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]
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