The Best Gambling Anime – Top 12 Picks You Must Watch

Anime is one of the most popular forms of entertainment contemporary media has to offer. Data about its popularity varies, with some optimistic estimates suggesting that more than a third of the world population watches these colorful Japanese series and movies. Below, we list the best gambling anime and why we love them.

1. Kakegurui

Kakegurui – Compulsive Gambler

Aired

Jul 1, 2017 – Sep 23, 2017

Episodes

12

Themes

Game, Mystery, Psychological, Drama, School, Shounen, Gambling School, Compulsive Gambling

Cast

Minami Hamabe, Aoi Morikawa, Mahiro Takasugi, Taishi Nakagawa, Yurika Nakamura, Ruka Matsuda, Natsume Mito, Miki Yanagi, Natsumi Okamoto, Kiyo Matsumoto, Yûma Yamoto, Elaiza Ikeda

Available to Watch On

Netflix

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Out of all the anime about gambling, Kakegurui hits the nail right on the head. The whole Netflix series is based on the gambling manga series written by Homura Kawamoto and has cemented itself as one of the most popular gambling series.

The story is set in Hyakkaou Private Academy, a high school where pupils are evaluated solely on their gambling skills. Odd as this is, the academy’s goal is to produce future leaders and professionals based solely on their ability to beat their peers in various gambling games. Students bring their own money to the school and eventually triumph or get ruined and become subjugated to the rest.

In an even more bizarre twist of fates, any pupil who fails to shoot up through the hierarchy becomes known as a “house pet” in Kakegurui. This is where Yumeko Jabami comes in, a beautiful first-year transfer school girl who carries a dark secret. She hasn’t joined Hyakkaou for gain or social status. She’s a compulsive gambler who gets genuine pleasure from gambling.

To Yumeko, it doesn’t matter what form of gambling comes in and how big of a risk she takes. She just wants to keep playing and it’s that passion for games of chance that puts her in a position where she threatens the established school hierarchy. Seeing an enemy in her face, the student council tries to shut her down, but Yumeko has way too many tricks up her sleeve.

Tense and dynamic, Kakegurui is, without a doubt, this is the best gambling anime on Netflix you can watch right now. The show has produced two exceptional seasons already. The franchise also got a live-action adaptation in 2018 which re-adapted the story of the manga.

2. Frozen Mahjong Tiles: Underground Mahjong Battle Record

Touhai: Ura Rate Mahjong Touhai Roku

Aired

Oct 5, 2024 – Ongoing

Episodes

25

Themes

Mahjong, Gambling, Drama, Suspense, Psychological, Strategy Game, Seinen

Cast

Shigeru Chiba, Tetsu Inada, Masaya Matsukaze, Yu Wakabayashi, Masafumi Kobatake, Kôsuke Gotô

Available to Watch On

Amazon Prime Video

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Touhai: Ura Rate Mahjong Touhai Roku is a recent addition to the world of anime produced by Studio Mausu and is quickly gaining popularity among mahjong enthusiasts. The first episode aired in Japan on October 2024 and is scheduled to have 25 episodes in total. You can check out the official trailer below.

Touhai: Ura Rate Mahjong Touhai Roku is an anime adaptation of a manga that delves into the underground world of high-stakes Mahjong. The story centers around Kei, a high school student known for his cold-hearted strategy and exceptional skills in Mahjong, earning him the nickname “K of Ice”. 

Kei navigates a dangerous world filled with powerful and wealthy opponents, all while protecting a girl whom he saved as a reward for winning his first high-stakes game. The girl, named Amina, is under constant threat of deportation as an illegal immigrant who was brought over as a slave.

The anime is praised for its intense and strategic gameplay scenes, as well as its dark and gritty atmosphere. The character development, particularly Kei’s transformation and his interactions with other characters, adds depth to the narrative. The animation quality and soundtrack also contribute to the overall immersive experience.

If you enjoy anime with a mix of strategy, drama, and a touch of the underworld, Touhai: Ura Rate Mahjong Touhai Roku is definitely worth checking out.

3. Gambling Apocalypse Kaiji

Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor

Aired

Oct 3, 2007 – Apr 2, 2008

Episodes

26

Themes

Game, Psychological, Thriller, Seinen, Gambling, Gambling Debt

Cast

Jeran Ugokwe, Masato Hagiwara, Hakuryû, Naoya Uchida, Hideo Ishikawa, Hiroshi Yanaka, Yûichi Nakamura

Available to Watch On

Crunchyroll

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Kaiji is one of the classics that fans of gambling-themed anime are likely to remember. The series first appeared as a manga by Nobuyuki Fukumoto back in 1996 and was published in print until 2017. Eventually, the franchise was picked up by Madhouse and adapted into the 26-episode anime television series Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor although for a while there, the creators wanted to call the anime Gambling Apocalypse Kaiji instead.

Following the good reception of the show, Nippon TV decided to air a sequel, Kaiji: Against All Rules, which was also hailed by fans as a worthy continuation of Kaiji’s thrilling gambling adventure. To feed the fan frenzy, the franchise was turned into a live-action film trilogy, with the first movie, Kaiji released in October 2009.

Kaiji 2 arrived in November 2009, and it took another nine years for the release of Kaiji: Final Game to get some closure with the movie releasing in January 2020. But how come the show has persisted for over two decades? The key lies in the plot.

Kaiji Itou, the protagonist, is a down-on-his-luck guy who spends most of his days drunk. An ill-meaning acquaintance tricks him into incurring a huge debt and Kaiji is quickly forced to sober up and join an illicit, underground gambling ring on a cruise ship.

There is a fair deal of gambling going on and not one or two physical confrontations that prompt Kaiji to adapt to his new lifestyle lurking with all sorts of dangers. Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji is one of the best gambling anime we have seen, and we are sure you will find the plot rich and engaging. What truly makes the story shine is Kaiji’s character, which is both believable and inspirational to anyone who wants to clean up their act.

4. Legendary Gambler Tetsuya

Shoubushi Densetsu Tetsuya

Aired

Oct 7, 2000 – Mar 24, 2001

Episodes

20

Themes

Game, Historical, Shounen, Gambling, Cheating

Cast

Ryôtarô Okiayu, Wataru Takagi, Chikao Ôtsuka

Available to Watch On

N/A

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Originally debuting as a manga series by the name of The Legend of the Gambler: Tetsuya in 1997-2005 and later televised as Legendary Gambler Tetsuya between October 2000 and March 2001. Tetsuya has a traditional master and disciple narrative where the student surpasses the tutor.

The anime series follows the story of Tetsuya, a gifted gambler in post-World War II Japan, who plays mahjong in Shinjuku City. Yet, for all his talent, Tetsuya doesn’t mind resorting to underhanded tactics to gain a victory. While you will see other anime about gambling, such as Akagi, which relies on clever mind games to defeat opponents, Tetsuya prefers to cheat whenever the opportunity arises. In his own words, “It’s only cheating when you get caught. Until then it’s a winning strategy.”

To add even more zest to the show, Tetsuya is actually based on the real-life story of gambler Takehiro Irokawa who won himself the nickname Hourouki Mahjong. Naturally, the anime romanticizes a bit so not everything should be taken at face value, but one of the reasons why Legendary Gambler Tetsuya works is the gritty realism infused in the anime.

Japan is depicted in its full post-war truthfulness with the illegal mahjong parlors offering hollow succor to a ravaged country. Yet, the show evokes both hope and despair, the characters are believable, and there is a different feeling to the anime altogether.

The professional gamblers in Legendary Gambler Tetsuya aren’t ashamed to cheat. In fact, in those days, cheating was considered a clear skill trait, and pros would race against each other to figure out each other’s strategy because the other party had. All of this makes Legendary Gambler Tetsuya one of the most riveting animes about gambling you will find today.

5. Akagi

Touhai Densetsu Akagi: Yami ni Maiorita Tensai

Aired

Oct 5, 2005 – Mar 29, 2006

Episodes

12

Themes

Gambling, Mahjong, Game, Psychological, Gambling Strategy

Cast

Tôru Furuya, Masato Hagiwara, Rikiya Koyama, Tesshô Genda, Takayasu Usui, Kenji Miyase, Yûichi Nakamura, Tôru Nara, Wataru Takagi, Hideyuki Tanaka, Masane Tsukayama

Available to Watch On

Netflix

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Akagi is another anime about gambling set in the period after World War II. With Japan veering from the devastating bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Akagi focuses on the story of the namesake protagonist, Shigeru Akagi, a young boy who faces off against Yakuza members in a game of mahjong and defeats them at the young age of 13.

Akagi quickly reveals his talent by coming to the rescue of a compulsive gambler, Nangou, who has accumulated three million yen in debt. In a desperate attempt to clear his name, he wagers his life against beating the mafia, in one last game that quickly turns to carry him closer over the edge.

Yet, Akagi arrives just in time to offer some seemingly strange advice that pays off and Nangou is free of his debt. Next, Akagi sits down to play himself and everyone soon realizes that the boy is a prodigy and one destined to become one of the most respected gamblers in the country.

But Akagi has problems of his own – he’s on the lam from the police. We believe this is one of the best animes about gambling you will find today as it depicts the story of a street urchin who secures himself a better life through his talent at mahjong, a dream to many backs in post-World War II Japan.

Before the show aired in 2005, there were two live-action movies back in 1995 and 1997, and then, the character of young Akagi was evoked in a live TV drama between 2015 and 2017.

6. Saki

Saki

Aired

Apr 6, 2009 – Sep 28, 2009

Episodes

25

Themes

Gambling, Gambling Strategy, Mahjong, Gambling School, School Girl Gambling, Psychological

Cast

Kana Ueda, Ami Koshimizu, Rie Kugimiya, Shizuka Itou, Ryôko Shiraishi, Jun Fukuyama, Yui Horie, Masumi Asano, Minori Chihara, Ayuru Ohashi, Rika Morinaga, Yûko Kaida, Ai Shimizu, Minoru Shiraishi, Mami Kosuge, Yû Kobayashi, Chiro Kanzaki, Natsuko Kuwatani, Ai Matayoshi, Ryôko Shintani, Shin Nanasawa, Momoko Saito, Kaori Fukuhara, Daisuke Ono, Yuka Saitô

Available to Watch On

Crunchyroll

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Saki is a great anime about gambling as it combines a bit from Kakegurui – Compulsive Gambler and Akagi. The show was televised by Gonzo and aired on TV Tokyo in 2009 as a continuation of the original work, the manga series written and illustrated by Ritz Kobayashi.

The story follows Saki Miyanaga, a schoolgirl who hates everything about mahjong because the game has affected her life negatively in the past. Yet, she is introduced to the school’s mahjong club by her friend, Kyoutarou Suga, and just like that, young Saki involuntarily reveals her talent for seeing patterns and excelling at the game.

Hisa Takei, the club’s president quickly spots Saki’s promise despite her best attempts to cover it. Saki’s strength lies in her unconventional playstyle which gives her an edge. That involuntarily wins her the animosity of Nodoka Haramura, a talented member of the club and the champion in the previous year.

Throughout the show, Saki quickly overcomes her reservations about mahjong and decides to set a new goal for herself – winning national competitions. Her friendship with Haramura, with whom she makes up, is another driver of young Saki’s rekindled love for the game.

It’s not so much about gambling, Saki, argues. It’s about seeing patterns. True, Saki has its dramatic moments, but unlike some of the grittier entries on this list, this gambling anime is a light-hearted and pleasant spectacle. Crunchyroll users can see for themselves why Saki ranks as one of the all-time-best anime about gambling.

7. No Game No Life

No Game No Life

Aired

Apr 9, 2014 – Jun 25, 2014

Episodes

12

Themes

Fantasy, Gaming, Comedy, Ecchi, Isekai, Strategy Game

Cast

Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Ai Kayano, Yôko Hikasa, Ying Huang, Yuka Iguchi, Mamiko Noto, Yukari Tamura, Mugihito, Rie Kugimiya, Miyuki Sawashiro

Available to Watch On

Crunchyroll, Netflix

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While not strictly about casino gaming, No Game No Life is all about playing games with something on the line – and isn’t that exactly the essence of gambling?

The story centers on Sora and Shiro, a step-brother and sister duo of professional gamers who are transported to Disboard, a world where the outcomes of all conflicts are decided via games, as mandated by Tet, the One True God.

Unfortunately, Imanity, the local human civilization, sits at rock bottom as the other fifteen races of this world leverage their magic to win games – something humans are incapable of fighting against.

Sora and Shiro, former shut-ins and notorious gamers decide to make use of their exceptional skills to win game after game and humble Imanity’s arrogant opponents.

The anime sees the step-siblings put everything on the line and gamble everything they have in order to show other races that humans are not to be underestimated.

The only drawback of this Madhouse masterpiece is that it is yet to receive a second season ten years later. Luckily, fans can always read the novels or watch the prequel movie, No Game No Life: Zero, released in 2017.

8. Death Parade

Death Parade

Aired

January 9, 2015 – March 27, 2015

Episodes

12

Themes

Psychological thriller, Drama, Suspense

Cast

Tomoaki Maeno, Rumi Okubo, Kôki Uchiyama, Yoshimasa Hosoya, Tesshô Genda, Atsumi Tanezaki, Ryôko Shiraishi, Keiji Fujiwara, Ayako Kawasumi, Miki Itô

Available to Watch On

Crunchyroll, Prime Video, Hulu

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Another title animated by Madhouse. Whereas No Game No Life is an optimistic story about overcoming odds, however, Death Parade is a grittier and much more nuanced tale of a limbo where people gamble with their souls on the line.

While most humans get sent to Heaven or Hell after death, some characters’ fate is decided inside a tower where arbiters dressed as bartenders test their characters. People who end up in this forsaken place are forced to play a game with their souls on the line, securing a chance at reincarnation or damnation in Hell.

Arbiters test the participants’ characters via a variety of games, including billiards, darts and bowling, among other bar games.

While not strictly an anime about gambling in the traditional sense, Death Parade offers an atmosphere that many bar and casino goers would be familiar with. This, paired with the thought-provoking and dramatic storyline, is certain to engage gambling aficionados.

9. Rio: Rainbow Gate!

Rio: Rainbow Gate!

Aired

January 4, 2011 – March 29, 2011

Episodes

14

Themes

Comedy, Gambling, Ecchi, Strategy Game

Cast

Marina Inoue, Ayana Taketatsu, Chiaki Takahashi, Kōji Ishii, Kaori Shimizu, Aya Uchida, Saki Nakajima, Yukari Fukui, Minori Chihara, Yōko Hikasa, Sayaka Ohara, Tetsu Inada, Yū Asakawa, Eiji Takemoto, Asuka Ōgame

Available to Watch On

Crunchyroll, Prime Video

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Animated by studio Xebec, Rio: Rainbow Gate! Takes place at the Howard Resort Hotel, a luxurious casino resort where people gather to play for a shot at huge prizes.

The story follows, among other characters, Rio Rollins, a beautiful female dealer known as the “Goddess of Victory.” Her nickname isn’t just for show – the young woman is believed to bring luck to gamblers just by walking past them.

Rio seeks to become the Most Valuable Casino Dealer – an accolade that would allow her to approach closer to her mother, one of the best casino dealers in history. To do so, she needs to gather the 13 legendary gate cards and prove herself as an outstanding dealer.

Rio: Rainbow Gate! promises viewers an exciting and comedic journey where attractive dealers compete for the MVCD title. To top it off, this light-hearted gambling anime is set in a vast resort that is sure to evoke a sense of nostalgia among people who have visited a casino resort.

10. Usogui

Usogui

Aired

October 19, 2012

Episodes

1

Themes

Gambling, Strategy Game, Psychological, Seinen

Cast

Daichi Kanbara, Anri Katsu, Dai Matsumoto, Takurou Nakakuni, Hideaki Nonaka, Aki Unone

Available to Watch On

Netflix

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Now, the Usogui anime adaptation might be stretching the idea of top gambling anime or top anime as a whole. Despite its mediocre quality, the single original video animation (OVA), released in 2012, serves as the perfect gateway to Toshio Sako’s hit manga.

With a run time of only 42 minutes, the Usogui OVA allows audiences to immerse themselves in the high-stakes world of this gambling anime and familiarize themselves with the life-threatening gambles taking place. Those who like the story and characters can continue with the 49-volume manga and keep themselves entertained for days.

The story follows Baku Madarame, also known as Usogui (The Lie Eater). The cunning protagonist of this series seeks to assume control of Kakerou, a dangerous organization overseeing deadly underground gamblers. To that end, the ambitious character will use his wits and calculating nature to out-gamble many an enemy on the road to his goals.

And, if gambling anime and manga aren’t exactly your cup of tea, you can always watch the live-action movie released in 2022.  

11. C

C: The Money of Soul and Possibility Control

Aired

April 15, 2011 – June 24, 2011

Episodes

11

Themes

High Stakes Game, Action, Mystery

Cast

Kôki Uchiyama, Haruka Tomatsu, Saori Gotô, Daisuke Hosomi, Takahiro Sakurai, Yui Makino, Yûji Mitsuya, Mayumi Asano, Masami Kikuchi, Kazuhiro Nakaya, Nobuo Tobita, Naozumi Takahashi

Available to Watch On

Crunchyroll

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C explores the dangerous notion of getting involved in high-stakes games as a way to earn money.

As Japan goes through an economic crisis, the second-year economics student Kimimaro Yoga sees the importance of wealth and desires to live a better life. One day, a creepy mysterious man called Masakaki visits Kimimaro’s home, pushily inviting him to come to the Eastern Financial District and become an entrepreneur.

The young student soon understands that the district is, in reality, an alternate dimension where players trade their futures for money by playing high-stakes games. In battle, entrepreneurs, or Entres, summon familiars called Assets that represent their futures. Damage to one’s Asset affects a participant’s future, adding an extra layer of thrill to the games Kimimaro gets swept in.

C sees Kimimaro go through various high-stakes challenges with his future on the line. Additionally, C explores financial topics and the economic situation at the time of its release in a new and interesting way. C’s authors are also fans of Kaiji, who wanted to explore a world where, unlike in Kaiji, money doesn’t necessarily make people lose their minds.

12. Great Pretender

GREAT PRETENDER

Aired

June 2, 2020 – September 21, 2020

Episodes

23

Themes

Crime, Action, Mystery

Cast

Chiaki Kobayashi, Jun'ichi Suwabe, Natsumi Fujiwara, Mie Sonozaki, Yôhei Tadano, Kujira, Haruka Ominami, Ryôta Takeuchi, Atsushi Ono, Fuminori Komatsu, Chikahiro Kobayashi, Kenji Nomura, Yoshito Yasuhara

Available to Watch On

Netflix

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Great Pretender is one of the freshest names on this list and is a title produced by the renowned Wit Studio. It follows the life of Makoto Edamura (who gets the alias Edamame later on), who is plunged into a life of crime and swindling.

After Edamame gets the police onto his track and is forced to make an escape, he runs into Laurent Thierry, a tourist whom he previously tried to swindle only to understand that he is a fellow con artist. Thierry eventually becomes an ally and rival to Makoto who hopes to hone his swindling skills and challenge influential mobsters.

The second arc of the anime takes place in Singapore two years after the first one. The five-episode case sees the characters visit, among other places, the famous Marina Bay Sands. The arc includes a tad of gambling but we do not wish to spoil how Edamame and his allies get to that point.

One thing is certain – the stakes Edamame faces become increasingly high throughout the series as his skills at swindling continue to be put to the test.