his future is profitable weekly duels referred to as “offers“.

[C] CONTROL – The Cash and Soul of Risk reveals the lengths that persons are keen to go to for cash, one thing that has change into as important to life because the air people breathe. Regardless of the story’s sci-fi setting, the characters’ strategy to monetary motivations is lifelike, and their improvement is likewise compelling. Furthermore, the title additionally explores real-life financial ideas in a manner that makes them concurrently intriguing and entertaining, mixing social commentary with the fun of high-stakes video games.

Watch on Funimation

8 Saki (2009)

Produced by Gonzo & Image Magic and Based mostly on the Manga by Ritz Kobayashi

Saki Miyanaga has a troubled relationship with mahjong, as her household would at all times be displeased whether or not she gained or misplaced. Consequently, she developed the uncommon talent of at all times sustaining a plus-minus zero rating all through the sport, which needs to be unattainable. After being dragged by a pal to her college mahjong’s membership, Saki’s expertise stuns her friends, and he or she finally ends up experiencing the enjoyment of profitable a correct recreation for the primary time. Together with her newfound love for mahjong and a gaggle of like-minded buddies, Saki and the remainder of the membership goal for the nationals.

Saki tells a surprisingly intense and splendidly chaotic story about mahjong. In comparison with different playing anime, it options decrease stakes and much much less pressure, choosing a extra light-hearted strategy as an alternative, however this solely serves to present it a extra distinct id. Moreover, although most might not comprehend it, mahjong is formally acknowledged as a sport, very similar to chess, making this one of many most uncommon sports activities anime titles.

Watch on Crunchyroll

7 Dying Parade (2015)

Unique Sequence Produced by Madhouse

When folks consider the afterlife, most would visualize the duality of Heaven and Hell. Nonetheless, pairs who die on the identical time are dropped at neither of those locations, however relatively to Quindecim, an opulent bar attended by the enigmatic bartender Decim, who additionally performs the function of the arbiter – deciding whether or not the souls of the useless are to be reincarnated or banished to the void. The catch is that, whereas gamers are satisfied that the end result of the video games they play determines their destiny, Decim bases his choices on the conduct they exhibit.

Dying Parade focuses on the human nature in relation to playing, exhibiting the ideas and feelings that individuals expertise when dealing with the chance of shedding video games which will as effectively value their lives. Past the distinctive setting and intriguing premise, nevertheless, it stands out as a thought-provoking title that does not hesitate to debate profound subjects which are usually ignored, equivalent to existentialism, life and demise, and the paradox of morality and the inherent problem of judgment.

Associated

10 Greatest Dying Sport Anime

The Dying Sport style is one in all anime’s most iconic, working the gamut from entertainingly edgy schlock to highly effective critiques of humanity.

Watch on Crunchyroll

6 Nice Pretender (2020)

Unique Sequence Produced by Wit Studio

Because of surprising life-changing occasions, Makoto Edamura has needed to flip to petty crime for a residing, reaching a degree the place he takes nice satisfaction in his expertise as a swindler. Nonetheless, when he decides to focus on what seems to be a clueless French vacationer, Makoto finally ends up because the sufferer as an alternative, falling into the lure set by the extra skilled con artist Laurent Thierry, and unwillingly becoming a member of him and his eccentric associates in a world of fraud that extends far past the dimensions Makoto is used to.

Though it would not revolve totally round playing, Nice Pretender options related high-stakes instances and thrilling developments which are usually present in playing anime. Furthermore, playing and betting on totally different competitions are actions that happen a number of instances all through the collection, sometimes with the intent of exhibiting how such actions may be linked to fraud and deceit. All in all, because of its intelligent writing and charming motion, Nice Pretender reminds viewers of what makes the heist style so entertaining.

Watch on Netflix

5 No Sport, No Life (2014)

Produced by Madhouse and Based mostly on the Gentle Novel by Yuu Kamiya

Uninterested in life’s uninspiring every day occasions and lack of attention-grabbing challenges, stepsiblings Sora and Shiro spend most of their time dominating aggressive strategic video games beneath the username “Clean“. After accepting the invitation of a mysterious stranger who’s taken an curiosity of their otherworldly expertise, they discover themselves earlier than Tet, the god of a world named Disboard, in a spot the place all the pieces is set by way of video games. Impressed by the would-be sovereign of Disboard’s human kingdom, Sora and Shiro determine to save lots of humanity.

As its title implies, No Sport, No Life depicts a world the place each determination, irrespective of how essential, is dependent upon video games. Although it might not function playing within the conventional sense of the phrase, the psychological video games portrayed therein are simply as charming as these of the most effective playing anime, and the stakes are simply as excessive, if not greater. Having gained a cult following because of its attention-grabbing, colourful world, and riveting technique video games, that is additionally one of many finest isekai anime for followers who’re new to the theme.

Watch on HiDive

4 Legendary Gambler Tetsuya (2000)

Produced by Toei Animation and Based mostly on the Manga by Fuumei Sai & Yasushi Hoshino

As a consequence of World Conflict II, Japan’s financial state was set again drastically, shedding a big portion of the developments that they had made all through the years within the type of spectacular industrial vegetation and progressive infrastructure. Within the Shinjuku of 1947, many may hardly afford even the requirements, resorting to something to outlive, together with playing. Tetsuya Asada spends his days touring to totally different mahjong parlors and difficult varied opponents. Nonetheless, after encountering Boshu, Tetsuya realizes that talent is simply as essential as luck.

Regardless of its age, Legendary Gambler Tetsuya stays a compelling old-school title concerning the complexities of mahjong. Although viewers who’ve a grasp on the principles of the sport usually tend to perceive and respect the continuing occasions, anybody can benefit from the sight of a recreation that’s progressively evolving when it comes to problem and talent ranges. Above all, this title seeks to depict the varied strategies that individuals usually make use of to cheat when playing, in addition to the best way to outsmart and acquire the higher hand on such gamers.

3 Akagi (2005)

Produced by Madhouse and Based mostly on the Manga by Nobuyuki Fukumoto

Affected by a playing habit that has brought about him to build up a debt of over three million yen, Nangou proposes one last recreation to the yakuza, the end result of which is to find out whether or not his debt is absolutely cleared, or if he pays together with his life as an alternative. Sadly for Nangou, the chances don’t appear to be in his favor as the sport progresses. However his luck turns round as Shigeru Akagi wanders into the mahjong parlor by probability. After studying just a few guidelines, the younger boy rapidly astonishes everybody together with his unparalleled expertise and self-determination.

Regardless of not reaching almost the identical heights as the unique creator’s extra recognizable title, Kaiji: Final Survivor, Akagi tells an equally compelling and suspenseful story a couple of genius mahjong participant who’s certain to shock and hold viewers engaged all through the collection. To Shigeru Akagi, mahjong is however an opportunity to research and manipulate his opponents, as he resorts to surprising strategies, even going so far as to threat his personal life, all to make sure that he can psychologically have an effect on his rivals.

Watch on Crunchyrol

2 One Outs (2008)

Produced by Madhouse and Based mostly on the Manga by Shinobu Kaitani

When Hiromichi Kojima, the star batter of Saikyou Saitama Lycaons, a struggling baseball crew, goes to Okinawa hoping to coach himself, he comes throughout an surprising diamond within the tough, specifically Toua Tokuchi. Recognized for fastballs which are almost unattainable to hit, Toua has made a reputation for himself in a recreation often called “One Outs“, whereby a pitcher and a batter face off with cash on the road. Hiromichi manages to recruit Toua, however solely with a particular situation – he’s to earn 5 million yen for each out pitched, and lose fifty million for each level misplaced.

One Outs effortlessly blends sports activities with playing to inform an unprecedented story about an athlete who, regardless of proving inferior when it comes to bodily power and traditional expertise, manages to come back out on high as a result of manner he depends on his understanding of the human psyche. To Toua, pitching shouldn’t be a matter of merely throwing a ball as laborious as he can, however relatively an opportunity to play a thoughts recreation together with his opponent, studying their feelings and manipulating them as if playing in opposition to them.

1 Kaiji: Final Survivor (2007)

Produced by Madhouse and Based mostly on the Manga by Nobuyuki Fukumoto

Kaiji Itou lives a directionless existence, losing his days away till a debt collector comes and modifications the trajectory of his life perpetually. Supposedly, one in all his former co-workers, whose mortgage Kaiji had co-signed, didn’t repay his debt and ran away, leaving Kaiji as the only particular person to undergo the implications of this unpaid mortgage. Informed that there’s a probability for him to become profitable and escape this burden, Kaiji finally ends up boarding a ship the place debtors like him must take part in harmful playing tournaments to earn their freedom again.

Regardless of its easy premise and distinctly tough artwork fashion, Kaiji: Final Survivor stays an unparalleled masterpiece within the realm of playing tales. Kaiji is a flawed but lifelike protagonist, whose journey is wholly charming and filled with thrilling scenes. Not solely does the collection take after basic titles like JoJo’s Weird Journey, in the best way that each scene feels absurdly severe, nevertheless it additionally consists of all the pieces followers love about playing anime, from enthralling high-stakes video games to surprising revelations, making it one of many finest anime about playing of all time.

Watch on Crunchyroll