Tomodachi Game blends psychological warfare, moral ambiguity, and twisted friendship dynamics into a high-stakes social experiment.
Beneath its surface of game mechanics lies a darker look at human nature, greed, betrayal, loyalty, and manipulation. It subverts the traditional power system by replacing brute force with cunning, and instead of action, it thrives on distrust, logic, and mind games.
If you enjoyed its cat-and-mouse mental showdowns and character-driven revelations, these 15 underrated anime titles bring similar tension and complexity, often with fresh thematic twists.
1. Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor (2007)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 8.28
Episodes: 26
Studio: Madhouse
Kaiji, a down-and-out man, is forced into high-stakes underground gambling to clear his debts.
Similarities: Psychological strategy games, intense pacing, class struggle, and exploration of trust under pressure.
2. Liar Game (2007, Manga | 2014, Live-Action)
Streaming: N/A (Anime adaptation not released; available as manga & J-drama)
MAL Rating: 8.45 (Manga)
Episodes: Live-action drama available
Studio: N/A
A naïve girl gets involved in a deceit-based competition where lying means survival—and massive debt.
Similarities: Rule-based mental games, betrayal, manipulation, and slow transformation of a morally upright protagonist.
3. Danganronpa: The Animation (2013)
Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.21
Episodes: 13
Studio: Lerche
Elite students are forced into a deadly game of murder and deduction led by a sadistic bear.
Similarities: Psychological puzzles, friendship put to the test, and themes of guilt, despair, and revelation.
4. Rokka: Braves of the Six Flowers (2015)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.30
Episodes: 12
Studio: Passione
Six chosen heroes are summoned to defeat a demon, but when seven appear, suspicion tears them apart.
Similarities: Closed-room mystery vibe, group betrayal, deception, and logic-driven progression.
5. The Ones Within (Naka no Hito Genome) (2019)
Streaming: Funimation, Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 6.94
Episodes: 12
Studio: Silver Link
Streamers are trapped in a real-life game where cooperation and puzzle-solving are vital for survival.
Similarities: High-stakes scenarios, twisted morality, survival game format, and exploration of group trust.
6. Death Parade (2015)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Hulu
MAL Rating: 8.17
Episodes: 12
Studio: Madhouse
After death, souls are judged through bar games that reveal their inner truths.
Similarities: Ethical ambiguity, judgment through gameplay, psychological intensity, and character deconstruction.
7. Kakegurui (2017)
Streaming: Netflix
MAL Rating: 7.23
Episodes: 12
Studio: MAPPA
Students at an elite academy use high-stakes gambling to climb the social ladder.
Similarities: Mind games, power dynamics, adrenaline-fueled deception, and stylized animation that enhances tension.
8. Juni Taisen: Zodiac War (2017)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
MAL Rating: 6.65
Episodes: 12
Studio: Graphinica
12 warriors fight to the death representing the zodiac signs, each with a deadly secret.
Similarities: Survival game setup, twisted rules, character backstories, and moral ambiguity.
9. Ousama Game: The Animation (2017)
Streaming: Crunchyroll, Funimation
MAL Rating: 5.82
Episodes: 12
Studio: Seven
Students receive mysterious messages commanding dangerous dares—or face death.
Similarities: Deadly games among peers, psychological tension, escalating paranoia.
10. Zetsuen no Tempest (Blast of Tempest) (2012)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.96
Episodes: 24
Studio: Bones
Two teens investigate a mysterious plague tied to a murdered girl and magical trees.
Similarities: Friendship strained by secrets, cerebral dialogue, emotional manipulation, and twists on classic tropes.
11. Eden of the East (2009)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.81
Episodes: 11
Studio: Production I.G
12 people are given ten billion yen and phones to “save Japan”—or die.
Similarities: Strategic competition, anonymous backers, memory loss, and social commentary.
12. Btooom! (2012)
Streaming: HIDIVE
MAL Rating: 7.37
Episodes: 12
Studio: Madhouse
Gamers are dropped on an island and forced to kill each other using bomb-based tactics.
Similarities: Psychological survival, game-to-reality transitions, betrayals, and tactical thinking under pressure.
13. Alderamin on the Sky (2016)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.54
Episodes: 13
Studio: Madhouse
A lazy genius becomes a reluctant war hero by outsmarting every battlefield challenge.
Similarities: Underdog strategist, tactical brilliance, and the moral toll of manipulation and leadership.
14. Selector Infected WIXOSS (2014)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 7.23
Episodes: 12
Studio: J.C.Staff
Girls are drawn into a card game that grants wishes—with a tragic cost.
Similarities: Psychological games wrapped in innocent visuals, emotional backstories, and consequence-laden decisions.
15. Cheat Kusushi no Slow Life (2021)
Streaming: Crunchyroll
MAL Rating: 6.56
Episodes: 12
Studio: EMT Squared
A pharmacist in a fantasy world runs a quiet life helping others—with secrets under the surface.
Similarities: Though slower-paced, its subversion of expectations and focus on interpersonal manipulation parallels Tomodachi Game’s quiet intensity.
Why These Anime Work for Tomodachi Game Fans
All these titles toy with trust, betrayal, and the gray areas between good and evil. They feature protagonists forced into tight spots where logic, manipulation, and insight become their strongest weapons.
Whether through deadly games, strategic warfare, or identity-shaking challenges, they echo Tomodachi Game’s core thrill: watching people break—or evolve—under pressure. If you liked the tension, mind games, and group dynamics of Tomodachi Game, this list is your next psychological playground.
