Ananta: It's GTA in Anime Style and It Looks Suddenly Fun and Well Done

Ananta's Anime-Style GTA Debut Stirs Buzz at Tokyo Game Show 2025

Ananta, originally known as Project Mugen, is NetEase Games' latest major project, developed with Hangzhou-based studio Naked Rain. The game created significant buzz at the Tokyo Game Show 2025. At Makuhari Messe, it was prominently featured, drawing long queues for its popular demo and sparking widespread interest in its merchandise. While Ananta does not claim to revolutionize gaming, its rapid ascent into public discourse has been notable. It has garnered comparisons to Grand Theft Auto with an anime aesthetic, generating both anticipation from fans and skepticism from those who view it as derivative.

Ananta's Anime-Infused Open-World Masterpiece Sparks Gaming Revolution at Tokyo Game Show 2025

Ananta was undoubtedly a standout title at the Tokyo Game Show 2025. Dubbed by some as "GTA animated" or even a "GTA killer," the game's ambitious open-world design has drawn considerable attention. While dethroning Grand Theft Auto remains a tall order, Ananta's grand scale is evident, reportedly involving up to 800 developers. This extensive development effort may contribute to its polished presentation and smooth gameplay, which reviewers noted integrated elements from Grand Theft Auto V, Uncharted 4, Spider-Man 2, Sleeping Dogs, and Watch Dogs into an anime-style package. The demo showcased a rich experience encompassing exploration, combat, and driving within a vibrant Nova City, suggesting a game brimming with activity and diverse interactions.

Ananta's Diverse Heroes and Unique Abilities in a Free-to-Play Open-World Adventure

Players will control multiple characters, each possessing distinct styles and abilities. Captain, a young protagonist, can manifest arm tentacles to swing across environments like Spider-Man or engage enemies in dynamic combos, reminiscent of Sleeping Dogs and Batman: Arkham series' free-flow combat. Taffy, recognizable by her rabbit ears, navigates the city on a scooter-Segway hybrid. Richie, a cop with a dragon tail, has the ability to interact with NPCs for various checks, including breathalyzers. Seymour, a masked hacker, utilizes drones to infiltrate systems, much like in Watch Dogs. The game allows for seamless character switching, inspired by Grand Theft Auto V's camera zoom-out transition. Remarkably, Ananta is planned as a free-to-play title where all characters are unlocked through story progression, eschewing "gacha" mechanics. Monetization will focus solely on cosmetic items, such as outfits and interior decorations.

Open-World Anime Metropolis: Nova City - A GTA-Inspired Adventure

Gameplay footage from the Tokyo Game Show 2025 highlighted Nova City as a highly detailed and lively environment. It features numerous NPCs, flashing signs, and a multitude of activities. While not every building is accessible, many interiors, including shops, gyms, and stores, can be explored. The game also offers extensive customization, with a detailed character creator and a vast wardrobe. Nova City is depicted as a stylized metropolis akin to Tokyo, with narrow streets, neon-lit districts, and bustling neighborhoods. Interaction is a core element, with nearly every corner offering an event or an NPC to engage with. Exploration methods are diverse: Captain can tentacle-swing between buildings, Taffy can swiftly move on her scooter-Segway, and players can utilize public transport or commandeer vehicles in a manner similar to Grand Theft Auto. Flyable helicopters have also been confirmed, indicating a truly expansive world.

Open-World Anime Action: Ananta's Graphics Shine Amidst Gameplay Critiques

The demo at the Tokyo Game Show 2025 also presented specific action sequences, including high-speed highway chases, intense skirmishes against armed adversaries, and dynamic use of Captain's tentacles, including a moment reminiscent of Nathan Drake's muddy ordeal in Uncharted 4. However, the demo was not without its criticisms; some journalists reported that vehicle handling occasionally felt unwieldy, and close-quarters combat sometimes lacked impact. Despite these points, Ananta's graphics were widely praised. While its "waifu" art style may not appeal to all, it resonated strongly with Asian audiences at TGS. Given NetEase's track record with titles like Genshin Impact, NetEase will refine gameplay elements before the final release. Ananta is slated for release on PC, PlayStation 5, and mobile platforms sometime in the future, with further details expected as development progresses.

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