A List of Anime Video Games Getting Released in 2018 & Beyond!
UPDATE 4th September! We have updated this article with the latest localisation dates and added titles!
Over the past couple of years we have seen a lot of publishers provide a whole bunch of video games based on existing anime/manga/novel IPs including Koei Tecmo’s Musou franchise and even the smartphone scene with Love Live!. But for 2018 we have a lot, and I mean A LOT, of Japanese video games that are coming out soon. This list will comprise of titles based on anime/manga (like One Piece) and also titles that received an anime adaptation (like Persona).
Before we list them all, a few honourable mentions for the recently released titles which just got released in the past few months!
City Shrouded in Shadow: A spiritual successor to the Disaster Report franchise that brings together a whole bunch of popular monsters from Japanese media and even introduces well-known anime mechas into the mix, all of them appearing as Kaiju throughout the game. Characters ranging between Godzilla, Evangelion Unit 01, Ultraman, Patlabor’s AV-98 Ingram, Gamera, and much more! The game is only available on the PlayStation 4 in Japan without English support, but there are walkthroughs available online.
Gundam Versus: The latest instalment in the Gundam franchise now officially localised in English. Fans all-around the world can battle using various Gundam mechs including new ones available as added content! Available exclusively on PlayStation 4 worldwide.
Kaiji: Steel Beam Crossing of Despair: Based on the manga series, the game covers the Steel Beam Crossing segment from the source material! You can even play it in Virtual Reality. The game is only available for PlayStation 4 via VR and for Nintendo Switch owners without VR in Japan only.
Now for the main event – there are over 15+ titles coming out so without further due here we go!
Attack on Titan 2
Release Date: 20th March 2018
Genre: Action/Musou
Formats: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Koei Tecmo’s next instalment in the Musou style series based on Attack on Titan’s second anime season. The game features more content including over 30 playable characters plus character customisation is now included. Changes to the gameplay has also been applied to this instalment including the Titan movement and the 3D Maneuver Gear actions.
Black Clover: Quartet Knights
Release Date: 14th September 2018
Genre: Action
Formats: PlayStation 4, PC
Recently announced by Bandai Namco, Black Clover Quartet Knights will offer a four versus four gameplay using third person magical shooting. Other gameplay mechanics include high strategic maps and unique magic for each character. May include Asta’s scream.
A Certain Magical Virtual-On
Release Date: 15th February 2018 (Japan)
Genre: Arcade Action
Formats: PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
A collaboration between SEGA’s Virtual-On series and Dengeki Bunko’s A Certain Magical Index franchise, the game is an action arcade style that pits players against other Virtual-On mechs. Each Index character has their own mecha as well. The game is also based on the crossover novel released back in May 2016.
While not announced for the west the Japanese release will be import friendly. A playable demo is available on the Japanese PlayStation store for PS4 and Vita.
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth Hacker’s Memory
Release Date: 19th January 2018
Genre: RPG
Formats: PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
Hacker’s Memory is a sequel to the well-loved Cyber Sleuth game back in 2015. The gameplay shares similar elements to its predecessor while also offering a new storyline and more Digimon creatures to encounter. While the Japanese release is bundled with its predecessor (since it was released on Vita first and Japan never received the game on PS4), the localised release will offer the sequel only.
Dragon Ball FighterZ
Release Date: 26th January 2018 (28th September 2018 for Switch)
Genre: 2D style Fighting
Formats: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Dragon Ball takes a trip to the 2D style fighting route from the developers of BlazBlue and Guilty Gear. Battle in 3 vs 3 with tons of playable characters and fight in both Arcade mode and online multiplayer.
Fist of the North Star: Lost Paradise
Release Date: 2nd October 2018
Genre: ATATATATATATATATATA
Formats: PlayStation 4
Celebrating its 35th anniversary, the developers of Ryū ga Gotoku (Like a Dragon / Yakuza) are working on a Fist of the North Star action adventure beat em up using the Ryū ga Gotoku engine. Gameplay is also similar to the Ryū ga Gotoku series with various mini-games and even cool fighting techniques that honours the original source material. The western release will feature dual audio options.
Full Metal Panic! Fight: Who Dares Wins
Release Date: 31st May 2018 (Asia)
Genre: Strategy RPG
Formats: PlayStation 4
While celebrating the return of the anime series, Bandai Namco have also announced a brand new strategy game. Information is limited for the time being but the game is being developed by the Super Robot Wars team!
While not announced for the west it will be available with English subtitles in the Asian English release.
Gintama Rumble
Release Date: 18th January 2018 (Asia)
Genre: Action/Musou
Formats: PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita (Japan)
Gintoku & co. now have their own video game! Gintama Rumble is an action beat em up in a similar vein to the Musou franchise. Multiple playable characters with their own fighting skills and also post-game content available for different characters and their perspectives.
While not announced for the west it will be available with English subtitles in the Asian English release available to pre-order on Play Asia.
Girls und Panzer: Dream Tank Match
Release Date: 27th February 2018 (Asia)
Genre: Action
Formats: PlayStation 4
The Girls und Panzer teams return for another video game instalment, this time on PS4. Gameplay is similar to the Vita predecessor where you fight against other schools during a Tank match. Players can select a school of their preference, battle through various game modes and even collect ‘hidden bokos’ to customise your tank.
While not announced for the west it will be available with English subtitles in the Asian English release available to pre-order on Play Asia.
Jump Force
Release Date: 2019
Genre: Action/Beat em Up
Formats: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
The cross-over fighting series from Shonen Jump returns with a brand new instalment using the Unreal Engine. So far we have characters from Death Note, Dragon Ball, Naruto and One Piece are confirmed thus far with more to come.
Little Witch Academia: Chamber of Time
Release Date: 15th May 2018
Genre: Action Side-scrolling RPG
Formats: PlayStation 4, PC
Bandai Namco and studio TRIGGER offer more Little Witch Academia goodness with an action side-scrolling RPG beat em up (like Dragon’s Crown). Outside of the combat you can even walk around the academy as Akko and interact with other characters.
A playable demo is available on the Japanese PlayStation store.
Love Live! School Idol Festival All Stars
Release Date: 2019
Genre: Music/Rhythm
Formats: iOS, Android
The hugely popular smartphone game is getting a new instalment (which has currently been delayed to 2019). This time with a fully voiced original story that brings both μ’s and Aqours together plus a new group from Nijigasaki Academy School Idol Club introduced earlier in 2017.
My Hero One’s Justice
Release Date: 23rd August 2018 (Japan), 26th October 2018 (West)
Genre: Action/Fighting
Formats: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Recently announced by Bandai Namco, My Hero Academia gets a brand new battle action 3D fighting game with players controlling characters from both the Hero and Villain sides. So far information is minimal but stage destruction has been mentioned during gameplay.
Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker
Release Date: 31st August 2018
Genre: Action/Fighting
Formats: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Another Naruto/Boruto game heads to game consoles! Battle against others in 4 vs 4 team modes in co-op and online. Play as various characters from both the Naruto franchise and also the recent Boruto series. While Ultimate Ninja Storm is fighting based, Shinobi Striker focuses more on team base objectives. Character customisation is also available.
New Gundam Breaker
Release Date: 22nd June 2018 (2018 for PC)
Genre: Action
Formats: PlayStation 4, PC
The latest instalment in the Gundam Breaker series is heading to the rest of the world! Gundam Breaker allows you to collect and build Gundams using Gunpla when you fight against other opponents. You can fight solo or play with others in a 3v3 co-op mode. Gundam Breaker 3 is available in English but only for the Asia territories so this upcoming instalment makes it easier for Gundam fans!
One Piece: World Seeker
Release Date: 2019
Genre: Action
Formats: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
After numerous Musou-like adventures, One Piece now enters the Open World! World Seeker celebrates the franchise’s 20th anniversary and is the biggest One Piece game to date. Play as Luffy and tackle enemies, environments and more in an action/adventure experience. The game’s announcement was very recent so expect more information to be revealed throughout 2018.
Persona 3: Dancing in Moonlight
Release Date: 4th December 2018
Genre: Music/Rhythm
Formats: PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita (digital)
The Persona 3 crew returns with a dancing music instalment. Features remixes with various artists on some of the best Persona 3 music as well as dual audio options. The Vita version will be digital only due to the end of physical cartridge production.
Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight
Release Date: 4th December 2018
Genre: Music/Rhythm
Formats: PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita (digital)
The Persona 5 crew also returns with a dancing music instalment. Features remixes with various artists on some of the best Persona 5 music as well as dual audio options. The Vita version will be digital only due to the end of physical cartridge production.
PUNCH LINE
Release Date: 31st August 2018 (25th September 2018 for US/CA)
Genre: Adventure Visual Novel
Formats: PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
From the creator of Zero Escape, PUNCH LINE is back in video game form. The cast from the anime series is back in a new way to revisit the story and its new offerings, including new content and new endings.
Record of Grancrest War (Grancrest Senki)
Release Date: 14th June 2018 (Japan)
Genre: Strategy/Tactical RPG
Formats: PlayStation 4
Based on the anime, manga and tabletop series of the same name by the author who also wrote Record of Lodoss War, Bandai Namco brings us a video game based on Grancrest War! The game is a strategy/tactical RPG that allows you to control your characters and troops on the battlefield. Currently there’s no word on English localisation however trophies have popped up with English translations. A Japanese demo will also be available on the PlayStation store.
The Seven Deadly Sins: Knights of Britannia
Release Date: 9th February 2018
Genre: Action/Fighting
Formats: PlayStation 4
The Seven Deadly Sins enters home video consoles for the first time as an action 3D fighting game. Play as various characters from the series and use their abilities to defeat one another. The Adventure Mode will cover the events adapted from the anime series as well as the upcoming Ten Commandments arc which will be added in a free update. Characters can customise their magic abilities throughout their journey and also tackle side-quests. Duel Mode is also available for 2 player offline and 4 player online action.
STEINS;GATE ELITE
Release Date: 2019
Genre: Visual Novel
Formats: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC
Steins;Gate returns with a remake of the original visual novel featuring anime visuals from the WHITE FOX adaptation. The PlayStation 4 version will also feature the 2013 spin-off visual novel Steins;Gate: Linear Bounded Phenogram, while the Nintendo Switch version will feature a 1980s Famicom adventure style game called Steins;Gate 8-bit.
Super Robot Wars X
Release Date: 26th April 2018 (Asia)
Genre: Strategy RPG
Formats: PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
Just recently unveiled, the next instalment in the Super Robot Wars franchise is coming sooner than we had expected. The game features an all-star cast including new additions like Buddy Complex, Gundam Reconguista in G and Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water to go alongside the recurring franchises like Code Geass, Cross Ange, Gurren Lagann and Mobile Suit Gundam Wing.
While not announced for the west it will be available with English subtitles in the Asian English release available to pre-order on Play Asia.
Sword Art Online: Fatal Bullet
Release Date: 23rd February 2018
Genre: Action/Third Person Shooter
Formats: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
The next instalment in the Sword Art Online video game storyline now takes Kirito & co. to the world of Gun Gale Online. Gameplay has switched from an Action RPG to a Third Person Shooter. Just like the previous games you tackle opponents with a partner or even take on challenges in 4 on 4 battles.
Other anime-related titles coming in 2018:
- CLANNAD – The original Japanese visual novel is coming back once again, this time for PlayStation 4. It will also be released with the English localisation in the Japanese retail release. It is available to download on the North American PSN store.
- Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? Infinite Combate – A dungeon-crawling RPG / visual novel based on the light novel series. Coming to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita on 2019 in Japan.
- One Piece: Grand Cruise – A spin-off title that makes use of the PlayStation VR headset. It is available to download on PlayStation 4 (UK PSN link here).
That’s a lot of anime-themed games coming out. Don’t forget there’s also other Japanese games getting released throughout 2018 and beyond, including The 25th Ward: The Silver Case, BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle, Granblue Fantasy Project Re: Link, Ni no Kuni II, Senran Kagura Burst Re:Newal and also the Steam release for The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II.
