Anime has at all times had an immense following in Japan and Asia, however its reputation within the West has grown considerably over the previous decade. The rise of streaming providers has made it simpler than ever for followers worldwide to understand one in all Japan’s greatest cultural exports, resulting in the likes of One Piece, Demon Slayer, and Jujutsu Kaisen having hundreds of thousands of followers worldwide. The US anime market is predicted to be valued at over $60bn by 2030, greater than twice what it was a decade in the past.
With all that immense reputation, it’s maybe unsurprising to notice that anime has crept into the cell market, too. We’ve beforehand explored how collaborating with fan-favorite IPs as a part of a LiveOps technique can have a drastic influence on in-game efficiency, and that logic very a lot applies to anime crossovers. We’ve seen every part from the likes of PUBG x Jujustu Kaisen, to Puzzles & Dragons x Demon Slayer, Fortnite x Naruto, and Grand Summoners x One Punch Man—to call a number of historic examples.
Nevertheless it’s not simply collaboration occasions that characteristic anime; there are additionally an amazing variety of titles solely based mostly on standard IP—from Dragon Ball: Legends and One Piece: Bounty Rush to Destiny/Grand Order. Some titles, reminiscent of Umamusume: Fairly Derby, have taken issues one step additional by taking a multimedia method, with cell video games, anime, and manga collection all coexisting and constructing an ever-expanding universe.
Under, we dive into some newer examples of anime in cell gaming, from retention-boosting crossover occasions to blockbuster new titles which have made waves within the grossing charts.
Anime collaboration occasions
From Barbie to Spongebob SquarePants and even Sizzling Wheels, Stumble Guys is not any stranger to in-game collaboration occasions. Virtually each month, it brings in a fan-favorite franchise and places them entrance and heart, utilizing it to theme an all-new Stumble Go, phases, and an enormous array of beauty gadgets. With that in thoughts, it was inevitable that Scopely would finally carry an anime franchise onto the racetrack, which lastly occurred in August 2024 with My Hero Academia (MHA)
My Hero Academia is likely one of the hottest anime collection on the earth. It’s based mostly on a manga and is estimated to have over 100 million copies in circulation (together with a number of spin-offs), making it one of many best-selling collection ever. The anime collection first aired in Japan in 2016 and remains to be going as we speak, with an eighth and remaining season anticipated to air someday subsequent 12 months. The collection has even hit theatre screens with three movie installments, the newest grossing over $26m worldwide.
The collection is themed round a college referred to as UA Excessive, the place the scholars study to grasp superpowers often called Quirks. As such, that fashioned a significant a part of the Stumble Guys MHA occasion, with the headline new playable map being the “Hero Examination,” which college students within the present should go to be allowed into the varsity.
There have been additionally a number of quirk-themed occasions the place you would wield the powers utilized by a few of the collection’ most iconic characters. For instance, the One for All Quirk occasion was impressed by the character All Would possibly, with everybody gaining tremendous energy and pace. Gamers who opted for the premium model of the Stumble Go might additionally unlock beauty Outfits based mostly on these characters, alongside a number of emotes based mostly on the present.
Apparently, it additionally launched alongside a brand new everlasting in-game characteristic: particular skills. These skills enable gamers to realize a bonus within the race to the end line by grabbing or punching different opponents. Whereas they didn’t match the identical scale of superpowers within the present, the place characters have skills like gravity manipulation and management of fireside and ice, it did tie into the general themes of the collection.
Goddess of Victory: NIKKE x Neon Genesis Evangelion
One other title with loads of expertise internet hosting collaboration occasions is the motion RPG Goddess of Victory: NIKKE, recognized for its crossovers with Japanese IP. The sport’s LiveOps occasion calendar began with the online game franchise Nier: Automata earlier than transferring on to Chainsaw Man and, most just lately, Neon Genesis Evangelion—which launched in August 2024.
In contrast to most anime, Evangelion is exclusive in that it’s solely unique versus being an adaptation of an current manga. Regardless of being launched virtually thirty years in the past, it’s nonetheless extensively regarded by many as among the finest anime as we speak and is estimated to have revamped 150 billion yen in Japan. The present is thought for its advanced sci-fi themes, which revolve round large monsters referred to as “angels” that descend onto the Earth and may solely be stopped utilizing monumental battle mechs.
Its long-standing cultural relevance means it’s a trusted go-to for anime collaborations. Over time, many titles have jumped on the bandwagon, spanning all kinds of genres. To call only a few, these embody Fortnite (Battle Royale), Prime Warfare (4X Technique), Puzzles & Dragons (Match3), and Tower of Fantasy (MMORPG). Evangelion collaborations aren’t unique to video video games both, as demonstrated by a latest crossover with McDonald’s in Japan.
Within the Goddess of Victory: NIKKE Evangelion occasion, gamers entered a particular occasion space that features as a bodily menu system the place they will work together with varied options. The primary attraction gameplay-wise was the story mode, which was divided into a number of episodes instantly impressed by the present, with angel-like monsters invading the sport world. There was additionally a minigame, occasion store, and challenges to finish.
Nevertheless, what seemingly appealed most to followers of the sport—which is notorious for the intense “fan service” method it has taken to its recruitable feminine android characters—was the addition of Asuka, Rei, and Mari (Evangelion’s major feminine characters) via a Restricted Choose Up Recruitment Gacha, which required uncommon Superior Recruit Vouchers or premium forex. As soon as acquired, gamers might use these characters in battles but additionally work together with them via messages and different in-game social mechanics.
Many gamers got here alongside to have a look, and downloads of the sport spiked considerably by round 50% within the weeks following the collaboration occasion.
PUBG Cell x Dragon Ball, Jujutsu Kaisen, Spy × Household, and extra!
In case you’re on the lookout for inspiration for working your individual anime collaboration, place to begin is by Krafton’s PUBG Cell, which has launched an enormous vary of anime-themed occasions over time. These have included Dragon Ball Tremendous, Neon Genesis: Evangelion, Jujutsu Kaisen, Spy × Household, and extra.
PUBG’s anime crossovers are significantly noteworthy as they every include a singular gameplay mode that integrates iconic parts from every anime. Listed here are a few of the most fascinating examples:
- In PUBG Cell’s Dragon Ball Tremendous occasion (launched July 2023), PUBG added a restricted–time mode that reworked the map into an anime-style battleground the place gamers duke it out as fan-favorite Dragon Ball characters, reminiscent of Goku and Piccolo, unleashing highly effective skills just like the Kamehameha (an vitality beam).
- PUBG’s Evangelion crossover (launched Might 2022) launched the “Core Circle” recreation mode, the place gamers have been tasked with helping a towering Eva Unit-01 in destroying an Angel, bringing the collection’ colossal sense of scale onto the battlefield.
- The Jujutsu Kaisen collaboration noticed gamers searching for out Cursed Object Crates, which contained Sealed Sukuna Fingers. Those that managed to seek out and acquire all of the fingers unlocked varied rewards and achievements. Whereas that will sound grotesque, the anime’s principal character, Yuji, will get his powers after consuming a cursed finger, so it was fairly on-brand for the supply materials.
After all, PUBG Cell’s anime crossovers additionally introduce beauty gadgets to spice up monetization alternatives and general occasion engagement. For instance, within the Spy × Household collaboration occasion, gamers might receive outfits, emotes, gliders, ornaments, and plenty of different gadgets impressed by the present. A few of these could possibly be obtained by taking part in via the occasion, whereas others required in-app purchases, so there was a steadiness in making an attempt to maintain all gamers comparatively blissful.
A lot of the rewards relied on gamers upgrading their Prize Path stage, which, as steered above, could possibly be completed by finishing in-game missions or spending UC (PUBG’s premium forex). As soon as reaching Stage 20 within the Prize Path, the anime’s principal protagonists, Loid and Yor, turned accessible as character units. Nevertheless, gamers might solely choose one outfit. The opposite could possibly be obtained by finishing much more particular missions or buying it outright with UC.
Different notable in-game anime collaboration occasions
Nonetheless seeking to learn up on much more anime collaboration occasions? Listed here are some further examples our analysts have encountered in main cell video games:
Anime-based cell video games
Anime in cell isn’t nearly crossovers, although, as many licensed cell video games look to capitalize on anime’s worldwide reputation. In Japan, itemizing all of the anime-based titles in the marketplace is nearly unimaginable, as there are just too many to depend.
On the time of writing, 21 of the Japanese prime 200 grossing titles are based mostly on anime and manga properties, together with the likes of Umamusume, One Piece, Dragon Ball, Jujutsu Kaisen, Fist of the North Star, Bleach, and plenty of extra. There are additionally many extra titles that, whereas not based mostly on an anime, have grown standard sufficient that they’ve spawned their very own anime collection—reminiscent of Idolmaster, Arknights, and Princess Join.
One criticism that could possibly be thrown at these anime IP-based video games is that they’re formulaic, with the overwhelming majority being some type of RPG, most certainly turn-based. Destiny/Grand Order, Jujutsu Kaisen: Phantom Parade, SLIME – ISEKAI Recollections, and One Piece: Treasure Cruise are only a handful of examples of turn-based RPGs based mostly on anime, and there are lots of extra scattered all through Japan’s top-grossing ranks.
That being stated, some outliers break the mildew, like One Piece: Bounty Rush, a multiplayer battle enviornment, and Umamusume: Fairly Derby, which focuses on idol administration, the place gamers oversee the careers of fictional celebrities. There are even some anime video games that target sports activities, like Haikyu!! Fly Excessive, which sees gamers handle a crew of Volleyball gamers.
No matter style, most anime-based titles are monetized via gacha mechanics. The concept is that gamers spend premium forex to amass their favourite characters from every respective anime or manga. Consequently, it’s widespread to see new anime-based titles enter the market and quickly ascend the charts, solely to quickly drop off after a interval as soon as the hype has fallen. That’s one thing we noticed with Lord of Nazarick this 12 months, which dropped out of the highest 200 simply weeks after its October launch.
On the Western facet of the market, there are considerably fewer titles based mostly on anime IP within the top-grossing charts. The one titles that stood the check of time are these based mostly on the Dragon Ball IP, reminiscent of Dragon Ball Legends and Dragon Ball Dokkan Battle. Dragon Ball is likely one of the most prolific anime IPs on the earth and has had a robust following within the West for the reason that late 90s, lengthy earlier than anime’s latest surge in reputation, which can clarify why it’s an outlier.
As a substitute, the West is extra interested in titles with anime-like qualities however aren’t based mostly solely on anime IP. The likes of HoYoVerse’s Genshin Affect and Honkai: Star Rail are prime examples, the previous of which hit over $6.3bn in cell income final month, each boasting a cartoonish artwork fashion that takes on parts of anime in addition to comedian books. They’ve already begun to sprout a number of direct opponents too, reminiscent of Wuthering Waves and Tower of Fantasy, each of that are performing admirably in their very own proper.
The main profit to those extra unique titles is that they will discover their concepts with out being tied to their supply materials. In addition they keep away from the problem that many anime video games have, which is that they find yourself feeling like a lesser model. You see, many anime-based video games try and retell the identical story from the collection they’re based mostly on. Nevertheless, it may be extraordinarily difficult to fulfill the manufacturing values in a cell recreation with out an exceedingly excessive funds.
Nevertheless, some video games, like SLIME—ISEKAI Recollections, have made this work by mixing up the unique narrative with all-new twists, making it extra fascinating to reexperience whereas avoiding unflattering comparisons.
A be aware on anime-themed knockoffs
Alongside all of the formally licensed anime video games in the marketplace, whilst you’re shopping the Apple App Retailer, there’s probability you would possibly come throughout one of many many “pretend” anime video games on the market. They will often be noticed pretty simply, as they have an inclination to characteristic bizarre knockoffs of beloved characters with solely minor adjustments, reminiscent of tweaks to their outfits and even simply swapping out their names.
As you may think about, the official license holders aren’t too happy about these titles, they usually often depart the market simply as quick as they entered it. For that motive, you’ll discover that many of those knockoffs are in “early entry,” hoping to generate as a lot income as attainable earlier than being taken down.
Our ideas for integrating anime into cell video games
Anime is turning into more and more standard throughout the globe, and collaborating with these collection as a part of your LiveOps technique—and even as the premise of an unique recreation—is a wonderful technique to entice an enduring viewers. Many anime followers are wanting to work together with their favourite characters, settings, and tales in new methods and is likely to be drawn to your recreation even when it’s not their ordinary style. Plus, anime collaborations can open up new monetization alternatives, reminiscent of unique characters, skins, gadgets, and themed occasions.
However earlier than diving into the anime world, listed below are some key components you must take into account first:
How can I take advantage of my anime IP?
The widespread reputation of anime worldwide has meant that the cell market is flooded with much more unique titles and collaborations than it was a number of years in the past, that means it’s way more troublesome to face out towards the pack. There’s no assure that shelling out for an costly license will guarantee your title or occasion is successful, so think twice about whether or not or not it’s worthwhile.
Probably the most fascinating makes use of of anime IP within the cell market are inclined to do one thing extra aspirational from a gameplay perspective. PUBG’s cell crossovers are an ideal instance, letting gamers unleash Dragon Ball vitality beams and struggle alongside Evangelion’s towering mecha.
How will this collaboration enhance monetization?
Anime collaborations can considerably influence your backside line if deliberate strategically. Restricted-time characters, skins, and different gadgets tied to beloved anime properties are sometimes irresistible to followers.
For instance, Goddess of Victory: NIKKE’s Evangelion occasion was an apparent tie-in because it meant gamers might purchase the collection’ hottest feminine characters from gacha. Take into consideration which anime would seemingly enchantment most to your target market, as that would be the foundation of your collaboration’s capability to drive income.
The place am I planning to launch my recreation?
Whereas anime has made nice strides within the West, it’s nonetheless nowhere close to the identical heights as it’s in Japan. In case your recreation’s success hinges on the way it’s acquired within the US and surrounding markets, you would possibly wish to think twice earlier than basing it solely on an anime franchise until it’s Dragon Ball.
Likewise, should you’re planning a collaboration occasion, it’s extra seemingly to achieve success if it’s based mostly on one of many extra acknowledged heavy hitters, like One Piece and Demon Slayer, than one thing extra area of interest.
Fastidiously plan your timing
As with every collaboration, timing is at all times necessary to think about. Suppose you may launch your IP-based recreation or collaboration occasion round a major second within the collection, such because the launch of a brand new season or a theatrical movie hitting theatres. In that case, followers shall be way more enthusiastic about leaping in and taking part in as their favourite characters.
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