Shopping Guide
There’s a lot of debate whether virtual worlds fall under the isekai genre, but we’re not about to dig too deep into that here. Regardless of wherever your loyalties lie, there’s a ton of anime with gamer protagonists who use their skills to navigate online worlds. So let’s check out some must-watch anime where logging in is either part of the fun or cause for some regret.
Sword Art Online (aka SAO) is often cited as being one of the series that launched the isekai genre into popularity. And it’s one of the most well-known franchises to feature the trapped-in-a-game trope. When 10,000 players log into the MMORPG Sword Art Online, they’re informed that they have to beat the game in order to leave or die trying. With previous VR gaming experience, solo gamer Kirito sets off to beat the game himself and help the other trapped players. With numerous seasons and other media in the franchise, SAO is an easy way to jump into this kind of fantasy/sci-fi adventure.
Before Sword Art Online, the .hack (pronounced “Dot Hack”) project launched with the anime series .hack//Sign where protagonist Tsubasa wakes up inside an online game known as “The World” with no memory of how he got there and no way of logging out. While SAO follows Kirito through action-packed adventures, the .hack franchise has multiple protagonists and character-driven narratives that reveal more of the “The World.” And this year, game developer CyberConnect2 announced the upcoming release of a new game in the franchise titled .hack//Z.E.R.O. to commemorate the company’s 30th anniversary.
Based on a light novel series, Overlord introduces the audience to a player who decides to stick around after a game’s servers shut down. While the protagonists in SAO and .hack fight to escape a game, Overlord’s protagonist Momonga is transported to a real version of the online world he loved and decides to rule over it as an all-powerful…well, overlord. Gamers who love dark fantasy settings will enjoy the intense action and heavier themes in this series. The series has also sparked tons of theories among online communities for people who really love to discuss these types of shows with other fans.
On the other hand if you prefer a more lighthearted story, be sure to check out Chou Kaguya Hime! (Cosmic Princess Kaguya!) which just came out this year. A modern retelling of “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter” from Japanese folklore, this film is a beautifully animated homage to online subcultures: from early internet forums to modern-day VTuber and streamer fandoms. Plus its soundtrack is full of iconic Vocaloid songs covered by the cast and has tons of easter eggs for fans to discover with each rewatch.
For more virtual worlds and animated films, acclaimed director Hosoda Mamoru’s has a few worth checking out, too.
Belle, produced by Hosoda’s own Studio Chizu, is another animated musical with a virtual social network aspect. It tells the story of a teen singer unable to sing after a traumatic event, but she eventually finds her voice again as she gains popularity online. While it’s inspired by the classic Beauty and the Beast tale, Belle is a unique story in itself. The musical performances and beautifully animated scenes make for a great movie experience when you just have a few hours to spare.
Prior to Belle, Hosoda’s first original film also dealt with social networks built within a virtual world. But Summer Wars is less musical and more action with bits of rom-com mixed into the story. The film is celebrating its 17th anniversary this year, but it’s still a fine example of Madhouse’s animation. And whether you’ve seen Hosoda’s other works or not, it’s a solid title to add to your watchlist as a stand alone anime—especially for viewers who enjoy drama and adventure.
As fun as the internet can be, take a break from the endless scroll and check out these shows and movies. And don’t forget to add us to your own social networks!
Written by Alon Bramble for TOM News
