Fighters like Mortal Kombat, Tekken, and Street Fighter are generally the first that come to mind when you think about fighting games. There are many other fantastic fighting games available, even if all of those games are fantastic.
View our carefully chosen selection of the top Steam anime games!
Among them are combatants from anime, too. An anime fighter is what? They actually come in two varieties. One is a fighting game with an anime-inspired visual aesthetic. One is a combatant, inspired by a real anime. Some games fit into both categories! There are many fantastic anime fighters to pick from, regardless of how long you’ve been a fan or how new you’re to the genre.
Updated on October 19, 2023, by Christopher Padilla: The anime fighting game genre appears to be gaining popularity and offers a surprising number of games to choose from. With this version, we’ve added some underappreciated classics as well as one that may be experiencing a comeback due to the potential inclusion of the now-essential Rollback Netcode feature.
20 Pokken Tournament DX
In a stadium, Charizard uses a flamethrower on Lucario.
Given that the Pokemon franchise originated with video games, Pokken Tournament DX could appear like a bit of a cheat, but the anime series has become just as popular, if not more so.
Bridget from Guilty Gear Strive, Geralt from The Witcher in Soulcalibur 6, and Ling Xiaoyu from Tekken 7
Take on the greatest fighting games available for the PlayStation 5.
In an odd attempt, Pokken Tournament DX turns the battle from the Pokemon series into a fighting game where the action takes center stage and everything else is removed. It’s a thrilling development for the series and a great method to highlight Pokemon without interfering with trainers. Furthermore, that Magikarp song is really sick.
19 Kill La Kill- IF
Prior to battle, Ryuko and Satsuki are shown confronting each other on the vs screen.
It can be difficult to sum up Kill la Kill’s style of animation in a few words. The plot centers on Ryuko’s search for the truth about her father’s passing, which Satsuki Kiryuin, the Honnouji Academy student president, appears to be aware of. But Kill la Kill-IF continues the anime with a different plot that centers on Satsuki Kiryuin.
With the same English and Japanese voice actors reprising their parts, the game’s visual aesthetic is a precise copy of that of the anime. Bloody Valor is a cheeky gameplay concept that allows you to taunt and insult your opponents in order to deliver extra damage. The fighting is fast-paced.
18 BlazBlue Series
a unique action by Blazblue’s key fiction
Before the crossover controversy surrounding Cross Tag Battle, BlazBlue was a stand-alone anime fighter that combined technical gameplay elements with fast-paced action, all while featuring a cast of radically distinctive characters. Nearly every fighting game archetype is evident in its three main games, and in certain situations, it has been formalized.
All of this is placed within one of the most intricate fictional storylines ever imagined, complete with parallel timelines, multi-personality individuals, and cunning plotting around every corner.
BlazBlue: Central Fiction Special Edition, the Switch edition of the final game in the series (so far), was its most recent release. It comes with all of the DLC that was previously available.
17 BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle
In Blazblue: Cross Tag Battle, Weiss strikes Rachel while wearing her tag in a battle in front of a massive, enigmatic structure.
BlazBlue: Cross Tag Battle is a crazy cross-over of multiple games, developed by Arc System Works. A ‘Keystone’ that will transport the characters back to their own universes can be assembled by gathering fragments from opponents in two-on-two combat between any two characters you choose from seven different series.
Every character gets their special moves transformed into Astral Finishes in the BlazBlue style of illustration. After DLC, the game’s character count skyrocketed to 54 from its initial 20. BlazBlue, Under Night In-Birth, Persona 4 Arena , RWBY, Arcana Heart, Senran Kagura, and Akatsuki Blitzkampf/EN-Eins Perfektewelt are among the series’ protagonists and antagonists that you may encounter.
16 Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax
Mikoto and Shizuo engaged in combat with one another
The game Dengeki Bunko: Fighting Climax was created by Ecole Software and French Bread. This game, which was produced by Sega, is a crossover of every light novel series that Dengeki Bunko published. Durarara!!, the popular Sword Art Online, series, has fourteen of its characters on the roster of the base game!, Virtua Fighter, Valkyria Chronicles, and more.
As bosses, you wouldn’t want to battle these adversaries.
You can choose an auxiliary character in addition to your primary combatant. Fighting game aficionados and experts alike will find the controls appealing, yet intricate combos are possible. Additionally, you can enjoy fighting on stages that are themed after your favorite Sega series, including Sonic the Hedgehog, thanks to Sega’s license.
15 Persona 4 Arena Ultimax
During a battle in Junes, Aigis uses her 7th Gen Gatling Blast talent to assault Yosuke.
The second fighting game in the Persona series is called Persona 4 Arena Ultimax. It happens immediately following the events of Persona 4 Arena, in which Persona 3 and Persona 4 characters are made to fight each other.
Every character has control over their Persona, which serves as a partner in combat and a unique attack. Locations from both games are included in the battle stages, and each character’s sprite is exquisitely hand-drawn. Rise and Ken are two of the new playable characters in Ultimax, and the system has been adjusted to make fighting characters’ Shadow equivalents less difficult. It’s the Persona fighting game’s greatest way to play.
14 Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R
Giorno Giovanna and Jolyne Cujoh engage in a titanic battle in Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure ASBR.
The manga series was not as well-known worldwide when the first All-Star Battle debuted in 2013. But Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure anime adaptation brought the manga to a wider audience. Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle R is a remaster that Bandai-Namco released to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the anime and the 35th anniversary of the manga.
The ASBR is a wonderful improvement over its predecessor. Ten new characters are included in the title, including characters that have long been favorites—such as Robert E. O. Speedwagon and Pet Shop—and heroes. In addition, ASBR introduces a number of fresh gameplay elements, like dash jumps and the addition of help characters. Unfortunately, because of its antiquated delay-based netcode, the remaster only performs poorly online.
13 Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Heritage For The Future
In a fierce battle inside a detention cell in Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Heritage For The Future, Avdol’s stand, Magician’s Red, burns Jotaro Kujo.
The characters from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure were not originally included in fighting games until Bandai-Namco’s All-Star Battle series. Conversely, Capcom had already adapted the manga more than ten years prior in one of the few fighting games that were released on the CPS-III arcade board. However, this title concentrated mostly on Stardust Crusaders, the manga’s third arc, rather than creating a perfect match.
The definitive version of the Jojo fighting game was later converted to the Playstation and Sega Dreamcast as Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure: Heritage For The Future. Chain combos and other well-known Capcom features will be immediately recognizable to fans of the series. The game also included a number of brand-new Stands-inspired mechanics. Tandem Attacks, for instance, allow you to pre-programme your Stand to engage in simultaneous combat with the User and Stand.
12 Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 & 4
Naruto and Sasuke joining hands to deliver a reciprocal power punch
Because of the Boruto sequel series, the ardent followers of the long-running Naruto series have only grown in fervor in recent years. Regretfully, video game developers have been trying for a long time to replicate the anime Naruto in video form, and many dreadful attempts have resulted in awkward and boring fighting.
One of the most watched anime shows in the world, Naruto has served as an inspiration for many excellent video games. The best of them are these.
However, the Ultimate Ninja Storm series—particularly the third and fourth volumes—is delightful. The compelling narrative of Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 is as strong as the entertaining gameplay. The gameplay in Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 is improved by introducing new features like the Change Leader System and character balance to make the game less frustrating. It’s absolutely worth checking out both games.
11 My Hero: One’s Justice 2
Right now, one of the most watched anime series on television is My Hero Academia . Though its first fighting game, One’s Justice, is a worthy endeavor, its latest offering excels in every aspect.
Taking the best elements from its predecessor, My Hero: One’s Justice 2 packs in even more content, such as an expanded story and mission mode, along with brand-new characters like Pinky and Nejire Chan. One’s Justice 2 is an astounding triumph because to the addition of destructible landscapes and fantastic Team Final Smashes.
10 Dragon Ball FighterZ
A powerful strike from Goku in Dragon Ball Fighter Z
A list of the greatest anime fighting games wouldn’t be complete without a Dragon Ball game. Of all of them, there are a lot of excellent ones, but Dragon Ball FighterZ—developed by Arc System Works, the same company that made Blazblue and Guilty Gear—is the greatest one that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the series. The base game of FighterZ features a roster of 21 characters, three of which can be unlocked through gaming. The game mechanics are similar to those of most other fighting games.
With DLC, players can acquire additional fighters, such as Vegito and Android 17 from Dragon Ball Super. It also features an original story mode in which a new Android named 21 seals the power of Earth’s greatest heroes and utilizes the Dragon Balls to bring back several of the series’ antagonists.
9 Under Night In-Birth
The battle between Merkava and Gordeau in Under Night In-Birth
French Bread, the same company that created Dengeki Bonku and Melty Blood, is the developer of the 2D fighting game Under Night In-Birth. For hundreds of years, the “Hollow Night” has given way to dreadful creatures known as “Voids,” which are creatures that feed on the strength of “Existence.” Those who manage to repel a Void’s attack can turn into In-Births.
In-Birth, like Melty Blood, features a variety of fighting game techniques that provide you with numerous options for blocking and retaliating against your opponents’ strikes. Every character is enjoyable to play at least once because they all have distinctive exchanges with other characters and special combos.
8 Guilty Gear Xrd
Guilty Gear Xrd is the fifth main installment in the Guilty Gear series, which debuted in 1998. ArcSys used a stunning 2.5-D look to establish a new art style for the series. The game also includes features, such as an extensive instructional mode, to make it easier for novice players to get started.
This terminology used in fighting games may appear odd at first, but that’s just how things operate.
The story mode of Xrd delves further into the game’s mythology and provides a quick synopsis of events from previous series. There are twenty characters available, including well-known figures like Millia, Sol, and I-No. Its most recent version, Rev 2, also features twenty-five fighters.
7 Dead Or Alive 6
In Dead Or Alive 6, Hayabusa attacks Hayate in a jungle battle.
Dead or Alive, which debuted in 1996, is still going strong because of its entertaining fighting mechanics and well-known characters like Kasumi. Naturally, the series was always recognized for its “bounce physics,” yet despite this, the action-packed battle keeps you alert, and the ensemble keeps becoming bigger.
The sixth game has enhanced gaming mechanics and a new graphics system. For those who are just starting out and wish to invest in improving, it also offers tutorials. Dead or Alive 6 did, however, have some early issues with its multiplayer features. If you enjoy the anime fighting games and the series, it’s still worth picking up.
6 Fate/Unlimited Codes
This game was created by Cavia for the Type-Moon market, and it was first released in 2008 in Japanese arcades. Every beloved character from the PSP or PS2 releases, including Zero Lancer and Saber, Rin, and Archer, makes an appearance.
The narrative follows the storyline of Fate/Stay Night, although it is narrated from the viewpoint of the player. If you enjoy the Fate series, it’s a delight, but even if not, you may still enjoy yourself with it. Making the most of your character’s meter is essential to winning battles since it allows you to conduct a variety of actions, such as employing the character’s special ability or pushing an attacking opponent away.
5 Samurai Shodown (2019)
In the weapon-based action game Samurai Shodown, a diverse cast of fighters from Tenmei-era Japan and outside its borders engage in bloody conflict. Samurai and ninja are among the characters, but there are also more peculiar fighters like a French fencer, a clumsy Chinese warrior, and even Baiken from Guilty Gear makes a cameo appearance!
Combat encourages fast thinking, careful reading, and bold moves because, like in a real sword fight, you can disarm your opponent and put them at a disadvantage or surprise them with a powerful move. Unfortunately, the lack of rollback netcode for online play has limited the game’s player base. However, the developers have stated that rollback will be available in September, so it might happen at any time now.
4 Granblue Fantasy Versus
Even though Arc Sys has incredible original content, the firm has done a remarkable job turning well-known intellectual properties into fighting games, as shown with games like Dragon Ball FighterZ. Granblue Fantasy Versus is one such instance, which develops the plot of its mobile RPG predecessor.
Learning how to play fighting games involves more than just memorizing your zoning and footsies.
GBVS takes a number of wise decisions that reach out to the market for casual combat gamers. Initially, the game provides streamlined inputs for special and super moves. Second, GBVS has an RPG Mode with level-progression and weapon-crafting systems that functions similarly to a beat-em-up game. Lastly, the game’s tutorials are clear and comprehensive, which makes starting a game a manageable effort.
3 DNF Duel
Inspired by the venerable massively multiplayer online role-playing game Dungeon Fighter Online, DNF Duel, borrows elements from GBVS while retaining its unique style. Certain GBVS mechanics, such as streamlined inputs, are enjoyable. The MP Gauge system, Conversion, and Awakening abilities, on the other hand, significantly raise the game’s complexity levels.
There isn’t as much single-player content in this game. There are three game modes available: arcade, survival, and story. However, the tale mode is far less advanced than its counterpart. After all, player classes—rather than canonical characters—serve as the inspiration for fighters in DNF Duel. Nevertheless, DNF Duel excels in multiplayer mode thanks to a netcode that simulates playing in a room with a player thousands of miles away.
2 Guilty Gear Strive
Bedman using a Special Attack in Guilty Gear Strive, to chop Sin Kiske up with its spiked wheels
One of the greatest anime fighting games available at the moment, Guilty Gear Strive, is an amazing addition to the Guilty Gear series. Let’s face it, how many fighting games have dolphin mechanics?
From the steely U.S. to the rocking witch I-No, the character designs are amazing. Goldlewis Dickinson, the defense secretary, had a rugged manner, a pompadour, and… An eye with a laser? If you’re a lover of anime fighting games, you really must play it because of its fantastic rock soundtrack and cast of characters that really stand out from one another.
A few years after its original introduction, GGS is still relevant today and has adopted a seasonal format. In addition to adding new characters, each season of paid DLC involves a total rebalance of the game.
1 The King Of Fighters 13
Compared to its previous 2.5D release, The King of Fighters 14,The King of Fighters 15 is a tremendous upgrade. Nevertheless, some of the greatest anime combat games can be found in The King of Fighters 13. The sets behind the characters are strikingly gorgeous, and the 2D models and movements of the characters seem fantastic.
It includes several settings and more than thirty characters to select from. KOF 13 offers a delightful experience regardless of your preference: you can explore the tale in tale Mode or simply get to know the characters you like in Mission Mode. Though it delivers enjoyment on par with Street Fighter 4, the game stands out as both a departure and a return to form for the series.