Soccer is one of the most popular sports in Japan, and its popularity is reflected in the number of excellent anime series dedicated to it. Whether you’re a soccer fanatic or enjoy watching anime, here are ten of the best anime for you to check out!
This list of the best soccer anime includes a mix of classics and modern shows. From romantic dramas to comedic spins on sports, these shows will take you through the highs and lows of the sport.
Inazuma Eleven
Soccer is one of the most popular sports in Japan, and it’s not surprising that they produce many anime series centred around the game. Some are serious sports dramas, while others are comedy shows or slice-of-life stories about the team.
While some are excellent, others are only partially up to par. Thankfully, there are plenty of other options out there!
Among those that stand out is Inazuma Eleven. This is one of the best soccer animes out there, and it’s worth checking out if you’re a fan of the game.
The story centres around Mark Evans, a goalkeeper with a deep passion for football. He lives in Inazuma and is determined to take his school’s team to glory.
However, this is a challenge. While Mark is a skilled player, he has limited support from his teammates.
As a result, he tends to get frustrated quickly. He struggles with being a teammate, especially since he has goals and ambitions.
But with the help of his friends, he eventually finds a way to improve his skills and reach his dreams!
This anime is more focused on characters than it is on the actual soccer play. While it can be a bit slow, it is still an enjoyable watch for anyone who loves the sport.
Blue Lock
Blue Lock is one of the most popular new sports anime. The show has a unique approach to the soccer genre by breaking many of its traditional tropes. It also has plenty of wacky and exciting football action.
The story centres on a young striker named Yoichi Isagi. He was moments away from scoring a goal that would have sent his high school team to the national championship, but he decided to pass the ball instead of taking it himself. It was a wrong decision that resulted in losing the game, leaving him bitter and frustrated.
After a humiliating defeat, Isagi receives a letter from the Japan Football Union inviting him to join a controversial project called Blue Lock. Isagi is selected as one of three hundred U-18 strikers through an arbitrary and biased decision-making process.
As Isagi begins training, he becomes conflicted about his playing style and desire to become the world’s best egotistical striker. To achieve his goals, he must learn to be selfish and put himself first, even at the cost of those around him.
Throughout the show, Isagi and his teammates, Nagi and Barou, try to develop their strengths and overcome their weaknesses. While Isagi is initially ranked as the second-worst striker in the program, his determination and willingness to improve his abilities help him rise above the rest of the competition.
Isagi and Nagi are also joined by several other players, each with strengths and weaknesses. For instance, Hinata is a talented player who has always dreamed of becoming a professional footballer and gave up his everyday life to play in Blue Lock.
Arashi
If you’re a fan of soccer, then you’ll love this anime. It’s fun to watch and showcases all the hard work and effort that goes into playing the sport. You’ll also learn a lot about the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship.
Arashi is a soccer anime that follows a teenage boy named Ashito Aoi, who dreams of becoming the world’s best player. But when he joins a new team, he realizes his teammates are more talented than him. This makes him lose his pride, but he continues to try and learn from them.
Compared to other soccer anime, Aoashi is more realistic and offers lessons on teamwork, character growth, and sportsmanship. This is especially important for young players who want to make it big in the soccer league.
It also shows many people’s struggles when trying to play football. This helps people understand why some players are overlooked and why others succeed.
Another soccer anime that focuses on the actual sport is Blue Lock, which is based on Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yuusuke Nomura’s manga. It follows an egoistic young striker who wants to become the best in the world. He faces several difficulties but eventually learns to be humble and not let his ego get in the way of his goals.
However, it is essential to note that Blue Lock is a more action-packed anime than Aoashi. This can be a good thing, but it also means that it is less realistic than Aoashi.
The main problem with this anime is that it does not follow the generic path you would expect from a sports anime. It bloats certain realities of the sport, such as how hard it is for someone to make it into nationals. This can be frustrating to people who aren’t into the game.
Moero! Top Striker
You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for a fun and engaging soccer anime. Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best soccer animes that will keep you entertained from start to finish. This series will inspire you to get on the field and kick it!
Giant Killing is a classic football anime that features an underdog story fit for any fan of the sport. The series follows a struggling football team and their eccentric manager as they try to win back the championship.
This sports anime will take you on a thrilling journey to Japan’s top football league. The series centres on talented teenagers competing in various tournaments to improve their skills and gain experience.
In this series, you’ll meet a young boy named Hidemaru who’s passionate about soccer and wants to become a star player like his idol Hikaru Kicker. As you play this fun game, you’ll have to use your brain and foot to score team goals!
You’ll also have to decide whether or not you want to stay with your hometown team or move to a bigger city. This is a great story that will appeal to fans of both sports and manga!
If you want to write a review for this anime, you can easily do so using our online review tool. Click the button below and be the first to share your thoughts with the community! We’d love to hear what you think about this anime!
Days
Days of Wonder is a slice-of-life high school story during a soccer season, a feel-good anime series with a solid sporting element. Based on the Tsuyoshi Yasuda soccer manga of the same name, this anime from MAPPA is about two boys: timid Tsukushi Tsukamoto and gifted Jin Kazama. Tsukushi is a shy, clumsy student who gets bullied on the way to his new high school, and his meeting with Jin transforms his life for the better.
Although the series is a good choice for those who want to watch a sports anime that is more relatable and doesn’t focus too much on football, the lack of serious soccer action can sometimes be frustrating. In addition, the plot is predictable.
But on the plus side, the animation is solid, and the production values are good. The music is well done and doesn’t disrupt the storytelling too much.
The anime is based on a Japanese soccer team named East Tokyo United, which has struggled in the top division of the professional league and is looking to drop down to the second tier. They hire a former player to be their coach, Tatsumi Takeshi, who is eccentric but seems to improve the team.
While the story can be a little predictable, it’s still a compelling series worth watching. It’s also quite funny sometimes, especially with the hilarious gags and awkward interactions between the characters.
The anime is less prevalent in the US than in Europe, but if you’re interested, you can legally get it on YouTube. It’s also on Disney Now and Amazon.
