When checking out the most popular video games in 2026, many FPS titles rank high on the list, from Counter-Strike 2 and Battlefield 6 to Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Valorant. The high-stakes action and flashy gunplay can be addictive, and the player's immersion in a hectic and violent world is one of the major selling points for the genre. There are plenty of action movies that can replicate the feeling that a first-person shooter can give, and there are also plenty of anime series featuring shootouts and fast-paced combat similar to what can be found in this wildly popular genre of games.
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Some FPS matches are more serious, with players going toe-to-toe with strangers to either wipe each other out, capture the flag, or achieve some other goal that can only be achieved by shedding blood. Other meetups are more lighthearted, like when friends get together to play a good-natured match while cracking jokes into their headsets and causing chaos around the map. Regardless of which experience you prefer, at least one of these anime series will be a perfect watch for the discerning FPS fan.
While we wanted to include more series on this list, many aren't currently streaming on major platforms. Honorable mentions that aren't available without buying physical copies include Jormungand, Grenadier: The Beautiful Warrior, 91 Days, Gangsta, and Gunsmith Cats.Notionvc: 6adc66de-dd99-4b3a-a6b4-7bc26fb0152b
Gungrave
Over a decade after being killed by his best friend, Harry MacDowell, Brandon Heat is ready to take his revenge. Brought back to life via necrolyzation, he chooses a new name: Beyond the Grave. Over the course of 26 episodes, Gungrave tells the story of the pair's falling out, their sordid pasts as part of a crime syndicate, and the future that awaits Beyond the Grave after he eliminates the organization that took so much from him.
Directed by Toshiyuki Tsuru, known for his various works on hits like Serial Experiments Lain, Cowboy Bebop, and Naruto Shippuden, Gungrave is packed with action, with fans and critics alike also praising it for its characters and animation. Those who enjoy the supernatural thriller series may also want to pick up the PlayStation 2 title of the same name, released in 2002, and its sequel, Gungrave: Overdose, which dropped in 2004. Both third-person shooters found praise for their art and missions, and a new Gungrave game is reportedly on the way.
Lycoris Recoil
While it may not look like a series an FPS fan would choose to pick up at first glance, Lycoris Recoil is a girl with guns series with some slice of life elements thrown in for good measure. The 2022 series follows two orphaned teenage girls, Chisato and Takina, who are recruited by a mysterious organization to carry out political assassinations. As their cover, the two also work at a local cafe, and outside their responsibilities, they carry on with their lives as teenage girls would. Chisato has the ability to dodge bullets at point-blank range, and Takina's serious and confident demeanor translates to her skills with a rifle.
Lycoris Recoil found incredible success following its release, with Metal Gear series creator Hideo Kojima even taking to social media to shower the series with praise. While its narrative and animation wowed audiences, its action scenes sealed the deal for many. Its tone swaps from silly to serious at the drop of a hat, and fans of FPS games shouldn't miss its savage shootouts.
Black Lagoon
While on a work trip, Rokuro Okajima is captured by a crew of pirate mercenaries. This proves to be just the change of pace he was looking for, and he decides to stick with the baddies, becoming a powerful criminal himself. As the group's negotiator, he helps the gang tackle a decent number of risky missions, often packed with police run-ins, extreme violence, and a range of illegal activities. Its over-the-top fight scenes are its biggest draw, though its gritty world and likable characters certainly sweeten the pot.
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The team behind the Black Lagoon anime is absolutely stacked as well, with famed studio Madhouse (Trigun, Death Note) at the helm and director Sunao Katabuchi previously working on Kiki's Delivery Service as Assistant Director alongside the beloved filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki. Fans of fast-paced action anime and ample violence won't be disappointed by this classic, and FPS players may see themselves in its characters—after all, series creator Rei Hiroe has cited Tarantino films as a big influence on his work.
Trigun
Longtime anime fans will be familiar with Trigun. The post-apocalyptic space western was a staple of the early Adult Swim years, and main character Vash the Stampede has been a cosplay staple since he first appeared on the scene. The 1998 anime adaptation of Yasuhiro Nightow's manga series remains beloved to this day, telling the story of the famed gunman and his efforts to stay away from bounty hunters seeking to snag the huge price on his head. The depth of its characters and the theme of morality embedded throughout have helped it withstand the test of time, along with its heart-stopping gunfights.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Rearrange the covers into the correct US release order.
Those who have already seen the original series may also want to watch Trigun Stampede. The newly reimagined adaptation of the manga series first aired in 2023, and a sequel, Trigun Stargaze, kicked off in January 2026. Created by Studio Orange, it features an entirely different art style utilizing 3DCG animation, which some fans have applauded. Others feel that the original 90s series has more heart, and that the gunplay was more satisfying when traditional animation was used.
Gunslinger Girl
The character designs in Gunslinger Girl are misleading. The main female cast may look sweet, but these girls are deadly cybernetic creations, handled by males who use them as assassins for a government operation. Set in modern Italy, the series has earned praise for its dark themes, and intense story, which is packed with intense gunfights. The animation may not be the most stunning throughout, but the action scenes don't disappoint, though more of them would have been nice to see.
Of note, the 13-episode 2003 series was directed by Morio Asaka, who also directed major hits like Cardcaptor Sakura, Galaxy Angel, and Chobits, and later went on to work on Chihayafuru and My Love Story. The soundtrack also deserves a mention, as it was composed by Toshihiko Sahashi, who was responsible for the music in Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, Hunter x Hunter, and many entries in the Kamen Rider tokusatsu series. Gunslinger Girls also inspired several video games, though these were unfortunately only released in Japan.
Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom
Based on the 2003 visual novel Phantom of Inferno, Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom tells the story of a man kidnapped by an assassin syndicate named Inferno after witnessing an assassination while visiting the US. The criminal organization is attempting to unite the world's underworld mob gangs into one conglomerate, and it utilizes its brainwashed assassins to get the job done. The man in question is given the name Zwei after having his memories erased, and while in the field, he meets Ein, a strange amnesiac girl with deadly aim.
Dubbed a proper hidden gem by many anime fans, the animation in Phantom: Requiem for the Phantom has seen particular praise, with its fast-paced action sequences holding up over 15 years after its release. Director Koichi Mashimo has been in the game for decades, in charge of popular series like Noir, .hack//Sign, Madlax, and many more. The visual novel is also worth playing, but it's worth noting that it is considered an adult game.
Upotte!!
Seishou Academy isn't your typical school. The students here aren't normal people, but the personifications of guns, studying hard to become useful weapons someday. Elementary school is made up of submachine guns, while middle school is reserved for assault rifles and shotguns, and high school is for battle rifles and sniper rifles. These girls can pull the weapons they represent out of thin air, and all are trained to shoot their targets with live ammo. At 10 episodes, Upotte is a quick binge, and it's worth doing so for its over-the-top antics and absolutely ridiculous premise.
For FPS fans who are more deeply interested in firearms, Upotte provides a surprisingly in-depth look at the guns it features, frequently sharing gun facts along with its silly character interactions. There's plenty of combat to be had in this short show, and the cute characters and smooth animation may be additional draws for some anime fans.