Anima: Beyond Fantasy

ABF · Anima: Beyond Fantasy · Anima RPG

Anima: Beyond Fantasy

Anima: Beyond Fantasy is high fantasy viewed through an anime lens. You’ll encounter vast empires, masked villains, secret orders, and blade-on-blade duels on sky bridges. The world invites grand emotions and precise style. Players appreciate the ability to customise a character, from mystical swordsman to court sorcerer to psychic agent. A professional Game Master channels that energy into vivid scenes, character drama, and set-piece battles that feel like a season premiere.

A session alternates between fast tactical clashes and story beats that reward clever choices. Newcomers can jump in with prebuilt heroes, while detail enthusiasts can delve deep between sessions. It’s perfect for birthdays and team events seeking cinematic action, as well as campaigns that relish politics and power growth. Ready to find the right guide for your table? Browse Game Masters who run Anima, either in person or online.

How to play Anima: Beyond Fantasy

At the table, you act in scenes. When the outcome is uncertain, you roll percentile dice, add your skill or combat bonuses, and try to beat a difficulty or an opponent’s roll. Combat is opposed, with your attack tested against a block or dodge, then damage and critical effects resolved. Exceptional success can push you higher, and mistakes can snowball, so fights feel dynamic and cinematic.

You bring a character concept and a flair for stylish action. Choose a fighting style, spell path, or psychic focus, then describe how you look and move. A professional Game Master provides prebuilt options, cheat sheets, and clear calls so the crunch never stalls. For remote tables, they set up online play with shared sheets and dice.

In a one-shot, expect a self-contained mission with two to three set pieces and time to showcase signature moves. Advancement is streamlined, and characters may be provided. In a campaign, you grow into techniques, unlock Ki abilities, research spells, craft gear, and engage with factions and rival champions. Political arcs and long rivalries shine over multiple sessions.

Group of friends play Dungeons & Dragons, laughing and role-playing at the game table
Group of friends play Dungeons & Dragons, laughing and role-playing at the game table
Close-up of a purple six-sided die with a gold number 5, used for tabletop role-playing games and dungeons and dragons games.
Close-up of a purple six-sided die with a gold number 5, used for tabletop role-playing games and dungeons and dragons games.

Common questions

Do I need to know the rules of Anima before we play?

No. You bring a hero concept and some anime inspiration. A professional Game Master provides you with a simple starting sheet and the few actions you need to kick off. They call for rolls, interpret results, and maintain the pace. New players can use pre-generated characters or a quick-build template. You learn the rules as they become relevant, rather than all at once. If you enjoy the depth, your GM can introduce options between sessions, such as new techniques or spells, without slowing down the game.

Which edition do you run, Core Exxet or First Edition?

Many Game Masters prefer Core Exxet, the Revised Core, as it streamlines skills and combat options. Some are able to run 1st Edition upon request. If you bring a 1e character, the conversion is typically minimal, involving adjustments to development costs, secondary abilities, or a technique’s prerequisites. Check a GM’s listing for their edition, or inquire during booking. You can browse available Game Masters here: find a GM for Anima.

How does Anima differ from D&D at the table?

Characters use point buy with professions instead of fixed classes, allowing for highly customised builds. You can mix martial techniques, magic, and psychic powers from the outset. Defence is an action, so deciding whether to parry or evade is significant. Armour reduces damage rather than just making you harder to hit. The tone leans towards anime, with signature moves, rival duels, and secret orders taking centre stage. If you enjoy dramatic set pieces and personalised characters, Anima offers a unique twist on dungeon-first fantasy.

What group size and session length are ideal for Anima?

Anima works best with 2 to 6 players, with 3 to 5 being the ideal range to ensure each hero gets their moment in the spotlight. A typical session lasts between 3 to 4 hours. The first encounter for a new group may take longer as everyone familiarises themselves with their options, but it tends to speed up thereafter. One-shots usually consist of two to three scenes, allowing time for players to showcase their signature moves. For groups of 5 or 6 players, using pregenerated characters can help the game run more smoothly. Campaigns benefit from regular sessions of 3 to 4 hours.

Is Anima appropriate for children or teenagers?

Yes, with the right setup. The rules are detailed, so it works best for ages 12 and up who enjoy anime action and can manage a few options. A professional Game Master can simplify choices, provide pregenerated characters, and keep scenes clear. Content can be tailored to be teen-friendly, featuring stylised combat and fade-to-black for sensitive topics. Safety tools and boundaries are available upon request. For younger kids, consider a lighter system or plan a shorter Anima one-shot with streamlined choices.

What do I need to bring, and how do you run it online?

In person, two ten-sided dice for percentile rolls are useful, along with a pencil and your character sheet. Miniatures are optional. Your Game Master can provide sheets, reference cards, and maps or tokens. Online play is seamless with shared sheets, integrated dice, and voice or video. Many GMs run Anima on popular virtual tabletops. See what online setups they use here: how online play works.

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Genres you can play in Anima: Beyond Fantasy

  • by Amber

    Anime

    Big emotions, bold archetypes, and dynamic battles. Assemble your crew, exchange witty banter, and advance in narratives that resonate like…

    View genre: Anime
  • Heroic

    Stand tall, make the right choice, and triumph in the end. Heroic games evoke the spirit of The Lord of the Rings, featuring bold oaths…

    View genre: Heroic
  • Epic

    Grand tales of world-altering stakes and legendary heroes, from the initial spark to the final showdown. Imagine the scale of The Lord of…

    View genre: Epic
  • Occult

    Candlelit rituals, cryptic symbols, and whispered conspiracies. Imagine The X-Files as you pursue clues through secret lodges and concealed…

    View genre: Occult
  • Pirate

    Salt spray, creaking decks, and cutlass duels as you pursue treasure and rivals across treacherous waters. Swashbuckling adventure…

    View genre: Pirate

What players are saying

  • First of all, I want to say that Sebastian was really great as a DM. For his first run as a booked DM, he did a fantastic job. The 3 stars refer to the following: 1. We were disappointed that the adventure was labelled a One Shot yet wasn't a complete story. Discovering that there are two more parts wasn't very positive for us, as it meant there was no satisfying conclusion to the story. 2. As new players, it was difficult for us to understand the English character sheets in such a short time. In German, it would have been much easier. Even receiving the character sheets a few days in advance would have been helpful for preparation. 3. More guidance would be beneficial. Especially for beginners, a more linear one shot would have been preferable. We wasted a large portion of the adventure time doing unnecessary things because we didn't really know how the game worked. Overall, I think the StoryForgers concept is really good and I see a lot of potential in it, especially for introducing new players to D&D. I hope you don't take my feedback the wrong way but as honest criticism. Cheers, Mario

    Mario

  • Bryan was exceptional. We had a group with varied experience levels, and he managed to keep everyone engaged and involved. His positive attitude made the game enjoyable for all. I really appreciated how he could clearly explain what was needed for our less experienced players while keeping our more seasoned players on their toes with his extensive knowledge of the game. Everyone in our party had a fantastic time thanks to Bryan.

    Jeremy

  • Dayron was fantastic. Well-prepared, punctual, and had a brilliant sense of humour.

    Corey

  • Dayron was fantastic; he provided an excellent experience. Thanks!

    Casey

    The Merry Meeple

  • The game was incredibly engaging. I organised a session as a gift for my boyfriend, who is really passionate about it, and he was very pleased and appreciated Leonardo's professionalism. I don't have much experience with DnD, but I found the game to be quite straightforward and enjoyable.

    Marina

  • Baptiste was a fantastic GM who adapted seamlessly to our group and helped us make great progress in this one-shot. However, there was one issue with the character sheets provided; they were not complete or clear. Some of the French translations were quite rough. For instance, our cleric was missing spells, including a healing spell, even though they were meant to have some.

    Pierre

  • Rachel was fantastic; my daughter and her friends left their game saying it was the most fun they’d ever had, and my daughter wanted to sign up for another game with her straight away. She was friendly, and her approach let the players immerse themselves in the game by giving them control over how they wanted their actions to unfold. I would definitely work with her again.

    John

  • A great first experience with D&D. Amber was excellent at explaining and guiding the game, allowing us as players to quickly get into the flow and focus on the story. Collaborating on attack strategies with my colleagues was a fun activity that provided valuable insights into each other's characters, thought processes, and differences. Overall, I found it to be a very enjoyable session.

    Jens

    Triodos Bank N.V.

  • Pim is truly a legend as a DM! He's cheerful, adaptable, and incredibly experienced. With a group of novice players, he managed to create an amazing experience in just a few hours. He maintained control in a fun manner and engaged every player in the story, whether they were vocal or reserved. If you go adventuring with him, it will certainly be unforgettable!

    Jens

    Triodos Bank N.V.

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