10 Anime Universes That Would Make Incredible MMOs

A great MMO goes beyond the quests, the leveling, and the combat mechanics that so many of them contain. Instead, what makes or breaks an MMO is a world that players actually want to live in and explore. Rich lore, vibrant maps, and lush environments, memorable NPCs/interactable characters, and a strong narrative all play a much bigger part overall. When it comes to various anime over the years, there are many with intriguing and unique worlds, sitting there waiting as the perfect contenders for something such as an MMO game. Here are ten different anime universes that would make amazing MMOs, each offering something different from one another.

Attack on Titan

The world of Attack on Titan is extremely gripping. It's intense, violent, and full of danger, which makes it absolutely perfect for an MMO focusing on a hybrid of action-exploration and survival. Players could start in the Cadet Corps as a tutorial for learning main gameplay elements such as exploration, combat, and ODM gear movement, and then graduate and choose one of the regiments as a 'faction', just like in the show - the Scouts, the Military Police, or the Garrison. You could take on missions inside the walls, or explore the dangers outside of the walls in fast-paced, high-risk, high-reward PvE expeditions. The multiplayer/teamwork elements would also be very strong, letting friends or Regiment members team up to take down hordes of Titans. There's also a bit of flexibility for how the story/narrative is set. A prologue/story set before the main events of AOT could focus on outside expeditions without the need to bring the titan shifting and war elements into play, creating a consistent gameplay loop. However, there's also strong potential to follow the main storyline of AOT, bringing interactable NPCs in the form of main characters, perhaps that you could even take with you on missions. I mean, just imagine being able to fly through the sky and take down Titans with your friends AND Eren, Mikasa, and Armin - It would be phenomenal.

My Hero Academia

My Hero Academia could offer an amazing concept for an MMO, bringing a world to the screen where nearly everyone is born with a superpower. Players could design their own character and customize their own Quirk Type from a wide range of abilities/moves to create a unique power. There could even be different hubs or schools that players can choose to represent, from UA High to Shiketsu or even Ketsubutsu. Alternatively, players could even choose the life of a villain, creating some fun PvP Hero vs. Villains aspects, letting players climb the ranks in hopes of becoming the next upcoming Pro Hero or big bad villain. There's also so much potential for different kinds of missions, such as patrols, boss fights, and search and rescue. Players could strengthen their Quirks to unlock new power moves and combos, or even team-up moves with their friends and allies. Unlockable support gear, hero costumes, and character customization pieces would be another fun addition, and little details such as collecting or purchasing decorations for your dorm room and interacting with characters from the show would make the experience feel so immersive. With a bright, bold, and fun world to explore, My Hero Academia would surely take off as an MMO game.

Naruto

Technically, Naruto has already explored the MMO possibility with Naruto Online. However, this game is, for the most part, quite outdated. There's just a lot that could come from a completely new MMO set in the world of shinobi. Imagine being able to create your custom ninja and choose the Village they are born into from The Hidden Leaf, Hidden Sand, Hidden Mist, Hidden Stone, or Hidden Rain. Each Village can act as a central hub for players, enabling them to start as a Genin and progress their ninja through the ranks, all the way to Jonin (or even Anbu). Players could team up with one another, head out on a variety of missions, master different jutsu techniques, and even choose to specialize in Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, or Taijutsu.

Of course, making friends with players from other villages and even going up against them in friendly PvP duels would be a great feature too. There's a lot to love from the concept of being able to openly explore the Naruto world and stumble upon notable locations from the story. Just imagine being able to head out on a mission with your friends, then stop back at the Hidden Leaf for a nice hot bowl of Ichiraku Ramen. Character customization would be a brilliant feature, especially being able to put together new outfits as your character progresses through the ranks, and going up against iconic villains from the show, such as the Sound Four or the Akatsuki, would be an amazing dose of nostalgia for Naruto fans.

One Piece

The world of One Piece would be an absolute dream for MMO players craving exploration on the next level. Players could design their own pirate, forge or join a crew with other players, or join the likes of the Marines. Players could develop skills and perks, with Devil Fruits perhaps acting as rare transformative powers or classes to bring combat potential to the next level. The Grand Line and New World would offer fun traversal for players and their friends, unpredictable seas full of enemy ships as a threat, as well as many islands and locations from the story where players can dock their ships to explore. There are quite literally endless possibilities - raids, bounty hunting, base/crew/ship building, treasure hunting, and more. There are years of content that could be developed into an exciting MMO world, capturing the joy of adventure on the seas that makes the One Piece series so special.

Sword Art Online

The concept of Sword Art Online is quite literally about VR players being trapped inside an MMO world, making it perhaps the most perfect anime concept to transform into a modern MMO adaptation. While there have been several SAO games, none of them have quite nailed that MMO approach, leaving a gap open that fans would absolutely die for. The 100 floors of Aincrad would provide a natural progression system with dungeons to explore, bosses to beat, and secrets to discover.

Players can choose their class, design a character, hone/train certain skill and abilities, join guilds, duel other players, and so much more. There would also be a certain element of teamwork at the core, much like in the show, where players have to work together and utilize one another's strengths to make it to the next floor. Essentially, the concept is already there - it would just need to be built from the source material.

Tokyo Ghoul

Tokyo Ghoul takes a bit of a darker and more gritty, atmospheric approach, which would make an interesting direction for an MMO. Players could choose whether their character is affiliated with the CCG or the Ghouls, with each one offering a unique progression system and combat approach - weapons for the CCG, or Kagune for the Ghouls. Ghouls could choose their Kagune, operate on stealth, and manage feeding/hunger mechanics. CCG members would, of course, specialize in a quinque weapon, investigations, and tracking/hunting Ghouls. This would create fun in both PvP and PvE dynamics, with room for some strong narrative-based questlines. It would be darker, gripping, and incredibly engaging to experience alongside other players or fans of the franchise.

Soul Eater

The universe of Soul Eater is well-loved by anime fans for the vibrant spooky aesthetic, absolutely bursting full of flavor and personality. A Soul Eater MMO could see players choose between being a Weapon or Meister, and then work together with a friend in a synchronized combat system - much like in the show. The DWMA could act as the main player hub, letting them undertake exams to progress their skills, quests towards becoming a Death Weapon and high-ranking Meister, and socialization with other players. Missions could involve hunting and accumulating corrupted souls, investigating supernatural threats, and teaming up with your fellow students to take down bosses. It would be an amazing blend of fun halloween-ish/gothic visuals, high-energy gameplay, and one of the most intruiging and lively environments for an MMO to take place in - something unlike anything else currently out there.

Jujustsu Kaisen

Jujutsu Kaisen has become one of the most popular anime series in recent years, meaning it would likely blossom into one of the most interesting anime-based MMO concepts. Players could take on the role of a Sorcerer, choosing their Cursed Energy specialty and techniques, built for a combat-heavy approach. Players could embark on solo or co-op missions with friends to exorcise Curses, protect civilians from threats, take down rogue sorcerers, and more. Raid bosses, curse hotspots, and more could provide additional content to bring players together. There could also be some fun side mechanics in designing your own custom Sorcerer uniform, and training or solo missions with NPCs from the main storyline as nice little touches for fans of JJK.

Black Clover

Black Clover's world is absolutely perfect for an MMO, already full of magic and wonder, with faction-like Magic Knight squads already built into the universe. Each of these squads could offer different paths of skill progression and enhancements/buffs for players, both as individuals and as a squad. Grimoires could be a fun, evolving spellbook mechanic, enabling players to unlock new magical abilities as they progress through the game. The Clover, Heart, Diamond, and Spade kingdoms would also provide unique regions to discover, providing much room for PvP elements and team-based exploration around the world. Raiding dungeons, dealing with demonic threats, and discovering secrets of the world in missions would offer PvE pathways, too. This mix of a high-energy environment and fast-paced combat, squad affiliation, and a magical world would create an MMO that any anime fan would absolutely thrive in.

Deadman Wonderland

Deadman Wonderland is a bit more of a niche pick when it comes to anime, but it would certainly provide a hugely interesting MMO for players who prefer darker storytelling with more mature, gritty, and violent themes. Deadman Wonderland, essentially, explores a concept similar to Squid Game - but with more human experimentation...and on prisoners (some of whom have been wrongfully framed) within an amusement park-tuned-maximum-security-facility of the same name as the show. Instead of traditional classes for combat, players could unlock Branches of Sin, which are blood-based powers built for different combat approaches.

There would be a lot of intense gameplay for players to explore as they try to battle their way out of Deadman Wonderland - race events, escape missions, prison raids, and even the gladiator-styled 'Carnival Corpse' style matchups. It would undoubtedly involve high-stakes, risk vs reward scenarios, player-driven choices, and loyalty/trust between players (or perhaps scheming and betrayal). It's a slightly alternative pick, but an absolutely unforgettable world that could become an incredibly engaging MMO landscape.