Haikyuu!!, a manga created by Haruichi Furudate, is a well-known series that was serialized from February 2012 to July 2020, resulting in forty-five volumes. An anime adaptation produced by Production I.G studio premiered between April and September 2014, with subsequent seasons airing in October 2015 to March 2016, October to December 2016, and finally from January 2020 to December 2020. Haikyuu!! is one of the most popular sports anime out there, making it a fitting subject for this article.
In order to pay tribute to the grandeur and impact that Haikyū!! has had on the sports anime genre, we’ve decided to compile a list of 15 top-notch anime series similar to Haikyū!!, which every dedicated fan should watch. Each title on this list shares some characteristics with the beloved Haikyū!! anime in various ways.
1. Kuroko’s Basketball
Original Run: April 7, 2012 – June 30, 2015
Number of Episodes: 75 (+3 OVA)
The narrative unfolds in modern-day Japan, where the exceptional Teikō Junior High School basketball team garnered fame by outplaying other Japanese teams, securing three straight junior high national championships. The standout players of this final team, known as the “Miracle Generation,” were unparalleled in their skill and height. These individuals include Ryōta Kise, who can replicate any move instantly; Shintarō Midorima, a master of the three-point shot with an extraordinary range across the entire court; Daiki Aomine, a versatile player boasting both remarkable technique and athleticism; Atsushi Murasakibara, a massive center with exceptional defensive skills and quick reflexes; and team leader Seijūrō Akashi, who possesses the uncanny ability to predict almost every move and counter his opponents effectively. Today, each of these five prodigies plays for different high schools.
In the world of basketball, I found myself drawn to a sixth player who was revered by the legendary Generation of Miracles. Unlike the other five players, Tetsuya Kuroko wasn’t an athletic or technically gifted standout. Instead, he excelled in the art of passing, a skill that set him apart. His subtle presence on the court and quick, precise passes made him seem almost ethereal, enabling unconventional plays and steals with ease. However, his unique approach had its limitations; as the game progressed, opponents gradually adapted to his style, eventually neutralizing his impact.
Unlike the other five members of the “Generation of Miracles,” Kuroko chose not to attend high school with a prominent basketball team. He harbored a deep resentment towards Midorima. Previously, the group at Teikō Junior High gradually disbanded as the skills of the other five players flourished. Eventually, they lacked worthy opponents, making their competition the sole source of motivation for the players. As time passed, they underwent significant character changes and began to lose their passion for the game.
2. Chihayafuru
Original Release: October 4, 2011 – March 24, 2020
Number of Episodes: 74 + OVA
In the sixth grade of elementary school, Chihaya Ayase had a dream that her sister would gain recognition as a model. This dream was what shaped her world until she crossed paths with Arata Wataya, a new student from Fukui. Not only did he clarify what her dream truly meant, but he also introduced her to the captivating world of the traditional Japanese card game, Karuta.
Apart from Arata, there’s another individual who harbors the same ambition – her ultimate aspiration is to excel as a top-tier karuta player. Instantly, Chihaya senses Arata’s enthusiasm for this captivating game and promptly aligns her fresh aspirations with the lofty goal of becoming Japan’s finest karuta player.
3. Yuri!!! on ICE
Original Release: October 6, 2016 – December 21, 2016
Number of Episodes: 12 + OVA
Following his disappointing debut at the Grand Prix where he placed last, the young Japanese figure skater Yuri Katsuki has been struggling and questioning his future in the sport. A few months down the line, Yuri finds himself back in his hometown of Hasetsu, Kyūshū – a place he left five years prior. Remarkably, he successfully replicates a routine by the esteemed Russian skater Victor Nikiforov during this time.
If a video of Yuri’s performance gets widely shared online without his awareness and eventually catches Victor’s eye, he chooses to mentor Yuri by training him alongside one of his exceptionally talented pupils, also named Yuri Plisetsky.
4. Ace of Diamond
Original Run: October 3, 2013 – March 31, 2020
Number of Episodes: 178 + 5 OVA
The Akagi Middle School baseball team concludes its season without having won a game at all. Their pitcher, Eijun Sawamura, yearns for retribution alongside his teammates when they reach high school. However, a representative from the esteemed Seido High School extends an invitation to recruit him. Feeling hesitant about leaving his companions, he decides to tour their facilities and encounters an exceptionally skilled catcher named Kazuya Miyuki there.
At this upcoming meeting, Eijun’s future is set to be significantly altered. With the backing of his loved ones, he chooses to become part of an exceptional team comprising top-tier high school students from across the nation. In this team, Eijun must establish himself and work together with his new colleagues towards the national tournament.
5. Ahiru no Sora
Original Run: October 2, 2019 – September 30, 2020
Number of Episodes: 50
Sora Kurumatani, who’s short on the crucial basketball trait, has faced challenges due to his small size ever since he developed a passion for the game. Regardless of this disadvantage, Sora’s indomitable spirit has always kept him from letting his height define his playing abilities, his determination to perform at his best, and his relentless drive to demonstrate his skills. Eager to fulfill his mother’s dreams, Sora enrolls in Kuzuryuu High School, joining the basketball team with a fervor to compete in tournaments.
It turns out that Sora is dismayed when he discovers the boy’s basketball team is merely a hangout for rowdy individuals who seem uninterested in the sport. Furthermore, Sora learns that the brothers Chiaki and Momoharu Hanazono, whom he encounters, have also lost their initial zest for playing basketball. Eager to revive the team, Sora proposes a game against them, showcasing his agile moves and swift speed which leaves the group stunned. Over time, the boys are influenced by Sora’s impressive abilities, tireless effort, and unwavering love for basketball, leading them to rediscover their long-lost enthusiasm for the sport.
6. SLAM DUNK
Original Run: October 16, 1993 – March 23, 1996
Number of Episodes: 101
The anime “Slam Dunk” follows the journey of Hanamichi Sakuragi, a 15-year-old gang member with a history of unrequited love and a novice in sports, particularly basketball. As the story unfolds, we witness his transformation not only as a basketball player but also as a person.
7. Big Windup!
Original Run: April 12, 2007 – June 24, 2010
Number of Episodes: 38 + 2 OVA
The story unfolds in Saitama, focusing on Ren Mihashi, a character who once held the top pitching position in his college baseball team. However, it appears that
Later on, he enrolls at Nishiura High School with the intention of giving up baseball due to self-doubt about his abilities. Surprisingly, their coach drafts him onto the school’s baseball team. With support from his fellow players (particularly catcher Takaya Abe), his self-assurance and skills improve, propelling his team to greater achievements.
8. Welcome to the Ballroom
Original Run: July 8, 2017 – December 17, 2017
Number of Episodes: 24
17-year-old Tatara Fujita finds himself uncertain about his future, despite his father and school teacher’s attempts to guide him towards a decision. However, their efforts seem futile as Tatara lacks the drive necessary to commit. In search of purpose, he endeavors to discover a passion that could sustain him throughout his life, yet struggles with finding genuine motivation. One day, following a discussion with his teacher, Tatara becomes interested in a job posting for part-time workers on a street sign.
Simultaneously, old acquaintances show up and demand money from him while ridiculing him. Just as the situation escalates, a man on a motorcycle arrives and steps in to make them back off, leaving Tatara alone: it turns out to be Kaname Sengoku, a renowned and acclaimed dancer by profession.
After the stalkers departed, the biker escorted the timid youth to the Ogasawara Dance Studio, assuming he was too shy to go in himself. However, unbeknownst to him, the job noticeboard for the studio was located just beside where the youth stood. From that moment on, Tatara found himself immersed in a whole new realm – the world of competitive dancing. Initially unsure, his passion for this sport soon ignited and grew intensely.
9. Baby Steps
Original Run: April 6, 2014 – September 20, 2015
Number of Episodes: 50
As a passionate cinephile, I’m eager to share my thoughts on the captivating manga titled “Baby Steps,” penned by Hikaru Katsuki. This masterpiece was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Magazine from October 2007 to November 2017, eventually amassing an impressive collection of 47 volumes, published by Kōdansha.
The story came to life in a stunning animated television series produced by the renowned Pierrot studio and was first aired between April and September 2014. The show proved so popular that it returned for a second season, airing from April to September 2015.
As a dedicated young scholar, Eiichirô Maruo one day finds himself drawn away from his books to observe the tennis club’s students. It wasn’t long before this sport, especially with the inspiring presence of Takuma Egawa and Natsu Takasaki, two standout members of the club, captivated him. He soon became fully committed to tennis. Despite his less-than-ideal physical condition, Eiichirô leveraged his intellectual prowess and analytical skills to swiftly advance and outwit his competitors, eventually achieving professional status as a player.
Different from many sports manga and anime series (such as Prince of Tennis), this work steers clear of extravagant, implausible maneuvers. Instead, it adopts a more authentic representation of the sport in terms of technique, physics, and mental state.
10. DAYS
Original Release: July 2, 2016 – December 18, 2016
Number of Episodes: 24 + 5 OVA
Tsukushi Tsukamoto, a timid and clumsy teenager, has recently enrolled at Seiseki High School. On his visit to Sayuri Tachibana, an old friend and his senior colleague, Tsukushi finds himself under attack by a gang of bullies. It’s Jin Kazama, a lively and outgoing schoolmate, who steps in to help him out, unknowingly inviting him to join a soccer game.
For Tsukushi, the game reveals his limitations, yet Jin’s remarkable skill captivates him enough to motivate him to sign up for the high school soccer team. However, the Seiseki team is highly esteemed and attracts interest from youth nationwide, so Tsukushi will need to put in his best effort and show determination to earn a spot on the team.
11. Hanebado!
Original Run: July 2, 2018 – October 1, 2018
Number of Episodes: 13
In the realm of badminton, Uchika Hanesaki was a dominant figure, having claimed numerous titles. Her offspring, Ayano, mirrored her mother’s passion for the sport and trained alongside her extensively. A pivotal moment occurred during Ayano’s middle school years when she fell ill before a crucial badminton match, ultimately leading to her defeat. This setback caused Uchika to depart, leaving Ayano in the care of her grandparents.
After his mother left, he fell into a deep sadness and decided to give up on badminton. During her freshman year at high school, Ayano was invited by ex-player Kentarō Tachibana to join the badminton team. Through this experience, she managed to conquer her anxieties by picking up the game again.
12. Run with the Wind
Original Run: October 2, 2018 – March 26, 2019
Number of Episodes: 23
Originally a standout high school runner, now financially struggling, Kakeru resorted to stealing a sandwich from a nearby store, prompting the store manager’s pursuit. Caught by a university student named Haiji from Kansei University, who is also a long-distance runner, Haiji proposes a race instead of chasing him. Impressed by his spirit and potential, Haiji intervenes, settles the matter with the store manager, and invites Kakeru to join them at the “Blue Bamboos” dormitory.
Haiji intends to join forces with the dorm mates for the Hakone Ekiden relay marathon, a prestigious university race in Japan renowned for its significance. However, his dorm mates are taken aback because they hadn’t realized that residents were required to participate in the Hakone Ekiden and that they were concurrently members of Kansei University’s athletics club, which is a prerequisite for living at Bambous Bleus.
Kakeru swiftly realizes that everyone residing there apart from Haiji and himself lack experience in racing, making it unfeasible for him to join the Hakone Ekiden with them. Consequently, Haiji devises a strategy to motivate all residents of Bambous Bleus to train, so they can potentially participate in the Hakone Ekiden together.
13.Yowamushi Pedal
Original Release: October 7, 2013 – June 25, 2018
Number of Episodes: 112
As a passionate anime enthusiast stepping into my first year of high school, I’ve set my sights on joining the anime club to connect with like-minded individuals. Unfortunately, due to a shortage of members, the club has been disbanded. However, instead of giving up, I am determined to gather enough companions to rejuvenate the club and bring it back to life. My ultimate goal is to saunter through the bustling Akihabara district in Tokyo with friends, sharing my love for anime together.
As a film enthusiast, I stumbled upon the cycling club quite serendipitously, first by Shunsuke Imaizumi and later by Shōkichi Naruko. Intrigued by the exhilarating feelings they exhibited during their rides, I felt compelled to experience it myself. So, I accepted their invitation to join this captivating club.
14. Cheer Boys!!
Original Run: July 5, 2016 – September 27, 2016
Number of Episodes: 12 + 2 OVA
From their shared childhood, Haruki Bandō and Kazuma Hashimoto break away from the judo club at college to embark on an unusual and creative venture: founding a men’s cheerleading squad. At first uncertain about their next steps, their resolve strengthens as five additional members join them, allowing them to form a full team. The days ahead will detail their training routine as they strive to transform their shared enthusiasm into something more substantial and reach professional levels.
15. Free!
Original Release: July 4, 2013 – September 26, 2018
Number of Episodes: 37 + OVA
Haruka Nanase is an enthusiastic young swimmer who attends elementary school with Nagisa Hazuki, Makoto Tachibana, and Rin Matsuoka. Together, they join a swimming competition and emerge victorious. However, at the end of the academic year, their separate paths lead to them parting ways as friends.
A while after, Haruka, Nagisa, and Makoto meet up once more at Iwatobi High School. However, Rin, who had moved to live and study in Australia, returns and challenges Haruka to a swim competition. His companions suggest to Haruka, together with a new member, Rei Ryugazaki, that they establish the Iwatobi swimming club as a means to reunite with Rin, who had enrolled at Samezuka Swimming School for him.
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2025-05-19 04:46