Kakegurui anime is a physiological thriller drama involving the elements like gambling and brain games. The story of the drama is set in Hyakkaou Private Academy, not your typical high school. Its students are the children of wealthy and prominent individuals. They are the country’s future, and they must study the true norms of the world rather than petty all-around topics. They need to know how to work their way up the hierarchy, so testing their capacity to gamble and win millions of yen determines their social rank.
So, if you’re seeking a similar anime like Kakegurui, which has a similar premise and theme, go no further. Consider binge-watching the following recommended anime like Kakegurui:
25. Death Parade (2015)
- Director: Yuzuru Tachikawa, Jun Shishido
- Writer: Yuzuru Tachikawa
- Cast: Jamie Marchi, Alex Organ, Asami Seto, Tomoaki Maeno
- IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
- Streaming Platform: Hulu, Crunchyroll
Death Parade is a psychological thriller anime in which a random game determines your fate in the afterlife. Decim, an arbiter, decides the destiny of the human soul through high-stakes games that are meant to reveal your actual personality. The winner is reincarnated, while the loser is sent to oblivion. Decim’s greatest obstacle came when he had to judge the destiny of a girl who had lost her memory, which caused him to doubt the rules of his own game.
24. Danganronpa: Kibou no Gakuen to Zetsubou no Koukousei: The Animation (2013)
- Director: Seiji Kishi
- Writer: Makoto Uezu
- Cast: Megumi Ogata,Yoko Hikasa, Chiwa Saito, Nobuyo Oyama
- IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
- Streaming Platform: Hulu, Crunchyroll
Danganronpa: Kibou no Gakuen to Zetsubou no Koukousei is a comical psychological drama. The anime takes place in Hope’s Peak Academy, a prestigious high school that only accepts talented students. The fifteen candidates admitted to the strange school were given their own unique titles that emphasized their unique strengths and attributes. They soon realize that this isn’t the typical school. Their nightmare begins when Monokuma, the school administrator, informs them that they can only graduate if they murder one of their classmates while avoiding detection.
23. Food Wars: Shokugeki no Souma (2015)
- Director: Yoshitomo Yonetani
- Writer: Shogo Yasukawa
- Cast: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Minami Takahashi, Maaya Uchida, Ai Kayano
- IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
- Streaming Platform: Netflix, Crunchyroll
Shokugeki no Souma is a culinary adventure anime about a young kid named Souma who has worked in his father’s restaurant since he was a child and dreams of one day running his own restaurant. Souma’s father soon shut down his restaurant and went on an expedition to put his talents to the test. He enrolled Souma at Tootsuki Culinary Academy, an exclusive culinary school with a 10% graduation rate. The cooking school is known for its food war competitions. Souma’s greatest struggle is to demonstrate the talents he learns from his father and to pass all of the rounds to get into the academy.
22. Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor(2007)
- Director: Yuzo Sato
- Writer: Nobuyuki Fukumoto
- Cast: Masato Hagiwara,Hukuryu, Naoya Uchida, Hideo Ishikawa
- IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
- Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll
The narrative of a guy named Kaiji Itou, who is good for nothing loiterer who steals and cheats on others to make a livelihood, is based on the psychological thriller book “Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor.” One day, a close friend defrauded him and left him in a huge debt. With no other option but to repay his friend’s huge debt, Kaiji accepted a large businessman’s invitation to join a deadly underground gambling ring onboard a cruise ship. But he quickly discovers that his whole world has altered and that he is now a part of something dreadful and terrifying.
21. Prison School (2015)
- Director: Tsutomu Mizushima
- Writer: Michiko Yokote
- Cast: Hiroshi Kamiya, Katsuyuki Konishi, Kenichi Suzumura, Daisuke Namikawa
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
- Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll, Netflix
Human rights school setting drama Prison School is the story of Hachimitsu Private Academy, which is broadened from a girl’s prestigious elite high school and became a co-ed institution. Five young men enrolled in the school where they consider themselves to be the luckiest being around the girls. But soon, they learn the bitter fact about the underground student council, which is after them. One day found peeping inside the girls changing room, to punish them for this, the council threw them in prison and treated them like slaves. The members are after them and keep an eye on them so that they can force the principal to throw the boys out if they commit another mistake.
20. No Game No Life(2014)
- Director: Atsuko Ishizuka
- Writer: Jukki Hanada
- Cast: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Ai Kayano, Yoko Hikasa, Scott Gibbs
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
- Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll, Netflix
“No Game No Life” is a surreal comedy anime like Kakegurui that recounts the lives of the online gamer duo Sora and Shiro, who use the username “Kuuhaku.” Real life is simply just another lousy game for them. One day, they get a strange e-mail challenging and inviting them to another realm and daring them to fight. They accept the invitation, but now they must battle Tet, the God of Games, play high stake games, and have a great opportunity to become the new God of Games.
19. Classroom Of The Elite (2017)
- Director: Seiji Kishi, Hiroyuki Hashimoto
- Writer: Aoi Akashiro
- Cast: Amber Lee Connors, Justin Briner, Felecia Angelle, Brandon Mclnnis
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
The anime Classroom of the Elite is based on the light novel “Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e,” and tells the narrative of the elite school Koudo Ikusei Senior High School, where the school awards students points and leverages according to their performance. Those who perform well are treated handsomely and given many liberties, whilst those who do poorly are treated like rubbish. Things turn nasty when some students to improve their grades are willing to go to any extreme.
18. Death Note(2006)
- Director: Tetsuro Araki
- Writer: Toshiki Inoue
- Cast: Mamoru Miyano, Brad Swaile, Vicent Tong, Ryo Naito
- IMDb Rating: 9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 100%
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
“Death Note,” a supernatural mystery anime drama, follows the story of a man who has the incredible ability to murder people by writing their names on a notebook called “Death Note.” Ryuk throws one of the notebooks into the human realm one day to observe how they manage this enormous power. With the noble purpose of erasing the crime, Light Yagami comes into the notebook and discovers the power of the death note. L, a Japanese detective, was assigned to investigate a series of deaths. He got a suspicion about Light and is now on the hunt for the truth.
17. C: The Money and Soul of Possibility (2011)
- Director: Kenji Nakamura
- Writer: Noboru Takagi
- Cast: Todd Haberkorn, Monica Rial, J. Michael Tatum, Brina Palencia
- IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
- Streaming Platform: Gogoanime
Action thriller anime drama “C: The Money of Soul and Possibility” is the story of a boy named Kimimaro who works harder to make end meets. He has a choice to turn his fate and be the prince in a parallel world called the Financial District. If he agrees to play the dangerous and epic game, the winner will get more wealth and loss, leading to erasing from existence. The games involve the high-stakes gambling of life.
16. Angels of Death (2016)
- Director: Kentaro Suzuki
- Writer: Yoshinobu Fujioka
- Cast: Haruka Chisuga, Meg McClain, Dallas Reid
- IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
- Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll, Netflix
The psychological thriller “Angels of Death” is the story of two anime characters, Zack and Rachel, who discover each other in the basement of an unfamiliar building. Rachel has lost her memory and runs into Zack in the course of running out of the basement. She found him wrapped in the serial killer wrap begging her to kill him. She accepts but on the condition that he helps her to get out. Soon, they became irreplaceable partners.
15. Yu-Gi-Oh! GX (2004)
- Director: Hatsuki Tsuji
- Writer: Junki Takegami, Shin Yoshida
- Cast: Matthew Labyorteaux, Wayne Grayson, Tony Salerno, Kanako Irie
- IMDb Rating: 6.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
- Streaming Platform: Hulu
Action comedy anime “YU-Gi-Oh!” is the story of a young frail boy who is a big fan of every kind of gaming. But during the process of solving the ancient Egyptian puzzle, he leashed and granted all the power of darkness. Now he punishes the wrongdoers when he witnesses any kind of danger and injustice.
14. One Outs(2008)
- Director: Yuzo Sato
- Writer: Hideo Takayashiki
- Cast: Masato Hagiwara, Tsutomu Isobe, Kappei Yamaguchi, Kenji Utsumi
- IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
- Streaming Platform: 9Anime
Toa Tokuchi, an athlete by profession but a gambler by heart, is the protagonist of One Out. He is mostly an average pitcher, but he can influence batter’s minds, making his deliveries difficult. Kojima, a veteran baseball player, recognizes him and recruits him to his side to resurrect his beleaguered squad, but the owner of the baseball team is against the recruit of the Toa in the team. So, Toa offered him the deal that the owner of the baseball team had, and he agreed. Interesting to watch. Who will benefit from the agreement, Toa or the owner?
13. Lostorage Incited WIXOSS (2016)
- Director: Takuya Sato
- Writer: Mari Okada
- Cast: Yuka Iguchi, Chinami Hashimoto, Yucihi Nakamura
- IMDb Rating: 5.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
- Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll
“Lostorage Incited Wixoss” is a suspense anime drama about Suzoko Homura, who was thrilled to return to her hometown and see a childhood acquaintance, but fate had other intentions. She decided to learn the new popular card game WIXOSS. She soon realizes that this is no ordinary game and that it may cost her all of her memories.
12. Kill la Kill (2013)
- Director: Hiroyuki Imaishi
- Writer: Kazuki NAkashima
- Cast: Ami Koshimizu, Aya Suzaki,Toshihiko Seki
- IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
Kill la Kill is unlike any other retribution narrative. The plot narrates the story of Ryuuko Matoi, the main character, who is hell-bent on bringing her father to justice. She possesses the necessary combat abilities and weapons. Following her lead, take her to Honnouji Academy, the extraordinary agonistic institution. She now has the challenge to overthrow the school’s formidable student council, hoping to reach the true culprit behind her father’s death.
11. Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War (2019)
- Director: Shinichi Omata
- Writer: Yasuhiro Nakanishi
- Cast: Aoi Koga, Makoto Furukawa, Konomi Kohara
- IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
- Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll
Kaguya-Sama: Love is War follows Kaguya and Miyuki, two top student council members at an elite boarding school. They both develop feelings for each other, but owing to pride and dignity, neither of them is willing to disclose them. Because the one who confesses their feelings is seen as the weaker, they are both equally driven to play triumphant tricks for the other to confess early.
10. Future Diary(2006)
- Director: Naoto Hosoda
- Writer: Katsuhiko Takayama
- Cast: Josh Grelle, Brina Palencia, Leah Clark, Emily Neves
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
Future Diary is a psychological thriller about a lethal battle royale between people who have the power of a “future diary,” a unique diary that can disclose the future. They must outnumber the other beings with the use of power and intellect to acquire the title and become the next heir of Deus Ex Machina, the deity of Time and Space.
9. Touhai Densetsu Akagi: Yami Ni Maiorita Tensai (2005)
- Director: Yuzo Sato
- Writer: Hideo Takayashiki
- Cast: Toru Furuya, Masato Hagiwara, Rikiya Koyama
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
- Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll
Touhai Densetsu Akagi: Yami Ni Maiorita Tensai is a gambling anime like Kakegurui narrative in which Nangou, a compulsive gambler, agrees to try his last-ditch attempt to play mahjong against the mafia to pay his debt of three million yen at the risk of losing his life if he loses the game. But his luck changes when he offers Shigeru Akagi, a little child, to play in his place. Everyone soon realizes he is a natural-born gambler who is destined to become a legend.
8. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable (2012)
- Director: Naokatsu Tsuda, Kenichi Suzuki
- Writer: Yasuko Kobayashi
- Cast: Matthew Mercer, David Vincent, Daisuke Ono
- IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
The plot of anime like Kakegurui focuses on the adventure of the Joster family across all generations, from the end of 19 century to modern times. The horrifying and roller coaster experience of the family and the conflict between their family values and principles. The adventure ride of battling against the devils all across the world.
7. Saga of Tanya: The Evil (2017)
- Director: Yutaka Uemura
- Writer: Kenta Ihara
- Cast: Monica Rail, Anber Lee Connors, Aoi Yuki
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
- Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll
The action-adventure anime “Saga of Tanya: the Evil” tells the narrative of Tanya, the show’s main character, who appears to be a nice innocent girl with the ability to amaze everyone with her presence. However, she fights on the front lines of warfare and has exceptional fighting and combat abilities, allowing her to quickly dispatch her foes. Her battles are against the people to restore calm to her life and city.
6. Riddle Story of Devil (2014)
- Director: Keizo Kusakawa
- Writer: Kiyoko Yoshimura
- Cast: Jamie Marchi, Alexis Tipton, Morgan Berry
- IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
- Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll
Riddle story of Devil’s narrates the story of the young girl Tokaku Azuma who has just been accepted into Myoujou Academy, a prestigious private ladies’ boarding school. But she and 11 of her classmates in Class Black are participating in a competition to assassinate their sweet-natured classmate Haru Ichinose. Regardless of the hardship or expense, whoever wins will be awarded their truest wish. Each assassin, however, has only one chance to murder her; if they fail, they will be exiled. Although Haru is her intended target, the teenage assassin is soon captivated by the same girl she is supposed to kill. Tokaku refuses to let Haru die even though the entire class is out for her.
5. JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders – Battle in Egypt (2015)
- Director: Naokatsu Tsuda, Kenichi Suzuki
- Writer: Yasuko Kobayashi
- Cast: Matthew Mercer, David Vincent, Daisuke Ono
- IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
- Streaming Platform: Netflix
Supernatural action drama JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stardust Crusaders – Battle in Egypt is the story of Jotaro and his companions landing in Egypt after being afflicted by innumerable battles all around the world. Their challenge begins when they have to fight with Dio, the most fervent servant of the nine Egyptian gods, and rescue Jotaro’s mother’s life.
4. Rio: Rainbow Gate (2011)
- Director: Takao Kato
- Writer: Mayori Sekijima
- Cast: Brittany Lauda, Kira Buckland, Amber Lee Connors
- IMDb Rating: 5.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
- Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll
Rio: Rainbow Gates, similar to anime like kakegurui involves the elements like beautiful women and gambling. The storyline of the show begins in the Casio of Howard Resort Hotel, where a girl named Rio wants to be a legendary dealer like her mother and plays against all. In order to win, she has to gather all 13 legendary gate cards.
3. Shoubushi Densetsu Tetsuya (2000)
- Director: Nobutaka Nishizawa
- Writer: Yoshiyuki Suga
- Cast: Chikao Otsuka,Ryotaro Okiayu
- IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
- Streaming Platform: Animebee
The Gambling-based psychological anime like Kakegurui Shoubushi Densetsu Tetsuya is the story of a man who believes that he is master the skills of gambling but his perception changes. After meeting the intensely skilled Boushu-san, he discovers that he needs to learn a lot from him and lacks a few things. This led to change, and now Mahjong is not the same game for him.
2. Dorei-Ku The Animation (2018)
- Director: Ryoichi Kuraya
- Writer: Ryoichi Kuraya
- Cast: Patricia Duran,Christain M. Auten
- IMDb Rating: 5.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
- Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll
Dorei-Ku, a psychological drama, is yet another anime like Kakegurui that tells the narrative of Eiya, a little girl who becomes embroiled in mind games beyond her comprehension and faces dangers she could never have imagined. She decided to play a game to test her abilities by keeping her lover as a slave, and now she must have to convince the master for him to be released.
1. Kaiji: Against All Rules (2011)
- Director: Valentin Fuentealba
- Writer: Valentin Fuentealba
- Cast: Valentin Fuentealba
- IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Rating: N/A
- Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll
This anime-like Kakegurui plot follows the story of Kaiji, a guy who owes the Teiai organization a large sum of money. He followed Yuuji Endou, unaware of his intentions, to win another gamble. Despite this, he is sent to work in an underground labor camp with the condition of spending 15 years there. From then, Kaiji’s battle starts; his only hope for escape is to gather enough money to return to the surface for a day and play a high-stakes gamble.
The above-suggested list of best amines like Kakegurui has a few elements similar to anime, followed by the female protagonist involved in gambling and mind games. Few anime follows the dark and psychological theme in the storyline, which makes them on the list.
