Top Death Game Anime Recommendations

Sword Art Online

Also known as Sword Art Online.

Studio: A-1 Pictures
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy , Romance

In the near future, a Virtual Reality Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (VRMMORPG) called Sword Art Online has been released where players control their avatars with their bodies using a piece of technology called Nerve Gear. One day, players discover they cannot log out, as the game creator is holding them captive unless they reach the 100th floor of the game's tower and defeat the final boss. However, if they die in the game, they die in real life. Their struggle for survival starts now...



Tags: Virtual World , Death Game , Isekai , Video Games , Male Protagonist , Swordplay , Primarily Teen Cast , Heterosexual , Time Skip , Female Harem , Artificial Intelligence , Unrequited Love , Travel , Fairy , Tragedy , Incest , Prison , Found Family , Amnesia , Fishing , Primarily Female Cast , Primarily Male Cast

Death Parade

Also known as Death Parade.

Studio: MADHOUSE
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural , Thriller

When two people die at the same time, they’re sent to a place that’s neither heaven nor hell—a lavish bar between worlds where the stakes are high and the rules are simple: if you win you live again, if you die… you’re gone for good.

Decim is the bartender charged with serving the souls who enter Quindecim. He may make a mean cocktail, but his true profession is to play the role of arbiter—a judge who determines whether or not a soul is worthy of reincarnation. To aid in his judgment, the bar’s patrons are forced to play simple games laced with sadistic twists designed to bring their true natures to light. To Decim, judgment has always been black and white—that is—until he meets a mysterious young woman whose fate seems impossible to decide. His indecision shakes the very foundation of the games and raises the biggest question of all: Who is fit to judge the dead?



Tags: Death Game , Afterlife , Philosophy , Tragedy , Amnesia , Memory Manipulation , Reincarnation , Bar , Primarily Adult Cast , Episodic , Suicide , Gambling , Female Protagonist , Male Protagonist , Mythology , Kuudere , CGI , Ice Skating , Revenge , Gyaru , Bowling , Tanned Skin

Kakegurui

Also known as Kakegurui.

Studio: MAPPA
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Psychological

During daylight hours, an exclusive, elite private school prepares its illustrious students for careers in business, politics, and high society. But when darkness falls, the halls of this esteemed establishment transform into an underground gambling den where bright-eyed youngsters learn the timeless art of bluffing, backdoor dealings and social manipulation. In this school for the rich and elite, money is power, and the tyrant of the betting books rules with an iron fist. So when the beautiful Yumeko Jabami upsets the academy hierarchy with her voracious appetite for the thrill of the gamble, the entire student body mobilizes to send her house of cards tumbling down.



Tags: Gambling , Female Protagonist , School , Primarily Female Cast , Body Horror , Masochism , Primarily Teen Cast , Poker , Ojou-sama , School Club , LGBTQ+ Themes , Anti-Hero , Shounen , Bullying , Villainess , Slavery , Death Game , Yandere , Delinquents , Battle Royale , Guns , Idol , Male Protagonist

Sword Art Online II

Also known as Sword Art Online II.

Studio: A-1 Pictures
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy , Sci-Fi

One year after the SAO incident, Kirito is approached by Seijiro Kikuoka from Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Department "VR Division" with a rather peculiar request. That was an investigation on the "Death Gun" incident that occurred in the gun and steel filled VRMMO called Gun Gale Online (GGO). "Players who are shot by a mysterious avatar with a jet black gun lose their lives even in the real world..." Failing to turn down Kikuoka's bizarre request, Kirito logs in to GGO even though he is not completely convinced that the virtual world could physically affect the real world.

Kirito wanders in an unfamiliar world in order to gain any clues about the "Death Gun." Then, a female sniper named Sinon who owns a gigantic "Hecate II" rifle extends Kirito a helping hand. With Sinon's help, Kirito decides to enter the "Bullet of Bullets," a large tournament to choose the most powerful gunner within the realm of GGO, in hopes to become the target of the "Death Gun" and make direct contact with the mysterious avatar.



Tags: Virtual World , Primarily Female Cast , Video Games , Male Protagonist , Battle Royale , Guns , Swordplay , Female Protagonist , Death Game , Tragedy , Bullying , Female Harem , Primarily Teen Cast , Philosophy , Assassins , Tomboy , Kuudere , Crossdressing , Unrequited Love

Mirai Nikki

Also known as The Future Diary.

Studio: Asread
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural , Thriller

This psychological thriller, based on the manga written and illustrated by Sakae Esuno, is about Yuki, a loner who's not very good with people. He prefers to write a diary on his cell phone and talk to his imaginary friend, Deus Ex Machina – The God of Time and Space. However, Yuki soon learns that Deus is more than a figment of his imagination when he makes Yuki participate in a battle royale with eleven others. The contestants are given special diaries that can predict the future, each diary possessing unique features that give it both advantages and disadvantages. Within the next 90 days, the contestants must try to survive until there is only one left standing. The winner will become the new God of Time and Space.



Tags: Battle Royale , Death Game , Survival , Yandere , Tragedy , Alternate Universe , Suicide , Meta , Gore , Gods , Time Manipulation , Male Protagonist , Crime , Super Power , Urban , Female Protagonist , Shounen , Urban Fantasy , Heterosexual , Age Gap , Clone , Anti-Hero , Netorare , Guns , CGI , Terrorism , Police , Henshin , Adoption , Nudity , LGBTQ+ Themes , Bisexual , Orphan , Tanned Skin , Cult , Stop Motion , Disability , Psychosexual , Boys' Love

Another

Also known as Another.

Studio: P.A. Works
Status: Finished
Genres: Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Supernatural , Thriller

When Kouichi Sakakibara transfers to a new school, he senses a frightening atmosphere in his new class, a secret none of them will talk about. At the center is the beautiful Mei Misaki. Kouichi is immediately drawn to her mysterious aura, but he begins to realize that no one else in the class is aware of her presence. Soon after his arrival, what is known as the Calamity begins, and it claims the lives of many students.



Tags: Tragedy , Gore , School , Primarily Teen Cast , Memory Manipulation , Survival , Rural , Ghost , Kuudere , Urban Fantasy , Female Protagonist , Twins , Denpa , Male Protagonist , Philosophy , Seinen , Suicide , Teacher , Death Game , Asexual

Fate/Zero

Also known as Fate/Zero.

Studio: ufotable
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Fantasy , Supernatural

With the promise of granting any wish, the omnipotent Holy Grail triggered three wars in the past, each too cruel and fierce to leave a victor. In spite of that, the wealthy Einzbern family is confident that the Fourth Holy Grail War will be different; namely, with a vessel of the Holy Grail now in their grasp. Solely for this reason, the much hated "Magus Killer" Kiritsugu Emiya is hired by the Einzberns, with marriage to their only daughter Irisviel as binding contract.

Kiritsugu now stands at the center of a cutthroat game of survival, facing off against six other participants, each armed with an ancient familiar, and fueled by unique desires and ideals. Accompanied by his own familiar, Saber, the notorious mercenary soon finds his greatest opponent in Kirei Kotomine, a priest who seeks salvation from the emptiness within himself in pursuit of Kiritsugu.

Based on the light novel written by Gen Urobuchi, Fate/Zero depicts the events of the Fourth Holy Grail War—10 years prior to Fate/stay night. Witness a battle royale in which no one is guaranteed to survive.



Note: The first episode aired with a runtime of ~48 minutes as opposed to the standard 24 minute long episode.

Tags: Battle Royale , Magic , Mythology , Tragedy , Ensemble Cast , Anti-Hero , Primarily Adult Cast , Death Game , Urban Fantasy , Religion , Assassins , Philosophy , Gore , Spearplay , War , Swordplay , Urban , Espionage , CGI

Kami no Tou: Tower of God

Also known as Tower of God.

Studio: Telecom Animation Film
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Fantasy , Mystery

There is a tower that summons chosen people called "Regulars" with the promise of granting their deepest desires. Whether it be wealth, fame, authority, or something that surpasses them all—everything awaits those who reach the top.

Twenty-Fifth Bam is a boy who had only known a dark cave, a dirty cloth, and an unreachable light his entire life. So when a girl named Rachel came to him through the light, his entire world changed. Becoming close friends with Rachel, he learned various things about the outside world from her. But when Rachel says she must leave him to climb the Tower, his world shatters around him. Vowing to follow after her no matter what it takes, he sets his sight on the tower, and a miracle occurs.

Thus begins the journey of Bam, a young boy who was not chosen by the Tower but opened its gates by himself. They call his kind "Irregulars"—beings that have shaken the very foundation of the Tower each time they set foot inside it.

Tags: Super Power , Tragedy , Male Protagonist , Survival , Conspiracy , Magic , Ensemble Cast , Shounen , Cultivation , Battle Royale , Revenge , Coming of Age , Death Game , Suicide , Swordplay , Heterosexual , Travel , Primarily Male Cast

JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken: Stardust Crusaders - Egypt-hen

Also known as JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders - Battle in Egypt.

Studio: David Production
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Drama , Supernatural

After 30 days of travel across the world, plagued with countless battles, Jotaro and his companions have finally arrived in Egypt! Now only the strongest "Stand" users remain to rebuff our heroes' final march on Cairo: The Nine Egyptian Gods, Dio's most zealous servants. Will the Joestar line fall to the monstrous vampire, or can Jotaro defeat Dio and save his mother's life?



Tags: Super Power , Male Protagonist , Primarily Male Cast , Travel , Shounen , Foreign , Ensemble Cast , Tragedy , Time Manipulation , Primarily Adult Cast , Revenge , Urban Fantasy , Gore , Vampire , Desert , Body Horror , Parody , Animals , Video Games , Gambling , Age Regression , Cosplay , Poker , Zombie , Bisexual , Death Game , Shapeshifting , CGI , Disability , Suicide

Jigokuraku

Also known as Hell’s Paradise.

Studio: MAPPA
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Mystery , Supernatural

The Edo period is nearing its end. Gabimaru, a shinobi formerly known as the strongest in Iwagakure who is now a death row convict, is told that he will be acquitted and set free if he can bring back the Elixir of Life from an island that is rumored to be the Buddhist pure land Sukhavati. In hopes of reuniting with his beloved wife, Gabimaru heads to the island along with the executioner Yamada Asaemon Sagiri. Upon arriving there, they encounter other death row convicts in search of the Elixir of Life... as well as a host of unknown creatures, eerie manmade statues, and the hermits who rule the island. Can Gabimaru find the Elixir of Life on this mysterious island and make it back home alive?



Tags: Survival , Swordplay , Gore , Ninja , Body Horror , Samurai , Shounen , Historical , Battle Royale , Anti-Hero , Travel , Tragedy , Religion , Gods , Super Power , Heterosexual , Philosophy , Primarily Adult Cast , Gender Bending , Fugitive , Martial Arts , Crime , Death Game , Orphan , Primarily Male Cast , Cultivation , Cosmic Horror , Cannibalism , Cult , Nudity , Amnesia , Bisexual

Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works

Also known as Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works.

Studio: ufotable
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Fantasy , Supernatural

Fuyuki City - a city surrounded by the sea and mountains becomes the setting for an ancient ritual. Seven masters are given control of heroic spirits in order to realize the mythical Holy Grail, which is said to grant its owner any wish. These heroic spirits or servants represent legendary heroes of various classes: "Saber," "Lancer," "Archer," "Rider," "Caster," "Assassin," and "Berserker." Each master will enter into a contract with their chosen servant and battle the others to the death until only one pair remains... This is the "Holy Grail War."

The young and capable mage, Rin Tohsaka, prepares for her long-awaited Fifth Holy Grail War to begin... With her servant Archer, Rin enters the Holy Grail War as the sole heir to the prestigious Tohsaka family after her father's death. But when Shirou Emiya, a boy from Rin's school, unwittingly becomes a Master and is fatally wounded in battle, she has no choice but to save him. With Shirou and his servant Saber, Rin sets out to strike down the conspiracies surrounding the Holy Grail War. Will the Holy Grail bless Rin and Shirou's path toward victory or will they be cursed with defeat?



Notes:
- Includes Prologue.
- The first, second and last episodes aired with a runtime of ~48 minutes as opposed to the standard 24 minute long episode.

Tags: Magic , Battle Royale , Death Game , Urban Fantasy , Mythology , Super Power , Spearplay , Swordplay , Tsundere , Witch , Male Protagonist , Philosophy , Urban , Heterosexual , Time Manipulation , School , Archery , Revenge , CGI , Tanned Skin , Female Protagonist , Assassins , Skeleton , Kuudere , Samurai , Adoption , Bullying , Tomboy

Deadman Wonderland

Also known as Deadman Wonderland.

Studio: Manglobe
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Horror , Sci-Fi

Ganta is the only survivor after a mysterious man in red slaughters a classroom full of teenagers. He's framed for the carnage, sentenced to die, and locked away in the most twisted prison ever built: Deadman Wonderland. And then it gets worse.

At Deadman Wonderland, convicts are forced into brutal deathmatches for the amusement of the masses, the cheers of the crowd drowning out the screams of the dismembered. Even when Ganta befriends Shiro, an unusual female inmate, his dark fate crushes all hope —until he discovers the strange ability to wield his spilled blood as a weapon. Ganta learns his new skill might be related to the murderous man in red and uncovers disturbing secrets that could expose those who stole his freedom. He's determined to see justice served —but first he'll have to fight for his life in a prison that holds a million ways to die.



Tags: Tragedy , Super Power , Survival , Gore , Death Game , Prison , Anti-Hero , Body Horror , Male Protagonist , Dissociative Identities , Memory Manipulation , Shounen , Orphan , Rehabilitation , Guns , Tanned Skin , LGBTQ+ Themes , Nudity

Fate/Zero 2nd Season

Also known as Fate/Zero Season 2.

Studio: ufotable
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Fantasy , Supernatural

As the Fourth Holy Grail War rages on with no clear victor in sight, the remaining Servants and their Masters are called upon by Church supervisor Risei Kotomine, in order to band together and confront an impending threat that could unravel the Grail War and bring about the destruction of Fuyuki City. The uneasy truce soon collapses as Masters demonstrate that they will do anything in their power, no matter how despicable, to win.

Seeds of doubt are sown between Kiritsugu Emiya and Saber, his Servant, as their conflicting ideologies on heroism and chivalry clash. Meanwhile, an ominous bond forms between Kirei Kotomine, who still seeks to find his purpose in life, and one of the remaining Servants. As the countdown to the end of the war reaches zero, the cost of winning begins to blur the line between victory and defeat.



Tags: Battle Royale , Tragedy , Philosophy , Magic , Mythology , Urban Fantasy , Anti-Hero , Ensemble Cast , Primarily Adult Cast , Death Game , Spearplay , Religion , War , Body Horror , Swordplay , Gore , Guns , Vampire , CGI , Zombie , Motorcycles

Kakegurui ××

Also known as Kakegurui xx.

Studio: MAPPA
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Psychological

At Hyakkao Private Academy, Yumeko Jabami’s star rises just as the student council’s reputation starts to dim. In the shadows of the council’s dwindling power, discord reigns supreme. In a bold effort to rebalance the social scales, student council president Kirari Momobami intends to place her bet on the election for the council’s next president. Everyone starts with a single chip, and at the end of 30 days, the whoever holds the most becomes the president of the Momobami Clan. But chips aren’t the only things students can wager as they fight tooth and nail to ascend to the council presidency, and Yumeko Jabami intends to clean house no matter the prizes she must risk in the betting pool.



Tags: Gambling , School , Female Protagonist , Primarily Female Cast , Revenge , Anti-Hero , Twins , Primarily Teen Cast , Yandere , Villainess , Yuri , Death Game , Slavery , LGBTQ+ Themes , Ojou-sama , Shounen , School Club , Gender Bending , Idol

Danganronpa: Kibou no Gakuen to Zetsubou no Koukousei - The Animation

Also known as Danganronpa: The Animation.

Studio: Lerche
Status: Finished
Genres: Horror , Mystery , Psychological , Sci-Fi , Thriller

A group of 15 elite high school students are gathered at a very special, high class high school. To graduate from this high school essentially means you'll succeed in life, but graduating is very difficult. The school is presided over by a bear called Monokuma, and he explains to them that their graduation hinges around committing a murder. The only way to graduate is to kill one of your classmates and get away with it. If the other classmates discover the identity of the killer, the killer is the only one executed. However, if they fail to catch the killer, only the killer graduates and the others are annihilated. Which of the 15 will survive the bloodbath to come?

Tags: Death Game , Battle Royale , Tragedy , Survival , Detective , Dystopian , Memory Manipulation , Amnesia , School , Ensemble Cast , Gore , Dissociative Identities , Twins , Male Protagonist , Post-Apocalyptic , Primarily Adult Cast , Artificial Intelligence , Suicide , Tanned Skin , Meta , Crossdressing , Yandere , Femboy , Kuudere , CGI , Surreal Comedy , Primarily Teen Cast , Gyaru , Idol , School Club

BORUTO: NARUTO NEXT GENERATIONS

Also known as Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.

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

Naruto was a young shinobi with an incorrigible knack for mischief. He achieved his dream to become the greatest ninja in the village and his face sits atop the Hokage monument. But this is not his story... A new generation of ninja are ready to take the stage, led by Naruto's own son, Boruto!



Tags: Shounen , Ninja , Super Power , Male Protagonist , Primarily Child Cast , Swordplay , Gods , Martial Arts , Aliens , Anachronism , Adoption , Time Manipulation , Episodic , Dinosaurs , School , Dissociative Identities , Cyborg , Death Game

serial experiments lain

Also known as Serial Experiments Lain.

Studio: Triangle Staff
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Mystery , Psychological , Sci-Fi , Supernatural

We're all connected... There is the world around us, a world of people, tactile sensation, and culture. There is the wired world, inside the computer, of images, personalities, virtual experiences, and a culture all of its own. The day after a classmate commits suicide, Lain, a 14-year-old girl, discovers how closely the two worlds are linked when she receives an e-mail from the dead girl: I just abandoned my body. I still live here...

Has the line between the real world and the wired world begun to blur?



Tags: Denpa , Virtual World , Philosophy , Dissociative Identities , Augmented Reality , Female Protagonist , Memory Manipulation , Artificial Intelligence , Software Development , Cyberpunk , Gods , Cosmic Horror , Conspiracy , Cult , Video Games , Suicide , Religion , Urban , Meta , Tragedy , Primarily Female Cast , Amnesia , Afterlife , Adoption , POV , Orphan , Anti-Hero , Drugs , Trains , Aliens , School , Isekai , Death Game , Age Gap , Bullying

Arifureta Shokugyou de Sekai Saikyou

Also known as Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest.

Studio: White Fox , Asread
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Fantasy , Psychological

When a classroom of students is transported to another world to act as its saviors, Hajime Nagumo finds himself the weakest link. As his friends and classmates are granted strong classes and impressive abilities due to their existing skills, he is given the weak title of Synergist. When a dungeon quest leaves him separated from his group, Hajime must discover his own talents or be left to rot in this world forever.



Tags: Isekai , Male Protagonist , Magic , Alternate Universe , Dungeon , Anti-Hero , CGI , Nudity , Cosmic Horror , Female Harem , Conspiracy , Primarily Female Cast , Vampire , Monster Girl , Guns , Software Development , Revenge , Demons , Kemonomimi , Chuunibyou , Anachronism , Tragedy , Dragons , Drugs , Kuudere , Battle Royale , Cannibalism , Death Game , Primarily Teen Cast , Tsundere , Pirates , Swordplay , Gore

Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works 2nd Season

Also known as Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works 2nd Season.

Studio: ufotable
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Fantasy , Supernatural

The Holy Grail War continues, with each Master and Servant duo making their move for the omnipotent wish granter. Caster’s plans have been set in motion, beginning with taking Saber captive while Rin and Archer go their separate ways to continue their fights on their own. Without Saber’s aid, Shirou’s principles are put to the ultimate test. With many battles to come with expected and unexpected enemies, Shirou’s resolve begins to take form. Is his desire to protect people and become a hero, genuine? Or are they simply borrowed feelings? And will it be enough to carry him to the end?



Tags: Magic , Battle Royale , Death Game , Mythology , Urban Fantasy , Spearplay , Philosophy , Time Manipulation , Swordplay , Super Power , Tsundere , Archery , Tanned Skin , Kuudere , Body Horror , Anti-Hero , CGI , Witch , Slavery , Heterosexual , Desert

Fate/stay night

Also known as Fate/stay night.

Studio: Studio DEEN
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Fantasy , Romance , Supernatural

Raised by a mysterious sorcerer after the death of his parents in a catastrophic fire, Shirou Emiya has only just begun to learn small tidbits of magic. When he is caught in a battle between two powerful Magi, however, he ends up performing a spell above his expected ability, accidentally summoning a beautiful woman knight to protect him.

Shirou is thus unwillingly thrust into the competition known as the Holy Grail War where Seven Magi called Masters, together with their spirit partners called Servants, fight to acquire a powerful artifact said to grant every wish.

Tags: Magic , Battle Royale , Death Game , Urban Fantasy , Mythology , Male Protagonist , Super Power , Heterosexual , Swordplay , Witch , Urban , School , Assassins , Tsundere , Kuudere , CGI , Spearplay , Shounen