Sports anime remains popular in Japan, despite its checkered history in the West. Stories of characters overcoming emotional and physical obstacles to bring their team to victory or rooting for the underdog against the better funded team resonates with genre fans. Charapedia asked 10,000 fans which sports anime “moved” them the most. Here are the results!
Most “Moving” Sports Anime
1. Kuroko’s Basketball 1,442 votes
2. Slam Dunk 1,025 votes
3. Haikyu!! 961 votes
4. The Prince of Tennis 943 votes
5. Major 818 votes
6. Free! – Iwatobi Swim Club 723 votes
6. Captain Tsubasa 637 votes
7. Yowamushi Pedal 627 votes
8. Ace of Diamond 544 votes
9. Inazuma Eleven 312 votes
10. Eyeshield 21 194 votes
11. Big Windup! 182 votes
12. Ro-Kyu-Bu! 167 votes
13. H2 155 votes
14. Touch 141 votes
15. Hajime no Ippo 136 votes
16. Baby Steps 133 votes
17. Kenko Zenrakei Suieibu Umisho 126 votes
18. Giant Killing 117 votes
19. Ace o Nerae! 115 votes
Most “Moving” Sports Anime (Women)
1. Kuroko’s Basketball 938 votes
2. Haikyu!! 734 votes
3. Free! – Iwatobi Swim Club 593 votes
4. The Prince of Tennis 569 votes
5. Yowamushi Pedal 435 votes
6. Slam Dunk 338 votes
7. Ace of Diamond 325 votes
8. Captain Tsubasa 208 votes
9. Major 189 votes
10. Inazuma Eleven 146 votes
Most “Moving” Sports Anime (Men)
1. Slam Dunk 687 votes
2. Major 629 votes
3. Kuroko’s Basketball 504 votes
4. Captain Tsubasa 429 votes
5. The Prince of Tennis 374 votes
6. Haikyu!! 227 votes
7. Ace of Diamond 219 votes
8. Yowamushi Pedal 192 votes
9. Inazuma Eleven 166 votes
10. Ro-Kyu-Bu! 157 votes
Did any of the struggles in these series resonate with you? Let us know in the forums!
[Via Otakomu]
More from Anime News Network
Kuroko’s Basketball stage play cast is ready for tip-off in the anime adaptation’s first photo
Taiwanese sports channel airs anime Slam Dunk in place of cancelled NBA games
Top 100 manga of all time chosen by survey of 150,000 Japanese people
Legendary basketball anime Slam Dunk is getting a brand-new movie
One Piece fans and Lakers fans to get exclusive T-shirts and posters at upcoming game
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
McDonald’s Japan releases a Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
Japan’s foreign tourist numbers projected to fall for first time in years in 2026
Mister Donut and Godiva continue their sweet sweets relationship with new treats on sale now in Japan
Daiso unveils new official mascot, Daizo the elephant
We eat at a brand new pasta shop with all-you-can-eat tofu run by one of our favorite restaurants
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
What’s inside Starbucks Japan’s fukubukuro lucky bag for 2026?
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Japanese netizens list their top 10 choices for ’90s anime remakes — What’s your pick?
What day of the year has the most anime character birthdays? This heat map has the answer
Japan’s manga World Cup team: Titans, pirates, and, of course, Captain Tsubasa
The top 20 anime/manga series Japanese fans would like to show to their kids
Japanese anime fans weigh in on which Shonen Jump anime are the most entertaining
Leave a Reply