The gaming industry is filled with long-running JRPG franchises. Many of these tell sequential stories as part of the same saga, while others offer standalone adventures in each entry.

Both approaches can deliver compelling narratives, engaging gameplay, and fascinating worlds. However, they all have in common the shared mythology—the lore that every title within a franchise carries forward.

Even when these JRPGs present standalone stories, they’re still tied to the franchise’s identity, whether through game bibles related to monsters and spell names or recurring thematic elements.

Here, we’ll highlight the best JRPG franchises that feature standalone stories while maintaining a cohesive universe with shared characteristics.

Only franchises with at least three mainline entries were considered for this selection. We also didn’t include installments with a direct sequel because that’s on the nose.

8 Pokemon

Different Generations

Pokemon is a phenomenon not only in the JRPG genre but in the gaming industry as a whole. The success of these pocket monsters is undeniable, often disproving the notion that turn-based RPGs are a dying breed.

After more than nine generations and over 1,000 unique Pokemon, it’s natural to wonder whether the mainline games are connected. Short story, they’re not.

Each Pokemon entry has its own standalone story. While narrative isn’t exactly the core focus of the experience (hence this position), the games can be enjoyed independently.

There are scattered references across Pokemon’s vast multimedia, but ultimately, beyond the shared goal of becoming a trainer who catches ’em all, collects badges, and strives to be the best in the world, each installment features its own unique story.

7 Grandia

The Most Standalone Franchise

The biggest commonality across the Grandia games is their battle system, and that’s about it. Each game features standalone stories, characters, settings, scenarios, monsters, and even distinct item names.

The first Grandia follows the adventures of a young boy named Justin, the second focuses on the sarcastic mercenary Ryudo, and the third tells the story of the pilot Yuki. Each protagonist has their own motivations for embarking on a journey, joined by a cast of quirky party members whose paths intertwine.

The battle system is a hybrid of real-time and turn-based mechanics. A timeline determines when characters can choose an action and how long it takes to execute. A well-timed hit can interrupt an enemy’s attack, while powerful moves require a charge time.

Another shared feature is the magic system. Combining two different elements creates new ones with unique spells and effects. At least the magic names are consistent across the series because, otherwise, Grandia might have been the most blasé JRPG franchise in gaming.

6 Wild Arms

The Fantasy Wild West

Wild Arms is a franchise of five standalone games that share recurring features, most notably the titular ARMs, which are firearms, a desert-like Wild West-inspired world called Filgaia, and a recurring theme of environmentalism aimed at sustaining life on the planet.

Party members in all Wild Arms wield ARMs for protection, while villains use them for their own destructive agendas. This is where the Guardians come in, acting as protectors of Filgaia. They also enable players to summon them in battle, adding a unique layer to the combat system.

The Wild Arms series has consistently upheld its thematic core, adhering to a mythology of monsters and plot points while offering distinct narratives.

Each game has its quirks, introducing unique races like aliens and demons. The fourth and fifth entries overhaul the turn-based combat system, bringing fresh mechanics to the JRPG genre.

5 Breath of Fire

Dragon Clan Saga

Technically, the first three Breath of Fire games occur in the same world but are separated by centuries. This allows players to enjoy each game independently without needing a recap to understand what’s happening in the pseudo-sequel.

Every game features Ryu, a blue-haired protagonist with the power to transform into a dragon, and Nina, a winged princess who accompanies him on his adventures.

From the first to the fourth installment, the series maintains a medieval fantasy setting filled with anthropomorphic races, which anchors its central theme.

In Breath of Fire, the enemy is often a religious figure. Dragons only wish to live in peace, but there’s always someone poking the clan out of fear of what they might become, and it inevitably comes back to bite the villain.

The series delivers a cozy, colorful adventure with a rich mythology steeped in dragons and plenty of fishing.

That may be why Breath of Fire: Dragon Quarter, the fifth entry, wasn’t as successful. It tried to innovate too much, changing the setting and implementing gameplay that was far too ahead of its time. This deviation from the familiar elements likely alienated the fanbase and caused a sense of disconnection.

4 Star Ocean

A Universe of Games

Once again, I’m leaning on technicalities because all Star Ocean games are featured in the same timeline, though separated by thousands of years.

Even though the second game is a direct sequel, this connection is barely mentioned. Ultimately, each game tells its own standalone story while sharing some distinct elements.

Most notably, there’s the Kenny family. From the very first Star Ocean, a member of this family has been prominent in the Pangalactic Federation, an organization dedicated to maintaining order and peace in the universe.

Space travel and the clash between characters from predominantly medieval and futuristic worlds are also key appeals of the series.

Recent mainline titles like Star Ocean: The Divine Force include callbacks to their predecessors.

These references feel more like a subtle, melancholic farewell than actual connections between the games. It’s as if The Divine Force knew it was Star Ocean‘s swan song, paying homage to the series as it bid farewell to the world of JRPGs.

3 Shin Megami Tensei

Thematically Religious

Shin Megami Tensei is another JRPG franchise that adheres to the same themes, gameplay elements, and even settings yet delivers self-contained stories within its overarching concept.

Shin Megami Tensei’s background is deeply rooted in religious themes. Not just one religion but a polytheistic tapestry reflected in its gameplay.

This means the games feature creatures from Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Norse mythology, and more. The franchise also delves into philosophy, science fiction, and occultism.

Most entries are set in modern-day Tokyo under post-apocalyptic conditions, though there are exceptions. Shin Megami Tensei often explores how ordinary people react when the extraordinary invades their world, typically through evil forces.

The themes are so layered that keeping up with the hidden meanings and intertwined concepts presented throughout the series can be challenging.

2 Tales Of

The Most Anime-esque Franchise

Tales of is possibly the JRPG franchise with the most mainline titles. With over 15 entries—not counting direct sequels or spin-offs—it’s worth noting that only a few games serve as continuations of others.

For the most part, the Tales of core titles are standalone, each set in its own universe with distinct characters, overarching themes, and stories.

The parallel lies in the fantasy genre, which prevails even in entries with some technological concepts and in the franchise’s game bible, including shared item names, spells, Artes, and monsters.

One standout feature of the franchise is its embrace of anime culture. Unsurprisingly, several Tales of games have been adapted into anime episodes. Tales of Arise modernized its visuals, but the cutscenes still retain the same aesthetic inspired by Japanese animation.

Players can expect plenty of character development, dramatic moments, the power of friendship, and other hallmarks of Eastern storytelling.

If one were to choose a series to define JRPGs, Tales of would certainly be a top contender. Notably, the skit system has become a beloved staple in most entries.

1 Final Fantasy

The Crystal Lives

When discussing anthology series in gaming, Final Fantasy is likely the first name that comes to mind for many players.

Since its debut, the Crystal Saga has consistently delivered standalone stories in each mainline entry, with exceptions being direct sequels that clearly indicate their connection in the title.

And when we talk about standalone stories, it’s not just the narrative, characters, or plot that change; the entire world is reimagined.

Some Final Fantasy titles are medieval, others steampunk, and some feel nearly contemporary. The settings are so distinct that a newcomer to the series might think Final Fantasy VIII and Final Fantasy XVI belong to entirely different franchises.

That is until they notice Final Fantasy’s steadfast mythology and gaming bible. Although each installment is uniquely different, recurring elements tie them together: crystals, chocobos, moogles, summons, spell names, items, and the ever-present character named Cid.

The thing is, Final Fantasy takes pride in being an anthology, not just with its standalone stories but also in its gameplay. Each new director essentially defines what the next Final Fantasy will be.

While the next entry differs entirely from the last, the franchise’s lore reveals that it’s unmistakably Final Fantasy and keeps players gravitating toward each bold and creative installment.