Ananta open-world RPG draws GTA and Spider-Man comparisons amid animation plagiarism debate

Ananta, the upcoming open-world RPG from developer Naked Rain and publisher NetEase, has attracted significant attention for its blend of anime-inspired visuals and gameplay elements reminiscent of major franchises such as Grand Theft Auto, Yakuza, Marvel’s Spider-Man, and Watch Dogs.

The game places players in the roles of four ADP task force officers in Nova City, each with distinct abilities. Gameplay footage highlights a variety of mechanics, including carjacking, weapon selection, undercover missions, and combat with towering mecha.

Players can also engage in side activities such as basketball, beach games, and even a slap-fighting minigame, drawing comparisons to the expansive worlds of Rockstar titles.

However, the September 23 trailer also sparked debate among fans who noted similarities to existing games. In particular, the web-swinging sequences prompted claims that animations had been lifted directly from Spider-Man 2.

One viewer on X commented, “How do these gacha games get away with straight up ripping off Spider-Man? These are literally Spider-Man 2 animations.” Another remarked, “GTA5 character switch animations, copy pasted lol.”

Clips of the trailer quickly spread online, with fans joking about potential legal consequences involving Insomniac, Sony, and Marvel. While much of the discussion was light-hearted, some drew attention to recent industry disputes, such as Sony’s lawsuit against Tencent over claims of copying in a Horizon-related project, suggesting that plagiarism concerns can escalate into legal challenges.

Despite the controversy, Ananta has continued to generate interest for its unusual mix of influences and anime-styled presentation. The game is currently in development for Android, iOS, PlayStation 5, and Windows PC. No official release date has been announced.