The 10 Best Anime App Games

Anime App Games

If there is one facet of geekdom that harbors a more fervent fan-base than gaming, it’s probably anime. So it’s no wonder that developers (mostly BANDAI NAMCO, weirdly enough) will jump on the opportunity to create anime app games that will bring in all the lucrative benefits of an app game with the passionate loyalty of anime fans.

Which is why it’s a good idea to figure out exactly which anime games are worth your time. An agreeable artstyle is one thing, but without a decent gameplay loop and a non-predatory pricing system, anime-loving gamers could find their love for the genre exploited.

But don’t fear, anime-loving app gamer, because this list comprises the best of the best when it comes to anime games on mobile.

Bleach: Brave Souls

iOS & Android

A free-to-play beat-em-up with roleplaying elements that features hundreds of collectible characters from the source material obtained through gacha mechanics. Get used to that formula, because there’s a theme afoot.

Brave Souls recently broke 65 million downloads, which is a testament not only to the popularity of the series, but the accessible and addictive hack-and-slash mechanics. Beefy numbers that accompany big ol’ swings of an oversized sword are an ample source of dopamine for many gamers, and Brave Soul dishes them out in spades.

Sword Art Online: Integral Factor

iOS & Android

SAO Integral Factor is a mobile MMORPG – making it one of the better SAO games for its proximity to the source material. Basically, if you’re a fan of the series, this is about as ‘authentic’ a SAO experience you can get on mobile. At least, ‘authentic’ for a game that involves a bunch of MMO gamers getting trapped in a game that follows Nightmare on Elm Street rules about death.

In SAO Integral Factor, players naturally find themselves in this precise predicament and must ascend the 100 floors of the Aincrad alongside NPCs and fellow players from around the world, honing their skills and power so as to avoid dying in-game and IRL. During this quest, players can choose from an impressive arsenal of weapons with which to unleash unique skills dictated through gacha mechanics.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links

iOS & Android

If you’re a fan of collectible card games and anime, then it’s time to d-d-d-d-download Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links. Because this OG of the collectible card game genre is a critically-acclaimed portal to the crazy world of Yu-Gi-Oh! that manages to be both accessible to genre newbies whilst providing ample levels of strategy to card game connoisseurs.

Within this anime app game, Seto Kaiba has created a virtual reality Duel World in which duelists can compete. A simple premise that really needs no embellishment, because a card game is a card game, and Duel Links scratches that itch for a good old fashioned Yu-Gi-Oh! duel. Cards and characters from the source material are, of course, present, with the ability to stomp your friends and strangers from around the world in PvP.

One Piece Treasure Cruise

iOS & Android

A game that incorporates the distinctive cast of One Piece characters could be content to rest on its laurels knowing that its passionate fan-base would be satiated with the simplest of mechanics. But luckily for us, One Piece Treasure Cruise stands as one of the better anime app games utilizing mechanics that require dexterous fingers to pull off team-based combos in the heat of battle.

Amass a team comprising the familiar faces of the Straw Hats Pirates and more, including heroes and villains from every arc, island and season. Then embark on your unique quest to help the rubbery Monkey D. Luffy in his quest to become the pirate king.

Naruto x Boruto: Ninja Voltage

iOS & Android

Ninja Voltage is essentially the best of Naruto anime app games for fans of the original series. Sure it boasts some solid mechanics as a fortress-building strategy action game. But the real juiciness comes from the cavalcade of characters that find themselves reunited in this BANDAI NAMCO romp.

Though you would be forgiven for assuming that Naruto lends itself more to a fighter because ninjas, Ninja Voltage manages to satiate fans’ need for Ninjutsu in an engaging strategy setting. Players must manage resources, grow their village and defend themselves with a clan comprising their favorite series characters. But there is still ample opportunity to unleash ninja combos and Ninjutsu attacks from the series as players attempt to fend off attacks or descend on the fortresses of real-world opponents.

Honkai Impact 3rd

iOS & Android

Yep, there was life before Genshin Impact for HoYoverse, and it’s (almost) as good. The regally-named Honkai Impact 3rd is a multi-faceted title that incorporates a number of genres including hack-and-slash, social simulation, platforming, shoot ‘em up, dungeon crawling and some bullet hell elements. So if your answer to the question ‘which genre of game do I want to play?’ is ‘yes’, then Honkai Impact 3rd might be your jam.

A rich story mode accompanies dynamic combat as players control a team of up to three Valkyries, each with their own skills to bring to the table. Multiplayer is also available through Co-op Raids and gauntlets where players vie for the highest score.

The Seven Deadly Sins Grand Cross

iOS & Android

A ‘cinematic anime game’ that follows the beloved source material to the letter, The Seven Deadly Sins Grand Cross is an anime app game for those who say they want to play a game, but really just want to watch some more anime.

The story is retold via cut-scenes interspersed throughout gacha RPG gameplay with the anime voice actors reprising their roles. But by far the standout element of this title is how stunningly beautiful it is.

The popularity of this Netmarble joint was apparent from the start, with the title surpassing 3 million downloads in its first week alone. Two years later, it’s still going strong with events still rolling out regularly.

Fire Emblem Heroes

iOS & Android

One of Nintendo’s oldest and most beloved franchises, Fire Emblem made the jump to mobile in 2017. And seeing as Heroes is currently Nintendo’s highest-grossing mobile game, we’d say it’s done pretty well for itself.

Fire Emblem Heroes is a free-to-play tactical RPG that invites heroes from fifteen Fire Emblem titles. These heroes – acquired through (you guessed it) gacha mechanics – make up teams of up to four, wielding their individual skills to take on enemies on a 8×6 grid map.

Dragon Ball Legends

iOS & Android

If you’re a Dragon Ball fan who doesn’t want to see your favorite DB characters duke it out in an anime game…then you might be part of the wrong fandom. Screaming airborne fistfights laced with energy blasts comprises about 90% of Dragon Ball. Even the acclaimed Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle sees characters pummeling each other through the power of puzzle-solving. But the peak DB experience on mobile can arguably be found in Legends.

This swipe-heavy fighter sees players control Goku (and other characters, we guess) in dynamic combat against AI fighters or other players. It looks and feels about as good as DB-themed anime app games can get, with a solid story mode to satisfy the more cultured Dragon Ball fan.

Genshin Impact

iOS & Android

An anime app game that really needs no introduction. The success of Genshin Impact is made all the more stunning by the fact that it doesn’t have the established fan-base of anime source material. Despite this, Genshin Impact was downloaded 23 million times in its first week alone. In fact, it has the accolade of achieving the highest ever first-year launch revenue of any video game ever. And yes, that’s ‘video game’, not ‘app game’.

And we have a sneaking suspicion that the beautifully-rendered anime art-style has a lot to do with that. There aren’t many app-gaming anime fans that haven’t found themselves falling for Genshin Impact and its beguiling cast of charismatic characters. And as far as anime games go, it’s easily among the best.

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If you are to take home one overarching message from this list of the best anime app games, however, it’s this: don’t let the gacha getchu. Be wise with your spending and enjoy these games for what they are – beautifully-rendered anime games with myriad mechanics to satisfy that app gaming itch in a variety of genres.