Slam Dunkis a popular Japanese sports manga that chronicles the story of a high school delinquent named Hanamichi Sakuragi who joins his school’s basketball team to impress a girl he likes. While initially, he has no passion for the sport, he turns out to be a natural. After being supported by his teammates and gaining the motivation to do well, he becomes an integral part of Shokoku High School’s basketball team.
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The series has gained a massive following and is considered by many to be one of the most well-known and beloved sports manga of all time. The latest addition to the series' long line of adaptations,The First Slam Dunk, is an excellent movie that has witnessed immense commercial success.Fans ofSlam Dunkwho are looking for similar sports anime to watch will genuinely be spoiled for choice because of the sheer number of great options to choose from.
10Haikyu!!
Avolleyball anime that has become all the rage, most people would be hard-pressed not to know about the cultural phenomenon that isHaikyu!!This anime follows the story of a high school student named Shoyo Hinata, who becomes obsessed with volleyball after watching a Nationals game on TV.
Hinata’s dream is to become a world-class volleyball player, and he joins his school’s team to achieve that goal. Despite his small stature and the lack of a proper volleyball team, he slowly builds a squad from the ground up to win matches and become one of the best volleyball teams around.
9Captain Tsubasa
Any person even remotely familiar with anime will be well aware ofCaptain Tsubasa, one of the most popular sports manga ever. The fact that this anime is part of the reason why greats like Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry, and Fernando Torres even decided to get into soccer in the first place is a testament to just how popular this series really is!
This classic anime chronicles the story of Tsubasa Oozora, a young boy with a passion for soccer who dreams of playing in the World Cup. His journey from an underdog to one of the biggest talents in Japan is a treat to witness in every way.
8Kuroko’s Basketball
SinceSlam Dunkis a basketball anime, it’s only a given that fans would want to seek out more shows focusing on this sport. Such is the case withKuroko’s Basketball, which is pretty great in its own right.
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This anime focuses on the story of a high school basketball team whose members possess unique skills that are slowly honed over the course of multiple games. The team’s star player, Kuroko, has incredible passing skills and a presence that most people don’t notice on the court, allowing him to make unexpected and brilliant assists that lead to valuable points scored during important games.
7Yuri!!! On Ice
Fans who want to witness an anime that is more heartwarming thanSlam Dunkwhile focusing on a unique sport should check outYuri!!! On Ice. The protagonist is a figure skater named Yuri Katsuki, who is struggling to find his passion for the sport after a string of disappointing high-profile losses.
Yuri’s fortunes change when he meets his idol, a Russian figure skater named Viktor Nikiforov, who becomes his coach. The bond they form is quite wholesome and helps the protagonist rediscover his love of ice skating once again.
6Hungry Heart: Wild Striker
Fans of soccer anime will love whatHungry Heart: Wild Strikeroffers. This anime follows the story of a young boy named Kyosuke Kanou, who dreams of becoming a professional soccer player.
Kyosuke’s journey leads to him meeting several people who would become fast friends both on and off the pitch. He faces many challenges along the way, and a big part of what makes this anime entertaining is watching himovercome these obstaclesand prove his worth in critical soccer games.
5Hajime No Ippo
Hajime no Ippoiseasily the most popular boxing anime around. The show’s protagonist, a high school student named Ippo Makunouchi, is bullied by his classmates and lacks self-confidence at the start of the series.
His life changes when he is introduced to the cathartic sport of boxing, and he discovers a talent for the sport that transforms him into a fierce competitor. Watching him beat down powerful opponents and rise to the top of the boxing world makes for a great time.
4The Prince Of Tennis
Ryoma Echizen isa young tennis prodigywho is the entertaining protagonist ofThe Prince of Tennis. This left-handed maestro of the game becomes a star player on the Seishun Academy tennis team and strives to get out of his father’s imposing shadow, who was a master tennis player.
Ryoma’s natural talent and competitive spirit make him a force to be reckoned with on the court. While he’s a natural at the sport, it’s the manner in which he slowly understands what tennis really means to him that makes him such a great character.
3Eyeshield 21
Sena Kobayakawa isa shy student who has a talent for running but lacks confidence. However, his life changes when he is recruited to join his school’s American football team, and he discovers a talent for the sport that transforms him into a star player.
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The name of this show,Eyeshield 21, comes from the look of the main player. He wears an eyeshield out of shyness to hide his identity, with 21 being his jersey number as he becomes a valuable running back in his team.
2Blue Lock
A soccer anime that has become all the rage,Blue Lockis anexcellent series for fans of the genreto check out. The story is pretty unique, building on Japan’s real-life success in the World Cup that prompted the country to create a special training program designed to create the ultimate striker.
A group of young soccer players is selected to participate in said program, with the training regimen being quite grueling indeed. The players must compete against each other to earn a spot on the national team and represent their country in international competition, with the protagonist, Yoichi Isagi, being one of the candidates.
1Initial D
Touge racing is a part of the racing culture in Japan that is extremely deep and engaging, if somewhat illegal. However, in modern times, there are many ways for thrill-seekers to engage in more legal forms of touge racing, andInitial Dis an anime that decided to show just how engaging this aspect of Japanese racing culture really is.
The show focuses on a young street racer named Takumi Fujiwara, who has a knack for racing and impresses everyone with his driving skills on the perilous mountain roads of Japan. Takumi’s natural talent and determination make him a formidable opponent whom everyone wants to beat.
