More often than not,animeimitates life; perfect reincarnations of everyday occurrences appear in the 2D world ofanimeas a direct mirror image of real-life phenomena. Some of the best representations are that of gamers. Over the last few anime release seasons, the popularity of video game-based stories and characters that play video games has skyrocketed.
RELATED:Anime With Unique Art Styles
Several characters in multiple series don the title of hardcore gamer character, always seen trying to beat a boss or level up. Yet, these characters emit confidence, understanding, and poise while under pressure in any situation and stand out while doing it. Here are the most iconic anime gamer boys.
8Kaname Sudou (Darwin’s Game)
Kaname is the main protagonist ofDarwin’s Game; he gets drafted into a mobilegacha gamethat takes shape in real life that places him up against other players that try to kill him. Kaname uses his keen wit and imagination, along with the power gifted to him by the game, to outsmart and outmatch all who attempt to face him and remove him from the game. His prowess and skill in battle have earned the respect and admiration of one of the best players inDarwin’s Game, the undefeated queen of thorns.
7King (One Punch Man)
King is an enigma in theOne Punch Mananime; while he has an ominous reputation as the number seven ranked professional hero, behind the scenes, he is a hardcore gamer.
Instead of being out patrolling for monsters or saving the city, King is usually closed up in his room playing competitive videogames by himself. He and Saitama bond over this and garner a deep friendship and rivalry due to the fact that Saitama can never beat King in any of the games they play together.
6Kaito Yashio (Robotic; Notes)
Kaito serves as a supporting character inRobotic; Notesanime; he is a member of the robotic club and one of Aki’s best friends. Kaito is an uninspired slacker; he is always lounging around with no motivation finding little interest in the robotics club outside of Aki.
RELATED:Best Isekai Anime To Watch If You Love Rising Of The Sheild Hero
His burning passion for his favorite video game is a different story; Kaito is always seen knee-deep in his favorite robot fighting game, Kill Ballad. Kaito focuses all his time on playing Kill Ballad and even makes it a stipulation to beat him in the game when people need a favor from him, even Aki.
5Sora (No Game, No Life)
Sora is a master of logic and calculation; he takes on every game with insurmountable confidence and a splash of arrogance. He never falters when his back is against the wall, able to tear down players online or face to face.
However, his dependency relies on the connection to his sister, whom he holds dear. Separation from his sister Shiro removes the foundation that his confidence stands on. Sora becomes weak, spineless, and indecisive when Shiro is not around and lacks his overall charisma until they are reunited.
4Kirito (Sword Art Online)
Kirito is perhaps the gamer boy of all gamer boys; not many can find themselves trapped in a virtual MMO having to fight to stay alive and climb up a perilous tower to escape and still have the nerve to play several more games of the same type.
Kirito has conquered several games in his long career, from sword fighting to gunplay.Kiritois a master when it comes to pushing the systems installed in these games to the limit. Kirito even goes as far as to start developing his own games, leading him even deeper into the gaming world.
3Keima Katsuragi (The World God Only Knows)
Keima is a gamer known as the god of conquest. He is a stereotypical nerd in appearance, and his cold and harsh personality echoes from his triumph of conquering every girl character in dating simulation games. Keima dedicates his entire life to video games, shutting himself in his room and cutting himself off from the world for days at a time.
RELATED:Great Anime Like Sword Art Online
While Keima can be a very cold individual, he takes most things more seriously than others; when things don’t go as he has planned or when he neglects his focus, and his friends get hurt, no one beats himself up more than he does.
2Yuuki Hiroshi (Full Dive)
Yuuki is a former track star turned NEET and shut-in after a tragic accident that left him mentally traumatized. Since Yuuki has devoted all his spare time to playing Virtual massive multiplayer online games, coping with his trauma by using games as escapism.
RELATED:Anime: Most Decisive Characters Ever
Yuuki plays games a minimum of eight hours a day with or without friends. However, the tables turn when he becomes enthralled by a female store clerk and is roped into playing a harsh fantasysurvival gamewhere everything goes wrong all the time. Yuuki is dedicated to conquering the new challenge but may also challenge his trauma along the way.
1Kenma Kozume (Haikyuu!!)
Kenma is a brilliant strategist on the volleyball court; his intellect and problem-solving stem from his love for playing video games. Before becoming the heart and brain of his school volleyball team, he was a shut-in who buried his nose in the screen of his gaming consoles.
Kenma is a very offputting individual, wanting little to do with people outside his teammates. However, he does discover a genuine friendship with Hinata, who ignites his burning love for competition and volleyball. Kenma even goes on to play video games professionally in theHaikyuu!!manga.
