Fans of FPS Games Need to Binge These 7 Anime

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In 2026, first-person shooter (FPS) games like Counter-Strike 2, Battlefield 6, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and Valorant are expected to remain incredibly popular. The fast-paced action and realistic gunfights are highly engaging, drawing players into intense and often violent virtual worlds. This immersive experience is a key reason for the genre’s success, and similar thrills can be found in action films and anime with comparable shootouts and combat.

First-person shooter games can range from intensely competitive, where players battle it out to win or complete objectives, to casual and fun gatherings with friends. No matter what kind of FPS experience you enjoy, there’s an anime series in this list that’s sure to appeal to fans of the genre.

We wish we could have included more shows, but many aren’t available on popular streaming services right now. Some great titles you can only find by purchasing physical copies include Jormungand, Grenadier: The Beautiful Warrior, 91 Days, Gangsta, and Gunsmith Cats.

Gungrave

Ten years after his best friend, Harry MacDowell, murdered him, Brandon Heat is back for revenge. Revived through a process called necrolyzation, he now goes by the name Beyond the Grave. The 26-episode series, Gungrave, details how their friendship fell apart, their shared history with a criminal organization, and what happens to Beyond the Grave after he destroys that organization.

Directed by Toshiyuki Tsuru, who’s known for popular anime like Serial Experiments Lain, Cowboy Bebop, and Naruto Shippuden, Gungrave is an action-packed series that’s also been praised for its compelling characters and animation. If you enjoy the show, you might also like the original Gungrave video game for PlayStation 2 (released in 2002) and its sequel, Gungrave: Overdose (2004). Both games, which are third-person shooters, were well-received for their visuals and gameplay, and rumors suggest a new Gungrave game is currently in development.

Lycoris Recoil

At first glance, Lycoris Recoil might not seem like a typical first-person shooter game adaptation, but this 2022 series blends action with everyday life. It centers on Chisato and Takina, two teenage girls with difficult pasts who are recruited by a secret organization to perform assassinations. To maintain a low profile, they work at a cafe and otherwise live as normal teenagers. Chisato is incredibly skilled at dodging bullets, while Takina is a serious and talented rifle expert.

Lycoris Recoil quickly became a hit after it launched, even earning praise from Hideo Kojima, the creator of the Metal Gear series, who shared his positive thoughts online. Viewers were captivated by the story and animation, but it was the thrilling action that really won people over. The show is known for its quick shifts in mood, going from lighthearted to intense, and fans of first-person shooter games will especially love its fast-paced and exciting gun battles.

Black Lagoon

Rokuro Okajima, a businessman on a trip, is unexpectedly kidnapped by a band of pirates. Surprisingly, he enjoys the change and chooses to join them, becoming a skilled criminal. He acts as the group’s negotiator, guiding them through dangerous missions filled with conflict, violence, and illegal acts. The series is best known for its exciting, action-packed fight scenes, but also features a compelling world and memorable characters.

I’m a huge fan of the team that brought Black Lagoon to life! It’s amazing having Madhouse, the studio behind classics like Trigun and Death Note, animating it. And get this – the director, Sunao Katabuchi, actually worked with Hayao Miyazaki on Kiki’s Delivery Service! If you’re into anime with non-stop action and a healthy dose of intensity, you absolutely need to check this one out. As a gamer, especially someone who loves first-person shooters, I totally get the characters – the creator, Rei Hiroe, is a big Tarantino fan, and you can feel that influence in the series!

Trigun

As someone who’s been into anime for ages, I have to talk about Trigun! It was a huge part of Adult Swim’s early days, and Vash the Stampede? He’s still one of the most popular cosplay characters out there. The original 1998 anime, based on Yasuhiro Nightow’s manga, is just as amazing today as it was back then. It follows Vash, a legendary gunslinger, as he tries to avoid the bounty hunters after the massive reward on his head. What really makes it special, though, are the incredibly well-developed characters and the thought-provoking questions it asks about what’s right and wrong. Plus, the action? Seriously, the gunfights are intense! It’s a classic that’s held up beautifully over the years.

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If you enjoyed the original Trigun series, you might also like Trigun Stampede. This updated version of the manga debuted in 2023, and a follow-up, Trigun Stargaze, began airing in January 2026. Created by Studio Orange, it has a completely new look thanks to its 3DCG animation, which some viewers love. However, other fans prefer the feel of the classic 90s series, feeling it was more emotionally resonant and that the action looked better with traditional animation.

Gunslinger Girl

The character designs in Gunslinger Girl are deceptive. While the main characters appear as innocent young women, they are actually dangerous, cybernetically enhanced assassins controlled by men working for a government agency. Set in modern Italy, the series is known for its mature and gritty themes, and its compelling story is full of exciting gun battles. Although the animation isn’t always spectacular, the action sequences are well-done, though fans often wish there were more of them.

The 2003 anime series, consisting of 13 episodes, was directed by Morio Asaka, a well-known director who also worked on popular shows like Cardcaptor Sakura, Galaxy Angel, and Chobits. He later directed Chihayafuru and My Love Story as well. The music was composed by Toshihiko Sahashi, famous for his work on Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, Hunter x Hunter, and various Kamen Rider series. While Gunslinger Girls also spawned several video games, they were only available in Japan.

Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom

Inspired by the 2003 visual novel Phantom of Inferno, Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom follows a man who is kidnapped by a shadowy assassin group called Inferno after accidentally seeing a murder in the United States. Inferno aims to bring all the world’s criminal organizations together under their control, and they use brainwashed assassins to carry out their plans. The man, now known as Zwei after having his memories wiped, encounters a mysterious amnesiac girl named Ein while on assignment – a girl with incredible shooting skills.

Many anime fans consider Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom a hidden gem, especially praising its exciting and dynamic action scenes, which still look great over 15 years later. The series was directed by Koichi Mashimo, a veteran director known for popular titles like Noir, .hack//Sign, and Madlax. There’s also a visual novel version available, but it’s important to know that it’s intended for mature audiences.

Upotte!!

Seishou Academy is a very unusual school. Instead of regular students, it’s filled with girls who are guns – they’re literally the embodiments of firearms, and they’re learning to become effective weapons. The younger students are submachine guns, while assault rifles and shotguns make up the middle schoolers, and the high school focuses on battle rifles and sniper rifles. Each girl can magically summon the gun she represents, and they all train with real ammunition. With just 10 episodes, Upotte is a fast-paced and hilarious show that’s well worth watching for its crazy concept and over-the-top humor.

If you’re an FPS (first-person shooter) fan who loves learning about guns, Upotte offers a surprisingly detailed look at the firearms featured in the show, often sharing interesting facts alongside its comedic character moments. This short anime also includes plenty of action, and its charming characters and fluid animation might appeal to broader anime audiences.

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2026-02-07 20:39