Anime creators are increasingly turning to video games for inspiration. However, adapting a video game into anime is tricky. Studios need to please dedicated fans who love the game’s details while also creating something enjoyable for viewers who aren’t familiar with it.
The most insightful games cleverly use their rules to represent deeper themes. For example, repeating levels might symbolize emotional struggles, character progression can mirror personal growth, and challenging enemies can become tests of a character’s values. This is where gameplay and storytelling really come together.
10. Persona 5: The Animation
Although the animation doesn’t quite match the excitement of the game’s battles, Persona 5: The Animation still powerfully conveys the emotional story of the Phantom Thieves. The characters are as engaging as ever, and the cool, modern setting of Tokyo works perfectly with the show’s supernatural elements. It closely follows the game’s plot, but sometimes feels a little slow because it’s adapting so much material.
The series is at its best when exploring how the characters interact and the complicated ethics of taking the law into their own hands to improve society. Even though it’s not a game anymore, Ren Amamiya’s story still feels powerful. The animation beautifully recreates the game’s distinctive red and black style, making it fun to watch whether you’re already a fan or completely new to the story.
9. Dragon’s Dogma
Netflix’s adaptation of Dragon’s Dogma takes some creative freedoms with Capcom’s fantasy world, focusing on a character’s exploration of the seven deadly sins. While the 3D animation has received mixed reactions, the show excels at building a detailed and bleak fantasy world that feels harsh and realistic.
The show’s format, built around individual stories, delves into themes of right and wrong and feelings of hopelessness, making it more than just a typical monster-hunting adventure. While the show’s visuals have been a point of contention among fans, its somber mood is a natural fit for the world of Dragon’s Dogma. It’s an imperfect but memorable series that will stay with those who enjoy thoughtful, unhurried narratives.
8. The World Ends With You: The Animation
This new version reimagines Square Enix’s beloved DS game with a vibrant, graffiti-style look. While the anime condenses the original story, sometimes rushing emotional moments, it still captures the game’s rebellious spirit and the energetic, chaotic atmosphere of Shibuya.
Neku, the main character, grows believably from a loner into someone who understands others. The music perfectly captures the energetic feel of the city and really brings back memories of youth culture from the 2000s. While not flawless, the game delivers a genuinely touching and visually striking story.
7. Tales of Zestiria the X
Watching Tales of Zestiria the X was a real visual treat – Ufotable truly outdid themselves. The anime doesn’t just retell the game’s story; it builds on it, even weaving in connections to Tales of Berseria to create a bigger, more connected world. I was especially impressed by how smoothly the fight scenes flowed and the breathtaking beauty of the environments – it really raised the standard for how RPGs can look in anime form.
This adaptation improves upon the game’s story by delving deeper into the philosophical conflicts between humans and angels. This creates a more emotionally resonant experience with a well-paced, cinematic feel. Visually and in terms of its detailed world, it’s a stunning achievement.
6. Pokémon: Origins
Before recent series like Pokémon Journeys and Chronicles, Pokémon: Origins offered a return to the very beginning – the world of the original Red and Blue games. Unlike other Pokémon adaptations, Origins captured the feel of the games, faithfully recreating iconic moments like the story in Lavender Town and the battle with Mewtwo, and presenting a more mature tone.
I was really struck by how tightly-told this miniseries is. It doesn’t waste any time, which makes the emotional moments hit even harder. What I especially appreciated was how it honored the original games and the feelings fans have about them, but also kept things feeling real and focused on the characters’ drive. For anyone who grew up with Pokémon, this feels like the perfect way to connect the game’s story with the anime we all know.
5. Danganronpa: The Animation
This series perfectly captures the unique, energetic feel of the original visual novel, including its over-the-top trials and eccentric characters. It matches the fast pace and bizarre nature of Danganronpa, blending mystery, horror, and dark comedy. While it’s definitely chaotic, that chaos feels purposeful and well-executed.
Although some viewers feel the show moves too quickly, its fast pace actually captures the stressful feeling of the original game. The striking visuals, full of bright colors and unsettling imagery, feel like another character in the story. It’s a strangely enjoyable experience that really delivers on both the bleakness and the over-the-top action.
4. Castlevania
Castlevania set a new standard for video game adaptations. The Netflix series transforms Konami’s classic gothic adventure into a powerful, action-packed story filled with emotion and scope. The writing, by Warren Ellis, makes the fantastical battles feel real by focusing on human struggles, political intrigue, and heartbreaking loss.
The animation, voice acting, and music work together to create something truly impressive. The characters of Trevor, Sypha, and Alucard are much more complex and realistic than in the original game, becoming heroes with depth and flaws. The Castlevania anime isn’t simply a faithful adaptation—it reimagines the classic story, establishing itself as one of the most highly regarded dark fantasy anime series available.
3. Steins;Gate
Based on the popular visual novel by Nitroplus and 5pb, Steins;Gate is widely considered one of the most emotionally powerful and intricate time travel stories ever created. Instead of focusing on flashy effects, it builds its impact through well-developed characters and smart storytelling. The science fiction aspects feel realistic, and the story unfolds gradually, culminating in a deeply moving and impactful conclusion.
Rintarou Okabe’s journey—from a quirky, self-proclaimed “mad scientist” to a broken man facing harsh realities—is brilliantly portrayed. The story expertly blends the silliness of time loops with genuinely painful outcomes. Steins;Gate continues to be the best example of a visual novel successfully adapted into animation, and very few works have achieved the same level of thoughtful impact.
2. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
The anime Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, a collaboration between CD Projekt Red and Studio Trigger, was a surprising hit. It brought the world of Night City to life, portraying it as a vibrant, dangerous, and ultimately heartbreaking place. The show’s visuals perfectly captured the feeling of a fast-paced, neon-lit dystopia.
The story of David and Lucy truly embodies the spirit of the Cyberpunk 2077 universe, even more effectively than the game does. Its powerfully emotional ending made it one of the most discussed anime series in recent years. It’s gritty, defiant, and brilliantly made – a true cyberpunk masterpiece.
1. Arcane
Arcane isn’t a direct translation of the League of Legends game into a show. Instead, it expands on the rich world and history the game has created over the years. The series takes the established stories and characters and presents them as if they exist in a fully realized world, not just as elements of a game. Fans of the game will enjoy seeing familiar lore come to life, while newcomers can still appreciate the show as a character-driven story with compelling conflicts. This approach is a clever way to build a successful animated series based on a game.
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2026-02-03 22:14