The 5 RPG-Inspired Anime Series That Will Scratch That Gamer Itch

As a fan of RPGs and anime, I'm always on the lookout for a good new series that seamlessly combines my love of both of those things; thankfully, there's a surprising amount of anime that fits neatly in that subgenre. Granted, not every series is actually good. There's something to be said for diving into something trashy from time to time, but if you want to start with a great RPG anime, there are five I recommend that you check out in 2026. And here they are! Solo Leveling was first released back in 2024, but I didn't start watching it until Season 2 wrapped up last year. I'd heard nothing but good things about the series, starting with IGN's 8 out of 10 review of Season 1, and my only hang-up was that it's only available to stream on Crunchyroll. After biting that bullet, I quickly binged both seasons within a week. What really makes the story unique and interesting is the world building. The series takes place in a modern society centered around the idea of magical portals (Gates) filled with monsters and individuals (Hunters) with the inherent power to conquer the dungeons inside. Each Hunter is locked at a specific threshold of power, but the main character, Sung Jin-woo, enc