5 GREAT ANIME SERIES FOR GAMERS
When it comes to game adaptations, anime is often overlooked. Many would refer to films or live-action shows when discussing the subject. What if I said that anime series could be adapted for video games in various ways? This series will appeal to both old and new fans. While some of these series might be obvious to hardcore fans, they are still worth watching.
POKEMON JOURNEYS
Pokemon is an obvious choice when it comes to adaptations of video games. Anime has been around for over 20 years, and it’s as popular as video games. It’s often considered the first anime experience for many Pokémon fans. While you can’t go wrong with the classic series, we will focus on the current series Pokemon Journeys.
Ash Ketchum is back for another adventure in his beloved Pokemon character. He travels through all eight regions of the Pokemon series. It’s a refreshing change from previous seasons that only focused on one area. Journeys will appeal to both adults and children. If the current season doesn’t grab you, you can always return to past seasons for some nostalgia!
Pokemon Journeys can be viewed on Netflix.
CASTLEVANIA
Although this anime series is not strictly an anime, its inspiration comes from the medium. There’s also a Japanese dub. This is as close to anime as you can get, so it deserves to be there. Castlevania has a favourable positive Metacritic review. It is one of the most viewed animated adaptations on Netflix. The fourth season of the series was completed earlier in the year. A spin-off is being planned. This anime adaptation is one of the best examples.
Castlevania was based on the third title of the series. Trevor Belmont is the protagonist. He worked alongside Alucard Belnades and Sypha Belnades in their fight against Dracula in Wallachia. The series’ most distinctive feature is its animation and art style, which was inspired by manga and old anime to make something that resembles Ayami Kojima. Although it isn’t a family-friendly series like Pokemon, it is a great show for fans of dark fantasy and dark humour.
Castlevania can be viewed on Netflix.
PERSONA 4 THE ANIMATION
Personas 3 through 5 have all been adapted into anime. Although they are all decent, Persona4 is the best of the three. It isn’t easy to adopt a 60-hour video game, but Persona4 does it in the time it has. It never felt rushed, dragged on or slowed down and recreates the magic that made the persona series so famous in the first place. Even if you’ve never played the original, it’s one I recommend.
Persona4‘s comedy was one of its best features. It managed to balance its challenging moments with humour. Even the original protagonist was made to become one of the funniest and well-written characters in the series. Most of the original voice actors re-enacted for the Japanese and English dubs. The English Dub is a great option, and it’s a genuinely hilarious experience.
A semi-sequel/remake was also available that used elements from the Gold rerelease of Persona 4. It’s not as good, but it is still worth looking for anyone who wants more Persona content.
Persona 4 is available on Amazon Prime Video, with its Golden counterpart streaming on Crunchyroll.
DANGANRONPA THE ANIMATION
Danganronpa may be a niche game or series, but it is still well-received. It’s not the original idea to combine a murder mystery with a death game among high school students. Danganronpa has its style and flair that makes it stand out. The anime series ran for three games, with an anime epilogue ending the first two. This pick will focus on the beginning with the adaptation of the first game.
Danganpona, the Animation, was capable of taking the structure from the original and making a fast-paced show. There is plenty of time for us to concentrate on the characters and their interactions before the trials and deaths shake things up. Executions are well animated, which matches the dark and funny style of the games. Fans are strongly advised to watch the animation (not to be confused with V3), which is an excellent way to send off the characters and plots of the first two games.
Danganronpa, the Animation can be viewed on Hulu or Funimation.
FATE/STAY NIGHT
It’s easy for the Fate Series to forget that it started as a visual novel. You can also find many video games under this title, such as Death/Grand Order or Fate/Extella. The anime adaptations of the vast series have helped the series reach new audiences over the past decade. For those new to the series, Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works is a great place to start. This helps you understand the overall storyline of the series before you dive into the many spinoffs.
