In the last few years, the love for anime and gaming has risen and collided multiple times with projects like Castlevania, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, and Arcane. These series have offered a unique experience by utilizing a story from a video game and turning it into a beautifully animated portrayal with extra themes and twisting elements.
However, there are some anime series that offer a similar experience to that of a video gaming world that is different in all aspects. These series have also gained widespread fame and recognition that is growing at a next-level pace and will continue to do so for a long time. From character growth to strategic planning, everything feels like a part of the well-planned story that makes it more entertaining.
Among many such series, there are 5 projects that are deemed the greatest by fans and are living up to the expectations of one of the best anime genres out there. If anyone is planning to explore the fascinating video gaming anime worlds then they should choose these options.
1. Shangri-La Frontier
The perfect combination of adventure, excitement, thrill, and action exists in the Shangri-La Frontier anime series. It is based on a Japanese web novel series written by Katarina, which came out in 2017. The series got an anime adaptation that came out first in 2023 and then received another season in 2024. Now, the series is getting ready for the third season.
The story of Shangri-La Frontier follows Rakuro Hizutome, a video game enthusiast who loves to play trash games. Eventually, he reached a point where he had mastered all these games and thus decided to challenge himself with the acclaimed best-selling virtual reality game Shangri-La Frontier. He has to go up against a lot of players and use his experience to win the game.
Shangri-La Frontier’s immersive experience, combined with the elements of MMORPG gaming, adds a thrill to the story. It has rules, ideology, strategy, action, and drama, which balances out the aspects of a video game along with an enticing storyline.
2. My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999
My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999 is one of the best video game animes, which got so hyped that it is receiving a live-action adaptation. The story is adapted from the manga created by Mashiro, which originally came out in 2019 and became an anime series in April 2023.
The series follows the story of Akane Kinoshita who is going through a breakup and decides to play the MMORPG Forest of Savior video game. She even goes to an offline event where she interacts with Akito Yamada and thus begins a new chapter of her life.
Although the video gaming experience is not the first priority of the series, it does play a significant role in the plot development and adds a new layer to the complex comedy and romantic narrative.
3. Sword Art Online
There are very few video game anime series that can compare themselves to Sword Art Online. It is based on a Japanese light novel series written by Reki Kawahara, which came out in 2009 and even got a spin-off three years later. The story was adapted into an anime series in 2012.
From there on, the series got multiple spin-offs and sequels that became wildly popular and gained a lot of attention. It was even created into a video game that was also quite famous. This in itself speaks for the love and praise the series received in its time.
Sword Art Online follows the story of Kazuto “Kirito” Kirigaya and Asuna Yuuki as they fight for their lives in a video game that can only be beaten if it’s won. As the story moves forward, situations become even more difficult, building the thrill that a video game series needs.
4. Log Horizon
In many ways, Log Horizon is a lot like Sword Art Online, where the gamers are in a trapped environment and have to fight their way out. However, Log Horizon offers a calmer and collective approach in terms of building a story and planning the next action for the protagonist.
The story was based on a Japanese light novel series written by Mamare Touno, which started serialization in 2010. The series was developed into an anime series, which was first released in 2013 and then got a second season in 2014 and a third season, which came out much later in 2021.
The series follows the story of Shiroe, who is an expert at the game and realizes that he is trapped inside one. He then strategically plans his escape and makes up for a great and entertaining story.
5. No Game No Life
No Game No Life is a perfect combination of video games, anime, and isekai. It perfectly connects all three elements in a singular story that is vibrant and charming in nature. It is based on the Japanese light novel series by Yuu Kamiya and came out in 2012.
It got a lot of different anime adaptations in the form of sequels and spin-off series and was quite popular in the video game anime world. The anime follows the story of Sora and Shiro, a pair of step-siblings who are the best in gaming and are now transferred into a different reality where they have to use their skills to survive.
No Game No Life is a fantasy tale filled with charm and comedic elements that keep on evolving as the series moves forward. It provides an enticing experience that will change the way viewers look at the gaming world and gamers in general.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
