You who like and know anime know that there is a huge variety of genres and stories. Many are focused on a lot of action, fights, and powers. Others show life as it is, the common problems of people. There are also those clichéd romances and “crushes.” And there are also those aimed at children, educational, and those focused on the adult audience.
Within this enormous variety of themes and genres, one that has stood out is sports anime. Some show the real difficulties of many sports, including training, relationships with peers, competitions, and challenges.
Others portray emotions, plays, and performance in a more fantastical way. Some even include powers. The interesting thing is that even less popular sports in Japan have their versions in anime. We will now see a list of some of these animes. Just as a note, I will not mention animes with the soccer theme, as we already have an article focused solely on them.
Hajime no Ippo (Boxing) – 2000
Synopsis: Makunochi Ippo is a shy boy who studies and helps his mother in a fishing boat shop. Since he doesn’t have much free time, he doesn’t have friends.
He is also bullied by a gang that has been beating him since childhood. One day, when he was being attacked by this gang, Ippo is saved by a former boxer. To treat his injuries, he is taken to a boxing gym.
There, he becomes interested in the sport and asks the person who saved him to train him. Thus, he tries to prove that he can become a respected boxer, with determination and effort.
Haikyuu! (Volleyball) – 2014
Synopsis: After watching a volleyball game on TV, Shoyo Hinata, a middle school student, becomes interested in the sport. Even though he is not very tall, he is determined to be like a star player he observed in the national championship. He even creates a volleyball club and starts training alone.
Soon, other people join the team. But right in the first game, they are humiliatingly defeated. Therefore, they decide to train hard to defeat their opponents.
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Kuroko no Basket (Basketball) – 2012
Synopsis: There was a basketball team from Teiko junior high school that stood out a lot. They were the best team in the country, and in this team, there were great players. Among them, five stood out a lot, they were even known as the Generation of Miracles. But another player named Kuroko Tetsuya did not stand out as much as the others. At the end of elementary school, the six separated, each going to a different school. Kuroko joins Kagami Taiga to defeat each of the members of the former Generation of Miracles and become the best players in Japan.
Yowamushi Pedal (Cycling) – 2013
Synopsis: Onoda Sakamichi is an otaku and a shy first-year high school student. Even wanting to join the anime research club at his school, he ends up joining the cycling club.
Then he enters rigorous training, and with the help of his friends, his talent for cycling begins to take shape. Onoda, this high school boy, overcomes all his limits and puts everything into his bicycle, which becomes his passion and life goal.
Free! (Swimming) – 2013
Synopsis: From a very young age, Nanase Haruka was passionate about swimming. During his school years, he and his three friends join the swimming club. They even manage to win the tournament before finishing elementary school. After that, everyone ends up separating and taking different paths.
Years later, Haruka reunites with one of his friends, and together with two new colleagues, they form the Iwatobi High School swimming club. Soon they start dreaming again of swimming competitions.
Eyeshield 21 (American Football) – 2005
Synopsis: A boy named Sena has just entered his first year of high school, and because he is shy, others take advantage of him. Almost unintentionally, he ends up joining the school’s American football team.
This team is led by Hiruma, the meanest person in the school. But seeing that Sena is a great runner, Hiruma forces him to join the team and makes him assume a secret identity called Eyeshield 21. Thus begins Sena’s adventures, helping his team to become the best in Japan.
Other sports animes
Unfortunately, it is not possible to mention all sports animes, so here is a list of some others in this genre:
- Major (Baseball);
- Baby Steps (Tennis);
- Slam Dunk (Basketball);
- The Prince of Tennis (Tennis);
- Big Windup! (Baseball);
- Kenkou Zenrakei Suieibu Umishou (Swimming);
- Aim for the Ace! (Tennis);
- Touch (Baseball);
- Ro-Kyu-Bu! (Basketball);
- Soccer Animes – List of the best in the genre
- Inspirational and motivational animes – Chase your dreams!
- Music Animes – Complete list of the best
List of Sports Animes
To complement the article, below is a complete list of the best sports animes organized by popularity and rating. The list also shows seasons and their release year.
We made a second separate list because here we can include other types of anime such as traditional Japanese games, cycling, and other extreme sports.
| Haikyuu!! Karasuno High School vs Shiratorizawa Academy | 2016 |
| Haikyuu!! Second Season | 2015 |
| Haikyuu!! To the Top: Part II | 2020 |
| Haikyuu!! To the Top | 2020 |
| Haikyuu!! | 2014 |
| SK8 the Infinity | 2021 |
| Hajime no Ippo: The Fighting! | 2000 |
| Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger | 2009 |
| Kuroko’s Basketball 3 | 2015 |
| Hajime no Ippo: Rising | 2013 |
| Kuroko’s Basketball 2 | 2013 |
| Yuri!!! on Ice | 2016 |
| Major Season 5 | 2009 |
| Ace of the Diamond: Act II | 2019 |
| Chihayafuru 2 | 2013 |
| Chihayafuru 3 | 2019 |
| Kuroko’s Basketball | 2012 |
| Run with the Wind | 2018 |
| Ace of the Diamond: Second Season | 2015 |
| Major Season 6 | 2010 |
| Major Season 3 | 2007 |
| Major Season 2 | 2005 |
| Major Season 1 | 2004 |
| Initial D Final Stage | 2014 |
| Major Season 4 | 2008 |
| History’s Strongest Disciple Kenichi | 2006 |
| One Outs | 2008 |
| Initial D Fourth Stage | 2004 |
| Initial D Fifth Stage | 2012 |
| Ping Pong The Animation | 2014 |
| Cross Game | 2009 |
| Yowamushi Pedal: Grande Road | 2014 |
| Welcome to the Ballroom | 2017 |
| Megalo Box 2: Nomad | 2021 |
| Initial D Second Stage | 1999 |
| Baby Steps 2 | 2015 |
| Stars Align | 2019 |
| Initial D | 1998 |
| Chihayafuru | 2011 |
| Slam Dunk | 1993 |
| Ace of the Diamond | 2013 |
| Yowamushi Pedal | 2013 |
| Megalo Box | 2018 |
| Big Windup! 2 | 2010 |
| Free! Dive to the Future | 2018 |
| Free! Eternal Summer | 2014 |
| Backflip!! | 2021 |
| Baby Steps | 2014 |
| Tsurune | 2018 |
| Major 2nd: Second Season | 2020 |
| The Prince of Tennis II | 2012 |
| Ashita no Joe 2 | 1980 |
| Big Windup! | 2007 |
| Eyeshield 21 | 2005 |
| Yowamushi Pedal: New Generation | 2017 |
| Capeta | 2005 |
| Hinomaru Sumo | 2018 |
| Free! – Iwatobi Swim Club | 2013 |
| Yowamushi Pedal: Glory Line | 2018 |
| The Prince of Tennis | 2001 |
| Kaleido Star | 2003 |
| Major 2nd | 2018 |
| Uma Musume: Pretty Derby Season 2 | 2021 |
| Over Drive | 2007 |
| Air Gear | 2006 |
| Ahiru no Sora | 2019 |
| Hungry Heart: Wild Striker | 2002 |
| Touch | 1985 |
| Tsuritama | 2012 |
| Giant Killing | 2010 |
| RE-MAIN | 2021 |
| Days | 2016 |
| Inazuma Eleven | 2008 |
| Ashita no Joe | 1970 |
| Inazuma Eleven: Orion no Kokuin | 2018 |
| Ganba Fly High | 1996 |
| Inazuma Eleven GO: Chrono Stone | 2012 |
| Zoids: New Century/Zero | 2001 |
| Captain Tsubasa (2018) | 2018 |
| Wangan Midnight | 2007 |
| Princess Nine | 1998 |
| IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix 2nd Season | 2006 |
| Whistle! | 2002 |
| Mix | 2019 |
| Plawres Sanshiro | 1983 |
| Ganbare Genki | 1980 |
| Bamboo Blade | 2007 |
| Offside | 2001 |
| All Out!! | 2016 |
| Suzuka | 2005 |
| Burning Kabaddi | 2021 |
| Ginban Kaleidoscope | 2005 |
| Yawara! A Fashionable Judo Girl | 1989 |
| Uma Musume: Pretty Derby | 2018 |
| Prince of Stride: Alternative | 2016 |
| The Knight in the Area | 2012 |
| Midori no Makibaoh | 1996 |
| Ginga e Kickoff!! | 2012 |
| Honoo no Toukyuuji: Dodge Danpei | 1991 |
| Inazuma Eleven GO: Galaxy | 2013 |
| Inazuma Eleven GO | 2011 |
| Basquash! | 2009 |
| Oban Star-Racers | 2006 |
| Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun | 2017 |
| number24 | 2020 |
| H2 | 1995 |
| Miracle Giants Dome-kun | 1989 |
| Aoki Densetsu Shoot! | 1993 |
| Future GPX Cyber Formula | 1991 |
| The Gymnastics Samurai | 2020 |
| Dash! Kappei | 1981 |
| Taisho Baseball Girls | 2009 |
| Shippu! Iron Leaguer | 1993 |
| Umisho | 2007 |
| Dragon League | 1993 |
| Kinnikuman | 1983 |
| Kunimatsu-sama no Otoridai | 1971 |
| Pro Golfer Saru TV | 1985 |
| Captain Tsubasa: Road to 2002 | 2001 |
| Ro-Kyu-Bu! SS | 2013 |
| Gurazeni: Money Pitch 2nd Season | 2018 |
| Ring ni Kakero 1: Shadow | 2010 |
| Keijo!!!!!!!! | 2016 |
| Ring ni Kakero 1: Sekai Taikai-hen | 2011 |
| Captain Tsubasa J | 1994 |
| IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix | 2005 |
| Dan Doh!! | 2004 |
| Cheer Boys!! | 2016 |
| F | 1988 |
| Ikkyuu-san (1978) | 1978 |
| Inazuma Eleven: Ares no Tenbin | 2018 |
| Monkey Turn V | 2004 |
| Musashi no Ken | 1985 |
| Battle Athletes Victory | 1997 |
| Anima Yell! | 2018 |
| Shin Kyojin no Hoshi | 1977 |
| Soccer Fever | 1994 |
List of Sports Anime Movies
Below is a complete list of sports anime movies:
| Haikyuu!! Movie 4: Battle of Concepts | 2017 |
| Haikyuu!! Movie 3: Talent and Sense | 2017 |
| Kuroko’s Basketball: Last Game | 2017 |
| Haikyuu!! Movie 2: Shousha to Haisha | 2015 |
| Haikyuu!! Movie 1: Owari to Hajimari | 2015 |
| Redline | 2009 |
| High Speed! -Free! Starting Days- | 2015 |
| Kuroko’s Basketball Movie 3: Winter Cup Highlights -Crossing the Door- | 2016 |
| Free! Road to the World – Yume | 2019 |
| Free! -Take Your Marks- | 2017 |
| Initial D Legend 3: Dream | 2016 |
| Initial D Third Stage | 2001 |
| Major Movie: Yuujou no Winning Shot | 2008 |
| Kuroko’s Basketball Movie 2: Winter Cup Highlights -Beyond the Tears- | 2016 |
| Initial D Legend 2: Racer | 2015 |
| Free! -Timeless Medley- The Bond | 2017 |
| Detective Conan Movie 16: The Eleventh Striker | 2012 |
| Free! -Timeless Medley- The Promise | 2017 |
| Initial D Legend 1: Awakening | 2014 |
| Kuroko’s Basketball Movie 1: Winter Cup Highlights -Shadow and Light- | 2016 |
| Yowamushi Pedal The Movie | 2015 |
| The Prince of Tennis Movie 2: Eikoku-shiki Teikyuu Shiro Kessen! | 2011 |
| Yowamushi Pedal: Spare Bike | 2016 |
| Slam Dunk Movie 4 | 1995 |
| The Prince of Tennis: A Gift from Atobe | 2005 |
| Slam Dunk Movie 3 | 1995 |
| Slam Dunk Movie 2 | 1994 |
| The Prince of Tennis Movie 1: Two Samurai – The First Game | 2005 |
| Yowamushi Pedal: Re:GENERATION | 2017 |
| Inazuma Eleven GO: Kyuukyoku no Kizuna Gryphon | 2011 |
| Slam Dunk Movie 1 | 1994 |
| Farewell, My Dear Cramer Movie: First Touch | 2021 |
| Free! Movie: The Final Stroke – Zenpen | 2021 |
| Yowamushi Pedal: Re:RIDE | 2014 |
| Yowamushi Pedal: Re:ROAD | 2015 |
| Inazuma Eleven: Saikyou Gundan Ogre Shuurai | 2010 |
| Batsu & Terry | 1987 |
| A Sumo Wrestler’s Tail | 2010 |
| Pro Golfer Saru: Super Golf World e no Chousen!! | 1986 |
| Kazu & Yasu Hero Tanjou | 1995 |
| Pro Golfer Saru: Kouga Hikyou! Kage no Ninpou Golfer Sanjou! | 1987 |
| Inazuma Eleven GO vs Danball Senki W Movie | 2012 |
| WAVE!! Surfing Yappe!! Movie 3 | 2020 |
| WAVE!! Surfing Yappe!! Movie 2 | 2020 |
| Midoriyama Koukou Koushien-hen Movie | 1990 |
| Inazuma Eleven: Chou Jigen Dream Match | 2014 |
| Shouri Toushu | 1987 |
| Captain The Movie | 1981 |
| Tomorrow’s Joe 2: The Movie | 1981 |
| Tteodori Kkachi | 1987 |
| Tomorrow’s Leaves | 2021 |
| Kyojin no Hoshi Movie 2: Ike Ike Hyuuma | 1969 |
| Kyojin no Hoshi Movie 1: Chizome no Kesshousen | 1969 |
| Kinnikuman Movie 7: Seigi Choujin vs Senshi Choujin | 1986 |
| Kinnikuman II Sei Movie | 2001 |
| Dosukoi! Wanpaku Dohyou | 1995 |
| Nasu: Summer in Andalusia | 2003 |
| Pro Yakyuu wo 10-bai Tanoshiku Miru Houhou Part 2 | 1984 |
| Ganbare!! Tabuchi-kun!! Aa Tsuppari Jinsei | 1980 |
| Kinnikuman Movie 6: New York Kiki Ippatsu! | 1986 |
| WAVE!! Surfing Yappe!! Movie 1 | 2020 |
| Baribari Densetsu | 1987 |
| Tobe! Pegasus Kokoro no Goal ni Shoot | 1995 |
| Pro Yakyuu wo 10-bai Tanoshiku Miru Houhou | 1983 |
| Kinnikuman Movie 2: Ooabare! Seigi Choujin | 1984 |
| Fusha no Sha | 1988 |
| Aoki Densetsu Shoot! Movie | 1994 |
| Ganbare!! Tabuchi-kun!! | 1979 |
| Crush Gear Turbo The Movie – Kaiservern’s Ultimate Challenge | 2002 |
Do you like animes of this style? Have you watched any of these? Do you know of any others that we didn’t mention? Let us know in the comments and share with your friends.
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