If among all the anime of the genre shonen nekketsu, that is to say a kind of process; narrative where the hero defends through combat or competition traditional values such as courage, friendship and surpassing oneself, there are some who manage to sports anime perfectly transcribe this style. The latter very often offer the perfect setting to test the determination of the protagonists who, in order to achieve their goals and their dreams, will have to pass through certain trials giving them the opportunity to to progressgradually measure. Sports anime have this particularity. to often be based on real-world sports, thus allowing spectators to immerse themselves more easily in the universe. The authors being themselves great amateurs of the disciplines in question, these works are thus a means of interesting neophytes in certain sports, while providing enough subtle detail and reference for enthusiasts of each discipline. So here is a selection of some cult sports anime, which will probably make you want to practice the sports in question when you watch them.
1) Haikyuu!!
This anime has been a real phenomenon in recent years, allowing many neophytes to be interested in sports anime, but also in volleyball! Because the story takes us alongside Shoyo Hinata, a young boy who dreams of becoming the next “Little Giant”, a player he saw at TV being small. But the problem is that Hinata is (really) not very tall, and in the middle of volleyball where; height is a considerable asset, short players face a lot of problems. a wall that seems impassable. However, Hinata is not one to give up on his dream so easily, and he still has a rope to play. his bow, at know an impressive relaxation, thanks to which he intends to surpass this so-called wall. Hinata will also be able to count on his former rival, Tobio Kageyama, who now attends the same school as him, and who is therefore also part of the volleyball team, but also about his new partners from Karasuno High School which he has just joined. Despite the bickering between Kageyama and Hinata, the two form an exceptional duo on the pitch. One thing that allowed & anime to gain popularity, is how easy it is to with which the public takes to the game, thanks to; its sustained rhythm and its well-developed characters, allowing anyone to immerse themselves body and soul in the story.
2) Kuroko no Basket
This anime has become a true classic of the genre, both for the charisma of the characters and for its incredible scenes, making each confrontation always more epic to the point of pushing the limits of reasonableness. But that’s what makes the charm of this anime, which manages to combine basketball techniques and often extraordinary abilities in an anime that is as captivating as it is explosive. We follow the journey of Kuroko Tetsuya, a former student of Teiko Middle School, who joins the Seirin High School basketball club, along with Kagami Taiga, another freshly arrived second. And if Kuroko doesn’t make a big impression at first glance, once on the pitch, it’s understandable why he served as the sixth player, or “ghost player”, at the game. the Generation of Miracles, a group of five prodigies capable of performing superhuman feats. The anime explores Kuroko and Kagami’s relationship in their approach to basketball, while affirming their desire to rise to the top with their team, and thus surpass these ultimate players from the Generation of Miracles.
3) Slam Dunk
We stay in basketball with Slam Dunk, the adaptation of the cult manga by Takehiko Inoue, ` which we also owe the masterpiece Vagabond. Often considered; as one of the best manga in the world, Slam Dunk has been suitable in anime between 1993 and 1996. As a high school student, Hanamichi Sakuragi is fed up with disappointments in love.In love with the beautiful Haruko Akagi, Hanamichi decides to join the high school basketball club, in order to impress her. In his team, he will have to collaborate with his rival in love, Kaede Rukawa. But Hanamichi will begin to genuinely love basketball, and will get into it. the conquest of the national title. À note that, a great basketball fan, Takehiko Inoue wrote another manga on the subject, Real, which highlights disabled sports.
< /p>
4) Hajime no Ippo
We couldn’t talk about sports anime without mentioning this considered masterpiece. as a must for many aficionados of the genre. We discover Ippo Makunouchi, a very ordinary 16-year-old boy, who spends his free time at home. to help his mother and to run the family business. One day, when he is attacked by a gang of young people older than him, Mamoru Takamura, a professional boxer, comes to his aid and takes him to his boxing club to cure it. Once back on his feet, Ippo tries to; boxing following a proposal by Takamura, and he turns out to possess incredible strength. Takamura, subjugated; by the strength of the young boy, then offers him to come and train at the Kamogawa club. Ippo then discovered in him a real passion for boxing, and this will thus mark the beginning of a long adventure strewn with pitfalls for the young Ippo. The anime is considered by many as being the best sports anime to watch. to date, both in the evolution of the protagonist and in his ability to to to touch the spectators, but also for the way in which it pays homage to the nobility of sport in question.
5) Eyeshield 21
This anime has the merit of succeeding a skilful mix between comedy and dynamism, highlighting the honor American football. We then find the high school team of the Deimon Devil Bats, initially composed of only two players: the nice Kurita at; the impressive stature and the diabolical Hiruma, captain of the team. But the team still faces the same problem, finding the nine missing players. But everything will change with the arrival of Sena Kobayakawa, a puny and shy young student, easily manipulated by others. However, Sena has an unexpected skill (very useful when you are the protagonist), he runs very (very) fast. Hiruma having spotted the talents of the young Sena, he decides to recruit him as a player (with more or less his consent),and sets up his machiavellian plan by hiding the true identity of Sena. by Sena. It is therefore the beginning of the ascent of this young coward, who will have to rise to the rank of the fastest runningback in Japan.
6 ) Major
You couldn’t talk about sports anime without talking about baseball. In Japan, baseball is one of the most popular sports and is therefore the subject of many manga and anime. Major tells us the story of Goro Honda, a passionate boy by baseball since his early childhood. Insider by his father who was a great player recognized by the profession, Goro will give himself entirely to; this discipline, in order to become the best thrower and follow in his father’s footsteps, especially as he turns out to have an impressive talent for this sport. Anime is also considered as a monument of its kind, thanks to the emphasis on the development of the protagonist from his very beginnings until his professional level. But it is also greatly appreciated. for its realism, thanks to; extremely believable characters in their writing and their way of being, or in reality; of the profession of professional sportsman who is presented.
7) Ping Pong The Animation
When the we think of cult sports anime, it’s not necessarily the first that comes to mind. the mind. And yet, Ping Pong has the merit of making a real difference in the genre. Apart from its bias regarding its art direction, the anime manages to propose a more subtle character development, far from the clichés that can usually be found in the genre. The anime takes us into the daily life of Peco and Smile, two childhood friends who attend the same high school, and who are both enrolled in the ping pong club. The two characters, who have very different characters, will maintain a rivalry. who will push them to surpass each other, each one determined; to show its full potential.
This This list is obviously not exhaustive, so some anime will be missing. the call All Out and Ace of Diamond and many more. Tell us in the comments what your favorite sports anime is! !
And to discover these video games that could be perfectly adapted into an anime, check out our previous article on the subject, just here.