Blue Lock has become a viral sensation. Not only have the manga and show caught the attention of anime fans, but Blue Lock garnered attention during the 2022 FIFA World Cup after the Japan team won their matches against Germany and Spain while wearing jerseys inspired by the show. With the show's popularity, many are looking for other anime similar to Blue Lock.
Blue Lock largely focuses on high school football player Yoichi Isagi. After suffering a humiliating loss during a prefectural tournament, Isagi gets invited to join Blue Lock, a training program that aims to shape the world's greatest egoist striker. Conflicted about his playing style, Isagi joins the program with the goal of being the world's best egotistical striker.
10 Inazuma Eleven Mixes Fantasy With Soccer
Inazuma Eleven is an anime franchise that began airing in 2008. It has since released several spin-off series, games, and films.
The original Inazuma Eleven anime centered on the Raimon Team. Previously considered one of the strongest soccer unions, they are not at risk of being dissolved due to their lack of members. Their team captain, Mark Evans, aims to restore their reputation by winning the Football Frontier championship. However, things take a turn when aliens invade Earth. The aliens make a deal: if they are defeated in soccer, they will leave Earth alone.
9 Captain Tsubasa Wants To Win The FIFA World Cup
Captain Tsubasa aired from 1983 to 1986. Four animated films were released in line with the franchise.
Captain Tsubasa focuses on Tsubasa Ozora, a boy with a huge love for soccer who dreams of winning the FIFA World Cup for Japan. During his final year in elementary school, he transferred to a new public school and quickly became the soccer team's ace. After proving his talents, Tsubasa and his team aim to compete at the National Championship.
8 Clean Freak! Aoyama-Kun Has Unique Soccer Playing Styles
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Clean Freak! Aoyama-Kun aired in 2017. Its single season has 12 episodes. It is a comedy anime based on a manga of the same name that began serialization in 2014.
Clean Freak! Aoyama-Kun focuses on the titular character, Aoyama. He is a first-year student and talented soccer player who has competed in U16 matches and is currently a midfielder in his soccer club. He is known for his unique playing style, which was created due to his fear of dirt (mysophobia) and clean freak tendencies.
7 Hungry Heart: Wild Striker Shows A Soccer Player's Self-Discovery
Hungry Heart: Wild Striker aired in 2002 and 2003. It is based on a manga of the same name, which began serialization in 2002 and ended in 2005.
Hungry Heart: Wild Striker revolves around Kano Kyosuke. He looked up to his older brother, A.C. Milan soccer player Kano Seisuke. However, after continuously being criticized and living under his brother's shadow, Kyosuke loses his drive for the sport. This all changes when he meets Tsujiwaki Miki, who fuels his love for football once more. He joins the Jyoyo soccer team and, with the help of his friend, discovers his place in the soccer world.
6 Shoot: Goal To The Future Is A Take On The '90s Classic
Shoot: Goal To The Future aired in 2002. It is part of the Shoot! franchise, which includes the original manga and the 1993 anime.
For those who are fans of the original anime, Aoki Densetsu Shoot!, this is a must-watch. The series revolves around Atsushi Kamiya, the former captain of Kakegawa High School's soccer team and the famous team captain for a famous Italian soccer club. A student of the same school, Hideto Tsuji, has no interest in the soccer team. Their meeting and teamwork will be the spark of a new legendary team.
5 Whistle! Shows Rising Above Disadvantages
Whistle! aired in 2002 and 2003. A video game for the series called Whistle!: Fuki Nukeru Kaze was released in 2003.
Whistle! centers on Sho Kazamatsuri, a middle school student of small stature. As he moves to a new school, he hopes to join the soccer team, as he never got a chance to play in his old school due to his height. The show follows Sho's journey to improve his skills despite his height disadvantage, doing everything to make the team. Viewers will get to see if Sho's hard work will pay off.
4 Beating The Competition In Days
Days aired in 2016. This sports anime is based on a manga of the same name, which began serialization in 2013 and ended in 2021. A spin-off manga, Days Gaiden, was serialized from 2016 to 2018.
Days centers around Tsukushi Tsukamoto. While visiting his friend, Sayuri Tachibana, Tsukishi is attacked by bullies. He is saved by talented soccer player Jin Kazama. Though disheartened by his weakness, Jin's talents spur Tsukishi to join Seiseki High School's soccer club. However, joining is not as easy as it seems; he will have to prove his worth to be accepted.
3 Aoashi Has A Soccer Player That Can Change The World
Aoashi aired in 2022. It is based on a manga of the same name that began serialization in 2015. A spin-off manga was released in 2021.
Aoashi follows the story of Ashito Aoi, a third-year middle school student. Ashito is a talented soccer player and is also known to be a "difficult boy." He meets soccer coach Tatsuya Fukuda and, despite Ashito's behavior, Tatsuya believes in his abilities and invites him to join his soccer team. With his addition to the team, Ashito is touted to change the soccer world.
2 The Knight In The Area Shows Brotherly Love
The Knight In The Area aired in 2012. It is based on a manga of the same name that began serialization in 2006 and ended in 2017.
The Knight In The Area focuses on Kakeru Aizawa. He is the younger brother of a soccer prodigy, Suguru Aizawa. Due to a traumatic injury in his left leg, Kakeru quits playing soccer and opts to be a club manager instead. However, following a car accident that injures Kakeru and takes Suguru's life, the latter's heart is transplanted into Kakeru. With Suguru's heart, Kakeru returns to playing soccer to achieve his brother's dream of winning the World Cup for Japan.
1 Giant Killing Shows Unorthodox Coaching
Giant Killing aired in 2010. The anime is based on a manga of the same name that was first serialized in 2007. It is still in production.
Giant Killing focuses on the revival of East Tokyo United, a soccer league that has lost its fame and reputation. They are doing everything to avoid disbandment. To save their league, ETU hires Tatsumi Takeshi as their new coach. The eccentric coach proved himself as a manager for one of England's amateur teams. Despite his unorthodox methods of coaching, ETU reaps the benefits and proves themselves as a team to watch out for.