Gambling anime weren’t brought into the mainstream until the release of Netflix’s Kakegurui in 2017, and its unique characters and over-the-top gambling events brought a ton of new fans into the genre. Not everyone feels that Kakegurui does a good job portraying the tense nature of gambling and, despite how gruesome some of its games are, none of the main characters are ever in serious danger.
Thankfully, there are a ton of other worthwhile gambling anime to scratch the itch left behind by Kakegurui. From OVAs and short series from the ’80s and ’90s to more recent entries that keep the high-stakes nature of gambling while adding cute, slice-of-life charm on top, there’s no shortage of picks for those looking to get their gambling anime fix.
10 Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor
Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor, also known by its shortened title Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor, focuses on the titular protagonist Kaiji as he tries to pay off debts through gambling. With no real prospects of his own and no money, Kaiji accepts an offer to board the Espoir, a cruise ship where players can earn what they need.
If they lose, though, they’ll be subjected to a lifetime of servitude with no way out. Future arcs of Kaiji dive into heavier topics as well, and the games are both innovative and easy to understand. Fans note that the music, art, and guessing games that Kaiji puts the audience through are particular highlights.
9 One Outs
While it may look like a typical sports anime on the surface, One Outs does a fantastic job of balancing sports anime with the high-stakes nature of gambling. Toua Tokuchi is a baseball prodigy, who only sees the sport as a way to make extra money. When he’s refused an acceptable salary, he strikes a deal with the team’s owner.
For each out Tokuchi pitches, he’ll earn five million yen, but he’ll lose fifty million for every run he gives up. While One Outs does focus primarily on the sport of baseball, fans note that an understanding of the sport isn’t required to enjoy the series anyway, as the gambling and mental aspects take center stage.
8 Akagi
The titular protagonist of Akagi doesn’t mean to become involved in a life-or-death game of mahjong but happens to stumble upon one while running from the police. Compulsive gambler Nangou hands his losing game over to Akagi, desperate for any hope of survival, who turns out to be naturally talented.
Instead of caring about the money he can earn playing, or even his own life, Akagi plays for the sake of becoming a mahjong legend. Similar to One Outs, a proper understanding of the game isn’t required to become invested in the series, and its unique art style is striking.
7 Saki
Not every gambling anime has to be dark, gritty, and include life-or-death stakes. Some, like Saki, simply revolve around a club full of cute girls honing their mahjong skills with the goal to win the national tournament. Saki‘s a talented mahjong player who dislikes the game due to her past but gets dragged into her school’s mahjong club regardless.
While there aren’t any life-or-death stakes to be had in Saki, those who enjoy a fluffier slice-of-life experience alongside gambling games will find it charming. Each girl also has their own unique powers that they bring to their mahjong battles, making each game a flashy and unpredictable experience.
6 Legendary Gambler Tetsuya
Legendary Gambler Tetsuya is another gambling anime that centers around mahjong and puts a heavy focus on the gritty realism of gambling. It’s also less accessible than other mahjong series in the genre, as fans note that a basic understanding at least is required to get the most out of the series.
Similar to Kakegurui, Legendary Gambler Tetsuya focuses on gambling games where cheating is rampant and Tetsuya must carefully unravel and overcome his opponent’s plot. Rather than going for over-the-top theatrics and shock value, Tetsuya’s path to victory is calculated, satisfying, and well-fleshed out.
5 Mahjong Hishouden: Naki no Ryuu
While the three-episode OVA for Mahjong Hishouden: Naki no Ryuu has mixed reviews across the internet, those that do enjoy it call it one of the best gambling anime out there despite its shorter length. The protagonist is known as the Crying Dragon and wins his matches in a specific, niche way.
Not only that but protagonist Ryuu strictly deals with the mafia during this OVA, meaning the stakes are high. Despite the tension and stress, Ryuu is able to keep calm and manipulate his opponents into exactly how he wants in order to land his finishing move.
4 Usogui
Similar to Mahjong Hishouden: Naki no Ryuu, the single-episode OVA Usogui is an obscure but beloved classic by those that enjoy it. Usogui‘s protagonist is Bak Madarame, also known as the Lie Eater, who originally gambles for the sake of keeping his life against an organization known as Kagerou.
Kagerou oversees the various games that Madarame competes in, including Old Maid, Escape The Abandoned Building, and Hangman. What starts as a fight for Bak’s life ends as a fight against Kagerou itself, with the goal being to overthrow the group through gambling and gain control himself.
3 Yu-Gi-Oh! Season Zero
For those who are aware of the general Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise, the often-overlooked season zero is much darker than everything that comes after. The biggest general change is that card games and duel monsters only take up a small portion of the season, with the rest having to do with other various, creative games.
Instead of being a character who stands for friendship and heroism, Yami Yugi is possessed by an ancient Egyptian spirit who takes pleasure in completely crushing his opponents. Yami’s opponents are beaten in a shockingly brutal manner compared to the main series, and the contrast is dark yet enjoyable.
2 Death Parade
An expanded version of the 2013 short film Death Billiards, Death Parade gives pairs of people who died at the same time a second chance at life. They’re pitted against each other in one of a multitude of games, and the winner is given another chance to live, while the loser is never to be seen again – afterlife or otherwise.
Not only do these games push the participants to their limits, but they also reveal their pasts and the real reason for their involvement as they play. Fans note that the relationships between the contestants and how they progress throughout the games are particularly enjoyable, along with the lessons characters learn throughout Death Parade.
1 C: The Money Of Soul & Possibility Control
C: The Money Of Soul And Possibility Control centers around the young Kimimaro Yoga, a second-year economics major struggling to make ends meet. After meeting the mysterious Masakasi, Yoga gains access to the Financial District, an alternate reality where the real-world state of financial affairs is decided.
Rather than compete in typical gambling games, the bets in C: The Money Of Soul And Possibility Control are wagered through duels. Players issue commands to their own unique Asset, a human-like avatar with special abilities who fight each other similarly to Pokémon.