Top 60 Best Sports Anime Of All Time

Smile and Peco, known by their real names Makoto and Yutaka, have been constant companions since childhood. Their bond has been forged by countless hours spent playing ping pong together, a sport that has drawn them closer over the years. Shared passions can create strong and lasting connections between people.

Being around those who share your interests brings a sense of comfort, almost like sharing your own personal sanctuary with someone else. Despite their contrasting personalities, ping pong is the common thread that ties Smile and Peco together. The story also highlights the dedication of many students striving to win the Japanese inter-high table tennis competition.

It's important to remember that loving a sport isn't dependent on one's skill. Just as you don't have to be a great actor to appreciate good films, you don't need to be an expert at a sport to enjoy it. Embrace what brings you joy, regardless of your level of talent.

When you discover your true goal and dedicate yourself fully, success eventually follows. Ippo, once a timid boy frequently bullied by his classmates, struggled even to defend himself.

Who would have guessed that he’d transform into a world-famous boxer? While it sounds unlikely, Ippo proved it possible. His journey takes a dramatic turn when Takamura Mamoru saves him from bullies and introduces him to the Kamogawa boxing club—it’s there that Ippo feels his first spark of inspiration.

Captivated by the atmosphere of strength and discipline, Ippo longs to grow stronger. He asks Takamura to train him, and upon receiving a challenge, commits to intense practice to prepare himself. This marks the beginning of his remarkable journey. The story reminds us that opportunities often appear disguised, and if we’re attentive and determined, we too can accomplish our dreams.

Have you ever heard of someone being rejected by girls 50 times before even finishing middle school? Meet Hanamichi Sakuragi, the unforgettable protagonist of the anime series Slam Dunk.

Hanamichi possesses incredible physical strength, which often intimidates those around him—especially girls. On top of that, his fiery temper doesn't do him any favors. Things take a turn when he enters Shohoku High School and meets Haruko Akagi, who instantly stands out from every other girl he's met before.

Instead of being scared off, Haruko recognizes Hanamichi's raw strength and reports it to the school's basketball coach. This pivotal moment sets his journey with basketball in motion. The anime is an adaptation of a beloved Japanese sports manga and follows the rise of Shohoku High's little-known basketball team as they climb to national fame.

If you're a sports anime enthusiast, Slam Dunk is an absolute must-watch.

Haikyuu is often hailed as one of the best sports anime ever created, capturing audiences with its thrilling matches and heartfelt storylines. At the core of the series are two passionate rivals: Hinata and Kageyama. Known as “the king of the court,” Kageyama initially crushes Hinata’s team in their first match, leaving a deep impression on Hinata.

This defeat motivates Hinata to vow that he will one day surpass Kageyama in high school. Unexpectedly, fate brings these two former adversaries together as teammates at the same high school, turning Hinata’s goal of rivalry into a journey of collaboration and growth.

Hinata faces additional challenges due to his short stature, which makes earning a key spot on the volleyball team more difficult. Despite his setbacks, he perseveres. As the story unfolds, the relationship between Hinata and Kageyama evolves, especially as Hinata learns about the personal struggles Kageyama faces.

It becomes clear that only Hinata has the potential to truly support Kageyama, forcing them to unite and function as an effective team. This dynamic drives the intense competition and teamwork at the heart of Haikyuu, taking the viewer on an exhilarating emotional journey.

With its impactful emotions, thrilling action, lively drama, and humor, Haikyuu masterfully captivates viewers. Beyond entertainment, it offers inspiring lessons about sportsmanship, determination, and personal growth—undoubtedly making it one of the finest entries in the sports anime genre.

"Run With the Wind" centers on Kakeru and Haiji, two compelling protagonists brought together by chance. When Kakeru, down on his luck, is caught stealing food, he encounters Haiji, who offers him shelter in an old dormitory named "Chikusheisou."

Despite his reluctance, Kakeru agrees to stay due to his financial hardships. During his time at the dorm, he learns of Haiji's ambitious goal—to compete in the Hakone Ekiden relay marathon. However, the team faces a significant challenge: aside from Kakeru and Haiji, everyone else in the dorm is a complete novice at running.

Will Haiji's dream become a reality? Can this unlikely group band together and enter the marathon? The blend of suspense, action, and heartfelt moments in this anime makes it an unforgettable watch for sports fans.

"Cross Game," adapted from the acclaimed manga of the same name, centers on the intertwined lives of Kou Kitamura and Aoba Tsukishima. The Kitamura and Tsukishima families have been close for years, but Kou and Aoba have always maintained a fierce rivalry.

Aoba excels as a star baseball player, while Kou, although not passionate about the sport, possesses remarkable talent. He often visits the Tsukishima family's baseball center to sharpen his skills—perhaps subconsciously driven to compete with Aoba.

The tension between them is heightened by their mutual affection for Aoba's sister, Wakaba, who also happens to be Kou's first love. Despite this complicated dynamic, Wakaba does not intentionally come between them.

Both Kou and Aoba care deeply for Wakaba, and Aoba's jealousy is stirred when Wakaba spends more time with Kou. This emotional rivalry, combined with thrilling baseball matches, makes "Cross Game" an unforgettable sports anime experience.

Toua Tokuchi stands as the central figure in the anime One Outs. Though recognized as a professional athlete, his true persona is that of an expert gambler, always seeking high-stakes challenges. When he’s invited to transform the chronically underperforming Saikyou Saitama Lycaons, Toua shocks everyone with a bold, risky proposal.

Toua introduces the innovative "One-Outs" contract, where he earns 5 million yen for every out he pitches. However, there’s a catch: for every run he allows, he loses a staggering 50 million yen. This high-risk, high-reward deal sets the stage for intense drama.

You might think no rational person would ever agree to such terms, and Toua’s audacity is what makes the series so engaging. The adrenaline and suspense build quickly, immersing viewers in each pitch and gamble Toua makes.

One Outs is truly a must-watch for any sports anime fan. If you’ve seen it already—or plan to check it out—share your thoughts. I’m eager to hear what you think!

Joe Yabuki, the bold and unruly protagonist of Ashita No Joe, is a young man notorious for picking fights wherever he goes. Living without manners or restraint, he’s rarely seen avoiding trouble. His tough life takes a turn when he drifts into the slums of Doya and catches the attention of Tange, a washed-up, alcoholic ex-boxer.

Recognizing Joe’s raw strength and fighting spirit, Tange is determined to train him into a boxing champion. Yet, Joe is far from an easy student—accepting help or discipline doesn’t come naturally to him. It’s not as simple as just offering to be his coach; Joe’s stubbornness is legendary.

What finally convinces Joe is an act of loyalty. When Joe finds himself in danger, Tange risks his own life to save him. Even someone as hard as Joe can’t ignore such a debt—gratitude compels him to accept Tange’s guidance.

The path to boxing greatness is riddled with hardship for Joe. This anime takes you on an emotional journey, exploring his struggles and triumphs alongside Tange. It’s an inspiring story of mentorship, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of dreams.

If you enjoyed watching Initial D: Extra Stage, you'll likely appreciate Initial D: Final Stage as well. As the tenth installment in the Initial D franchise, it continues the journey of Takumi Fujiwara and his friends, immersing viewers in the high-stakes world of street racing. This chapter builds up to the most intense and thrilling race of their lives, promising excitement at every turn.

Although Takumi has maintained an undefeated record, he's about to face his toughest challenge yet—a rival driving the exact same car. This matchup could dramatically alter the course of his fate. Filled with adrenaline-pumping action, Initial D: Final Stage is a must-watch for any sports anime enthusiast.

Yoichi Isagi faces a defining moment during a high school soccer match when he chooses to pass instead of taking a crucial shot, missing the chance to lead his team to the nationals. This one decision fills him with regret and self-doubt.

Back at home, Isagi receives a surprise invitation from the Japan Football Union. Selected as one of the country’s top U-18 strikers, he joins the intense and controversial Blue Lock project—a radical initiative designed to discover Japan’s next superstar striker.

Initially hesitant, Isagi soon embraces the challenge, determined to overcome fierce competition from 299 other skilled forwards. He must push himself in grueling individual and team trials, setting aside his doubts and aiming to become Japan’s best.

Blue Lock is widely considered an emerging phenomenon in sports anime. Though some argue it hasn’t reached legendary status yet, many fans believe it’s set to captivate the world. If you’re passionate about football, Blue Lock is a must-watch you won’t want to miss.

Chihayafuru is an anime adaptation of the manga of the same name, written and illustrated by Yuki Suetsugu. This series introduces viewers to Karuta, a traditional Japanese card game that is both physically and mentally demanding.

The story follows Chihaya Ayase as she transforms from living in her sister’s shadow to becoming a passionate Karuta enthusiast in high school. Along with her friends Arata and Taichi, Chihaya dedicates herself to the game, deepening their bond as a close-knit trio.

However, fate intervenes, and the trio is separated when circumstances pull them to different locations. Despite the distance, Chihaya’s obsession with Karuta only grows, while her friends pursue their own paths. Their journeys are filled with unexpected challenges and heartfelt moments.

Major is an anime adaptation based on the acclaimed sports manga created by Takuya Mitsuda. The story centers on Goro Honda, the determined protagonist, as viewers follow his emotional journey through the highs and lows of pursuing a career in baseball. His struggles and relentless drive to succeed highlight the challenges faced by aspiring athletes.

Just like in real life, every individual must navigate their own difficult path to achieve their dreams. Success is never handed out freely, especially in a competitive world. Anime like Major serves as a source of motivation, inspiring viewers to harness that drive and chase their own ambitions.

Defeat can be incredibly discouraging, and for Eijun Sawamura, losing his final middle school baseball game left a lasting impact. Determined to redeem himself, he makes a vow to reach the national tournament once he enters high school. However, achieving this goal is far from straightforward.

When Eijun is offered a spot at Seidou High School, a renowned institution known for its baseball program, he accepts, hoping to face stronger opponents and improve his skills. Yet, surrounded by talented athletes, he soon feels out of place. Despite his passion and talent, breaking into the main roster proves to be a tough challenge.

"Ace of Diamond" highlights the challenges, perseverance, and growth of its diverse cast as they chase their dreams of reaching the finals. The anime captivates viewers with its emotional depth, teaching valuable lessons about teamwork, ambition, and overcoming adversity on and off the field.

SK8 The Infinity is a dynamic and original Japanese anime series centered entirely around the thrilling world of skateboarding. The story follows high school students Reki and Langa, who serve as the show’s main protagonists. Set in the vibrant locale of Okinawa, the anime introduces viewers to a clandestine skateboarding competition called "S," which takes place after midnight.

With a lawless atmosphere and no restrictions, this underground event draws in passionate skaters, each eager to push their limits. Reki introduces Langa to the exciting, high-stakes world of "S," and the two quickly form a strong bond through their shared love of skateboarding.

The series is packed with adrenaline-fueled adventures and the exhilarating spirit of late-night competition, making it an engaging watch for sports anime fans and newcomers alike.

"Kuroko's Basketball" is an adaptation of a popular Japanese sports manga that follows Seirin High School's inspiring journey to the top of Japan’s basketball scene. The story centers on Kuroko, the enigmatic sixth member of the famed "Generation of Miracles," as he aims to lead his new team to victory.

Alongside his friend Taiga Kagami, a gifted and passionate basketball player, Kuroko helps Seirin challenge and defeat rival teams one after another. Kuroko's background at the renowned Teiko Junior High—home to the "Generation of Miracles" and a three-time Junior High Nationals champion—makes his skills on the court exceptional.

This impressive history explains why Kuroko is considered an extraordinary talent. Besides his basketball abilities, he's a remarkable team player and leader. The anime is filled with intense sports action, motivational moments, and nonstop entertainment, making it a standout in the genre.

Let me start with a fun fact for anime and manga enthusiasts: there's a term called "Otaku" for people who are passionate about anime and manga. Many of you may already be familiar with it—an "Otaku" simply refers to someone deeply devoted to this world.

I consider myself an Otaku, and I bring this up because the protagonist of Yowamushi Pedal is one, too. Meet Sakamichi Onoda, a friendly yet shy student who struggles to make friends and hopes to connect with others by joining his new school's anime club.

However, his plan hits a snag when he learns that the anime club is currently inactive. But life takes a different turn for him when his hidden cycling talent comes to light. Even on a simple city bicycle, he effortlessly climbs steep hills, impressing members of the cycling club.

Soon after, Naruko and Imaizumi encourage Onoda to join the school's bicycle club. Once he becomes part of the team, he finds the companionship and support he has always longed for among his new friends.

It's no surprise that Onoda's extraordinary skills become invaluable to the team and contribute greatly to their success.

Imagine relaxing with a cup of coffee, engrossed in your favorite sports championship, cheering for the winners. Yet, we often forget about those who put forth the same dedication but fall short. It can be heartbreaking to give everything you have, only to face defeat.

Yuuri Katsuki, once among Japan's top figure skaters, soared to fame before experiencing a crushing downfall. Defeated and demoralized, he abandoned hope of reclaiming his former glory. Then, unexpectedly, a video of his routine went viral, capturing international attention.

The buzz reached Victor Nikiforov—a five-time World Champion—who surprised Yuuri by visiting him and offering to become his coach. As Victor was Yuuri’s idol, Yuuri eagerly accepted, reigniting his determination to reclaim his place in the figure skating world.

Yet, the level of competition had become fiercer during Yuuri’s absence. Would he be able to rise again, or would failure shatter him further? No matter the outcome, the story reminds us that we must persist and take risks, rather than dwell on missed opportunities.

"Yuri! On Ice" is also categorized as a yaoi anime. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, it refers to anime that explores romantic relationships between male characters—definitely worth exploring for new perspectives.

Privilege may seem like a blessing, but for Ren Mihashi, it complicated his life in unexpected ways. Attending a middle school where his grandfather was the owner sounds fortunate, but for Mihashi, this connection came with its own set of challenges.

Despite his lack of arrogance, Mihashi was often ignored and disliked—mainly due to his struggles on the baseball field. But was it truly his fault? A closer look reveals it was his teammates who excluded him, undermining his confidence and affecting his performance.

This ongoing isolation gradually eroded Mihashi's self-esteem. When you're constantly treated as inferior, it's natural to lose confidence—and without confidence, even the simplest achievements feel impossible.

Mihashi's old teammates blamed him for their losses, believing he only made the team because of his family ties. The guilt weighed heavily on him, even though the real issue was their lack of teamwork and support.

Seeking a fresh start, Mihashi transfers to a new school, hoping to move on. Yet, baseball follows him, and he's encouraged to join the team. Unlike before, his new teammates support and believe in him, helping rebuild his confidence.

As Mihashi regains his self-assurance, his skills improve dramatically. Through the unwavering support of his team, he grows into a true ace, proving the transformative power of confidence and camaraderie in both sports and life.

Eyeshield 21 follows the journey of Sena, a timid high school student who tries to avoid trouble and bullying by using his impressive speed to escape difficult situations. Known secretly as "Eyeshield 21," Sena becomes the star player of the Devil Bats football team.

One day, the cunning team captain Hiruma witnesses Sena's extraordinary running abilities and persuades him to join the team. Though reluctant at first, Sena soon takes on a leading role, guiding the Devil Bats toward the prestigious Christmas Bowl, Japan's annual high school football tournament. The entire team places their hopes on his shoulders.

As the story unfolds, we witness Sena's inspiring transformation from a timid, insecure boy into a confident and determined athlete, driven by the camaraderie and challenges of the sport.

Inazuma Eleven is an anime series inspired by Level 5's popular video game of the same name. Previously on our list, we discussed Inazuma Eleven Go, the second sequel in the franchise. This series centers on the determined students of Raimon Middle School and their soccer club.

Their primary objective isn't just about winning the national championship—it’s about forming a solid team from the ground up. After all, victory is impossible without unity. The story follows their challenges in building a cohesive team and their tireless efforts to achieve their goals on the soccer field.

You all must have seen a baby, trying hard to walk properly? Little by little, it takes baby steps, towards his goal of being able to run around the house without falling, right? The storyline of this anime is similar to that, and hence the name.

Baby Steps is an adaptation of a manga. The story revolves around Eiichirou's life as a student and later as a tennis player. Like most of us, he prioritizes his academics above all. The reason isn't his love for studies, but because he thinks that is what should be done.

All these beliefs get shattered when he meets Natsu, a first-year student, determined to become a professional tennis player. He starts playing tennis in his free time, and every day he takes baby steps towards mastering the sport. Eventually, he falls in love with the sport and discovers his passion.

Who can pull you back, when you are determined to work on your passion? No one!

Stars Align is the story about Maki Katsuragi and his friend Toma Shinjo, whom he meets when he joins a new high school. Shinjo convinces Maki to join the boy's soft tennis club mainly because it is being threatened with closure by the powerful student council and because, unlike the successful soft tennis girls club, it's been quite unsuccessful over the years.

So, will the two boys along with their team of soft tennis players be able to save the club from going defunct or will they have to face more challenges than those that meet the eye?

Produced by Nippon Animation and Animax, Hungry Heart: Wild Striker is an adaptation of a Japanese football manga series. The world of anime often reflects real life through fiction. If not wholly, partially. In the anime Hungry Heart: Wild Striker, we see how Kyosuke has been living in his brother's shadow.

His brother Seisuke, is an extremely famous football player, who left Japan to sign with A. C Milan, the Italian powerhouse. Kyosuke was compared with him and was even criticized for having a different style of playing. Isn't that ridiculous?

We love critiquing others, but we don't even give a damn about how they feel about it. Constructive criticism is good, but the thing that happened here isn't. Kyosuke was badly affected and gradually he lost his passion for football. Thank goodness it didn't die.

Things that you lose can be regained, but if they die, there is no probability of getting it back. Miki is the one who did wonders in Kyosuke's life. She rekindled the deep passion that Kyosuke had for football and encouraged him to pursue it, and he did.

It is an amazing journey to see Kyosuke losing it all and then regaining it. His hard work and love for the game and how it changes his life. Wait, can we ignore that the anime is all about Kyosuke's love for football?

We can't, right? And football is one of the most entertaining sports in the world. There's no chance of getting bored here.

You know what it is all about, don't you? What else can it be rather than tennis! So I'm skipping the part, "the anime is all about tennis" and stuff, okay? Prince of Tennis gives us a glimpse of the world surrounding the game.

It is harsh and competitive. No one cares about you until you win the game. If you don't, well, do we even know who you are? In Japan, the sport is given a lot of importance. Many schools participate in the championship.

Another drop in the ocean is Seishun Gakuen High School's team. They have a strong team, and are quite popular in the field. But things take a turn and the team becomes even stronger with the arrival of Ryouma Echizen, a determined and highly ambitious player.

His main aim is to break away from being the shadow of his father and get his own identity. Apart from being a sports anime, it introduces us to so many problems that exist in a teenager's life. A constant hunt for your passion, fear of losing, ambitions, identity crisis, the pressure of becoming like their parents, and many more.

Watching this will give you a whole new level of motivation.

Pretty Rhythm: Aurora Dream is an anime adaptation of a game. In the anime, we see Prism Stars, Aira Harune and Rizumu Azamiya perform Prism Shows. Wondering what Prism Shows are? Prism Shows are a combination of singing, dancing, fashion, and figure skating in a performance.

The story is set in Japan, where Prism Shows are very popular. Throughout the series, we see how Rizuma captivates the audience by performing her perfect 'Aurora Rising', the legendary Prism Jump. On the other hand, we see Aira, absolutely untrained, focusing on her innate fashion.

The series is very interesting, especially the ending. When Rizuma's mother suddenly reappears and there is a battle going on between Aira, Rizumu, and Mion for the Prism Queen title.

It is an adaptation of the manga Yawara, written and illustrated by the Japanese mangaka Naoki Urasawa. It was produced by Madhouse. Yawara Inokuma is the main protagonist of the anime. Yawara has an innate talent for playing Judo and her grandfather knows this.

He aspires to see her win the Judo championship in Japan and later win the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. Irritated by this constant pressure and authority of her grandfather, Yawara starts hating the game. Later in the series, we get to know her grandfather's perspective and his reason for being in love with the game so much!

Eventually, she understands him and sets towards achieving those dreams for him. It is a beautiful story and as the different layers unfold, you will fall in love with it.

This is a story of a guy named Mikoto Shiratori. He is an extremely talented badminton player but a game he lost in his past has changed his game forever. He used to play in the doubles but the loss in the past has forced him to play in the singles.

But he is still not playing his best due to which he gets fired from his job. Now he plays for a different company where he practised the game in the evening and manages sales during the day. This sure is hectic for him but he tries to balance everything properly.

But as soon as he was getting used to this life, he releases he has to play in the doubles and now everything from his past has  resurfaced and starts hindering his progress. As he starts regretting his choices, his teammates help him through his journey and show him his potential.

"Why don't you join our bicycle club?" asked Fukazawa, Shinozaki's secret love. How could he? He doesn't even know how to ride a bicycle. He could not even say no to Fukazawa, she is the love of his life. How cute, isn't it?

Well, this roadblock was nothing. Shinozaki learned to cycle and joined the club. What then? He discovers his passion and decides to work hard to become a bike rider. When you pair up passion with dedication, there's no looking back, and that's what happened here.

Shinozaki works hard and reaches the top. He became the champion of the Tour de France, the biggest bicycle race in the world. This was a real and uncommon achievement because this time it was a Japanese boy winning the championship, which is a rarity.

Initial D: Extra Stage 2, is the 8th installment of the 10-part anime series Initial D. And Initial D is an adaptation of the Japanese street racing manga which has the same name. The series focuses on illegal Japanese street racing.

This installation did what was undone in the main series. It provided us with closure to the relationship between Mako Sato and Koichiro Iketani. The ending will not be disclosed here, but I will tell you the twist that's there in this installation.

In case you are an Initial D fan I'm sure it'll worry you, and that's my motto. After 6 long months, Mako and Koichiro get reunited coincidentally. Koichiro wanted to say how sorry he was, he wanted to say a lot of things, but the awkwardness did not allow him to.

Did Mako say anything? No, she too didn't or maybe couldn't. So, instead, they planned for a second meeting. Koichiro prepared himself mentally and reached the spot early. What happened then? Did Mako show up? Or, did she turn him down?

Neither of the two. Koichiro reached the spot early and there was an old man who was left behind by the tourist bus. The man requested Koichiro to help catch the bus, and he went. The rest is history. It is part of one of the best sports anime ever created and deserves a position here.

Itsuki Minami wanted to rule the skies, not the street. He is the main protagonist of the anime Air Gear, which is an adaptation of the Japanese manga series of the same name. Itsuki is a notorious boy, who loves taking up fights on the street.

He is ambitious and is willing to break through any obstacle that can stop him from reaching the heights. AT or Air Treks is a new form of aggressive skating. Breaking rules, and ruling the streets is what they aim for.

No wonder, it became very popular amongst the youth. Itsuki, staying with his three adopted sisters, was absolutely unaware that they belonged to the most notorious A-T gang known as "sleeping forest". When he finds this out and is introduced to the world of A-T, his fate takes a turn, and his whole life changes.

He also learns more about his past. Eventually, he reached where he wanted to and on the way makes exceptional allies. The series keeps you on your toes. It is filled with sporty action. One of the best sports anime out there.

Haruka, Rin, Nagisa, and Makoto are the four friends who together won the elementary school swimming relay race. Haruka was the best of them. Life happens, they all part. Years after, in a reunion, they decided to attend the same high school, except Rin.

Something has changed about Rin. He was jealous of Haruka and wanted to prove that he is a better swimmer than Haruka. Nevertheless, the rest three of them formed a team and recruited Rei Ryugazaki as their fourth member. Swimming becomes their life and fellow swimmers their lifelines.

The main aim is to reach the top and settle things between Haruka and Rin. The characters keep us excited and curious about the next happenings. SUSPENSE!!! And let's not forget that hardcore female anime fans love Free as it offers a wide variety of handsome anime guys.

I mean come on. Look at all of them. They are just as handsome and charming as any male character can get. So you can expect the female demography to lose their mind over this anime.

Tsubasa is the protagonist of the anime Captain Tsubasa. A boy who is 11 years old has unconditional love for soccer. He convinces his mother to move with him to the city of Nankatsu which is highly popular for its excellent elementary school soccer.

Tsubasa was one of the best soccer players in his old town. But in Nankatsu, the competition was tougher and he needed extremely good skills to stand out against the crowd. In his journey towards soccer, he encounters many rivals as well as good friends.

The vastness of the sea captivates us all, isn't it? Futaba too, could not take her eyes off the sea and imagined the endless possibilities hidden underneath the water. She catches the attention of a local diving trainer and joins the team.

There she meets Hikari. Hikari's passion for diving impacts her as well and together they get into their school's diving club as well. She explores all the possibilities, in the outside world as well as underneath the layers of water.

And that's why this series is so fascinating. It gives the audience a different experience. And let's just say that it ignites the feeling of swimming in their hearts. The story is captivating and that's one of the many reasons why people admire this sports anime so much. Its absolutely gorgeous.

This anime is all about kendo! People think it's the usual "cutesy" anime, and there's no denying it, but this is a good one. Kojirau Ishida is an absolutely broke kendo instructor in Muroe High School. In the series we see him getting an opportunity in the disguise of getting free meals for one whole year.

But how is that possible? If his all-girls team wins a kendo competition against his senpai's team, he will get free meals. Does he have a team of his own? No, he doesn't. Then what is he planning to do?

Get five girls who are highly skilled in kendo and train them. We see his journey getting more difficult. No matter what, the anime is fully packed with entertainment, comedy, romance. All the elements to keep you interested are present, and you won't regret investing your time in it.

In the 50th position of our list, stands Whistle. It is an anime adaptation of a Japanese manga series. It has a total of 39 episodes. Daisuke Higuchi is the one who wrote and illustrated the manga. The anime revolves around Shō Kazamatsuru, a middle school boy who changes his school hoping to get into the soccer team.

Due to his small stature, he faces a lot of discrimination in his old school. He was never allowed to join the soccer team. Sho is not a very good player because he was never allowed to play. How can we expect someone to be good at something without even letting them practice it?

Nobody is born as a world-famous soccer player. They pave their own path through practice! Shō changes his school, hoping that he'll be able to overcome the difficulties, practice, and get his position in the soccer team of his new school.

His small stature is indeed a big disadvantage for him and he needs to compensate for it with his hard work and talent!

Ahiru no Sora is a story about Sora Kurumatani who loves basketball but sadly lacks one of the most important assets needed to excel in it – height. However, despite this disadvantage, Sora has an unwavering will, that never lets him question his stature nor prevents him from playing, as he truly believes that it is his persistence that’ll help him excel in the game, nothing else.

Hoping to be able to fulfil his mother’s wishes, Sora enters the Kuzuryuu High School and joins the basketball club, participating in tournaments happily. However, what breaks his heart is finding out that the boy's basketball team is simply a retreat for punks who don't harbour any love for the game.

He finds out that most of the team has even lost their motivation to play. What would Sora do to help revive this team and them back on track?

Skating Rink Kaleidoscope is also known as Ginban Kaleidoscope, is an anime adaptation of the Japanese light novel series written by Rei Kaibara. It is all about figure skating. Tazusa Sakurano and Pete Pumps are both Olympic figure skating candidates from Japan and Canada respectively.

The happenings in the competition are not favourable for them. Tazusa gets disqualified due to an accident and Pete's stunt plane crashes due to mechanical trouble, and he dies. The anime has a strange story. In the gates of heaven, Pete is denied entry because of his sons and is told to wait for 100 days.

To our utter amazement, he gets trapped in Tazusa's body. Although she continues with her skating, it becomes difficult. She heard some voices, but they were not hers. Spooky isn't it? Sporty as well. Sporty spookiness!

Ginga E Kickoff, also known as Kickoff to the Galaxy, is a sports animated series. Shou Oota, a sixth-grade student, loves soccer. Although he isn't very good at it. You don't need to be good at something to fall in love with it, do you?

He is very passionate about the game and wants to hone up his skills. At the beginning of the anime, we see Shou as the only remaining member of the Momoyama Predators soccer team. Therefore, the manager disbands the team.

The anime takes us through Shou's journey of getting members for his team. We witness how dedicated he is to the game. The first member of his team is Erika, whom he met in the park while she was practising soccer.

He has a hidden ability to never take his eye off the ball, this was noticed by Misaki, another player he brought into the team. Misaki compliments his skills and says he will become a great soccer player someday. And we know that he will!

Dash Kappei is a story about a teenager named Kappei Sakamoto. He's a high school student who possesses amazing athletic skills and who decides to join the basketball team of Seirin High School. As luck turns out, he soon ends up becoming one of the most skilful members of the team.

However, despite being so good at what he does, Kappei has one major handicap as a player, and that's his height. The young sports prodigy isn't taller than a meter. So, what makes him the best, despite such a huge disadvantage?

10 years after the first sequel, we see a change in Japan as well as in soccer. They aren't free anymore, both are controlled by someone. Who is that person? How does he control everything? Well, he is the 'Holy Emperor' Ishido Shuuji.

Ishido and his organization Fifth Sector control how soccer is played in Japan. Matsukaze Tenma, the protagonist of the anime, tried his hands on Raimen soccer but soon realized that the game has changed drastically. It isn't played in the way Matsukaze expected it to be.

What now? Do they fight against it? Or, did it remain the same? Matsukaze and his Raiman soccer team fought hard against the Fifth Sector. They weren't alone. Their ally was the organization 'Resistance', which wanted to replace the 'Holy Emperor'.

Together they strive hard to free Japan and Soccer. In other words, you can say that together they fought for freedom.

Days is yet another anime adaptation of a manga series that has the same name. The story revolves around two boys, Tsukushi and Jin. Tsukushi Tsukamoto is a shy and clumsy boy, who is the favourite prey of the bullies in his school.

To avoid these troubles and to start afresh, he decides to study in Seiseki High School, where Sayuri, his childhood friend studies. His plan failed, but why? Because bad people are everywhere and you cannot run away from them. The only thing you can do is stand your ground.

Tsukushi couldn't, but somebody else did that for him. It was Jin. From here begins their journey of playing soccer for Seiseki High. Although Tsukushi isn't good at the sport, his efforts and hard work get him his spot in the team with Jin and others. By the way, Jin is a genius!

Soccer lovers, I have another one on the list for you! Kakeru and Surgery are brothers, both aiming to become successful soccer players. While Surgery achieves his goal and becomes a soccer prodigy of his own, Kakeru decides to take up a managerial role after a lot of struggle on the field.

Life hits Kakeru hard and makes him rethink his career choice. After seeing his childhood friend Nana achieve immense success in the field, he gets motivated and decides to try hard and get into the World Cup. The amount of dedication these characters have for the sport is highly overwhelming.

It's not just action, it involves a lot of emotional investment to get there.

Tatsuya Yoigoshi, a once-acclaimed soccer player, entered Noukin High School as a freshman, leaving his sports aspirations behind. Instead, he aspires to become a popular live streamer online. One fateful day, Souma Azemichi, a kabaddi team member, interrupts Yoigoshi's live stream and invites him to the school gym.

Intrigued, Yoigoshi follows Souma and discovers a dynamic kabaddi match between second-year students Kyouhei Misumi and Shinji Date. Despite his initial mockery of the sport, Yoigoshi finds himself enthralled by its intense nature. Swayed by an enticing proposition and gentle persuasion, he agrees to determine his recruitment through an exhilarating kabaddi battle, a team sport played without any equipment.

Clean Freak! Aoyama-Kun is about a young football prodigy named Aoyama, known for never having lost a single game in his life. He's a member of Japan's under-16 team and surprises everyone by joining the Fujimi high school club – a relatively unknown and modest club.

Having super crazy yet determined teammates, Aoyama is determined to help bring Fujimi high school to the top of the national championship list. Will he succeed in his quest of doing so?

Failures are an integral part of our lives, isn't it? But there is a difference between the ways people handle failure. Some people take it as a stepping stone, while others get too depressed about it. Nagisa Aragaki falls in the second category.

After losing the National Junior Badminton Tournament, she starts losing hope and drifts away from the sport. She couldn't deal with the shame and this turned her into an absolutely violent and aggressive figure. The team members started quitting the team because of her behaviour.

Everybody was scared of Nagisa. It all changed one day when the team got a new coach, Kentarou, an Olympic-level badminton player. Along with him came Ayano Hanesaki, the one who defeated Nagisa. What might have happened when they net?

Did it force Nagisa to leave the team as well? Nothing bad happens. Strange isn't it? When Nagisa met Ayano, she wasn't the same competitive badminton player anymore. She was different, always trying to distance herself from badminton due to some unknown reason.

Things change, they get closer, and it falls upon Nagisa to heal her rival's heart, face the inadequacy in her skills and fill the gaps. The anime is a beautiful story of two rivals coming to each other's rescue when needed. True sportsmanship indeed!

Nana and Takeru are the two protagonists of the anime. They are very interested in 'stride', an extreme kind of sport. While willing to become a member, they found out that there is no active stride club. It used to be there but presently, it's not active.

Nana and Takeru get themselves to work, first to get a team and then to practice for the prestigious End of Summer competition. The first member who was recruited by then was Riku Yagami, a first-year student who is a fast runner and good in almost all sports.

Ro Kyu Bu is the anime adaptation of a Japanese light novel series. It was written by Sagu Aoyama and Tinkle illustrated it. The anime revolves around Subaru Hasegawa, a freshman. His passion is playing basketball. When a team member was accused of sexually abusing a little girl, the team was banned for a year.

Frustrated with this he accepted a proposal by his aunt to train a basketball team of elementary school girls for three days. What changed then? Subaru comes to know about their circumstances and decides to continue coaching them. With time, his bonding with the team grew stronger and so does their skill.

But things go on becoming difficult as their opponents go on becoming stronger. The path towards success is never easy.

Dear Boys is all about basketball and team spirit. Kazuhiko Aikawa, the lead role in the anime, gets transferred to Mizuho High School. After joining the basketball team of the school, he finds out that there are merely 5 players and that too without a coach.

It disheartens him but could not stop him from moving forward towards his goal. With his love for the game and dedication, he invigorates game spirit in his teammates and motivates them to give their best. Aikawa and the team convince the basketball coach of the girl's team to train them as well for the national basketball championship.

The anime takes us through an amazing journey. A journey of sportsmanship, friendship, dedication, and love. Together they toil, and together they win!

Beyblade Burst is the first season of the anime franchise Beyblade. It started airing in April 2016 and continued till 2017. The story revolves around Valt Aoi, a boy studying in the fifth grade who aspires to become an expert in Beyblade.

Valt along with his partner Bey, Valtreyk, work hard to polish and improve their skills. His inspiration is one of the "Supreme Four" in the world of Beyblade, Shu Kurenai. The Beyblade genius Shu participates in the National tournament and that's what inspired Valt to do the same.

He set his eyes on the tournament like an eagle and is no doubt working very hard. But, what happens? Well, I ain't giving spoilers now (although that's what I'm doing most of the time Lol!).

Chia Danshi, or, Cheer Boys is an anime adaptation of a Japanese manga, which on the other hand was an adaptation of a novel. The storyline is a mixture of fiction as well as reality. Fans might already be aware of the fact that the anime Cheer Boys is loosely based on the life of the real-life group 'Shockers'.

It is an all-male cheerleaders group from Waseda University. Haruki and Kazama, were the creators of the cheerleading team 'Breakers' in the anime. They were disheartened with judo, and out of this feeling, they created an unprecedented all-male group. All the members of the team are characteristically unique.

Some are moody, some are voracious, and some are argumentative. It is this team that brings them together to break the stereotypes related to "how men should behave" and draws them to the sport of cheerleading.

How can we miss a battle anime? Battle Athletes anime is not an adaptation but a retelling of the OVA Battle Athletes. Although the storyline is more or less similar, the plotline and the characters differ drastically. In this anime, the characters are a bit too outrageous.

The storyline revolves around Akari's struggle for becoming Cosmic Beauty just like her mother was. She has been living showing her mother and now tries to become like her. After getting admitted to the training centre, Akari and her classmates go through rigorous testing.

What for? For the selection of representatives to be sent to the University Satellite. Akari is a fragile girl, and doing physical training turns out to be very difficult for her. But she doesn't give up and was also helped by Ichan, her close friend.

Throughout the journey we see her transform into a strong personality and a good human being.

This anime is a treat for all badminton lovers, as this anime is based on that sport. The story revolves around a young high schooler named Ryou Mizushima. He is just an ordinary guy but soon gets his life all changed as he dabbled in the game of badminton.

Initially, he was not that good at it. But this is how sports anime begin. An underdog learning and practising to become the best player ever. He got so good that he strives to compete against other schools and win for his school.

It is a great anime with awesome characters and interesting story arcs.

What happens here, might be the reality in our near future. Who knows? Human beings might not be the ruling race 100 years from now. Uncertainty is at its height and the turn the world might take after a few decades can and cannot be predicted.

Oh, it's sounding philosophical, isn't it? I'm sorry, I'm sorry. The connection these animes have with worldly things is so deep. It's just impossible to ignore them. But I'm trying okay! In the anime Buzzer Beater, we see that the championship of basketball no longer resides on Earth.

Where else can it be? The game is now dominated by physically superior aliens. The protagonist Hideyoshi, a homeless boy living in New York finds himself drafted to an absolutely unique and pro basketball team. Does it not sound strange?

A basketball team can be pro, but why are calling it unique as well? Well, their aim wasn't just to win a game or tournament. They were aiming to win the championship of basketball back to Earth. Hideyoshi and the team were training hard to get it back from the aliens and that's the reason they are unique.

Ever seen aliens and humans battling for a championship or anything at all? I know you haven't, neither have I. So, it's a must-watch for the dreamers out there.

Minami Kamakura Cycling Girls Club is a 13-episode anime adaptation of a Japanese manga. The story revolves around the girls cycling team of Minami Kamakura High School. When Hiromi Maihuru moved from Nagasaki to Kamakura, little did she know the changes that she will go through, and that's normal.

Are we always aware of what lies ahead in our life? We aren't right? That's what happened with her as well. Moreover, she almost forgot how to ride a bicycle because of the long period of time she hasn't done it.

Again, it seems relatable. Things that we learn through practice, need to be practised for retaining the skill as well. Nothing remains the same without giving much importance to it. I guess I'm getting more into life than the anime.

Lol! So where were we? Yes, Maihuru almost forgot to ride a bicycle. When she shifted to Kamakura, she began her new life and her new school life with her bicycle. Minami tried to ride her way to the school, but we already know she isn't good at it and was noticed by somebody.

Who? Tomoe Akizuki, the leader of the girls cycling club of Minami Kamakura High School, was the spectator. Well, Tomoe took it on herself to improve Maihuru's cycling skills. Later, she joins the club as well, and her life begins to take another shape.

Breakers is a story about a group of para-athletes who come across an outcast sports scientist called Ren Narita. The anime has been divided into four parts and revolves around four different sports, i.e. – track and high jump, wheelchair basketball, paralympic swimming, and goalball.

It's interesting and has a unique story behind each of the sports and those associated with it. For example – the wheelchair basketball story talks about how Kai works hard and focuses on becoming a successful and cool basketball player, similar to his brother Shun.

Circlet Princess is different. Why so? Because it does not fall under the category of "anime adaptation of a manga", rather it is an anime adaptation of a role-playing browser game. I guess most of you might not be aware of what it is, unless you are addicted to games of course.

When I came across this for the first time, I was curious as well. So, I googled it. Want to know the meaning? A role-playing browser game is a kind of online game that is played on the World Wide Web, where you control the behaviour of one character.

So the anime is basically adapted from the game series. The story is set in a highly technological future which has changed Japan absolutely. Many tech applications are being used in the real world for security purposes, business etcetera. It is in this era, a popular sport called Circlet Bout is developed, which is played in many schools.

Here you can store the data of the player's academic report. The weapon for the player is developed in accordance with their academic records. Yuka Sakai is the main protagonist in the anime.

Try Knights is adapted from a Japanese rugby manga, which was written by Shunsaku Yano and illustrated by Shizuka Erisawa. It tells us the story of Riku Haruma, a rugby player. Riku enters high school more or less, aimlessly. He didn't have a goal to achieve, and neither did he have any plans for his life.

He had a passion for rugby, which due for some reason was suppressed deep inside his heart. One day, while walking around the campus, he came across Akira Kariya playing rugby. Casually, and intuitively, he gives her advice and that's the beginning of it all.

His long-suppressed love for rugby awakens and we will see him page his way towards a future full of brightness and glory.

East Tokyo United, or, ETU is a soccer team that plays in the Japanese top soccer league. We all suffer from failures at some point or the other in our lives, don't we? That's exactly what happened with ETU. Once a well-renowned team is now facing extreme criticism.

Their fans are abandoning them. But why? Well, they have lost 5 matches in a row and do not seem to be on the way to recovery. Under immense pressure from the board of directors, they plan to change the coach.

Whom did they hire? A former ETU player, who abandoned them years ago. The fans address him as the 'traitor' but he has had some great successes. Will he be able to help the team regain their lost glory? Will he be able to motivate the players and bring back their confidence?

By the way, did you know that the story is probably or may be loosely based on the real-life rags-to-riches story of the team Tokyo Verdy?