What is your favorite RPG inspired anime?

The Hound

Explorer
I was going to do this as a poll, but that would have forced me to look up a whole bunch of anime titles and series and movie versions of series yada yada - so here it is as a topic of discussion...

Soon after I heard that there was this stuff out there called "anime", I discovered that there was a whole raft of it that seems to be inspired by fantasy style role playing games, in the sense that the plots involve a small party of characters different races specializing in fighting, magic, and so on. Many are sophisticated enough to be enjoyed by adults, as opposed to high schoolers. Even the worst I've seen is superior to the old D&D cartoons, and some I'd rate better than either of the live action D&D movies (especially the first).

My personal favorite is the original Lodoss War series (which was supposedly based on an actual campaign once run by its creator), for sheer quality. Number two is probably the Rune soldier series, which is sort of juvenile, but funny, and gave me several ideas for one off adventures and situations to insert into games. Honorable mention goes to the Berserker series. It's not really based on a role playing situation per se, but the overall plot would provide an excellent basis for a campaign.

What are your favorites?
 

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The Hound said:
What are your favorites?
I don't think I've seen a fantasy inspired one that's even passable.

The Hound said:
My personal favorite is the original Lodoss War series
Is there a smiley for "Despise beyond all rational thought"? God, I hate the Lodos war. I can't think of an actual anime that I think is worse.

The Hound said:
Even the worst I've seen is superior to the old D&D cartoons, and some I'd rate better than either of the live action D&D movies (especially the first).
Well, you're not setting the bar very high there, are you? :p I do think both the D&D cartoon and even the movies are far better than Lodos Wars, though.

God, what a dick I am. Sorry for being so negative at the very start of your thread. I just really feel strongly about this one. I'm glad you've liked them, though. I wish there was fantasy anime I enjoyed.

~Qualidar~
 

The Hound said:
My personal favorite is the original Lodoss War series (which was supposedly based on an actual campaign once run by its creator), for sheer quality.

It took me years of watching anime to realize...I don't actually enjoy it all that much. It's not an intense dislike and there are exceptions (Grave of the Fireflies comes to mind), but in general I can do without. However, I do love the original Lodoss War. It is, in fact, the only anime I currently own.
 


After going somewhat buggo over anime for a few years, I've rather cut down on my intake over the past year or two. Funny thng with anime is that there aren''t so many RPG-based ones, but a heck of a lot of "fantastic" ones (that is, fantasy) that would make cool RPGs. :)

Here are a few notables (in no particular order):

Lodoss War/ Legend of Christania
Those who hunt Elves (It's silly, and with some modern elements)
Slayers (the series and movies)
Hack://Sign (based on a MMORPG)
El Hazarde (again, a few modern elements)
The 12 Kingdoms
Berzerk (I didn't really like the characters that much, but the extras cracked me up)
Princess Mononoke
Nausica of the Valley of the Wind

I'm also quite partial to stories like Samurai 7, Samurai Champloo, or Naruto that have good ensemble casts, but aren't patterned off of "Western" fantasy.
 

Sound of Azure said:
Princess Mononoke
I wouldn't really consider that fantasy, though, as it's too asian. If that's included, I'd include Ninja Scroll and Legend of the Dog Warriors. Those three are sorts of awesome. :D

~Qualidar~
 

Qualidar said:
I wouldn't really consider that fantasy, though, as it's too asian. If that's included, I'd include Ninja Scroll and Legend of the Dog Warriors. Those three are sorts of awesome. :D

~Qualidar~

Asian != Fantasy ?

I'm confused. This is anime we're talking about here. ;) But yeah, those are all kinds of cool (those ninja are wacky!)
 

Sound of Azure said:
Asian != Fantasy ? I'm confused. This is anime we're talking about here.
Well, The Hound specified "fantasy" anime in his first post, so I was trying to think of ones that stuck to the D&D tropes, so I left off all the good stuff. :p


Sound of Azure said:
those ninja are wacky!)
Wild and Wacky. :)

~Q~
 


Full Metal Alchemist is good and doesn't involve Asian influences, it actually has 1800s European influences. Trigun is another, in fact, it has a very "Wild West" setting.

BLEACH is one that can make a great campaign, even with the Asian influence, that stuff can be altered. Naruto would make a great OA campaign.

I am very surprised most gamers don't watch japanese anime. I've gone through most of my life believing that if you're a gamer and love D&D and other tabletop RPGs, then you also love video games and japanese anime. I'm actually shocked everytime I talk about anime to another gamer and they look at me like I was a beholder.

Maybe me and my group of players are the only ones like that. I figure if ya like one "geek" hobby, you should be enjoying and liking them all. :p
 
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