LogFAQs > #976813258

Yeah, the anime gets a lot of flak, and I won't say it's undeserved, but if you wanna see the DR story through to the end, you do kinda need it. There's the DR1 anime, which is literally just the first game but in anime form (so you can skip it if you want), and then DR3, which is the conclusion.

Just a note, DR3 is split into two separate arcs, Despair and Future, and it seems like the intended way to watch it is to alternate episodes. (So one episode from Future, one from Despair, etc.) I initially watched them separately (all of Despair, then all of Future), and then alternated on rewatches. Alternating lets you see some interesting parallels between the two arcs, but their respective stories are probably easier to follow if you binge Despair, then Future. Just...keep your expectations low.

...but before you do all that, I highly recommend Ultra Despair Girls. I do think the flak it receives is undeserved. It's totally different gameplay, but still interesting in its own right, and a look at another side of the DR universe. It's not strictly necessary, but it does answer some questions left behind by the first two games, and it gets a whole episode in the anime that you appreciate better after playing it~