What qualifies as a “pro gamer”? This question is challenging to define due to the various gaming environments that each possess unique characteristics. The skills typically required in a first-person shooter game may not necessarily make you the best teammate in an arcade-style battle. Is a pro gamer simply someone with the highest APM (actions per minute)? Or is it someone who can solve every puzzle they encounter?
In the competitive gaming world, professional gamers often specialize in certain game types. However, in the realm of anime, every gamer can embody various traits. Besides characters who specialize in specific game genres, there are also individuals who showcase extraordinary skills across different types. Moreover, there are those who can perform unbelievable feats, such as playing multiple games simultaneously or achieving victory despite significant obstacles.
8. Hirotaka Nifuji (Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku)
Unlike many characters on this list, Hirotaka is depicted as a “normal” gamer. He does not possess any unique strengths or secret skills that allow him to excel in gaming. However, he brings a steady presence to the gaming community.
His love for gaming started when he was young, and over the years, he has accumulated a wealth of experience. Although he prefers FPS and arcade games, Hirotaka is well-versed in all kinds of games.
7. Keima Katsuragi (The World God Only Knows)
Known as the “Conqueror King,” Keima Katsuragi does not focus on RTS or strategy-building games. His true expertise lies in simulation games, where he can “capture” any character.
Keima possesses impressive analytical skills, allowing him to predict and choose the right strategies for any situation based on the clearest clues available. This skill has earned him a reputation on the internet. He is also skilled at multitasking, often playing multiple games at once for entertainment. He can simultaneously engage in eight different games while still maintaining a clear understanding of what is happening on each screen.
6. Kazuto “Kirito” Kirigaya (Sword Art Online)
Anime about gaming has been around for a long time, but it wasn’t until Sword Art Online debuted in 2012 that this genre gained widespread popularity. Kirito became the face of this genre, and his skills are genuinely impressive.
His most notable skill is survival in a game where nearly 4,000 players are trapped in a death game. Kirito’s ability to survive is even more impressive considering he is a solo player. While Sword Art Online emphasizes team play, Kirito can often overcome challenges with minimal information and personal skills. His high agility allowed him to unlock the unique dual-wielding skill, making him the “legendary hero” of the game.
5. King (One-Punch Man)
The world of One-Punch Man is filled with superheroes protecting the Earth from various threats, and while King is among the scant S-rank heroes, his true strength lies in his gaming abilities. King is known for his prowess in traditional fighting games, but he is also recognized for his excellence in various other game genres. His gaming skills are often compared to the incredible strength of Saitama.
When it comes to online gaming, he is considered the strongest player on Earth.
4. Shiroe (Log Horizon)
In Log Horizon, Shiroe is recognized as one of the best strategists and raiders, with the ability to manage his entire party efficiently while analyzing the battlefield.
In the anime, dungeon raids typically involve at least twenty players, and Shiroe can monitor HP, MP, and cooldown times for each member, allowing him to coordinate attacks effectively. This unique ability makes him a formidable gamer, but he also has a significant influence on the gaming world.
3. Rakuro “Sunraku” Hizutome (Shangri-La Frontier)
Similar to Sword Art Online, Shangri-La Frontier takes place in a high-tech VR game, where the player’s consciousness is immersed in a virtual world. Sunraku is an ultra-skilled gamer who enjoys playing challenging games, often leading him to engage in fierce battles.
In the anime, this ability allows him to perform incredible feats, such as defeating high-level opponents without armor. He can achieve this through an incredible level of awareness, allowing him to evade attacks effectively. Additionally, he combines his skills with a strong sense of perseverance and resilience.
2. Tsukihito Amanuma (Yu Yu Hakusho)
Despite being only 11 years old, Tsukihito Amanuma is undoubtedly the best gamer in the world of Yu Yu Hakusho. Spending all his time at the arcade, he has become a master in every game available. Combined with his extraordinary intellect, few can challenge him.
He is known in the anime as the Game Master due to his ability to transform games into reality, allowing him to utilize his skills in the real world. Tsukihito demonstrates remarkable gaming abilities, especially during battles with Yusuke’s team. In more casual games, he can even answer questions posed earlier, as he memorizes all the random trivia from the games he plays.
1. Sora and Shiro (No Game No Life)
Sora and Shiro are an exceptional pair of siblings who operate under the alias “Blank.” Their unique abilities in gaming are complemented by their individual strengths and talents. Sora serves as the brains of the duo, while Shiro possesses extraordinary computational skills, allowing her to perform complex calculations during gameplay.
Together, they can achieve extraordinary feats in the gaming world, such as defeating 1,200 players in an MMO with just their characters, consistently outsmarting opponents, and even defeating the game’s god. Their skills allow them to perform tasks that seem impossible, such as mastering an entire language within an hour and memorizing every country that could potentially exist within the game world.
