While the anime realm has blessed the community with titles from various genres, including psychological thrillers, shonen, isekai, slice of life and even romantic comedies, one category that stands out the most by resonating with fans on a deeply emotional level is that of sports anime. One of the pioneering series of this genre that has taken anime lovers by storm is Haikyu!!, a dynamic and exhilarating voyage.
Since its debut in 2014, this sports-based anime has become a global sensation, celebrated for its compelling characters and intense matches of the Karasuno High School volleyball team.
Meet Shoyo Hinata, a determined high school student with an insatiable love for volleyball. After a fateful encounter with his idol Tobio Kageyama, known as the ‘King of the Court’, they become unlikely teammates at Karasuno High. Fueled by passion, friendship and the pursuit of greatness, the plot comprises intense matches, character growth and the unbreakable spirit of the Karasuno volleyball team as they aim to conquer the challenges on and off the court.
“Haikyu!!” is currently the #1 trending topic WORLDWIDE!#ハイキュー #ゴミ捨て場の決戦 pic.twitter.com/3D4UkfWJD7
— HAIKYU!! (@Haikyu_EN) February 16, 2024
For those who find themselves fascinated by sports, teamwork, tournaments and challenges depicted in this series, it is natural to seek out more anime like Haikyu!!. Here are several sports anime Haikyu!! which fans are likely to appreciate after watching Hinata and his team.
13 best sports anime like ‘Haikyu!!’ to add to your watchlist
Ping Pong the Animation (2014)
Love table tennis and wish to watch anime series similar to Haikyu!? Ping Pong the Animation should be next on your list. The series is all about ping pong and the competitive sport is explored through complex characters.
Makoto Tsukimoto, aka Smile, an introverted high school student and Yukata Hoshino aka Peco, an extrovert are long-time friends and regular at playing ping pong. The duo are a community table tennis club’s members and are exceptionally talented for the sport. Despite his skills, Smile’s personality consistently prevents him from defeating Peco. The club teacher recognises Smile’s potential and aspires to instil in him a more competitive spirit and sportsmanship.
IMDb rating: 8.6/10
Run With the Wind (2018)
Haikyu!! and Run With the Wind, both curated by the same team at Production I.G., follows a diverse group of 10 young runners brought together by destiny.
A former elite high school runner, Kakeru is chased for stealing food. Haiji, a Kansei University student and fellow runner, saves Kakeru. He then convinces Kakeru to reside in the antiquated dormitory ‘Chikusei-so’, where he reveals his plan to assemble a team from the residents to participate in the Hakone Ekiden relay marathon, a popular race in Japan. However, Kakeru realises that, apart from Haiji and himself, all the other residents are total beginners in the sport.
IMDb rating: 8.4/10
Yuri on Ice (2016)
Yuri on Ice twirls around the figure skating world, combining sports, romance and self-discovery genres in one series.
A struggling Japanese figure skater, Yuri Katsuki, befriends his idol, Russian skater Viktor Nikiforov. He coaches the youngster after a video of Yuri’s heartfelt performance goes viral. The series depicts Yuri’s journey to overcome personal and professional challenges, competing alongside other talented skaters in the Grand Prix series. Amid fierce competition, Yuri develops a deep connection with Viktor, exploring love and self-discovery.
The anime beautifully interweaves figure skating and romance — something a rom-com and sports genre fan cannot miss out on!
IMDb rating: 8.3/10
Blue Lock (2022)
Blue Lock covers a special project curated to select the best striker in the football universe. After the Japan national team’s 16th-place finish in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the Japan Football Union recruits the Ego Jinpachi. His unconventional strategy to elevate Japan to football prominence is dubbed, Blue Lock, a training programme aimed at producing the world’s most self-assured striker. So, here’s the twist — those who fail in Blue Lock are banned from ever representing Japan again.
Yoichi Isagi, a not-so-popular high school football player struggling with conflicting playing styles, decides to enrol to become the premier striker in the world.
IMDb rating: 8.3/10
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Kuroko’s Basketball (2012)
Kuroko’s Basketball tells the story of the Seirin High School’s basketball team and its quest for success in the highly competitive sport, similar to Haikyu!!.
Tetsuya Kuroko, a first-year student, is a former member of the renowned ‘Generation of Miracles’, a group of exceptionally talented basketball players who dominated middle school basketball. His playing techniques such as misdirection and passing rather than scoring, catch the attention of Taiga Kagami, a highly skilled first-year player transfer student. Kuroko and Kagami form a powerful duo to take Seirin to the top of the high school basketball scene.
IMDb rating: 8.2/10
Ace of Diamond (2013)
Ace of Diamond anime takes audiences into the exhilarating world of high school baseball, blending sports action with an intense character-driven storyline, just like Haikyu!!.
A left-handed pitcher Eijun Sawamura joins the Seidou High School baseball team, who wishes to become the team’s ace pitcher. The anime starts with Sawamura’s team making it to the finals of a local tournament in his hometown. His talent catches the eye of scouts, including the coach of Seidou High, who invites him to join a baseball program. Sawamura accepts the offer to pursue his dream of playing in the national high school baseball championship, Koshien.
IMDb rating: 8.2/10
Chihayafuru (2011)
Chihaya Ayase has dedicated her life to supporting her sister’s modelling career. Everything changes when she befriends Arata Wataya, a skilled karuta player who recognises her potential. Thanks to Arata’s belief, Chihaya sets a new goal: becoming Japan’s top karuta player. She reunites with her old friend, Taichi Mashima and they commence the Mizusawa Karuta Club. Chihaya strives to be the world’s best player and hopes for a future reunion with Arata.
IMDb rating: 8.1/10
Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma (2015)
Food Wars: Shokugeki no Soma might not be about any particular sport; instead what lies in common between Haikyu!! and this series is the spirit of teamwork and competition.
Yukihira Soma aspires to surpass his father, Joichiro Yukihira, as a skilled chef. He enrols in Totsuki Culinary Academy, an elite culinary school known for its competitive ambience. The school has a tradition of hosting intense cooking duels called ‘Shokugeki’, where students challenge each other to culinary battles to prove their skills. Soma faces hectic challenges and rivals at Totsuki, including Erina Nakiri, the school’s strict ‘God Tongue’ judge.
The series is a blend of culinary battles, intense competitions and the art of gourmet cooking.
IMDb rating: 8.1/10
Sk8 the Infinity (2018)
In Sk8 the Infinity, a group of hardcore skaters usually head to a place called S, home to an illegal underground race inside a mine where skaters compete in dangerous conditions. Reki Kyan, a passionate skater, brings his new classmate Langa Hasegawa to the skateboarding world. Due to certain circumstances, the duo gets in trouble and ends up in a situation that requires Langa to skate in the race, leading to another exhilarating adventure altogether.
While the series might not be similar to Haikyu!! in terms of the sport, it consists of similar inspirational moments, friendship and tackles with competitiveness amongst the younger generations.
IMDb rating: 8/10
Baby Steps (2014)
Baby Steps follows first-year student Eiichirou Maruo, who joins the Southern Tennis Club to compensate for his lack of exercise. At the club, he meets Natsu Takasaki, another first-year student training to become a pro. Despite his lack of experience, Eiichirou develops a unique playing style as he bonds with Natsu and makes efforts to improve his skills.
Similar to Haikyu!!, the series explores the spirit of sportsmanship and friendship and serves as a lesson in perseverance and consistency. As Eiichirou’s dedication and work ethic help him develop a strategic approach towards the sport, viewers can’t help but root for him.
IMDb rating: 7.7/10
Free!- Iwatobi Swim Club (2013)
Free! follows four childhood friends — Haruka, Makoto, Nagisa and Rin reuniting in high school. They revive their school’s dormant swim club, reigniting their passion for competitive swimming. Haruka’s love for the water, Makoto’s supportive nature, Nagisa’s enthusiasm and Rin’s competitive spirit shape their journey.
Like Haikyu!!, this series also explores the characters’ dynamics, friendships and individual challenges, building intense swim competitions. Haruka’s pursuit of the ultimate swim, Rin’s quest for redemption and the team’s bonds create an excellent story about dreams, rivalry and their love for the sport.
IMDb rating: 7.4/10
Tsurune (2018)
Taking archery lovers on a delightful voyage, Tsurune follows a former archery prodigy Minato Narumiya, who goes through a traumatic incident during a middle school competition. Now in high school, he is persuaded to join the Kazemai High School Archery Club by friends.
The series unfolds as the team navigates personal challenges, honing their archery skills and competing in tournaments. Minato’s journey toward self-discovery, redemption and the pursuit of excellence is beautifully portrayed, highlighting the camaraderie and growth of the characters.
IMDb rating: 7.4/10
Hanebado: The Badminton Play of Ayano Hanesaki! (2018)
Revolving around the titular character, the show is about a young shuttler trained by her uncle, a badminton champion. One day, Ayano falls sick before her match and loses, which causes her mentor to leave her with her grandmother. As an anguished Ayano quits the sport, she also starts battling depression. When former player Kentaro Tachibana wants to recruit her to his badminton club in high school, Ayano has to decide if she is ready to get back on the court.
Besides the obvious sports angle, the show is an intense cocktail of experiences and emotions, as viewers are taken on a journey as Ayano navigates her mental well-being and tries to find herself amidst all the chaos.
IMDb rating: 6.2/10
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(Hero and feature image credit: IMDb/Haikyu)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Which is the best anime like Haikyu!!?
Run With the Wind, Ace of Diamond, Kuroko’s Basketball and Ping Pong the Animation are some similar anime like Haikyu!!.
– Are there any sports anime available on Netflix?
Haikyu!!, Blue Lock and Kuroko’s Basketball are available to stream on Netflix.
– Which is the best sports anime?
Blue Lock, Kuroko’s Basketball, Haikyu!! and Run with the Wind are some of the best sports anime.
