Many casino online platforms have been promoted differently. Over the years, casinos and software developers have used several marketing tools to talk about £20 free no deposit bonuses to put online casino gambling in the psyche of teenagers and young adults. Today, gambling is not seen as a nasty habit but one that is now a part of our entertainment and social engagements.
Many movies on gambling have been made in the past, while many more have featured gambling scenes. Casino Royale is one movie that comes readily to mind, but there are lots more. Gambling has even made its way into the world of Anime; a popular Japanese-style cartoon often made for adults.
This post highlights 5 of the best gambling Anime films or TV series you can watch today.
But first, we should introduce the uninitiated to the history and popularity of Anime.
Anime origins and history
Anime is Japan’s contribution to the world of cartoons. The popular Utushi-e, otherwise known as magic lanterns shows that were hugely popular in Japan back in the 19th century, laid the foundations for what Anime would become today.
The magic lanterns shows were the first moving picture illusion in Japan. But by 1945, the first-ever full motion picture Anime titled Momotarō: Umi no Shinpei would be created.
A lot of modern-day Anime would be made by Mushi Production and Toei Animation studios which churned out a variety of genre-specific Anime movies.
Anime covers a wide variety of genres, including:
- Epic Sagas: Based on real-life historical events.
- Action: This features martial arts fighting scenes and loads of edge-of-your-seat thrills and drama.
- Fantasy: Anime based on mystical realms that are purely fictional.
- Horror: Anime designed to scare the crap out of you. Like the popular Death Note.
- Paranormal: Based on supernatural events and characters with out-of-this-world powers.
- Sci-Fi: Including a space odyssey or alien invasion and otherworldly events.
Anime has grown into a global phenomenon with an industry worth over USD 19 billion per annum.
Many Anime productions have become household favourites in other parts of the world, such as Naruto, Bleach, and Death Note.
These Anime productions are not made for kids but for teenagers, young and older adults alike because of their explicit content that includes nudity, language, and violence.
Anime also features many habits that are not ideal for kids, such as cursing, cigarette smoking, and gambling. Here are 5 of the best gambling anime that you can watch on popular online streaming platforms like Hulu and Netflix. Read also about Crown Resorts warming to takeover from US private equity giant Blackstone.
Kakegurui an anime about gambling
Kakegurui is one Anime mini-series that is all about the art of gambling. Created by Homura Kawamoto and titled ‘Kakegurui-Compulsive Gambler’, this Anime had just 12 episodes that aired from the 1st of July, 2017 to the 23rd of September, 2017.
Kakegurui has multiple themes like most Anime, including psychological, mystery, drama, and gambling.
The plot takes you to a unique high school known as Hyakkaou Private School. This strange school evaluates students based on their ability to gamble.
Students compete in several gambling-themed games as a learning exercise to raise professionals, captains of industry and future leaders.
Each gambling battle sees students bet with their own money, with the winner claiming the loser’s bankroll while the losing student is left to bear the humiliation.
The main protagonist in Kakegurui is Yumeko Jabami, a pretty student and compulsive gambler. While other students are not too keen on gambling, she, on the other hand, absolutely loves gambling.
Her love for gambling gets the attention of the school hierarchy, who would stop at nothing to curb her ways, as it goes against the whole ethos of the institution. This Netflix Anime is the best example of the gambling niche in Anime.
Saki miyanaga the mahjong gambling protégé
Saki is another Anime about gambling that was aired from the 6th of April, 2009 to the 28th of September, 2009, featuring 25 episodes. Saki Miyanaga is a young lady that has a gift for playing Mahjong.
Despite her reservations, she joins the Mahjong club in her school after being persuaded by her close friend, Kyoutarou Suga.
Whenever Saki plays Mahjong, she can discern patterns quickly and win faster than her competitors. Saki would battle it out with Nodoka Haramura, the Mahjong club’s previous champion.
They would eventually become friends, but before then, they would compete for the coveted title of club champion. Ritz Kobayashi’s Saki is an Anime of gambling strategy, and you can watch reruns today on Crunchyroll.
The compulsive gambling habits of young Tsunade in Naruto
Naruto is unarguably one of the most-watched anime of all time. It aired for five years, from the 3rd of October, 2002 to the 8th of February 2007, with 220 episodes.
Naruto combines several themes, including comedy, adventure, martial arts, supernatural, and action.
The storyline is about Naruto, a young boy who acts as a human conduit for a demon fox with nine tails ravaging his ancestral village known as Konoha.
The plot features Naruto on many adventures with friends, one of which is Tsunade, a pompous girl and granddaughter to Mito Uzumaki and Hashirama Senju.
She is gifted in Rasengan, a martial art technique that Naruto himself will soon learn to master in no time at all.
Tsunade would end up being close friends with Naruto, and amongst her many talents, she also had a knack for compulsive gambling.
While this is not a common theme throughout the series, there were references to Tsunade’s gambling habits in Naruto. You can get to watch this Anime series on Hulu, Funimation, Crunchyroll, and Netflix.
Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor alias Gambling Apocalypse Kaiji
Appearing as a Nobuyuki Fukumoto manga cartoon back in 1996, Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor would eventually be made into a 26-episode anime series by Madhouse running from the 3rd of October 2007 to the 2nd of April 2008.
This Anime adapts many themes, including gaming, thrill, psychology, gambling, and gambling debt.
A sequel of this Anime titled ‘Kaiji Against All Rules’ would be aired by Nippon TV due to the rave reviews received from fans of the original title.
The plot features Kaiji Itou, a compulsive gambler who is heavily indebted to criminals and forced to pay back his debt by engaging in illicit gambling on a secretive cruise ship.
This Anime is perhaps one of the best depictions of the travails of gamblers who fail to maintain a bankroll and keep their personal savings separate from gambling funds.
Kaiji tries desperately to get back on the right track, making the Anime a genuinely inspirational, engaging watch on Crunchyroll.
The Legend of Gambler: Tetsuya
The title speaks for itself. The Legendary Gambler Tetsuya is based on the gambling whims of Tetsuya after the second World War in Japan.
Tetsuya plays Mahjong for money in Shinjuku City and does not mind cheating to get ahead. While we do not support cheating in gambling, Tetsuya perfects it down to an art, as he hustles his way to win after win in Mahjong.
This Anime aired from the 7th of October 2000 to the 24th of March 2001, with 20 episodes available for viewing.
Incorporating several themes, including history, gaming, Shounen, and cheating, The Legend of Gambler: Tetsuya, is an exciting and engaging gambling plot Anime by Toei Animation.
Takeaway
There are many more Anime with a gambling theme that you can binge on today. Other popular Anime TV series featuring gambling are Mahjong Legend Akagi: The Genius Who Descended Into The Darkness, Mahjong Hishouden: Naki No Ryuu, and Stardust Crusaders (D’Arby The Gambler Story Arc), 3 Death Parade, and One Outs. Each Anime brings a unique blend of intrigue and excitement to keep you glued to your screens.
David Tobin did his degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. He is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
