Top anime gambling movies for the thrill seekers and risk-takers

Anime has a unique way of turning gambling into a high-stakes battlefield where luck, strategy, and psychological manipulation collide.

Unlike traditional casino films, which focus on realism, anime gambling films add detail with mind games, supernatural elements, and exaggerated expressions that make every bet feel like life or death.

Let's look at the anime movies and series exploring the exciting world of gambling.

Anime gambling movies and series to add to your list

• Kaiji: The Ultimate Gambler (2009)
• One Outs (2008)
• Kakegurui (2017-present)
• Akagi: Yami ni Oritatta (2017)
• Tetsuya: The High Roller (1997)
• Usogui [The Lie Eater] (2022)

Kaiji: The Ultimate Gambler (Jinsei Gyakuten Game)

This 2009 Japanese live-action film is based on the Gambling Apocalypse and is also the first part of the manga series Kaiji. Here's the premise:

An unlucky gambler was drowning in debt. He is given a chance to solve his financial problems through high-stakes gambling but realises that the games are rigged and losing means more than just money. He now has to choose between his freedom and his life.

It might feature some cliched tropes, such as the battle between the working-class hero and the evil rich guy, but it makes up for it with masterful psychological gamesmanship and a deep dive into the theory of gambling games.

All in all, Kaiji: Jinsei Gyakuten Game captures the desperation of gambling, so if you enjoy mind games and underworld stories, this is a must-watch.

Kaiji 2: Jinsei Dakkai Game

As the franchise is known for its psychological battles, high-stakes gambling and cruel portrayal of desperation, we can't overlook the Kaiji sequel.

The game is controlled by the corrupt Teiai Group and symbolizes the insurmountable challenges Kaiji faces. His victory in this game becomes a turning point in the movie.

The first Kaiji movie had multiple deadly games, like the Restricted Rock Paper Scissors and the Bridge of Despair. In contrast, Kaiji 2 focuses mainly on the game pachinko and the battle that follows. As such, many critics argue this makes the story feel a bit less developed. Nonetheless, it still delivers the psychological intensity and social commentary that make the Kaiji franchise unique.

Akagi: Yami ni Oritatta

This Japanese live-action drama series is not a traditional anime movie, but it sheds light on the dark and complex world of mahjong gambling. Akagi: Yami ni Oritatta follows the enigmatic prodigy Shigeru Akagi as he moves through challenges posed by yakuza (gangsters) and other formidable opponents.

About the series

The story begins with a young Shigeru Akagi who stumbles into a yakuza-run mahjong parlour. He might be unfamiliar with the game, but his gambling instincts quickly surface as he outsmarts many seasoned gamblers.

The details of the game might appeal more to viewers familiar with the original manga or those interested in Japanese gambling culture. It blends practical effects and computer-generated imagery to capture the psychological intensity and complex mahjong strategies.

One Outs

When talking about One Outs, we refer to the hidden gem in sports anime. It follows the story of the brilliant gambler-turned-pitcher Tokuchi Toua by introducing a mix of psychological warfare and high-stakes baseball.

About the series

When watching One Outs, you will experience strategic mind games, intense psychological battles and some unconventional sports narratives. The cunning negotiations of Tokuchi make every second feel like a high-stakes gamble, which will surely keep you hooked.

Tokuchi signs a contract where he will earn a fortune for every out he pitches, but the twist is that he loses an equal amount for every run conceded, ensuring every game becomes a mental battle. One Outs has received praise from critics, often comparing it to Kaiji and Akagi.

Tetsuya: The High Roller

This 1997 anime adaptation of the manga is set in post-World War II Japan. It explores the underground world of mahjong, where survival depends on deception and skill.

About the movie

Unlike modern gambling anime, Tetsuya is all about historical realism. It takes place in the late 1940s when Japan was still struggling to recover from the devastation of the war.

Tetsuya is determined to climb to the top by learning the dark art of deception, psychological manipulation, and high-level tactics while still staying grounded in reality. The movie's setting is immersive, with detailed backgrounds and character designs that reflect the struggles of the era.

Tetsuya: The High Roller has received a mix of praise and criticism from anime critics and gambling fans. It gives viewers a look into Japan’s gambling history and features an engaging, morally complex protagonist. However, if you prefer high-stakes, nerve-wracking gambling battles like those in Kaiji or Akagi, you might find Tetsuya a bit too slow-paced.

Kakegurui – Special episodes and live action

The Kakegurui franchise has taken the world by storm with intense high-stakes gambling. The original 2017 anime adaption is filled with over-the-top characters and psychological battles, while its live-action and special episodes sparked mixed emotions in viewers.

A mixed bag of extras

The special episodes of Kakegurui primarily serve as supplementary material, focusing on certain character dynamics with minor subplots. However, they lack the same high energy and tension that make the main story so engaging.

Live-action: Expanding the universe

The Kakegurui live-action universe expanded with two films, Kakegurui - Compulsive Gambler (2019) and Kakegurui 2: Ultimate Russian Roulette (2011), which introduced the original characters and scenarios not found in the anime.

Kakegurui - Live-action series

The 2019 live-action adaptation of Kakegurui continues the high-stakes, psychological drama introduced in the 2018 series, which is based on the hit manga. This second season, officially titled Kakegurui Season 2 (or Kakegurui XX in the anime counterpart), takes the intense gambling battles at Hyakkaou Private Academy to new heights.

About Kakegurui season 1 and 2

Set in an elite school where gambling skills rather than academics determine your social status, Kakegurui follows a fellow student with an addiction to high-risk gambling.

In the second season, the school faces a sudden change as the Student Council President announces a school-wide election in which votes are decided through gambling matches.

This brings new opponents, including members of the Momobami clan, each with their twisted strategies for gaining control of the Hyakkaou Academy. It also builds on the foundation of the first season, escalating the madness, introducing new villains, and showing more high-stakes gambling battles.

The live-action adaptation does an excellent job of replicating the aesthetics of the original series, complete with dramatic lighting, close-ups, and intense facial expressions.

Usogui (The Lie Eater)

This 2022 Japanese film is all about Baku Madarame, a brilliant gambler who risks his life in high-stakes games against powerful opponents. The movie has garnered mixed emotions from viewers as they enjoyed the entertainment value but some noted that the characters appear flat and emotionally detached and have found the narrative lacking depth.

Usogui offers a visual “treat” for fans of the manga and those interested in high-stakes gambling. However, some viewers are left wanting more due to the uneven pacing and character development.

Enjoy the thrill

Enjoy those recommendations, and have fun watching!