Mahjong is one of those niche anime genres that few people appreciate. Over the years very few Mahjong anime have been made that really stood out. So for our mahjong anime fans, we decided to make a list of the best mahjong anime ever made. So let’s begin:
Top 6
1. Saki
This is one of the most popular Mahjong anime ever made with multiple spin-off arcs and ova. The story revolves around Saki Miyanaga, a high school first-year student, who hates mahjong because her family would always force her to play it every day and punish her regardless of the outcome of the game.
Due to this, she managed to learn the most unique skill of keeping her Mahjong score at zero. By neither winning nor losing she always managed to avoid the punishment. Little did she know that keeping your score at zero is said to be more difficult than actually winning. Her friend convinces her to visit the school’s small mahjong club upon entering Kiyosumi High School. Once the club discovers her skills they convince her to win and enjoy the true game of mahjong. With a new love for mahjong, she enters the prefecture’s high school mahjong tournament intending to reach the national high school competition.
2. Touhai Densetsu: Akagi (Mahjong Legend: Akagi)
If you wanted an adult thriller anime about mahjong then Mahjong Legend: Akagi is the best mahjong anime for you. It’s all about high stakes and mahjong clubs.
A truly thrilling story about an overpowered Mahjong player who hardly shows off his skills. I won’t give any spoilers but I can tell you that it is one of the best mahjong anime ever made. It’s an old anime so the animation is a bit dull but the story and elements of the anime are truly worth watching.
3. Legendary Gambler Tetsuya
One of the oldest mahjong animes that were actually amazing. This is a short anime but with a decent story. With little money to buy food or necessities, many people resort to gambling to survive. Our main protagonist Tetsuya chooses to spend his time at Mahjong parlors looting his adversaries clean with his mahjong skills. However, when Tetsuya meets the intensely skilled Boushu-san, he realizes that his skills are still lacking.
It is an amazing tale of struggle and mahjong in a single package. It’s quite the old anime but if you wanted a mahjong-based anime with a good plot then this is a great choice.
Must read: Best Shougi anime of all time
4. Mudazumo Naki Kaikaku: The Legend of Koizumi
The premise of the manga is unique so much so that it is honestly quite interesting. This anime is all about mahjong and politics. All international diplomacy issues are settled on the mahjong table, with real-life politicians depicted as masters of mahjong.
A fun and interesting take on mahjong with well-known figures. I personally liked it and recommend mahjong anime lovers to watch it. I won’t give spoilers but instead, recommend you to watch this anime.
5. Mahjong Hishouden: Naki no Ryuu
Another great mahjong anime about gangsters and gambling with our protagonist, Ryuu also called Crying Dragon. He is a mysterious man who often plays games with gang members. He earned the title crying dragon because he only wins by “Ron,” a move in which one needs to wait for the opponent’s tile to complete the win.
The crying dragon nickname comes from “Ron” which is also called “Naki” in mahjong, which has the same pronunciation as “crying” in Japanese. Thus the nickname crying dragon.
6. Bonus: Hikaru no Go
I know Hikaru no Go is not a mahjong anime but it’s an anime that mahjong players will appreciate. What happens when the ghost of the strongest Go players possesses our young MC? Well, we get an overpowered Go player who just can’t lose. An amazing anime about Go and how Hikaru develops his skills as a professional Go, player. A must-watch and my personal favorite anime.
That’s all folks. These were the 5 best Mahjong anime ever made. If you love them then make sure to share and support the site as much as possible. Let us know if we missed any great mahjong anime.
Happy Binge watching.
