You might already have watched or heard of many amazing anime series, but did you know some of them are based on their video games? Even some of the most popular anime series for kids and adults to watch are adaptations of these video games. You have one of the best-animated anime series ever in Fate/Stay Night, along with the popular football anime Inazuma Eleven.

Many of these anime adaptations date back to 2004, when the Nintendo DS was released and the world was shocked. As a matter of fact, one of these anime series, Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, won the 2023 Anime of the Year award. One of the DLC characters, Joker, from Super Smash Bros Ultimate also comes from his own series.

Whether you like sports anime, feel nostalgic while watching Pokemon, or want to watch epic fight scenes with vampires, such as in Castlevania. There is plenty to watch for anyone, as this list covers many different genres for kids and adults to watch.

All of these amazing series are available to watch on streaming services like Crunchyroll, Hulu, or Netflix, so let’s start!

Castlevania

Castlevania is all about vampires and it follows the story of a vampire hunter who attempts to protect a city from an onslaught of supernatural creatures commanded by Dracula himself.

This is a horror action-adventure animated series set in a dark fantasy Medieval realm, inspired by the video game franchise of the same name, which is available on Netflix globally. The story follows the events of Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse while incorporating elements from other titles, including Symphony of the Night and Curse of Darkness.

The series focuses on Trevor Belmont, the main character, who goes on a mission to thwart the malevolent vampire Vlad Dracula Tepes, who aims to annihilate humanity in retaliation for the execution of his wife, Lisa.

The creators have indicated that the settings depicted in the animated series are distinct from those in the games, suggesting that the lore, characterizations, and storylines may not align or replicate them, allowing for alternative developments. This series marks the first production from Frederator Studios not intended for a younger audience, as it carries a TV-MA rating.

Following a postponement from its original July 2018 release date, a second season was eventually confirmed by Adi Shankar and made available on October 26, 2018.

A third season was announced on June 7, 2018, and subsequently released on March 5, 2020.

The fourth and concluding season was confirmed on March 27, 2020, by Warren Ellis and through official communications from Netflix’s Twitter accounts, premiering on May 13, 2021.

A sequel/spin-off titled Castlevania: Nocturne, featuring Richter Belmont and Maria Renard and set during the French Revolution, was released globally on September 28, 2023.

Steins;Gate

The unconventional scientist Rintarou Okabe possesses an insatiable desire for scientific discovery. Alongside his somewhat scatterbrained yet well-intentioned companion Mayuri Shiina and his roommate Itaru Hashida, Okabe establishes the Future Gadget Laboratory with aspirations of developing technological marvels that challenge human understanding. Despite their ambitious claims, the only significant “gadget” they have produced is a microwave that inexplicably transforms bananas into a green substance.

However, after attending a conference focused on time travel, Okabe encounters a series of peculiar occurrences that lead him to suspect that the “Phone Microwave” holds greater potential than initially perceived. It appears capable of sending text messages to the past through the microwave, prompting Okabe to experiment further with this “time machine,” which draws the attention and ire of the enigmatic organization SERN. This anime series ranks #3rd on MyAnimeList.

While striving to rectify the disruptions his invention has inflicted upon the timeline, Okabe engages in a struggle not only to protect his loved ones but also to maintain his waning sanity. Steins;Gate was launched in Japan for the Xbox 360 in October 2009 and subsequently adapted for various platforms, including Windows in August 2010, PlayStation Portable in June 2011, iOS in August 2011, PlayStation 3 in May 2012, PlayStation Vita in March 2013, and Android in June 2013.

Fate/Stay Night

Following a tragic fire that claims his family, Shirou is rescued and taken in by Kiritsugu Emiya, who imparts to him the knowledge of magic and the principles of justice.

Years later, on a fateful night after Kiritsugu’s passing, Shirou is engaged in cleaning duties at school when he inadvertently becomes embroiled in a lethal confrontation between two superhuman entities known as Servants. In his attempt to flee, he is captured by one of the Servants and sustains a grave injury. Against all odds, he survives, but the same Servant returns to complete the attack. In a moment of desperation, Shirou calls forth a Servant of his own, a knight named Saber. Together, they must now contend in the Fifth Holy Grail War, a brutal contest involving seven Servants and their summoners, with the ultimate reward being the all-powerful Holy Grail.

Fate/Stay Night chronicles Shirou’s journey as he grapples with the delicate balance between being a hero and a murderer, as his ideals confront the stark realities of his world. Will he rise to become a hero like his adoptive father, or will he perish in the attempt?

Fate/Stay Night is adapted from the initial route of Type-Moon’s visual novel of the same name, incorporating elements from the subsequent routes. Initially launched in 2004 for Microsoft Windows, the visual novel was later enhanced and re-released as Fate/Stay Night: Réalta Nua for the PS2 in 2007, the PS Vita in 2012, and for Android and iOS in 2015.

The narrative unfolds in Fuyuki City, a locale bordered by both ocean and mountains, serving as the backdrop for an ancient ritual. To manifest the legendary Holy Grail, which is believed to fulfill any wish of its holder, seven masters are assigned seven heroic spirits selected by the Grail. Each master forms a pact with their designated Servants and engages in a deadly struggle against the other masters and Servants until only one pair remains.

Pokemon Series

Pokémon are unique beings that exhibit a wide range of abilities and appearances. Many individuals, referred to as Pokémon trainers, engage in capturing and training these creatures, often with the goal of competing against others. Young Satoshi has long aspired to be not just a Pokémon trainer, but a “Pokémon Master.” Upon reaching his 10th birthday, he finally has the opportunity to pursue this ambition. Unfortunately, all three starter Pokémon have already been taken, leaving only Pikachu, a headstrong Electric-type Pokémon, available. This unexpected pairing, however, will lead to a profound friendship and an extraordinary journey.

Embarking on a quest to become the greatest, Satoshi and Pikachu traverse stunning and expansive regions alongside their companions, Kasumi, a Water-type trainer, and Takeshi, a Rock-type trainer. Yet, peril is ever-present.

The notorious Team Rocket lurks in the shadows, intent on stealing powerful Pokémon through their sinister plots. It falls to Satoshi and his friends to counteract their schemes while Satoshi also aims to collect the eight Pokémon Gym Badges necessary to challenge the Pokémon League and ultimately achieve the title of Pokémon Master.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

In Night City, a dystopian Californian metropolis, aspirations are often destined for failure. David Martinez, a teenager residing in the impoverished areas of the city, is determined to fulfill his mother’s enduring dream for him to ascend to the pinnacle of Arasaka, the foremost security corporation globally. To achieve this ambition, he enrolls in the esteemed Arasaka Academy, while his mother labors relentlessly to support their family.

However, a violent encounter with a street gang leaves David’s life in ruins. In the aftermath, he discovers Sandevistan cyberware—a prosthetic that endows its user with extraordinary speed. Driven by vengeance, David implants the device into his back, utilizing it to take retribution against one of his aggressors. This act leads to his expulsion from the academy, effectively crushing his hopes of making his mother proud.

Upon witnessing David’s remarkable capabilities, the alluring data thief Lucyna “Lucy” Kushinada proposes a partnership, presenting him with a chance for redemption. Yet, aligning himself with Lucy exposes David to the perilous realm of Edgerunners—cybernetic criminals willing to violate any law for profit.

The life of an Edgerunner is fraught with danger, as many meet their demise, either through the perils of their cyberware or the treachery of their environment. Nevertheless, in his struggle to navigate a corrupt system, David is prepared to gamble everything.

Persona 5: The Animation

Ren Amamiya, a newly transferred student at Shujin Academy, relocates to Tokyo to stay with his family friend, Sojiro Sakura, after being unjustly placed on probation for intervening in a sexual assault incident. On his way to his first day at the new school, Ren discovers an unusual application on his phone that transports him to a realm known as the Metaverse, where individuals’ “shadows” manifest as distorted versions of their true selves.

Within this Metaverse, he unlocks his Persona, a latent power that equips him to combat these shadows. Alongside other students facing their own struggles, he establishes the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, aiming to liberate individuals from their immoral desires by “stealing their hearts,” thereby prompting wrongdoers to reflect on their actions and seek redemption.

As the group’s notoriety surges, they experience both acclaim and criticism. However, at the height of their fame, Ren is apprehended and taken into custody. He finds himself subjected to a rigorous interrogation, which is abruptly interrupted by the entrance of Sae Niijima, a prosecutor in pursuit of the truth. How will she respond to his narrative, and what fate awaits the Phantom Thieves?

Inazuma Eleven Series

Inazuma Eleven ranks as one of the most iconic sports anime ever, especially for kids. With their games released on Nintendo DS, the games grew popular worldwide. Along with Blue lock, is Inazuma Eleven one of the most popular football anime series of all time. Following the events of Mark Evans and his club Raimon in the Football Frontier, to eventually the national team of Inazuma Japan participated in the World Cup.

This is not your standard football, as each player can develop a hissatsu move, which is a special move the players use in the games. The legendary moves God Hand of Mark Evans and Fire Tornado of Axel Blaze remain iconic in the anime franchise. As of now, Inazuma Eleven released games on Nintendo DS, WiiU, PS4, PS5, Windows, Android, Nintendo Switch, and iOS.

Nier Automata: Ver 1.1a

In a world devastated by a post-apocalyptic scenario dominated by alien-engineered “Machine Lifeforms,” humanity is bracing itself for a final confrontation. Having been compelled to seek refuge on the Moon, humans are placing their hopes in a cadre of artificial androids known as YoRHa soldiers.

At the helm is the versatile combat android YoRHa 2-gou B-gata “2B,” who leads the charge to reclaim Earth from its extraterrestrial conquerors. As the battle against the machines intensifies, the YoRHa begins to uncover the underlying truths of this brutal war.

Confronted with the stark realities of her situation, the resolute warrior 2B starts to ponder her own existence and the extent of her sacrifices for the survival of humanity.

Danganronpa

Makoto Naegi, an unremarkable teenager lacking any significant talent, is astonished to discover that he has been accepted into Hope’s Peak Private Academy, a prestigious institution renowned for attracting the most exceptional students from diverse disciplines.

Although he suspects that his acceptance may have been a mere coincidence, Naegi is thrilled at the prospect of attending a school celebrated for its graduates’ success. With determination, he steps through the grand entrance of the esteemed academy.

However, after losing consciousness within its walls, Naegi awakens in what appears to be an abandoned classroom. Confused about how he arrived there, he begins to investigate and is taken aback to find his fellow students gathered in the gymnasium.

As they attempt to piece together the events that led them there, they are confronted by the school’s principal—Monokuma, a robotic teddy bear. This enigmatic figure reveals that the new students are trapped within the school, with only one way to escape: to murder a classmate without being caught.

A palpable tension envelops the room as Naegi and his peers come to the grim realization that they must choose between engaging in Monokuma’s deadly game or cohabiting in the school indefinitely.

Genshin Impact Series

Genshin Impact is an action role-playing game that has been both developed and published by miHoYo, with its international publishing handled by Cognosphere, operating under the name HoYoverse. The game was launched in 2020 for Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, and Windows, followed by a release for PlayStation 5 in 2021.

It showcases an anime-inspired open-world setting and employs an action-oriented combat system that incorporates elemental magic and character-switching mechanics. As a free-to-play title, Genshin Impact utilizes gacha game mechanics for monetization and receives regular updates as part of its games-as-a-service approach.

Set in the fantastical realm of Teyvat, Genshin Impact encompasses seven nations, each associated with a distinct element and governed by a unique deity known as an archon.

The narrative centers on The Traveler, an interstellar explorer who becomes separated from their twin sibling upon arriving in Teyvat.

The Traveler embarks on a quest across the various nations to find their lost sibling, accompanied by their companion, Paimon. Throughout their journey, they forge friendships with numerous characters, engage in the political dynamics of the nations, and begin to uncover the secrets of the land.

Final Fantasy Series

Final Fantasy is a renowned fantasy anthology media franchise established by Hironobu Sakaguchi and is currently owned, developed, and published by Square Enix, previously known as Square. The franchise primarily focuses on a collection of fantasy role-playing video games. The inaugural title was launched in 1987, and to date, there have been 16 main entries in the series.

Over the years, the franchise has expanded into various other video game genres, including tactical role-playing, action role-playing, massively multiplayer online role-playing, racing, third-person shooter, fighting, and rhythm games. Additionally, it has diversified into other forms of media, such as films, anime, manga, and novels.

Final Fantasy predominantly functions as an anthology series, with its main installments being independent role-playing games, each featuring unique settings, narratives, and protagonists. However, the franchise maintains connections through several recurring elements, including gameplay mechanics and character names. Each storyline typically revolves around a specific group of heroes confronting a formidable evil, while also delving into the characters’ personal conflicts and relationships. Character names are often inspired by global history, languages, pop culture, and mythologies. The gameplay mechanics across the series share similar battle systems and maps.

The franchise has achieved significant critical and commercial success.The series has numerous entries celebrated as some of the finest video games ever created, with total sales exceeding 185 million copies worldwide, establishing it as one of the best-selling video game franchises in history. It is particularly recognized for its innovative features, impressive visuals, and the musical compositions of Nobuo Uematsu. The series played a pivotal role in popularizing many elements now standard in role-playing games, thereby elevating the genre’s presence in markets beyond Japan.