Summary
The gaming andanimecommunities have been tightly knitted since as long as we can remember, offering a constant stream of unique experiences and worlds to explore, allowing us to grow connected to characters and get sucked into their world for hours on end.
And, due to this, there is bound to be some crossover between the two forms of media, making us do the ol' ‘Leonardo pointing at the television’ meme when we spot a reference or easter egg from a video game we love in an anime we love, which is a unique special feeling!.
8YuruYuri
A Smashing Good Time
YuruYuri is an incredible comedic slice-of-life anime filled to the brim with adorable characters and fantastic vibes, leading to many phenomenal moments that make each character feel more relatable than ever before, such as when Kyōko Toshinō challenges Yui Funami to a game of ‘Namo Bros.’
From the start, you will immediately recognize the Nintendo 3DS-style system they’re playing on, followed by the clearSuper Smash Bros. 4-esque menu on the screen. While not a subtle reference in the slightest, we still love it all the same!
7Gintama
That’s A Lot Of Congalalas
Next up is Gintama, one of the longest-running anime of all time, giving us 367 episodes in total from 2006 all the way through 2018. And amongst these episodes is the short ‘Monkey Hunter’ arc, which is essentially a glorifiedMonster Hunterreference.
This arc follows Yorozuya Gin-Chan as he plays through a game titled ‘Monkey Hunter’ in order to restore parts of his body to normal, leading to some of the funniest moments in the series. All the references and nods will make any fan of the series feel at home!
6My Deer Friend Nokotan
Praise The… Deer?
My Deer Friend Nokotan took the world by storm last year, offering one of the most wacky and over-the-top anime of the summer, following a mysterious and bubbly deer girl named Noko Shikanoko and a former delinquent, now class president, Torako Koshi, leading to many bizarre encounters.
While the show has many banger moments, the gaming reference comes at the end of the opening animation, when Torako Koshi falls down the stairs, seemingly dying, as the words ‘YOU DEER’ appear above her head, which may look familiar to you if you’re a fan of theDark Soulsseries!
5Onimai: I’m Now Your Sister!
They Blamed The Beasts
Following that is Onimai: I’m Now Your Sister!, which is a surprisingly wholesome and emotional anime with excellent messaging and character development. Throughout this series, you will see references to other manga and anime, but you will also see some games pop up in the mix from time to time.
One of these games is none other thanGuilty Gear Strive, showcasing a match between Sol Badguy and Bridget, an apt character choice for the overall premise of this show. Furthermore, you can also seeRiver City Girlsbeing played as well, which is also incredibly cool to see!
4JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure
I Was Born To Be An F-Mega Racer!
JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure isn’t shy about incorporating references throughout its manga and anime adaptations, but they typically revolve around music legends and icons, as well as other manga series. However, during the Stardust Crusaders arc, you may have noticed a familiar-looking racing game.
As you begin making your way through this arc, you will be introduced to F*Mega, a racing video game that is very clearlyF-Zero, from the tracks to the cars to the music, making it an incredible moment through and through!
3Chio’s School Road
Psychos And Big Daddies
Chio’s School Road is next in line, offering an exceptionally hilarious comedy anime that follows Chio Miyamo, who loves playing Western-developed video games, leading her to have a collection of easily recognizable figurines on her bookcase.
On the bookshelf, you can see a Psycho, Claptrap, and a replica Psycho Mask from theBorderlandsseries, along with a Big Daddy and Little Sister fromBioShock, bringing us back to that sweet early 2000s time period!
2Heybot!
He’s Never Escaping This, As This Is His Legacy
Heybot! is a unique and very, very bizarre sci-fi comedy anime that has its fair share of references throughout its 50-episode run. However, its best reference is, perhaps, one of the best of all time, as it is a nod to a particular moment in gaming history.
Hearing ‘Let’s go, Justiiin!’ will send chills down the spine of any fighting game player, especially when paired alongside a character who is very clearly supposed to be thelegendary Justin Wong.We never thought we’d see the legendary ‘Evo Moment 37’ referenced in an anime, but we’re happy it exists!
1Kaguya-sama: Love Is War
Something For Everyone
Kaguya-sama: Love is War is undoubtedly one of the best romcom anime ever to do it, and is overflowing with pop culture references and nods to other anime, which only further enhances its sharp writing and lovable characters. And, in addition to that, it doesn’t shy away from gaming references either.
Throughout the show, you will see references from theDark Souls 3: Ashes of Ariandelexpansion,Mario Kart, an anime fighter, and evenPersona 5. And, the thing is, all of these references are top-tier, making their inclusion feel crucial to the moment.
Even the non-specific anime fighter has references within references, with the break-in animations of their faces when they’re performing a powerful action, to birds flying around their head when they get stunned, and much more. Like the show they’re part of, all these references hit and are dearly loved!
