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There are many anime based on videogames in the animeverse that the audience is unaware of. Even popular shows such as Daganronpa and Fate/ Stay Night are based on videogames. Such adaptations enrich the anime world and also add variety to anime genres.
Just as video games have inspired anime, there are a lot of anime, that have inspired video games, e.g.- Psycho-Pass, Black Clover, etc. The piece will focus on the 5 best anime based on video games and discuss the other 5 that deserve to be adapted into video games.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are solely those of the author.
5 best anime based on videogames
1) Nier Automata Ver 1.1a
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The 2023 anime Nier Automata Ver 1.1a adapts the plot from the 2017 action-role-playing anime of the same anime. The plot is set in a futuristic world of the year 11945 when alien-made robots and human-made androids are fighting over the dominance of Earth.
While the game is noted for actions, the anime focuses on the backstory and shows a clear plot development with criticism of high-end technical advances. The anime has high-definition graphics to match the video game. It captured the essence of the videogame well and was highly appreciated by fans.
2) Fate/Stay Night
The 2004 visual novel game- Fate/Stay Night has been a popular Medieval fantasy game. Soon after the game's success, an anime of the same name was released in 2006 and has been a success since then.
The plot is loosely based on the “Holy Grail War” and conquering it. The plot offers various well-written characters and thrilling fighting scenes. Although the plot mostly focuses on Shirou Emiya, it also shows the development of other characters in the story. Fate/Stay Night is one of the most popular anime based on videogames.
3) Castlevania
The 1984 videogame franchise, Castlevania, has been adapted often throughout the years, however, the best one should be the 2017 Netflix-adapted anime Castlevania. It is a medieval fantasy anime that follows the lives of Belmont and his companions while they fight against Vlad Dracula Tepes.
The plot offers sensitive themes like social alienation, paranoia, and genocide with top-notch action scenes to match the videogame environment. It is one of the most popular anime based on videogames.
4) Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
The 2023 cyberpunk anime, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is one of the most acclaimed anime based on videogames. The plot is set in the futuristic world of the year 2076. It talks about a deranged world where cybernetics has corrupted the human mind, and humanity has lost its value.
The plot follows the life of David Martinez, a high-tech black-market mercenary, and his lover Lucy. The anime serves as a prequel to the original video game. Focusing on the protagonist the anime shows how one is driven towards crime, how society devours the poor and weak.
5) Steins; Gate
Steins; Gate, a visual interactive game by 5pb & Nitroplus, is quite unpopular as a videogame. But, the anime adaptation of this video game offers one of the best sci-fi anime of all time.
The plot revolves around the mad scientist Rintora Okabe and his companions. Okabe and her friends accidentally develop a machine that can send text messages into the past and change the future. Eventually, they get to a point where they can send human consciousness into the past as well.
However, the team gets targeted by SERN and the plot gets more and more complicated with every episode. Okabe gets involved in a vortex of Mayuri and Kurisu’s deaths, trying to save both of them. Steins; Gate is undoubtedly the best anime based on videogames.
5 anime that deserve their own game
1) Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai
The 2018 psychological thriller anime Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai has a suspenseful plot with comic relief. The plot revolves around the lives of Sakuta Azusagawa and Mai Sakurajima.
The anime is an exploration of the adolescent lives of young high school students. The mysterious phenomenon of “adolescence syndrome” intensifies the plot, making it more interesting. Rascal Does Not Dream can be adapted into a fantastic mystery dating video game with VR.
2) Blue Eye Samurai
The 2023 Netflix original series Blue Eye Samurai was an absolute hit as a martial arts anime. The anime offers themes like alienation, ethnic cleansing, and revenge. The plot is set in the Edo Period and revolves around a mixed-breed girl, Mizu, and her path of revenge against her father.
Although the anime has a complex storyline, it is an action anime with multiple fights between Mizu, and other samurais and mercenaries. The anime has intriguing fight scenes in various locations. This anime is perfect for an RPG video game like Shadow Fight 3 with multiple arcs.
3) Hell's Paradise
Hell’s Paradise, with its theological and philosophical criticism of society and power, is probably the best new anime released in 2023. The anime follows the life of an immortal Ninja Gabimaru. Who’s known as Gabimaru: The Hollow,
In the anime, Gabimaru and other criminals are dropped in Shinsenkyo to find “The Elixir of Life”. Each of the criminals will have a Yamada Asaemon assigned to them to monitor their activity.
The plot offers horrific fighting scenes between criminals, and Soshins and Moshinns. The plot can be easily adapted into a battle royal game or an action game with VR experiences.
4) Parasyte : The Maxim
Parasyte: The Maxim is the best option to be adapted into a new-age Resident Evil game. The 2014 anime, offers a plot based on an all-out fight between an alien “parasite” species and humans.
The plot mostly follows Shinichi Izumi’s fight against parasite-possessed humans. In the anime, Izumi and his companions constantly fight against the parasites to save human lives. The anime has a lot of bloody scenes and offers a perfect plot for an action game.
5) Paranoia Agent
The 2004 anime Paranoia Agent has a paradoxical avat-garde storyline with multiple interconnected plots. The plot is based on a social phenomenon- "Lil' Slugger incidents". The story blurs out the distinction between reality and imagination and puts the audience in a paranoic haze.
Paranoia Agent offers themes such as mythogenesis, the role of social media, and mass hysteria. It can easily be developed in a psychological horror game, like P.T. or Serial Experiment Lain (an anime based on videogames).
Final Thoughts
Adaptation is one of the most significant ways to enrich cultural media. It started with books being adapted into movies and now even videogames are being adapted into movies, anime, and more. Anime based on videogames showcases, the creativity and mutual respect of both the writer and the adaptor.
Over the years, many videogames have been adapted into anime, and many anime plots have inspired videogame creators. Anime based videogames like Attack on Titan: Wings of Freedom, and Psycho-Pass: Mandatory Happiness offer an interactive experience to the players, which can be very refreshing for the fans.
