Sports manga and anime series are slowly but surely reaching the same level of fandom and respect formerly reserved for sports movies. Not too long ago, sports animes did not receive the same admiration compared to more mainstream anime genres like mecha, isekai, apocalyptic, and post-apocalyptic. However, series like Hajime no Ippo, Ace of the Diamond, and Slam Dunk completely changed the viewers' perception of the genre. Anime fans nowadays get just as hyped for the new seasons of their favourite shows as football fans are for the Super Bowl.
The sports anime genre serves some of the most thrilling and nail-biting moments that any action-adventure anime fan would be proud to witness and dissect in detail. (Yes, we AOT fans are guilty of this offence.) Filled with compelling characters with relatable backstories, challenges, struggles to excel, and finally, sweet-sweet victories or bitter-sweet defeats, the sports animes keep us fans hooked for good. What makes this type of anime even more popular is the relatable stories of friendship, family, and dedication to the sport that we often see in our own lives. It becomes completely natural to root for the characters as they overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
Alright, now that we have finished our love letter to sports manga and anime, let us look at the top sports anime that fans cannot stop talking about.
5. HINOMARU SUMO
This inspirational anime is the perfect depiction of William Shakespeare's words, “Though he be but little, he is fierce.” Hinomaru Sumo, a 2014 Japanese anime, is based on the popular manga of the same name. The story follows the life and struggles of Ushio Hinomaru, a high school boy with dreams of becoming a professional sumo wrestler, despite his very non-sumo physique. Hinomaru gave his all to his favourite sport and put in all his efforts to train to become yokozuna, the top level of professional sumo wrestling.
Ushio Hinomaru’s journey starts when he joins Odachi High's sumo club. Here he forms strong bonds with his fellow members, becoming a close-knit team. In fact, the relationships and interactions among the sumo club team members contribute tremendously to the series' depth and appeal. The members of Odachi High's sumo club share the common goal of achieving success in the world of sumo wrestling. They aim to win tournaments and reach the highest levels of the sport. Along the way, they face numerous challenges and rivals as they strive to make a name for themselves in the highly competitive world of high school sumo wrestling.
Hinomaru Sumo's portrayal of the fight for might in the fierce world of sumo wrestling has a dedicated fanbase. The anime portrays a unique take on the sport and character growth and development in the brutal world of sumo wrestling.
4. THE PRINCE OF TENNIS
The Prince of Tennis is the perfect gateway anime for Western fans to the sports anime genre. The anime has a loyal following, even among people who do not follow real-world professional tennis. The familiar settings, rules, and struggles make it easy to get into, and the characters are relatable and exciting to watch.
Based on the 1999 Japanese Shonen manga Tenisu no Ōjisama, The Prince of Tennis is the story of Ryoma Echizen, a budding tennis prodigy who is trying to surpass the great legacy of his father, a former tennis legend, Nanjiro Echizen. His story begins when he transfers to Seishun Academy with the sole purpose of joining its tennis team. The series follows Ryoma as he faces off against tough opponents and attempts to make Seishun Academy's tennis team the best in the country.
The viewers get to enjoy hyper-exaggerated (yeah, you read that right) tennis games with unique techniques you will never witness anywhere else. Tennis enthusiasts. . . get ready to witness the greatness of Twist Serve and the Tezuka Zone in all their glory.
The anime is filled with a diverse and colourful cast of characters, each with their own tennis specialities and personalities. Ryoma's interactions with his teammates and rivals are the main highlight of the series and add drama and humour to the story.
3. INITIAL D
Just like no car-related movie list is complete without mentioning the Fast and Furious franchise, no sports anime list is complete without Initial D. Depicting the colourful and grunge street racing scene of the Japanese metropolitans, Initial D is the anime equivalent of Tokyo Drift, only far superior in storytelling and character development.
Initial D is the story of Takumi Fujiwara, a high schooler who works at a gas station and delivers tofu to the hotels at the top of Mount Akina every morning to help out his father. Little did he know that this everyday car drive enabled him to acquire a unique skill set that made him a formidable street racer. He learned to drive quickly and with precision through years of delivering tofu on dangerous mountain roads, developing incredible drifting and racing abilities.
Takumi's racing career begins when he unintentionally defeats a member of the Akina Speed Stars, a local racing team, using his father's old Toyota Sprinter Trueno. Takumi's skills quickly made him a hotshot in the racing scene. The series follows him as he makes his way through the world of street racing, joining the Akina Speed Stars and later racing for other teams.
Initial D anime places obvious emphasis on street racing as a sport; however, it also deeply explores many other subjects. The themes of passion, rivalry, personal growth, and the pursuit of excellence in highly specialised skills in somewhat unconventional fields are beautifully depicted throughout the series.
2. HAIKYU!!
Haikyu!! can easily be called the most loved modern sports anime of its time. Focusing on the competitive sport of volleyball, it is a refreshing story of a high school volleyball team overcoming all the odds and striving to become the national champion.
The main story of Haikyu!! follows Shoyo Hinata, a somewhat petite volleyball player with the aspiration to become a national-level player. He joins the Karasuno High School volleyball team, a former powerhouse of a team that had gradually declined over time. Together, the team members train hard to restore Karasuno's status as a respected competitive volleyball team in Japan.
Featuring a diverse cast of characters, each with their own distinctive personalities and skills, Haikyu!! beautifully depicts the importance of teamwork and perseverance before striving for greatness.
Where many sports mangas gain popularity for exaggerating sports techniques, Haikyu!! is loved by its fans for its dynamic yet realistic portrayal of volleyball matches. Karasuno High School volleyball team’s tedious yet rewarding journey to refind their glory and impressive animations won the hearts of many fans. It accurately captures the frustrations and emotions exclusive to competitive sports and will remain a cult favourite for years to come.
1. SLAM DUNK
As a self-proclaimed sports anime collector, I'm here to tell you that Slam Dunk is a must-see. It's a masterful basketball sports drama that's also a fantastic anime film. If you're a fan of either of those things or even if you're not, I highly recommend checking it out. It's the kind of anime that's even better on the bigger screens.
In my opinion, Slam Dunk turned into a cult favourite because of its distinct and memorable characters. We just cannot forget the perfectly realistic but slightly exaggerated expressions that push us to emote together with them. These expressions are even more impactful during high-energy basketball games, keeping the overall experience overtly realistic and immensely engaging.
Based on the 1990 sports and comedy manga Slam Dunk, it is the story of Hanamichi Sakuragi. A towering, redhead delinquent well-known throughout Shohoku High School for his quick temper and lacklustre love life. Hanamichi joins his school basketball team just to impress the girl he likes. However, as he learns more about basketball, he falls in love with the sport. Eventually, with his natural athleticism and height, he became an invaluable asset for the Shohoku basketball team.
Hanamichi’s transition from a delinquent to a star basketball player is just one aspect of this complex anime. The anime intricately weaves many important personal growth themes into the main storyline. Slam Dunk is a great manga that captures the essence of youth. It has it all: team spirit, rivalry, friendship, and the power of sports. It's a great story about growing up and finding your place in the vast universe.
The popularity of this 90s anime franchise endures to this day, thanks to its realistic depiction of basketball action, unforgettable characters, and its ability to capture the excitement and intensity of the sport. Even the 2022 Slam Dunk movie captured the same energy as the original and received the same love from audiences at large. And that's why it deserves the number one spot on our list.
But before we wrap up the list, here are some honorary mentions that have widely popular fanbases and are worth watching quite a few times: Hajime no Ippo, Ace of Diamonds, and a personal favourite oldie goldie 1994 baseball anime, Major!
