RPG or role-playing games is a loosely defined, catch-all term for games where a person enters a fictional world by acting out or playing the roles of a narrative. It's a loose term because of the variations RPG's have undergone over the past few decades.
This gaming genre has blended to create hybrid games that incorporate other variable elements, which makes it difficult to create an exact definition for RPGs. Those games span across mediums that include tabletop, PCs, consoles, and virtual reality. It's even found its way into our beloved anime. We see it from an anime character's literal gaming habits to those that find themselves transferred into the gaming world, such as with the well-known RPG anime Sword Art Online.
10 .Hack//Sign
It can be said that .Hack//Sign is the heralding series that began the trend of RPG infused anime. Tsukasa is the alias of protagonist An Shoji when she escapes reality in the MMORPG (massively multi-player online) of a game called The World.
During this time, Tsukasa is stuck inside the game with fuzzy memories. As he tries to regain those lost memories, Tsukasa ventures throughout the world and works to connect his purpose to events happening around him. This RPG anime is one filled with a heavy dose of mystery along with personal growth.
9 Accel World
Accel World follows middle schooler Haruyuki Arita as his world turns upside down. When Kuroyukihime beats all of his gaming scores, she invites him to help her in an augmented reality game called Brain Burst. In exchange, she'll help him get rid of the pesky bullies.
For this team, it's either defeat other players and earn points to use the accelerate technique, or lose. If they drain their points, then zero means game over. No second chance. In order to meet the creator, this unlikely duo begins their journey to the top.
8 Log Horizon
Log Horizon follows a typical isekai RPG where the protagonist is sucked into the game. After the recent update of MMORPG Elder Tale, players find themselves unable to logout, including Shiroe. This master strategist is more level-headed than most as he immediately sets out to understand the limitations of his new situation.
During this time, Shiroe works to gather friends and establish a system to help the economy, learn the value of NPC's, and create a stable environment until a way to return home is secured. In this new world, Shiroe works to create a place that people can call home, even if it's only a substitute.
7 BTOOOM!
Ryouta Sakamoto is an adult hikikomori and also the number one player in the online game BTOOOM! where players compete by blasting each other up with handheld bombs. One day, Sakamoto awakens on an island with a green crystal embedded in his hand and no memories to help him out.
Unlike other RPG anime, this one takes the game concept and brings it to life. In order to get off the island, the players must defeat (kill) other players and collect crystals if they wish to make it out alive. Sakamoto teams up with like-minded individuals in an attempt to find a way off the island that doesn't involve unnecessary killing while figuring out just who is behind this deadly game.
6 Infinite Dendrogram
In 2043, a full dive VRMMORPG (Virtual Reality Massively Multi-player Online) is released, and its specs make it feel all too real. Of course, that's the purpose, but first-hand experience is a lot more intimidating than simply knowing of its existence. College student Reiji Mukudor finally receives a chance to explore this new realm of possibility and embarks on adventures within this virtual reality.
In the Kingdom of Altar, Reiji becomes a Paladin. During his time in the game, Reiji is able to create a life for himself where he finds friends and foes alike. In a game where the five senses are mimicked, why return to the real world?
5 Recovery Of An MMO Junkie
Morioka Moriko is an adult hikikomori that finds happiness when playing MMORPG Fruits de Mer. It's here that she transforms herself into her male avatar Hayashi and begins the peaceful days of playing with her teammates and her partner Lily. Outside of this PC game, Lily, also known as Yuuta Sakurai, spends his time as a corporate worker.
Game and reality collide when Moriko and Sakurai bump into each other outside of the game. This becomes a case of situational irony since neither of them knows that they are partners in the game. Through well-timed coincidences, Sakurai figures out the truth of the player Hayashi and wishes to deepen his relationship with her.
4 Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks?
Recently aired, Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks? follows high schooler Masato Oosuki and his mother as they find their bearings in a fantasy game world. Mamako is an overly indulgent parent that dotes on her son too much, which only proves to get on Masato's nerves.
When they find themselves transferred into a fantasy world, Masato is all too excited, but this soon turns to disappointment as his mother is the one with the maxed out stats. It isn't until the end that Masato and Mamako learn that the game and all of its obstacles helped to strengthen their bond and understanding of each other.
3 How NOT To Summon A Demon Lord
Takuma Sakamoto is the Demon Lord Diable in the game MMORPG Cross Reverie. He's transported to this world where two girls have summoned him in the hopes of enslaving him. However, this backfires and the girls become his slaves instead. In the real world, Sakamoto has social anxiety which prevents him from interacting with others. But, in this game world, that anxiety lessens when he becomes one with his character persona.
As Lord Diable works towards removing the slave collars, the three become caught up in kingdom perils that Diable has no choice but to intervene. In fact, he'd rather cast magic than go back to his old world.
2 BOFURI: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, So I'll Max Out My Defense
Kaede Honjō is encouraged by her friend to try out a VRMMORPG called NewWorld Online. In this world, she's called Maple, and as one who simply enjoys the gaming world, she doesn't wish to get hurt. This thought is what compels Maple to pour all of her points into leveling-up her defense.
Maple has a natural air-headed tendency but has a true knack for defense. Not a day goes by that Maple doesn't level-up or acquire a new skill. Once new platforms are developed, Maple is able to explore this world even further, and even goes so far as to form her own guild.
1 Overlord
The server for the game Yggdrasil is shutting down, and to commemorate his time within this DMMORPG (Dive Massively Multi-player Online), Mormonga, guild leader of the Great Tomb of Nazarick, is determined to see it through to the end. After the count down reaches zero, the clock continues. Mormonga attempts to log out but finds that he's trapped within this world as his skeletal avatar.
Upon this new development, Mormonga groups together his resources and attempts to learn more about the world around him. He's on the lookout for other players, but in the meantime, he'll aim for world domination.