Summary
Anime comes in many genres, delivering superheroes in My Hero Academia, horror in Death Note, and even cooking in Food Wars! In the 2000s, anime based on trading card games were all the rage. Some anime inspired trading cards, such as Pokémon, but others featured a card game essential to the story itself, like in Yu-Gi-Oh!
Card game anime series eventually released actual trading cards, allowing fans to collect cards and play the game their favorite characters played. Considering many of the most popular card game anime aired on channels like Cartoon Network, they were likely how many kids were first exposed to anime. While this genre is supposedly aimed at children, they still have stories everyone can enjoy.
Updated by Sage Ashford on July 25th, 2023: Anime has always been about promoting merchandise, so it isn’t surprising that there are tons of anime with card games. This list has been updated to include more anime series with a card game focus.
20 Mix Master: King of Cards
39 Episodes
In Mix Master: King of Cards, the real world is fused with the fantasy card-based video game, Mix Master. With that fusion, creatures from the video game, known as “henches”, start finding their way to the regular world. The only chance at “saving” the world comes from eleven-year-old Ditt Lee, who’s given a device that allows him to confront the henches as the “Mix Master”. Unfortunately, Ditt Lee is a lazy kid who’d rather spend his time sleeping and eating than fighting henches.
Mix Master is a classic-style kid’s show that gets by on how charming the world is. Most of the monsters are cute, and the human characters are fairly likable. It’s a fun adventure series that’s reminiscent of 2000s kid cartoons, feeling like Pokémon if it was about the trading card game instead of being an adaptation of a video game.
19 Mon Colle Knights
51 Episodes
Based on the popular trading card series Monster Collection, Mon Colle Knights was a successful kids’ cartoon that aired in the 2000s. The series begins when a pair of genius scientists both discover a way to enter an alternate world they dub Mon World, where powerful magical creatures live. One of the scientists, Professor Hiiragi, uses his daughter Rokuna and her friend Mondo to protect both Earth and Mon World as the Mon Colle Knights. The other scientist, Prince Eccentro, relies on a pair of underlings to find a collection of items that will allow him to dominate both worlds.
Mon Colle Knights is an adorable kids’ show for most of the series, focusing on the budding romance between Rokuna and Mondo as they battle against Eccentro and his underlings, who feel suspiciously like Pokémon’s Team Rocket. It’s monster of the week format makes for easy watching that doesn’t demand binging like modern series. That said, the ending also builds up to a satisfying finale, making it worth the viewer’s time if they finish it.
18 Luck & Logic
12 Episodes
Luck & Logic was a crossmedia franchise developed in conjuction with Bushiroad. In the world of Luck & Logic, humanity is in a war against powerful enemies from other worlds known as “Foreigners”. To defend themselves, humanity’s government rely on “Logicalists”, humans who work with peaceful Foreigners. In this world, Yoshichika Tsurugi returns to battle two years after losing his powers from overloading him. With the help of the Foreigner Athena, Yoshichika travels back down the path of battle once again for the sake of protecting humanity.
Like most card game anime, Luck & Logic puts story to the side–the main plot is just Yoshichika battling against evil Foreigners with Athena’s help. At only twelve episodes though, fans can instead just enjoy the impressive animation and cool character designs for a quick, watch.
17 Shadowverse Flame
50 Episodes
Light Tenryu has been invited to the prestigious Shadowverse College, where all the best Shadowverse players learn to better themselves. There’s just one problem: he has no idea how to even play Shadowverse. Still, he joins and becomes a member of one of the school’s clubs, the Seventh Flame. When he learns the club is about to be shut down because of a lack of members though, Light decides to go recruiting, an action that brings him into conflict with some of the school’s most dangerous students.
Shadowverse Flame is the second season to Cygames’ successful Shadowverse anime franchise based on the even more popular Shadowverse online TCG. In the vein of Yu-Gi-Oh, it’s another card game anime set in a world where everything revolves around card games. Despite this, Shadowverse Flame can quickly become addicting thanks to its well-written character arcs and compelling card game battles.
16 Yu-Gi-Oh! Go Rush
70 Episodes
Yuuhi and Yuamu Oudou run Ultraterrestrial Trouble Solutions, a business that tracks down dangerous aliens. However, when they meet the alien Yudias Velgear, they realize aliens aren’t anything like what they thought they knew. Yudias lands on Earth to learn how to Rush Duel, in the hopes that he will be able to save his home, the Velgear Star Cluster, with this new power.
Yu-Gi-Oh! Go Rush!! has a completely ridiculous premise…but buying into it is part of the fun. This is Konami’s second anime series that focuses on their new version of Yu-Gi-Oh, Rush Duels. A simpler game that’s meant to be easier for newcomers to understand, the anime is naturally more wacky and over the top. However, the writers have provided a story viewers can easily get hooked on, if they’re willing to stick with it.
15 Weiss Survive
16 episodes
Inspired by the card game Weiss Schwarz, Weiss Survive is a short series that follows Takeshi and Michi after they find themselves immersed in the world of Card Battle. Their only hope of escaping is to win — however, Takeshi knows next to nothing about these card games.
At only sixteen episodes that are each around two minutes long, anyone even remotely curious about Weiss Survive should give it a shot. The isekai aspect of Weiss Survive will make it even more fun to watch as viewers become captivated by the anime’s intense card battles.
14 Fantasista Doll
12 episodes
Fantasista Doll is a 12-episode anime that follows former trading card competition champion Uzume Uno. She receives a mysterious device that contains the spirits of five powerful dolls, aptly called the Fantasistas. Though Fantasistas only exist in an augmented reality space, they are capable of coherent thought, can formulate their own opinions, and live inside trading cards. Since Uzume is their new master, she is entrusted with their well-being. This entertaining anime combines two wonderful anime tropes: eccentric science fiction and lovable magical girls.
13 Build Divide
12 episodes
Build Divide is a newer trading card anime that was released in the fall of 2021. It takes place in a dystopian Kyoto, governed by a “King.” This King puts his constituents’ worth to the test by making them prove their strength in the Build Divide trading card game. The King promises that if an individual defeats him in Build Divide, he will grant any wish they desire. However, to even come close to standing before the King, one would have to participate in a tournament. Since everyone wants their wishes granted, it becomes a frenzy. However, the protagonist, Teruto Kurabe, is determined to take down the corrupt King.
12 Live On Cardliver Kakeru
51 episodes
Live On Cardliver Kakeru has the same childlike ingenuity and creativity that will make older viewers nostalgic for hits such as Pokémon. This anime follows Kakeru, an enthusiast of the card game known as Live On. Live On is popular among everybody his age, but unfortunately for Kakeru, he’s never won a single game. However, his luck turns around when he comes across a Create Monster, who hands him a Live Change card. With this strange card, Kakeru gains a new power that pulls him into an exciting new world.
11 Future Card Buddyfight
64 episodes
Future Card Buddyfight was actually a card game before receiving its anime adaptation. Taking place in the future, the card game in this anime connects the cards to portals that take players to another universe.
Combining aspects of science fiction and the popular isekai genre with elements of trading card game series, Future Card Buddyfight is an entertaining title people of all ages will enjoy. The characters team up, become friends and engage in countless lighthearted Buddyfights with other players. With over 60 episodes, Future Card Buddyfight gained a solid fanbase after airing in 2014.
10 Battle Spirits
50 episodes
Directed by Akira Nishimori, Battle Spirits takes inspiration from Bandai’s Battle Spirits trading card game. A young boy named Dan Bashin is taken to the alternate world of Grand Rolo by two mysterious siblings, Yuuki and Kajitsu Momose. Dan soon learns he has been chosen as a core soldier because he bears the light of the red core. Dan and the other soldiers take on the responsibility of saving Grand Rolo from Otherworld King, who has been exploiting them. This borrows from similar tropes of the genre, but fans of the game should give it a watch.
9 Aikatsu!
178 episodes
Aikatsu! is an anime that’s based on an arcade collectible card game. The anime takes place at Starlight Academy, an elite school that teaches girls how to be entertainment idols. Aoi Kiriya and her best friend, Ichigo, apply in an attempt to emulate their favorite idol, Mizuki Kanzaki. To audition, the girls need Aikatsu cards, which contain dresses and accessories worn by famous idols. Aikatsu! will appeal to those who like fashion and dress up while still incorporating the trading card element. Plus, the outfits are quite colorful and adorable.
8 Cardfight!! Vanguard
65 episodes
As a shy kid who often gets bullied, Aichi Sendou has a difficult time in middle school. But in the game Cardfight!! Vanguard, Aichi wields the Blaster Blade, a rare and coveted card. When his prized possession is stolen, he stops at nothing to get the card back. Aichi then challenges the thief to a gaming duel. Unlike other games which require training to achieve mastery, Cardfight!! Vanguard is played by everyone on Earth and Planet Cray. This anime has been dubbed a rip-off of Yu-Gi-Oh! however, the intergalactic element adds a sci-fi twist. It’s cool to see new cards unveiled throughout the series, and some characters have even made cameos in other series.
7 Duel Masters
78 episodes
From 2006-2007, Takara Tomy produced an anime adaptation of the manga Duel Masters. The plot follows Shobu Kirifuda, a kid who excels in the Duel Masters card game. His father was a famous dueler known as a Kaijudo Master, and Shobu wants to be just like him. To reach this goal, Shobu needs to win a local tournament.
Duel Mastersis very similar to other anime of the same genre, where a young protagonist simply seeks to get better at the game. This series isn’t as well-known, which is probably because it’s aimed at younger audiences and has a more basic plot. However, even older fans of the genre should give it a try.
6 Bakugan Battle Brawlers
189 episodes
One day, cards fell out of the sky. Bakugan Battle Brawlers’ Dan Kuso grabbed one and created a game called Bakugan with his friend, Shun. He and his other friends form a team called the Bakugan Battle Brawlers. Conflict arises when they stumble upon the actual Bakugan and must fight for Vestroia, the Bakugan’s home dimension.
Because Bakugan Battle Brawlers aired on Cartoon Network, the series became popular with American and Canadian audiences. The series has its own line of video games, toys, and electronics. Using miniature figures that represent the Bakugan and special Gate cards, the objective of the strategic card game is to collect three Gate cards.
5 Selector Infected WIXOSS
24 episodes
WIXOSS is a popular trading card game in which players battle against each other with fighters known as LRIGs. Some LRIGs can communicate with their owners, and the girls chosen to wield them are Selectors. These selectors are granted any wish after victory, but if they lose three times, their wish will be turned into a curse.
The main series revolving around this game is Selector Infected WIXOSS and follows Ruko Kominato. She becomes a Selector after receiving Tama, an LRIG. As viewers follow Ruko’s battles and adventures, the story will make them wonder about the dark and sinister reality of the WIXOSS universe.
4 Cardcaptor Sakura
70 episodes
Although Cardcaptor Sakura caters to the magical girl and romance genre, it also features trading cards. In the city of Tomoeda, 10-year-old Sakura Kinomoto accidentally sets magical cards called Clow Cards free from a book in her basement.
Cerberus, the guardian of the cards, chooses Sakura to find them. Along with her best friend, Tomoyo Daidouji, she sets off to battle each card’s magical personification and seal it away. The original manga features 19 cards, whereas the anime features 52, and eventually, Sakura creates a 53rd card. The series also has two film adaptations from 1999 and 2000.
3 Chihayafuru
74 episodes
While many card-based anime premiered in the ’00s, Chihayafuru is more recent, airing from 2011-2012. The story follows tomboy Chihaya Ayase, who meets transfer student Arata Wataya who introduces her to the card game karuta. Along with Arata’s friend, Taichi Mashima, they all get into the game.
Although the three drift apart, Chihaya reunites with Taichi in high school. Chihaya dreams of being the best karuta player and longs to meet Arata again. Inspired by a form of Japanese poetry called Hundred Poets, karuta can only be won by completing the first line of the poem with the corresponding second line. The combination of trading cards and literature makes this anime both unique and educational.
2 Z/X: Ignition
12 episodes
Z/X: Ignition made its mark as a trading card anime despite its short run of only 12 episodes. Portals that lead to parallel worlds start to emerge, and strange creatures begin invading the human world. Coming from these five Black Points, five invasion forces come to battle each other and destroy the other timelines.
While the finale of Z/X: Ignition is predictable, the original story combines supernatural and action elements to produce a story unlike any other. Additionally, the action is fast-paced and entertaining, and the fights are animated particularly well.
1 Yu-Gi-Oh!
224 episodes
Yu-Gi-Oh! is the most well-known trading card anime. The manga was serialized for eight years and sold a whopping 40 million copies. The franchise is a smash hit. With 10spin-offs, four animated movies, and over 20 video games for its most dedicated fans to choose from, it’s impossible to get bored with this classic. Yu-Gi-Oh! cards are still sold in stores across the globe, and its popularity has never died down. Its protagonist, Yugi Mutou, and the Duel Monsters remain legendary to this day.