STORIES THAT ENCHANT THE MIND
Top 10 Sports Anime of All Time
Top 10 Sports Anime of All Time
Manga and Comics
The majority of anime fans are enthralled by otherworldly, action, drama and fantasy shows, and oblivious to the beauty of sports anime. The Top 10 Sports Anime of All Time offers much more than just the sport itself, adding a unique twist to it. They're about companionship, struggle, advancement, competitiveness, and achieving one's goals. Sports anime scenes are sure to keep anime fans on the edge of their seats as they are thrilling, entertaining, and inspirational.
Furthermore, you do not need to be a fan of the sport to enjoy the show as it has been designed to make the concept of the sport easier to grasp by portraying the sport exceptionally, transforming you into a full-fledged fan of the sport. In this article, we’ll be ranking the Top 10 sports anime of all time, keep in mind that this isn’t in any particular order. Without further ado, let's get started with the Top 10 Sports Anime of All Time.
10.
Baby Steps
Despite its uniqueness, this sports anime is underappreciated. As the title suggests, baby steps, this anime follows eiichiro, a first-year high school student, as he progresses from a complete rookie to a skilled pro tennis player via genuine hard work and commitment.
Baby Steps is one of the most realistic sports anime series, depicting tennis in a fun and engaging manner. The soundtracks are breathtaking, and I can't get enough of the opening theme "Believe in Yourself." The art isn't the best, but that doesn't make the show unwatchable.
Giving these series a shot will open your eyes to the beauty of sports anime and you’ll see it for what it is; an underrated genre in the community. That’s all folks, kindly share your thoughts on the list in the comments section below.
9.
One Outs
Baseball is a popular sport in Japan, so it's no surprise that there is a slew of anime adaptations; One Outs is one of the greatest. The story revolves around Toa Tokuchi an elite pitcher whose entire life revolves around gambling on his baseball talent.
This anime combines psychological factors with incredible sporting action to keep you hooked and wanting more. If you enjoy baseball and looking for some sports action, you're in for a treat.
8.
Chihayafuru
This anime is about a Japanese card game called karuta. You might be thinking that a card game show, much alone a Japanese card game, can't possibly be good. Well, you’re wrong, because the anime show is fantastic and you need to check it out.
Because Karuta is a Japanese-based competitive poetry game, most viewers are unaware of it, causing this sports anime to go under the radar. For any sports anime lover, dismissing this show for either reason is a huge mistake. It also has a high rating among anime fans, indicating that those who give it a try would not be disappointed.,
Although the thought of a poetic card game being considered a sport may seem absurd, karuta is officially recognized as such in Japan. Although the game itself is rather simple. however, a competitive play necessitates quick reflexes, a sharp memory, and a lot of energy. Chihayafuru has expanded the popularity of the card game due to its precise depiction of the anime.
7.
Eyeshield 21
Eyeshield 21 is the only anime that concentrates on American football, and it portrays the sport admirably. It's a wonderful football anime because of the frantic sports action combined with the humor. It's also really intense and will keep you coming back for more.
The plot revolves around Sena Kobayakawa, a high school student who has developed remarkable speed as a result of his lifelong pursuit of bullies. His outstanding running ability drew the notice of the school's American Football Club captain, who forcefully recruited him. Sena only wanted to be the field manager, but fate intervenes, and he becomes the famed eyeshield 21, leading his team to victory
Line Webtoon Canvas
Top 10 Sports Anime of All Time
Honorable Mentions:
There can't be a top 10 list without some honorable mentions, right?
Here are some indie titles that may not have made the Top 10 Sports Anime List, but could be great comics to explore.
In case you have binged all others and are still on the hunt for that dose of sports you just can’t get enough of.
CRUSH3D!! Explores a story after a brutal assault, Carter's life falls apart. But what kind of a hockey player would he be, if he couldn't deal with a bit of violence? For a new team, it goes back to the ice rink.
In the Paint Eat, sleep, basketball. Lena knows nothing but sports until the day she meets a boy playing on her secret basketball court.
ePRO The path to becoming a professional gamer isn't easy, but Trey and his friends are determined to live their dreams in esports!
Be sure to check them out!
CRUSH3D!!
In the Paint
ePRO
6.
Free! – Iwatobi Swim Club
The story revolves around a high school boys swimming team. Haruka Nanase, a great swimmer, reunites with his childhood pals in high school and works together to restore the school's swim club to its former glory while also repairing damaged relationships.
The artwork is stunning and makes you want to go swimming. Swimming has never appeared to be more enjoyable or refreshing. One of its pros, similar to Haikyuu, is the character relationships. The anime series focuses on friendship and bonds between characters, so you can expect to see lots of character and personal development.
The complex nature of the characters makes the show captivating.
5.
Haikyuu!!
You just can't talk about Kuroko no basket without mentioning Haikyuu! Haikyuu is a volleyball-based series, unlike Kuroko no Basket The characters are realistic and quite relatable as you see their development as the series progresses.
The characters each have their charisma and individuality, and after a time, you'll find yourself immersed in this fantastic anime.
Haikyuu and Kuroko Basket have sparked a lot of debate in the community. Which is better? we addressed this question in one of our articles. HAIKYUU vs KNB!
4.
Kuroko No Basket
Another anime with a huge fan service! you probably already know what this anime is about based on the title. "But what if I'm not a sports fan or a basketball fan?" you might wonder. Well, I wasn't myself, and I found myself appreciating basketball as a result of this anime depiction of the sport.
Kuroko no basket is One of the shows that is pushing the sports genre in new directions. Featuring characters with extraordinary skills, it is safe to say that KNB is one of the best Basketball anime of all time. You’ll appreciate this series as it's gripping and full of suspense, with each episode ending on a cliffhanger.
3.
Yuri on Ice
Now to an anime with a lot of fanservice! Yuri on Ice is a short figure skating series. Once upon a time, there was a young man, Yuri Katsugi with a big dream. He idolizes a well-known Russian figure skater and aspires to skate on the same ice as him. Yuri's dream was squashed at first after a crushing defeat until he was able to impress Victor by flawlessly imitating his routine. Victor is so taken with Yuri that he agrees to coach him at the Grand Prix Finals.
Even though the plot is simple (though the characters are anything but), the movie manages to keep viewers engaged despite the lack of big plot twists or shocking surprises. It's a lovely, relatable, hilarious, and hopeful tale. It portrays homosexuality in a way that is significantly distinct from the yaoi genre, and it has gotten a lot of appreciation for its unique perspective. If you don't support the LGBTQ+ Community, then this show isn’t for you.
The animation, as well as the soundtracks, are breathtaking.
2.
Hajime no Ippo
Hajime no Ippo is another old but classic anime series that i'm sure you must have heard of it since its so popular. This show is one of the best underdog stories ever written, and there has never been an anime as inspiring and uplifting as it is.
The plot centers around Ippo, a timid high school kid who is constantly bullied. He wishes to fight back and defend himself, but he can't as he's never been good at fighting, until a chance encounter with a boxer who exposes him to the cruel world of boxing and inspires him into becoming one. Ippo faces numerous obstacles in his quest to achieve his dreams of becoming stronger.
Hajime no Ippo is a fantastic anime that features character development, grit, and superb action. So, whether you're searching for motivation to start working out or simply change your life, Ippo's journey from being bullied to becoming a boxing pro is worth a look.
1.
Prince of Tennis
I'm sure you already know what this anime is about from the title. The story revolves around Ryoma Echizen, a tennis prodigy who attends Seishun Academy, a school noted for its strong tennis club.
Ryoma shortly establishes himself as one of the team's regulars after defeating several upperclassmen shortly after joining, with the ultimate objective of surpassing his father, a legendary tennis player, and becoming Japan's best tennis player.
POT is without a doubt one of the best sports anime series out there; don't be put off by the fact that it goes back to 2000. It's amusing, inspirational, and ideal for watching when you're down as it instantly put you in a good mood. And believe me when I say that it is still relevant today.
It has likable characters, a cool intro, amazing soundtracks, and decent animation, making it highly addictive.
I wasn't a huge fan of anime from the start, and I was one of those naysayers if you know what I mean. Then I decided to give anime a go, and boy! I've become a full-fledged fan, just like everyone else. I grew up watching anime and have always enjoyed writing; I honed my skills by writing about anime as it comes naturally to me. My all-time favorite anime is FMAB.
Subscribe To Our Monthly Newsletter
By clicking “Join Now” you acknowledge and agree to The Otherworlds Inc’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. You also agree that you're a cool snail.
WIN PRIZES:
Raffle will be done every season to choose a winner for that given seasons' prize. Test your luck!
STAY UPDATED:
Receive a newsletter once each quarter containing updates regarding your favorite stories!
BE THE FIRST:
Get a behind the scene scoops on your favorite creators and be the first to see awesome content!