Numerous computer, console, and mobile games have been the inspiration for anime programs throughout history. The amount of anime series based on video games, in contrast to manga and light novel adaptations, varies from season to season, with some having a ton and others having none at all.
Fortunately, the Summer 2023 program stands out since three new anime series based on video games will debut during this season. Here is everything you need to know about them and why each has a chance to win over fans.
Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness and the Secret Hideout
Based on the role-playing game (RPG) created by Gust that landed on the PC, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in 2019, Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout is the 21st entry in the long-running Atelier series. The story follows Reisalin "Ryza" Stout, a young girl who yearns for adventure. However, when she and her friends are attacked by monsters, they get rescued by an alchemist named Empel Vollmer and their bodyguard, Lila Decyrus. Ryza convinces the pair to train her and her friends. As the group undergoes this training, they restore a dilapidated cabin in the forest and transform it into their base of operations. However, shadowy forces are keen to stop them, lest they stumble upon an ancient secret.
The Atelier Ryza anime is one to watch, as the game's story was widely praised when it first launched due to its memorable cast of characters and its twist-filled plot that was deeper than other similar titles. The series is animated by Linden Films -- the studio behind Tokyo Revengers and Berserk -- so fans can expect some evocative animation and highly memorable scenes, likely leading to an anime that will be both gripping and visually stunning.
Synduality: Noir Is a Dyspotian Story With Extremely Creative Robot Designs
Another game-based anime arriving in Summer 2023 is Synduality: Noir. The story is set in 2242, many years after a cataclysmic event called Tears of the New Moon -- where poisonous rain fell from the sky -- wiped out massive chunks of society and forced the rest to flee underground. People are now returning to the surface, however, and building small towns called Nests in the ruined landscape.
Humans' return will be difficult because the world remains dangerous. To maintain the Nests operational, humans known as Drifters must execute risky missions in robots known as Cradle Coffins. As a result, the humans that survive in the Nests are humanoid androids known as Magnus, who are outfitted with dual-thinking AI. When certain Magnus who has been sleeping for a long time awakens with no memory, events take an unusual turn.
The Synduality: Noir anime, produced by Blue Lock animators Eight Bit, is part of the Bandai Namco Group's Synduality multimedia project. This also includes a manga, a light novel, and a game called Synduality: Echo of Ada that's scheduled to launch on PC, PlayStation and Xbox later in 2023. Based on the trailers, this anime should feature plenty of high-octane action, mesmerizing visuals and unique robot designs.
Ikimono-San Could Very Well Be Summer 2023's Sleeper Hit
Ikimono-San is based on Atsushi Wada's 2020 game My Exercise, which is accessible for Android, iOS, and PC. The simple game involved a boy exercising with his dog while various animals visited to see what was going on. This theme is expanded upon in the anime adaption, which was created by New Deer and distributed by Toei Animation. It follows Igaguri, a little child who adores animals and frequently imitates their antics. He travels with his dog, Inu, and seeks to assist creatures called Ikimono in navigating the world and fulfilling his objectives, no matter how weird they appear on the surface.
Ikimono-San will likely become Summer 2023's sleeper hit due to its charming but avant-garde approach to slice-of-life storytelling and unique visual aesthetic. Atsushi Wada's previous animated projects, including 2012's The Great Rabbit and the recently released Bird in the Peninsula, were praised by viewers and critics for their introspective but evocative stories that perfectly encapsulate many complex emotions. If he can bring this same depth to the small screen, expect Ikimono-San to gain a massive fanbase.
Fans of video games have a lot to look forward to this summer because these three anime, all based on current games, are significantly diverse and cater to a wide range of tastes. It will be interesting to see how these shows fare, given that the Summer 2023 season is chock-full of returning big-name series -- but if they do well, anime fans can expect to see a slew of new video game adaptations in the future.
