Anime and video games have always been linked, which is why it’s no surprise that the best anime inspired by video games are truly incredible pieces of art. The creation of one media can inspire another; this is true of many things including in anime adaptations of popular properties. The existence of these anime adaptations can help provide fans with more time spent in those worlds, with those characters, and give them a chance to revist the story in a new way. Audiences might even start with the anime series and find themselves inspired to play the game. Either way, these two mediums clearly build on each other.
Fans of video games and anime alike will appreciate these anime adaptations of popular video games, which frame and tell their stories in an exciting new way. The interactivity of video games is something impossible to replicate in other mediums. Still, the best anime inspired by video games are able to capture the same feelings and emotions their source material first evoked.
10 Tales of Symphonia: The Animation
Tales of Symphonia: The Animation tells the story of two worlds where one can only prosper at the expense of the other. In one of these worlds, the Chosen Colette Brunel sets out on a journey with protectors to restore the mana of their world, Sylvarant. Symphonia is responsible for making the Tales of franchise popular in the states, and the game’s anime adaptation perfectly captures what made Symphonia’s story so special. The animation first aired in Japan in June 2007 and contains three total seasons—a sequel series called Tales of Symphonia The Animation: Tethe’alla Episode and an additional sequel titled Tales of Symphonia the Animation: The United World Episode.
9 The World Ends With You: The Animation
The World Ends With You: The Animation is the animated adaptation of the hit roleplaying game that originally released on the Nintendo DS. The game’s unique style is brought to thrilling life as the anime series adapts the story of Neku Sakuraba. Neku wakes up in another dimension, unable to remember what happened, and must play along with the enigmatic Reapers’ Game in order to survive and find a way out. There, he meets and works alongside a variety of characters as they fight against creatures called Noise and complete several missions in order to win. The anime was released in 2021, is available to stream on Crunchyroll, and features an incredible soundtrack just like the game.
8 The Persona Series
There are several Persona animated series and films which were created in response to the game series’ overwhelming success. Person 3, 4, and 5 all have animated adaptations for those looking to experience their stories in a different form. Each adaptation follows the game’s specified protagonists on their respective journeys as they make friends, fight shadows, and face incalculable odds. Persona 5, one of the more recent games, had its anime version released in a 26-episode series in 2018, which was then followed by special episodes released in 2018 and 2019. Persona has always had an anime aesthetic and the plots of its games often use character archetypes and tropes popularized by anime, making the numerous anime adaptations a seamless translation of the games.
7 Ace Attorney
The Ace Attorney anime is based on the beloved Ace Attorney visual novel games by Capcom. Although there are numerous games following a variety of different protagonists, the current anime focuses specifically on Phoenix Wright and his budding career as a defense attorney. With new friends at his side, Phoenix represents various individuals and tackles the mystery of their unique cases in court, where all truths are eventually revealed. The anime presently has two seasons, for a total of 47 episodes, with the most recent season having been released in 2019. Ace Attorney was always a more story-driven video game franchise, making the legal adventures of Phoenix and his friends a natural fit for anime.
6 Castlevania
The Castlevania games are a horror action-adventure series developed by Konami which serves as inspiration for the anime adaptation. Said series, which is available on Netflix, centers on Trevor Belmont, the last living member of the Belmont monster-hunter family. Trevor, on a mission to take down Dracula, eventually joins forces with a powerful magician called Sypha and Dracula’s son, Alucard. Since it first aired in 2017, Castlevania has a total of four seasons and a new series set to release in late September called Castlevania: Nocturne. More than just a standard adaptation though, Castlevania is a smart reinterpretation of the original games and characters, marking it as one of the best animated series based on a video game.
5 Pokémon
The ever-popular game series Pokémon inspired an animated series back in 1997 that has been going strong for 26 seasons with a handful of spinoffs. The original anime followed the adventures of brand-new Pokémon trainer Ash Ketchum and his buddy Pikachu as they traveled the world making new friends, exploring new places, meeting new Pokémon, and making countless memories. Recently, it was revealed that Ash and Pikachu would no longer be the main characters in the latest series, Pokémon Horizons: The Series. Many fans are understandably sad to see the iconic protagonists’ departure earlier this year, though it is possible they’ll make a return in the future. Regardless of their potential return, Ash and Pikachu’s adventures are some of the most iconic anime inspired by a video game ever.
4 Digimon Adventure
Technically, the Digimon franchise started out with Digimon as virtual pets, which then evolved into a game and, shortly after, an animated series in 1999. Regardless of the specifics, the Digimon animated series is a well-known adaptation that started with Digimon Adventure, which saw seven kids transported into what is referred to as The Digital World by strange devices that appeared to them at summer camp. Digimon Adventure is famous for it surprising focus on building character, with each of the original Digi-destined being distinct characters. Though Pokémon is easily the more famous of the two, it’s Digimon that’s the better anime inspired by a videogame.
3 .hack//Sign
The .hack/sign anime actually came out around the same time as the first .hack game in the series, both being released in 2002. The anime follows main character Tsukasa whose mind is trapped in a virtual fantasy game called The World. Tsukasa’s journeys in The World are filled with mystery, as are the circumstances surrounding the real life of Tsukasa and the other characters they meet in the game. Arguably the prototypical Isekai story, .hack//Sign impressed video game fans with a fresh premise and an intriguing mystery. .hack//Sign might not be as popular as many other anime based on video games, but it’s undeniably one of the most influential.
2 Resident Evil Animated Films
The Resident Evil animated films are based off of the hit horror video game series, Resident Evil (Biohazard in Japan), by Capcom. Existing within the continuity of the game franchise, the Resident Evil animated films typically star several of the games’ main characters. The cast often includes iconic characters such as Chris Redfield, Leon S. Kennedy, Jill Valentine, Claire Redfield, and Rebecca Chambers all contending with worldwide bioweapon disasters. The most recent animated film, titled Resident Evil: Death Island, was released in July 2023 and chronicles what these characters were up to during the in-game year of 2015. Though the Resident Evil animated films have problems, all of them are fun romps that fans of the hit horror franchise are sure to love.
1 Final Fantasy XV: Brotherhood
Final Fantasy XV: Brotherhood is an original animated series based on the characters and world of Final Fantasy XV. The series contains five episodes that detail each character’s origins and their relationship to protagonist Noctis while all four of them continue their journey to Altissia. Brotherhood gives fans the opportunity to learn more about these beloved characters and see even more of the strength of their bonds. Originally released in March 2016, Brotherhood was technically out before the game, which was available that November, and helped give audiences more insight into the world and characters. An additional computer-animated film called Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV was also released in the same year.
The best adaptations of beloved video games prove how media can work together to further develop the worlds, characters, and stories of a franchise. Additionally, they provide possible fans with the opportunity to experience some stories from video games that they might not have time to experience in video game form. For the additional stories that they provide and more, the best anime inspired by video games are all well worth seeking out.
