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
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino, tea and soda drinks for summer
“Phantom Egg Shop” opens in Japan, with a dozen rare Japanese varieties
Ginza Happo: One of Tokyo’s best all-you-can-eat seafood restaurants is an extreme buffet affair
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Japanese merry-go-round has heartwarming backstory, is one of the best rides in Japan
7-Eleven Japan vs Family Mart: Who has the biggest convenience store cookie?
7-Eleven Japan to start selling Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches this summer
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Universal Studios Japan is giving Frieren anime fans the chance to make unforgettable memories.
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam is getting a new look before its end-of-summer removal
Starbucks Japan releases new limited-edition summer drinks…and a pastry for dunking
Uniqlo reveals third round of massive 100-year-anniversary manga T-shirts for Jump’s Shueisha
Even at twice regular Daiso price, this handy item is still great for summer travel in Japan
New official Ghibli anime food cookbook will teach you how to make Ponyo’s ramen and more
Japanese convenience store Lawson launches new “mini supermarket” chain, L Minimart
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
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