The recent release ofDeath Note: Killer Withinon PlayStation and PC hasproven the versatile possibilitiesfor anime games, and it’s not the only anime that could benefit from a creative game adaptation. Despite being based on an anime that is almost two decades old, it’s popular enough even in 2024 for it to receive a well-made social deduction game with DLC upon release. It’s far from the only recent anime game release, with other notable games beingDragon Ball: Sparking! Zero,Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Sweep the Board, andJujutsu Kaisen: Cursed Clash.
Anime, both old and new, have been receiving video game and mobile game adaptions. Even more recently,Tokyo Ghoul: Break the Chainsis a new mobile game featuring strategic card-playing. Out of the many past and future anime video game releases like this, the next anime that deserves a similar adaptation is the popularChainsaw Man, based on the anime released in 2022.
Chainsaw Man Deserves A Game Adaptation
So Many Shōnen Games Have One, Why Not Chainsaw Man?
Chainsaw Maninitially garnered popularity several years ago, andits success across mediums proves how well a video game could do. Though there was no anime announcement, plenty of shōnen and anime fans loved the manga series for its graphic battles, relatable story, and lovable cast of characters. It received even more attention when its anime was released in 2022, and its popularity arguably places it among the ranks ofDemon Slayer,Jujutsu Kaisen, and evenAttack on Titan.
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But like other shōnen,Chainsaw Mandeserves a video game adaptation,though not necessarily in the same manner as other popular shōnen fighterslikeDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami ChroniclesorNaruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm. Rather,Chainsaw Mancould have a story mode that follows its story loosely, likeAttack on Titan’s video game adaption, and involves demon recruitment, since the focus ofChainsaw Manis on devils and fiends. And withChainsaw Man’s large cast of devils and potential devils, the game could include a massive compendium of demons.
Demon Recruitment Is A Great Gameplay Concept
SMT Is a Good Example Of The Idea’s Strength
As a gameplay concept,demon recruitment is fun and unique. It’s not an entirely new concept, with theShin Megami Tensei(SMT) series being the preeminent example of the idea. Players are able tonegotiate with demons, recruit them, and combine them to make even stronger demons, which results in a much more powerful party. While demons inChainsaw Manoperate differently, a similar manner of gameplay could still potentially work.
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As opposed to combining demons, players could instead just focus on recruiting demon characters like party characters, and in standard JRPGs fashion, players can only have a party with a few demons in it. As the game progresses, it could be possible to recruit some of the most powerful demons in theChainsaw Manuniverse, which represent concepts that instill fear in humans, a power that they draw upon. While rough in theory and concept,aChainsaw Mangame could make a breakthrough in video game adaptionsof anime.
Anime Games Need More Diverse Genres
The Genre Doesn’t Just Need to Be Fighting Games
Chainsaw Mancould ultimately have a video game adaptation that is successful, and its lack of resemblance to other popular shōnen that receive game adaptations could easily become its strength. Though most shōnen video games end up being fighters, a fun genre with enduring popularity, it could also become something more distinct in its own right.Chainsaw Manis such an incredibly unique anime thatit could benefit from being differentin the same way thatAttack on Titanis.
In general, anime games need to be more diverse, just likeDeath Note: Killer Within.Not every video game adaptation of an anime needs to be a fighter, nor does being a fighter equal immediate success. There are other fighter games that suffer a bit from playing a bit too safely and not spreading their wings. However, by being distinct, video game adaptations of anime could diversify the genre by following what works best as opposed to what’s worked in the past, andChainsaw Manwould be a perfect title to take in a new direction.
