Top 9 Must-Watch Gambling Anime

Gamblers have been enjoying James Bond movies for decades. Although James Bond movies are popular, not everyone enjoys them. A lot of people just like to watch anime movies. It is easy to see why anime is so popular around the world, as it is watched by more than 100 million people. So, if you're among the 100 million people and gambling is your thing, this listicle discusses nine gambling anime movies. These films will calm your nerves and set the mood on a bad day.

Kaiji: The Ultimate Gambler

Kaiji: The Ultimate Gambler is a 2009 live-action film that is part of the Kaiji series by Nobuyuki Fukumoto. One of the film's greatest strengths is the theory of gambling games and psychological trickery. Kaiji, a young bettor, is the main character of this film. The young man indulges in a dangerous gambling competition to clear his never-ending debts. Failure to clear the debt could make Kaiji spend ten years behind bars. 

Kakegurui: Compulsive Gambler

Kakegurui is an immersive Netflix series with up to 12 episodes. Students at Hyakkaou Private Academy are evaluated primarily based on their betting skills in this gambling anime. Interestingly, the high school's main objective is to churn out professionals and leaders who can beat their competitors in gambling. Even more bizarre is that students who don't cut it are called "house pets" at the academy. You should watch this anime!

The Legend of the Gambler: Tetsuya

Premiered in 2000, this Manga series has 20 episodes, each lasting 23 minutes. This anime movie teleports you back to 1947 when luck was at a premium in Shinjuku. With no food and other life necessities, people decide to gamble their way out of problems. A traveler called Tetsuya chooses to spend time in the Mahjong parlors, where he usually is the 'king' of the floor. To his surprise, there's someone better than him in Shinjuku. 

Death Parade

Can you imagine an afterlife where heaven and hell are a fallacy and only gambling rules? That's the theme of this Japanese gambling anime. The story happens inside the Quindecim Bar, where the bartender (Decim) oversees games between people waiting for their judgment. In this movie, the winner reincarnates, and the loser enters the void. The series has several other episodes, like Suicide Tour, Memento Mori, Death Counter, Story Teller, and more. 

Saki

Released in 2009, this gambling-themed anime features up to 25 thrilling episodes. The main character here is Saki Miyanaga, a schoolgirl who dislikes Mahjong after it negatively affects her life. But still, her friend introduces her to the school's Mahjong club, where Saki discovers her talent for spotting winning patterns. After rediscovering her love for the game, Saki sets her sights on the national competition. You can watch this anime film on Crunchyroll. 

Usogui

Premiered in 2006, Usogui is a clear definition of how humans love taking risks by losing something important while pursuing something more incredible. But the world of gambling is hostile, with some people choosing to cheat to win. In that case, Kakerou, a gambling organization, tries to maintain gambling fairness. On the other hand, Usogui, a skilled gambler, is ready to bet his life on deadly psychological games. Watch the movie to know how it ends!

One Outs

One Outs is a 2008 anime series with 25 episodes. The movie features Toua Tokuchi, a baseball and gambling prodigy famous for his 499 straight victories in One Outs, a batter vs. pitcher battle. But despite his excellent gaming abilities, Tokuchi only wants to make quick money from the game. He wins $45,000 for every out and loses $455,000 for any that he loses. Tokuchi soon clashes with the team owner, who declines his inflated salary demands. 

Kaiji: The Ultimate Survivor

Kaiji: The Ultimate Survivor is a 2007 anime with 26 episodes. After his co-worker fails to repay a loan, the loan sharks come calling. The unremorseful loan sharks demand that Kaiji settles the large sum, which can lead to massive financial consequences. They give him an option to board the Espoir ship and gamble his way out of the debt. But this turns out to be a game of betrayal and strategy, which can lead to backbreaking deficits. Kaiji must choose wisely!

One Piece Film: Gold

One Piece Film: Gold was released in Japanese theaters in July 2016. The film is set in Gran Tesoro, the world's most extensive entertainment city. This city is home to famous millionaires, marines, and pirates. When the Straw Hat Pirates arrive in the town, they get VIP treatment and win big money at a local casino. They then meet Gild Tesoro, the city's leader, who challenges them to play dice. A fight ensues after the leader plays unfairly, and the pirates refuse to part with their money. 

Conclusion

There you go – these are some of the most entertaining gambling anime movies. These movies have several casino game genres, including baccarat, poker, Mahjong, and more. And besides giving you some gambling entertainment, you'll also learn one or two Japanese.