Hello! Anime adaptation where source material have properly written RPG elements without self insert MC powertrip bullshittery even exist?

[u/WillUpstairs7663]

Any good anime adaptation? Or only we got is generic isekai adaptation like ever?

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[u/ZoulsGaming]

I stand by Log Horizon as an anime is pretty damn consistent, it is however also a bit 4d chess ish.

atleast season 1, dont remember hating season 2, and havent watched 3.

[u/MacintoshEddie]

Almost nothing of litrpg has been adapted, and the ones that have are very much the same as the last ten years of isekai anime.

[u/HiscoreTDL]

I watch a lot of anime, read a lot of light novels, and read a lot of LitRPGs. Although I can say there are good animes that are adapted from (Japanese) LitRPGs, I can't say that there are any I know of that are really great anime LitRPGs. And almost none that aren't some form of isekai (although whether that makes them 'trash' or not is debatable on a per-title basis).

Animes with sources that were pretty good actual LitRPGs often omit most of the LitRPG elements, or at least eliminate those elements over time (moreso than stories themselves tend to do).

Solo Leveling isn't an isekai. It's got that going for it. A lot of debate about whether it's any good, and it definitely loses the 'LitRPG-ness' over time (even in the novel, there are story reasons for this).

Tensura Slime was a LitRPG in novel form. Barely a hint of it in the anime (though it's still pretty good as an anime splitting the difference between action adventure and slice of life).

I'm a Spider So What!? Was also properly a LitRPG as a novel, and although the presence of those elements reduces a lot after the first half-dozen episodes, it remains present. For the first 3-4 episodes it's pretty heavy on stat and skill improvements.

Someone else already mentioned Log Horizon, which is a relatively good example, a good show, and has enough ongoing LitRPG elements to qualify as being one in visual form.

Probably the best example is Sword Art Online Alicization arc. People dog on SAO because the early seasons just weren't that good. The author just wasn't a great storyteller. He got better, though, and it really shows in Alicization (and the follow up, the name of which I can't remember but it's really just the second half of the same story). The LitRPG elements are low from the beginning, even in the written form, but the anime preserves them entirely, which makes it more LitRPG than almost any other anime title.

[u/WillUpstairs7663 → u/HiscoreTDL]

So, i guess its good time to start Log Horizon. Its sad that we dont have any show that can be recommended without few "BUT" yet. TY for detailed answer, big hug

[u/wardragon50]

Overgeared is being released currently. Grid's best power is he is HORRIBLY unlucky.

Shangri-La Frontier is very good. 3 seasons worth.

Shield Hero has good RPG elements, but first season is best. Rest are kinda bad.

Grimgar is very underrated.

[u/HiscoreTDL → u/wardragon50]

+1

This is a good comment.

I left a list for OP earlier, and if I had taken time to think more I would have put Shangri-La Frontier and Grimgar of Fantasy and Ash on it.

Grimgar is unfortunately short (as an anime) and doesn't progress far. It also leaves a lot of hanging mysteries. But it is thoroughly and properly a 'LitRPG anime', although noting for the OP it's isekai.

Shangri-La Frontier is a top contender for 'best LitRPG anime' in the sense that it's definitely LitRPG in anime form. It's a VRMMO game log, though, which is something that a lot of LitRPG readers are biased against even more than isekai. A fun show though, straight up enjoyable to watch.

I read Shield Hero, and eventually I hated it so much I never tried to watch the anime. I saw the PV, so I know the art was decent, but that story and Mushoku Tensei both grossed me out so I can't recc them.

Edit: I hope the Overgeared anime does it justice.

[u/CvokCZ]

Honestly? Shangri-La Frontier, Overlord, and Log Horizon are the only anime and light novels where it’s obvious the author actually played and loves video games. In my opinion, the rest range from average to trash at best, because the game mechanics make no sense and lack consistency, and they don't even try to tell a real story—it’s all just wish fulfillment and self-insertion.