Dragon Ball FighterZ just got crowned the best anime fighting game of 2026, and honestly? It’s not even close. After years of debates about which anime game deserves the top spot, FighterZ’s polished mechanics, competitive balance, and stunning cel-shaded visuals finally earned it the crown. But this isn’t just about one game — it’s about how far anime video games have come.
Following the massive Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour 2026 event, where Bandai Namco dropped a mountain of announcements including Super Saiyan 4 Goku from Dragon Ball Daima joining the FighterZ roster and a brand new Xenoverse 3 reveal, we took a hard look at the entire anime gaming landscape. Here are the 10 best anime video games ever made, ranked from good to absolutely untouchable.
10. My Hero One’s Justice 2 (2020)
Byko’s My Hero One’s Justice 2 brought the sprawling world of MHA to life with a surprisingly robust roster and destructible environments. While the combat feels a bit floaty compared to top-tier fighters, the fan service is off the charts. Playing through the Dark Hero arc as Deko is worth the price of admission alone. It’s a solid entry point for anime fans new to fighting games, even if veterans might find the mechanics a little shallow.
9. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 (2016)
CyberConnect2’s magnum opus for the Naruto franchise remains the definitive way to experience the Fourth Great Ninja War in interactive form. The cinematic presentation is jaw-dropping — watching Kaguya’s dimension-shifting battles play out in real-time still holds up nearly a decade later. The combo system is accessible but surprisingly deep once you dig into the jutsu cancel mechanics. If you want to feel like a ninja, this is still the game.
8. Guilty Gear Strive (2021)
Okay, technically Guilty Gear is an anime-styled original IP rather than a direct adaptation — but Arc System Works’ art direction is so deeply rooted in anime aesthetics that it deserves a spot on this list. Strive’s netcode is flawless, the soundtrack slaps harder than most J-rock albums, and every match feels like directing your own personal anime opening. The roman cancel system creates moments so cinematic you’ll swear someone scripted them.
7. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot (2020)
Where Kakarot shines is in making you actually live through the Dragon Ball story. Training with Goku, side quests with Gohan, exploring the open world between major story beats — it captures the everyday absurdity of the Dragon Ball universe in a way no other game has. The training mini-games are addictive, and the boss fights against Frieza, Cell, and Buu are spectacular. It’s not the deepest RPG ever made, but the nostalgia factor hits like a Spirit Bomb.
6. Tales of Arise (2021)
Bandai Namco’s flagship JRPG series went full anime production value with Arise, and the results are stunning. The combat system blends real-time action with strategic element combos in a way that feels fresh even after 50+ hours. Alphen and Shionne’s chemistry carries the narrative, and the art direction — combining 2D anime character designs with gorgeous 3D environments — is some of the best in the genre. If you want an anime experience that plays like a premium JRPG, this is it.
5. Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO (2024)
The spiritual successor to the legendary Budokai Tenkaichi series didn’t just meet expectations — it shattered them. With over 180 playable characters at launch, Sparking! ZERO delivers the most expansive Dragon Ball fighting experience ever created. The new matchmaking and online tournament features have built a thriving competitive scene, and the what-if story scenarios let you explore alternate timelines that rival the best fan fiction. The fact that it was highlighted alongside FighterZ in the 2026 rankings speaks volumes about its quality.
4. Persona 5 Royal (2019/2022)
Persona 5 Royal isn’t just a great anime game — it’s one of the best games ever made, period. Atlus crafted a 100+ hour masterpiece that seamlessly blends dungeon crawling, social simulation, and turn-based combat into something that feels completely effortless. The UI alone set a new standard for game design that studios are still copying years later. Royal’s additions — the new semester, Kasumi, and the expanded third act — transformed an already perfect game into something transcendent. If you haven’t played it yet, you’re missing out on a cultural landmark.
3. Dragon Ball FighterZ (2018)
And here it is — the reigning champion. Arc System Works didn’t just make a good Dragon Ball game; they made a good fighting game, period. FighterZ runs on the same engine as Guilty Gear Xrd, and that pedigree shows in every frame. The 3v3 tag system creates insane combo potential, the super moves are screen-filling spectacles, and the netcode (updated over the years) keeps the competitive scene alive and thriving.
What makes FighterZ truly special is how it captures the feel of Dragon Ball. When Goku and Vegeta tag in for a combined attack, it doesn’t just look cool — it feels exactly like watching the anime. Every hit spark, every afterimage, every dramatic camera angle is pure anime brought to life. The recent addition of Super Saiyan 4 Goku from Dragon Ball Daima proves the game still has legs in 2026, and that’s a testament to its timeless design.
2. Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising (2023)
Arc System Works strikes again — because of course they do. Rising took the already excellent Granblue Fantasy Versus and supercharged it with a new engine, expanded roster, and refined mechanics that rival the best fighting games on the market. The RPG mode is surprisingly deep, the story brings Cygames’ mobile game universe to vivid life, and the simplified input options make it accessible without dumbing down the high-level play. It’s the rare fighting game that respects both casual fans and tournament grinders equally.
1. Dragon Ball FighterZ — The Undisputed GOAT of Anime Fighting Games
Yes, it’s at the top twice — and yes, it deserves it. Being named the best anime fighting game of 2026 isn’t a fluke. FighterZ has maintained its position through years of balance patches, roster expansions, and a dedicated esports ecosystem. The Evo 2018 main stage moment — where SonicFox ran back through the losers bracket in one of the greatest sets in fighting game history — is etched into gaming lore forever.
The game’s influence extends far beyond its own community. FighterZ proved that anime-style games could compete on the same level as Street Fighter and Tekken in terms of competitive depth. It opened doors for Granblue Fantasy Versus, brought renewed attention to the Naruto Storm series, and set a visual standard that every anime game since has tried to match.
The Future of Anime Games Is Insane
With Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour 2026 confirming Xenoverse 3, new FighterZ DLC, and the upcoming Dragon Ball Super: The Galactic Patrol anime adapting the Galactic Patrol Prisoner arc, the anime gaming pipeline has never been stronger. Add in the gaming industry’s biggest year in memory and anime adaptations riding the wave of cross-media synergy, and we’re living through a golden age for fans.
Whether you’re a competitive player grinding FighterZ ranked matches or a casual fan who just wants to punch through story mode as your favorite character, there’s never been a better time to be an anime gamer. The question isn’t whether the next big anime game will be amazing — it’s which one will dethrone FighterZ at the top.
What’s Your #1 Anime Game?
We’ve made our case, but this list is always going to spark debate. Is Persona 5 Royal the real GOAT? Does Sparking! ZERO deserve the #1 spot now? Did we completely overlook your favorite? Drop your ranking in the comments — and if you think we’re wrong about FighterZ, tell us exactly why. That’s what makes gaming great.
