Top 10 Best Anime for Football Fans

Area no Kishi follows a young boy named Kakeru Aizawa, who has a passion for football, and his older brother Suguru Aizawa, a football prodigy and Japan’s pride. Due to a traumatic past incident where he injured a teammate, Kakeru is unable to play and works as a manager. Kakeru’s potential seems to fade until his childhood friend Nana (Seven) returns, and with Suguru’s tough love, Kakeru starts rediscovering his skills. Just as he is ready to make a comeback, an accident takes Suguru’s life, and Kakeru is impaled by a metal rod. The family agrees to a heart transplant, giving Kakeru Suguru’s heart, and he returns stronger than ever, becoming a promising striker. While the anime focuses heavily on football, its storylines also include drama and humor, offering entertainment beyond the sport itself.

DETAILS:

Genre: Sports, School Life, Drama

Studio: Shin-Ei Animation

Year Released: 2012

Episodes: 37

Moero! Top Striker - Elite Footballer follows the journey of the football team 'Kanazu FC' as they strive to win the championship. Hikaru, a 13-year-old boy with a deep love for football, joins every opportunity to play the sport. His father had gifted him a football when he was young, and from then on, Hikaru felt it was his mission to improve his football skills. Hikaru moves to Italy to further his passion and joins a football team in Genova, but later leaves to team up with his friend Anna. Despite the challenges the teams face, Hikaru and his new team, Columbus, grow stronger and eventually defeat Margerita, one of the top teams in Genova. This victory propels Hikaru into a new journey with one goal in mind: to win the greatest prize, the championship.

DETAILS:

Genre: Sports, Action

Studio: Studio Comet

Year Released: 1991

Episodes: 23

After a disastrous performance in the 2018 World Cup, the Japan national football team faced numerous challenges in regaining their form. A question arises: What are they missing in their quest for victory? Although the team has the talent, they realize that what they lack is a star striker who can lead them to glory. In response, the Japan Football Federation launches the 'Blue Lock Project,' gathering 300 of the best young strikers from all over the country.

The goal of the project is to create one striker who is hungrier for goals and more desperate for victory than anyone else, a player who can make the game-changing play that turns the tide. Which of these egos will be powerful enough to claim that coveted spot? And will these 300 young men be able to overcome the challenges in their way? Blue Lock promises to be a highly anticipated anime, based on the manga, that football fans shouldn't miss in 2022. Fans of football-themed anime will not be disappointed!

DETAILS:

Genre: Sports, Shounen

Studio: Studio 8-bit

Release Date: 10/8/2022

Episodes: 24

Keppeki Danshi! Aoyama-kun follows Aoyama, a football prodigy from Fujimi High School, who was once called up to the Japan youth team. His unique playing style is characterized by his obsession with cleanliness. He refuses to touch anything that others have touched or anything that is dirty unless he's wearing rubber gloves. However, the road to the national team is not easy for Aoyama's underperforming Fujimi team. Alongside striker Kaoru Zaizen, Aoyama will show everyone that even someone so obsessed with cleanliness has things they’re willing to dirty themselves for. Will Aoyama, despite his fear of dirt, be able to overcome this obstacle and become a well-rounded football player?

This is one of the classic anime titles for football fans and those who enjoy watching sports-themed shows. The anime is beloved by fans for its intensity and the meaningful messages it conveys.

DETAILS:

Genre: Sports, Comedy, Slice of Life

Studio: Studio Hibari

Year Released: 2017

Episodes: 12

Aoki Densetsu Shoot! follows the story of three childhood friends, known as the 'Golden Trio,' who transformed their middle school football team into a powerhouse capable of facing any opponent. Toshihiko Tanaka enrolls at Kakegawa High School with his two friends, Kenji and Kazuhiro, hoping to play alongside their idol, Yoshiharu Kubo, a football prodigy. While his friends are hesitant, 'Toshi' manages to convince them to join the team.

When Tanaka starts losing hope, an unexpected encounter with his childhood friend Kazumi Endo brings him back on track. Kazumi is determined to see the trio reunite and takes matters into her own hands. With her help, Tanaka’s high school football career gets its second wind. The team soon realizes they’re on a quest to win the All-Japan High School Championship, overcoming obstacles along the way. However, their journey isn’t as easy as they thought. The anime delivers a message: no matter how talented you are, there’s always someone better, so always strive to improve.

DETAILS:

Genre: Sports, Drama

Studio: Toei Animation

Release Year: 1993

Episodes: 58

Ginga e Kickoff! - The Victory Kickoff follows the story of Sho Ota, a boy with a deep passion for football and big dreams. His team, Momoyama Predators, has just disbanded due to several members quitting, some for academic reasons, others due to disagreements with the coach. Sho is the last member standing, and the team no longer exists. However, Sho refuses to give up on football and decides to rebuild the team from scratch. By chance, he meets Erika Takato, a sixth-grade girl who happens to be a star player on another team. After Sho’s persistence, she agrees to join his squad.

Gradually, the two of them discover the essential ingredients needed to form a team. The members unite through their shared passion and desire for success. They even manage to find a coach, convincing a drunken man in the park, who turns out to be Masaru Hunashima, a former coach, to return to the world of football.

DETAILS:

Genre: Sports, Comedy

Studio: TYO Animations

Release Year: 2012

Episodes: 39

Inazuma Eleven is a Shounen anime based on a football game. The series is split into two parts: the original, Inazuma Eleven, with 127 episodes, and the sequel, Inazuma Eleven GO, which is further divided into three arcs: GO, Chrono Stone, and Galaxy.

The story follows Endou Mamoru, a passionate young footballer with dreams of creating his own team. After winning a match against the Raimon team, Endou receives a special football diary from the legendary Matsukaze Tenma. Inspired, he forms the Raimon Jr. High team to enter the school football tournament. Along their journey to the championship, Endou and his team face numerous challenges and tough opponents.

DETAILS:

Genre: Sports, Action, Adventure

Studio: OLM

Year Released: 2008

Episodes: 127

Captain Tsubasa - The Dream of the Field is a film that celebrates the passion and drive for football as 11-year-old Tsubasa Ozora embarks on a journey toward glory. Tsubasa moves with his mother from a small town to the city of Nankatsu. Since childhood, he has been dedicated to football, spending all his time perfecting the sport.

In Nankatsu, Tsubasa joins the local school football team, where he meets new friends like Misaki Taro, a brilliant midfielder, and Wakabayashi Genzo, a legendary goalkeeper from Shutetsu High. Together, they face their biggest challenge yet: conquering the Japanese Football Championship. Will they succeed in overcoming the obstacles in their way?

DETAILS:

Genre: Sports, Action, Adventure

Studio: Bandai Namco Entertainment

Year Released: 1983

Episodes: 52

Giant Killing follows the journey of Takeshi Tatsumi, a talented player for East Tokyo United. After a successful career, he unexpectedly leaves the team to join a professional club in England. This departure deeply impacts the team's performance and morale. The new team captain, Murakoshi, struggles to fill the void left by Takeshi.

Years later, Takeshi returns, not as a player, but as a coach, determined to bring the team back to its former glory. However, the fans are dissatisfied with the team's performance, and Takeshi faces numerous challenges to regain the players' trust and lead them to the championship.

DETAILS:

Genre: Sports, Drama

Studio: Studio Deen

Year Released: 2010

Episodes: 26

Days revolves around two boys who meet by chance during a stormy evening: Tsukushi Tsukamoto, an individual without any football skills but with a heart full of passion, and Jin Kazama, a football prodigy. Can this unlikely duo make waves in the world of football? This manga was awarded the Best Shounen Manga in Kodansha's 39th Annual Manga Awards in 2015.

Days is a football anime with a solid storyline, but what makes it worth watching? It's the dynamic interactions between the characters. Viewers enjoy how the show maintains a fast-paced rhythm, instead of dragging through slow-paced moments. So, be sure to catch Days!

DETAILS:

Genre: Sports, School

Studio: MAPPA

Year Released: 2016

Episodes: 24