Throughout the history of anime, there have been many animated series that focus on sports. Many of these series are based on popular sports such as football, basketball, baseball, bowling, and more. It can be said that almost every imaginable sport has been showcased on television in Japanese animation style over the years.
However, only a few anime series have stood out in the sports genre and have been considered some of the best animated series that have impressed both critics and fans alike, described as great and purposeful.
In today’s article within the Top 10 series, we will discuss the best anime series focused on sports in the history of the industry. We will divide our article into three parts, mentioning 5 of these series in each part.
Sports Anime: Tiger Mask W
Release Date: October 2, 2016
Number of Episodes: 38
Studio: Toei Animation
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Tubi
Many anime fans outside of Japan may not be familiar with the series Tiger Mask W. However, this anime has a long history dating back to the late 1960s. The manga by Ikki Kajiwara had good success, producing two animated series and two movies. The series was dormant for a long time after the release of the 1981 movie “Tiger Mask 2” but made a comeback in 2013 with a live-action film and a new anime series in 2016.
Tiger Mask W revolves around professional wrestling, especially NJPW, while showcasing the highlights of this competitive sport in its best forms. It goes beyond being just a story that ends with the end of the fighting competition, presenting the wrestlers’ rivalries and relationships in a realistic and deep manner while maintaining integrity and avoiding cheating in the predetermined outcomes, as sometimes known in wrestling.
The anime is presented as an exciting and thrilling sports story, although it contains a bit of exaggerated melodrama. While this anime may not be suitable for everyone, Tiger Mask W is considered one of the best series recommended for wrestling enthusiasts.
Sports Anime: Yowamushi Pedal
Release Date: October 8, 2013
Number of Episodes: 137
Studio: TMS Entertainment, 8PAN
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, YouTube
Cycling is a popular sport and hobby for many people around the world, and Yowamushi Pedal is the only known series that has ventured into this activity and brought it into the spotlight. The manga has proven popular enough to release over 80 volumes. The anime has also exceeded 100 episodes across five seasons and spawned a handful of movies, indicating the great success of Yowamushi Pedal.
The story revolves around the Sohoku High Bicycle Club as they strive to compete in the Inter-High and the shy teenage protagonist Sakamichi Onodo, who joins the club as a beginner and gradually becomes a skilled rider, providing many competitions and intense scenes for fans of cycling in particular.
Sports Anime: Inazuma Eleven
Release Date: October 5, 2008
Number of Episodes: 127
Studio: OLM
The series has produced nearly eight seasons of anime with a considerable number of episodes. The best installment of the anime series associated with this franchise is Inazuma Eleven, which represents the pinnacle of the series. The series is fantastic for football fans and has a somewhat similar vibe to the Pokemon series. It features many beloved characters and thrilling moments, and while the later seasons may become somewhat silly at times, they still maintain a sense of humor even in their worst moments.
Sports Anime: Big Windup
Release Date: April 13, 2007
Number of Episodes: 38
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
Baseball is hugely popular in Japan, and this passion is reflected in manga and anime throughout history. Choosing the best anime series related to baseball is extremely challenging, but Big Windup stands out as a fantastic example. It focuses on the intricate details of the sport, unlike most anime series that usually simplify their presentation to avoid confusing or alienating viewers who may not be familiar with or interested in the sport. This anime, however, chooses to do the opposite, putting in the effort to explain the complexities and tactics behind each match, making it a captivating and deep experience for baseball enthusiasts.
Captain Tsubasa
Release Date: October 13, 1983
Number of Episodes: 128
Studios: Tsuchida Productions, Nippon Animation, Studio Comet, Group TAC, David Production
Captain Tsubasa, known as “Oliver and Benji” to many anime and football fans, follows the professional football career of its hero Tsubasa Oozora from his childhood and elementary school days to professional clubs in the modern parts of the series.
Tsubasa remains a great hero who constantly wows anime fans, but skilled players like Genzo Wakabayashi and Kojiro Hyuga are fierce rivals who sometimes outshine the protagonist and defeat him, making the anime more exciting and less predictable.
In Conclusion… In today’s article, we discussed the best sports anime series, including Captain Tsubasa, which accompanied many people during their upbringing, Tiger Mask W, which gave us a true taste of thrilling wrestling matches, and other captivating sports anime series that entertained and excelled in presenting sports-related themes. There are more sports anime series to discuss, and we will continue talking about them in the upcoming second part. In the meantime, I leave you with our previous article titled “Top 10 Best Soccer Anime Series of All Time.”
Share your opinions and comments. What are your favorite series from the mentioned sports anime list or outside of it, and what makes them stand out in your opinion?