Summary
No otheranimehas such a unique effect on the viewers as those that revolve around trading cards. These are the kind of shows that make you want to go out and collect things, play games with friends, and spend all your money on products.
While not every show has a real-life card game that it’s marketing, they sure do capture the imagination of children everywhere and even make older fans nostalgic for the simple days. So, whether you want to watch characters summon monsters to aid them in battle or get a basic understanding of a real-life card game, these are the ten best anime that will get you in the mood to get your game on.
10Mon Colle Knights
Finding Monsters Through Cards
Mon Colle Knights is one of those anime that you don’t really remember being real until it stares you right in the face and the memories just flood back. The show stars Mondo and Rockuna as they travel to a different dimension called Mon World.
They constantly venture towards this world to collect monster items and cards depicting the creatures they can possess. They must do this before the evil and eccentric villain, Count Collection manages to retrieve it for himself.
9Card Captor Sakura
Capturing Clow Cards
Depending on which version of Card Captor Sakura you watched, the focus is either on Sakura or Syaoran Li. However, whether you watched the Japanese or the infamousAmerican dub, both versions focus on the power that Sakura unleashes and must recapture in the form of Clow Cards.
These cards allow her to summon the power hidden within after she collects them. Using this ability, she tackles stronger Clow Cards in an attempt to collect them all while dealing with her school life and budding romances.
8Digimon Tamers
Using Cards To Upgrade Digimon
Digimon Tamers is often known as one of the darkest Digimon seasons of all time. However, it is also based on the card game before it got a much-needed makeover. When the Digimon start crossing over into the human world, Takato finds a blue card that allows him to create his own Digimon partner Guilmon.
What makes this series so special is that the Tamers have more influence on the battles that occur throughout the series. By swiping different cards in their digivices, they can give their Digimonpower-upsand even allow them to Digivolve or use the abilities of other creatures.
7Future Card Buddyfight
An Interdimensional Card Game
Another anime that has a real-life card game counterpart is Future Card Buddyfight. It follows Gao Mikado as he befriends Drum Bunker Dragon Fang Slade Terrestrial the 13th. While this might be a mouthful, who hasn’t wanted to befriend their favorite card in any TCG?
The series is fun because you get to watch Gao build his deck, go from zero to hero, and use his cards to connect to a different universe known as Dragon World. With his newfound passion, he also learns to take on rivals in his own universe.
6Aikatsu!
Collectible Cards And Pop Idols
If you like arcade collectible card games and Japanese idols, then check out Aikatsu. It follows Aoi Kiriya and her friend Ichigo as they try to reach the same standing as their inspiration, Mizuki Kanzaki.
However, the rules of being an idol are more card-centric. They must collect Aikatsu cards which have all the dresses, accessories, and flare they need to reach stardom. So, in a sense, it’s almost like they are using cards to upgrade themselves for Pop Idol battles instead of sending out monsters to do their fighting.
5Duel Masters
The Journey To Become A Champion
It’s easy to forget that Duel Masters is an actual anime when other shows like Yu-Gi-Oh! refer to their own in-universe card games as Duel Monsters. However, it is real and follows Shobu Kirifuda as he tries to follow in his father’s footsteps as a Duel Masters champion.
While the anime can be basic at times, Shobu Kirifuda’s positivity is always a welcome sight. He goes from someone who plays to win every single time to someone who can just relax and enjoy the ride.
4Bakugan Battle Brawlers
When Card Games Come To Life
Bakugan is an interesting watch because, unlike other anime where the card game is already an established part of the character’s universe. Instead, the cards in Bakugan suddenly fall from the sky at the start of the series. This prompts the protagonist, Dan Kuso, to make his own game out of it.
As things turn out, it isn’t just fun and games, as the cards themselves are the key to another dimension known as Vestroia. Now, Dan and his friends will need to use their skills to use real Bakugan to save the world.
3Selector Infected WIXOSS
A Risky But Rewarding Game
If you’re looking for an anime that gives you a few twists on the card game genre, Selector Infected WIXOSS might just be what you’re looking for. In-universe, WIXOSS isa popular trading card game. The characters on the cards are known as LRIGS, while their users are called Selectors.
The stakes of these games have never been higher, but worth it for the prize. Those who are victorious can have their deepest desires granted. However, if you lose too many times, those dreams become twisted nightmares.
2Cardfight Vanguard
The Fights Happen In Your Imagination
One surprisingly good card game anime is Cardfight Vanguard. The original anime follows Aichi who, like a certain other gaming prodigy, wants to play Cardfight to beat his shyness. What makes Cardfight Vanguard so refreshing is that the first few episodes walk you through what the actual game is like.
The anime is also good at depicting local tournaments with the action just being part of the player’s imagination. This can get you in the mood to personally visit your local card shop and see what kind of competitions and events they host.
1Yu-Gi-Oh!
The Most Iconic Card Game Anime
It’s impossible to talk about Trading Card anime without mentioning the king of games, Yu-Gi-Oh! Every iteration of the show focuses on unique characters, signature monsters, and a world that revolves entirely around being good at a card game.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Shifting its protagonist for each series helps keep the franchise fresh. One moment you watch Yugi encounter various Millenium Item wielding duelists. Two series later you are watching as Yusei escapes the slums to take back his prize card. Each era has a unique theme and is sure to tickle anyone’s taste.
