When it comes to Japanese pop culture, the most popular franchises branch out beyond their original platform. In Japan and some places in China, you will often see franchises such as Dragon Ball Z, Attack on Titan, Hunter X Hunter, Demon Slayer, Fairy Tail, and Pokemon on a variety of items. These items can range from Soda Pop bottles, food, makeup. and even restaurant franchise ads (McDonald’s and KFC). When most mangas or animes become popular, they typically end up receiving a video game adaptation. So, here are 5 anime games already released during 2021, that anime fans should definitely check out.
Anime Games Released in 2021
- Persona 5 Strikers
- Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World
- Atelier Ryza 2
- Steins; Gate and Dragon Ball Z
- Lone Live! School Idol Festival: After School Activity
We are currently eight months into 2021. So far 2021 has been a slow year for video games, especially anime games. Although the year has been slow, a good variety of games have been released that were inspired by some of the top anime franchises. Gamers and anime enthusiasts around the world can experience some of their favorite stories from a new perspective. Below are five anime games released in 2021 that you might want to check out.
1. Persona 5 Strikers
The Phantom Thieves are back and this time the fight is being forced upon them. In Persona 5, the Phantom Thieves must change the hearts and minds of their targets or die trying. The hit JRPG first launched in 2016 on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. With the success of the game, Persona 5 was adapted into an animated series and released on Crunchyroll, Animelab, Hulu, and eventually Funimation. With the success of the animated series, the original game, and a devout following, Atlus and Sega decided to keep the story going with the release of Persona 5 Strikers. Persona 5 Strikers was first released in Japan in 2020 but would see a worldwide launch in 2021.
Persona 5 Strikers takes place four months after the events of the first game and the Phantom Thieves are forced to clear their names. After a sudden outburst of confessions, the Phantom Thieves are accused of manipulating the hearts of those they don’t know. Reunited, the group discovers that the Metaverse isn’t gone as previously expected. The gang must travel around Japan to shut down Jails and clear their name.
2. Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World
Re:Zero took the world by storm with its lovable maid twins, a cute love interest half-elf, and a dimwitted protagonist. After mysteriously being summoned to the kingdom of Lugunica, Subaru is killed while defending the half-elf. Time rewinds and Subaru finds himself alive again in the past. After dying multiple times, Subaru realizes that upon death, his life rewinds back to a certain point. With this knowledge, Subaru is able to defend Emilia and the other friends he meets along the way.
With the franchise gaining notoriety, a few spin-off games have been created to expand the universe. In January, Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World: The Prophecy of the Throne was released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC. The game follows the events of the first season but offers new branches and options of the story for the player to discover. Players will utilize Subaru’s “Return by Death” ability to gather information, fight the enemy, or die trying.
3. Atelier Ryza 2
Atelier Ryza 2: Lost Legends & the Secret Fairy is the 22nd entry in the Atelier franchise. The series did not have a massive impact when it was released as animated series; however, manga adaptations have been successful and have run from 2007 to 2020.
The game was first released in Japan on December 3rd, 2020; a month later, it was released internationally. A teacher and alchemist by trade, Ryza is summoned to the capital to help research ruins While researching the ruins the special stone she had been given hatches revealing a mysterious creature.
4. Steins Gate and Dragon Ball Z
Number 4 on our list is two established franchises in the industry. When it comes to time loop animes, Steins Gate is often the first title that comes to mind, however, Tokyo Revengers may soon surpass it. The series originally ran in 2011 and in 2015 a spin-off game was released. This Spin-off game called Steins; Gate 0 would ultimately be adapted into a second animated season. A graphically improved version of Steins; Gate 0 is called Steins; Gate 0 Elite is scheduled to be released before the end of 2021. The updated version is supposed to add full animation to the game.
Although Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot has previously been released on the Xbox One, PC, and PlayStation 4, it is scheduled to be released on September 24th, 2021, for the Nintendo Switch. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot expands the DBZ verse. The player has the opportunity to explore the round and live in the Dragon Ball universe. The game released its third DLC, Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks“, on June 11th, 2021.
5. Love Live! School Idol Festival: After School Activity
On March 24th, 2021, Love Live! School Idol Festival: After School Activity Wai-Wai! Home Meeting!! was ported to the PlayStation 4. Unlike its arcade counterpart, the PlayStation 4 version has its own level of difficulties. The base game has only eight songs, however, twenty-one song packs are available to purchase giving an additional 117 songs to play.
