Rhythm video games have maintained their popularity across the globe for decades. They are found in nearly every arcade, in many homes, on gaming consoles, and even on mobile devices. Rhythm games combine the skills of timing and dexterity with fantastic music for an immersive experience that are a hit with fans everywhere.
Whether it is a full-body immersive game such as Beat Saber, the timeless classic Dance Dance Revolution, or a portable tapping game for console or mobile, these games remain popular with fans. Many rhythm games use anime-style images and characters. If the game becomes popular, sometimes it even gets an anime spin-off.
10 Samurai Jam -Bakumatsu Rock-
This rhythm-based game for the PlayStation Portable follows the adventure of Sakamoto Ryoma, who lives under an oppressive system that does not allow for any musical creativity. Writing or performing any other music is considered a serious crime, and this is where Ryoma's story begins.
Ryoma wants to play Rock and Roll music, and bands together with other rock singers to rally against their oppressors and find their musical freedom. Players gain fans as they play and acquire new songs, hoping to make rock and roll an accepted part of musical culture. Bakumatsu Rock inspired the anime spin-off, Samurai Jam - Bakumatsu Rock-, which was released in 2014.
9 Pretty Rhythm: Aurora Dream
Pretty Rhythm is a long-running series of rhythm-based arcade games. Made popular in 2010, this original Pretty Rhythm game quickly became popular with fans and inspired several spin-off games, as well as several anime. With cute outfits, fun character designs, a simple plot, and an appealing format, it's no wonder the game found so much popularity so quickly.
In 2011, after the game's ratings continued to spike, an announcement of an anime was made by Takara Tomy, and Pretty Rhythm: Aurora Dream was released. Several more Pretty Rhythm anime would soon follow, as would several more Pretty Rhythm arcade games.
8 Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club
Love Live! has many forms of representation for fans to enjoy, from the original anime they know and love to the very different depictions of the plot and characters in the manga, there is something for every fan. Love Live! School Idol Festival ALL STARS, a rhythm-based mobile game, is one of those. The All Stars mobile game follows a new set of aspiring idols: the girls of Nijigasaki High School.
The story follows this idol group as they get into friendly competitions with µ's and Aqours, learn from them, and work with them to save the Love Live! festival. This game inspired an anime that aired toward the end of 2020 which follows only the Nijigasaki girls. It focuses on recruiting the members to the club and helping them solve their problems along the way as they gain confidence and aim higher as idols.
7 King of Prism
An interesting take on the Pretty Rhythm series, King of Prism features an all-male idol group. Initially inspired by the Pretty Rhythm arcade game series, this film series certainly holds its own. Released as the film, King of Prism by Pretty Rhythm, it follows a male idol group through their adventure. This film series eventually got its own anime spin-off in 2019 called King of Prism: 7 Shiny Stars, but like the Pretty Rhythm anime and games before it, its roots began as a classic arcade game.
The big difference is that while other Pretty Rhythm games focused on female idols, cute outfits, and rhythm-based performances, King of Prism focuses on male idols making a name in the idol world. Regardless of its origins, the all-male take on a typically female-dominant series is a refreshing change.
6 Tokyo 7th Sisters: Bokura Wa Aozora Ni Naru
The anime version of Tokyo 7th Sisters was originally slotted to arrive in 2020. However, due to COVID-19 delays, it has been pushed back to early 2021, with a tentative February 26 release date. This anime follows the plot of the popular mobile game Tokyo 7th Sisters, an idol-based rhythm game. After the retirement of the legendary idol group 7th Sisters, idols were thought to be over and done with.
As the city struggles to support idols, the player's character seeks to gather them to prove that idols are not yet finished. With great songs, amazing graphics, and a variety of characters, there is a lot to discover in Tokyo 7th Sisters.
5 Show By Rock!!
While the anime version of Show By Rock!! is considered one of the top anime based on video games, fans may be surprised to know that it was originally a rhythm-based mobile game that was created in collaboration with Sanrio, a first for the company. The anime added extra detail and depth to the characters, making them more rounded.
The game, however, was still very entertaining and well-liked. It allowed the player to explore many different musical groups and uncover their stories, with gachas to acquire new members along the way. Unfortunately, while the anime is still available, the game sent out an end of service announcement in 2019 and shut down at the end of the year.
4 BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! Pico
Featuring the chibi versions of the characters from the game, this anime's episodes are short, sweet, and very silly. These shorts are less than 5 minutes each but will have fans rolling with laughter nonetheless. The BanG Dream! game serves as inspiration for these shorts. It features several musical groups, each with their own individual goals and dreams.
Fans interact with the various girls, unlock new music, and learn more about the world through playing. Whether fans are discovering BanG Dream! for the first time through the anime, mobile game, or the Pico spin-off, they are sure to enjoy themselves.
3 PriPara
Like King of Prism, PriPara was created as a spin-off of the Pretty Rhythm game series and has both an anime and its own games. The PriPara anime focuses on Lala, an elementary school girl who loves PriPara, an exclusive world for idols including music, fashion, and, of course, idol performances. Lala wants desperately to join PriPara, but her elementary school forbids it.
When she finds another idol's bag on the ground, Lala finds herself invited into the PriPara world, where she falls in love with performing and being an idol. The anime certainly incorporates aspects of the rhythm games. While there are no notes to tap during Laala's performance, it really feels like a rhythm game the entire time. This makes sense since the anime is inspired by a long line of rhythm-based games.
2 IDOLISH7
IDOLISH7 was originally released as a mobile rhythm-based game in 2015. The player assumes the role of Tsumugi Takanashi, whose role is to work with the male idols to get them from amateur to professional. The player gets to know the characters, and experiences hardships and triumphs alongside them.
While the number 7 seems to appear in many anime series, this title does have some significance. Each of the 7 idols has a kanji in their name representing a number from 1 to 7, and as a group, not only are there 7 of them, but all 7 numbers are accounted for as well. The game was wildly popular and inspired an anime by the same name. The anime was also well-received and recently finished its second season. A third season has been officially announced as well.
1 Deemo The Movie
Deemo is originally a rhythm-based game known for its interesting story, unique graphics, and amazing musical scores. The main character, Alice, begins her story by falling into another world. Deemo, a creature who seems fond of Alice, helps her as she journeys home by playing the piano and growing the tree that will eventually let her return to her world.
Along the way, a masked woman tries to stop them. The game involves working with Deemo and playing music on the piano while discovering the truth of Deemo's world. This emotionally impactful game is a huge hit with fans. While the anime movie is not yet released, the trailers do appear to be faithful to the game. It will be interesting to see where Alice's journey takes her.