At a time where everyone is mostly confined to their homes picking which hobby to pursue or whether to give in to TikTok's popularity or not, hitting two birds with one stone is a good way to spend time. There might be those who love anime but at the same time, also want to spend countless hours in MMORPGs. Both hobbies are timesinks, so why not combine them?
That's where anime MMORPGs come from. To be exact, they're mostly just online games with an anime setting and theme instead of the usual exhaustive fantasy or sci-fi backdrop. These 10 games are perfect examples. They're more niche than the usual MMORPG but are nevertheless perfect for people who love both mediums of entertainment.
10 KURTZPEL
This action PVP MMO has one of the prettiest graphics on the market for its particular subgenre. Kurtzpel isn't a typical theme park MMO or online game-- it's more competitive and heavily focuses on co-op or PVP for its core gameplay.
However, the grind involved in Kurtzpel is enough to sate the looting and gambling tendencies of most MMO-gamers. The customization options for one, are staggering and each character is bound to be unique, down to the jawline or eyebrows.
9 MAPLESTORY 2
For those looking for something less serious and more kawaii, Maplestory 2 has always been one of the most-played anime MMORPGs. It's a prequel to the original and allows an immense amount of freedom for its players.
For one, player-created environments are allowed-- even encouraged. Maplestory 2's gameplay variety is also something that's not present in many or bigger MMORPGs these days though the art style and the graphics might be a deal-breaker for some.
8 SOULWORKER
Teenagers with superpowers? Check. Slice-of-life downtimes when not in combat? Check. It seems SoulWorker is a stereotypical teenage anime except it's also an MMORPG.
That means it's great. Being able to get involved in an interactive teen anime plot is the stuff of dreams for many anime fans. The best part about this MMORPG is that the graphics work well to bring that after-school anime vibe but with monsters and giant blades in addition.
7 CLOSERS
Closers is similar in art style to the previous anime MMORPGs such as SoulWorker or Kurtzpel but it does things a bit differently, mainly since it's a brawler action RPG. It's also more niche than the rest given that it's a 3D side-scroller.
The developers envisioned Closers as a modern take on classic gameplay where each player clears through a zone before advancing onto the next one. The story is the standard anime fare where the players must choose their character in order to save the world against monsters from a different dimension.
6 MABINOGI
For something more laid back and not necessarily involving murder by the hundreds, Mabinogi is a nice digital vacation for anime fans. It's a long-standing simulation MMORPG with an anime flavor, making its world flexible and varied compared to other simulations.
As one can imagine, Mabinogi isn't just about getting powerful or slaying a big bad evil guy or getting the shiniest treasure ever. It has tons of virtual recreational activities from crafting, gathering, cooking, etc. No pressure to save the world here.
5 PHANTASY STAR ONLINE 2
Well, it's anime MMORPG so there's bound to be that one title with mechas and an overarching sci-fi theme. That would be Phantasy Star Online 2. As the title implies, it's a direct sequel to Phantasy Star Online and follows the same premise.
Players start off as a part of a special galactic task force with the goal of exploring other worlds and clearing out any threats. It just so happens that these "threats" are big bad evil creatures. Phantasy Star Online 2 features a lobby and instance-type of gameplay and locale which is perfect for co-op gameplay.
4 TREE OF SAVIOR
Tree of Savior is a top-down isometric MMO that seeks to emulate the glory days of Ragnarok Online back in the early 2000s. It definitely succeeds in the art style and graphics department and captures the look and feel of old cartoonish MMORPGs.
In fact, Tree of Savior was made by the very same person who also created Ragnarok Online 18 years ago. The game heavily sports fairy-tale concepts and a world-spanning quest to find goddesses in a world of chaos. Pretty standard as far as MMOs go.
3 SHADOWVERSE
Apart from Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links, one other CCG/MMO game that's good enough to keep any anime fan occupied would be Shadowverse. It's been around since 2016 and while it might have been dwarfed by CCG giants like Hearthstone and MTG Arena, Shadowverse is still going strong.
The art style is elegantly busy and less minimalistic than other online CCGs. Still, the undeniable anime charm of Shadowverse is what sets it apart and it even emanates that spirit better than Yu-Gi-Oh! does.
2 WAKFU
For those looking for traditional turn-based gameplay, Wakfu has a lot to offer. It's a strategic MMORPG that utilizes turn-based combat in a sea of fast-paced real-time action games. Don't be fooled by the cute cartoony graphics, Wakfu is generous with its instanced open-world.
It even has a day and night cycle that makes a big difference during exploration. The art style alone should attract players looking for something different compared to the usual 3D theme park. More than that, it allows for a good amount of freedom, similar to Mabinogi.
1 BLADE & SOUL
Last but not least, Blade & Soul. It's one of the strongest anime MMORPGs around and even has its own anime. The characters, the races, and especially the combat system in Blade & Soul unapologetically screams of anime inspiration.
However, it's a theme-park anime based on grinding and can easily put off players looking for a more casual experience. It also has a competitive PVP scene and a robust and motivating customization system. At the very least, the character creation ought to make anime fans giggle with glee.