From behind closed doors and small circles, anime has been catapulted into the mainstream since the turn of the century. Some purists won’t like its rising following, but this is great news for casino gamers who share a passion for both anime and gambling.
Today, there’s plenty of bingeworthy anime about gambling. Here we’ll take a look at my top five shows. Add these to your watch list if you’re a fan of gambling anime, or want to try it out.
Our Top Five Binge-worthy Anime Gambling Shows
Gambling anime is a fast-growing genre, so it wasn’t easy narrowing down these classics down to just five of our favourite shows. Here we go!
1. Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor
| Original Release | October 2007 |
| Genre | Gambling, psychological, thriller |
| Gambling Games Featured | Rock-paper-scissors, cards, lottery |
| Number of Episodes/Seasons | 26 episodes (2 seasons) |
This show follows Kaiji Itou, whose life has run his course down a number of paths, and he’s looking for an out. This leads him into the world of high-stakes gambling, where he must win to clear his debt. As any experienced player knows, the further you go into the red, the harder it is to get out. That’s what makes this show interesting, as plenty of players can relate.
Now is a good time to mention you should always gamble responsibly. If you’re having fun and know your limits, online casinos can be great entertainment. It’s when you take it too far – like Kaiji – where things really start to go awry.
Why we loved it: This is an intense drama that requires – even demands – your attention. It’s interesting to see Kaiji continually think up new strategies to get out of his quandaries. This is a high-quality gambling anime, not something you’ll want to just throw on and play in the background.
2. Kakegurui – Compulsive Gambler
| Original Release | July 2017 |
| Genre | Gambling, drama |
| Gambling Games Featured | Poker, roulette |
| Number of Episodes | 12 episodes (2 seasons) |
This is a really fun show if you’re into anime with gambling. The premise involves a school where your social status depends on your gambling ability. The main character, Yumeko doesn’t gamble for money or social status like other students. Rather, it’s for the thrill she gets from playing risky games, even if it means putting her life on the line. It’s this drama that makes Kakegurui thrilling to watch!
Why we loved it: A big draw of this gambling anime is the intense, high-energy games of roulette and poker. They really go deep into the strategic aspect as players try to outsmart their opponents.
3. One Outs
| Original Release | October 2008 |
| Genre | Gambling, sports, psychological |
| Gambling Games Featured | Sports betting |
| Number of Episodes | 25 (1 season) |
Gambling and sports go hand-in-hand. In this show, you follow Toua Tokuchi, who’s a gifted pitcher. He dominates One Outs – a high-stakes gambling game where it’s pitcher versus batter. Toua only plays One Outs to make money. Hiromichi Kojima, an iconic hitter, eventually beats him at his game to get his attention in the hope of recruiting him to his baseball team.
Why we loved it: It’s a fun combination of sports and gambling. The storytelling in this gambling anime is solid, with great character development. Having success against all odds is a strong theme throughout.
4. Legendary Gambler Tetsuya
| Original Release | October 2000 |
| Genre | Gambling, historical, youth |
| Gambling Games Featured | Mahjong |
| Number of Episodes | 20 episodes (1 season) |
So, you thought Mahjong was only for the retired ladies in Florida, right? Well, it’s actually a popular game for all ages in Asia. This anime gambling show illustrates the game’s deep social and cultural integration, and its close association with betting. Watch as Tetsuya, the show’s main protagonist, takes on American soldiers at Mahjong in the World War II era to get rich quick.
Why we loved it: This fast-paced show combines historical World War II storytelling with the most intensely competitive games of Mahjong you’ll ever see. By the end of the show, you won’t be left guessing why Tetsuya is known as a legendary gambler.
5. Akagi: The Genius Who Descended into Darkness
| Original Release | October 2005 |
| Genre | Psychological, youth |
| Gambling Games Featured | Mahjong |
| Number of Episodes | 26 episodes (1 season) |
Akagi is an anime about gambling that also focuses on Mahjong. At the tender age of 13, Akagi becomes a phenom after winning a number of important, high-stakes matches. He even goes on to beat an intimidating member of the Yakuza gang. But then disappears. OK, no more spoilers!
Why we loved it: Aside from its captivating storyline, Akagi pulls viewers into some thrilling Mahjong battles. You can see firsthand as intricate strategies play out while learning a lot about the game.
Top Seven Anime-themed Casino Slots to Play Online in Canada
Anime has been a common theme for games at online casinos over the years, and so you’ll find a number of exciting options to choose from. Mahjong, roulette and poker are popular anime gambling games, but online slots are easily the most in-demand of these among Canadians to play online.
These seven online slots blend anime’s bright visuals with intriguing gameplay for high potential wins:
| Anime Slot | Developer | Reels | Lines | RTP |
| Koi Princess | NetEnt | 5 | 20 | 96.23% |
| Moon Princess | Play’n GO | 5 | 20 | 96.5% |
| Highschool Manga | Wazdan | 3 | 5 | 96.0% |
| Our Days | Microgaming | 5 | 243 | 96.3% |
| Starlight Princess | Pragmatic Play | 5 | 20 | 96.5% |
| Fortune Girl | Microgaming | 5 | 15 | 96.1% |
| Mochimon | Pragmatic Play | 7 | Cluster Pays | 96.5% |
Where to play online slot games inspired by the best gambling anime
Fans of anime with gambling can find one or two of games in this genre at most online casinos in Canada. One standout gambling site though, is MyChance, which boasts a superb collection of slots from Pragmatic Play – the biggest provider of anime-themed games to the Canadian market.
