5 Best Anime Adapted from Online Games (MMORPG), From Ragnarok to Phantasy Star Online

Kapanlagi.com - Anime adaptations of online games or MMORPGs always have their own charm. Besides bringing nostalgia for the players, these anime also feature vast worlds, iconic characters, and exciting action. From those filled with drama to those with absurd comedy, they all offer a viewing experience that keeps you hooked for hours.

It's no wonder that many anime adapt online games or MMORPGs with the same goal; to keep viewers engaged for hours. Now, here are 5 of the best anime adapted directly from online games/MMORPGs complete with game information, anime synopsis, and airing dates..

1. Ragnarok The Animation (2004)

Ragnarok Online is a legendary MMORPG created by Gravity that was released in 2002. This game is based on the manhwa Ragnarok by Lee Myung-jin and became a global phenomenon, including in Indonesia. The diverse job classes, party system, monster cards, and iconic BGM make RO one of the most influential MMORPGs of all time.

The anime follows the adventures of Roan, a young man who wants to become a Knight, and his childhood friend, Yufa, an Acolyte. They explore the world of Rune Midgard, encountering classic monsters such as Poring, Doppleganger, and Baphomet, and gradually get caught up in a larger conflict related to the rise of darkness. Although the story stands alone and does not follow the game's plot 100%, many nostalgic elements from RO are clearly present.

This anime aired from April 6, 2004 - September 28, 2004, with a total of 26 episodes.

2. Phantasy Star Online 2: The Animation (2016)

Poster of the anime Phantasy Star Online 2: The Animation (Credit: IMDB)

Phantasy Star Online 2 is a sci-fi MMORPG created by SEGA, released in 2012. This game is known for its fast-paced gameplay, futuristic design, instanced dungeon system, and extensive character customization. PSO2 also has a rich lore with various lengthy story episodes.

Unlike most adaptations, this anime takes a real-world perspective. The main character, Itsuki Tachibana, is a high school student appointed as the 'student council assistant'. He is asked to play PSO2 as part of a school research that sounds absurd but makes sense in the anime. Over time, the boundary between the game world and the real world begins to blur, and a threat directly related to PSO2 emerges. This anime feels more like an official promotion with a touch of light action and comedy.

Released from January 8, 2016 – April 1, 2016, with a total of 12 episodes.

3. Chain Chronicle: The Light of Haecceitas (2017)

Anime poster Chain Chronicle: The Light of Haecceitas (Credit: IMDB)

Chain Chronicle is a tower defense RPG game, a hybrid ARPG that was initially released as a mobile game in 2013 by SEGA. Although it is not a full MMORPG, this game features a vast world called Yuguto with many factions, jobs, and a party system similar to MMORPGs. The game's popularity led to adaptations in various media, including anime.

The anime is set in a world on the brink of falling into the hands of the Black Army. A hero named Yuri leads the Volunteer Army to reclaim a world that is slowly sinking into darkness. The plot is quite serious, filled with action and conflict between light and darkness, showcasing the struggles of the main characters as they face seemingly unbeatable foes.

Although the story tends to be dark, this anime has strong fantasy visuals and many direct references to characters that appear in the game.

It aired as a series from January 8, 2017 – April 1, 2017, with a total of 12 episodes (plus the previous trilogy film).

4. Dragon Nest: Warriors' Dawn (2014)

Dragon Nest: Warriors' Dawn anime poster (Credit: IMDB)

Dragon Nest is a popular MMORPG released in 2010 by Eyedentity Games. This game is known for its fast-paced non-targeting action gameplay, dungeon instances, party boss rush system, and characters with branching classes such as Archer to Bowmaster or Cleric to Paladin. Internet café gamers in the 2010s are definitely very familiar with this game.

Although this is not a series, but an animated film, its story is still worth a spot on the list. The film follows Lambert, a novice warrior who joins a group of adventurers to stop the Black Dragon that threatens the world of Altera. The plot focuses on friendship, sacrifice, and how Lambert evolves from an ordinary youth into a hero. Many iconic elements of Dragon Nest such as classes, monsters, and lore are clearly present in every action.

The film was released on July 31, 2014, in China (co-produced by Mili Pictures and Eyedentity Games).

5. Elsword: El Lady (2016–2017)

Anime poster Elsword: El Lady (Credit: IMDB)

Elsword is an action side-scrolling MMORPG developed by KOG Studios that was first released in 2007 in South Korea before launching globally. This game features fast-paced gameplay, freely executed combos, action-packed linear dungeons, and a variety of character choices with branching jobs such as Elsword, Aisha, Rena, Raven, and Eve. Its uniqueness lies in its anime visual style and webcomic-like story cutscenes that keep players engaged in the storyline.

Elsword: El Lady is a direct adaptation of the main story arc of Elsword, specifically the El Lady part that forms the foundation of the lore of the Elrios world. This anime follows the adventures of Elsword and the El Search Party team; Aisha, Rena, Raven, Eve, Chung, Ara, and Add. In their mission to find the whereabouts of El Lady, a key figure connected to the balance of the world's energy.

The plot delves deeper into the relationships among party members, the internal conflicts of each character, and the significant threats arising from the imbalance of El energy. The storytelling style follows the flow of the game's dungeons: advance, fight, discover clues, and face important bosses that determine the progression of the story.

This anime also retains the characteristic character designs of Elsword, complete with light comedy and action-packed scenes full of effects reminiscent of the game's gameplay.

It aired from December 22, 2016 – April 27, 2017, as an ONA (Original Net Animation) series with a total of 12 episodes.

(kpl/jpg)