Anime-influenced aesthetics are everywhere in gaming. But great character art is only the invitation. These are games whose systems, stories or sense of place give that visual style something meaningful to do.
First, a useful distinction
There are games adapted from established anime and manga, and there are original games that use an anime-influenced visual language. They can appeal to overlapping audiences, but the questions we ask are different. An adaptation has a pre-existing world to honour; an original game has to introduce its own identity.
This guide is a discovery starting point, not a ranked list based on CSP playtesting. We haven’t claimed hands-on experience with every title below, and we’re not attaching review scores to games we haven’t reviewed.
If you want an existing anime world
One Piece Odyssey: a crew worth travelling with
For fans interested in a substantial RPG rather than a simple arena recreation, One Piece Odyssey offers a story-driven journey built around the Straw Hat crew. Its original island setting and involvement from Eiichiro Oda give it room to feel like another voyage instead of a catalogue of familiar fights. The turn-based format is also a different expression of the series’ friendships and team dynamics.
Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO: the joy of impossible battles
There’s an undeniable attraction to taking control of a fight that once seemed possible only through animation. Sparking! ZERO leans into the enormous scale, quick movement and recognisable techniques of Dragon Ball. Consider it if the appeal lies in dramatic confrontations and learning a fighting system, rather than in a lengthy new role-playing narrative.
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm: turning signature fights into spectacle
The Ultimate Ninja Storm series is built around the thrill of recognising characters and seeing their powers translated into interactive battles. Different entries offer different rosters, modes and story coverage, so choose a specific edition based on what you want to play, rather than assuming every entry is interchangeable.
Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles: a recognisable visual language
The Hinokami Chronicles aims to translate the series’ striking combat presentation into an arena-fighting structure. For someone drawn to the anime’s expressive motion and effects, that’s a clear attraction. Just remember that recreating a scene and offering deep competitive variety are different objectives.
If you want an original game with anime DNA
Scarlet Nexus: science-fiction with character-driven combat
Scarlet Nexus pairs anime-style storytelling with real-time action and psychic abilities. Its appeal lies in combining party relationships and an unusual futuristic setting with kinetic encounters. It’s worth exploring if you want an original world rather than an adaptation.
Code Vein: an anime aesthetic with deliberate difficulty
Code Vein puts a stylised visual identity on challenging action RPG combat. Its character customisation and companion systems may appeal to players who enjoy crafting a distinctive protagonist, while its demanding encounters mean that the look should not be mistaken for a relaxed experience.
Tales of Arise: a fantasy journey built for party drama
With Tales of Arise, the draw is an original adventure that blends a cinematic anime presentation with action-oriented party combat. It makes sense for players seeking a longer narrative, a group of characters to invest in and a world with its own conflicts.
How to choose what to play next
For familiar characters: explore the licensed adaptations, then decide whether you’re looking for fighting-game spectacle or a longer RPG. For a new setting: look towards Scarlet Nexus, Code Vein and Tales of Arise. For someone coming from anime rather than gaming: check difficulty, genre and platform before buying. Visual familiarity will not make every control scheme familiar.
We’d also encourage readers to distinguish an anime-inspired design from an anime adaptation: they’re not lesser or greater categories, simply different creative projects. What ultimately matters is whether the game creates satisfying moments that belong to play, not just to screenshots.
Official reference: One Piece Odyssey information. Visit our Anime & Games section for deeper editorial features.