by A brand-new collaborative project connecting indie games and anime has officially launched. BitSummit, Japan’s largest indie game festival, and AnimeJapan, the world’s biggest international anime trade fair, have announced the “2026 Indie Game Ranking for Anime Adaptation.” Alongside the announcement, online voting has now begun, inviting fans to decide which indie game they most want to see adapted into an anime.
This exciting initiative highlights the growing overlap between anime storytelling and indie game creativity, giving fans a direct voice in shaping the future of potential anime adaptations.
What Is the “Indie Game Anime Adaptation Ranking”?
The 2026 Indie Game Ranking for Anime Adaptation is a fan-driven popularity vote designed to answer one simple but exciting question:
Which indie game deserves to be turned into an anime?
The project is a joint effort between:
- BitSummit – Japan’s premier indie game festival, held annually in Kyoto
- AnimeJapan – The largest anime-related exhibition in the world, held at Tokyo Big Sight
By combining these two influential events, the organizers aim to:
- Celebrate the strong creative bond between games and anime
- Spotlight standout indie titles with rich worlds and stories
- Encourage cross-industry collaboration between game developers and animation studios
Why This Collaboration Matters
Anime and games have long shared a close relationship. Many popular anime series originate from games, and countless games are inspired by anime aesthetics and storytelling. Indie games, in particular, often feature:
- Unique visual styles
- Experimental narratives
- Deep emotional themes
- Compact but powerful worldbuilding
These qualities make them excellent candidates for anime adaptations, even if they don’t come from major studios or publishers.
This ranking project gives indie developers greater visibility and offers anime fans a chance to discover hidden gems they may have missed.
How the Ranking Works
The selection process is divided into two stages:
Stage 1: Online Voting
- Fans vote online for their favorite indie game
- The Top 10 titles are selected based on total votes
Stage 2: On-Site Voting at AnimeJapan 2026
- Final voting takes place at the BitSummit booth during AnimeJapan 2026
- Attendees will vote in person to determine the No.1 Indie Game Fans Want Adapted into an Anime
This hybrid system allows both online fans and event visitors to participate.
Voting Period (Important Dates)
Online Voting Period
- Start: January 26, 2026, at 5:00 PM
- End: February 11, 2026, at 11:59 PMFinal Voting Event
- AnimeJapan 2026:
- March 28–29, 2026
- Venue: Tokyo Big Sight
All 35 Nominated Indie Games (2026)
A total of 35 diverse indie titles have been nominated, ranging from story-driven mysteries to quirky action games and experimental concepts. Some feel like natural anime material, while others surprise with their originality.
Full Nominee List
- Urban Legend Dismantling Center
- Sausage Legend Arena
- Nefi: Moonlit Labyrinth
- Dreams of Another
- Yokai Buster Navinosuke
- Rope-kun Adventure
- Serial World
- Majo Gami – The Witch of Luludidea –
- Azure Striker Gunvolt: Triangle Edition
- A Tiny Wander
- Monster Create
- Sunset Hills
- HacKClaD
- Farewell to Love / A Farewell to AI
- The Fox and the Frog’s Journey
- Kotoro
- Oni of Adashino Island
- Hungry Meem
- DIGITAL EXORCIST
- Hotel Barcelona
- Ratatan
- Vivid World
- We on Another Planet
- IZON.
- TANUKI: Pon’s Summer
- HAUNTED STREAMER
- I Am a Dorm Student
- The Fox’s Way Home
- Forestrike
- Project Solaris
- Monsterbox / Monstabox
- TIMEMOON
- STARBITES
- Monashi Princess is a Haunted Property!
- Urami-chan
- Kimono & Chibby
- YaoyoroZOO
Update (January 26, 2026, 9:01 PM):
The total number of nominees and some titles were corrected and finalized.
Why These Games Stand Out as Anime Candidates
Many of the nominated titles share qualities that work especially well in animation:
- Strong character concepts that could shine in serialized storytelling
- Distinct art styles that would translate beautifully into anime visuals
- Compact narratives suitable for 12-episode anime formats
- Unique themes, from folklore and urban legends to sci-fi and surreal comedy
For example:
- Urban Legend Dismantling Center feels perfect for a mystery or supernatural anime
- TANUKI: Pon’s Summer evokes warm slice-of-life storytelling
- HAUNTED STREAMER reflects modern internet culture and horror
- Sausage Legend Arena offers unexpected comedic potentia
What Happens After the Ranking?
While winning the ranking does not guarantee an anime adaptation, it can:
- Significantly boost visibility for the game
- Attract attention from animation studios and producers
- Serve as a strong indicator of fan demand
- Open doors for future cross-media projects
In past years, similar fan-driven rankings have helped creators connect with new audiences and partners.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 Indie Game Ranking for Anime Adaptation is more than just a popularity contest—it’s a celebration of creativity at the intersection of games and anime. By giving fans a voice, BitSummit and AnimeJapan are helping shape the future of anime adaptations in a more inclusive and exciting way.
Whether you’re an indie game enthusiast, an anime fan, or both, now is the perfect time to explore these 35 titles and cast your vote.
Voting is open until February 11, 2026 don’t miss your chance to support your favorite game!
