Everything You Need to Know About the Anime-Inspired Game Ananta

Ananta has been shrouded in mystery for years, but it finally has a confirmed release date of January 15, 2027. In the meantime, there’s a wealth of gameplay footage and hands-on impressions available, giving us a glimpse into what this “anime GTA” has in store.

From its release date to character details, gacha mechanics, and gameplay elements, I’ll break down everything you need to know about Ananta (formerly known as Project Mugen) so you can determine if its myriad features are right for you.

If you’ve dived into open-world gacha games like Genshin Impact, Wuthering Waves, or Neverness to Everness, you know how easy it is to lose track of time in these expansive worlds. So, it takes something special to catch my attention. Enter Ananta, which promises a unique twist with its no character gacha system. It looks like another anime open-world title is about to join my ever-growing collection.

After a long absence from major events, Ananta made its debut at Gamescom’s 2026 Opening Night Live, announcing its launch on PC, PS5, and mobile platforms. You can access it via Steam or its dedicated launcher.

Unlike many gacha games, Ananta has not had an open beta, and it seems unlikely that one will be available before the January launch. This is somewhat atypical for the genre, but given that it’s developed by a NetEase studio, which typically opts for closed private testing, this approach is not surprising.

You can currently visit Ananta’s official site to sign up for pre-registration rewards. While the usual assortment of oddly named currencies is on offer (seriously, what even is a Golvent?), there’s also a standard outfit available as a milestone reward.

Keep in mind that Ananta is likely to distribute these rewards to all players at launch, not just those who pre-register. This is common in live service anime games, but there’s a chance Ananta might break the mold, as nothing has been confirmed yet.

The latest trailer not only showcases the main character, the Captain, and their crew’s quirky adventures in Nova City but also introduces a second location: Chongxiao. While Nova City has a more urban, Tokyo-inspired vibe, Chongxiao draws inspiration from Hangzhou, China, featuring serene lakes, lush greenery, and historic architecture.

If you’re curious about its initial reveal three years ago, you can check out Ananta’s first trailer. The game has undergone significant changes since then, including a shift in tone and design for both its city and protagonist.

Hands-on impressions from a recent event suggest that while Ananta borrows elements from various titles, it also has the potential to introduce some unique ideas. Influences from games like Batman: Arkham, Sleeping Dogs, Uncharted, and Spider-Man are evident, but they blend well together. The game may excel in delivering a variety of experiences, and it certainly has its humorous moments.

Ananta is a free-to-play urban open-world RPG that may initially resemble Genshin Impact or Neverness to Everness, but it leans more towards the likes of GTA, the Arkham series, and Insomniac’s Spider-Man—just with a hefty dose of anime-inspired fun.

While there appears to be a darker narrative involving supernatural events in the dual cities of Nova City and Chongxiao, Ananta embraces its whimsical side. Players will engage with a social media and follower system tied to their “Yeet Squad” as they embark on missions.

You might find yourself swinging through city skylines like Spider-Man or opting for swimming, driving, boating, or gliding to your mission start point. Missions could involve stealthy takedowns reminiscent of Batman or using gadgets akin to those in Watch Dogs, or you might simply engage in classic combat scenarios.

Combat options are diverse, allowing players to wield firearms like assault rifles and rocket launchers, or engage in melee combat with a variety of weapons, including bats, swords, and even tennis rackets. Each character brings unique abilities to the table, adding depth to the combat system.

Confirmed activities in the open world include racing, dating, arcade mini-games, gym workouts, TV watching, shopping for outfits, customizing homes, and even carrying around chunky cats for reasons that remain unclear. There’s also a character-switching mechanic reminiscent of GTA 6, allowing players to swap between characters during gameplay.

There’s a lot to unpack here. It’s hard to say whether this variety will translate into a cohesive experience or if it will feel like Ananta is throwing everything at the wall. I’m open to being convinced.

While not available at launch, the developers have mentioned plans for a four-player co-op mode, enabling players to tackle missions or “dungeons” together.

Despite its free-to-play model, Ananta is not a gacha game in the traditional sense. Characters are not obtained through gacha pulls; instead, they are accessible for free through gameplay.

As a live-service title, Ananta will likely offer in-game purchases, with confirmed cosmetics including clothing, vehicles, and homes. However, it remains unclear whether these will be available for direct purchase or through a gacha system. The only confirmed detail is that characters are not tied to gacha mechanics.

The name “Ananta” was revealed in December 2024, with the game previously known as Project Mugen. If you come across any trailers or gameplay footage that looks like Ananta, it’s likely from before the title change.

So far, a mix of trailers, social media updates, and the official website has introduced 16 characters, along with two unnamed characters.

If you’re trying to figure out team dynamics based on this character list, it might not be worth your time. Ananta doesn’t seem to focus on fast-paced character swapping; instead, players will typically engage in missions with one character for an extended period or switch to specific characters for exploration and puzzle-solving.

Interestingly, each character has their own storyline, promising a unique narrative experience depending on who you’re playing. That’s already 16 potential storylines if all characters are available at launch.