Top 10 Sports Anime
Top 10, Watchmojo, Anime, Sports, Prince of Tennis, Ace of Diamond, Slam Dunk, Yowamushi Pedal, Free, Ping Pong The Animation, Hajime no Ippo, Haikyuu, Kuroko's Basketball,
Script Written by Briana Lawrence
Why can’t real sports be this intense? Welcome to WatchMojo.com, where today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Sports Anime.
Anime is known to be home of the outlandish, but when it comes to sports they take it to the extreme. We’re counting any, and all series of this genre no matter how much of a stretch they may be.
So grab your balls, because its game time.
When you think of sports anime, this is probably one of the first series to come to mind. While it certainly isn’t the first of its kind, there’s no denying the popularity of its’ hero, Ryoma Echizen, the Prince of Tennis. The series is full of the staples we’ve come to expect: an elite school made specifically for the sport, a prodigal lead, a cast of unique characters, enviable friendships, intense rivalries, heart-pounding matches, and, of course, over-dramatic moves.
Every team has its’ ace in the hole. For the Deimon Devil Bats it’s none other than “Eyeshield 21”. Sena Kobayakawa may not have the greatest physique, but years of bullying earned him the ability to run like hell. Unfortunately, the rest of the team still has a lot to learn, which doesn’t fare too well against some of the best football teams in Japan. Showing that there is no “I” in “team,” the series focuses on the characters developing their skills and working together to become a solid team that doesn’t rely solely on one person.
Hoping to end his junior high days on a high note, Eijun Sawamura plays the baseball game of his life... and loses. However, the defeat pushes him to try even harder in high school so he can go to nationals with his teammates. Unaware of his potential as an unusual ace in the hole, Sawamura is scouted by the prestigious Seidou High School Baseball Team - an offer he actually turns down in favor of continuing his quest alongside his friends. But he can’t ignore the call of the field, and soon, Sawamura is taking the necessary steps to achieve his dreams.
Most sports anime star characters that have a deep love for the game. Hanamichi Sakuragi is a different story. While he certainly looks perfect for the basketball team, Sakuragi thinks it’s a game for losers. It takes a little bit of persuasion to get him to join the team, and it comes in the form of the girl of his dreams, Haruko Akagi. As such, he can’t help but embrace basketball - after all, his rough looks and delinquent behavior don’t score well with the ladies. No worries, Sakuragi, basketball will never judge you.
If anime has proven anything, it’s that it can -- and will -- be about absolutely anything. So when a series stars a shy otaku who accidentally joins the high school cycling team, it isn’t that big of a surprise. Yes, anime can even make riding a bike look heroic. From riding a clunky bike on his way to Akihabara, to becoming an integral part of Sohoku’s race team, Sakamichi Onoda has quite the character development. And should he face adversity, he can always belt out that hot-blooded song!
Talk about a bait and switch. A series that caught our attention with its fan service ended up being an emotional dip in the pool. On the surface, the series is about swimming, friendship, and a guy who has an intense connection with water. But as you delve deeper, it’s about trying to figure out how to progress through life when you really don’t have any dreams for yourself. Especially when your friends are moving ahead and have some pretty high expectations of you. Oh yeah, almost forgot, there’s cute boys.
The cocky and carefree Peco is considered one of the best table tennis players at the club. His best friend, known as ‘Smile’, is even more talented than he, but doesn’t have that burning desire to win. However, when a Chinese prodigy turns up looking for a challenge, the boys’ passion for the sport is challenged. Though the games depicted in the show are gripping, what Ping Pong truly excels at is its surreal, moody atmosphere thanks to its ever-impressive director Masaaki Yuasa.
Sports can be a powerful influence, something that Ippo learns firsthand when he’s introduced to the world of boxing. After constantly having to deal with a group of bullies, Ippo is rescued by a middleweight professional boxer who brings him to a gym. It’s here that Ippo gets his first taste of life in the ring and immediately feels a connection with the sport. Not only is he able to release his frustrations, he’s also able to see the potential inside of him. But there’s more to boxing than ducking, dodging, and hitting, as the series focuses on Ippo’s growth in both boxing and life.
The words “sports” and “rivalry” go hand and hand, something that Shoyo Hinata learns firsthand after being defeated by the “King of the Court”: Tobio Kageyama. After his crippling loss in his very first tournament game, the energetic Hinata vows to surpass his new rival and become an ace like his idol, “the small giant”. We’re all set to watch him bump, set, and spike his way to sweet vindication... until he enters high school and sees that joining the school’s team means working together with Kageyama, who isn’t too thrilled with the idea, either.
Before we bring our final anime up to bat, let’s cheer on these honorable mentions:
“Big Windup!” (2007-10)
“Cross Game” (2009-10)
“Captain Tsubasa” (1983-86)
“Ashita no Joe” (1970-71)
“Tsuritama” (2012)
Have you heard about the “Generation of Miracles?” They’re an amazing basketball team who dominated the courts, but alas, they’ve gone their separate ways. With the stage set, it’s only a matter of time until these former teammates clash in the most intense series of basketball games in history. But it’s the phantom sixth member, Tetsuya Kuroko who could lead his ragtag team of players to victory. Even alongside his polar-opposite, the brash Kagami Taiga, who is hell-bent on breaking through the glass ceiling set by the Generation of Miracles. With its intense games, lovable characters, and heart-tugging moments, this series will definitely get you in the zone.
Do you agree with our list? Which anime series make you want to go out play ball? For more athletic top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
Top 10 Sports Anime
Why can’t real sports be this intense? Welcome to WatchMojo.com, where today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Sports Anime.
Anime is known to be home of the outlandish, but when it comes to sports they take it to the extreme. We’re counting any, and all series of this genre no matter how much of a stretch they may be.
So grab your balls, because its game time.
#10: “The Prince Of Tennis” (2001-05)
When you think of sports anime, this is probably one of the first series to come to mind. While it certainly isn’t the first of its kind, there’s no denying the popularity of its’ hero, Ryoma Echizen, the Prince of Tennis. The series is full of the staples we’ve come to expect: an elite school made specifically for the sport, a prodigal lead, a cast of unique characters, enviable friendships, intense rivalries, heart-pounding matches, and, of course, over-dramatic moves.
#9: “Eyeshield 21” (2005-08)
Every team has its’ ace in the hole. For the Deimon Devil Bats it’s none other than “Eyeshield 21”. Sena Kobayakawa may not have the greatest physique, but years of bullying earned him the ability to run like hell. Unfortunately, the rest of the team still has a lot to learn, which doesn’t fare too well against some of the best football teams in Japan. Showing that there is no “I” in “team,” the series focuses on the characters developing their skills and working together to become a solid team that doesn’t rely solely on one person.
#8: “Ace of Diamond” (2013-)
Hoping to end his junior high days on a high note, Eijun Sawamura plays the baseball game of his life... and loses. However, the defeat pushes him to try even harder in high school so he can go to nationals with his teammates. Unaware of his potential as an unusual ace in the hole, Sawamura is scouted by the prestigious Seidou High School Baseball Team - an offer he actually turns down in favor of continuing his quest alongside his friends. But he can’t ignore the call of the field, and soon, Sawamura is taking the necessary steps to achieve his dreams.
#7: “Slam Dunk” (1993-96)
Most sports anime star characters that have a deep love for the game. Hanamichi Sakuragi is a different story. While he certainly looks perfect for the basketball team, Sakuragi thinks it’s a game for losers. It takes a little bit of persuasion to get him to join the team, and it comes in the form of the girl of his dreams, Haruko Akagi. As such, he can’t help but embrace basketball - after all, his rough looks and delinquent behavior don’t score well with the ladies. No worries, Sakuragi, basketball will never judge you.
#6: “Yowamushi Pedal” (2013-14)
If anime has proven anything, it’s that it can -- and will -- be about absolutely anything. So when a series stars a shy otaku who accidentally joins the high school cycling team, it isn’t that big of a surprise. Yes, anime can even make riding a bike look heroic. From riding a clunky bike on his way to Akihabara, to becoming an integral part of Sohoku’s race team, Sakamichi Onoda has quite the character development. And should he face adversity, he can always belt out that hot-blooded song!
#5: “Free!” (2013-14)
Talk about a bait and switch. A series that caught our attention with its fan service ended up being an emotional dip in the pool. On the surface, the series is about swimming, friendship, and a guy who has an intense connection with water. But as you delve deeper, it’s about trying to figure out how to progress through life when you really don’t have any dreams for yourself. Especially when your friends are moving ahead and have some pretty high expectations of you. Oh yeah, almost forgot, there’s cute boys.
#4: “Ping Pong The Animation” (2014)
The cocky and carefree Peco is considered one of the best table tennis players at the club. His best friend, known as ‘Smile’, is even more talented than he, but doesn’t have that burning desire to win. However, when a Chinese prodigy turns up looking for a challenge, the boys’ passion for the sport is challenged. Though the games depicted in the show are gripping, what Ping Pong truly excels at is its surreal, moody atmosphere thanks to its ever-impressive director Masaaki Yuasa.
#3: “Hajime no Ippo” series (2000-14)
Sports can be a powerful influence, something that Ippo learns firsthand when he’s introduced to the world of boxing. After constantly having to deal with a group of bullies, Ippo is rescued by a middleweight professional boxer who brings him to a gym. It’s here that Ippo gets his first taste of life in the ring and immediately feels a connection with the sport. Not only is he able to release his frustrations, he’s also able to see the potential inside of him. But there’s more to boxing than ducking, dodging, and hitting, as the series focuses on Ippo’s growth in both boxing and life.
#2: “Haikyuu!!” (2014-)
The words “sports” and “rivalry” go hand and hand, something that Shoyo Hinata learns firsthand after being defeated by the “King of the Court”: Tobio Kageyama. After his crippling loss in his very first tournament game, the energetic Hinata vows to surpass his new rival and become an ace like his idol, “the small giant”. We’re all set to watch him bump, set, and spike his way to sweet vindication... until he enters high school and sees that joining the school’s team means working together with Kageyama, who isn’t too thrilled with the idea, either.
Before we bring our final anime up to bat, let’s cheer on these honorable mentions:
“Big Windup!” (2007-10)
“Cross Game” (2009-10)
“Captain Tsubasa” (1983-86)
“Ashita no Joe” (1970-71)
“Tsuritama” (2012)
#1: “Kuroko’s Basketball” (2012-15)
Have you heard about the “Generation of Miracles?” They’re an amazing basketball team who dominated the courts, but alas, they’ve gone their separate ways. With the stage set, it’s only a matter of time until these former teammates clash in the most intense series of basketball games in history. But it’s the phantom sixth member, Tetsuya Kuroko who could lead his ragtag team of players to victory. Even alongside his polar-opposite, the brash Kagami Taiga, who is hell-bent on breaking through the glass ceiling set by the Generation of Miracles. With its intense games, lovable characters, and heart-tugging moments, this series will definitely get you in the zone.
Do you agree with our list? Which anime series make you want to go out play ball? For more athletic top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
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