Akin to the RPG, the JRPG presents a less-than-linear story progression that features character interaction and development, alongside turn-based or active-time battle systems and intermittant cutscenes. However the JRPG features a presentation style originating more in the anime style of illustration than western art styles.

The trend began in the mid-to-late-90s with titles such as Grandia, The Grandstream Saga and Jade Cocoon on the Playstation. The Final Fantasy series maintained enough of the features of earlier RPGs until its transition to 3D in 1997. It is a fallacy to say that all japanese RPGs are JRPGs, but it is not an incorrect classification in some respects. Just as some JRPGs are not made by Japanese companies, yet are still referred to as JRPGs.

Notable JRPGs include; Disgaea, Shin Megami Tensei, Lost Odyssey, Eternal Sonata, Tales of Symphonia, Resonance of Fate and Star Ocean.