20 best sports anime to watch

By Alex Wiggan

Whether it’s basketball, ice skating, tennis, or a really unusual sport where participants use their bums and boobs to tackle opponents, there’s nothing quite like a sports anime. The characters, the drama, and the sportsmanship make sporting anime must-see shows for newcomers and old school fans alike.

Want to indulge in some sport shows for your next binge-watch? Then how about squaring up to some of the best sports anime on the planet.

Below you’ll find a list of twenty anime shows for your approval. From Haikyuu!! and Yuri!!! on Ice, to Blue Lock and Yowamushi Pedal, these are the anime to check out.

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Fighting Spirit (2000)

First up is the boxing anime, Fighting Spirit (aka Hajime no Ippo). Based on a manga written by George Morikawa, this action-packed show follows the story of Ippo, a teenager who discovers a passion for boxing when a veteran fighter saves him from bullies.

Debuting in 2000, Fighting Spirit ran for three seasons, totalling 127 episodes. It might be a niche anime for some, largely based on its age, but it’s a show definitely worth popping on your watch list.

Haikyuu!! (2014)

Up next is the volleyball anime, Haikyuu!!. Based on the manga of the same name by Haruichi Furudate, Haikyuu!! follows the story of high school student, Shoyo Hinata, and his success in the school volleyball club.

This show first hit screens in 2014, and ran for four seasons clocking up 85 episodes. It is a big hit with viewers, and is one of the most-watched sports anime.

Kuroko’s Basketball (2012)

Next on the list is the basketball anime, Kuroko’s Basketball (aka Kuroko no Basket). This series focuses on a middle school basketball team, including its star players who are collectively known as the ‘Generation of Miracles’.

Kuroko’s Basketball debuted in 2012 and ran for three seasons, totalling 75 episodes.

Yuri!!! on Ice (2016)

In the ice skating anime, Yuri!!! on Ice, after suffering a defeat, Yuri Katsuki hangs up his skates. However, an encounter with the top two skaters may help him regain his passion for skating.

Yuri!!! on Ice aired in 2016 and ran for one season of twelve episodes.

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Chihayafuru (2011)

In Chihayafuru, when Chihaya meets a talented karuta player, she is sent on a journey to become Japan’s new, and best player! Debuting in 2011, this anime ran for 75 episodes across three seasons.

Chihayafuru is not your typical sports anime, as it teaches a traditional Japanese poem card game. However, each season was better received than the last.

Run with the Wind (2018)

As the title suggests, Run with the Wind (aka Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru) is an anime which centres its story around running. In this 23-episode show, which is hands-down the best anime about running, Haiji wants to enter the Hakone Ekiden marathon, but some serious training needs to take place first!

Blue Lock (2022)

In Blue Lock, a collection of high school soccer players come together for a controversial project designed to create the best striker in the world. Based on the manga series of the same name by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura, Blue Lock ran for two seasons and 38 episodes.

Free! (2013)

Image: ©Kyoto Animation and Animation Do

In Free!, four high school students who lost touch following a swimming tournament, reunite to form a swimming club. Free! first hit screens in 2013 and ran for three seasons comprising 37 episodes and an OVA.

SK8 the Infinity (2021)

Up next is SK8 the Infinity, an original anime series focusing on a group of hardcore skateboarders who take part in a secret race down an abandoned mine. This is a visual anime which explores the darker side of skateboarding.

Ace of Diamond (2013)

Over to baseball for this next series – the anime, Ace of Diamond (aka Diamond no Ace). The series follows the story of Eijun Sawamura, a gifted baseball player who aims to become the ace player of Seidou High School.

Ace of Diamond began airing in 2013, running three seasons and a total of 178 episodes.

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Yowamushi Pedal (2013)

On your bikes for this next series – the cycling anime, Yowamushi Pedal. In this series, Sakamichi Onoda stumbles into the fast-paced world of high school bicycle racing.

This series offers a compelling deep-dive into competitive bike racing. What more could you want?

Ping Pong the Animation (2014)

In the coming-of-age anime, Ping Pong the Animation, five prodigies navigate the competitive heights of ping pong! The show boasts a unique style, which might not be for everyone, but those who take a look adore it.

Welcome to the Ballroom (2017)

Over to ballroom dancing for this next anime – Welcome to the Ballroom (aka Ballroom e Youkoso). The 24-episode series focuses on middle school student, Tatara, who throws himself into dancing, believing it could provide him with his opportunity to shine.

Stars Align (2019)

In the 12-episode anime, Stars Align (aka Hoshiai no Sora), Toma is determined to save his tennis team. But in order to do so, he’s going to need some additional talent on the court!

Stars Align focuses just as much on the players’ emotional trauma as it does on the sport. Certainly one to watch.

The Prince of Tennis (2001)

Image: ©Trans Arts/Nihon Ad Systems/J. C. Staff/Production I. G.

More intense court action in this next anime – The Prince of Tennis (aka Tennis no Oujisama). In this series, tennis prodigy Ryoma joins an elite team with their sights set on the National Championship.

Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray (2025)

Next up is Uma Musume: Cinderalla Gray. This anime focuses on racers who inherit the names and spirits of legendary racehorses from another world.

Tsurune (2018)

Archery comes into focus in this next series, the beautifully animated coming-of-age anime, Tsurune. The series focuses on Minato Narumiya, a former archer who picks up his bow again in high school.

Debuting in 2018, Tsurune ran for two seasons comprising 26 episodes and an OVA.

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Big Windup! (2007)

Back to baseball for this next anime: Big Windup! (aka Ookiku Furikabutte). The series follows the story of Ren Mihashi, an ace pitcher whose skills may allow him to succeed in the game.

Big Windup! ran for two seasons, comprising 39 episodes.

Major (2004)

Sticking with baseball for the penultimate anime on this list: Major. The series focuses on Honda Goro, the son of a renowned baseball player who dreams of becoming the greatest pitcher in the world.

Japan loves baseball and this is evident with Major – a long running anime with plenty of character development.

Keijo!!!!!!!! (2016)

And finally, in Keijo!!!!!!!! (aka Hip Whip Girl: Keijo!!!!!!!!) a group of athletic girls participate in an unorthodox gambling sport, in which contestants stand on platforms and attempt to push each other off using their body parts. The series ran for 12 episodes and six specials.

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Recap: Best sports anime

To save you having to scroll back up, here is a list of the best sports anime:

Fighting Spirit (2000)
Haikyuu!! (2014)
Kuroko’s Basketball (2012)
Yuri!!! on Ice (2016)
Chihayafuru (2011)
Run with the Wind (2018)
Blue Lock (2022)
Free! (2013)
SK8 the Infinity (2021)
Ace of Diamond (2013)
Yowamushi Pedal (2013)
Ping Pong the Animation (2014)
Welcome to the Ballroom (2017)
Stars Align (2019)
The Prince of Tennis (2001)
Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray (2025)
Tsurune (2018)
Big Windup! (2007)
Major (2004)
Keijo!!!!!!!! (2016)

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Editor/Writer/Useless at Sport

Alex Wiggan

Alex is a writer, editor, and blogger specialising in movies, TV, comics, retro toys, and general geekery. He is a championing voice in nerd content, an expert in pop culture, and a trusted movie critic who publishes new reviews on a weekly basis. After graduating with a degree in film & television studies from the University of Derby in the UK, Alex went on to study journalism in Sheffield, before acquiring NCTJ accreditation. Prior to a career in blogging, Alex was a magazine editor, a senior copywriter, a features writer, and a freelancer.

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