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Over the years, the genre of sports anime or manga has produced many great stories for fans. Whether your interest is in common sports like soccer, basketball, volleyball and baseball, or minor sports like skating, kabaddi, and gymnastics, you will always find a story in sports anime that hypes the audience about your favourite sports.
You can comfortably say that at this point in time, every sport imaginable has been brought to screens in the style of Japanese animation. However, there are a few animes that stand out from the crowd and remain all-time favourites for sports anime fans.
- Crunchyroll Rating: 4.5/5
- Aired since October 2020
Although niche in North America, gymnastics is considered a major sport in Japan. Surprisingly, there has not already been a manga based on this sport. It is great when a series comes along that refreshingly appreciates a more minor activity. Unlike anime featuring tennis, soccer, and basketball showcasing teamwork and friendship, this anime focuses on painting this image of how the gymnastics athletes face their battleground alone under pressure. As the title suggests, they are like samurai, perfecting their skills in solitude year after year for their moment to shine.
The main character, Jotaro Aragaki was once celebrated as the best gymnast in Japan. He is a former Olympian who represented his country for many years and created a signature move named after himself. However, due to a shoulder injury and the passing of his athletic peak, his performance dropped drastically. This decline brought him to the brink of retirement, and even Jotaro himself was ready to accept defeat. However, after meeting a former fan named Leo who reignites his fighting spirit, Jotaro decides to pick himself up again and fight in the sport he loves.
The Gymnastics Samurai is not your common shonen manga, it is a comedy that masks the harsh battle that adult athletes have to face. By the way, the ending theme song is a masterpiece! Make sure to check out its lyrics to understand the undertone of this show.
- Crunchyroll Rating: 4.7/5
- Aired since October 2013
Bicycle racing is another seemingly niche activity in the genre. Yowamush Pedal is the only title to successfully introduce the thrill and struggle of this sport. Since its airing back in October 2013, the anime series continued for 5 seasons and is loved by fans around the globe. The title Yowamushi Pedal translates as Weakling Pedal, suggesting the protagonist is going on the same path of growth as most shonen anime protagonists would. Through the ordeal of pain and sweat, the protagonist will eventually win the respect of friends and opponents.
The story begins with the Sohoku High Bicycle Club trying to compete in the Inter-High. The “weakling”, Sakamichi Onodoa, is a shy teenage boy who does not have much passion for cycling. Through interactions with other members of the club, he gradually learns to enjoy the fun of cycling and eventually falls in love with the sport. Technically speaking, sports anime is difficult to do well compared to other genres. It can easily be embarrassing when characters start to make unrealistic movements, but Yowamushi Pedal seems to handle it quite well. Fans praise it for its good portrayal of cycling scenes, and there are even live theatrical performances in this anime.
- Crunchyroll Rating: ???/5
- Aired since October 2008
You can probably tell from the art style this anime is aimed at younger children, but don’t let it fool you into thinking this is kids’ anime. It does a great job of introducing the fun of soccer and the story is pretty gripping. It’s no wonder that Inazuma Eleven was a huge hit in Japan. The anime lasted for 8 seasons, ultimately creating a series with over 200 episodes. Since it’s based on a video game, it does lean towards the “unreal” side of sports anime, but the engaging story and lovable characters keep it entertaining nonetheless.
Mamoru Endou, the grandson of Inazuma Eleven’s first goalkeeper and captain, is tasked with recruiting new members to return the football club to its former glory. A brilliant player Shuuya Gouenji catches his attention. Mamoru is convinced Shuuya is the one they need to improve the team and he is committed to getting Shuuya on board. The storyline follows the orthodox shonen anime formula, guaranteeing an exciting and engaging adventure ahead.
- Crunchyroll Rating: 4.6/5
- Aired since October 2001
When the name The Prince of Tennis comes up, you know things are going to get weird. Okay, weird, but damn exciting! Look, this is definitely a “unreal” sports anime. You’ll see all kinds of wacky effects appear as two middle school boys start playing tennis. But once you accept the idea that this is just an action shonen anime featuring tennis, you’ll definitely have fun with The Prince of Tennis. The author knows how to build tension, create convincing backstories, and make you empathize with the players. It’s a cult classic in a sense. You have to be on the same frequency as the author to enjoy this adventure, but even if you don’t like tennis, you can for sure enjoy seeing people shout out cool names for their moves, right?
The story of The Prince of Tennis revolves around tennis prodigy Ryouma Echizen. His father is a world-renowned tennis player. Under his father’s strict training, Ryoma is very confident in his tennis skills. In order to become the best tennis player in Japan, he entered Seishun Gakuen, which is a middle school famous for its top tennis team in Japan. Although Ryoma’s age (and personality) make his teammates reluctant to accept him, they eventually open their hearts to this talented young boy and see him as a valuable asset to the team. In short, this is the story of Ryoma and his teammates’ rise to become one of the most anticipated teams in the national tennis tournament.
- Crunchyroll Rating: 4.8/5
- Aired since October 2018
2018’s Tsurune is a hidden gem in the world of anime. The series introduced a refreshing sport to the genre, traditional Japanese archery. Unlike most sports that focus on competition, Japanese archery focuses on the beauty of the athlete’s posture and mentality. Athletes are judged based on their moral and spiritual development as well as their marksmanship. To do well in competitions, athletes need to achieve the correct shooting stance and hit the target accurately. This “correctness” will produce a perfect and pleasant sound from the bowstring, which is exactly what the title “Tsurune” suggests.
The series is themed around archery and follows the growth of Minato Narumiya, who reunites with his childhood friend at the start of the show. They both practiced archery in middle school, but an incident during their last competition caused Minato to give up archery. Production studio Kyoto Animation is known for its excellent animation and ability to create heartwarming stories. If you want to watch a quiet, touching, and inspirational anime, give Tsurune a try, you won’t regret it.
- Crunchyroll Rating: 4.7/5
- Aired since July 2013
Frankly, the visuals of this anime do seem a bit fan-servicey at first glance. But don’t worry, since it’s produced by Kyoto Animation, you can rest assured that it’s not just about the characters’ physiques. Instead, the studio took great pains to showcase the charm of swimming. The water animation in this series is still the pinnacle of the industry’s aesthetic to this day. There are no unrealistic acrobatics or crazy names called out for special moves, it’s just swimming in its purest form.
The series was loved by fans around the world, spawning a short film as well as series like Eternal Summer, Take Your Marks, and Dive Into The Future. You can safely say that Free! marked the beginning of an era for swimming anime.
- Crunchyroll Rating: 4.9/5
- Aired since January 2021
Are you tired of mainstream sports? Looking for something you haven’t seen elsewhere? Look no further, SK8 The Infinity can satisfy all your cravings. Without a doubt, SK8 is the best sports anime of 2020, a masterpiece that condenses a fascinating plot into 12 episodes.
Reki is a high school skateboarder obsessed with “S”, a highly secretive and extremely dangerous downhill skateboarding competition held in an abandoned mine. The skateboarders are particularly fascinated by their “beefs”, a one-on-one skateboarding competition for the most skilled and brave skateboarders.
The story begins when Reki meets Langa, a new classmate who transferred from Canada and was a snowboarder before his father/mentor passed away. Langa has no experience in skateboarding but finds himself drawn into the crazy world of “S”.
- Crunchyroll Rating: 4.8/5
- Aired since October 2016
In many people’s minds, figure skating isn’t more glamorous than mainstream sports like baseball or football. It looks more like a dance than a sport. But truth be told, figure skating is a demanding sport with very strict age limits for athletes. The protagonist, Yuuri Katsuki, is a figure skater who is trying to decide his future as a figure skater, as he is already 23 years old when the show begins. Despite his efforts, he is still considered mediocre compared to other athletes, and the age factor seems to make him further away from his goal of becoming a top figure skater.
In order not to spoil the fun, let’s just say that this is a very wholesome anime, and Yuuri Katsuki finally gets everything he ever wanted (wink-wink). This anime will always remain in the history of sports anime because of its dedication to faithfully portraying the performance of figure skating. It does so well that even professional skaters are attracted to it.
- Crunchyroll Rating: 4.9/5
- Aired since October 2022
Unlike any anime series we mentioned above, Blue Lock is truly one-of-its-kind. It is a groundbreaking sports anime that tosses the element of friendship out of the window and emphasizes individuality and selfishness in sports. It has taken a very dark approach to athletes’ mindsets and sports as a career.
The story begins by introducing Isagi Yoichi, the main character. Isagi lost a crucial high school tournament which shook his confidence in himself and made him doubt his future in soccer. Just as he thought he would never play the game he loved again, he received a mysterious invitation to a “Blue Lock project”. Driven by the possibility promised in the letter, Isagi joined the project and quickly realized he was participating in a national project that would decide his future as a soccer athlete.
The storyline of Blue Lock is fast-paced and unpredictable. None of the characters in this anime give you that “protagonist plot armour” feeling, and you are constantly reminded of the situations they are in, which keeps you on the edge of your seat.
- Crunchyroll Rating: 4.8/5
- Aired since October 2013
Ace of Diamond is a sports anime classic. The story extends over 100 episodes, and the original manga offers even more. Baseball is a popular sport in Japan, to the point the famous high school baseball championship “Koshien” has become the codename for the most important event in any youth sport. For example, if an anime character describes a certain game as the equivalent of “Koshien for baseball”, then you know the game is a battle they must win.
The story of Ace of Diamond begins when the two rival protagonists meet on the Seidou High School baseball team. The hotheaded Eijun Sawamura and the coolheaded Satoru Furuya are like the yin and yang of the team, their dynamic relationship makes this show super fun. Here you can see how two characters with opposite personalities learn to appreciate and trust each other. Of course, the most important plot point is how they manage to improve their skills and build a strong team, but don’t think that the orthodox approach means blandness, this is a show that will bring tears to your eyes and keep you on the edge of your seat.
- Crunchyroll Rating: 4.9/5
- Aired since October 2018
Okay, do you know the meme that says “nobody is perfect” and has Will Smith presenting something below to “beg to differ”? Well, this is one of those cases. Run With The Wind is a unique masterpiece that manages to turn the most boring plot on paper into an exhilarating, captivating, and heartwarming show that you want to watch over and over again. It is more like poetry than fiction, which is why we restrained ourselves to put it as number 1 on the list. This is an anime you will remember. No one acts like the “chosen one” and their skills are nothing fancy. The realism in this anime makes you feel like the characters are relatable.
The plot of this anime can be summed up in one sentence. Run With The Wind is an anime about a group of amateur college students trying to run a marathon. Sounds pretty boring. Doesn’t it? Well, if you’re that lucky person who didn’t let the overly simplistic description put you off, then congratulations, you’re in for a treat! Since it’s adapted from a novel instead of a manga, the show avoids the clichés of most sports anime. We see a lot of in-depth character development, such as the fact that they’re just as scared of the challenge of running for hours as we are. They are amateurs, some with no experience in running marathons, yet they attempt to compete in the Hakone Ekiden, Japan’s most challenging marathon. Of course, the audience knows that they won’t magically become top runners by the end of the show. However, that doesn’t stop you from rooting for them. The struggles of the characters throughout the show convey a strong message, and that “message” is exactly what rewards you for your fine taste in anime.
- Crunchyroll Rating: 4.8/5
- Aired since April 2012
In stark contrast to what we just described, Kuroko’s Basketball is another classic that takes the “exaggerated” approach to sports anime. Inevitably, we need unrealistic performances to create drama and tension for sports anime, but if it’s not done well, it can feel cheap and condescending to the audience. Fortunately, Kuroko’s Basketball gets everything right with this approach.
Similar to The Prince of Tennis, the action in sports is greatly glorified. While Kuroko’s Basketball tries to tone down the unrealistic movements compared to the former, explaining the “superhuman action” as the best for athletes; it’s still pretty exaggerated. But honestly, it’s absolutely fun to watch these high school students perform NBA-level moves in an action anime style.
Incidentally, the name of the main character, Kuroko Tetsuya, refers to the stagehands in traditional Japanese theatre who dress all in black in order to remain “invisible” when they step on stage. The author has carefully thought out the details and had some fun hidden hints of each character’s traits in their names. For an anime that the author has poured his heart and soul into, you can’t go wrong.
- Crunchyroll Rating: 4.5/5
- Aired since October 1993
In many ways, Slam Dunk defines the sports anime genre and lays the golden formula for modern shonen manga. It features the protagonist Hanamichi Sakuragi, who is hot-tempered and rebellious, yet full of potential and passion. He is extremely unpopular with girls and has been rejected fifty times. Haruko Akagi is the only girl who does not turn him down. She sees Hanamichi’s potential and introduces him to the Shohoku High School basketball team. While Sakuragi’s initial goal was to impress Haruko, he later fell in love with basketball and proved to be a natural athlete.
Slam Dunk realistically presents sports action, faithfully depicting high school basketball in the anime. It is very down-to-earth and gives viewers a glimpse into how real-life basketball games are played. The manga came out in the 90s and its success has since increased the popularity of basketball among youth in Japan. In Japan, Slam Dunk is regarded as one of the greatest sports manga series of all time and is credited with popularizing the sport of basketball.
If you’re nostalgic and want to watch an anime without colourful lighting effects and superhuman moves. Give it a try. You won’t regret it.
- Crunchyroll Rating: 4.9/5
- Aired since April 2014
Similar to Slam Dunk, Haikyuu!! is another legendary anime that paved the way for a sport in Japan and increased its popularity among the youth. It successfully inspired the younger generation to take up volleyball and created an inclusive atmosphere that gave kids with no advantage of height the confidence to join. After all, if Shoyo Hinata can do it, you can do it too.
What’s incredible about this anime is its dedication to the ensemble cast model. No one is overlooked, and everyone gets their moment to shine in the show. Sure, Tobio Kageyama and Shoyo Hinata are the protagonists, but their teammates are just as important. The team is like a family who share a close bond, and this chemistry creates both comedic and dramatic tension.
On top of that, the animation by Production I.G is absolutely top-notch. You can see the details in the animated action, as well as the carefully handled emotion in the quieter moments. With the latest movie Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle released, the series is coming close to its grand finale. So if you want to catch up before the final arc drops, now is the good time to do so.
- Crunchyroll Rating: 4.8/5
- Aired since October 1983
Finally, we come to the greatest sports anime on the list. Frankly speaking, Haikyuu!! and Captain Tsubasa are neck and neck, but we chose the latter because Captain Tsubasa is the giant that all successors stand on. Along with Slam Dunk, Captain Tsubasa is the most “iconic” sports anime in history. The story of Tsubasa inspired a generation and sparked a football fever in Japan. Many professional players were influenced by the series and started a career in this sport. In a 2005 poll conducted by TV Asahi, the Captain Tsubasa anime series ranked 41st out of the 100 best anime series.
Captain Tsubasa successfully portrayed a colourful dream for the youth of the 80s, that there might be a future for them at the World Cup. It broadened the world for young people in Japan and brought manga and anime from the realm of fantasy to the real world. From here, sports anime really set the tone, telling stories of young people pushing forward to achieve their dreams of standing on the national or world stage. Yes, there will be sweat and tears, but the dreams hidden behind those pains will make it all worth it. “Captain Tsubasa” is the essence of sports animation; it is a dream, a courage, and a romanticism.
Hope you enjoy reading this list we made for you sports anime fans out there! Let us know in the comments what you might like to read about in our future posts. We’d love to bring you content you love to read about!
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