Shogi is one of the hardest games to play and learn. With so many shogi anime references in anime like Naruto. We decided to make a list of the best shogi-based anime ever made. There aren’t that many shougi anime but the few that exist are awesome in more ways than one. So without further ado here are the top 3 best shogi anime:
Top 4
1. The Ryuo’s Work is Never Done!
If you wanted an anime with a mix of loli and shougi then The Ryuo’s Work is Never Done is the perfect anime for you. Other than the loli fan service the actual shougi gameplay is also quite good and entertaining.
The story revolves around Yaichi Kuzuryū a prodigy shogi player who won the title of Ryūō at the young age of 16. Now a young 9-year-old girl Ai Hinatsuru wants to be his disciple. Astonished by Ai’s shogi potential, Yaichi agrees to become her master and the fun and entertaining story of two shougi prodigies begins. A lot of fun and romance along with exciting shougi matches. What more can you ask for? A definite must-watch.
Must read: Top 5 Mahjong anime of all time
2. March Comes in Like a Lion
This is more of a slice of life anime rather than a thriller. Our main protagonist Rei lives by himself after his parents and younger sister died in an accident. He was adopted in another family but he has been estranged. Now living his life as a struggling shogi player you get to experience his life as he matures as a player and as a person, while developing his relationships with the Kawamoto sisters.
A great anime for those who love the slice-of-life genre of anime.
3. Shion no Ou (The Flowers of Hard Blood)
It is one of the most thrilling shougi anime ever made. The story revolves around Shion Yasuoka a young junior-high-school girl who just witnessed her parents’ murder. The killer takes the king piece from her father’s shogi board which is forever etched in her memory. She concludes that the killer must be a shogi player and decides to find the murderer.
The shock of witnessing her parents’ murder renders Shion unable to speak and thus she communicates using only a writing pad. After being adopted by her neighbors Shion starts playing shogi herself in hopes to find her parents’ killer.
A great anime filled with mystery, murder, and excitement as well as amazing shougi games. A must-watch for all shougi anime fans.
4. Bonus: Hikaru no Go
Hikaru No Go is not a Shougi anime but is based on a board game called GO. It’s one of the best and most loved anime board games ever made which is popular in the anime world. If you love board games like shougi you will love this anime a lot.
The anime is quite old but has decent graphics nonetheless. The story and plot are quite dramatic and so entertaining that you will binge-watch the entire series. I know I did that myself. If you haven’t watched it then I recommend you do.
That’s all folks. These were the best Shougi anime. There are very few shogi anime to begin with. If I missed any great anime then let me know in the comment section below. If you liked this list please share it with fellow otakus.
Happy Binge Watching..!!
