Top 10 Must-Watch Sports Anime Films

The story of Yuri!!! on Ice revolves around 23-year-old Katsuki Yuuri, a passionate figure skater. After a crushing defeat at the 'Grand Prix Finale' last year, he feels worthless and breaks down in a bathroom. Just as he's about to give up, a 15-year-old Russian prodigy, Yuri Plisetsky, challenges him with a blunt remark: 'You should retire.' Yuuri returns home, intending to quit, but deep down, he still yearns to skate.

However, after a video of him mimicking Russian skating legend Viktor Nikiforov goes viral, Viktor notices Yuuri and offers to coach him. But there's a twist—Viktor and Yuri had made a promise (which only Yuri remembers). The two skaters then face off in a 'match' to decide whether Viktor will become Yuuri's coach. Enraged, Russian Yuri storms back to Russia, vowing to get revenge on Yuuri in the next Grand Prix.

DETAILS:

Release Year: 2016

Episodes: 12 episodes

Director: Sayo Yamamoto

Studio: MAPPA and co-SIGN

Captain Tsubasa, also known as Captain Tsubasa: Road to World Cup or Captain Tsubasa: Super Campeones, is an anime adaptation of the popular manga by Yōichi Takahashi. The series has had multiple versions produced by different studios over the years.

The story follows Tsubasa Ozora, a young boy with a deep passion for soccer and a dream of becoming a top-tier football player. Starting from his childhood, Tsubasa faces numerous challenges and tough rivals, including Hyuga Kojiro and Wakabayashi Genzo. His journey from a young boy to a soccer superstar in Japan—and eventually on the world stage—is at the heart of the series.

DETAILS:

Release Years:

• Original Version: 1983 - 1986
• 2001 Version: 2001 - 2002
• 2018 Version: 2018 - 2019

Episodes: Number of episodes varies by version:

• Original (1983 - 1986): 128 episodes
• 2001 Version: 52 episodes
• 2018 Version: 52 episodes (Season 1) and 25 episodes (Season 2)

Directors: Various directors for different versions.

Studio: Produced by Nippon Animation (Original and 2001 versions), David Production (2018 version).

Major is an anime based on the manga by Takuya Mitsuda, with multiple seasons and spin-offs. The story follows Goro Honda, a young boy with a deep passion for baseball and the dream of becoming a top pitcher.

Goro, the son of a famous baseball player, is consumed by his love for the game. His ultimate goal is to prove to his father that he can become the world's best pitcher. Despite the many challenges he faces, Goro relentlessly pursues his dream, starting from his childhood, through high school, and eventually into the professional league. Major captures Goro's journey, highlighting personal growth, perseverance, and the unity found in sports, especially baseball.

DETAILS:

Release Years:

• Major (Season 1): 2004 - 2005
• Major (Season 2): 2005
• Major (Season 3): 2007
• Major: World Series (Season 4): 2008
• Major: World Series Hen (Season 5): 2010
• Major: Yuujou no Ikkyuu (Season 6): 2010 - 2011
• Major: Message (Season 6.5): 2010

Episodes: Over 150 episodes across all seasons of the anime.

Directors: Various directors for each version.

Studios:

• Synergy SP (2008-2012)
• NHK Enterprises
• Shogakukan Production

Prince of Tennis, also known as Tennis no Ōjisama in Japanese, is a sports anime and manga centered around tennis. Based on the manga by Takeshi Konomi, this series follows Ryoma Echizen, a highly talented middle school tennis player. Ryoma joins the Seishun Academy tennis team, where he begins participating in tournaments, facing powerful opponents, and overcoming various challenges in the competitive tennis world.

The protagonist, Ryoma, is the son of a former world tennis champion and has inherited remarkable skills. The story tracks his development as a player as he hones his techniques and competes against strong rivals in the high school tennis scene.

DETAILS:

Release Years:

• Season 1: 2001 - 2002
• Season 2: 2002
• Season 3: 2003 - 2004
• Season 4: 2006
• Season 5: 2007 - 2008
• Season 6: 2008
• Season 7: 2009 - 2010
• Season 8: 2012 - 2013

Episodes: Over 170 episodes and various OVAs (Original Video Animations)

Directors: Hiroyuki Ishido (Season 1), Takayuki Hamana (Seasons 2-5), Kenichi Imaizumi (Seasons 6-8)

Studio: Trans Arts, J.C. Staff (Seasons 7 and 8)

Free! centers around Nanase Haruka, a boy who has always been drawn to swimming and the feeling of being immersed in water. Before finishing elementary school, he participated in a swimming competition with his friends from the swimming club: Tachibana Makoto, Hazuki Nagisa, and Matsuoka Rin. After winning, each of them chose their separate paths in life.

Years later, during the peaceful days of high school, Rin reappears and challenges Haruka, demonstrating his overwhelming strength. Determined not to let things end this way, Haruka reunites with Makoto, Nagisa, and a new member, Rei, to form the Iwatobi High School Swim Club in order to defeat Rin. Together, Haruka, Makoto, Nagisa, Rei, and Rin embark on a journey of swimming, youth, and friendship.

DETAILS:

Release Years:

• Free! (Season 1): 2013
• Free! Eternal Summer (Season 2): 2014
• Free! Dive to the Future (Season 3): 2018

Episodes:

• Season 1: 12 episodes
• Season 2: 13 episodes
• Season 3: 12 episodes

Directors: Hiroko Utsumi (Season 1), Eisaku Kawanami (Seasons 2 and 3)

Studio: Kyoto Animation, Animation Do (Season 3)

Tsuru-Ne begins with Minato Narumiya, a first-year student at Kazemai High School. His club advisor, Teacher Tommy, is eager to recruit Minato along with his childhood friends Seiya Takehaya and Ryohei Yamanouchi. Ryohei persuades Minato to attend the club's opening event, where they meet Kaito Onogi and Nanao Kisaragi.

At the event, Teacher Tommy introduces Minato as a gifted archery prodigy and invites him to demonstrate his skill in front of everyone. However, Minato struggles to hit the target, haunted by a traumatic event from his past. The five friends—Minato, Seiya, Ryohei, Nanao, and Kaito—are united by their shared love of archery. Thus begins their journey, filled with both joyful and challenging moments of youth.

DETAILS:

Release Year: 2018

Episodes: 26 episodes + OVA

Director: Takuya Yamamura

Studio: Kyoto Animation

Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru, also known as Run with the Wind, is an anime based on the novel by Shion Miura. It aired in 2018-2019. The story follows a diverse group of individuals who, despite having no prior connections, come together to form a marathon team. Their journey begins when Kakeru Kurahara, a young and mysterious man with a natural talent for running, joins the Kansei University marathon team. Initially small, the team gradually grows as more passionate runners join their ranks.

The narrative focuses on the personal growth, running abilities, and lives of each member as they prepare for the national marathon competition. Their journey is filled with challenges, self-discovery, and perseverance.

DETAILS:

Release Year: 2018-2019

Episodes: 23 episodes

Director: Kazuya Nomura

Studio: Production I.G

Hajime no Ippo is an anime adaptation of the manga by George Morikawa, which first premiered in 2000 and was produced by Madhouse Studios. It is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and popular sports anime, focusing on the world of boxing.

The series follows the journey of Ippo Makunouchi, a shy and weak young man who rises from an ordinary life to become an exceptional boxer. Ippo begins his boxing training after being mentored by Mamoru Takamura, a renowned boxer. Throughout the series, Ippo faces numerous opponents and proves his skills on his path to greatness.

DETAILS:

Release Years: 2000 - 2002 (Season 1), 2009 - 2013 (Season 2: Hajime no Ippo: New Challenger), 2013 - 2014 (Season 3: Hajime no Ippo: Rising)

Episodes:

• Season 1: 75 episodes
• Season 2: 26 episodes
• Season 3: 25 episodes

Directors:

• Season 1: Satoshi Nishimura
• Seasons 2 and 3: Jun Shishido

Studios:

• Madhouse (Season 1)
• Madhouse and MAPPA (Seasons 2 and 3)

Premiering in 2012, Kuroko's Basketball follows the struggles of a high school basketball team striving to reach the national championship. The Teikō Middle School basketball team was a force to be reckoned with, sweeping all tournaments. The core members of this team became known as the 'Generation of Miracles,' and after graduating, the five stars of the team went on to attend different prestigious high schools with their own basketball teams.

However, there was a rumor of a hidden sixth member of the 'Generation of Miracles'—an unseen player. This mysterious athlete, Kuroko Tetsuya, is now a first-year student at Seirin High School, a newly established school with a promising but lesser-known basketball team. Alongside Kagami Taiga, a talented player who previously studied in the US, they are determined to lead Seirin to the national championship and defeat each member of the 'Generation of Miracles.' What will unfold in this story of light and shadow?

DETAILS:

Release Years: 2012 - 2015 (Seasons 1 and 2), 2015 (Season 3), 2017 (Kuroko no Basket: Last Game)

Episodes:

• Season 1: 25 episodes
• Season 2: 25 episodes
• Season 3: 25 episodes
• Kuroko no Basket: Last Game (movie adaptation): 1 film

Directors:

• Seasons 1 and 2: Shunsuke Tada
• Season 3: Shunsuke Tada, Noboru Takagi
• Kuroko no Basket: Last Game: Shunsuke Tada

Studio: Production I.G

The story of Haikyuu!! revolves around Hinata Shouyou, a middle school student with dreams of becoming a volleyball player, despite being known as the ‘Tiny Giant’. After forming his own team, he eagerly awaited his first-ever match, only to face the legendary Kageyama Tobio, dubbed the 'King of the Court'. Although Shouyou’s team was eliminated in their first match, his rivalry with Kageyama fuels his determination to train harder, with the hope of one day surpassing him.

Upon entering high school, Shouyou chooses Karasuno, the school where a previous volleyball player inspired his passion for the sport. With a new team and fresh teammates, Shouyou is determined to defeat Kageyama, only to find out that Kageyama has also joined Karasuno. Through countless training sessions with top teams from Tokyo, they progress to the Spring Tournament, where they defeat Aoba Johsai to advance to the national championship.

DETAILS:

Release Years: 2014 - 2020 (Seasons 1, 2, and 3), 2020 (Season 4: Haikyuu!! To the Top)

Episodes:

• Season 1: 25 episodes
• Season 2: 25 episodes
• Season 3: 10 episodes
• Season 4: Haikyuu!! To the Top (Part 1): 13 episodes
• Season 4: Haikyuu!! To the Top (Part 2): 12 episodes

Directors:

• Seasons 1 and 2: Susumu Mitsunaka
• Season 3: Ryouji Fujiwara
• Season 4: Haikyuu!! To the Top: Masako Satou

Studio: Production I.G