Anime Board Games

If you’re a fan of board games and anime, then it can be a bit of a challenge to scratch both itches at the same time. However, that doesn’t mean that there are no options available. From different strategy board games, to card games straight out of manga, there are definitely a few options available.

While the Japanese don’t generally play a lot of board games, Anime and Manga fans don’t need to worry. There are plenty of board game and anime collaborations, that’ll have fans coming back for more.

Hardcore anime fans will definitely look to invest in these board games. Without much further ado, here are the best anime board games that you can buy!

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7 Best Anime Board Games

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My Hero Academia might be a relatively new anime, but that doesn’t stop it from being among the most popular modern anime. Fans are always clamoring for more My Hero Academia content, and they’ll love this board game.

The game puts you and other players in the role of students from Class 1-A. The objective of the game is to prove that you have everything it takes to become a Pro Hero! It’s a fairly strategic board game and is super competitive as well.

Players will need to prove that they can can become a Pro Hero by earning Hero Points. There are several ways that you can earn points. You’ll need to defeat villains, complete events, recruit allies, and resolve potential encounters.

While the game is fairly simple, there are multiple different strategies that players use. There’s enough mechanics in the game to encourage a high level of replay value.

Pros

• Fun My Hero Academia gameplay
• Faithful to the plot of the anime
• Great replay value

Cons

• Slightly too complex for younger players

Final Thoughts

The board game does a great job of putting fans in the roles of their favorite heroes. However, for a series with a lot of younger fans, the board game is a bit too complex.

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Since it’s first release Yu-gi-oh has effectively captured the attention of a large audience. After the card game came out, it became even more popular than before. With regular tournaments and online versions, it’s one of the most popular anime card games.

Each player can use 60 cards for their main deck and 15 cards in their side deck. From there the game is broken down into different phases.

The game starts with a coin toss to decide which player will go first. After deciding who’s going first, the players turn will begin. At the start of the game, players will start with a full hand so they won’t draw a card.

After that players will either play effect cards or monster cards. When they’re done playing the cards, the turn is over. Players can then use their monsters to attack opposing monsters.

Additionally, each player has 8000 life points. The game ends when a player reduces the opponents life points to 0!

Pros

• Highly strategic and variable gameplay
• Avid fan community
• Continues to evolve

Cons

• Massive skill gap

Final Thoughts

With tournaments all around the world and popularity increasing each year, the Yu-gi-oh tcg shows no signs of slowing down.

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One Piece is one of the longest running modern anime franchises and among the most popular. People all over the world love the straw hat crew and follow their adventures along the Grand Line.

The One Piece: Adventure Island puts players in the role of their favorite pirates, with the goal of becoming the King. Players will use different cards and dice to travel through islands. On their way they’ll complete different missions in their attempt to become the king of pirates!

Instead of going around the map and buying houses/hotels, you’ll be buying PokeMarts and Pokémon Centers. It’s a complete redesign of the Monopoly formula to ensure gamers remain invested.

An interesting thing about the game is that it has different modes. Players can choose to enjoy the standard Story mode. Which will put them in the role of the straw hats. Alternatively, they can choose to play in crew mode!

Pros

• Takes you on an adventure in the Grand Line
• Accessible and complex modes
• High quality character model

Cons

• A little too short

Final Thoughts

High quality miniatures are one of the highlights of this anime board game. Aside from that, the gameplay leaves a bit more to be desired.

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Naruto Shippuden is all about the bonds between Naruto and his friends. The board game is no different and it put players in the roles of these characters. They need to stop the Akatsuki from getting together and creating the ultimate weapon to destroy the village.

Players will travel around the map using brilliant miniatures of the characters. You’ll understand what it means to be a ninja as you’ll have to take on difficult foes will managing your resources.

The battles in the game are quite interesting. While there are unique players cards and techniques, the overall gameplay is fairly based on random chance. Players will rely on dice rolls to see who ends up coming out on top.

While it’s definitely not a party game, it’s easily one of the best tabletop games for anime fans. The Naruto series continues to belt out brilliant video game and they finally have a board game that can match.

Pros

• Great for fans of the series
• Brilliant character miniatures
• Fun cooperative gameplay

Cons

• Could incorporate more rpg elements

Final Thoughts

Fans of the series will love the nostalgia of playing as their favorite characters. However, the gameplay doesn’t have enough mettle to attract players that aren’t fans of the series.

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Attack on Titan is easily one of the most popular TV shows that’s currently still going. The anime is popular along the world and has some of the most hardcore fans. Those fans will definitely enjoy what the Last Stand board game has to offer.

It’s a cooperative 2-5 player game that will pit the players into the roles of the scouts. The scouts must protect the city against the threat of the titans. One players will be in the role of the titans.

In each turn, the titan player will play two attack cards. One of the cards will be face up while the other will face downwards. After that the other players need to roll a dice to attempt to avoid the attack.

For the scouts, positioning themselves on the map is the key detail. They must be in position to dodge the titans attacks and weaken them over time. Eventually, they’ll be able to deliver the kill shot. It might not be a tcg or deckbuilding game, but the formula still has a decent degree of replay value.

Pros

• Unique gameplay mechanics
• Fun cooperative gameplay
• Combines both strategy and random chance

Cons

• Difficult for non fans

Final Thoughts

A really solid board game design that’s a great take on the 1 vs team genre.

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If you’re a fan of monopoly and the Pokémon series, then you’re going to love this collaboration. Pokémon can make a case for being the most successful anime franchise of all time. It’s only natural that a Pokémon themed edition of Monopoly exists.

The game follows the exact same rules as Monopoly. However, there are a few major changes. Instead of the standard Monopoly tokens, players will be able to choose between 6 different Pokémon.

Instead of going around the map and buying houses/hotels, you’ll be buying PokeMarts and Pokémon Centers. It’s a complete redesign of the Monopoly formula to ensure gamers remain invested.

Fans of the anime series will also enjoy the faithful recreation of the Kanto region. Players will be able to visit all eight gyms on their adventures and many other iconic locations. The board game will definitely please fans of both series.

Pros

• Faithful recreation of the most popular Pokémon region
• Follows the traditional Monopoly formula
• High quality board game pieces

Cons

• Might leave fans wanting a bit more

Final Thoughts

A combination of two real juggernauts of their industries. Monopoly works really well in the Kanto region.

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Death Note is one of the most iconic anime franchises of all time. By now most people are familiar with the overall story and premise. Confrontation puts players against one another in the roles of L and Kira.

The goal of L is to locate and capture Kira, while Kira must escape L and punish those that he thinks deserve the ultimate penalty. Both players will have their specified notebooks which they use to outsmart one another.

Another difference between the two is that L’s only goal is to capture Kira and systematically identify his position. On the other hand, Kira must eliminate targets and gain enough victory points to win the game.

The game requires a high level of strategy and understanding of the others players motive. It’s easily among the most complex anime board games out there. That’s no surprise given the nature of the anime series.

Pros

• Incredibly complex and strategic gameplay
• Incorporates different aspects from the anime
• Quality board game design

Cons

• Too complex for casual fans

Final Thoughts

Death Note: Confrontation is a two player game that features highly complex gameplay. It requires a lot of strategic thinking to come out on top!