5 Video Games That Need an Anime Adaptation

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For years, there’s been a misconception that video games cannot be properly adapted to movie or television form. Not only does this premise ignore that video games like Super Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog are now full-fledged blockbuster franchises, but it also overlooksthat multiple video games have been adapted into anime. In fact, an argument could be made that anime and video games are the perfect marriage; the latter has been slowly growing in popularity over the years, and it’s the ideal medium to capture the sprawling worlds found in certain games.

Some of the best video game adaptations, including Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and Castlevania, have already been adapted into anime series that’ve scored multiple seasons and critical acclaim. With other beloved video games in the running to be adapted into television shows or movies, it almost feels like Hollywood will run out of potential material. There are some video games out there that feel tailor-made for an anime adaptation. Maybe it’s the gameplay mechanics. Maybe it’s the overall design of the game. Either way, here are five video games that would be perfect for the next hit anime series.

‘SoulCalibur’

When the topic of fighting games is brought up, most people think of the bloody battles of Mortal Kombat, the whirlwind wonder of Street Fighter, or even the crossover chaos of Marvel vs. Capcom. But there’s another fighting game series that deserves its flowers: SoulCalibur. The series focuses on warriors from across time who seek the mystical sword Soul Edge to achieve their own goals, whether self-serving or altruistic. However, none of these warriors know that Soul Edge actually corrupts whoever holds it, with two of its most notorious users being the dreaded pirate Cervantes de Leon and knight Siegfried Schtauffen, who becomes the demonic Knightmare.

SoulCalibur is best known for its wide range of characters and the unique weapons they use, from samurai warrior Mitsurugi wielding a standard katana to free-wheeling pirate Maxi using a pair of nunchucks. That’s a setup that’s more than perfect for an anime adaptation! In the right hands, the fight scenes could be amazing, and the quest for Soul Edge offers a story that has the same epic scope as Lord of the Rings. While a movie version of SoulCalibur never got off the ground, an anime series could help give the iconic franchise the spotlight it deserves.

‘inFamous’

While the superhero genre has seen its share of ups and downs over the years, a recurring element in certain projects has been exploring the moral cost of superpowers, and the idea that not everyone who gets them will be a saint. Sucker Punch took that train of thought to its ultimate conclusion with the Infamous games for PlayStation, which tell the story of bike courier Cole McGrath. When Cole learns that one of his packages is a strange device, it detonates, granting him electromagnetic powers. What makes inFamous stand out is that the player can choose whether to take Cole on a hero or villain’s path, which shapes the game in unique ways.

Given the immense popularity of series like Invincible and The Boys, it’s pretty surprising that inFamous hasn’t been considered for a television series. But a great anime studio could make use of inFamous‘s unique play style by producing two different series, with one focusing on Cole’s heroic path and another focused on his villainous ventures. That doesn’t just stay true to the game; it would also give viewers the same choice as everyone who played the game. Ambitious? Yes, but so do the original games, and an adaptation deserves the same level of ambition.

‘Metroid’

Nintendo’s managed to turn some of its iconic video games into blockbuster movies, particularly the Super Mario franchise, and fans have been throwing out the next Nintendo icon they want to see. At the top of the list is Metroid, a science fiction video game featuring bounty hunter Samus Aran battling the titular aliens. Metroid not only gained a fanbase thanks to its unique alien design and side-scrolling action, but also for the major reveal that Samus is a woman during the closing moments of its first installment. It’s basically Aliens if Ripley had a suit of power armor.

While Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto has shot down the idea of a Super Smash Bros movie, it’s not a stretch to imagine Metroid being adapted into an anime. In fact, two people have actually shown interest in bringing the property to life. Adi Shankar, who’s produced the Devil May Cry and Castlevania adaptations for Netflix, has said he’d love to put his own spin on Metroid, while Brie Larson has said she’d love to portray Samus if she ever got the chance. The two uniting for a Metroid anime would be something to witness and could finally give a fan-favorite character her due.

‘Silent Hill’

The survival horror genre of video games continues to thrive and provide cinematic inspiration for Hollywood. Both Resident Evil and House of the Dead are slated for cinematic reboots that will tap into the sheer horror of their respective video games, which makes the fact that Silent Hill hasn’t achieved the same level of success all the more baffling. The video games are utterly terrifying, both in atmosphere and in visual design; fog covers the titular town of Silent Hill, and horrific monsters like Pyramid Head lurk where you least expect them. To make things even more nerve-wracking, most of the protagonists in the Silent Hill games are just regular people, rather than police officers or government agents like in Resident Evil.

While Silent Hill has provided the blueprint for a trio of movies, those endeavors have received negative critical reception. Perhaps the problem isn’t the source material, but rather the medium the games are being adapted to. A Silent Hill anime could not only fully capture the eerie elements of the games but also the mystery that has made them so iconic. And honestly, Pyramid Head resembles an anime character with his massive pyramid-shaped mask and massive sword. The perfect fit for such an iconic horror franchise would be Junji Ito, who’s brought the world horrific manga like Uzumaki; his unique vision could truly bring Silent Hill to life.

A character with scars on his face in the video game Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Honestly, it’s surprising that Metal Gear hasn’t already been adapted into an anime. Hideo Kojima‘s iconic stealth video games feature plenty of elements that wouldn’t be out of place in an anime, including grizzled protagonist Solid Snake and his fights against the titular Metal Gear, a massive mechanical tank that could put a Gundam to shame. Kojima would take things a step further with Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, which stars the cybernetically enhanced swordsman Raiden. Raiden’s tragic backstory, silver armor, and sleek katana scream “anime protagonist”.

Attempts have been made to get a Metal Gear movie off the ground, with Columbia Pictures finally putting an adaptation into production. Yet there should also be room for an anime adaptation. Whether it focuses on Solid Snake or Raiden, a Metal Gear anime would be the perfect fit for the beloved games, with iconic moments like Snake battling Metal Gears or Raiden carving through foes. If an anime studio plays its cards right, it could even bring all of the Metal Gear games to life.