Attack Animal Gakuen is inspired by Sega's popular Space Harrier, but with a cuter setting. As in its role model, you fly towards the screen or run on the ground, rendered in a checkered 3D field. The hero has been replaced with a uniform-clad schoolgirl, who must shoot down enemies which come flying, jumping or crawling towards her. The enemies are no longer spaceships, asteroids or dragons. Instead, they are various cute and furry animals, such as kangaroos, cacti with sweatbands, turtles and flies. The end-of-level dragons are also decidedly cuter, with the first level boss being a fluffy koala.
The gameplay of Attack Animal Gakuen is action-packed and challenging. You control your schoolgirl as she runs or jumps to avoid enemy attacks while trying to destroy them all at once. As you progress through levels, new enemies are introduced, including those that can attack from multiple angles.