Top Shogi 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 , Ensemble Cast , Tragedy , Travel , Primarily Male Cast , Martial Arts , Philosophy , Revenge , Chimera , Primarily Teen Cast , Crime , Virtual World , Urban Fantasy , Anthropomorphism , Environmental , Assassins , Coming of Age , Mafia , Body Horror , Card Battle , Anti-Hero , Gangs , Animals , Politics , Shogi , Video Games , Board Game , Transgender , Yandere

Samurai Champloo

Also known as Samurai Champloo.

Studio: Manglobe
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy

Let's break it down. Mugen's a reckless sword-slinger with a style that's more b-boy than Shaolin. He's got a nasty streak that makes people want to stick a knife in his throat. Then there's Jin, a deadbeat ronin who speaks softly but carries a big blade. He runs game old-school style, but he can make your blood spray with the quickness. When these roughnecks bring the ruckus, it ain't good for anybody, especially them. Enter Fuu, the ditzy waitress who springs her new friends from a deadly jam. All she wants in return is help solving a riddle from her past. She and the boys are tracking the scent, but there's 99 ways to die between them and the sunflower samurai.



Tags: Travel , Swordplay , Samurai , Rural , Assassins , Historical , Orphan , Female Protagonist , Martial Arts , Anachronism , Episodic , Hip-hop Music , Primarily Adult Cast , Anti-Hero , Male Protagonist , Prostitution , Kuudere , Heterosexual , Calligraphy , Tanned Skin , Ninja , Drugs , Politics , Shogi , Pirates , Yakuza , Religion , Crossdressing , Nudity , Language Barrier , LGBTQ+ Themes , Zombie , Baseball , Indigenous Cultures , Guns , Disability

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 , Board Game , Seinen , Found Family , Family Life , Estranged Family , Adoption , Male Protagonist , Philosophy , Tragedy , Primarily Adult Cast , Bullying , Iyashikei , Unrequited Love , Food , School , School Club , Baseball

3-gatsu no Lion 2nd Season

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 , Found Family , Family Life , Shogi , Seinen , Bullying , Male Protagonist , Philosophy , Tragedy , Board Game , School , Iyashikei , Primarily Adult Cast , Food , School Club , Age Gap , Disability

Isekai Nonbiri Nouka

Also known as Farming Life in Another World.

Studio: Zero-G
Status: Finished
Genres: Fantasy , Slice of Life

Life cut short by illness at just 39 years old, Machio Hiraku knows not to take simple blessings for granted. When a godlike figure gives him given a chance to live again, Hiraku has only the simplest of wishes for his new life: to be healthy, to live peacefully, to speak the local language, and to spend his days on an idyllic farm. Fresh air, sunshine, honest work, and good company combine to form the happy, peaceful existence Hiraku has always dreamed of.



Tags: Isekai , Agriculture , Male Protagonist , Iyashikei , Found Family , Female Harem , Primarily Female Cast , Heterosexual , Reincarnation , Magic , Monster Girl , Kingdom Management , Maids , Elf , Vampire , Angels , Horticulture , Creature Taming , Shapeshifting , Dragons , Demons , Kemonomimi , Polyamorous , Chibi , Tsundere , Food , Pregnancy , Parenthood , Mahjong , Gods , Shogi , Monster Boy , Cohabitation

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 , Board Game , Love Triangle , Shounen , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things

Ranma 1/2 (2024)

Also known as Ranma1/2 (2024).

Studio: MAPPA
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Ecchi , Romance , Slice of Life

A new anime adaptation of Rumiko Takahashi's Ranma 1/2.

Ranma Saotome and Akane Tendou of Tendou Dojo are betrothed to each other by their parents. But Ranma faces a unique problem…

Ever since he fell into the cursed springs of Jusenkyo while training in China, his body has acquired the peculiar trait of transforming into a girl when doused with cold water and reverting to a boy with hot water.

Get ready for the slapstick, action-packed rom com featuring Ranma, Akane, and a vibrant cast of unique characters!



Tags: Gender Bending , Arranged Marriage , Shapeshifting , Martial Arts , Tsundere , Episodic , Ensemble Cast , Tomboy , Cohabitation , Slapstick , Love Triangle , Heterosexual , Male Protagonist , School , Amnesia , Female Harem , Mixed Gender Harem , Animals , Shounen , Male Harem , Crossdressing , LGBTQ+ Themes , Nudity , Bisexual , Ice Skating , Shogi , Wrestling

Tonari no Seki-kun

Also known as Tonari no Seki-kun: The Master of Killing Time.

Studio: Shin-Ei Animation
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy

The original manga revolves around a girl named Yokoi who sits next to a boy only known as Seki-kun. During class, Seki-kun continues to not pay attention and instead creates amazing little distractions, such as a detailed golf course with the course's hole being a dent in his desk, or an entire dramatic war being played out by paper shogi pieces. Yokoi often finds herself getting reluctantly interested in his games, even though they always seem to end up getting HER in trouble with the teacher!



Tags: Slapstick , Episodic , School , Female Protagonist , Shogi , Seinen , Go

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

Ranma 1/2

Also known as Ranma ½.

Studio: Studio DEEN
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Ecchi , Romance , Slice of Life

After taking a surprise dip in a cursed spring while on a training journey in China, martial artist Ranma Saotome and his father, Genma, aren't quite themselves anymore. Now Ranma turns into a girl whenever he's splashed with cold water, and Genma turns into a panda!

Their new forms cause nothing but confusion at the Tendou dojo, where Soun Tendo is waiting to introduce one of his three daughters to Ranma - as his fiancee! Turns out Genma and Soun arranged the match long ago, but the girl, Akane, and the boy, Ranma, aren't exactly crazy about the idea, or each other! Or are they? Watch the gender switching, jealous rages, and martial arts battles unfold all over again!



Note: Episodes 7-9 of Ranma 1/2: Nettou-hen were originally meant to be seen between episodes 13 and 14 of this series.

Tags: Gender Bending , Family Life , Martial Arts , Slapstick , Heterosexual , Mixed Gender Harem , Arranged Marriage , Tsundere , Episodic , Nudity , Female Harem , Shounen , Male Protagonist , Female Protagonist , Cohabitation , Animals , Male Harem , Cultivation , Ojou-sama , Shogi

Isekai One Turn Kill Nee-san: Ane Douhan no Isekai Seikatsu Hajimemashita

Also known as My One-Hit Kill Sister.

Studio: Gekkou
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Fantasy , Romance

Asahi loves the idea of magical fantasy worlds. And somehow, he’s transported to one! He’s eager to explore and use his new abilities, except he learns he doesn’t have any. But his older sister Maya is in this world too, and she ends up having the strongest cheat skills imaginable! Now, Asahi starts his new life with a doting sister who can kill any beast with one hit.



Note: Each episode streamed 24 hours early on ABEMA.

Tags: Isekai , Incest , Male Protagonist , Heterosexual , Female Protagonist , Magic , Primarily Female Cast , Parody , Goblin , Maids , Demons , Swordplay , Ojou-sama , Nudity , Female Harem , Crossover , Shogi , Angels

Shuumatsu Train Doko e Iku?

Also known as Train to the End of the World.

Studio: EMT Squared
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Comedy , Sci-Fi , Supernatural

In a seemingly ordinary rural town, something strange is happening to the residents. But Shizuru Chikura is more concerned for her missing friend. Determined to find her, Shizuru and three other girls board an abandoned train and travel to the outside world, unsure if they’ll make it back alive. As they venture toward the unknown, the question looms: What awaits them at the final stop?



Tags: Post-Apocalyptic , Trains , Travel , Female Protagonist , Primarily Female Cast , Surreal Comedy , Cosmic Horror , Memory Manipulation , Rural , Shapeshifting , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Philosophy , Gyaru , Anthropomorphism , Episodic , Animals , Zombie , Coming of Age , Time Skip , Tragedy , Denpa , Archery , Shogi , Military

Mikadono Sanshimai wa Angai, Choroi.

Also known as Dealing with Mikadono Sisters Is a Breeze.

Studio: P.A.WORKS
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Romance

Yuu Ayase, son of a late legendary actress, is overwhelmingly mediocre. When he’s invited to stay with his mother’s friend, Yuu is shocked to find out that he’ll be living with three prodigy sisters who possess both beauty and talent…and who rule his new school as the Three Emperors. Can Yuu manage to melt the sisters’ cold hearts and fulfill his mother’s last wish for him to build a happy family?



Tags: Cohabitation , Male Protagonist , Female Harem , Shounen , Heterosexual , Tomboy , Found Family , School , Female Protagonist , Tsundere , Coming of Age , Primarily Female Cast , Love Triangle , Martial Arts , Shogi , Acting , Food

Yuzuki-san Chi no Yon Kyoudai.

Also known as The Yuzuki Family’s Four Sons.

Studio: Shuka
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Drama , Slice of Life

The Yuzuki family consists of four brothers: Hayato, Mikoto, Minato, and Gakuto. The eldest son, Hayato, happily lives every day to the fullest. There are tears, laughter and excitement at home, at school, and in the neighborhood!

Tags: Family Life , Coming of Age , Orphan , Male Protagonist , Primarily Male Cast , Shoujo , Iyashikei , Primarily Child Cast , School , Episodic , Ensemble Cast , Mixed Media , Teacher , Shogi , Tomboy

Shoukoku no Altair

Also known as Altair: A Record of Battles.

Studio: MAPPA
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Drama , Fantasy

For generations the Türkiye Devleti and the Balt-Rhein Empire have stood in stern opposition to each other. Then one night, when an imperial minister is found assassinated, the two nations are plunged into a potentially explosive situation. As the generals of Turkiye's council cry for war, Mahmut comes to discover the devious truth behind the assassination. Thus the young pasha's battle for his country, peace, and trust in his fellow man begins!



Tags: War , Politics , Shounen , Economics , Male Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , Orphan , Work , Travel , Military , Foreign , Tanned Skin , Villainess , Outdoor Activities , Animals , Historical , Primarily Male Cast , Archery , Espionage , Swordplay , Coming of Age , Crossdressing , Maids , Ojou-sama , Pirates , Twins , Prison , Guns , Martial Arts , Spearplay , Revenge , Shogi , Adoption , Marriage , Slavery , Assassins , LGBTQ+ Themes

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 , Iyashikei , Educational , Card Battle , School , Primarily Teen Cast , School Club , Bullying , Software Development , Shounen , Poker , Otaku Culture , Work , Chibi , Shogi , Gambling , Delinquents , Maids , Foreign , Bar , Mahjong

Taiyou yori mo Mabushii Hoshi

Also known as A Star Brighter Than the Sun.

Studio: Studio KAI
Status: Finished
Genres: Romance

Sae Iwata, a slightly tougher-than-average girl, falls for the gentle smile of Kouki Kamishiro, a delicate boy, back in elementary school. By the time they enter junior high school, Kuoki has grown into a charming and popular teen who now feels out of reach. When they are assigned to the sports festival committee together, Sae’s long-hidden first love begins to stir once more.



Tags: Shoujo , Heterosexual , Female Protagonist , Primarily Teen Cast , School , Tennis , School Club , Shogi , Acting

Egao no Taenai Shokuba desu.

Also known as A Mangaka's Weirdly Wonderful Workplace.

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

Futami, a novice shojo manga artist, is finally publishing her beloved shogi manga, Dear Subaru. But…the stress makes her stomach hurt, she’s forced to push the deadline for her first chapter, and she isn’t making any progress on the storyboards. To top it off, she’s gaining weight from midnight snacking and starts having wild delusions! Will Futami be able to enjoy life as a manga artist?!



Tags: Drawing , Female Protagonist , Work , Primarily Female Cast , Primarily Adult Cast , Urban , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Yuri , LGBTQ+ Themes , Shogi , Seinen

Ranma 1/2: Nettou-hen

Also known as Ranma ½ (1989).

Studio: Studio DEEN
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Comedy , Ecchi , Romance , Slice of Life

Ranma Saotome, the boy who turns into a girl with a splash of water, always has his hands full fending off crazed admirers. One of the most fanatical is Shampoo, a girl from a tribe of Chinese Amazons who tried to kill girl Ranma, was defeated by boy Ranma, and then proposes marriage to him due to her clan's rule. Things get a little crazier when Shampoo falls into a cursed spring and turns into a cat! And even crazier when Mousse, who is in love with Shampoo, challenges Ranma to a battle over... Ranma's fiancee, Akane...?



Note: Episodes 7-9 were originally meant to be seen between episodes 13 and 14 of the original series.

Tags: Arranged Marriage , Gender Bending , Mixed Gender Harem , Martial Arts , Episodic , Heterosexual , Tsundere , Shounen , Female Harem , Male Harem , Female Protagonist , Male Protagonist , Cultivation , Nudity , Slapstick , Animals , Cohabitation , LGBTQ+ Themes , Shogi , Time Manipulation , Ice Skating , Shapeshifting

High School Fleet OVA

Studio: Production IMS
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Slice of Life

The mutinous Musashi has been defeated, and the girls from Yokosuka Girls' Marine High School are safely back home. However, the Harekaze sustained critical damage during its final encounter with the Musashi and may not be able to sail again. Moreover, rumors spread that the Harekaze-class will be dissolved due to it lacking a ship.

Other classes' attempts to scout members from the Harekaze's crew only make the situation even more uncertain. The answer to this dire problem may be found in the sealed orders that the secretary of the Harekaze, Kouko Nosa, is to deliver to its crewmembers. But time is running short...



Tags: Primarily Female Cast , Ships , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Military , School , Female Protagonist , Shogi , Mahjong , Coastal