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July 19, 2007

10 Most Popular Game-Based Anime

Posted in: Thoughts

Many anime’s have been turned into games, some successful, others don’t. Naruto and Dragon Ball are prime examples of anime-based games. Game-based anime, on the other hand, are fewer in number. Let’s take a look at 10 of the most popular game-based anime that was released:

Note: These are not ranked in order. They are just listed here because I believe they are 10 of the most popular game-based anime around. I may come up with a ranked list in the future, but for now it is unranked.

Pikachu1. Pokemon. Love it or hate it (I, for one, love it), Pokemon is one of the most successful and popular game-based anime ever. It’s been going on for more than 10 years and both game and anime is still going strong despite many people putting it down. This is my favourite among game-based anime, having watched it since 10 years ago and being a fan of the game as well.

2. Digimon. Yet another -mon, Digimon started off as a simple yet highly addictive digital pet game and has grown into a huge franchise ever since. Also a personal favourite of mine, especially Adventure 01, 02 and Savers.

3. .hack series. Okay, this isn’t exactly a game-based anime, but you can’t talk about .hack without mentioning both game and anime. Unlike most other anime, the .hack series is 90% conversation and 10% action. Initial feedback of the .hack anime series showed that it wasn’t doing well in Japan, but receives strong positive feedback outside the country. Very compelling storyline, but definitely not for everyone.

4. Fate/Stay Night. Also adapted from a popular game (originally also a H-game) in Japan, the anime series is just every bit as good as the game. The game has many varied plots and storyline, and the anime is said to be following mainly the Fate scenario, with some parts from Unlimited Blade Works and Heaven’s Feel game route. Very interesting to watch, especially when you try to make out which legendary heroes each of the servants really are.

Eruru Utawarerumono and Saber Fate/Stay Night

5. Utawarerumono. A H-game converted to anime, it is quite different from your typical high school boy harem scenario of H-games. Set in a fantasy backdrop, Utawarerumono has one of the most intriguing storyline I’ve ever seen from a H-game based anime. I love how the story progresses, pulling you in as the plot grows beyond the tiny little village and spreading across the entire world. Oh yes, plenty of sacrifices, can be pretty bloody at times.

6. Kanon. Although not exactly a H-game, it was rated for 18 and above and contained one sex scene in the game. This game had been brought to life through anime not once, but twice. It was considered the best bishoujo game when it was first released in 1999, and while I find its first anime adaptation to be so-so, the 2nd adaption (2006) did a far better job of it.

7. Kimi Ga Nozomu Eien. Yet another H-game based anime. Many has hailed this as the best soap drama anime and so far I agree with them. The plot is actually very realistic and I wouldn’t be surprised if something like that actually happened in real life. Maybe that’s what makes it appealing as well, especially to more mature audience.

Tifa Final Fantasy VII Advent Children8. Final Fantasy VII. Based off the ever popular Final Fantasy VII game, a full CG movie was made along with a special episode of anime that features an important scene from the game. Even with only one episode, the anime still managed to impress many. Square-Enix really should consider creating more of FF7 anime, it is way better than their previous 2 attempts at it with the Crystal Chronicle and Final Fantasy: Unlimited.

9. Shuffle. Oh yes, another H-game turned anime. Not only does the lucky boy have normal girls after him, he also has the princess of the God world and the princess of the Demon world at his tail. Started off with many laughter, but took a sharp 180 degrees turn in the middle of the story and went the other way with its serious notes. There was also a second adaption, Shuffle! Memories, basically a recap.

10. Clannad. I’ve personally never watched this (…yet) but I’ve seen many great reviews and feedback on Clannad and I just had to include it among the 10 most popular game-based anime. The 6th H-game turned anime in this list, I’m beginning to wonder why are these genre so popular myself. They do have great storyline and beautiful character designs, that’s fore sure and Clannad looks like a win to me as well :)

Other mentions: There’s the anime based on Street Fighter, Tsukihime, To Hearts and the latest game-based anime Devil May Cry, which really lacks a proper plot other than tearing up every other demons around.

**Updated 21st July**

There’s also Ragnarok Online’s anime. I can’t believe I missed this one. It was supposed to be part of other mentions, but it somehow slipped at the end.

RO is one of my favourite MMORPG and when the original teaser was released for an RO anime we were very excited. However, the original project seemed to have been scrapped off and was replaced by another, with Roan as the main character.

Not a bad anime, but not exactly very good either. Only a few parts of the anime were memorable, such as the hunt for the Golden Thief Bug, the Clock Tower (ahh… Al De Baran was our guild’s officialy HQ) and the final showdown in Glast Heim. I still think I would have preferred the original animation where the first teaser was from :)

**Updated 4th May 2009**

I totally forgot that I had written this post. This really should be updated along with my Top 10 Funniest Anime post since there have been a few new game-based anime that deserves to be listed here. Also, I’ve completed Clannad (I had not watched it when I first wrote this post) and it’s definitely one of the best anime series around.

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