10 Best Anime Set in the World of Video Games (PC: IMDb)
The isekai anime genre is gaining popularity, offering virtual reality experiences that allow players to immerse themselves in a world where the pet cat is king and in-game gold is worth more than just savings. Shows like Sword Art Online and Overlord convince viewers that gaming is the next best thing to a vacation.
Here are the top 10 isekai anime where games are life.
1. Overlord
Overlord is a dark fantasy anime based on a Japanese novel written by Kugane Maruyama. Season 1 of Overlord is his series of 13 episodes that premiered in the summer of 2015 and covers his first three volumes of light novels.
Produced by Madhouse and directed by Naoyuki Ito, the anime aired from July 7, 2015 to September 29, 2015. The opening theme is “Clttanoia” by OxT, and the ending theme is “LLL” by Myth & Roid.
2. No Game No Life
“No Game No Life” is a Japanese light novel series written by Yu Enokimiya. The series depicts Sora and his step-sister Shiro, two recluses who make up the Blank Identity, an undefeated gamer group. One day, they are challenged to a game of chess by the god of competition, and they win.
As a result, they are summoned by God to “Disboard,'' a world where stealing, war, and killing are forbidden, and where everything from borders to people's lives is determined by games. Aiming to maintain their reputation as undefeated gamers, Sky and White plot to conquer the 16 ruling races and usurp the gaming gods.
3. I'm in love with the villain's daughter
“I'm in Love with the Villainess” is a Japanese light novel series written by Inori and illustrated with star illustrations. The series is about Rei Ohashi, an ordinary office worker who is overworked to the point of dying from overwork, and suddenly finds himself reincarnated as Ray Taylor, the heroine of his favorite otome game, Revolution.
However, Ray is not interested in the game's original three romance routes with the princes of the Bauer Kingdom. Instead, she places her heart in Claire Francois, the game's main antagonist. Ray uses her knowledge of the upcoming events of the game to try to give Claire a happy ending before ruining any chance of the upcoming revolution happening.
4. Log Horizon
Log Horizon is a Japanese novel series written by Mamare Touno and illustrated by Kazuhiro Hara. The series follows Shiroe, a strategist from the long-running MMORPG Elder Tale, and other players who find themselves transported into the game's world after a game update.
The novel has received four manga adaptations, one based on the main story and the other three revolving around characters from the series. A TV anime produced by Satellite that was broadcast on NHK Educational Television from October 2013 to March 2014.
5. Trapped in a love simulation ~The world of otome games is a harsh world for mobs~
Trapped in a Love Sim: The World of Otome Games is a Tough World for Mobs is a Japanese light novel series written by Yomu Mishima and illustrated by Monda. The anime television series by ENGI aired from April 2022 to June 2022.
This series tells the story of a deceased office worker who is reincarnated as Leon Fou Baltfort in the otome game Kingdom of Holfort. In this world, women rule, and the “mob” has difficulty surviving. Leon uses his knowledge of the game to disrupt the social hierarchy by finding Luxion and enrolling her in Holt Fort Academy. Living an ordinary life and trying to find his wife, he becomes involved in various intrigues while interacting with nobles and other characters.
6. Sword Art Online
Sword Art Online is a Japanese light novel series written by Reki Kawahara and illustrated by Abec. A TV anime series produced by A-1 Pictures, commonly known as Sword Art Online.
The light novel series revolves around various virtual reality worlds, starting with Aincrad's Sword Art Online (SAO). Each world is built on a game engine called World Seed, originally developed for SAO by Akihiko Kayaba. The World Seed was later replicated for Alfheim Online (ALO) and later leaked online by Kirito for the purpose of reviving the virtual reality industry.
Third World Gun Gale Online (GGO) is a first-person shooter game created by an American company using World Seed. The fourth world, the Underworld (UW), is as real as the real world, as powerful government resources are used to maintain its existence.
7. Hack//Sign
.Hack//Sign is influenced by psychological and sociological themes such as anxiety, escapism, and interpersonal relationships. The series focuses on a wavemaster named Tsukasa, a player character in a virtual reality massively multiplayer online role-playing game called The World.
He wakes up to find himself in a dungeon in The World, but suffers from short-term memory loss, wondering where he is and how he got there. The situation worsens as he finds himself trapped in the game and unable to log out. From then on, Tsukasa, along with other players, embarks on a quest to find the truth behind his unusual situation.
8. How not to summon the Demon King
How Not to Summon the Demon King is a Japanese light novel series written by Yukiya Murasaki and illustrated by Takahiro Tsurusaki. The series is about a reclusive gamer, Takuma Sakamoto, who is transported to the virtual world of his favorite MMORPG, Cross Reverie, where he becomes the demon lord Diablo.
Two girls, Rem and Shera, summon him to help remove the magic collar. However, due to Takuma's magic ring and magical reflex ability, the magic bounces back, leaving him with a magic collar. Socially phobic Takuma uses his high status and knowledge of Cross Reverie lore to survive in his new environment. He travels with Rem and Shera to find a way to remove the slaves' collars and resolve their personal problems.
9. Infinite Dendrogram
Infinite Dendrogram is a Japanese light novel series written by Sakon Kaido and illustrated by Taiki. The series is based on his year 2043, when the virtual reality MMORPG Infinite Dendrogram was released, featuring features that perfectly simulate the player's five senses.
Almost two years later, Reiji Mukutori enters the world of Infinite Dendrogram and takes the name Ray Starling. Upon arrival, he is joined by his experienced younger brother Shu and Embryo's companion Nemesis. As Rey explores the world of Infinite Dendrogram, she learns how to build a life for herself there and meets friends and enemies of all kinds.
10. Skeleton Knight from another world
“Isekai Skeleton Knight-sama'' is a Japanese light novel series written by Enzumi Hagari and illustrated by KeG.
The series revolves around a gamer who finds himself a skeleton character in a discriminatory fantasy world. The appeal of this anime lies in the friendship between Ark, Ariane, and Ponta that highlights their individuality. The story balances harsh and playful elements while ensuring each hero's importance within the ensemble.
