Hyped for GTA 6? Watch These 3 Anime While You Wait

Can't wait for GTA 6? Check out these 3 action anime with the exact same high-energy vibe, massive open worlds, and chaos to kill time before launch.

The latest entry in the GTA series, Grand Theft Auto VI, is set to release on November 19, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. I believe this is exciting news for a lot of people, as it is a globally renowned title, and I am quite confident it is going to achieve amazing sales worldwide once it officially releases.

November 19, 2026, is almost here, in just a few months, we will finally be able to give this amazing masterpiece a try. I know everyone is extremely excited for it, but before the official release, if you are looking for something to kill time, I am going to list three exciting anime in this post that will make the wait a whole lot easier.

Here’s a great YouTube video worth checking out.

GTA 6: The Latest Entry in a Legendary Franchise

Before we dive deep into this post and share the anime titles, let me share a bit of background about this globally renowned franchise. Grand Theft Auto is a world-famous IP that launched its very first game on November 28, 1997. For those who aren't familiar with it, GTA is an action-crime series that captivated players around the world right from the start.

Of course, the first game wasn't quite like the latest entry, it was a much simpler game, but it still focused on action and crime. Naturally, a game this unique attracted a ton of attention, and while plenty of people loved it, there were also plenty who were strongly against it.

Even though the game was mired in controversy, the team didn't give up. Instead, they kept growing and releasing games that made a massive impact on the world. These titles include Grand Theft Auto 2, 3, Vice City, San Andreas, Liberty City Stories, 4, and 5. They are truly incredible games, and I believe several of them left a lasting impression on all of us.

While revisiting the older games is a great way to kill time while waiting for GTA 6, watching anime is another fantastic option. To be clear, this list isn't 100% based on the exact vibe of the Grand Theft Auto series, but these titles definitely share some similarities with GTA, and they are well worth your time.

Here’s a great YouTube video worth checking out.

One Piece: The Unexpected Crime Shounen Series

The first anime I want to introduce in this post is one of the most famous Shounen titles in history: One Piece. You might wonder why I'm recommending this show here, but the core story of One Piece is actually centered around crime, and the main protagonist, Monkey D. Luffy, is constantly breaking the law.

While most people, myself included, don't usually view One Piece this way, if we really break it down, it's actually quite similar to Grand Theft Auto. Most of the time, both Luffy and we as players refuse to obey authority, act out, refuse to hold down a proper job, and, most importantly, immediately turn to breaking the law whenever we run out of money.

You might be surprised to hear this, since we usually only see Luffy liberating people or saving entire kingdoms. But whenever the crew runs out of money, or when Luffy runs out of food, they actually resorting to stealing. Even though we don't usually look at One Piece through that lens, when you break down the way he turned islands like Dressrosa, Wano, and Whole Cake upside down, he's fundamentally breaking the law. In that sense, he isn't all that different from how we play GTA series.

If you love the GTA series, I assume you enjoy high-stakes action and crime-driven stories, making One Piece a great choice to kill time. Since it's such a massive series, if you've never given it a try, there's more than enough content to keep you entertained all the way until GTA 6 drops. If you've already seen it, you can always rewatch starting from the Fish-Man Island Arc or the Dressrosa Arc. The Straw Hats' journey after the two-year timeskip is incredible, and those arcs will definitely scratch that itch for chaos.

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Gachiakuta: The Epic, Mind-Blowing Shounen Series

After One Piece, the second title I want to share in this post is Gachiakuta. It might be another unexpected recommendation, but Gachiakuta actually captures a vibe that is remarkably similar to Grand Theft Auto. I'm not exaggerating here, and why do I say that? Because the protagonist, Rudo Surebrec, goes on a journey that feels just like our experience as GTA players.

Anyone familiar with Grand Theft Auto knows that while the first few games didn't focus much on narrative, starting from GTA 3, the series shifted its focus heavily toward storytelling. That pivot is ultimately what turned it into a global phenomenon. Every story in the series is great, but most of them share a common theme: starting with absolutely nothing and fighting to build something for yourself.

The protagonist of Gachiakuta, Rudo, suddenly loses everything in episode one. From that point on, he has to grind, survive, and fight his way up from the bottom. Once you start watching, you'll realize he's just like us as players, constantly exploring new places, meeting strange characters, and, most importantly, always fighting for his own survival.

For anyone who has enjoyed the Grand Theft Auto series, especially GTA 5, Gachiakuta is a title you really ought to try. Personally, Rudo gives off huge Trevor Philips vibes. The way they speak, the chaotic way they act, and how easily they snap just make them feel cut from the exact same cloth. Unlike One Piece, Gachiakuta currently only has one season out. So, if you don't have hundreds of hours to spare, this is definitely the series you'll want to check out first.

Here’s a great YouTube video worth checking out.

Golden Kamuy: The Incredible Seinen Series About a Gold Rush War

Beyond One Piece and Gachiakuta, the third title I want to share with everyone in this post is Golden Kamuy. I'd say this recommendation makes even more immediate sense than the previous ones because, just as the name suggests, Golden Kamuy is all about gold. For anyone who has played the Grand Theft Auto series, especially GTA 5, chasing huge gold payouts is definitely something you're already familiar with.

Golden Kamuy is massive in Japan, but internationally, it doesn't get as much spotlight compared to mainstream Shounen titles. That isn't a flaw in Golden Kamuy itself, it's just that Seinen series generally don't reach the same global mainstream reach as Shounen. But just as the name suggests, across all five seasons (and with more still to come), the entire plot revolves around one ultimate goal: gold.

The main character of Golden Kamuy, Saichi Sugimoto, teams up with an Ainu girl named Asirpa to search for a massive stash of hidden gold in Hokkaido. Of course, I'm making it sound simple, but multiple ruthless factions are also hunting that same gold, leading to all-out war, which will feel incredibly familiar to GTA 5 players. Teamwork and betrayal are central themes throughout Golden Kamuy, throwing Sugimoto into constant moral dilemmas much like Franklin Clinton faced throughout GTA 5.

Compared to One Piece and Gachiakuta, Golden Kamuy is actually the title that connects most directly to Grand Theft Auto. The entire series serves as a gritty cautionary tale about how deeply greed can corrupt people, and the heavy toll it exacts. If you love the story of GTA 5 and the chaotic dynamics between Franklin, Michael De Santa, and Trevor Philips, then Golden Kamuy is an absolute must-watch. Plus, with over four seasons under its belt, it has plenty of content to keep you thoroughly entertained while you wait for GTA 6.

Here’s a great YouTube video worth checking out.

Bleach Thousand-Year Blood War: The Ultimate Hyped Series

Last but not least, the final anime I want to share in this post is Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War – The Conflict. Among all the recommendations on this list, this is the one with almost no direct connection to Grand Theft Auto, yet I still strongly suggest everyone give it a shot while waiting for GTA 6!

Similar to One Piece, Bleach is another legendary franchise that has spanned over two decades, standing unquestionably as a global powerhouse. Although many fans felt the original series wrapped up years ago, it made a massive, high-budget comeback with the Thousand-Year Blood War arc. This ongoing revival spans four cours: Part 1: The Blood Warfare, Part 2: The Separation, Part 3: The Conflict, and the newly airing Part 4: The Calamity.

The Calamity is truly amazing, it has everything we wanted. Top-tier animation, voice acting, beautiful backgrounds, and a lot of anime-original scenes! If you are someone who has read the Bleach manga, you will be satisfied, and if you haven't, you will be satisfied too, as it is so amazing to the point that once you start, you won't be able to stop!

Although the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War series doesn't really have anything to do with the Grand Theft Auto series, it is definitely worth a watch if you are searching for something to kill time. Even though Bleach is a long title, we can easily watch both the original and the Thousand-Year Blood War series on YouTube for free! So, it is definitely something you should give a try, and it won't disappoint!

Here’s a great YouTube video worth checking out.

Conclusion:

Thank you for reading this post. GTA 6 is definitely a title that is worth the wait, and I believe it will give us the highest pleasure and the best gaming experience. It is almost here, once you give any title in this post a try, it will really help kill time, and you definitely won't be bored!

If you love action, One Piece is for you. If you are looking for something that has the dark vibe of the Grand Theft Auto series, Gachiakuta is for you. If you are looking for the mission-based style of Grand Theft Auto, then the Golden Kamuy series is for you. If you are looking for pure peak anime, the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War series is exactly what you need. Please believe me and give them a try, they will give you a wonderful experience!

Here’s a great YouTube video worth checking out.