The world of anime is expansive and offers many unique stories with compelling characters, engaging plots, and epic moments. While some anime come and go, many deliver unique and memorable experiences. Those types of anime typically contain well-written storylines and characters.
We want to highlight the best anime about tabletop games. Whether through cards or distinct game pieces, you’ll be amazed by the way these shows tackle the tabletop gaming concept.
Feel free to leave your comments about our choices below. If we happen to forget one of your favorites, let us know in the comments. We’ll be sure to add it later.
Hikaru No Go
Hikaru No Go is a glorious anime with a fascinating take on the traditional Chinese tabletop game, Go. In it, we follow Hikaru, a boy who finds an old Go board with a Go master’s spirit inside. With this master at his side, Hikaru tackles the competitive Go world and meets many formidable allies and rivals during his travels.
Hikaru No Go explores the Go sport in fascinating ways. It delves into Go’s complexities, highlighting the strategies and mental fortitude required to become a professional at it. On top of emphasizing why it’s important to practice, persevere, and remain diligent when striving toward a goal, Hikaru No Go is an inspiring and educational anime.
Yu-Gi-Oh!
Yu-Gi-Oh! is a classic anime. It contains interesting characters, enjoyable duels, and intriguing twists to keep audiences watching. The story follows Yugi, a young Duel Monsters fanatic who defeats Seto Kaiba, a proficient Duel Monsters duelist. After news about Yugi’s victory over Kaiba spreads worldwide, Yugi and his friends get entangled in numerous ploys that threaten their world.
This series captures the soul of tabletop games through its high-stakes duels. It effectively combines aspects of strategy, skill, and luck. Each duel will leave viewers at the edge of their seats and some will shock you with their outcomes. If you’re someone who dabbled into fantasy-themed card games during your youth, you’ll love what Yu-Gi-Oh! delivers.
March Comes In Like A Lion
March Comes In Like A Lion expertly weaves tabletop games into its narrative. This tale follows Rei, an incredible shogi player, who suffers from multiple mental conflicts. Nonetheless, Rei’s professional Shogi skills are on full display in this work. Viewers will cherish how this anime highlights the psychological and complex aspects of this Japanese version of chess.
It does so exceptionally through Rei and other players’ perspectives. Like the previous entries, you’ll understand what type of mindset one needs to have when playing Shogi and will marvel at the strategies and discipline required to become a professional at it. By this story’s end, there’s a chance you’ll end up researching everything there is to know about the sport online.
Chihayafuru
Yu-Gi-Oh! isn’t the only anime on this list that dabbles with cards. Enter Chihayafuru, a series that centers around the traditional Japanese card game, karuta. It follows Chihaya, a compassionate female enamored by karuta’s concepts and gameplay, enticing her to become a professional at it.
Through intense high-stakes battles and charming character interactions, fans will be engrossed by this anime’s deep dive into the karuta culture. Additionally, viewers will appreciate Chihayafuru for providing them with the card game’s historical significance. This allows viewers to develop a deeper understanding of this tabletop game and could interest them in participating in it themselves.
Saki
Saki delivers 25 episodes worth of content involving a group of high schoolers and their fascination with mahjong. As they navigate the competitive world of mahjong, these teens will forge deep connections with each other and fellow players. Additionally, this series delves heavily into mahjong’s competitive nature, showcasing interesting strategies professionals utilize to achieve victory.
Moreover, fans will find it compelling to see how mahjong profoundly impacts our cast’s lives for better and worse. It’s these instances that resonate with people most, especially those who like to spend their free time playing tabletop games with family and friends. Therefore, if you’re after a fun anime that demonstrates how a tabletop game can dramatically impact one’s life, check Saki out.
Shion No Ou
If March Comes In Like A Lion’s utilization of shogi fascinates you, then Shion No Ou may pique your interest too. This is another interesting series that revolves around shogi. This tale follows Shion, a rising star in the shogi world who unfortunately lost her parents to murder. She must persevere through numerous battles while uncovering the truth behind her parent’s demise.
This anime integrates shogi into its storytelling effectively and offers fans a decent amount of intellectual bouts. Each battle is captivating since every player utilizes strategies that convey the tension to be found in competitive shogi play. On top of having an enjoyable female lead with great qualities, viewers can’t go wrong with this one.
When Will Ayumu Make His Move
The shogi theme continues with When Will Ayumu Make His Move? While the series isn’t perfect or on par with the two above, there is a level of enjoyment to be had with it. This series follows Ayumu’s journey through the professional shogi world. Like the previously mentioned anime, this one captures the fun and intellectual mechanics of shogi wonderfully.
Additionally, viewers will sense each shogi player’s passion for the game and how the anime portrays the game itself. Shogi aside, When Will Ayumu Make His Move offers compelling emotional arcs and characters. Some will appreciate this series for exploring several characters’ struggles and witnessing them develop throughout the story. With a fine balance of competitive shogi play and emotional storytelling, fans will walk away from this anime moderately pleased.
Selector Infected WIXOSS
Selector Infected WIXOSS is a series based on a popular trading card game called WIXOSS. It revolves around several girls who get roped into a thrilling event that forces them to use the magical WIXOSS cards to survive. This anime wonderfully weaves this popular card game into its plot, leaving fans with a tale full of captivating, strategic battles.
The battles have fine animation and viewers will be immersed by the intensity felt throughout each one. Additionally, this series can be dark at times and tackles concepts involving power and hope. With some emotionally-heavy sequences sprinkled in for dramatic effect, this is a series worth trying.
Beyblade
“Let it rip” is a phrase many children shared on the playground during their youth. That’s all thanks to Beyblade. Spanning an interesting toy line and anime series, Beyblade was loved by many for its interesting and fun concept. The anime series, while tacky at times, offers viewers a compelling experience, regardless of whether they grew up with the disk toys or not.
In it, we follow a group of children who engage in exhilarating beyblade battles with each other. As with other anime with real-world products, Beyblade effectively captures Beyblade’s thrilling nature.
The Beyblades used in this anime display unique traits, names, and abilities that’ll excite audiences. Additionally, this story’s cast receives decent screen time and the plot itself contains respectable takes on friendship and teamwork. Therefore, if you’re someone who can tolerate anime aimed toward children, check Beyblade out.
After School Dice Club
For those looking for a decent “moe” anime with tabletop-related scenarios, After School Dice Club is worth checking out. This anime offers a heartwarming tale about a group of high schoolers who bond over different tabletop games. From familiar role-playing games to classic board games, some folks will find this anime’s cast’s experiences wholesome and relatable.
Furthermore, this anime does a fine job of demonstrating how tabletop games can bring people together and ignite healthy competition. On that note, the characters in this tale, from Miki to Aya, have great personalities and a deep appreciation for tabletop activities. With its charming visuals and decent storytelling, After School Dice Club is a relaxing and enjoyable watch.
So, there we have it, our picks for the best anime about tabletop games!
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!