If you’re a fan of both anime and gaming, you’re in for a treat. This guide is all about the Best Esports Anime that every gamer and anime lover should watch. Esports, or competitive gaming, has become a massive part of the gaming world, and anime has captured this excitement in many amazing shows. From high-stakes tournaments to the everyday lives of gamers, these anime bring the thrill and challenges of gaming to the screen. In this guide, we’ve put together a list of the top esports and gaming-related anime. Whether you enjoy watching intense battles, exploring virtual worlds, or learning about game development, there’s something here for everyone. These shows not only entertain but also give you a deeper look into the world of gaming, making them perfect for both casual viewers and hardcore fans. So, get ready to discover some of the best Esports anime that will keep you on the edge of your seat and inspire you in your next gaming session! Categories of Gaming Anime Esports Anime Anime focused on competitive gaming and esports. Examples: The King’s Avatar: Focuses on the competitive world of esports. It follows the story of a top-tier player forced out of the professional scene but starts over on a new server. Widely regarded as one of the best esports anime, it delivers an exciting and immersive look into the challenges and triumphs of professional gaming. No Game No Life: Features intense game battles where everything in the world is decided by games. It's a showcase for a strategic and tactical approach rather than pure combat. MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) Gaming Anime Anime that explores the world of MMORPGs, often involving characters being transported into these game worlds. Examples: Sword Art Online: A defining anime where players are trapped in a VR MMORPG and must fight for survival. Log Horizon: Another prominent MMO-focused anime where characters find themselves stuck in a game and must create a functioning society. Gaming Lifestyle Anime An anime that depicts the daily lives of gamers or those working in the gaming industry, making it a standout among the best esports anime for its relatable and entertaining portrayal of gaming culture. Examples: New Game!: Focuses on the game development industry. It follows a new hire as she begins working in her dream job as a character designer. Recovery of an MMO Junkie: Centers around a 30-year-old woman who quits her job and immerses herself in online gaming. The King’s Avatar Genre: Esports, Action, DramaPlot Summary: The King’s Avatar follows Ye Xiu, a professional esports player of the game Glory as circumstances force him into early retirement. Unfazed, he starts anew in the game with a fresh account, quickly rising to prominence in the competitive scene once again. This is one of the best esports anime as it delves deep into the mechanics of the game, the strategies involved, and the politics of professional gaming.Notable Features: The series is praised for its accurate depiction of esports culture, including the dedication, teamwork, and tactics its players require to succeed. As one of the best esports anime for gamers, it’s also notable for its portrayal of the emotional and social challenges faced by pro gamers.Suitable Audience: Hardcore gamers, esports enthusiasts, and fans of action-packed anime with strategic elements.Streaming Availability: Available on Netflix and other major streaming platforms. Log Horizon Genre: MMORPG, Isekai, FantasyPlot Summary: In Log Horizon, 30,000 Japanese gamers find themselves trapped in the MMORPG Elder Tale after a new update. The series focuses on Shiroe, an experienced player who uses his knowledge of the game’s mechanics to help the players adjust to their new reality. The story explores themes of community building, governance, and survival in a virtual world.Notable Features: What sets Log Horizon apart is its in-depth focus on game mechanics, such as party formation, guild management, and in-game economics, making it a favorite among MMORPG fans.Suitable Audience: MMORPG players, fans of strategy-based anime, and those interested in world-building and governance.Streaming Availability: Streaming on Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. No Game No Life Genre: Isekai, Fantasy, GamePlot Summary: Sora and Shiro, two gaming prodigies, are transported to a world where all its inhabitants resolve conflicts through games. They quickly adapt, using their gaming skills to challenge powerful opponents in various strategic games, aiming to conquer the world’s 16 species and defeat the god of games.Notable Features: No Game No Life is renowned for its vibrant art style, complex mind games, and the intellectual battles that drive the plot, making it a unique entry in the gaming anime genre.Suitable Audience: Fans of strategy games, puzzle-solving, and those who enjoy colorful, high-energy anime.Streaming Availability: Available on Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Netflix. Shangri-La Frontier Genre: VRMMO, Adventure, FantasyPlot Summary: Shangri-La Frontier centers around Sunraku, a high school student who is an expert at conquering buggy, low-quality games. When he finally decides to tackle a well-made VRMMO, he leverages his unique skills to overcome challenges, leading to intense in-game adventures.Notable Features: The anime’s depiction of a realistic gaming environment, along with its focus on the player's skill and the importance of game design, makes it stand out. The show is also notable for its dynamic action sequences.Suitable Audience: VR game enthusiasts, action anime fans, and those interested in game design and mechanics.Streaming Availability: Streaming on Amazon Prime and other platforms. Sword Art Online Genre: Isekai, MMORPG, ActionPlot Summary: Sword Art Online is set in the near future. Players are trapped in a VR MMORPG, and the only way to escape is by clearing all 100 levels of the game. Failure to do so results in death in both the game and real life. The story follows Kirito, a solo player, as he navigates through the challenges of the game.Notable Features: Many consider this anime as one of the best esports anime for popularizing the “trapped in a game” sub-genre. It features intense combat, high stakes, and a detailed virtual world that has captivated millions of viewers.Suitable Audience: Fans of VR gaming, action-packed anime, and those who enjoy high-stakes drama.Streaming Availability: Available on Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Netflix. Hi-Score Girl Genre: Romance, Comedy, Slice of LifePlot Summary: Set in the 1990s, Hi-Score Girl follows Haruo Yaguchi, a young boy obsessed with arcade games. His life takes a turn when he meets Akira Oono, a girl who is far better at gaming than him. As one of the best esports anime, it explores their growing relationship, with a backdrop of classic arcade games.Notable Features: This anime is a nostalgic trip for fans of retro gaming, filled with references to classic games and the arcade culture of the ’90s. It also receives praises for its charming character development and heartwarming storyline.Suitable Audience: Retro gaming enthusiasts, fans of romantic comedies, and those who appreciate slice-of-life stories.Streaming Availability: Available on Netflix. New Game! Genre: Slice of Life, Comedy, Gaming Plot Summary: New Game! is about a young high school graduate girl; Aoba Suzukaze. She gets her dream job as a character designer at a game development company called Eagle Jump. Aoba dives into her exciting new job, learning how to create video games while making new friends along the way. She tackles challenges, improves her skills, and helps develop the latest game in her favorite series. With a fun and light-hearted vibe, the anime brings the gaming industry to life, showing the thrill of teamwork and creativity in game development! Notable Features: Fans love this anime for its adorable, funny characters and relaxed vibe. It takes viewers through the exciting stages of game development, from character design to game testing, making it a must-watch for video game enthusiasts. Many consider it one of the best esports anime!The focus on teamwork and the friendly relationships between the characters adds to its charm. Suitable Audience: New Game! delights gamers and anime fans who love slice-of-life stories. It offers a fun behind-the-scenes look at game development, making it perfect for anyone curious about how video games come to life! It’s perfect for anyone who likes light, feel-good shows with a bit of humor. Streaming Availability: You can watch New Game! on Crunchyroll and Amazon Prime. Recovery of an MMO Junkie Genre: Romance, Comedy, Gaming Plot Summary: Recovery of an MMO Junkie is about Moriko Morioka, a 30-year-old woman who quits her job and decides to escape from the real world by playing an online game called Fruits de Mer. In the game, she creates a male character and quickly becomes friends with other players. Over time, she begins to interact with one player, in particular, without knowing that they have also met in real life. The anime explores Moriko’s journey of finding happiness and balance between her online life and the real world. Notable Features: This anime is special because it deals with themes like loneliness and the comfort that online gaming can bring. It’s a relatable story for anyone who has found friends or community through gaming. The mix of online adventures and real-life interactions gives it a unique twist, and it’s full of heartwarming moments. Suitable Audience: Recovery of an MMO Junkie is ideal for anyone who enjoys romantic comedies, especially those who understand the appeal of online gaming. It’s also a great choice for people who like stories about personal growth and finding connections with others. Streaming Availability: You can watch Recovery of an MMO Junkie on Crunchyroll and Amazon Prime. Protocol: Rain Genre: Esports, DramaPlot Summary: Protocol: Rain follows a group of friends who are passionate about esports, focusing on their struggles and triumphs within the competitive gaming scene. The anime delves into the personal lives of the characters and the impact of esports on their relationships.Notable Features: The show is notable for its realistic portrayal of the pressures and challenges faced by esports players, both in and out of the game. It’s a deep dive into the emotional and social aspects of competitive gaming.Suitable Audience: Esports enthusiasts, drama lovers, and those interested in character-driven stories.Streaming Availability: Currently airing on major anime streaming platforms. Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku Genre: Romance, Comedy, Slice of LifePlot Summary: Wotakoi is a romantic comedy that explores the lives of otaku—people with obsessive interests, particularly in anime and gaming. The story focuses on the relationships between four office workers who share these interests, navigating their personal and professional lives while bonding over their hobbies.Notable Features: The anime is praised for its relatable depiction of adult otaku life, balancing work, love, and gaming. It’s lighthearted, with humor that resonates with anyone who’s passionate about geek culture.Suitable Audience: Adult gamers, fans of romantic comedies, and those who enjoy slice-of-life anime with a focus on geek culture.Streaming Availability: Available on Amazon Prime and Crunchyroll. 16Bit Sensation: ANOTHER LAYER Genre: Drama, GamingPlot Summary: This anime is about the challenges and rewards of working in the game industry, specifically focusing on the world of 16-bit game development. It explores the technical and creative aspects of game creation, following a team of passionate developers as they work on their dream project.Notable Features: 16Bit Sensation offers an insider’s look at the game development process, making it a must-watch for those interested in the gaming industry. The show is rich in technical details and portrays the dedication required to succeed in this field.Suitable Audience: Aspiring game developers, industry professionals, and fans of gaming history.Streaming Availability: Streaming on major anime platforms. AWM Jixian Juji Genre: Esports, Action, DramaPlot Summary: AWM Jixian Juji follows a young man who dreams of becoming a top-tier esports sniper. This anime showcases his journey through the competitive ranks. It highlights his struggles, rivalries, and the intense training required to reach the top.Notable Features: The series stands out for its focus on the tactical aspects of first-person shooter games. There's an emphasis on teamwork, strategy, and the mental fortitude required for success in esports.Suitable Audience: FPS gamers, esports fans, and those who enjoy action-packed dramas.Streaming Availability: Available on select streaming services, with limited international availability. Parting Shots Anime and gaming are two worlds that often come together to create amazing stories. Whether you're into intense esports competitions or just love the idea of getting lost in a virtual game world, there's an anime out there for you. Some of the best esports anime, like The King’s Avatar and Sword Art Online bring the excitement of gaming to life, while others like New Game! and Recovery of an MMO Junkie explore the lives of the people behind the screens. These anime deliver an exciting mix of action, humor, and heartwarming moments, making them a perfect watch for both gamers and anime fans. As some of the best esports anime, they capture the passion, challenges, and thrill of gaming—whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore fan!
