Top Board Game Anime Recommendations

HUNTER×HUNTER (2011)

Also known as Hunter x Hunter (2011).

Studio: MADHOUSE
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy

A new adaption of the manga of the same name by Togashi Yoshihiro.

A Hunter is one who travels the world doing all sorts of dangerous tasks. From capturing criminals to searching deep within uncharted lands for any lost treasures. Gon is a young boy whose father disappeared long ago, being a Hunter. He believes if he could also follow his father's path, he could one day reunite with him.

After becoming 12, Gon leaves his home and takes on the task of entering the Hunter exam, notorious for its low success rate and high probability of death to become an official Hunter. He befriends the revenge-driven Kurapika, the doctor-to-be Leorio and the rebellious ex-assassin Killua in the exam, with their friendship prevailing throughout the many trials and threats they come upon taking on the dangerous career of a Hunter.

Tags: Shounen , Super Power , Male Protagonist , Tragedy , Cultivation , Ensemble Cast , Travel , Martial Arts , Primarily Male Cast , Revenge , Chimera , Found Family , Philosophy , Primarily Teen Cast , Virtual World , Crime , Urban Fantasy , Assassins , Environmental , Anthropomorphism , Mafia , Gore , Anti-Hero , Card Battle , Gangs , Board Game , Politics , Video Games , Body Horror , Shogi , Animals , Coming of Age , Transgender , Yandere

No Game No Life Zero

Also known as No Game, No Life Zero.

Studio: MADHOUSE
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Romance

A movie adaptation of the sixth volume of the light novel series announced at the MF Bunko J Summer School Festival 2016 event.

Six thousand years before Sora and Shiro were even a blink in the history of Disboard, war consumed the land, tearing apart the heavens, destroying stars, and even threatening to wipe out the human race. Amid the chaos and destruction, a young man named Riku leads humanity toward the tomorrow his heart believes in. One day, in the ruins of an Elf city, he meets Schwi, a female exiled "Ex Machina" android who asks him to teach her what it means to have a human heart.



Tags: War , Gods , Post-Apocalyptic , Male Protagonist , Female Protagonist , Tragedy , Espionage , Dystopian , Class Struggle , Heterosexual , Magic , Elf , Survival , Kuudere , Robots , Artificial Intelligence , Board Game , Super Power , Reincarnation , Isekai

3-gatsu no Lion

Also known as March comes in like a lion.

Studio: Shaft
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Slice of Life

Rei Kiriyama is a 17 year old boy who recently started living alone, financed by his salary as a professional Shogi player. Despite his independence, however, he's yet to mature emotionally, and his problems continue to haunt him in his daily life. His relationship with his adoptive family is strained, and he has difficulties interacting with his fellow high school students.

Meanwhile, his professional career in Shogi has entered a slump. Burdened with the heavy expectations placed upon him, his wins and losses are fluctuating as his record and progression into the ranks begin to stagnate.

Acquainted with Rei are the three Kawamoto sisters: Akari, Hinata, and Momo. Unlike Rei, they live happily in their modest home, which they warmly welcome Rei into as if he were one of their own. He frequently visits the family, interacting with them and receiving the kind of care and affection he never quite had while under his foster home.
This is the story of Rei's triumphs and failures, relationships new and old, and his growth as a person.



Tags: Coming of Age , Rehabilitation , Shogi , Seinen , Family Life , Found Family , Estranged Family , Male Protagonist , Board Game , Philosophy , Tragedy , Bullying , Primarily Adult Cast , Food , Trains

Higurashi no Naku Koro ni

Also known as When They Cry.

Studio: Studio DEEN
Status: Finished
Genres: Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural , Thriller

After moving into the quiet town of Hinamizawa, Maebara Keiichi spends his days blissfully in school often playing games with his local friends. However, appearances can be deceiving. One fateful day, Keiichi stumbles upon news of a murder that had occurred in Hinamizawa. From this point on, horrific events unfold in front of Keiichi, as he soon learns his close friends may not be all that they seem. Based on the amateur mystery game by 07th Expansion, the story is told in a series of different scenarios.

Tags: Denpa , Alternate Universe , Time Manipulation , Ensemble Cast , Tragedy , Rural , Conspiracy , Achronological Order , Gore , Time Loop , Chibi , Body Horror , Bullying , Torture , Male Protagonist , Yandere , Twins , Urban Fantasy , Mythology , Pandemic , Primarily Female Cast , Cosmic Horror , School Club , Primarily Teen Cast , Shrine Maiden , Police , Female Protagonist , Historical , Board Game , Crossdressing

Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e 3rd Season

Also known as Classroom of the Elite Season 3.

Studio: Lerche
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Psychological

The third season of Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e.

The third semester kicks off in high gear with a special boot camp deep in the mountains. Forcibly separated into groups along grade and gender lines, the first, second and third years alike must work together to survive the rugged terrain. Even worse? The leader of the group that comes in last will be expelled. Can Class D make it back to campus intact, or is this where they finally say goodbye to one of their own?



Tags: School , Fugitive , Male Protagonist , Anti-Hero , Ensemble Cast , Battle Royale , Politics , Primarily Teen Cast , Denpa , Philosophy , Conspiracy , Coming of Age , Revenge , Survival , Bullying , Disability , School Club , Board Game , Suicide , Rehabilitation , Crime , Boarding School , Dissociative Identities , Seinen , Love Triangle , Kuudere , Athletics , Female Harem , Delinquents , Tsundere , Yandere

3-gatsu no Lion 2

Also known as March comes in like a lion Season 2.

Studio: Shaft
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Slice of Life

The second season of 3-gatsu no Lion.

Now in his second year of high school, Rei Kiriyama continues pushing through his struggles in the professional shogi world as well as his personal life. Surrounded by vibrant personalities at the shogi hall, the school club, and in the local community, his solitary shell slowly begins to crack. Among them are the three Kawamoto sisters—Akari, Hinata, and Momo—who forge an affectionate and familial bond with Rei. Through these ties, he realizes that everyone is burdened by their own emotional hardships and begins learning how to rely on others while supporting them in return.

Nonetheless, the life of a professional is not easy. Between tournaments, championships, and title matches, the pressure mounts as Rei advances through the ranks and encounters incredibly skilled opponents. As he manages his relationships with those who have grown close to him, the shogi player continues to search for the reason he plays the game that defines his career.

Tags: Coming of Age , Rehabilitation , Family Life , Shogi , Seinen , Found Family , Bullying , Male Protagonist , Philosophy , Tragedy , School , Primarily Adult Cast , Board Game , Food , School Club , Age Gap , Disability

Imouto sae Ireba Ii.

Also known as A Sister's All You Need..

Studio: SILVER LINK.
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Ecchi , Romance , Slice of Life

The story follows the everyday life of Itsuki, a novelist and "modern day Pygmalion" who works day in and day out to create the ultimate younger sister. He's surrounded by various other characters: a beautiful genius writer who loves him, his big-sisterly classmate from college, a fellow male writer, a sadistic tax accountant, and his editor. They're all looked after by Itsuki's perfect younger step-brother, Chihiro, who has a serious secret.



Note: The first episode received an early screening at a special event held at Shinjuku Piccadilly, Tokyo on 06.09.2017.

Tags: Writing , Otaku Culture , Work , Ensemble Cast , Coming of Age , Nudity , Heterosexual , Board Game , Love Triangle , Crossdressing , Video Games , College , Gender Bending

Tensei Kizoku no Isekai Boukenroku: Jichou wo Shiranai Kamigami no Shito

Also known as The Aristocrat’s Otherworldly Adventure: Serving Gods Who Go Too Far.

Studio: Magic Bus , EMT Squared
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Fantasy , Romance

Shiina Kazuya is killed protecting a young girl at a convenience store where he just happened to be at the wrong time. The next thing he knows, he's in the kind of world he has only dreamed about--a world of magic and swords! He has been reincarnated as Cain von Silford, the third son of an aristocratic family, and he quickly grows interested in many things he sees. Then, on his fifth birthday, he's baptized at a church according to tradition... and the gods grant him several divine blessings, along with stats that could only be described as unusual and extraordinary! In his reincarnated life, when it comes to things like battles, romance, and studying, apparently a little overkill is just right?! When he puts in the usual effort to do things punctually and properly, it only gets him in trouble... Thus Cain's chaotic life in another world begins!



Tags: Male Protagonist , Reincarnation , Isekai , Female Harem , Gods , Magic , Swordplay , Kemonomimi , Elf , Age Gap , Time Skip , Chuunibyou , Board Game , Maids

Soredemo Ayumu wa Yosetekuru

Also known as When Will Ayumu Make His Move?.

Studio: SILVER LINK.
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Romance , Slice of Life

Ayumu Tanaka just fell in love at first sight with Urushi Yaotome, the head of the illegitimate Shogi Club, and joined the Shogi Club! But Ayumu has vowed not to confess his feelings until he can best Urushi, and he has a long way to go before he can stand up to her strategic brilliance. As Ayumu strives to beat his crush and confess, love becomes a battlefield both on and off the shogi board while audiences wonder, “When will Ayumu make his move!?”



Tags: School , Shogi , School Club , Heterosexual , Primarily Teen Cast , Slapstick , Love Triangle , Board Game , Shounen , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things

Ryuuou no Oshigoto!

Also known as The Ryuo's Work is Never Done!.

Studio: project No.9
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Slice of Life

16 year old Kuzuryuu Yaichi has fallen into a slump after winning the major shogi title "Dragon King", the pressure of his losses continue until an elementary schooler called Hinatsuru Ai, with an extraordinary shogi talent, arrives at his doorstep.

Tags: Shogi , Board Game , Tsundere , Male Protagonist , Coming of Age , Female Harem , Kuudere , Primarily Female Cast , Yandere , Work , Age Gap

Kami wa Game ni Ueteiru.

Also known as Gods' Games We Play.

Studio: LIDENFILMS
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Ecchi , Fantasy , Romance

In a world of idle gods, humans are forced into brain challenges with them. With three defeats, gods lose their right to challenge, while 10 victories spell human triumph. Fay, determined to achieve the impossible, enters the ultimate test of wits against the gods. Will he defy divinity or is he just another loss in the making?



Tags: Female Harem , Male Protagonist , Board Game , Gods , Urban Fantasy , Magic , Super Power , Female Protagonist , Primarily Female Cast , Nudity , Kaiju

Hikaru no Go

Also known as Hikaru no Go.

Studio: Studio Pierrot
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Sports , Supernatural

With a two-tone hairstyle and a streak of immaturity, Hikaru Shindou finds an old Go board with a hidden surprise - trapped within the Go Board is Fujiwara-no-Sai, the ghost of an ancient Go master! In the blink of an eye, Sai becomes part of Hikaru's consciousness and soon begins to learn the true essence behind this ancient game of skill and strategy.



Tags: Go , Coming of Age , Primarily Male Cast , Shounen , Ghost , Board Game , Male Protagonist , School Club , Foreign

Saki

Also known as Saki.

Studio: GONZO , Picture Magic
Status: Finished
Genres: Slice of Life , Sports

Miyanaga Saki is a first year high school girl whose family would get angry if she won the family mahjong games. But losing would also have its consequences. Because of this she develops a new way of playing that allows her to stay on the thin line between winning and losing, the plus/minus zero score, an almost impossible score. In a game that relies mainly on luck, the plus/minus zero score is harder than winning, but Saki can achieve this every time.

Having always hated the game, her friend from middle school, Suga Kyotoro, forces her to play in the schools mahjong club. Her developed skill and superhuman luck has made her a worthy mahjong opponent, even to the middle school's national mahjong champion.



Tags: Mahjong , Yuri , Primarily Female Cast , Seinen , Female Protagonist , School Club , Super Power , Kuudere , School , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Ensemble Cast , Primarily Teen Cast , Ojou-sama , Food , CGI , Nudity , Ghost , Board Game

Houkago Saikoro Club

Also known as After School Dice Club.

Studio: LIDENFILMS
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Slice of Life

During a beautiful spring day in Kyoto, Aya and Miki follow the student council president Midori to a board game shop. The three students end up discovering a German board game that causes them to realize their shared passion for games. In the coming days, many more board games will be found and played!



Tags: Female Protagonist , Board Game , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Primarily Female Cast , Educational , Card Battle , School , School Club , Primarily Teen Cast , Software Development , Bullying , Work , Poker , Shounen , Otaku Culture , Chibi , Shogi , Gambling , Delinquents , Foreign , Maids , Bar , Mahjong

Pon no Michi

Also known as Pon no Michi.

Studio: OLM
Status: Finished
Genres: Slice of Life

The anime is set in Hiroshima Prefecture's Onomichi City, where a high school student Nashiko Jippensha was kicked out of her house. Without a place to play with her friends, she learns that the mahjong parlor that her father used to run is now vacant. She fixes the mahjong parlor and turns it into a place where she and her friends can have fun, cook, have tea, and sometimes play mahjong.



Tags: Primarily Female Cast , Mahjong , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Female Protagonist , Food , Primarily Teen Cast , Advertisement , CGI , Board Game

Saki: Zenkoku-hen

Also known as Saki: The Nationals.

Studio: Studio Gokumi
Status: Finished
Genres: Slice of Life , Sports

After their success in the regional tournament, the Kiyosumi High School mahjong team faces off against a whole new level of competition at the National Tournament in Tokyo.



Tags: Mahjong , Yuri , Primarily Female Cast , School Club , Female Protagonist , Kuudere , Seinen , Board Game , School , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things

Saki: Achiga-hen - episode of side-A

Also known as Saki - Episode of Side A.

Studio: Studio Gokumi
Status: Finished
Genres: Slice of Life , Sports

The Achiga Girls' Academy in Nara once defeated regional mahjong powerhouse Bansei High School. It advanced into the national team semifinals but lost to the eventual champion, and the mahjong club was later disbanded.

Six years later, elementary school student Shizuno Takakamo befriends transfer student Nodoka Haramura. The two eventually enter Achiga Girls', but Nodoka transfers out of the school in the second year.

When Shizuno sees Nodoka on television the following year as the national middle school individual mahjong champion, she decides to revive Achiga's mahjong club.

Tags: Mahjong , Yuri , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , School Club , Time Skip , Female Protagonist , School , Primarily Female Cast , Kuudere , Seinen , Board Game

Shion no Ou: The Flowers of Hard Blood

Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Thriller

Shion no Ou follows the story of Yasuoka Shion, a 13-year-old Shougi player with a past of tragedy. Shion's parents were brutally murdered in front of her when she was 5 years old. The murderer sat down with her and challenged her to a game of Shougi, after telling her that if she wanted to stay alive she should forget how to speak, and forget what happened that night.

Now Shion has entered the realm of female pro Kishi, mute but strong. As her playing gathers more and more attention, so do the questions about her past and the brutal murder she witnessed. Shion's memories slowly come back, and the mystery begins to unravel, thread by thread.

Tags: Shogi , Coming of Age , Adoption , Board Game , Crossdressing , Female Protagonist , Seinen , Disability , Kuudere

Touhai: Ura Rate Mahjong Touhai Roku

Studio: East Fish Studio
Status: Releasing
Genres: Drama , Psychological , Sports

Money, women, organs. Kei, a high school boy, frequents the underground mahjong parlor teeming with desires, earning him the moniker 'K of Ice' in the underworld due to his cold-hearted strategy and stylish gameplay. Rumors also circulate that he keeps a girl at his home.



Tags: Mahjong , Yakuza , Seinen , Fugitive , Board Game , Crime , Criminal Organization , Gambling , Gangs , Bullying , Delinquents , Slavery , Torture

Saki: Achiga-hen - episode of side-A Specials

Also known as Saki - Episode of Side A Specials.

Studio: Studio Gokumi
Status: Finished
Genres: Slice of Life , Sports

The final 4 episodes of Saki: Achiga-hen - Episode of Side-A.

Tags: Mahjong , Primarily Female Cast , Female Protagonist , School Club , Yuri , School , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Kuudere , Board Game