Anime games in 2026 are way more than simple adaptations where you replay scenes you already watched. The genre now covers everything from brutal one-on-one fighters and flashy action RPGs to massive JRPG adventures, MMORPGs, creature-collecting games and completely original worlds that simply understand the anime aesthetic.

That makes picking your next game a little harder. The obvious choices are everywhere, but some of the most interesting experiences are hiding behind franchises you might not expect.

So, whether you want to throw hands as Ichigo, explore Akira Toriyama’s desert wasteland, build a party of Personas, collect Digimon or jump into an anime-inspired MMORPG, these are 11 anime games worth playing in 2026.

This guide deliberately goes beyond the usual Genshin Impact, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot and Attack on Titan 2 recommendations. Some games below directly adapt famous anime and manga, while others create their own worlds using the visual style, character-driven storytelling and spectacular combat that make anime so appealing.

If villains are more your speed than heroes, you’ll want to check out 11 Best Games Where You Play as the Vilain.

1. BLEACH Rebirth of Souls — The Anime Fighter Built Around Comebacks

BLEACH Rebirth of Souls is the game to jump into when you want your anime fighting game to feel like an actual Bleach showdown.

The combat revolves around breaking through an opponent’s Konpaku while looking for the right opportunity to unleash powerful sword techniques and awaken new forms. A fight can change incredibly quickly, so simply attacking nonstop is not always the answer.

That fits Bleach surprisingly well.

You have to manage your opponent’s condition, recognize openings and understand when to commit to a decisive attack. A single mistake can completely change the momentum of a match.

The roster also reaches into the Thousand-Year Blood War era, bringing a broad selection of Bleach characters into the fighting system. Bandai Namco has continued adding playable characters following launch, giving the game additional content beyond its initial lineup.

You can play BLEACH Rebirth of Souls on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and PC, with both local and online two-player multiplayer available.

Why play it in 2026: If you want a modern Bleach adaptation centered on sword combat, timing and dramatic reversals rather than another mobile RPG, this is an easy game to put on your list.

If you’re into other supernatural franchises with plenty of games to sort through, take a look at 11 Best Vampire Games to Play in 2025.

2. Scarlet Nexus — An Anime World That Isn’t Based on an Anime

Here is where things get interesting.

Scarlet Nexus does not need an existing manga or anime franchise to deliver that anime-game feeling. Instead, it builds its own futuristic universe around psychic powers, military organizations and terrifying creatures known as Others.

Humanity has developed supernatural abilities, but civilization is under threat from grotesque beings descending from the sky.

The real star of the game, though, is its psychic combat.

You can manipulate objects around you and turn the environment into part of your attack strategy. Throwing debris, combining psychic abilities with conventional attacks and switching between different powers makes encounters much more dynamic than simply repeating the same combo.

The story is also split between two protagonists: Yuito Sumeragi and Kasane Randall.

Playing through their perspectives gives you different views of the same world and its unfolding events.

Bandai Namco describes Scarlet Nexus as drawing from classic anime influences while also incorporating Western science-fiction elements. That combination is easy to see throughout the game’s visual design and storytelling.

It is available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC.

Why play it in 2026: When you’ve already burned through the biggest anime adaptations, Scarlet Nexus gives you an entirely new universe with fast combat and a story you can discover without needing prior franchise knowledge.

For a very different kind of long-running franchise you can finally play in order, check out Kingdom Hearts Games in Order: The Complete Timeline and Best Play Order Before Kingdom Hearts IV.

3. Sand Land — The Toriyama Adventure That Deserves More Attention

Akira Toriyama’s name immediately makes most players think of Dragon Ball, but Sand Land shows just how much more there is to his work.

The game takes place in a desert devastated by an extreme water shortage. You play alongside Beelzebub, Rao and Thief as they search for the legendary Spring.

The Toriyama influence is obvious, but this isn’t simply a game version of a manga storyline.

The big attraction is the game’s vehicles.

You can cross the desert using tanks, motorcycles, jump-bots and other machines, with different vehicles designed for different exploration and combat situations. Some areas also require specific vehicle capabilities to reach them.

And you can customize those machines with different parts and equipment.

There is also a settlement system. Your base in Spino develops as you bring new residents into the community, unlocking additional capabilities and improvements connected to your vehicles.

The adventure eventually goes beyond the initial desert setting too, with the additional Forest Land content expanding the world beyond the original wasteland.

Why play it in 2026: Sand Land is a great choice when you want your anime game to feel like an actual adventure. The vehicle exploration, customization and base-building give it a personality that goes beyond conventional anime fighting games.

If FNAF is more your genre, you’ll want the full viewing order in Five Nights at Freddy’s Games in Chronological Order: The Best Way to Play the FNAF Timeline.

4. One Piece Odyssey — A Proper JRPG for Straw Hat Fans

One Piece has received plenty of action-heavy games, but One Piece Odyssey takes a completely different route.

Instead of putting the Straw Hat crew into another nonstop action experience, the game turns the franchise into a turn-based RPG.

The adventure begins after the Thousand Sunny is damaged by a storm. Luffy and the rest of the crew become separated on the mysterious island of Waford, where they encounter new characters and become involved in an original story connected to memories of their previous adventures.

The full Straw Hat crew gets involved in combat.

Luffy, Zoro, Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Chopper, Robin, Franky and Brook each have different abilities that affect how they contribute during battles.

Their abilities also matter outside combat.

Luffy can use his stretching powers to navigate the environment, while Zoro can cut through obstacles that block the crew’s path.

That makes One Piece Odyssey feel much closer to a traditional JRPG than the musou-style and arena-fighting games commonly associated with the franchise.

The Deluxe Edition also includes the additional Reunion of Memories scenario.

Why play it in 2026: Want One Piece without constantly smashing buttons? This is the game to check out. Its turn-based battles, exploration and story-driven structure give the Straw Hats a very different kind of adventure.

If you’re chasing every possible ending in a shorter game, check out Big Walk All Endings Guide: How to Unlock the True Ending, White Key, and Big Game Achievement.

5. Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok — Anime Action RPG Goes Bigger

Granblue Fantasy: Relink was already a strong anime-style action RPG, but its 2026 expansion, Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok, makes the game especially relevant this year.

The adventure returns to the Sky Realm, where a new threat begins taking shape.

Powerful monsters called the Ragnalia are appearing, signaling an impending catastrophe.

As with the original game, combat is one of the biggest reasons to play.

Every playable character has a distinct fighting style, meaning you can switch heroes depending on the encounter and the way you prefer to play.

The game can be played solo, but online co-op is a major part of the experience.

Endless Ragnarok adds new co-op quest tiers, new bosses, Conflux solo mode, Master Traits and new summons, expanding the game’s systems and giving players more content to work through.

It also supports crossplay across its supported platforms.

The expansion launched on July 9, 2026, for PS5, PS4, Steam and Nintendo Switch 2.

Why play it in 2026: This is the pick for players who want flashy anime visuals, real-time action combat and substantial online co-op rather than a slower traditional RPG.

For a survival horror mystery worth untangling, take a look at How Did Leon Get Infected In Resident Evil Requiem?

6. Persona 5 Royal — The Massive Anime-Style RPG You Shouldn’t Skip

Some games simply refuse to leave the recommendation list, and Persona 5 Royal is one of them.

You play a high school student who becomes part of the Phantom Thieves after awakening the ability to use Personas.

Your life is split into two very different worlds.

During the day, you’re dealing with school, relationships and everyday activities. At night, you enter supernatural worlds where you battle enemies connected to distorted human desires.

That contrast is the heart of Persona 5 Royal.

It combines turn-based RPG combat, social simulation and supernatural storytelling, while exploring themes involving friendship, identity and rebellion.

And visually? The game still goes hard.

The menus, character designs, transitions and music all have an unmistakably stylized presentation that makes the entire experience feel like you’re controlling a particularly polished anime.

Unlike several games on this list, Persona 5 Royal isn’t an adaptation of an existing anime or manga. Instead, it is an original game with an extremely strong anime-inspired identity.

It is available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, Steam and Nintendo Switch.

Why play it in 2026: If you want a huge RPG where you can spend dozens of hours getting attached to its characters and exploring its systems, Persona 5 Royal remains one of the biggest experiences on this list.

For a much shorter game where every choice branches into a different ending, check out Splatoon Raiders All Endings Explained: How to Unlock Every Ending (Good, Bad, Secret & Post-Credits).

7. Metaphor: ReFantazio — Persona-Style Depth in a Fantasy World

The creators behind Persona 3, Persona 4 and Persona 5 took their formula somewhere completely different with Metaphor: ReFantazio.

Instead of a modern school setting, the game drops you into the Kingdom of Euchronia, where the assassination of its king sends the nation into chaos.

Then a mysterious royal magic creates a competition for the throne.

Your protagonist becomes involved in that race while also trying to break a curse placed on the supposedly dead prince.

One of the game’s biggest systems is the Archetype system.

Rather than forcing characters into one permanent RPG class, you can awaken and combine different Archetypes, creating more flexibility in how your party handles combat.

The game also uses time management.

You decide how to spend your days, whether that means exploring, fighting or completing quests. Evenings provide opportunities to strengthen relationships and improve other abilities.

Its visual presentation is heavily anime-inspired, with animated sequences and a distinctive visual identity wrapped around a substantial turn-based RPG.

And there is a major 2026 platform update to keep in mind.

Metaphor: ReFantazio is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on November 12, 2026, expanding the game beyond its existing PlayStation, Xbox and PC versions.

Why play it in 2026: If you want a deep JRPG with fantasy world-building, flexible party customization and highly stylized presentation, Metaphor: ReFantazio is one of the most ambitious choices here.

If you’re working through a puzzle-adventure with multiple endings to track down, read How to Reach Every Ending in Cairn: A Complete Narrative Guide.

8. Blue Protocol: Star Resonance — The Underrated Anime MMORPG

Want something more social?

Then check out Blue Protocol: Star Resonance.

The game takes the Blue Protocol universe into the MMORPG space, giving players an anime-styled fantasy world called Regnus to explore alongside other players.

It mixes action combat with the usual MMORPG ingredients, including character customization, exploration, social activities and online cooperation.

There is plenty to do when you’re not fighting too.

Players can take part in activities such as fishing and crafting, allowing you to build an adventure that isn’t entirely focused on combat.

The game launched on January 27, 2026, and is free to play on PC through Steam, with mobile availability as well.

Throughout 2026, it has continued receiving seasonal content, including new classes, activities and events.

Why play it in 2026: If anime RPGs have started feeling too similar and you want something more social, Blue Protocol: Star Resonance gives you an MMORPG experience instead of another conventional single-player or gacha-focused adventure.

If sci-fi mysteries with life-or-death stakes are your thing, check out Does Hugh Die in Pragmata? All Endings Explained (Spoilers) and Does Diana Die in Pragmata? True Ending Breakdown (Spoilers).

9. Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO — Maximum Dragon Ball Chaos

Sometimes you don’t need a complicated explanation.

You just want to be a Dragon Ball character and blow up an arena.

That’s where Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO comes in.

The game revives the spirit of the Budokai Tenkaichi series with huge 3D arenas, rapid movement, transformations and attacks capable of tearing through the environment.

The massive roster is a major part of the appeal, bringing together fighters from across Dragon Ball history.

But the spectacle is what makes the game stand out.

You can clash beams, perform rush attacks, transform during battles and unleash devastating ultimate techniques while fights unfold across large arenas.

It feels much closer to the scale of a Dragon Ball battle than a traditional 2D fighting game can provide.

The game has also continued receiving content after launch. Current editions include additional material featuring characters and content from Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero and Dragon Ball DAIMA.

It is available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.

Why play it in 2026: When the goal is pure Dragon Ball spectacle, Sparking! ZERO gives you transformations, enormous attacks, destructive environments and a huge roster in one package.

For another franchise character whose fate you might be wondering about, read Does Leon Die in Resident Evil Requiem? Leon’s Fate in RE9 Fully Explained.

10. Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition — The Creature-Collecting JRPG Hidden in Plain Sight

For the underrated crowd, Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition deserves serious attention.

This package includes both Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth and Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth – Hacker’s Memory, giving you two substantial turn-based RPG adventures.

The story moves between the real world and the digital world, with players investigating strange incidents involving Digimon and the virtual environment known as EDEN.

Yes, collecting Digimon is central to the experience.

But this isn’t just about catching creatures and throwing them into battles.

There are more than 300 Digimon to collect, raise and Digivolve. Building your team around different abilities and strategies becomes a major part of the RPG experience.

The cyber-detective setup also gives the games an identity that separates them from more familiar Digimon adventures.

It is available on Nintendo Switch and PC through Steam.

Why play it in 2026: If you want a traditional creature-collecting JRPG with a substantial story, hundreds of Digimon and a cyber-detective premise, this is one of the most overlooked choices here.

If you’d rather know exactly how long a game will take before diving in, check out How Long Does Cairn Take to Reach the True Ending?

11. Tales of Arise – Beyond the Dawn — Anime Drama Meets Action RPG Combat

Tales of Arise isn’t an anime adaptation either, but it absolutely fits an anime-game guide.

The character designs, expressive cutscenes, dramatic fantasy story and fast combat all feel heavily influenced by modern anime.

The original story centers on the people of Dahna, who have spent generations under the domination of the neighboring world of Rena.

Two protagonists from very different backgrounds become involved in a conflict that eventually grows far beyond its initial scope.

Combat is fully real-time and highly dynamic.

Party members can combine attacks and abilities to create flashy encounters, giving battles the kind of momentum you would expect from a major anime action sequence.

Then comes Beyond the Dawn, the major expansion that continues the story after the original game’s ending.

There is also a new reason to check it out in 2026.

Tales of Arise – Beyond the Dawn Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 launched on May 22, making the game more accessible on Nintendo hardware this year.

Why play it in 2026: If you want anime-style character drama, spectacular action and a full-scale fantasy RPG rather than a straightforward licensed adaptation, Tales of Arise is a strong fit.

Which Anime Game Fits Your Playstyle?

The best part about anime games in 2026 is that there isn’t one formula you have to follow.

Want straight-up anime combat? Start with BLEACH Rebirth of Souls or Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO.

Looking for an action RPG? Scarlet Nexus, Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok and Tales of Arise take the formula in very different directions.

Prefer a traditional JRPG? One Piece Odyssey, Persona 5 Royal, Metaphor: ReFantazio and Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition all offer completely different worlds and systems.

And when you want something less predictable, Sand Land and Blue Protocol: Star Resonance bring exploration, vehicles, MMORPG systems and social gameplay into the mix.

The other thing worth remembering is that you don’t have to be an expert on anime to enjoy these games.

Several of the strongest choices here aren’t based on existing anime at all. Scarlet Nexus, Metaphor: ReFantazio and Tales of Arise create their own worlds and characters while borrowing heavily from anime’s visual language and storytelling traditions.

That’s a big reason the genre has become so much more interesting.

Anime games no longer have to be about replaying moments you already know from a show. The strongest games take the things players love about anime — dramatic characters, expressive visuals, emotional storytelling and absurdly flashy action — and turn them into interactive experiences.

So whether you’re here for a massive Dragon Ball battle, a Bleach sword fight, a One Piece JRPG, a sprawling Persona-style adventure or an underrated original world, 2026 has plenty of anime gaming options waiting for you.

Disclaimer

This guide is based on the games’ available content, gameplay styles, current platform availability and overall appeal in 2026. The term “anime game” is used broadly to include games directly based on anime or manga as well as original games with strong anime-inspired presentation. Platform support, content and availability can change over time.

Sources

• BLEACH Rebirth of Souls official website — Bandai Namco
• SCARLET NEXUS official website — Bandai Namco
• SAND LAND official website — Bandai Namco
• ONE PIECE ODYSSEY official website — Bandai Namco
• Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok official website — Cygames
• Persona 5 Royal official website — ATLUS
• Metaphor: ReFantazio official website — ATLUS/SEGA
• Metaphor: ReFantazio Nintendo Switch 2 official page — ATLUS
• Blue Protocol: Star Resonance — Steam
• DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO official website — Bandai Namco
• Digimon Story Cyber Sleuth: Complete Edition official website — Bandai Namco
• Tales of Arise official information — Bandai Namco
• Tales of Arise official news — Bandai Namco

Featured Image Credit: Bandai Namco Entertainment