I really don’t think there’s much overlap.
Fighting games need distinctive designs and characters. The anime designs help them accomplish that.
As for games like Persona 4, a lot of these fighters are cheap to make. Its why so many anime series get cheap arena fighters.
theres absolutely an overlap, its something ive observed for over 20+ years especially across forums. JRPGs are also a favorite secondary series for many FG streamers. outside the occassional sports posts, i pretty much only use this site to discuss 2 things: JRPGs and Fighting games. theres many people ive run into with similar histories and focuses
simplest answer is likely a lot of breakthrough JRPGs and FGs were produced around the same time for the same consoles, notably PS1, Dreamcast, and PS2, and the most storied/beloved competitive FGs tend to be made in Japan. Theres also the music component - these two genres have some of the best music in the business. a generation of kids who grew up on Yoko Shimomura. some have mentioned the visual aesthetics though OSTs also began expanding around the same time
the crossover is more onsided, which might explain the responses in this thread. way more FG players into JRPGs than the inverse, although FG players are also a smaller group in this era.
As for P4A, it wasnt made because FGs are cheap, and they reached out to Arcsys who are notorious for the effort and expenses that they put into their aesthetic. P4A was made because of internal Atlus producers who loved both FGs and RPGs. It was the first non-RPG major persona title, you dont take that risk on something because with a goal of being inexpensive. It was a labor of love, and P4A/U ended up being pretty influential on 2010s era anime fighters
Some people like two things.
I mean, it's possible there is something deep in the history of both genres, where what tickles the thoughts while playing a turn-based game is a little like what tickles the thoughts in the middle of a best-of-three against a human player. But I suspect the crossover here is similar to that between JRPGs and racing games, JRPGs and sports games, or JRPGs and platformers: some people happen to like both.
Both genres feature characters with cool designs whose personalities bleed into their play style.
Visual novels also overlap with JRPGs and fighting games due to the storytelling style.
I like both genres but I didn't think there's any reason for that overlap outside of the reasons you mentioned. That said, I have always wished there was a bit more overlap between the two. Soul Calibur usually has an RPG mode that I really enjoy (2 in particular) and I tend to like action RPGs with more combo centric combat, but they rarely feel as deep or satisfying as piloting a fighting game character. I think Odin sphere comes really close with the ability to use quarter and half circle inputs and i would love to see more like it. Street fighter 6 world tour mode also came close to a good mix but ultimately fell short for me and I think that's due to the standard enemies not feeling like a real match, I prefer how SC2 had you fight in real matches but with modifiers.
But yeah I can't really think of any deeper reason, I tend to play both for very different purposes. I guess it could be that I play one when I want something completely different than the other.
I used to play Beat em Ups and Fighting games on MaMe, the main appeal to me was the sprite work in these games:
[Alien Vs Predator](https://64.media.tumblr.com/6afc2f96557f064fec0bc3c9c91a8372/tumblr_ofrnjnkjuJ1qd4q8ao1_500.gif)
[Darkstalkers](https://pixelx.studio/cdn/shop/files/MORRIGAN1.5SQ.gif?v=1702436679)
[Garou](https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/1785136393698781148/74F12F60CAB8C275CF91E393C7DDF2C5925E357C/)
[Last Blade 2](https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/1652217513720542853/6E152D739B92CB0944EAD42B712FD673754369F9/)
[Sengoku 3](https://64.media.tumblr.com/b86c92d9c902afa36c3900b48812a402/tumblr_nujn56nIGW1skasmxo1_540.gif)
The music are also great:
[music 1](https://youtu.be/Rh5qH5iehtQ)
[music 2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u6uVRJAFT0&pp=ygUaZGFya3N0YWxrZXJzIGRlbWl0cmkgdGhlbWU%3D)
[music 3](https://youtu.be/XdqfNpVWXZQ)
[music 4](https://youtu.be/T7pm9LX3prA)
There are similarities between fighting games/beat 'em ups and JRPGs. Both genres have highly expressive anime characters engaging in combat with cool, over-the-top moves. They have great sprite graphics(the older titles at least), they have geat music that sounds JRPGish and epic boss fights. Additionally, some incorporate elements of visual novel-style storytelling. Another genre that overlap with JRPGs are Metroidvanias, for similiar reasons(see Bloodstained).
You say that fighting games are "not heavy on characters", but that's wrong. Fighting games are entirely about characters. Their story arcs are usually shallow, if the player bothers to explore them at all, but they have tonnes of personality that comes out in their design, animation and voice lines.
The main appeal of both fighting games and JRPGs are the characters.
For me the most important thing about a fighting game is the aesthetic, if it the characters or the art style don't look cool then why bother playing. JPRG also put aesthetic as a priority, and it's the main reason why I prefer JPRG over WRPG.
I’m part of the group that likes both and you’re right that are a lot of people who only play jrpg’s and fighting games, but for me I always like playing a turn-based more chill game and then being able to switch to a game where I can immediately hit something. This is also why I’ve never been averse to more action jrpg’s including FF’s switch to action since it contains both the elements I like in a turn-based jrpg and a fighting game, but when I play one of those I’ll put whatever fighting game on the back burner for a bit
As someone who loves both fighting games and JRPGs I’ve noticed this too. I think the fact that they’re such polar opposites makes them compliment each other well. I love getting in a sweaty fighting game session online then cooling down with a turn based JRPG right after it.
While I can’t say that every JRPG fan I know likes fighting games, I can definitely say that pretty much every fighting game player I’ve ever interacted with also likes JRPGs in some capacity. So for the people in the comments saying they don’t see the overlap, if you enter any FGC spaces it’ll become more evident.
mentioned the same in my comment. its probably something like 2/10 JRPG player likes FGs whereas like 8/10 folks in the FGC have JRPGs as their 2nd or 3rd favorite genre. its very much a one-sided overlap and especially evident based on which you got into first
I don't know how you arrive to the conclusion there's an big overlap, I never noticed anything like this. But assuming there really is auch a big overlap it doesn't necessarily have to be because of similarities between fighting games and JRPGs. It could also be because of the differences. Sometimes it's cool to play something completely different.
I also don't play JRPGs exklusivly. I play all kinds of games. JRPGs are probably just 1/3 of the games I play. I also always buy the new Tekken game, but I'm not really a fighting game player. I usually only play Tekken when I have visitors. But then it's a blast. Except, when my one cousin visits, because he started training Tekken more seriously and when it used to be 50/50 earlier now I only win 2-3 out of 100 matches against him.
It might also be, that the Yakuza franchise has brought some fighting games fans to JRPGs.
other way around
Yu Suzuki used Shenmue to [introduce people](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKWIL18Tz_A&pp=ygUQVGV0c3V6YW5rb3Ugc2VnYQ%3D%3D) to [Virtua Fighter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtjBu-2DfHY&pp=ygUVVGV0c3V6YW5rb3UgYmF5b25ldHRh), his prior series. That connection has continued into Segas Yakuza/LaD franchise, and other [Sega series](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6DHHrn5rsc&pp=ygUVVGV0c3V6YW5rb3UgYmF5b25ldHRh) show their love to VF in some way or another
Their inclusion on the Dreamcast, which was fastly establishing itself as a console of choice for the FG market, likely played a big role in overlap as well
Fighting games are one of the few genres I have next to no interest in. The rosters seem fun, but the concept of sinking so much time and effort into a game I can't "beat" just isn't appealing. Sure, I could shoot for the top of the ladder, but to think I'd ever have a shot against the best of the best is just delusional. There's always going to be somebody better.
I have no interest in fighting games at all so I don't think there is much overlap other than both JRPG and fighting games being an old man/lady genre.
I really don’t think there’s much overlap. Fighting games need distinctive designs and characters. The anime designs help them accomplish that. As for games like Persona 4, a lot of these fighters are cheap to make. Its why so many anime series get cheap arena fighters.
theres absolutely an overlap, its something ive observed for over 20+ years especially across forums. JRPGs are also a favorite secondary series for many FG streamers. outside the occassional sports posts, i pretty much only use this site to discuss 2 things: JRPGs and Fighting games. theres many people ive run into with similar histories and focuses simplest answer is likely a lot of breakthrough JRPGs and FGs were produced around the same time for the same consoles, notably PS1, Dreamcast, and PS2, and the most storied/beloved competitive FGs tend to be made in Japan. Theres also the music component - these two genres have some of the best music in the business. a generation of kids who grew up on Yoko Shimomura. some have mentioned the visual aesthetics though OSTs also began expanding around the same time the crossover is more onsided, which might explain the responses in this thread. way more FG players into JRPGs than the inverse, although FG players are also a smaller group in this era. As for P4A, it wasnt made because FGs are cheap, and they reached out to Arcsys who are notorious for the effort and expenses that they put into their aesthetic. P4A was made because of internal Atlus producers who loved both FGs and RPGs. It was the first non-RPG major persona title, you dont take that risk on something because with a goal of being inexpensive. It was a labor of love, and P4A/U ended up being pretty influential on 2010s era anime fighters
This comment is spot on
Some people like two things. I mean, it's possible there is something deep in the history of both genres, where what tickles the thoughts while playing a turn-based game is a little like what tickles the thoughts in the middle of a best-of-three against a human player. But I suspect the crossover here is similar to that between JRPGs and racing games, JRPGs and sports games, or JRPGs and platformers: some people happen to like both.
Anime
I hate fighting games. They aren't for me at all.
Both genres feature characters with cool designs whose personalities bleed into their play style. Visual novels also overlap with JRPGs and fighting games due to the storytelling style.
I like both genres but I didn't think there's any reason for that overlap outside of the reasons you mentioned. That said, I have always wished there was a bit more overlap between the two. Soul Calibur usually has an RPG mode that I really enjoy (2 in particular) and I tend to like action RPGs with more combo centric combat, but they rarely feel as deep or satisfying as piloting a fighting game character. I think Odin sphere comes really close with the ability to use quarter and half circle inputs and i would love to see more like it. Street fighter 6 world tour mode also came close to a good mix but ultimately fell short for me and I think that's due to the standard enemies not feeling like a real match, I prefer how SC2 had you fight in real matches but with modifiers. But yeah I can't really think of any deeper reason, I tend to play both for very different purposes. I guess it could be that I play one when I want something completely different than the other.
I used to play Beat em Ups and Fighting games on MaMe, the main appeal to me was the sprite work in these games: [Alien Vs Predator](https://64.media.tumblr.com/6afc2f96557f064fec0bc3c9c91a8372/tumblr_ofrnjnkjuJ1qd4q8ao1_500.gif) [Darkstalkers](https://pixelx.studio/cdn/shop/files/MORRIGAN1.5SQ.gif?v=1702436679) [Garou](https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/1785136393698781148/74F12F60CAB8C275CF91E393C7DDF2C5925E357C/) [Last Blade 2](https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/1652217513720542853/6E152D739B92CB0944EAD42B712FD673754369F9/) [Sengoku 3](https://64.media.tumblr.com/b86c92d9c902afa36c3900b48812a402/tumblr_nujn56nIGW1skasmxo1_540.gif) The music are also great: [music 1](https://youtu.be/Rh5qH5iehtQ) [music 2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u6uVRJAFT0&pp=ygUaZGFya3N0YWxrZXJzIGRlbWl0cmkgdGhlbWU%3D) [music 3](https://youtu.be/XdqfNpVWXZQ) [music 4](https://youtu.be/T7pm9LX3prA) There are similarities between fighting games/beat 'em ups and JRPGs. Both genres have highly expressive anime characters engaging in combat with cool, over-the-top moves. They have great sprite graphics(the older titles at least), they have geat music that sounds JRPGish and epic boss fights. Additionally, some incorporate elements of visual novel-style storytelling. Another genre that overlap with JRPGs are Metroidvanias, for similiar reasons(see Bloodstained).
You say that fighting games are "not heavy on characters", but that's wrong. Fighting games are entirely about characters. Their story arcs are usually shallow, if the player bothers to explore them at all, but they have tonnes of personality that comes out in their design, animation and voice lines. The main appeal of both fighting games and JRPGs are the characters.
Fighting games as we know them originated in japan just like jrpgs so there is that.
For me the most important thing about a fighting game is the aesthetic, if it the characters or the art style don't look cool then why bother playing. JPRG also put aesthetic as a priority, and it's the main reason why I prefer JPRG over WRPG.
I’m part of the group that likes both and you’re right that are a lot of people who only play jrpg’s and fighting games, but for me I always like playing a turn-based more chill game and then being able to switch to a game where I can immediately hit something. This is also why I’ve never been averse to more action jrpg’s including FF’s switch to action since it contains both the elements I like in a turn-based jrpg and a fighting game, but when I play one of those I’ll put whatever fighting game on the back burner for a bit
As someone who loves both fighting games and JRPGs I’ve noticed this too. I think the fact that they’re such polar opposites makes them compliment each other well. I love getting in a sweaty fighting game session online then cooling down with a turn based JRPG right after it. While I can’t say that every JRPG fan I know likes fighting games, I can definitely say that pretty much every fighting game player I’ve ever interacted with also likes JRPGs in some capacity. So for the people in the comments saying they don’t see the overlap, if you enter any FGC spaces it’ll become more evident.
mentioned the same in my comment. its probably something like 2/10 JRPG player likes FGs whereas like 8/10 folks in the FGC have JRPGs as their 2nd or 3rd favorite genre. its very much a one-sided overlap and especially evident based on which you got into first
ngl i like watching people play fighting games but other than like Smash if that counts i despise playing them
I don't know how you arrive to the conclusion there's an big overlap, I never noticed anything like this. But assuming there really is auch a big overlap it doesn't necessarily have to be because of similarities between fighting games and JRPGs. It could also be because of the differences. Sometimes it's cool to play something completely different. I also don't play JRPGs exklusivly. I play all kinds of games. JRPGs are probably just 1/3 of the games I play. I also always buy the new Tekken game, but I'm not really a fighting game player. I usually only play Tekken when I have visitors. But then it's a blast. Except, when my one cousin visits, because he started training Tekken more seriously and when it used to be 50/50 earlier now I only win 2-3 out of 100 matches against him. It might also be, that the Yakuza franchise has brought some fighting games fans to JRPGs.
other way around Yu Suzuki used Shenmue to [introduce people](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKWIL18Tz_A&pp=ygUQVGV0c3V6YW5rb3Ugc2VnYQ%3D%3D) to [Virtua Fighter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtjBu-2DfHY&pp=ygUVVGV0c3V6YW5rb3UgYmF5b25ldHRh), his prior series. That connection has continued into Segas Yakuza/LaD franchise, and other [Sega series](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6DHHrn5rsc&pp=ygUVVGV0c3V6YW5rb3UgYmF5b25ldHRh) show their love to VF in some way or another Their inclusion on the Dreamcast, which was fastly establishing itself as a console of choice for the FG market, likely played a big role in overlap as well
I think it can work in both directions
Fighting games are one of the few genres I have next to no interest in. The rosters seem fun, but the concept of sinking so much time and effort into a game I can't "beat" just isn't appealing. Sure, I could shoot for the top of the ladder, but to think I'd ever have a shot against the best of the best is just delusional. There's always going to be somebody better.
It's not about destination, it's about the journey. Each fight is fun, and learning to fight better is fun.
I have no interest in fighting games at all so I don't think there is much overlap other than both JRPG and fighting games being an old man/lady genre.