Anime has seeped into the hearts of Western mainstream pop culture and is one of the most popular forms of entertainment available today. Most of society is familiar with legendary anime like Pokemon, Naruto, or productions from Studio Ghibli like Spirited Away, but not many know there are niche animes about gambling as well.
If you are a manga graphic novel fan, an anime watcher, and a casino gaming enthusiast you will love the list of shows OUSC has put together. Check out our list of the top five gambling anime you should watch today!
5 Must-See Anime Shows About Gambling
The anime shows we recommend are all wildly unique and thrilling to watch in their own right. Check them out and let us know which one you liked the best!
Kakegurui – Compulsive Gambler
Kakegurui is an adrenaline-pumping anime about how high-stakes gambling can be. The general plot has us dive into life at Hyakkaou Private Academy, a prestigious private school where society’s most wealthy individuals gain status through gambling their fortunes.
If you love to see a dramatized view of the dark side of the gambling world, Kakegurui is an excellent watch. If Hang Bingo, 1:1 Blackjack, Life or Death, or even Rock Paper Scissors sounds like something that will have your heart pumping, you’d be right.
- Air Dates: July 1, 2017
- Number of Episodes: 12 (and counting)
- Theme: Drama, Mystery
- Studio: MAPPA Co., Ltd
Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor
To many, Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor is one of the best gambling anime of all time. Follow the story of Kaiji Itou, an innocent victim of Japan’s economic stagnation in the 90s, as he plunges into the world of underground gambling.
While not the most visually attractive or conventional, the way this show depicts the gravity of gambling and the consequences of the protagonist’s decisions is second to none. This manga series has it all, from pachinko games, poker variations, and even crossing a steel beam 74 meters in the sky.
- Air Dates: October 3, 2007 – April 2, 2008
- Number of Episodes: 26
- Theme: Thriller, Psychological
- Studio: Madhouse
One Outs
One Outs isn’t like other gambling anime, as it uniquely combines baseball with betting. Toua Tokuchi is a reckless gambler but a talented athlete.
He is given an opportunity by an owner of a baseball team where his contract states that with every out Tokuchi pitches, he earns 5 million Yen. On the flip side, every run he gives up, he loses 50 million.
If you enjoy intense highs that keep your eyes glued to your screen, One Outs is for you. While the show doesn’t show any casino games, there is plenty of content revolving around betting.
- Air Dates: October 8, 2008 – April 1, 2009
- Number of Episodes: 25
- Theme: Sports, Psychological
- Studio: Madhouse
Legendary Gambler Tetsuya
Legendary Gambler Tetsuya is a historical anime that touches on life in Shinjuku in 1947. The plot revolves around ordinary people struggling to make ends meet post-WW2 and the story of a talented gambler until he meets his match while playing Mahjong.
Mahjong is a Chinese tile-based specialty game that is sort of a cross between dominoes and poker in the sense that players wager and bluff each other until there’s a winner of a hand.
Legendary Gambler Tetsuya is more of a social commentary on gambling in everyday life historically rather than the action itself.
- Air Dates: October 7, 2000 – March 24, 2001
- Number of Episodes: 20
- Theme: Historical, Shounen
- Studio: Toei Animation
Rio: Rainbow Gate!
Rio: Rainbow Gate is a story of a young and aspiring dealer trying to grind her way to the top of the luxurious resort and become the Most Valuable Dealer. Watch as the top dealers in the resort battle it out to be crowned MVD.
In terms of actual gambling content, Rio: Rainbow Gate has it all. If you like the idea of a show that features Texas Hold’em, slot games, roulette, blackjack, and more, give this show a watch.
- Air Dates: January 4, 2011 – March 29, 2011
- Number of Episodes: 13
- Theme: Comedy, Ecchi
- Studio: Xebec
Best Gambling Anime Runners Up
The following gambling anime shows are also noteworthy to watch. Each one has something different to offer and plays on the gambling theme in its own and unique way.
Saki
Saki is an anime show that follows the life of the talented Mahjong player, Saki Miyanaga. She joins the high school Mahjong club with the hope of winning the national tournament.
Mr. Osomatsu
Mr. Osomatsu is an anime about six identical siblings and their shenanigans. Sometimes dubbed “the South Park of anime,” Mr. Osomatsu details the degenerate life of these siblings.
Cowboy Bebop
The Spiders from Mars episode of Cowboy Bebop is about a bustling casino spaceship with restaurants, silent pictures, and games like slot machines, poker, roulette, and mahjong.
Watch Some Thrilling Gambling Anime and Play Along!
As you can tell, there are plenty of options when it comes to gambling anime. Watching these unique series –inspired by manga classics– will undoubtedly have you wanting to play yourself. In case you do, you can play anime-themed slots at top online casinos. Tell us what you think of these anime shows as you play along with some of these exciting games!
