7 Capcom Games That Deserve Their Own Anime After Devil May Cry

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Devil May Cry adds another title to the congested lineup of Netflix-exclusive video game adaptations, with possibly more than fans might recall, many of which are tied to Capcom’s franchises. Dragon’s Dogma paved the way in 2020 and was followed by an adaptation of Onimusha in 2023.

For nearly half a century, Capcom has granted its characters and franchises to various animation studios, such as Ace Attorney, Viewtiful Joe, numerous Mega Man spin-offs, and others. Additionally, some of their titles have been adapted into live-action series like Street Fighter and Monster Hunter. Considering the success of Devil May Cry in an anime format, which other Capcom games or series could potentially be transformed into a similar animated show?

7. Bionic Commando

Stop Hitler, AGAIN!

Fans of Nintendo are likely to recall the NES game “Bionic Commando” from 1988 rather than its arcade debut in 1987. They might not be aware that the Japanese version for NES was named “Hitler’s Resurrection: Top Secret”. The original game featured Nathan “Rad” Spencer, a cybernetic spy, infiltrating a Nazi base to halt an effort to resurrect Hitler. However, the North American version focused on fighting against an evil empire controlled by the “Badd” organization, which lacked the same cool factor. If an anime adaptation is made, it should adhere to the original concept of battling Nazis, as there’s never been a more fitting time for it.

6. Clock Tower

Fear The Scissorman

The “Clock Tower” game series was first introduced in 1995 on the SNES. Although Western players could enjoy subsequent sequels, they didn’t have access to this original title until 2024 through the re-release of “Clock Tower: Rewind”. Most games within this franchise operate independently, but they all have a shared antagonist named Scissorman.

In this survival horror game series, players find themselves in a dire situation with limited options for self-defense, much unlike what’s offered in Resident Evil. Instead, they must navigate through evasion, hiding, and puzzle-solving to elude a terrifying killer armed with a massive scissor weapon. An engaging horror anime is highly desirable, and it could either draw inspiration from the games or create something new. However, the central antagonist should always be “Scissorman”.

5. E.X. Troopers

Lost Planet’s Hidden Spinoff

The “Lost Planet” video game series made its debut on the Xbox 360 through “Lost Planet: Extreme Condition” in 2006, and later in North America the following year. Many people likely recognize the trilogy from this high-definition console era due to its futuristic shooter gameplay featuring bug aliens and realistic graphics. However, some fans might not be aware that a spinoff titled “E.X. Troopers” was also released for the PS3 and 3DS. This game utilized cel-shading and had a more anime-inspired narrative. Unfortunately, it didn’t reach North America when it launched in 2012. Capcom could potentially make up for this omission by releasing a remastered version of “E.X. Troopers” along with a cartoon adaptation, as the game already feels like an anime.

4. Mega Man Legends

A Perfect 90s Throwback

Back in 1998, a unique spin-off titled “Mega Man Legends” graced the PlayStation 1 screens in North America. Much like “E.X. Troopers,” it boasted an anime aesthetic, employing a preliminary version of cel-shading on its polygonal designs. This initial installment was set far into the future, with Mega Man (or Mega Mega Trigger) crash-landing his airship onto a pirate-infested island, where they were digging up ancient ruins. With its outlandish plot and colorful villains, it wasn’t just visually anime-like but felt like one too. Revisiting this style of storytelling, reminiscent of classics such as “Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water” and “Castle in the Sky,” would be a delight.

3. Okami

Build Hype For The Sequel

2024’s version of The Game Awards left fans thrilled when a sequel to the 2006 lesser-known gem, Okami, was unveiled. Although we won’t be able to play it anytime soon as no gameplay footage was displayed, Capcom can generate excitement by reissuing the less known DS spinoff, Okamiden, and an anime adaptation in the interim. The art style on the PS2 was distinctive due to its cel-shading, but it had a watercolor and ink feel as well. While the HD remasters look fantastic, the original visuals remain impressive on the PS2 because of the artistic direction, and it’s unlike many games that are similar to Zelda.

2. Resident Evil

It’s Time

The horror game series “Resident Evil” debuted back in 1996, and it wasn’t long before it made the leap to live-action cinema. The first movie adaptation, simply titled “Resident Evil,” hit screens in 2002. Since then, numerous sequels followed, even an unrelated reboot, with Netflix launching their live-action show by the same name in 2022. Additionally, there have been several computer-generated movies under this franchise, like “Resident Evil: Degeneration,” which came out in 2008.

It’s astonishing, isn’t it? Despite Resident Evil being Capcom’s most successful series and having been adapted more than any other, an anime adaptation has never happened. Given this, the ideal choice for a live-action adaption seems to be Resident Evil 2.

1. Steel Battalion

A Capcom Mecha Crossover

The Steel Battalion series, initially exclusive to the original Xbox in 2002, didn’t produce many follow-ups. Notable for its high price tag due to the inclusion of a specialized controller, this game offered an engaging experience within its destructible mechs. With mech-loving anime fans in mind, it seems like a ripe opportunity to bring this series to life as an anime adaptation. In fact, it could be styled similarly to the 2023 Netflix adaptation of Onimusha, with a focus on CG animation. An anime version of Steel Battalion might also explore other brief mech games from Capcom like Armored Warriors, a brawler game, and Cyberbots: Full Metal Madness, a fighting game, to offer a diverse range of experiences for viewers.

https://gamerant.com/best-mecha-anime-to-watch/

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2025-04-12 03:34