Though most wouldn't expect sports anime to be the medium's most exciting genre, there are plenty of excellent series that immerse the viewer through well-written drama and action-packed matches. Instead of using cool power systems or magical weaponry, sports anime applies the high-stakes action of shonen to every sport imaginable.

Whether it's traditional sports like volleyball or something unorthodox, like ping-pong, the anime's portrayal allows viewers to fall in love with every sport. The best sports anime have lovable characters who share interesting dynamics. Teammates have a specific relationship, as do rival teams.

Updated on February 7th, 2024 by Chelsea Steele: Sports anime come in a variety of forms, from soccer to basketball to traditional Japanese sports. The best sports series showcase the competitive world and the thrill of the game, all while exploring each character's personal goals and development. This list has been updated to meet CBR's current publication standard, offering more info on some of the best sports anime titles of all time.

30 Hinomaru Sumo Follows A High Schooler Who Dreams Of Becoming A Professional Sumo Wrestler

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Sumo is a traditional form of Japanese wrestling where opponents of varying sizes match up and only the strongest dominate. Hinomaru Sumo follows the journey of a high school boy who dreams of competing in this legendary sport as a pro.

However, only the best in the high school division make it to the professional stage. With his small size that doesn't even meet the minimum weight requirements for the sport, Hinomaru Ushio has a long way to go before he meets his goal. A unique addition to the sports genre, Hinomaru Sumo takes fans into the impressive world of Japanese sumo with an inspirational underdog story.

29 Cross Game Features Childhood Rivals Who Grew Up Around The Game Of Baseball

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Cross Game is a beloved series centered on the ever-popular game of baseball. The series stars two young protagonists, Kou Kitamura and Aoba Tsukishima, a quarrelsome pair who couldn't be more different. However, they do share one thing in common — both are exceptionally skilled at baseball.

Surprisingly enough, this odd couple makes for a great team on the field. The more Kou Kitamura and Aoba Tsukishima play together, the more they realize they actually aren't that different after all. Cross Game is a dramatic series that combines the thrill of baseball with the drama of romance for a one-of-a-kind experience.

28 Days Follows Two Very Different Teammates & How They Inspire Each Other

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Days is a 2016 soccer series that stars two very different protagonists. While Tsukushi is a talentless player who struggles at every turn, his teammate Jin is a soccer prodigy. Though they're on completely different ends of the spectrum, these two are a dynamic duo and inspire each other to give it their all in the game.

One of the most heartwarming stories of teamwork in the genre, Days follows Tsukushi and Jin's adventures together as they work hard to improve and set new goals for themselves. The series is highly underrated among sports anime, garnering very little attention since its release. Nevertheless, it's one of the best soccer series out there and more fans should check it out.

27 Welcome To The Ballroom Takes Audiences Into The World Of Competitive Ballroom Dancing

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When it comes to sports, most hardly think of dance. However, dancing takes a great deal of strength and endurance, just like the many more popular forms of sports out there. Welcome to the Ballroom is a unique series featuring the skill and beauty of various forms of dance.

The series follows Tatara Fujita, a shy young boy who never puts himself out there for others. However, that all changes when he visits a local dance studio and falls in love with the sport. Inspired by the beauty of dance and the thrill of the stage, Tatara enters the passionate world of competitive dancing. Beautiful, touching, and inspirational, Welcome to the Ballroom is one of the best sports anime to release in recent years.

26 Eyeshield 21 Centers On The Game Of American Football

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Eyeshield 21 is a 2005 sports anime series that focuses on the American game of football, a rather rare sport within the genre. The series stars Sena Kobayakawa, a high school boy who hardly seems cut out for such a tough sport. He's small, shy, and very reserved, making him almost the complete opposite of a football star.

Despite his shortcomings, Sena is incredibly agile, which lands him a special spot on his school's team. Donning a visored helmet and a number 21 jersey, he slowly makes a name for himself as the legendary running back "Eyeshield 21." A fun and inspirational series, Eyeshield 21 entertains with its colorful cast and over-the-top gameplay scenes.

25 Inazuma Eleven Focuses On The Power Of Teamwork & Friendship

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Inazuma Eleven is a heartwarming anime about soccer that revolves around themes of teamwork and friendship. Endou Mamoru, the protagonist, is a talented goalie who works with his friends to recruit members for his school's soccer club. The club will shut down if they don't get enough members in time.

Inazuma Eleven is underrated, but still one of the best sports anime to watch, especially for avid fans of the subgenre. It's one of the best sports anime to watch for fans of Blue Lock who want something a little tamer to get stuck into, as they search for something new but similar.

24 Burning Kabaddi Showcases A Widely Unknown Sport

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Kabaddi is an obscure team sport with a focus on offensive play. Though it just seems like it's about tackling and raiding, kabaddi requires constant observation and excellent strategic skills. It's a high-contact sport that gets players' adrenaline pumping. Even if someone had no prior knowledge of kabaddi before watching Burning Kabaddi, they'd definitely be compelled to play afterward.

Burning Kabaddi follows Yoigoshi after he's swindled into joining his school's kabaddi club. He used to be a star soccer player, but quit to pursue livestreaming. Though he initially wanted nothing to do with the club, Yoigoshi eventually falls in love with kabaddi.

23 One Outs Features The Psychological Side Of Baseball

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One Outs is a great sports anime about baseball that demonstrates why the sport isn't just a physical battle — it's also a psychological. Toua Tokuchi, a gifted pitcher and talented protagonist, is especially adept at using mind games to get what he wants, whether it's a victory on the field or a way to boost his reputation.

The Lycaons are an obscure team struggling to succeed in the league, and they recruit Toua as their last hope. One Outs is an excellent sports anime with the same cerebral intensity as Kakegurui and Death Note.

22 Tsurune: Kazemai High School Kyudo Club Follows A Young Prodigy's Journey As He Takes Up His Bow Again

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Kyudo is Japanese archery. Unlike normal archery, Kyodo incorporates martial arts. Tsurune: Kazemai High School Kyudo Club stars Minato. Minato is a kyudo prodigy who took a break in middle school after realizing that he'd never be free from hayake, or involuntarily releasing an arrow.

Minato picked up his bow again after a new kyudo club opened in his high school. He joined the club and reunited with Seiya and Ryouhei, his childhood friends. Minato fell back in love with kyudo and helped his team get to nationals. Tsurune is a great sports anime that deserves more love and attention.

21 Ao Ashi Tells The Story Of A Reckless Young Soccer Player With Unlimited Potential

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Ao Ashi is an enthralling series about soccer. Animated by Production I.G., Ao Ashi tells the story of Ashito Aoi. He's earned the reputation of being a reckless player with no regard for his teammates. He's a one-man army on the field and carries his team to victory single-handedly. However, that changed after an opponent provoked Ashito into an argument. Ashito lost his temper and cost his team the game since his coach had to bench him over his outburst.

Ashito's team had no success in the tournament without him. Ashito was given a second chance after Tatsuya, a youth team coach, reached out to him because he wanted to foster his potential. He invited him to try out for his team in Tokyo. Ashito soon learns that he's not the only gifted player, so he has to step up if he wants to succeed.

20 Amanchu Follows Two Girls With A Love Of Scuba Diving

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Amanchu is a scuba diving-focused sports anime that came out in 2016 with 12 episodes and an OVA. Each episode feels like its own little adventure. Friendship is a major point of the show, like many other great sports anime.

Pikari and Teko are the show's leading duo. One is very shy, while the other is excitable and has a quirky personality. Plus, Teko doesn't even know how to swim at first. The series will certainly make viewers want to grab some scuba gear and give this sport a try.

19 Chihayafuru Follows A Young Girl On A Mission To Become Japan's Greatest Karuta Player

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Chihayafuru uniquely focuses on a purely Japanese card game called karuta. Though karuta involves playing cards, this unique game is considered a sport nonetheless, and is a well-loved part of Japanese tradition. The series is also one of the few sports anime to feature a female protagonist, making it truly stand out within the genre.

While Chihayafuru is about a game that Western audiences most likely have never heard of or played, it has a lot of non-Japanese fans. This sports anime is critically acclaimed for its lovable protagonist and well-written side characters who instantly stole fans' hearts.

18 Baby Steps Is An Underrated Sports Series Centered On The Passion Of Tennis

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Soccer, volleyball, and boxing may generally produce the best sports anime, but tennis also has multiple decent entries. Studio Pierrot's Baby Steps premiered back in 2014, running for two seasons. Baby Steps follows Eiichirou Maruo, as he turns a fear for his own physical health into a love for tennis.

Through his own hard-working and perfectionist nature, Eiichirou develops a unique playstyle that fuels a newfound passion for the sport, bringing new aims and ambitions. Baby Steps may have been lost in the shuffle when it comes to sports anime, but it deserves a watch.

17 Tomorrow's Joe Tells The Iconic Story Of A Young Man's Journey To Become A Champion Boxer

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Tomorrow's Joe, Ashita no Joe, is often overlooked within the realms of boxing sports anime, but ultimately deserves respect as one of the classics. Tomorrow's Joe follows the titular Joe as he literally fights through his problems, but turns it from rough fighting on the streets to channelling it in the form of boxing.

Joe is trained from little more than fighting spirit and potential, eventually becoming championship-winning material. Tomorrow's Joe is quintessential sports anime, emphasizing the merits of having a fighting spirit and other lessons. It is a classic sports anime that certainly deserves more love and attention.

16 Major Follows The Dreams Of A Young Baseball Player

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Major is a sports anime that has taken on a life of its own. From manga to six seasons and over 150 anime episodes, Major even had a movie and a sequel anime titled Major 2nd. The original Major follows Goro Honda, exploring his life from the early days to becoming a professional baseball player.

Major deserves mention among the best sports anime. It may not boast as much quality as other sports anime, but it wraps everything in a neat and fun package. Exploring the dreams and aspirations of a wide-eyed youngster coming to fruition always makes for a wholesome premise, added in with some classic shonen sports anime drama to make Major well-worth a watch.

15 Prince Of Tennis Stars A Young Tennis Prodigy Who Aims To Defeat His Father

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Many sports anime protagonists start out as total novices at their sport. However, Prince of Tennis' Ryoma was recognized as a prodigy when he was 12. He started strong right from his debut in the tennis world.

Ryoma has won tons of championships, but still can't defeat his father. Their rivalry is one of the series' focal points. He joined the tennis team and spent the entire series honing his skills enough to defeat his father. Prince of Tennis is an exciting sports anime with a unique premise that the genre's fans are sure to enjoy.

14 Run With The Wind Stars An Ambitious Team Of Competitive Runners

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Run With The Wind, as the title suggests, is a series about running. It's a character-driven story. Everyone has their own reasons for running, and each character has their own baggage to unpack. Running turns out to be a form of catharsis for most of them.

The focus is primarily on the ten-person team, but each character has plenty of time in the spotlight. Unlike many other sports anime, Run With The Wind is about a group of college students. Older viewers will definitely appreciate this particular sports anime.

13 Megalo Box Combines Boxing With Dystopian Cyberpunk & Mecha Themes

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Megalo Box is a dystopian sports anime that combines the subgenre with cyberpunk elements and mecha to create a truly unique premise. Megalo Box takes place in a bleak future where the poor must go head-to-head in the ring. However, they wear metal exoskeletons to enhance their skills and ensure that their opponent truly feels the impact of each punch.

Megalo Box, unsurprisingly, takes a very dark turn and makes meaningful commentary about themes of loss and classism. Megalo Box's unique take on boxing made it a critically acclaimed series and one of the top sports anime.

12 Captain Tsubasa Is One Of Anime's Most Iconic Soccer Stories

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Originally released as a manga series in 1981, Captain Tsubasa is one of the longest and most iconic sports anime around. Its manga is ongoing and the original anime series from the '80s has over 100 episodes.

Captain Tsubasa had many films and OVAs afterward and then had more anime series' in the '90s, 2000s, and most recently from 2018 to 2019. Captain Tsubasa is all about soccer, following the passionate titular hero on his journey to greatness. It has become a popular sports anime for its likable characters and messages on teamwork. It has left a legacy when it comes to Japanese pop culture.

11 Yowamushi Pedal Stars An Otaku Boy Who Discovers A Passion For Biking

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Yowamushi Pedal's main character, Sakamichi Onoda, is an otaku who is looking to make friends. However, the school anime club disbanded, so he has to settle for the bicycle racing club. He's not the typical sports anime protagonist, but it's hard to dislike him.

With a lovable cast of side characters and entertaining antagonists, Yowamushi Pedal is an enjoyable ride from beginning to end. The series isn't unrealistic like a few other sports anime, but it isn't exactly the average slice-of-life either.