What is the meaning of the term JRPG? If you've played Japanese role-playing games for more than twenty years like me, you have probably seen how the debate over JRPG definition started on niche forums and has now moved into mainstream gaming conversation. In this, I will help you to understand the meaning of JRPG and explain the current controversy surrounding this definition by looking at both sides of the argument. In addition, I have compiled a list of the best JRPGs to play, and I also have a comprehensive list of RPGs published in the past and present (across all platforms) to show you how far-reaching this genre is and how strong its history is rooted back to the beginnings of the Western RPG. See the Snes. See the Jrpgs On Ps5. See the Jrpgs On Nintendo Switch. See the Jrpgs On Steam Pc guide. See the Ps4 guide. See the Ps2 guide. See the Ps1 guide. See the 3Ds guide. See the best RPGs of all time.
The JRPG Definition
JRPG is defined in the name itself - Japanese Role-Playing Game, therefore, is oh-so-simple - a game's genre is a role-playing game period made by a company in Japan. It couldn't be easier.
Unfortunately, the jalousy and overall confusion over what constitutes a JRPG has made it quite complicated by an awful lot of people; at least that is how people react to the topic. The moment the word's "JRPG" is mentioned, all hell breaks loose within the confines of message boards, forums and comment sections of any website that covers the topic. I could go on for days describing all the responses that could be written if this definition was to be described, based on someone's perspective of how the game should have been made and what it should have been called.
So, this raises some questions: How did the definition of JRPG change over time? Where did the definition of JRPG come from? What were the original characteristics of a JRPG? And most importantly, how did JRPGs become so divided amongst themselves? Did they evolve from what they originally stood for or did they never have a specific connotation for being "Japanese?" Let’s skip the boring discussion about the concept of RPGs. There are generally people who have the same ideas about what an RPG is (character sheets, weapons, attack damage, character levels, etc).
What is a JRPG? (Attribution: smolgremlin.deviantart.com)
You can use different examples of hybridization to ask very generic questions, it’s not going to make anybody passionate. We’re still all friends (until you mention Zelda).
What is a JRPG?
Aside from that, we all agree on the criteria for what defines an RPG. However, still many people are confused as to the meaning of the term JRPG. Once the J is added in front of RPG, people start to take sides.
Typically with the argument for defining JRPG, there are typically two sides to the conflict.
Side A is all “It’s just an RPG created in Japan, dude.” They accept that this is a viable explanation for defining JRPGs and see it more as a cultural export from Japan. Therefore, by that argument an RPG created in Japan is a JRPG.
Side B, however, comes at the argument from a more concrete perspective with a stricter rule set in developing their definitions of JRPGs saying that “A JRPG is a genre of game design that is identified by its design elements,” similar to other styles of games.
Where do you stand on the meaning of JRPG?
While both A and B share a good amount of similarity in terms of their arguments, there is a fair amount of discord on either side – and it will make more sense as we dive further into the discussion.
But first, how about a little fun?
Quickly, and without giving any thought, is this (an RPG) a JRPG?
Next, continue the challenge.
Thanks for taking time to take the challenge. If you’re debating or discussing this topic ask others to read or view this article or video and provide their opinions.
Now that we have established what these questions mean, let's get into what these questions really mean. RPG designs fall into the JRPG genre.
The JRPG Definition Quiz
The JRPG genre quiz tests you on its definition, highlighting that even if you only answered affirmative to half (or even just a few), there will be no similarities in design among those games.
For example, Fire Emblem is a tactical role-playing game based on grids and Dragon Quest is based on turn-based random battle encounters, but Secret of Mana plays in real time and has local cooperative play.
Nier Automata is also real time action but plays like a three-dimensional combo maker with elements of bullet hell, whereas Tales games don't play the same way.
On the other hand, Valkyrie Profile is a side-scrolling platformer and the flagship title of the Ys series had you banging your character against monsters until they died.
The point is, there’s no way to recommend any of the JRPGs on this list based on assumptions and over-generalizations, so you’d probably just share every game on the list.
JRPG as a Type of Design. Does it Really Make Any Sense?
When people say that a game is a “typical” JRPG or a “traditional JRPG”, do they really add to the conversation? More often than not, those phrases drive the discussion further into chaos.
There’s definitely a family resemblance between Final Fantasy, Romancing SaGa, Suikoden, Breath of Fire, and others that use the standard random encounter system (i.e., turn-based might be different for each game, but you’ll still find that familiar mechanic) that makes the JRPG genre a very diverse group.
Can the JRPG Genre be simplified to a format? When someone thinks of a JRPG (Japanese Role Playing Game), the first title to come to mind will usually be either Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest or Pokemon, which are all wildly popular series. This leads me to believe that if someone thinks of a JRPG, they likely condone the idea that these are the only kinds of games that's are considered JRPGs. All other types of games in the JRPG genre are completely disregarded from the definition. If the JRPG genre is going to stick with this very basic and very strict framework from the 80s of turn-based gameplay, combined with all other action-based and non-turn-based JRPGs at the same time in the JRPG name, it’s easy to see why people are saying JRPGs are dying out.
At the same time, dungeon crawlers, tactical RPGs, action RPGs, and party-based RPGs have all been included in the JRPG definition without hesitation as well. So what does that mean for different styles of RPGs? How does Final Fantasy XV fit the classic definition of a JRPG? What is Kingdom Hearts?
This is one of the reasons the quiz was fun; because when you take the quiz, you'll see one of the most well known JRPGs out there and I’m sure everybody will recognize this as a JRPG that had no specific design whatsoever. My new way of looking at JRPG is that it is strictly defined by the type of role-playing game style you are looking for when you play. I’m referring to Dark Souls.
Dark Souls is certainly the #1 most argued about JRPG, on this list of the best RPGs of all time, for fundamentally proving that the definition of a JRPG can be anything from a design standpoint since it fits the definition of a JRPG and the writer of the article, himself, has no logical reasoning for not including Dark Souls under the JRPG definition. All of these concepts create a rift between people who were generally on the same page regarding the definition of a JRPG because, from here on out, everybody will be getting out their own set of definitions. There are plenty of people attempting to better define for themselves what the term "Japanese" in relation to game design means to them and why that definition has no place in defining Dark Souls.
What About a Traditional JRPG?
Linear! They say. Character focused! Whatever the f*** that means! Must have a world map or at least towns to visit! Must have random battles. Totally! Random Battles are so JP!
There are some people who are all about traditional design and will do ANYTHING to try to justify turn-based as necessary criteria. The resulting discussions currently border on absurd.
Then out of nowhere there's this ever-growing number of definitions and thus rules by which you can remove Dark Souls from being part of the conversation about JRPGs. No one would dispute that Hidetaka Miyazaki and the team at From Software are Japanese game developers. Further, no one would refute that Dark Souls is without any question whatsoever, an RPG.
So what has made Dark Souls such an anomaly when it comes to being classified and recognized as a JRPG? The answer to this question is both disappointing and enlightening. "Because it doesn't look Japanese."
To further illustrate the same hypothesis I presented around Dark Souls, I present a hypothetical equal to it regarding another game containing many of the same elements. There is also an abiding enthusiasm for the game and the quality of the game can be measured almost exactly by that of Dark Souls. The game I am referring to is currently available, free of charge, in all formats: Code Vein.
This is an example of a game that is by design, a reiterated version of Dark Souls which contains many of the same design characteristics and is also entirely anime. However, it might also be the best example of all games, because it isn't just an anime game to me. In essence, Code Vein functions akin to a Miyazaki title, albeit with a more youthful and bright palette than the original anime. Because of this change in color scheme, Code Vein doesn't face skepticism regarding its culture or ethnicity as a result of its presentation. Just based on my own personal experience (anecdotal), I've observed that no one in any JRPG community has ever reacted to the mention of Code Vein as being "not a JRPG, and please do not post it here." However, with regard to Dark Souls, there is resistance to classify it as a JRPG because of the "Western" connotations of its current state of not fitting the "norm." Dark Souls is viewed as an RPG based on its mechanics and gameplay, but not because it is based in Europe during the medieval age and therefore "not a problem."
It matters because when creativity cannot be explored through new designs or styles in a genre, creativity stales, and is a joke.
As an example, the Japanese tropes found in many JRPGs, when Japanese developers incorporate into their game design a Western-styled RPG, are usually denied the ability of the new game to be classified as a JRPG.
Now consider that if Dark Souls had an added artistic element similar to this: the narrative used in Dark Souls is symbolic in nature. Dark Souls is based on the European medieval fantasy culture. Dark Souls' characters physically represent real people in the real world and the aesthetic design of Dark Souls is, therefore, significantly more realistic than Code Vein. As a result, many players would consider that Dark Souls is different from other "Japanese" RPGs.
Yes, Dark Souls is a JRPG
However, had Dark Souls been made as a Chinese RPG (i.e. had Dark Souls been given a similar tone and look as Code Vein), then many people would use the JRPG label to identify Dark Souls as being Chinese in nature. (Again, using China, as an example). See the best RPGs of all time.
Is it just eye and the type of armor worn that determine what can be called a JRPG? Using this reasoning gives new meaning to the stereotype of calling Jade Empire a Chinese RPG based solely on its kung-fu gameplay style and its eastern architectural design.
If the absurdity of this debate continues, then it is possible that Jade Empire may also be registered/recognized as a Chinese RPG.
The following items clearly show that Dark Souls is not true to any "Japanese" attributes that it may have.
Dark Souls may just fit within the narrowed definition of being a Western RPG if the main character in Dark Souls had been an attractive female android without her eyes covered by a blind-fold… Because that resembles a stereotypical female Japanese android.
To translate this to a disrespectful notion, let us evaluate this further: Would you tell a Japanese creator/game developer that their game's classification cannot be represented by its premise of being a JRPG just because it lacks android characters? Or, for the case of Dark Souls, you have normal eyes?
Are Looks All that Matter?
Using this type of using a stereotype may assist an individual in relaying a message quickly to someone(s) through individuals who represent a given stereotype. When discussions arise regarding the JRPG label, the person/persons initiating the conversation have a mental image that has been created through visual representations from various sources (i.e. anime art forms) and some are associated with other Japanese RPGs that have become known as established Japanese RPGs; for example: Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy.
Does this mean that these two classic titles and their respective designs will determine the direction for an entire genre for the next four decades? And is the only way for Japan to maintain its identity without being influenced by the western gaming markets (with the exception of 'anime')?
Let's step back for a moment. During the early 1980s there was a period when two American-produced computer role-playing games (CRPGs) gained notoriety throughout the world: Wizardry and Ultima. While they had gained a solid following in North America, they became even more popular when they made their way to Japan.
The introduction of these two games started a boom for the Japanese video game industry, and as the years progressed, the first Dragon Quest and original Final Fantasy titles were both directly influenced by the two titles previously mentioned. For more information on how these titles create the foundation for the JRPG genre in Japanese video game history, you can read this article.
However, the real beginning of the JRPG genre started decades earlier.
In 1983, a JRPG was released that featured the protagonist selling condoms to women. The name of the game was Danchi-zuma no Yuwaku, and it had a set of character statistics that were directly tied to the ability of the player to be successful at his/her job.
An article on PC Gamer discussing the forgotten origins of the JRPG makes a clear distinction between how Japan was already experimenting with computer games and RPGs prior to the introduction of Wizardry and Ultima into their gaming worlds.
Long before the release of Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy, Japan was already creating computer role-playing games that utilized player statistic categories; although, the game featured was originally Danchi-zuma no Yuwaku, where the player needed to sell condoms to women. Wow! That's pretty crazy if you ask me!
The “Not a JRPG” Catch-22
Nevertheless, Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy were considered to be the most successful series in the history of Japanese video game design. Many consider these two series to be responsible for defining the JRPG genre. Trends will come and go, as they have already shown us. For instance, Final Fantasy now unrecognizable to its predecessors. Why not leave room for other kinds of ideas?
That's what we've all been doing since day one in Japan, right?
Even when it was said that JRPGs were at their best during the Super Nintendo era they were still really diverse with lots of room for experimentation; so why create all this fuss about adding Dark Souls or Yakuza to the mix (I mean, it's also something we have seen people complain about)?
To elaborate on the last point: I wrote my first iteration of this article back in 2020; at that time, Dark Souls was the best example of why the definition of a "design JRPG" was failing to hold true. And six years later? Well, things have changed as much as ever.
A prime example of this is with Elden Ring; same developer, same DNA (FromSoftware, Hidetaka Miyazaki, etc.) and the game sold well over 25 million copies and won multiple Game of the Year Awards across multiple outlets worldwide; yet, if you scroll through your favorite gaming forum and tally how many times you see the term "JRPG" associated with Elden Ring, you will likely come up with a score of 0 for an answer.
If Dark Souls is a JRPG, and I think I've presented enough evidence to support the assertion, then it stands to reason that Elden Ring must also fall within this definitional construct as well. Both games are developed by the same Japanese studio and directed by the same Japanese Game Director; the only difference is scope, and scope has never been a factor in the definitions associated with JRPG titles.
The last game we'll briefly look at is called Metaphor: ReFantazio, which the Persona Team at Atlus released in 2024; but here's the catch, this game is set in a Western Fantasy (Knights, Kings, Medieval politics). Metaphor looks completely different from Persona. There’s no Tokyo at all, and there’s not even a high school setting or any of that anime type style slice of life. Yet, I don’t think anyone has ever had any reason to question whether or not Metaphor is a JRPG. In fact, there hasn’t been anyone at all to question whether or not Metaphor is considered a JRPG. It doesn’t matter what the game looks like because it’s an ATLUS game and ATLUS has complete JRPG credit. So, it tells you something doesn’t it? It has always been about the ‘feel’ of it more than the design.
Final Fantasy XVI continued that same trend all the way through 2023. The combat design was taken over by someone from the DMC team at Square Enix (the company who owns Final Fantasy). And when it was finished, it was pretty much a character action game with stats added on. It didn’t care how many people were in a party at the same time. And it also did not use any type of turn based combat. And it did not have menus during the battle. In fact, aside from having Final Fantasy on the cover, it was about as much “classic JRPG design” as possible without having any aspect of classic JRPG design whatsoever.
Did anyone ever question why it was a JRPG or why it should be called that? Nope! Because it is a Final Fantasy game, and it was made by a Japanese studio, and directed by a “Japanese” Director, thus meeting the geographic criteria for being a JRPG as (historical) proof that JRPG remains a geography based term even if the design approach is no longer based on that original term.
The pattern that has been established continues since 2020 and is getting increasingly louder. Each year brings many new Japanese RPGs which break one or more of the previously arbitrary established ‘design standards’ people want to impose on them and, along with the other previously mentioned games, JRPG has absorbed all of that game and has done so without any discomfort. The JRPG term is elastic because it was never a rigid term in the first place and was used to establish a connection to where the game was created.
I have not been too easy on people who want certain aspects of JRPGs specifically defined, yet I also can break down my own definitions of JRPGs in the same manner. I will explain the issues with my definition of JRPG, and will explain why I continue to support it. If you need a definition, here is my Webster's JRPG definition:
One of the very first problems with the way I have defined JRPG is the issues with ethnicity and location. For instance, what about me being a Japanese citizen, but creating my JRPG in Chicago? Or if my team consists of half Mexicans, but we live in Tokyo? Etc.,....
History of the JRPG
If you stop to think about it, the concept of what defines JRPG gets a bit wacky. The more time I spent thinking about it, the more I began questioning the necessity of ethnicity to the whole game. How long does it take someone to become a member of a culture? What is the meaning of life?
Thinking about all of these things can make your brain explode! However, the JRPG definition can stand alone because of Japan and its rather unique case. Japan consistently ranks among the oldest civilizations on the planet, and has an incredibly high percentage of ethnically Japanese people, with over 98.5% being ethnically Japanese.
In short, Japan is an interesting country to analyze! This is why I am always looking forward to what comes from Japan. JRPG is the abbreviation for Japanese Role-Playing Games and has become a defining term in both Japanese and Western Gaming. A main goal of this article is to help bridge the gap between gamers who see JRPG as a genre and those who see it as a trend.
There are many gamers who have fallen in love with a few of Japan's unique forms of art, given the culture's influence on our industry. There are equally as many gamers that will only find interest in specific time periods of the JRPG genre; example: a player who was introduced to the genre by Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy VI might restrict their JRPG gaming experience to only those games.
As such, countless independent developers in the West have created games based off of old-school Final Fantasy games to re-create that genre.
What is now considered the “authentic" version of a Japanese RPG is reflective of today's world.
That statement sounds wonderful, however, just because a game uses an RPG Maker (RPGM) or random encounters and/or anime portraits, does not constitute that title as being a Japanese title.
The JRPG definition, acknowledging Japanese developers and their creations as coming from an original opportunity through Japan, will continue to work better 99% of the time in the future as that definition is used today.
In defining what constitutes a JRPG, my hope for this analysis of the abbreviation JRPG is that we can create a realistic perspective of what the JRPG term means.
The JRPG Debate in 2026 — It's More Confused Than Ever
When I fail to meet expectations by stating my “I really enjoyed Final Fantasy VII, Bloodborne or Vagrant Story” and someone degrades my comments by saying “that game (or those games) isn't a true JRPG as it(sometimes) contains characters without large enough eyes,” it would be of great relief to me.
That joking aside, I hope you can see my frustration.
The simplest way to describe the JRPG genre is: A Japanese made Role Playing Game.
It may not be in the next decade or near the future, but if the reason Japan is a melting pot of game development in the future, I will gladly accept that challenge as well.
The JRPG genre as a product of gaming may be a combination of countless rules and standards by many people who think they can tell you what it means to be Japanese within the JRPG genre.
The images below are screenshots from the respective titles they are representative of for: Dark Souls, Code Vein - (FromSoftware/Bandai Namco); Jade Empire (Bioware/EA); RPG Maker (Kadokawa). All company/brand images are owned by their respective owners and may not be used without prior written consent. This article was originally published on 1 April 2020, and was last updated on 24 March 2026.
For additional/deeper analysis on specific parts of the JRPG genre - see the Battle Systems Ranking, Soundtracks Rankings, Recommendations for Players New to the JRPG genre in 2026, Upcoming Games, RPGs Under 20 Hours, and Horror JRPGs lists.
Problems with Both Sides
I’ve been hard on the side that likes their JRPG meaning specific. But let me pick apart my own definition as well. I’ll explain its flaws but also why I’m still standing by it. If you need a refresher, here is my Webster definition of JRPG:
The inevitable issue that will arise with this JRPG meaning is that of ethnicity and geography. As in, what if I were Japanese but created my RPG in Chicago. Or what if half my team is Mexican but we’re stationed in Tokyo. What if I have one foot in Japan and the other in the pacific ocean, etc…
It gets silly fast. And it gets sillier if I’m all existential about why ethnicity even matters in the first place. Or if I ask how much time exactly does it take to become a citizen and be considered part of a culture. And what is the meaning of life, anyway?
But this JRPG meaning can work well by itself because Japan as a country is a very special case study. It has probably the oldest lineage of civilization of any nation on earth, and it’s widely stated how 98.5% of its populace is of Japanese ethnicity. That’s pretty unique.
Put just, Japan is a fun country to place under the magnifying glass. That’s why my ears perk up when I hear ‘JRPG’. I’m excited to see what comes out of there next.
The significance of the ‘J’ in JRPG is that it identifies a genre for those who find Japan’s cultural exports fascinating. And who also like RPGs.
When an RPG Maker Game is considered more Japanese than Actual Japanese Games, Something is Wrong.
But many gamers just want a piece of a certain trend in Japanese RPGs. If you were introduced to JRPGs with Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VI, maybe that’s all you want to see going forward.
For example, many Western indie game designers love old school Final Fantasy so much that we see that template recreated over and over again.
Is this what’s considered authentic Japanese nowadays:?
And that’s wonderful. But it doesn’t make any game out of RPG Maker ‘Japanese’ merely because it has random encounters and anime portraits.
The JRPG definition that acknowledges Japanese developers and their output as Japanese in origin just works better in 99% of cases.
A Better Understanding of the ‘JRPG’ Meaning
In this analysis of the meaning of JRPG as a term, my main goal is to come to peaceful understanding.
I just want to be able to casually say in a comment section, “Hey fellow gamers, some of my favorite JRPGs include Final Fantasy VII, Bloodborne, and Vagrant Story” without getting railroaded by “your selection is invalid because X, Y, and Z don’t have big enough eyes on the characters.”
I’m kidding. But I hope you see the point.
In the end I like the simple definition that conveys the most information. JRPG means a Japanese made role-playing game. Boom. Done. I like that.
Maybe the term won’t last. Maybe Japan will become a globalized melting pot of game developers in the future. But I’ll gladly face those realities if they come.
It certainly beats the endless sets of rules, rubrics, and infinite personal criteria between every person out there who seems to know what “Japanese” really means in a JRPG.
All images are screenshots and promotional materials from their respective games. Dark Souls, Code Vein — FromSoftware / Bandai Namco. Jade Empire — BioWare / EA. RPG Maker — Kadokawa. All trademarks belong to their respective owners. Originally published April 1, 2020. Last updated: March 24, 2026.
For deeper exploration of the games that define this genre, the battle systems ranking analyzes combat design, the soundtracks ranking covers the music, and the 2026 recommendations page has picks for newcomers. The upcoming releases page tracks what's next, and the shorter RPGs guide has options under 20 hours. The horror JRPGs list covers the genre's darker territory.