There is some great anime out there based on video games or gaming culture. With amazing series like .hack// and Sword Art Online, gamers are well represented in anime television. The same isn’t necessarily true of anime films. While there are tons of incredible anime films out there, only a few really appeal to gamers directly. There are a few gems, though, and we have compiled them here (in no particular order).
Final Fantasy: Advent Children
Final Fantasy: Advent Children is arguably the best Final Fantasy movie ever made. It follows the protagonist of Final Fantasy VII, Cloud, as a new threat emerges that seeks to revive Sephiroth – one of the Final Fantasy series’ most famous villains. The movie has some great animation and killer fight scenes, even if the plot is just as flimsy as the game it’s based on.
Afro Samurai: Resurrection
While the Afro Samurai games got middling reviews, it stayed true to the great art style of the original anime. Afro Samurai: Resurrection, the sequel to the anime series, is just as wild, violent, and gritty as its original. The fun and bloody movie may convince you to revisit the Afro Samurai games, just for fun.
Pokemon: The First Movie
Nothing compares to the original, as proven by the first Pokemon movie. By the time this movie was made, Pokemon was already a global sensation and one of the best-selling game franchises of all time (a tradition it has continued ever since). Pokemon: The First Movie solidifies this legacy while also offering something new. The first movie stars fan-favorite villain Mewtwo, and has a noticeably darker tone and art style than the series (as well as any movie afterward). The movie manages being entertaining and kid-friendly while dealing with heavy subject matter regarding creation, destiny, and the nature of good versus evil.
Ghost in the Shell
“Ghost in the Shell Motoko” by (CC BY-ND 2.0)
One of the greatest anime movies of all time, Ghost in the Shell, recently got the Hollywood treatment. Reviews of the American version range from mediocre to pretty good. However, nothing will ever compete with the original sci-fi masterpiece. It is a movie that has influenced films and video games alike ever since its release. The latest video game based on the franchise is online FPS Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex – First Assault Online, released in 2016 by Neople.
Of course, Ghost in the Shell isn’t the only game out there with great female leads. You can even find a great female anime characters in casino games. Take Moon Princess, for instance, a bitcoin slot where you join the moon princess in her quest to play slots. The influence of anime on pop culture far and wide is truly immense.
Mobile Suit Gundam Seed: Special Edition
Mobile Suit Gundam is one of the most addicting mech anime series out there, and it should come as no surprise that there have been several video game adaptations of the long-running franchise. Gundam Seed has some of the most beautiful animation of all the series, as well as some of the most emotional and heart-racing action scenes. Gundam Seed can often be found at the top of the list of best Gundam series. The series has been condensed and released in trilogy of movies called Mobile Suit Gundam Seed: Special Edition, and it comes highly recommended. It is a must watch for sci-fi lovers and gamers alike.
