Polygon’s coverage of the surprise Jujutsu Kaisen fighting game from a legendary studio reminded everyone that anime brawlers are not a dead genre — they are just selective about when to surface. While that JJK project is still on the road to release, PC players who got the hype and want to scratch the itch tonight have a healthier selection on Steam than at any point in the past decade. Rollback netcode is now standard, character rosters span the full spectrum from Shonen Jump to original IP, and the input barrier is lower thanks to modern training modes.
We ranked seven anime fighting game apps for PC. The list mixes 2.5D Arc System Works flagships, Bandai Namco’s anime adaptations, and one party-friendly entry. Every pick runs natively on Windows with rollback netcode (or close enough to keep online matches playable).
What to look for in an anime fighting game on PC
- Rollback netcode. Without it, online play falls apart over distance. Every pick on this list ships with rollback or a competitive substitute.
- Robust training mode. Anime fighters demand combo memorisation. The trainer needs frame data, hitbox display, and a recordable dummy.
- Active online lobby. A great fighting game with zero players is the worst part of PC gaming. Population matters.
- Roster depth. A 15-character roster runs dry fast. The best entries open with 20+ and add via DLC.
- Single-player content. Story mode and arcade-style ladders cushion the learning curve before you queue ranked.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Platforms | Free plan | Starting price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- | Modern competitive anime fighter | Windows | Free weekends | $59.99 | Very Positive |
| Dragon Ball FighterZ | Tag-team Shonen action | Windows | Free trial | $59.99 | Very Positive |
| Sparking! ZERO | 3D Budokai-style arena fighter | Windows | No | $69.99 | Mostly Positive |
| BlazBlue Centralfiction | Long-form 2D combo system | Windows | No | $19.99 | Very Positive |
| Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising | Approachable anime fighter | Windows | Open beta windows | $49.99 | Very Positive |
| Persona 4 Arena Ultimax | Persona crossover fighter | Windows | No | $19.99 | Very Positive |
| Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash | Tag-team JJK roster | Windows | Demo | $59.99 | Mixed |
The 7 best anime fighting game apps on PC
1. GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- — best for modern competitive anime fighting
GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- by Arc System Works is the genre flagship. The rollback netcode is the gold standard, the art style is the most realised cel-shaded look in any fighter, and the season passes have kept the roster fresh through 2026 with characters like Slayer, Asuka R, A.B.A., and now beyond. The system is approachable for newcomers (clear inputs, a forgiving combo trial) and deep enough for tournament play.
For anime fighter fans on PC, this is the default pick. EVO finals are usually on it, and the player base is the largest of any pure anime fighter on Steam.
Where it falls short: Season passes layer the budget. Some characters are paywalled until later seasons. The training-room tutorial leaves veterans wanting more.
Pricing:
- Free: Free weekends quarterly
- Paid: $59.99 base, season passes $24.99 each
- Cloud saves: Yes via Steam
Platforms: Windows, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2
Download: GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- on Steam
Bottom line: The default anime fighter on PC. Start here unless you have a specific franchise loyalty.
2. Dragon Ball FighterZ — best for tag-team Shonen spectacle
Dragon Ball FighterZ by Arc System Works is the anime adaptation that nailed it. Three-character teams (one active, two assists), combo routes that quote anime scenes shot-for-shot, and a roster spanning Z, Super, and GT eras give Dragon Ball fans the spectacle the franchise deserves. The competitive scene is one of the most stable in the genre.
For anime fighter newcomers, this is the easiest sell. The visuals teach you what is happening before you understand the system.
Where it falls short: Roster is mostly Dragon Ball Z (some Super and GT). Combo execution is more demanding than its visuals suggest. Some assist setups dominate competitive play.
Pricing:
- Free: Free trial weekends
- Paid: $59.99 base, FighterZ Pass adds DLC characters
- Cloud saves: Yes via Steam
Platforms: Windows, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series, Switch
Download: Dragon Ball FighterZ on Steam
Bottom line: The most cinematic anime fighter ever made.
3. DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO — best for 3D Budokai-style arena
DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO by Spike Chunsoft is the modern revival of the Budokai Tenkaichi 3D arena fighter format. Roster of 180+ characters across every Dragon Ball series, full destructible terrain, and combat that flies across the sky and through mountains. This is the casual / party version of the Dragon Ball fighter for players who want spectacle over frame-data depth.
For Dragon Ball fans who grew up on Budokai Tenkaichi 3 and want it back, Sparking! ZERO is the answer.
Where it falls short: Online netcode is weaker than FighterZ. Some character balance issues with high-tier picks. Story mode is dense but follows the same beats as previous adaptations.
Pricing:
- Free: No, demos at launch windows
- Paid: $69.99 base, Deluxe Edition $89.99
- Cloud saves: Yes via Steam
Platforms: Windows, PS5, Xbox Series
Download: DRAGON BALL: Sparking! ZERO on Steam
Bottom line: The best modern Budokai Tenkaichi successor with the biggest Dragon Ball roster on PC.
4. BlazBlue Centralfiction — best for long-form 2D combos
BlazBlue Centralfiction by Arc System Works is the long-form combo fighter. The Drive system per character means each fighter has a unique mechanical identity (Ragna drinks life, Hakumen has magatama gauge, Litchi pole-stances mid-combo), and combos can run 20+ hits with practice. The story mode is famously long (40+ hours of visual-novel text) and the netcode received rollback patches.
For anime fighter fans who like deep system mastery on a single character, BlazBlue is the most rewarding pick on the list.
Where it falls short: Story is text-heavy in a way that polarises Western players. Cast can feel overwhelming for newcomers. Some online activity has thinned post-Strive.
Pricing:
- Free: No
- Paid: $19.99 base, complete edition with DLC $29.99 (regular discounts to $7.99)
- Cloud saves: Yes via Steam
Platforms: Windows, PS3, PS4, Switch, Xbox
Download: BlazBlue Centralfiction on Steam
Bottom line: The deepest 2D anime fighter on the list. Pick if you want to master a single character for years.
5. Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising — best for approachable anime fighting
Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising by Arc System Works is the most newcomer-friendly anime fighter. The Triple Attack auto-combo system lets new players hit cinematic supers with one button while still leaving room for advanced inputs. The Granblue Fantasy IP brings 25+ characters with distinct designs, and the team-up mode (asynchronous co-op vs CPU) softens the ranked grind.
For anime fans who want to learn the genre without bouncing off frame data, Rising is the right entry point.
Where it falls short: Population is smaller than Strive. Some advanced players find auto-combos make matches feel less precise. Tournament scene is mid-tier compared to Strive or FighterZ.
Pricing:
- Free: Open beta windows for new characters
- Paid: $49.99 base, Deluxe Edition $79.99 (regular discounts to $24.99)
- Cloud saves: Yes via Steam
Platforms: Windows, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series
Download: Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising on Steam
Bottom line: The friendliest anime fighter on the list with no compromises on depth.
6. Persona 4 Arena Ultimax — best for Persona crossover
Persona 4 Arena Ultimax by Atlus and Arc System Works is the cult favourite that finally got a proper PC release with rollback. The Persona summons add a tag-team feel to a 1v1 fighter, the cast spans Persona 3 and Persona 4, and the story mode is the most generous in the genre (a full visual-novel chapter per character).
For Persona fans, this is the only fighter on PC that gives Mitsuru, Yu, Aigis, and Yukiko proper fight game treatment.
Where it falls short: Roster size is mid-tier (22 characters). Some balance is uneven. Online population is smaller than mainstream anime fighters.
Pricing:
- Free: No, occasional Steam free weekends
- Paid: $19.99 base (regular discounts to $7.99)
- Cloud saves: Yes via Steam
Platforms: Windows, Switch, PS4, Xbox One
Download: Persona 4 Arena Ultimax on Steam
Bottom line: A Persona fighter that respects both Personas and fighting mechanics.
7. Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash — best for tag-team JJK roster
Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash by Bandai Namco is the 2v2 tag-team JJK fighter that landed in early 2024. The roster covers Gojo, Yuji, Megumi, Nobara, Sukuna, Mahito, Jogo, and a strong list of cursed spirits. Combat is arena-style (3D arenas, flight, ranged techniques) rather than 2D plane-bound. The story mode covers Shibuya Incident arc.
For JJK fans waiting on the upcoming legendary-studio entry, Cursed Clash is the cheapest current option that delivers a full roster with full English and Japanese voiceovers.
Where it falls short: Critical reception was mixed; the combat depth lags pure anime fighters. Some characters share movesets with mild reskins. Online population varies by region.
Pricing:
- Free: Demo at launch
- Paid: $59.99 base, Deluxe with season pass $89.99 (regular discounts to $14.99)
- Cloud saves: Yes via Steam
Platforms: Windows, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series, Switch
Download: Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash on Steam
Bottom line: The current JJK fighter on PC. Pick on discount while waiting for the next legendary-studio entry.
How to pick the right one
- If you want the genre default: GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE-.
- If Dragon Ball is the reason you searched: Dragon Ball FighterZ for 2D tag, Sparking! ZERO for 3D arena.
- If you want years of mastery on one character: BlazBlue Centralfiction.
- If you are new to fighters: Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising.
- If Persona is the franchise: Persona 4 Arena Ultimax.
- If JJK is the reason: Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash on discount.
FAQ
What is the best anime fighting game on PC right now?
GUILTY GEAR -STRIVE- by player count and tournament presence. Dragon Ball FighterZ is a close second if Shonen tag-team is your style.
Do these games have rollback netcode?
Yes. Every pick on this list ships with rollback or has been patched in. BlazBlue Centralfiction’s rollback is a community patch rather than first-party but works cleanly.
What is the cheapest anime fighter on Steam?
BlazBlue Centralfiction and Persona 4 Arena Ultimax regularly discount under $10.
Is the upcoming Jujutsu Kaisen game out yet?
The new Jujutsu Kaisen project from a legendary studio is in development per the June 2026 reveals. Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash is the existing fighter while we wait.
Can I play these on a controller or do I need a fight stick?
Modern controllers work for all seven picks. Fight sticks help on Strive and BlazBlue at high-level play, but they are not required.
Which has the biggest character roster?
Sparking! ZERO with 180+ Dragon Ball characters. Strive has the biggest non-Dragon-Ball roster with the season passes counted.
