Mana

The Mana series is an influential action role-playing game franchise that began in 1991 with Final Fantasy Adventure, initially conceived as a side project to the Final Fantasy series before evolving into its own standalone identity. Its breakout entry, Secret of Mana, captivated players with an innovative real-time combat system, immersive storytelling, and a vibrant, hand-drawn art style that set it apart from its contemporaries. Recurring themes—such as a mystical world tree, sacred swords, and the battle to safeguard a powerful life force known as mana—bind the entries together, giving the series a distinctive narrative continuity amid varied gameplay mechanics.