8 Best Card Battle Anime, Ranked

Summary

Trading cards became games in the 90s with the rise of Magic: The Gathering, paving the way for popular TCGs today.
Card battle anime introduced TCGs to mainstream media, captivating viewers with flashy effects and dramatic stories.
Popular TCGs like Yu-Gi-Oh! originate from animated TV shows, offering fantastical gameplay experiences and unique storylines.

Trading cards have been around for a long time, and while people have always collected them, they didn’t really become games until the 90s. The creation of Magic: The Gathering essentially kickstarted an entire industry, becoming the foundation for many TCGs that are popular today. However, trading cards entered mainstream media with the advent of card battle anime and cartoons.

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Most of the big-name TCGs originate from animated TV shows where characters play the game, but in a larger-than-life way. The fantastical nature of these anime made it easy for young kids to imagine themselves playing the game. Filled with flashy effects, dramatic stories, and great action, these animated shows are loved by many, and despite being quite a niche genre, they remain a steadfast part of the anime community to this day.

8

Battle Spirits

A Fun Yu-Gi-Oh Clone

MyAnimeList Score: 6.39
Episodes: 50
Aired: 2008 to 2009
Genres/Themes: Strategy Game
Studio: Sunrise

Compared to Japan, the US is fairly limited in the number of popular card games. Battle Spirits is a great example of a game failing in the US but blowing up in Japan. It probably didn’t help that the anime about the game was never dubbed in English, which would have helped with publicity and advertising. It’s a shame because the anime is pretty entertaining.

The story follows Toppa Bashin as he aspires to be the best card battler. As an elementary school student, he doesn’t have much experience, but using the strange power from his dad’s pendant, he’s able to encounter many great players and polish his skills. Similar to Yu-Gi-Oh, Battle Spirits has many different series with different protagonists, so there’s a lot to watch for people interested in the game.

7

Shadowverse Flame

Adventures In Pro Card Gamer College

MyAnimeList Score: 6.73
Episodes: 50
Aired: 2022 to 2023
Genres/Themes: Fantasy, Strategy Game
Studio: Zexcs

In 2016, Shadowverse was released as a digital card game similar to Hearthstone but with less randomness and much more F2P-friendly. Due to its popularity, two anime adaptations were made, one in 2020 and another in 2022. Despite technically being a sequel, Shadowverse Flame can be watched as a standalone series as it has a different protagonist and a unique storyline.

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The story follows Light Tenryu, who enrolls in Shadowverse College despite knowing nothing about the game. Although he’s a little dense, he’s determined to keep his promises, so he joins Seventh Flame, one of the seven Shadowverse clubs on campus, to keep it from being disbanded. With the help of some new friends, Light learns how to play the game and takes one step toward his supposed fate.

6

Future Card Buddyfight

Befriending Monsters Across Dimensions

MyAnimeList Score: 6.73
Episodes: 64
Aired: 2014 to 2015
Genres/Themes: Strategy Game
Studio: Xebec, OLM

In comparison to some other games, Future Card Buddyfight is generally simpler and easier to understand, and that’s reflected in the anime, which is marketed toward a younger audience. The story follows Gao Mikado as he ventures into the world of buddyfighting, where players summon monsters from a parallel world. However, rather than just playing cards, the player fights alongside their monsters.

While it’s made for kids and follows a stereotypical plot, it’s surprisingly fun. There aren’t any incredible plot twists, but the overall atmosphere and energy are good enough to give the show momentum. An older audience may find it a bit cheesy, but that’s part of the charm. At the very least, the game itself is something that sets it apart.

5

Selector Infected WIXOSS

A Trading Card Death Game

WIXOSS (pronounced whi-kross) is a card game that was released in Japan in 2014 but made its way to the global scene in 2021. It’s not too well-known, but it still has its dedicated anime. The first series, Selector Infected WIXOSS, follows Ruko Kominato when she first gets an LRIG card, which is needed to play. It’s revealed that she’s a Selector, one of the few players with a sentient LRIG, giving her the chance to have a wish granted.

WIXOSS is a darker take on classic TCG anime where lives are at stake every step of the way. There’s a horror element to this show, which is mostly seen in the alternate dimension where the games take place. It’s similar to Madoka Magica in the way that young girls are given a special opportunity, but at a terrible cost. Unfortunately, for anyone interested in the actual game, the anime doesn’t really expand on how to play.

4

Cardfight!! Vanguard

The Lesser-Known Gem Of Card Games

MyAnimeList Score: 7.03
Episodes: 65
Aired: 2011 to 2012
Genres/Themes: Action, Fantasy, Strategy Game
Studio: TMS Entertainment

Many people in the US may not know about Cardfight!! Vanguard due to its lack of popularity in the West, but it’s pretty big in Japan and other parts of the world. The anime is about the journey of Aichi Sendou, a meek student who uses the game to open up his world, meet new people, and make new friends. To make things interesting, there’s even a supernatural element that connects players on Earth to the fictional planet Cray.

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Although the gameplay is different, the general themes and motifs of Cardfight!! Vanguard is pretty similar to those of Yu-Gi-Oh. It’s all about the love of the game and the friends that are made while playing it. Those things are just wrapped up and written in slightly different ways. Despite its lack of presence in the mainstream media, there are still new series being released and new cards being made.

3

Bakugan Battle Brawlers

The Most Unique Game Anime

MyAnimeList Score: 6.48
Episodes: 52
Aired: 2007 to 2008
Genres/Themes: Action, Fantasy, Strategy Game
Studio: TMS Entertainment

Bakugan Battle Brawlers made a splash in the 2000s with its interesting characters and unorthodox game style. In the story, cards with the power to summon monsters start raining from the sky one day, and they become the core of a new game called Bakugan. However, things change when the players begin to realize it isn’t just a game, and the dimensions begin to merge, putting their lives in danger.

Bakugan isn’t nearly as popular now as it was back then, but the anime stands out because of its unique designs and fun story. In fact, the plot was quite interesting and included one of the biggest plot twists in children’s TV. Unfortunately, future seasons weren’t as good, and the game itself didn’t have the momentum it needed, leading to its decline.

2

Chihayafuru

A Traditional Japanese Card Game Sports Anime

Chihaya, Taichi, and Arata from Chihayafuru holding karuta cards

Unlike other shows on this list, Chihayafuru isn’t about trading cards or card collection, but it’s still a great card battle anime, albeit an unorthodox one. This anime is focused on the Japanese card game Karuta, where players are required to memorize lines of poetry and correctly identify the matching stanzas. Chihaya Ayase loves Karuta, so she and her friends form a club with the goal of being the best in Japan.

Chihayafuru is a beautiful anime with a bright and bubbly atmosphere that expands on the lives of teenagers while also having the energy and excitement of a shonen sports anime. It’s a bit surprising how well the two sides of the story fit together. Anime is great because it can introduce people to different cultures and traditions, and Chihayafuru is a great example. From the game to the poetry, it’s incredibly interesting.

1

Yu-Gi-Oh!

The World’s Most Iconic TCG Anime

Yu-Gi-Oh Fan Shows Off Cosplay Duel Disk

Yu-Gi-Oh! is one of the most popular card games today, and it all started with the original anime of the same name. However, most people will remember the Duel Monsters anime, which focuses more on the card game. Originally, it was just a fun pastime, but Yugi and his friends find themselves in many situations where a game of Duel Monsters will solve their problems. Things escalate until individual matches become fights for the fate of the world.

2:44

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In modern day, Yu-Gi-Oh! encapsulates more than just the original series. As the game evolved, new shows were needed to reflect those changes, and now there are at least seven different animated series that introduce new characters and mechanics. As long as the game remains popular, Yu-Gi-Oh! will always have a place in the anime community.