Top 10 Best Sports Animes

This right here is the anime that destroyed the entirety of my spare time. Kuroko no Basuke is the gateway drug that began my sad addiction to sports anime despite my terrible hatred for sports. I really love that the main character is an awesome athlete, though he's awesome in an entirely different way than other sports anime characters usually are. The characters ways of relating to each other are entertaining and fun, and this series fleshes out the opponents' personalities quite well instead of simply having people there for the main cast to beat. It makes it far more interesting that the main character personally knows all of his team's strongest opponents as well, because it adds an extra element of drama.

Has a great storyline and keeps the viewers excited at every stage of every episode. In my opinion it's not just the best sports anime ever made but also the best anime with around 3 seasons of 25 episodes each. Season 1 is just a stepping stone for season 2&3, as the first season makes the viewer aware of the situation of the whole anime, and also create the base for season 2&3. Season 2 is where the viewer really really gets excited and has a lot of intensity, especially after the first 10 episodes of season 2, their is a lot of thrill involved. Season 3 is just BOMB, the viewer will literally flip, and will just die to watch the next episode no matter how big the cost

It's one of the best animes I've ever watched and the manga is as equally well made. It has everything - protagonists, antagonists, drama, clash of ideals, strong individuals and characters, ready to give their all, in order to achieve their goals. What I particularly like about the story is the straightforward approach - there are matches after matches, one tournament after the other and every match is more interesting than the previous with a stronger opponent every time. You're always on edge, because of it, not knowing who will end victorious. I just love it.

There are many reasons why I love this anime, it captivated my heart instantly when I first saw it. The plot is interesting and the battles intense the characters in the show are very diverse too - I find this a nice bonus to the anime as it helps to continuously keep it fresh. Furthermore, the character development is quite amazing. In a couple of instances my heart shattered during the anime as a result of the decisions and realisations facing the characters. If you want to try a sports anime I don't think I could recommend one more than Kuroko no Basket, I urge you to give it a shot.

Combines great and manly. To me, It's the greatest sports manga/anime of all time. Despite the fact of girly dude characters (to appeal to a female audience) and special powers/techniques, its realistic qualities are what make it appeal. Slam Dunk's characters each have their own distinct qualities, which make them individual. Compared to other sports manga, I would say this one fairs better not because of artwork, but demonstrating human-like character traits and strong story.

Slam Dunk is legendary, and one of the giants of sports anime and manga. Younger and newer anime fans probably don't realize that sports series would not be as popular as they are today without the influence of Slam Dunk and the impact it had on an entire generation. It is the greatest basketball series there is with realistic action (nothing supernatural) and good character development. It goes without saying that Slam Dunk should be #1 on this list.

First of all, I love sports anime. I love Kuroko no Basuke, which, like Slam Dunk, is also about basketball. And Kuroko is all shiny and new and the characters are pretty and the plot is pretty good, but to me it can never hold a candle to Slam Dunk.
Slam Dunk is my top manga of all time. There's just something about it - it's so real, so incredibly well-written, so hilarious, there's so much heart, and anyone who watches it falls in love with basketball. (Plus there are pretty boys to satisfy us fangirls. )
The fangirl in me loves Kuroko; the writer/artist/critic in me loves Slam Dunk. This is not a glamourised or idealised anime (and hey, I love glamourous boys too) - these guys are real, sweaty, interesting, tall boys who could be playing in your school's basketball team - if your school's basketball team was made of awesome, that is. And you will fall in love with them and with their story if you read the manga or get through the first few episodes of older-quality ...more

One of the best manga ever created. In my opinion the Greatest of All Sports Manga. Its not all about the game but also the whims and blues of being a teenager. It will make you laugh, smile, and enjoy everything. The story especially in the Sannoh-part will make even a grown man emotional. The best point is this is the most realistic of all sports manga which makes it the greatest.

Well I believe that Prine of tennis is the greatest anime their is because their is so much action, cliff hangers and more. I love this show and I think it teaches people a lot of life lessons, not just about tennis. I know a bunch of people complain about the ridiculousness of the tennis moves but I think that adds to the charm of the show. It would get boring if it was just the same as watching a real tennis match. Plus there are a huge number of characters and teams to choose as your favorite and follow. Love this show and I think it teaches people a lot of life lessons, not just about tennis. I know a bunch of people complain about the ridiculousness of the tennis moves but I think that adds to the charm of the show. It would get boring if it was just the same as watching a real tennis match. Plus there are a huge number of characters and teams to choose as your favorite and follow

The Prince of Tennis is such an amazing anime. It really inspires you to try your hardest and never give up. It also is saying if you want to be the best then you have to work really hard, no matter if your talented or not. Everything in the world requires some sort of effort and if your not willing to put in the effort then you don't deserve to he the best. Even though you might have talent, that talent will only go so far, till someone who has worked harder than you comes along and beats U. So people should try their hardest to try to be that best at what they believe in.

The Prince of Tennis is a very inspiring and motivating anime. The characters were all so unique and fun, and its not just the Seigaku regulars that I'm talking about either. Each match brings out a new definition for climax. Also, the "never give up" attitude is portrayed in this anime so well. Its not some corny anime either. I mean sure the moves that are used in this anime is a little exaggerated, but I think that's what made interesting and awesome to many extremes. It teaches many other lessons too. A genius anime.

I love this show and I think it teaches people a lot of life lessons, not just about tennis. I know a bunch of people complain about the ridiculousness of the tennis moves but I think that adds to the charm of the show. It would get boring if it was just the same as watching a real tennis match. Plus there are a huge number of characters and teams to choose as your favorite and follow.

Plus it has a lot of cute boys.

I was pleasantly surprised with this anime. It has the right amount of humor and action. Plus it's more realistic than other animes with their crazy power ups. In this anime we see the characters grow and struggle. They both win and lose and we get to see the entire journey. There are no miracle wins just the hard work and effort being rewarded. I think in the first season it's even stated that you can be naturally talented at something but if you don't apply yourself and learn the basics you'll never truly grow. And that volleyball is a team sport so no one can possibly win alone no matter how good you are. I enjoy that the other teams on the show also have likable qualities that make you root for them as well instead of being straight up villains. Really an enjoyable anime with great characters and solid development!

This sports anime is great, love the characters and has got me dying for a second season. Ok, so the animation may not look so appealing at first and it had the affect of um should I watch this, and I totally am grateful of my decision of watching this anime. Like Kuroko no basket, and Free! (which in my opinion are better and had a greater impact on me. ) it inspired me. The characters show determination and a great passion for the sport they play (I know, all the sports anime are like that, but this anime comes straight out and gets right to the point of defeating their rivals, and playing for their love of this sport and to win of course, no one likes to lose. ) It's great, watch it and love it, this to me is one of the best sports anime like Kuroko no Basket and Free!, and whatever favorite sports anime you like.

It may not look like it at first, but this anime is just so effing great that after reading the few episodes aired in one go, I immediately continued reading the story in the manga! And now I'm done and stuck to waiting updates on the manga. It's just that awesome!

Maybe it's because I really love volleyball that this one got me hooked, but I guess even those who didn't even play volleyball will like it. The graphics are great as well, and the characters' movements are so much like the real thing. Not only that, but it doesn't fail to keep me laughing as well.

I really recommend it. This is really good stuff. Very realistic, too.

This anime is one of the most realistic ones I've seen ever. The character development is absolutely flawless and the pace is just right. Heck, they even made the minor characters have some character development as well. The character development in the other teams plus with every character being so likeable to the point of people even liking the minor characters that appear for like 3 episodes more than the actual protagonists themselves. The minor characters aren't treated like cheesy generic trash (except Oikawa because he's 100% trash but I still love him to pieces). The characters are relatable too. The main moral of this story is that teamwork is everything even if you're some super epic prodigy. Unlike Kuroko no Basket where everyone has super powers, this anime shows past that. Even if you have an amazing talent, your bound to make mistakes and you always have to grow. The story arc and the humor in it is great as well. In season 2, I laughed at least once every episode. 10/10

One of my favorite anime ever. I watched it since I was, like, 10 years old, and it was what made me start liking soccer. I really loved the characters and their special moves. Those special shoots and blocks were what made this anime so magic. It may have it's flaws, as it can be really repetitive and annoying in some points, and even way too predictable, but even knowing what was going to happen, that everything was going to turn out good, it made me cry in many parts. It's just magic, it makes you absorbed into it before you even knowing.

It is ONE OF THE BEST Anime I have ever watched. When I was little I used to just watch some episodes and I had no clue about what the storyline was but back then when I saw it the first time I used to love. Now, I mean just now I have completed the last episode of inazuma eleven and it was emotional and I thought that it was all over like it was the end of peace and emotional quotes and the story was just amazing. I hope that the Inazuma Eleven series continues forever at least till when I die cause I will be Seeing this anime until I DIE! The quotes are just amazing. Some of the episodes just made me cry. My best season? Well, I would say season 2, because it had the best storyline and it was damn emotional!

The first time I watched it was when I was around 6 years old on Cartoon Network. I never understood what was going on but I distinctly remember the faces and the special moves. Watching this addicting series was like a dream coming true; a crossover from my childhood to my teen years. The Inazuma eleven series, from the original to Inazuma eleven GO: Galaxy, it's all wonderful, amazing and addicting

I love it! It was first shown at Cartoon Network and I love I. But it stopped at when they defeated Aliea Gakuen. I thought that it was really over but when I browsed the net and it wasn't done yet, I watched it immediately and finished it all. I cried at episode 126 and 127 since they are all graduated (:'() and watched it over and over again then Inazuma Eleven GO was released and obviously I watched it. It was shocking when Goenji was the bad guy there (but not technically the bad guy, just watch the whole episode and you'll understand) then Inazuma Eleven GO 2: Chrono Stone was released...
Anyhow, it's great and unique! The most addicting soccer anime I have ever watched!
:D

This is the only anime close to reality. not too many fancy moves, (I don't deny that there aren't any) but this is most motivational anime out there. No other anime has influenced me and many other people to work hard and become stronger. I've heard my friends saying," I started road work after watching this." I was no exception. This anime never gets boring, not too many fillers, lot of comedy and no less action as well as thrill. One of my all time favorites, this anime deserves first spot, straight. esp if you're a guy who wants to know "what it feels to be strong," let this nobody who got bullied by class mates figure the answer for you.

I've read and watched a lot of mangas and animes but "Hajime No Ippo" is by far the best/the most intense sports anime I've ever watched. I think it might be because of how it involves 'actual' fights, but I love the development and the almost none existent exaggerated supernatural qualities. I'm just glad there's still a long road left for "Hajime No Ippo".
I promise you that as you watch this anime (and I suggest anime because the boxing matches are surreal that way), you will feel like you are actually watching a boxing match, fighting with the character, feeling every power of the punch!

Not only is this the best sports manga, but also one of the best overall. It shows the tight bonds that are formed between opponents, and of course gym members. This manga/anime also shows you how much natural talent really means in a one-on-one sport. Even so, Makunouchi Ippo proves that everything can be done with a lot of hard work and love for the sport. When that's said, this manga is really long, has a lot of facts, and is HILARIOUS! Hope you read it to find out. It's "ongoing" by the way.

I've watched them all and ippo is the best. some of the fights were so epic that I would grimace at the impacts and worry about ippo, full well knowing it was only an anime.
Plus he is so likable and is well supported by a great cast of support characters. Add in some classic comedy and it rounds out hajime no ippo as my favourite sports anime ever. My second pick was Eyeshield. I don't get why Kuroros basketball is so popular. I like basketball but thought it was very inferior to ippo and Eyeshield.

It's so emotional, and it ties in with problems all of us have. Schoolwork being boring, hating to study, friendships being lost, and friendships being reconnected. There are many hilarious parts in it too, such as Haru repeatedly jumping into the water before anybody can stop him (read: Gray from Fairy Tail). Then, the anime is not like some sports animes, in which the characters keep winning everywhere. The first time, the characters lost the tournaments. Not only that, but the characters are well developed and I feel like I know them inside and out. Plus, there are many internal messages being carried around- most importantly, "For the Team" and "Follow your Dreams". Then, there's the last episode, in which I saw these characters that I have fallen in love with bloom into aspiring young men winning awards and achieving the dream that they have worked so hard for.

I love Free! Yes, yes most people only watch Free! Because there are guys who (most of the time) wear only swim trunks. And, for the most part, girls like that, adding the fact that the guys are hot and sexy (and like fill the necessities of a quintet boy band?! ). But, I believe that this is more then just a "fan service" anime, even if it was intended for that purpose. Each character has some character build in this beautiful anime. Overall, even though I like Haikyuu and kurobasu, this trumps the others from an emotional standpoint. Long live Free!

Ok this is a likeable story with likeable characters and it also made several people go out and actually join this sport. It is well-loved and it doesn't stray to far away from comedy to what it is about, rather it is semi realistic and it shows the joys of being in this sport and the challenges it is expected. This overall is a good anime to watch not just because it is a sports anime, in fact my sister who hates anything to do with athletics loves this anime, so all in all I highly suggest this anime.

This anime really inspired me to love swimming even though I'm not so great at this sport, and I truly recommend it. The animation was great and was one of the reasons which attracted me to this anime and made me watch it. I loved the plot in the anime. Complex relationships with friends, rivals and competition, and enduring the pain of getting into a sticky situation which could change you (personality, and actions), it was a truly touching and inspiring anime.

I'm currently caught up to the anime, and waiting impatiently for next week's episode. I absolutely love the adorable dork that is the main character, and I love his determination and commitment to his team. I love so many of the characters, my favourite being Makishima (the main character's green-haired senpai with the beautiful flowing locks :P). The series even manages to make me root a little bit for the main team's competition, rather than simply portraying everyone else as the bad guys. I really like the characters from Kyoto Fushimi (was that their name? ), and the ones from the champion team, which is really a first for me.

Great characters, great plot, great animation, great soundtrack --what more could you want? The characters are very compelling, and it does a fairly good job balancing screen time for them. The author's also very knowledgeable about cycling and it made me realize how nuanced the sport is. Fantastic anime, all around: you won't want to stop watching.

Great show that makes me want to try harder in everything I do. Also makes you want to root for the underdog! I found every single character to be interesting, unique and likeable (some of them in the way you would like an interesting villain). Every character has their own past. Great story and excellent plot pacing.

Yowapeda's strongest point is the characters; every character has a touching backstory about what inspires them to keep going and try their hardest to win for the sake of their team. Overall, I personally felt like it was quite well balanced and the quality of animation didn't disappoint, either. Definitely one of my favorite sports anime so far!

Although it's quite old, and the manga remains permanently on hiatus, the plot and character development all but makes up for it. The animation pays attention to details such as maturing the characters appearance to suit the time passed in the animeworld, and that's a huge plus. The main character grows not only physically but mentally and emotionally. Who'd think that go would be so interesting! It's still fun even if you don't know the rules of the game

Hikaru no Go might be another underrated series, but its high rating reflects how popular it actually is. To this day, I still don't understand how to play Go, the sport which is incorporated in the series, but it's captivating. The storyline and the characters are all endearing and it's dangerously addictive. It won't disappoint to get started on this series.

I truly love this one. The characters have so much depth to them, that I even cried at several points in the show. There really isn't a lot of stagnation in the character development. They are constantly evolving as individuals and I think that is what is really enchanting about this series.

The best manga about intellectual game I've ever read. I also agree that the manga is seriously under-rated. It is attracting and interesting from the strategies they play the game to how the boy improves himself and enjoy the game. Amazing characters. A Cute interesting ghost!

The pride and love for soccer all include in this anime. I think this anime is amazing!

This anime is better than the original one.

One of the best Inazuma Eleven Series.

Its as good as the first one!

I didn't think I'd enjoy this when I read about it but beforeI knew it found myself watching it back-to-back and it was actually very well done. I also liked the fact it introduced me to a new aspect of Japanese culture and introduced the game and it's strategies really well. Two series were made and the manga is ongoing.

This anime is more intense and interesting than your normal cards game..Even I am guilty of judging this anime and I was proven completely wrong This anime has a seriously good plot with some comedy wonderfully put lessons about friendship and team spirit and also some developing romance and can get you hooked once you start getting into it..I never thought I would complete the anime but I did that too both the seasons and I've even started reading the manga! This anime is seriously underrated...

I was a bit skeptical when I first watched the first episode, but it was a really nice one. This anime shows us how one can be very passionate and hard working just to see that someone and play against him or her.

Chihayafuru is a really emotional. The main sport used was Karuta, a traditional Japanese card game.

This anime deserves a better spot on this list. It has an amazing soundtrack, you can pretty much root for any character since they are all quite unique, and the actual ice skating always has you on edge to see what will happen next. I love the characters and I don't care what some people say, this anime has a good plot and good character development ESPECIALLY if you compare it to other sports anime.

While this anime has way too much yaoi fan service, it still has some really good points. The skating moves and choreography are beautiful and extremely realistic. Also, the bond of friendship between the characters is really nice! I don't know, maybe because I figure skate is the reason I enjoy and relate to this anime so much. I think that a lot of people are judging it harshly without widening their scope of vision.

Why isn't this at the top? Every characyer is loveable and has amazing development throughout the series. The music is outstanding and the series conveys the message that if you believe, you can do anything.

Love this anime so much it made me scream a million times and made me cry on the last episode
SEASON 2 PLEASE!