Top Virtual World 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

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

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

Overlord

Also known as Overlord.

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

The story takes place in the year 2138 when virtual reality gaming is booming. Yggdrasil, a popular online game is quietly shut down one day. However, the protagonist Momonga decides to not log out. Momonga is then transformed into the image of a skeleton as "the most powerful wizard." The world continues to change, with non-player characters (NPCs) beginning to feel emotion. Having no parents, friends, or place in society, this ordinary young man Momonga then strives to take over the new world the game has become.



Tags: Isekai , Anti-Hero , Skeleton , Virtual World , Magic , Male Protagonist , Female Harem , Demons , Succubus , Primarily Adult Cast , Politics , Yandere , Villainess , Necromancy , Ensemble Cast , CGI , Maids , Monster Girl , Kuudere , Femboy , Butler , Love Triangle , Elf , Twins , Vampire , Monster Boy , Tomboy , Crossdressing , Goblin , Dragons , Kingdom Management

Sword Art Online: Alicization

Also known as Sword Art Online: Alicization.

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

Kirito awakens in a vast, fantastical forest filled with towering trees. In his search for clues to the truth of his surroundings, he encounters a young boy who seems to know him. He ought to be a simple NPC, but the depth of his emotions seem no different than a human. As they search for the boy's parents, Kirito finds a peculiar memory returning to him. A memory from his own childhood, of this boy and a girl, too, with golden hair, and a name he should have never forgotten - Alice.



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

Tags: Virtual World , Tragedy , Male Protagonist , Swordplay , Memory Manipulation , Artificial Intelligence , Isekai , Time Skip , Primarily Female Cast , Heterosexual , Primarily Teen Cast , Travel , Conspiracy , Philosophy , Time Manipulation , Video Games , Female Harem , Nudity , Gore , Goblin , Female Protagonist , Netorare , Dragons , CGI

Overlord II

Also known as Overlord II.

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

The second season of Overlord.

Continuing his quest to rule this new world, Ains begins to put the pieces in place for his conquest. But between a Lizard Man tribe uprising, and performing missions as adamantite adventurer Lord Momon, Ains has his work cut out for him! Thankfully he has his most loyal and willing subordinates to do his bidding. Nothing and no one can stop the supreme and mighty Overlord in his quest to rule all!



Tags: Isekai , Anti-Hero , Skeleton , Magic , Butler , Male Protagonist , Super Power , Ensemble Cast , Virtual World , Politics , Demons , Female Harem , Succubus , Slavery , Monster Boy , Primarily Adult Cast , Villainess , CGI , Monster Girl , Tomboy , Elf , Twins , Yandere , Vampire , Femboy , Maids , Kuudere , Artificial Intelligence

Log Horizon

Also known as Log Horizon.

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

The online fantasy game Elder Tales is a worldwide phenomenon, immersing millions of players in its intricately conceived virtual world. However, the release of the game's twelfth expansion pack makes that immersion all too literal, as players from around the world are suddenly pulled into the game's no-longer-fictional universe! Now, eight-year ET veteran Shiroe, his friend Naotsugu, the beautiful assassin Akatsuki, and 30,000 other players are faced with the daunting task of learning how to deal with an entirely new reality, one where the Non-Player Characters are actually alive, and the tips and tricks learned while playing with a keyboard no longer apply.



Tags: Virtual World , Politics , Isekai , Video Games , Male Protagonist , Magic , Alternate Universe , Kingdom Management , Dungeon , Ensemble Cast , Anthropomorphism , Found Family , Primarily Adult Cast , Kemonomimi , Love Triangle , Elf , Goblin , Twins , Kuudere , Samurai , Femboy , Skeleton , Episodic

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

Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld

Also known as Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld.

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

Kirito, Eugeo, and Alice. Six months have passed since the two disciples and an Integrity Knight brought down the pontifex, Administrator. With the fighting over, Alice has been living in her hometown of Rulid Village. Beside her is Kirito, who has not only lost his arm and soul, but also his dear friend. As Alice devotes herself to looking after Kirito, she too has lost the will to fight she once had as a knight.

Nevertheless, the time for the final stress test – one which will engulf the entire Underworld with tragedy – draws relentlessly closer.

Meanwhile, in the deepest areas of the Dark Territory, the Dark God Vecta has resurrected, as if to have waited for this very moment. Leading an army of dark forces, they begin their invasion into the human empire in hopes of attaining the Priestess of Light. The human empire force led by the Integrity Knight Bercouli prepares for a war of an unimaginable scale against the army of the Dark Territory. Even then, Alice is nowhere to be seen, nor the two heroes that saved the realm...



Tags: Virtual World , War , Memory Manipulation , Swordplay , Artificial Intelligence , Video Games , Ensemble Cast , Primarily Female Cast , Heterosexual , Terrorism , Female Protagonist , Tragedy , Gore , Augmented Reality , Magic , Male Protagonist , Primarily Teen Cast , Conspiracy , Goblin , Isekai , Dragons , Gods , Love Triangle

Isekai Maou to Shoukan Shoujo no Dorei Majutsu

Also known as How NOT to Summon a Demon Lord.

Studio: Ajiado
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Ecchi , Fantasy

In the MMORPG Cross Reverie, Takuma Sakamoto is so powerful that he is lauded as the “Demon Lord” by other players. One day, he is summoned to another world – but with the same appearance he had in the game! There, he meets two girls who both proclaim themselves to be his Summoner. They had performed an Enslavement Ritual to turn him into their Summon... but that's when Takuma's passive ability activated! Instead, it was the girls who had become enslaved! Though Takuma may have been the strongest Sorcerer there was, he had no idea how to talk with other people. That's when he makes his choice: to act based on his persona from the game!

“Amazing? But of course... I am Diablo, the being known and feared as the Demon Lord!”

So begins a tale of adventure with an earth-shakingly powerful Demon Lord (or at least someone who acts like one) taking on another world!



Tags: Isekai , Magic , Female Harem , Male Protagonist , Anti-Hero , Nudity , Primarily Female Cast , Elf , Demons , Super Power , Nekomimi , Slavery , Kuudere , Kemonomimi , Virtual World , Slapstick , Monster Girl , Tanned Skin

Sword Art Online: Ordinal Scale

Also known as Sword Art Online the Movie: Ordinal Scale.

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

In 2022, the world of virtual reality was upended by the arrival of a new invention from a genius programmer, Akihiko Kayaba. Called NerveGear, it was the first full-dive system and with it, came endless possibilities to VRMMORPGs.

In 2026, a new machine called the Augma is developed to compete against the NerveGear and its successor, the Amusphere. A next-gen wearable device, the Augma doesn't have a full-dive function like its predecessors. Instead, it uses Augmented Reality to get players into the game. It is safe, user-friendly and lets users play while they are conscious, making it an instant hit on the market. The most popular game on the system is “Ordinal Scale” (aka: OS), an ARMMORPG developed exclusively for the Augma.

Asuna and the gang have already been playing OS for a while, by the time Kirito decides to join them. They’re about to find out that Ordinal Scale isn’t all fun and games…



Tags: Video Games , Augmented Reality , Swordplay , Virtual World , Artificial Intelligence , Heterosexual , Urban , Memory Manipulation , Male Protagonist , Female Protagonist , Primarily Female Cast , Primarily Teen Cast , Tanned Skin , Tragedy , Nudity

Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld Part 2

Also known as Sword Art Online: Alicization - War of Underworld Part 2.

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

The final load test... The war between the Human Empire and the Dark Territory has engulfed Underworld entirely. The battle has shifted course with the Dark Territory army led by Gabriel, who seeks to capture Alice, the Priestess of Light, against Asuna and the Human Empire forces fighting to save Underworld.

As Kirito's consciousness remains buried in a deep sleep, Gabriel, standing in as the Dark God Vecta, has recruited thousands of American players to log in to Underworld to annihilate the Human Empire forces. Meanwhile, Asuna, Sinon, and Leafa have joined the battle utilizing three super-accounts of the deities of the Underworld. As the Goddess of Creation Stacia Asuna fights alongside the Human Empire forces to take on the American players in a vicious combat. Sinon, who has gained the super-account for the Sun Goddess Solus, is in pursuit of Gabriel, who has abducted Alice, while Leafa arrives to Underworld with the super-account Earth Goddess Terraria.

But that is not all...

The impassioned speech by Lisbeth has convinced many ALO players to join the fight with the Human Empire despite the risks. With this great war, not only Underworld's continued existence, but the bottom-up artificial intelligence, the ultimate AI, and even the future of mankind is at stake.

Though he has yet to awaken, only one man holds the fate of this world: the Black Swordsman.



Tags: Virtual World , Female Protagonist , War , Artificial Intelligence , Video Games , Swordplay , Heterosexual , Primarily Female Cast , Isekai , Primarily Teen Cast , Military , Conspiracy , Female Harem , Male Protagonist , Time Skip , Amnesia , Memory Manipulation , Gore , Reincarnation , Gods , Cult , Space Opera , Space

Itai no wa Iya nano de Bougyoryoku ni Kyokufuri Shitai to Omoimasu.

Also known as BOFURI: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense..

Studio: SILVER LINK.
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Comedy , Fantasy , Slice of Life

The story centers on Kaede Honjou, who is invited by her friend Risa Shiramine to play a virtual reality MMO game with her. While Kaede doesn't dislike games, what she really, truly dislikes is being in pain. She creates a character named Maple, and decides to put all her points in VIT to minimize pain. As a result, she moves slowly, can't use magic, and even a rabbit can get the best of her. However, as it turns out, she acquires a skill known as "Absolute Defense" as a result of her pumping points into VIT, as well as a "Counter Skill" that works against special moves. Now, with her ability to nullify all damage, she goes on adventures.



Tags: Video Games , Virtual World , Female Protagonist , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Primarily Female Cast , Magic , Henshin , Parody , Animals , Swordplay , Primarily Teen Cast , Battle Royale , Twins , Episodic , Samurai , Monster Girl , Swimming , Steampunk , CGI , Robots , Isekai , Fishing

Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online

Also known as Sword Art Online Alternative: Gun Gale Online.

Studio: Studio 3Hz
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Sci-Fi

The story follows Karen Kohiruimaki, a 183-centimeter-tall (6-foot-tall) college student who's insecure about her height, and is bad at dealing with people in the real world. She enters the world of Gun Gale Online with her avatar, Ren, who is less than 150 centimeters (5 feet) tall and wears all pink. She meets a beautiful, brown-skinned female player who goes by Pitohui. They hit it off, but one day Pitohui pressures her to participate in "Squad Jam," a team battle royale variation of the Bullet of Bullets tournament.



Tags: Virtual World , Video Games , Guns , Female Protagonist , Battle Royale , Primarily Female Cast , Military , Yandere , Tomboy , Bisexual , Primarily Adult Cast , Age Regression , Death Game , CGI , Age Gap , Idol , LGBTQ+ Themes

Akudama Drive

Also known as Akudama Drive.

Studio: Studio Pierrot
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Sci-Fi , Thriller

Many years ago, a Great Civil War ravaged Japan, leaving the country fragmented between two regions: Kansai and Kanto. In Kansai, a group of six Akudama carry out missions given to them by a mysterious black cat, while evading the police. But a dangerous journey is about to unfold when a civilian girl becomes twisted into the Akudama’s way of life and witnesses their criminal drives.



Note: On May 28, 2021, a director's cut of the final episode was released which included approximately 5 minutes of new content.

Tags: Anti-Hero , Urban , Crime , Cyberpunk , Dystopian , Fugitive , Tragedy , Female Protagonist , Ensemble Cast , Primarily Adult Cast , Gore , Prison , Conspiracy , Politics , Yandere , Artificial Intelligence , CGI , Motorcycles , Tomboy , Trains , Virtual World , Tanned Skin , Kuudere , Space

Overlord IV

Also known as Overlord IV.

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

The fourth season of Overlord.

E-Rantel, the capital city of the newly established Sorcerer Kingdom, suffers from a dire shortage of goods. Once a prosperous city known for its trade, it now faces a crisis due to its caution—or even fear—of its king, Ainz Ooal Gown. To make amends, Ainz sends Albedo to the city as a diplomatic envoy.

Meanwhile, the cardinals of the Slane Theocracy discuss how to retaliate against Ainz after his attack crippled the Re-Estize Kingdom's army, plotting for the Baharuth Empire to take over the Sorcerer Kingdom. However, when Emperor Jircniv Rune Farlord El Nix arranges a meeting with the Theocracy's messengers at a colosseum, he is confronted by none other than Ainz himself.

With their secret gathering now out in the open, the emperor and his guests learn that Ainz has challenged the Warrior King, the empire's greatest fighter, to a duel. With Ainz's motivations beyond his comprehension, Jircniv can do nothing but watch as humanity's future changes before his very eyes.



Tags: Anti-Hero , Magic , Skeleton , Conspiracy , Isekai , Virtual World , Kingdom Management , Male Protagonist , Demons , Politics , Female Harem , Tomboy , Ensemble Cast , Primarily Adult Cast , Maids , Succubus , Gore , Revenge , Monster Girl , CGI , Monster Boy , Femboy , Vampire , Yandere , Male Harem , Zombie

Accel World

Also known as Accel World.

Studio: Sunrise
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Romance , Sci-Fi

The year is 2046. Haruyuki Arita is a young boy who finds himself on the lowest social rungs of his school. Ashamed of his miserable life, Haruyuki can only cope by indulging in virtual games. But that all changes when Kuroyukihime, the most popular girl in school, introduces him to a mysterious program called Brain Burst and a virtual reality called the Accel World.



Tags: Virtual World , Video Games , Henshin , Netorare , Heterosexual , Love Triangle , Time Manipulation , Male Protagonist , Augmented Reality , School , Philosophy , Primarily Teen Cast , Tokusatsu , Female Protagonist , Isekai , Kuudere , Bullying , Motorcycles

Net-juu no Susume

Also known as Recovery of an MMO Junkie.

Studio: Signal.MD
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Romance , Slice of Life

Moriko Morioka is a 30-year-old single NEET woman. After dropping out from reality, she has taken off in search for a fulfilling life and ended up in a net game or "netoge." In the netoge world, she began her new life as a refreshing and handsome character named Hayashi. While starting out as a beginner, a pretty character named Lily reached out to help her. Meanwhile, in the real world, awaits a shocking encounter with a good-looking elite company employee, a mysterious blue-eyed blonde.



Tags: Video Games , Virtual World , Hikikomori , Female Protagonist , Primarily Adult Cast , Otaku Culture , Heterosexual , Gender Bending , Josei , Parody , Konbini , Love Triangle

Netoge no Yome wa Onnanoko ja Nai to Omotta?

Also known as And you thought there is never a girl online?.

Studio: project No.9
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Ecchi , Romance

The story centers on Hideki Nishimura, a young man who confessed to a person he thought was a girl online, only for that person to turn out to be a boy. He keeps this "black history" secret and swears to never to trust a "girl" online again. However, one day a girl online confesses to him, and it turns out she's actually a beautiful girl named Ako Tamaki. Ako cannot tell the difference between the online world and reality, and she is a loner who has trouble communicating. Hideki and his friends from his guild decide to work together to "correct" her.



Tags: Video Games , Primarily Female Cast , Otaku Culture , Virtual World , School Club , Male Protagonist , School , Rehabilitation , Hikikomori , Heterosexual , Tsundere , Female Harem , Female Protagonist , Nudity , Yandere

Log Horizon 2

Also known as Log Horizon 2.

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

The second season of Log Horizon.

After struggling to survive in a surreal existence they were suddenly thrown into, Shiroe and his friends have managed to restore order to Akihabara by defending the people against the Goblins in the Zantleaf Region. After six long months with the team gaining the trust of the many guilds that use the city as their home base, they must now prepare for their unforeseen future – and a tough winter ahead. Once shy and a little standoffish, Shiroe has stepped up and shown that he can be a great leader. But can he keep Akatsuki, Naotsugu, and the rest of the gang together as they start to have differing opinions on their future course of action? And will the clique agree to leave the safety of the holy land of Akihabara to head off to one of the other four cities and explore foreign lands of Elder Tale? Whatever they may decide, this world that was once a game for the players is now reality and they must decide what is best for each and every one of the members of the team.



Tags: Isekai , Virtual World , Dungeon , Video Games , Ensemble Cast , Male Protagonist , Politics , Magic , Love Triangle , Goblin , Dragons , Kemonomimi , Found Family , Elf , LGBTQ+ Themes , Crossdressing , Twins , Gender Bending , CGI , Conspiracy , Primarily Adult Cast , Anthropomorphism