Anime art has seen a tremendous surge in popularity recently. Back in the 90s, our experience with “Anime” was limited to poorly dubbed episodes of Sailor Moon and Dragon Ball. Today, anime is omnipresent: from Fandoms and Discord servers to subreddits and Facebook groups.

Countless online communities are dedicated to the art of anime. It’s not just teens who are passionate about drawing fan art; it’s also widely embraced by professional artists, especially in the character and game design industries.

In this blog, we explore what anime art style is, highlight some top anime-style video games, and explain why these games stand out. Plus, discover why GIANTY is your ideal partner for creating anime-style video games.

What is Anime Art Style

Anime is a broad term encompassing a wide range of animation styles originating from Japan. Anime art style is known for its vibrant colors, exaggerated facial expressions, and fantastical elements. This style emphasizes detailed artwork, expressive characters, and imaginative settings, making it both instantly recognizable and highly appealing.

Anime Art Style Video Games

Anime art style video games incorporate these visual elements to create immersive and visually stunning experiences. These games often blend storytelling, character development, and artistic expression, resulting in a captivating gameplay experience.

Anime art style video games have a dedicated fan base and strong community engagement. For instance, Genshin Impact, released four years ago by HoYoverse, reached $1 billion in revenue within six months and generated significant social media buzz, highlighting its commercial and cultural success.

Why Anime Art Style Games Stand Out

Anime art style games have carved a unique niche in the gaming world, drawing in players with their distinct aesthetic and captivating storytelling. Here are a few key reasons why anime art style games stand out:

Visual Appeal

The striking and colorful visuals of anime art style games captivate players, offering a refreshing alternative to the hyper-realistic graphics commonly found in AAA games.

The vibrant colors, expressive characters, and imaginative settings create a unique and immersive visual experience that sets these games apart.

Cultural Connection

Anime art style games often draw inspiration from Japanese culture, resonating with fans of anime and manga.

This cultural connection provides a sense of immersion, allowing players to explore and appreciate the rich heritage and artistic traditions of Japan through interactive storytelling and gameplay.

Community and Fandom

Anime art style games foster strong communities and fandoms. Players are deeply engaged, sharing their experiences, creating fan art, and participating in discussions on social media platforms.

This active community involvement amplifies the reach and impact of these games, creating a loyal and passionate fan base that continuously supports and promotes the genre.

Top Anime Art Style Video Games

Anime art style video games have taken the gaming world by storm, demonstrating that the fascination with this unique art style extends far beyond Japan.

These games demonstrate that the allure of anime art style graphics has a global reach, with developers from different countries embracing this art style. The blend of vivid, expressive visuals and engaging gameplay creates a unique experience that resonates with players worldwide.

Here are 10 anime art style video games developed by studios from different parts of the world:

Genshin Impact (2020) – miHoYo (China) – Action RPG

Genshin Impact is a groundbreaking action RPG that has captured the hearts of players worldwide with its beautiful anime-inspired visuals and expansive open world. Developed by miHoYo, this game combines a rich storyline with an immersive combat system, and it achieved remarkable success by generating over $1 billion in revenue within its first six months.

Persona 5 (2016) – Atlus (Japan) – JRPG

Persona 5 is a critically acclaimed JRPG known for its stylish art direction and deep, engaging narrative. Developed by Atlus, this game features a blend of traditional turn-based combat and life simulation elements, all presented through vibrant anime visuals that bring its characters and world to life.

Dragon Ball FighterZ (2018) – Arc System Works (Japan) – 2.5D Fighting

Dragon Ball FighterZ by Arc System Works stands out as one of the best anime art style fighting games. It faithfully recreates the look and feel of the Dragon Ball anime series with its stunning 2.5D graphics and fast-paced combat, making it a hit among fans of the franchise and fighting game enthusiasts alike.

Tower of Fantasy (2021) – Hotta Studio (China) – MMORPG

Tower of Fantasy is a visually striking MMORPG developed by Hotta Studio. Set in a vast open world with anime graphics, this game offers an engaging experience with its blend of exploration, combat, and social interactions, attracting a global audience with its dynamic gameplay and beautiful art style.

Wuthering Waves (2024) – Kuro Game (China) – Action RPG

Wuthering Waves is a highly anticipated action RPG from Kuro Game, known for its impressive anime-style visuals and intense combat mechanics. Scheduled for release in 2024, this game promises to deliver a captivating experience with its richly detailed environments and character designs.

Grand Chase (2003) – KOG Studios (South Korea) – MMORPG

Grand Chase by KOG Studios is a classic MMORPG that features charming anime art style graphics and fast-paced action. This game has been beloved for its engaging gameplay and colorful character designs, making it a standout title in the South Korean gaming market.

Epic Seven (2018) – Super Creative (South Korea) – RPG

Epic Seven, developed by Super Creative, is a popular RPG known for its stunning anime art style artwork and strategic combat system. With its detailed character designs and engaging storylines, this game has garnered a strong following among RPG fans.

Indivisible (2019) – Lab Zero Games (USA) – Action RPG

Indivisible by Lab Zero Games is an action RPG that combines beautiful anime art style visuals with a unique combat system. Set in a fantastical world, this game features a diverse cast of characters and an intricate storyline, all presented through eye-catching anime art.

Skullgirls (2012) – Reverge Labs (original), Lab Zero Games (later updates), Future Club (current) (USA) – Fighting

Skullgirls, originally developed by Reverge Labs and later updated by Lab Zero Games and Future Club, is a fighting game celebrated for its intricate anime character designs and smooth animations.

This game offers a unique fighting experience with its blend of dark humor and stylish graphics.

Azur Lane (2017) – Shanghai Manjuu, Xiamen Yongshi (China) – Side-Scrolling Shooter

Azur Lane by Shanghai Manjuu and Xiamen Yongshi features charming anime art style character designs and engaging gameplay. With its combination of naval combat and collectible characters, this game has become a favorite among fans of anime.

Why Choose GIANTY?

At GIANTY, we specialize in bringing anime art style video games to life. Our expertise and passion for this art style make us the ideal partner for your game development needs.

We’ve had the privilege of working on acclaimed projects like Fate/Grand Order, BanG Dream! Girls Band Party!, and D4DJ Groovy Mix, showcasing our ability to deliver stunning and engaging anime art style games.

Let us help you create a game that stands out visually and captivates players around the world. Contact us today to learn more about how we can bring your anime-style video game to life.