Undeniably Japanese Anime, specifically those now considered to be cult classics, have had a profound impact upon the video gaming industry and have even lead to the construction of several much loved genres. Therefore, this article shall be examining the influence of Anime upon video gaming whilst keeping a specific focus upon the new wave of Anime influenced MMORPGS, specifically those having been derived from what is often described as Neo-punk or Mecha.

Before we begin delving into the complex relationships and intrinsic connections between Anime and video games, it is important to first gain an understanding of the historical foundation and to examine the philosophical ideologies underpinning several classic Anime features.

 In a historical context, one of the most controversial and yet influential Anime of all time was first released in 1988 and was of course, the featured length, cyber-punk themed Akira. This film, despite its highly philosophical and complex storyline, was a masterpiece of script writing and was quick to become known as one of the greatest cult classics of all time.

Several years after its original release in Japan, Akira began to make its way towards the US, despite protest by film makers Steven Spielberg and George Lucas who originally described the film as being unmarketable in the Western entertainment industries. Nevertheless, Akira was unlike anything audiences had ever seen before and soon swept through other Western countries, claiming countless fans upon its journey. Yet, not only did this film capture the imagination of many, it also reflected warnings of contemporary society and the worlds fascination with technological improvement – inevitably posing the question, at what point does man have to take a step back and admit that he has gone too far? At what point is man no longer entertaining notions of science and curiosity, but stepping into the realm of god himself. It was these notions and these philosophical underpinnings which influenced a new wave of creativity and spawned a new generation of science fiction fans, darker, bleaker and fuelled by the anarchy of a society gone mad with its own power and having torn itself asunder. Ah yes, I am sure that any who have seen the film and fully come to understand what is being said, would be unable to deny its undying influence upon entertainment, science fiction and of course the ideas, concepts and notions driving current games. However, despite setting the scene of technological revolution, it was the idea of the cyborg, the mechanised humanoid and the giant robot or the mech, which really shook things up and set the video game industry ablaze.

 For those of you still old enough to remember, it was in 1989, just one year following the release of Akira that one of the first giant robots, armed with rocket launchers mini-guns, high powered lasers and jet-packs, stepped onto the battlefield in the ever popular series MechWarrior. With guns blazing, metal being torn and rendered and great plumes of smoke rising up into the sky, the intense first-person action driving the MechWarrior series was an instant success having gamers hooked from the word Welcome too Game Over. However, despite being the first, one must ask the question, was it the best?

For a brief period there was a pause. Sure, there were countless games such as Steel Warrior trying to pick up what MechWarrior had created, simply attempting to cash in on the flavour of the month. However, as most of you well know, spin-offs are just that, spin-offs and can never match the atmosphere coined by the original. Despite the MechWarrior series continuing with several sequels, movies, cartoon series and toys and still holding its loyal fan base, a new generation of gamers and designers had emerged and from where they stood, inspiration was much needed. Luckily, it was during these years, several of the most popular Anime series ever created were released in both Japan and in-light of Akira’s success, across many western countries as well. Although many Akira fanatics would simply claim that these series were just pinking up where Akira left off, it is impossible to deny, that these new series, with fresh, crisp and sharp visuals, vibrant colours, entertaining characters, captivating story-lines and plots and non-stop, no-holds-barred, alien fighting, robot destroying action held something new, something which both fans and designers had been eagerly awaiting. Oh yes, the notion of the plodding giant robot was gone and in its place was a brilliant, sleek creation with all the unnatural destructive capabilities anyone could ever ask for and the fluid, acrobatic fighting skills reflected by most popular martial arts films. Enter the age of the ghost and Eva.

Released relatively close to the Ghost in the Shell Anime version, Neon-Genesis Evangelion was yet another mind blowing installation of technological warfare which was set to blow Anime fans off their seats and cast the mind’s of videogame developers in post-apocalyptic heaven. Not only did Neon-Genesis boast amazing visual appeal with state of the art animation, but the story line, in all its complexity, was unlike anything which had come before. Revolutionary in its context, Neon-Genesis tossed aside the whole rags-to-riches story line and the dashing hero, instead replacing them with philosophy, psychology; religious references and a gang of really messed up, ethnically diverse, teenagers.

Often described as the most popular Anime series of all time, Neon-Genesis introduced fans to both giant robots and the prospect of combat with angelical aliens from origins unknown. Though, clearly, not the first series to examine the prospect of man piloting machine, it was undeniably one of the most entertaining and inspirational, with countless fans, a mass torrent of spin-offs and not to mention plans for a sequel series, said to be released late this year.

 

Now with the foundation laid, I guess you are starting to wonder; where are you going with all of this and how does cyber-punk Anime relate to video games, especially MMORPGS. Well, the answer to that question is simple… however, as my class is about to start, you are just to have to wait for the next instalment, upon which, I will be examining some of the most popular cyber themed videogames and MMORPGS to have ever been released. So keep checking back and tell your friends, because the more hits I get, the more likely I am to hurry my lazy ass up.

Later peoples.