Top 15 best sports anime

Top 15 Best Sports Anime on Netflix 2023

Not only do these characters have fascinating backstories, but they also have a motivating goal that seems impossible at first. But their need to be the best in the sport and their unwavering determination make it ultimately seem entirely achievable.

If you are looking for a good sports anime to watch on Netflix, then you have come to the right place. We have compiled a list of the 15+ best sports anime on Netflix 2023. Keep in mind, however, that the ranking is based on .

Top 15+ Best Sports Anime on Netflix

16) All out!

All Out!

Anime Name Everyone out!
Rating BAD 7.05
Number of episodes 25
Genres Sports
Studio Madhouse, TMS Entertainment
Broadcast 2016 – 2017

Kanagawa High School first-year students Kenji Gion and Sumiaki Iwashimizu receive an invitation to attend a rugby match after the school's opening ceremony.

For Kenji, rugby has proven to be a sport that anyone can excel at when holding the ball. He signed up immediately because he was convinced that his small size didn't matter.

However, when the tall and shy Iwashimizu declines, Kenji forces him to sign up for the sport. Soon, they find themselves training hard for the national high school rugby championship, Hanazono.


15) Ahiru no Sora

Ahiru no Sora

Anime Name Ahiru no Sora
Rating BAD 7.28
Number of episodes 50
Genres Sports
Studio Diomedee
Broadcast 2019 – 2020

Ever since Sora Kurumatani fell in love with basketball, his short stature has put him in trouble. Despite this, he is determined to work hard to prove that he can do it.

Sora joins Kuzuryuu High School and signs up for the basketball club in hopes of competing in tournaments. However, he is disappointed to find that his teammates have no interest in the sport and put little effort into it.

But Sora is determined. So, he challenges them to a match. Amazed by Sora's efforts and impressive skills, the boys begin to take the sport more seriously.


14) Free! – Iwatobi Swimming Club

Free! –Iwatobi Swim Club

Anime Name Free!
Rating BAD 7.34
Number of episodes 37 (3 seasons) + 2 films
Genres Sport, Theater
Studio Entertainment in Kyoto
Broadcast 2014 – 2022

has always been a swimming prodigy, but he swims not for competition but for his innate love for the water. An incident with a friend when they were children made Haru more wary of the competitive aspect of swimming.

Now in high school, Haru works hard with his childhood best friend and his two juniors to reopen the swim club of his life. But when Rin, the old friend and current adversary, returns, Haru is thrown into the competition that he still dislikes.

In order to "swim free" as he always wanted, Haru must repair broken friendships and learn more about himself.


13) Captain Tsubasa

Captain Tsubasa

Anime Name Captain Tsubasa
Rating BAD 7.34
Number of episodes 128
Genres Sports
Studio Tsuchida Productions
Broadcast 1983 – 1986

Captain Tsubasa is the story of an 11-year-old who wants to represent Japan at the FIFA World Cup. Although football is just a game for other children, for Tsubasa Oozora, it is something he loves.

Tsubasa embarks on a new journey when he moves to Nankatsu Town. He finds that there is a big football competition in Nankatsu. Thus, he is forced to perfect his skills to stand out from the crowd.


12) Inazuma eleven

Inazuma Eleven

Anime Name Inazuma Eleven
Rating BAD 7.68
Number of episodes 127
Genres Sports
Studio OLM
Broadcast 2008 – 2011

Raidmon Middle School's soccer club, Inazuma Eleven, was on the verge of disbanding when a cheerful goalkeeper, Mamoru Endou, took on the challenge of saving the old team.

Mamoru is the grandson of Inazuma Eleven's first generation guardian and team captain. Additionally, he is determined to restore the honor of Inazuma Eleven by defeating strong teams.

Mamoru Endou meets a talented player, Shuuya Gouenji, who has given up football. However, Mamoru is determined to recruit him and the other players to save his club. Looks like his passion alone can't benefit the struggling club. However, with his determination and the help of his friends, he may be able to achieve his goal.


11) The prince of tennis

The Prince of Tennis

Anime Name Tennis no Ouji-sama
Rating BAD 7.86
Number of episodes 178
Genres Sports
Studio Trans arts
Broadcast 2001 – 2005

Ryoma Echizen receives an invitation to the U-17 tennis training camp in Japan. Although he is a middle school student, he is a tennis prodigy and demonstrates a play-to-win attitude. The competition is tough between high school and college students during the training camp, to his greatest pleasure.


10) Yuri!!! On the ice

Yuri!!! On Ice

Anime Name Yuri!!! On the ice
Rating BAD 7.90
Number of episodes 12
Genres Sports
Studio MAP
Broadcast 2016

, once known as Japan's promising figure skater, suffered a defeat in his final season. , five-time champion, offers to train him. Yuri gladly accepts her offer since he is one of her biggest fans. However, the competition this season seems fiercer than before.


9) Visor 21

Eyeshield 21

Anime Name Eyeshield 21
Rating BAD 7.92
Number of episodes 145
Genres Sports
Studio Gallop
Broadcast 2005 – 2008

Kobayakawa Sena is an introverted high school student who is constantly bullied. Over the years, he has always been an errand boy. As a result, he developed insane speed and agility.

Hirumi Yoichi, captain of an American football team, The Devilbats, saves Sena when he sees the bullies attacking him. Coincidentally, Hirumi was looking for a fast running back and took Sena to his team after seeing his incredible speed.

To prevent other rival teams from recruiting him, Hiromi tries to hide Sena's identity. He hires Sena as "team secretary" and gives him a helmet with a visor that hides his face. Thus, its nickname was “Eyeshield 21”.

The Devilbats will participate in an annual football tournament, the Christmas Bowl. There the team faces strong rivals but with their promising player “Eyeshield 21”; it is possible that they will turn the matches in their favor.


8) Yowamushi Pedal

Yowamushi Pedal

Anime Name Yowamushi Pedal
Rating BAD 7.94
Number of episodes 137 (5 seasons) + 1 film
Genres Sports
Studio TMS Entertainment
Broadcast 2013 – 2023

Cheerful otaku, Sakamichi Onoda is eager to join an anime club at his school. Unfortunately, he learns that it has been dissolved. One day, he meets Shunsuke Imaizumi, who challenges him to a race. This is after Shunsuke notices Onoda's ability to climb a mountain even when his bike makes it difficult.

Shunsuke agrees to join the anime club if Onoda wins. This event unknowingly sparked Onoda's interest in the world of high school bike racing.


7) Kuroko's basketball

Kuroko's Basketball

Anime Name Kuroko no basket
Rating BAD 8.07
Number of episodes 75 (3 seasons) + 1 film
Genres Sports
Studio GI production
Broadcast 2012 – 2017

Kuroko's is considered one of the best Netflix basketball anime. Every player in this anime shows tremendous abilities in a match.

Thanks to its five exceptionally talented players, the Teiko High School basketball team has always been at the top. These players were known as “The Generation of Miracles”. However, after graduation, their paths diverged.

is a first year student at Seirin High School. He is recruited to the basketball team, where he shows off his unique skills to his teammates. , who was also recruited into the team, seems at first glance to be a very ordinary player.

However, his ability to move unnoticed and circulate the ball surprises everyone. Interestingly, he previously played as the ghost sixth member of Teiko's basketball team.


6) Major S1

Major S1

Anime Name Major S1
Rating BAD 8.22
Number of episodes 26
Genres Sports
Studio Studio Hibari
Broadcast 2004 – 2005

Gorou Honda had great admiration for his father, Shigeharu, who is a professional baseball player. After the death of his wife, Shigeharu is left with only baseball and his son Gorou.

When an elbow accident forces Shigeru to leave the team, he leaves his old position as pitcher. Instead, he takes on the role of a hitter. Gorou is now even more motivated after seeing his father's hard work. As a result, Gorou works hard to get into the Japanese Little League.


5) Crossplay

Cross Game

Anime Name Cross game
Rating BAD 8.39
Number of episodes 50
Genres Drama, Romance, Sports
Studio SynergySP
Broadcast 2009 – 2010

Even though their families are close friends, Kou Kitamura and Aoba Tsukishima always seem at odds. Aoba is a star baseball player.

Despite being the only son of the sports store owner, Kou disliked baseball games. However, Kou is exceptionally good at batting. Only a game of baseball could help them overcome their difficulties.


4) Run with the wind

Run with the Wind

Anime Name Run with the wind
Rating BAD 8:40 a.m.
Number of episodes 23
Genres Drama, Sports
Studio GI production
Broadcast 2018 – 2019

Kakeru Kurahara has exceptional running skills. He was a former elite runner in high school who lost interest in the sport. One day, he is chased out of a convenience store after shoplifting.

Haiji Kiyose, a fellow student at his university, witnesses his incredible agility and speed and is impressed by him. Haji tries to convince Kakeru and eight others to join a ten-part relay race – Hakone Ekiden.


3) Haikyuu!!

Haikyuu!!

Anime Name Haikyuu!!
Rating BAD 8.44
Number of episodes 85 (4 seasons)
Genres Comedy, Sport
Studio GI production
Broadcast 2014 – 2020

is undoubtedly one of the best Netflix volleyball anime and is also very popular. Each character has decent screen time and incredible development.

was inspired by a volleyball player nicknamed “little giant” during a championship played on television. He decides to restart his college's volleyball team. But his team had no chance against , a prodigy from the rival team. Hinata vows to surpass Kageyama after his team's defeat.

However, he faces Kageyama again when he enrolls in the Karasuno High Volleyball club. Turns out he's on the same volleyball team. Surprisingly, they get along well and play evenly against powerful rival volleyball teams.


2) Slam Dunk

Slam Dunk

Anime Name Slam Dunk
Rating BAD 8.54
Number of episodes 101
Genres Sports
Studio Toei Animation
Broadcast 1993 – 1996

Slam Dunk has to be one of the best sports anime on Netflix. Those who love basketball would enjoy this anime immensely.

Shohoku High's Hanamichi Sakuragi began to resent basketball. He desperately wants a girlfriend and wants to break the record of being rejected 50 times in a row in college.

One day, a girl named Haruko Akagi asks him if he can do a "slam dunk" when he admits that he loves basketball to impress her. However, he fails to shoot the ball. Instead, he ends up hitting his head on the board.

Impressed by Hanamichi's extraordinary physical abilities, Haruko tells the captain of the basketball team about him. Hanamichi ends up loving the sport he didn't like at first.


1) Ping-Pong Animation

Ping Pong The Animation

Anime Name Ping Pong Animation
Rating BAD 8.62
Number of episodes 11
Genres Drama, Sports
Studio Production Natsunoko
Broadcast 2014

Ping Pong The Animation might be one of the best sports anime on Netflix. Not only does it aim to give a realistic approach to the sport, but it also has unique animation.

Makota Tsukimoto and his childhood friend, Yutaka Hoshino, always played table tennis together. Both have shown promise of becoming competent players. However, Makoto, nicknamed Smile, shows little ambition.

Unlike his friend Smile, Yukata, also known as Peco, is confident and wants to become the best in table tennis. Despite the difference in personality, the two friends share a mutual love for sports.

If you are unable to find an anime from the list above, you can always use a VPN. What is a VPN for? Well, it changes the location of your region and allows you to access a show or movie from a country. We hope you liked our article on the best sports anime on Netflix 2023.


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