Sometimes you can’t be cosplaying as an anime character, watching an anime film, or creating anime of your own, so in these times the only anime-themed activity that’s left is to play an anime-inspired game. We’ve rounded up a selection of some of the best anime-styled games out there, each available to play on a variety of different consoles and at a variety of different price points, so there’s something to suit every kind of gamer.
Pokémon Go
Starting off the list is an anime classic, Pokémon. Many of us will remember the first wave of Pokémon cards being released and the excitement that followed. Mangas, GameBoy games, and a hit television series followed and they were all brilliant in their own way. Whilst the original GameBoy games will always have a special place in the Pokémon-loving public’s hearts, the release of Pokémon Go was revolutionary. This game was the first major release to make augmented reality work seamlessly with just a smartphone, enabling us to experience advanced technology with a device that we already own. Levelling the playing field for all gamers in this way was a stroke of genius and the fact that the game is performing stronger than ever almost seven years later is proof of that.
Genshin Impact
Another free-to-play game that has a huge following is Genshin Impact. This game was released back in 2020 and was incredibly well-received. It takes the form of an online RPG which had until this point been a wildly disappointing genre, conjuring up ideas of roaming massive open worlds with a beautifully drawn character and instead leaving a lot to be desired in the graphics department and even more in terms of freedom of gameplay. Genshin Impact changed all of that with absolutely stunning graphics and a really solid storyline that drew heavily from Zelda’s Breath of the Wild. The team behind Genshin Impact has been super active in releasing updates and expansions that have kept the game current and relevant for all players. Whilst there are options to pay for premium expansions and content, these add-ons really aren’t necessary to enjoy the game.
Moon Princess
Our next game is great for quick-play gamers as you can be up and running in a couple of minutes. It’s a browser-based game that takes a slots format but gives it an anime spin with clever graphics. In terms of slot games, Moon Princess by Play’n GO is certainly the one that makes the best use of inspiration from the hit series Sailor Moon. The imagery is adorable with all of the characters from Sailor Moon recreated in Play’n GO’s style adorning the backdrop. On the reels, you’ll find pretty bells, moon, and bell-shaped pendants adorned with gems. Landing on the images of the princesses can trigger bonuses and wilds, so it’s a great game if you enjoy that extra layer of excitement.
Serial Experiments Lain
Serial Experiments Lain was a brilliant anime, so when it was announced that this game would be being released, fans were super excited. This game takes a simple approach, working as kind of a graphic novel that you can play your way through. It was originally released for PlayStation 1, so don’t expect the graphics to be out of this world. However, the simple almost click-through style of gaming, that’s super dialogue-heavy, allows you a private glimpse into the depths of Lain’s life that’s personal and nostalgic all at once. Some people didn’t enjoy the way that the story was delivered, as plenty of the parts appear in non-chronological order. However, the act of piecing together snippets of information to reveal the story of Lain is as much a part of the gameplay as any other part of it.
Pokémon 
