The Ultimate List of Must-Watch Anime Adapted from Video Games

Anime and video games have always been intertwined, leading to the emergence of truly remarkable anime inspired by video games. The creation of one form of media can serve as a catalyst for the creation of another, and this is particularly evident in anime adaptations of beloved video game franchises. These adaptations allow fans to delve deeper into the worlds and narratives they love, offering a fresh perspective on familiar stories. In some cases, viewers may even be inspired to play the corresponding video game after experiencing the anime. It is clear that these two mediums feed off each other, resulting in a symbiotic relationship. Fans of both video games and anime will undoubtedly appreciate these adaptations, as they skillfully reimagine and retell stories in a captivating and thrilling manner. While the interactive nature of video games cannot be replicated, the finest anime adaptations of video games successfully capture the same emotions and sensations that made the original source material so impactful.

10 Tales of Symphonia: The Animation

9 The World Ends With You: The Animation

Two worlds are depicted in Tales of Symphonia: The Animation, where the prosperity of one comes at the expense of the other. One of these worlds is Sylvarant, where the Chosen Colette Brunel embarks on a journey with her protectors to restore their world's mana. Notably, this anime adaptation of the popular Tales of franchise, Symphonia, flawlessly captures the unique storyline that made the game so beloved. Originally aired in Japan in June 2007, the animation comprises of three seasons, including 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.

The World Ends With You: The Animation is an animated adaptation of the popular Nintendo DS roleplaying game. This thrilling anime series brings the game's unique style to life as it tells the story of Neku Sakuraba. Neku finds himself in a different dimension with no memories, and in order to survive and escape, he must participate in the mysterious Reapers' Game. Along the way, he joins forces with a diverse group of characters as they battle against creatures known as Noise and complete various missions to secure victory. This anime, which debuted in 2021, can be streamed on Crunchyroll and boasts an extraordinary soundtrack, just like the game.

8 The Persona Series

There are multiple Persona animated series and films that have been created due to the immense success of the game series. Persona 3, 4, and 5 all have animated adaptations for those who want to experience the stories in a different medium. Each adaptation follows the game's protagonists on their journeys as they form friendships, battle shadows, and confront unimaginable challenges. Persona 5, one of the more recent games, was turned into an anime series consisting of 26 episodes released in 2018, followed by special episodes in 2018 and 2019. The Persona franchise has always embraced an anime aesthetic, and the games often incorporate popular character archetypes and tropes from anime, making the anime adaptations a natural extension of the games.

7 Ace Attorney

The Ace Attorney anime is based on the popular Ace Attorney visual novel games developed by Capcom. While there are various games featuring different protagonists, the current anime focuses specifically on the journey of Phoenix Wright as he establishes himself as a defense attorney. Alongside his newfound companions, Phoenix represents different individuals and unravels the mysteries surrounding their unique cases in the courtroom, where the truth always prevails. Currently, the anime has two seasons with a total of 47 episodes, with the most recent season being released in 2019. Considering Ace Attorney's emphasis on storytelling in the video game franchise, adapting Phoenix and his friends' legal adventures into an anime was a perfect fit.

6 Castlevania

The hauntingly captivating Castlevania games, developed by Konami, have served as the foundation for an enthralling anime adaptation. This gripping series, available on Netflix, delves into the extraordinary journey of Trevor Belmont, the final descendant of the esteemed monster-hunting Belmont family. With an unwavering determination to vanquish the formidable Dracula, Trevor finds himself forming an unlikely alliance with the formidable magician, Sypha, and Dracula's own son, Alucard. Since its debut in 2017, Castlevania has astounded audiences with four exhilarating seasons, while fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming release of Castlevania: Nocturne in late September. Beyond being a mere adaptation, Castlevania stands as a brilliant reinterpretation of the beloved games and characters, solidifying its place as one of the most exceptional animated series based on a video game.

5 Pokémon

The Pokémon game series, which has gained immense popularity, served as the inspiration for an animated series that premiered in 1997. The show has been going strong for 26 seasons and has spawned several spinoffs. Initially, the anime focused on the journeys of a young and eager Pokémon trainer named Ash Ketchum and his loyal companion Pikachu. Together, they traversed the world, forging new friendships, exploring uncharted territories, encountering various Pokémon, and creating innumerable memories. However, in the latest installment, Pokémon Horizons: The Series, it was announced that Ash and Pikachu would no longer be the central characters. Naturally, this news saddened many devoted fans who have grown deeply attached to these iconic protagonists since their departure earlier this year. However, there remains a possibility that they may reappear in future seasons. Irrespective of their potential comeback, the adventures of Ash and Pikachu stand as some of the most remarkable instances of anime inspired by a video game.

4 Digimon Adventure

Technically, the Digimon franchise began with Digimon as virtual pets and subsequently expanded into a game and an animated series in 1999. The Digimon animated series, starting with Digimon Adventure, is renowned for its focus on character development. In this series, seven children are transported to The Digital World through mysterious devices that appear to them during summer camp. Each of the original Digi-destined characters in Digimon Adventure is unique, contributing to its reputation as a superior anime adaptation of a videogame compared to Pokémon – despite Pokémon's greater popularity.

3 .hack//Sign

The .hack/sign anime and the first .hack game were both released in 2002. The anime follows Tsukasa, a character whose mind is stuck in a virtual fantasy game called The World. Tsukasa's adventures in the game are mysterious, just like their real-life circumstances and the other players they encounter. Considered a classic Isekai story, .hack//Sign captivated video game fans with its unique concept and captivating mystery. While it may not have achieved the same level of popularity as other game-inspired anime, it is undoubtedly one of the most influential.

2 Resident Evil Animated Films

1 Final Fantasy XV: Brotherhood

The Resident Evil animated films are based on the popular horror video game series, Resident Evil (known as Biohazard in Japan), developed by Capcom. These films exist within the continuity of the game franchise and typically feature the main characters from the games. The cast often includes beloved characters like Chris Redfield, Leon S. Kennedy, Jill Valentine, Claire Redfield, and Rebecca Chambers, who find themselves facing worldwide bioweapon disasters. The most recent installment, Resident Evil: Death Island, was released in July 2023 and follows the events of these characters during the year 2015 in the game. Despite some flaws, the Resident Evil animated films are enjoyable adventures that are sure to delight fans of the popular horror franchise.

Final Fantasy XV: Brotherhood is an animated series that is based on the characters and world of Final Fantasy XV. The series consists of five episodes that delve into the origins of each character and their connection to the protagonist, Noctis. As they continue their journey to Altissia, viewers get the chance to learn more about these beloved characters and witness the strength of their bonds. Brotherhood was released in March 2016, predating the game's release in November of the same year. It provided audiences with valuable insights into the world and characters of Final Fantasy XV. Alongside Brotherhood, a computer-animated film called Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV was also released.

The finest adaptations of beloved video games demonstrate the collaborative power of media in enhancing the universes, personalities, and narratives within a franchise. Moreover, they offer prospective fans a chance to delve into captivating narratives from video games they may not have the chance to explore in their interactive form. In light of the captivating additional narratives they offer and much more, the top anime inspired by video games are undeniably worth discovering.