Top 20 Anime for Wrestling Fans

Wrestling fans love the spectacle – the grand entrances, famous moves, and an energetic crowd. Anime often captures that same exciting feeling with loud arenas, memorable characters, and stories that follow fighters as they train and work their way towards a championship. While some anime series are specifically about professional wrestling, others feature boxing, sumo, or other fighting styles that include familiar throws and grappling techniques.

This is a collection of anime that truly capture the spirit of professional wrestling. Expect masked wrestlers, dramatic finishing moves, intense gym training, and high-stakes tournaments where legends are born. From classic wrestling stories to modern action-packed fights, these shows deliver the excitement and realism that wrestling fans crave.

‘Tiger Mask W’ (2016–2017)

This series picks up the story of the original ‘Tiger Mask,’ focusing on two young wrestlers who become rivals after their coach is hurt by a dishonest wrestling organization. The show features real-life wrestlers and promotions, and the matches feel authentic, using actual finishing moves, rules, and storylines seen on TV. It depicts all aspects of professional wrestling, including the build-up to matches with weigh-ins and tag team events, as well as tournaments. Beyond the action, it also explores how wrestlers build their characters, the stories behind their masks, and how merchandise helps them connect with fans.

‘Kinnikuman’ (1983–1986)

Inspired by the decades-long manga by Yudetamago, this series reimagines professional wrestling as a cosmic sport for super-powered beings called Chojin. Matches feature all the classic elements – commentary, signature poses, and elaborate moves with names like variations of the full nelson and piledriver. The storylines are structured like old-school wrestling territories, complete with rivalries, unexpected betrayals, and championships decided through tournaments. Many of the jokes and move names you see in modern wrestling actually originated with ‘Kinnikuman’.

‘Ultimate Muscle: The Kinnikuman Legacy’ (2002–2006)

Following in the footsteps of ‘Kinnikuman,’ this series centers on Kid Muscle and a new generation of heroes. It blends humor with ongoing rivalries, and the wrestling matches are designed like televised events, complete with time limits and unique match types. Each wrestler’s special moves are showcased with detailed explanations, including how opponents try to overcome them. The series also emphasizes the hard work and training that goes into becoming a performer, showing how wrestlers build excitement with the crowd before delivering their finishing moves.

‘Wanna Be the Strongest in the World’ (2013)

The show follows a pop star who decides to become a professional wrestler after a public rivalry. It portrays wrestling as a real job, complete with coaches, people who plan the matches, and a progression from small venues to large arenas. The wrestling moves are shown with detail, focusing on technique and how they flow from one hold to another, and the outcomes – like submissions, referee decisions, and crowd reactions – are presented as they would be on a typical wrestling broadcast.

‘Kemono Michi: Rise Up’ (2019)

A professional wrestler, known for wearing a mask, is unexpectedly transported to a fantasy world right before a big championship match. In a shocking first move, he suplexes the princess! He then starts a pet shop, but instead of typical animals, he deals with monsters and mercenaries, using his real wrestling skills – a tough, realistic style of grappling. The story is heavily influenced by the wrestler’s past, featuring elements like behind-the-scenes interviews, dramatic entrance music, and a strong code of conduct, even when he’s not in the wrestling ring. The action is described with the same energy as a live wrestling match, complete with calls of suplexes, pins, and complex wrestling moves.

‘Metal Fighter Miku’ (1994)

This series takes place in a women’s wrestling league of the near future, where the athletes are also idols. Managers focus on creating storylines and securing sponsorships, while the wrestlers develop new signature moves to improve their standing. Each episode shows the training – including camp sessions, gym workouts, and fitness tests – that prepares them for televised matches. The show also features realistic elements like press conferences, rankings updates, and contract signings to build up the drama.

‘Kick-Heart’ (2013)

This short film follows a masked wrestler who develops feelings for a powerful opponent. The story takes place over the course of one wrestling event, showing glimpses of what happens behind the scenes, warm-up routines, and the main match itself, which tells a story through the action. Visually, the film captures the energy of live wrestling with close-ups on impactful moves and dynamic camera work. Those familiar with lucha libre will appreciate the film’s focus on the meaning of masks and the exploration of identity.

‘Plawres Sanshiro’ (1983–1984)

This show reimagines wrestling as a high-tech sport using small robots. Teams act as coaches, building and designing the robots’ bodies and movements to allow them to grapple and throw opponents. Matches feel authentic thanks to tournament-style brackets, weight limits, and referees. Just like real wrestling, strategy revolves around anticipating and countering the opponent’s techniques.

‘Baki the Grappler’ (2001)

This story features underground fighting arenas where competitors use various styles, including wrestling, judo, and catch wrestling. It details the technical aspects of holds, escapes, and close-quarters combat, focusing on how anatomy and leverage play a role. The narrative follows fighters through their training, weight cutting, and recovery, and shows how rivalries develop with each rematch as they adapt their strategies to overcome their opponents’ strengths.

‘Baki’ (2018–2020)

This installment continues the story after the tournament and prison storylines, focusing on fighters who use grappling techniques like submission holds, powerful throws, and attacks on pressure points. The action is shown with explanations of how each technique works to lock a joint or break an opponent’s balance. The story feels like a series of major fights, complete with commentary, rule explanations, and tournament bracket updates. Viewers who enjoy the build-up to big fights will appreciate the press conferences, challenges between fighters, and displays of sportsmanship after each match.

‘Kengan Ashura’ (2019–2023)

Companies are now resolving business disputes by employing skilled fighters in unarmed combat matches that combine elements of wrestling, karate, and grappling. Before each fight, the rules and how judging works are clearly explained. Fighters carefully analyze past performances to develop strategies against specific moves, like suplexes or chokeholds. The main tournament is structured like a real competition, with fighters seeded, given rest periods, and injuries tracked throughout the rounds.

‘MEGALOBOX’ (2018–2021)

This series reimagines classic boxing narratives by adding a strategic layer of mechanical enhancements that affect a fighter’s defense, strength, and the chances of getting hurt. Players start with small, unsanctioned matches and work their way up to official tournaments through qualifying fights. The game details everything from obtaining licenses and managing a fighter’s corner team and injuries, to designing training routines and sparring plans. A second season focuses on an aging veteran and realistically portrays the physical consequences of a long career between big fights.

‘Fighting Spirit (2000–2014)

This boxing series immerses you in the world of the sport, following a reserved student as they master essential skills like footwork, timing, and controlling the ring. Experienced coaches explain everything from basic stance and close-range fighting to how to defend against specific punches. The game features realistic tournaments, rankings, and championship matches that progress from local to national levels, complete with authentic details like weigh-ins, judges’ scoring, and fight stoppages – just like a real televised fight night.

‘Hinomaru Sumo’ (2018–2019)

This documentary follows a small high school wrestler with big dreams of reaching the highest level of sumo wrestling, a sport that relies on strong positioning, powerful grips, and quick throws. It breaks down the essential techniques – like how wrestlers grip their belts, what it takes to force an opponent out of the ring, and the explosive start to each match – in a way that’s easy to understand. The training shown emphasizes leg strength, balance, and hand positioning, all of which are similar to techniques used in other grappling sports. The series also follows both team competitions and individual tournaments, detailing how wrestlers are ranked, promoted, and the important traditions within sumo.

‘Rowdy Sumo Wrestler Matsutaro!!’ (2014)

This show follows a confident, unconventional newcomer as he enters the world of professional sumo wrestling. It depicts daily life within a sumo stable, highlighting the rigorous training and the challenging climb through the ranks, starting from the lower divisions. The series also explains the traditional rituals performed during matches – like salt throwing and ring ceremonies – as well as the signals used by referees. Ultimately, it demonstrates how success in sumo depends on consistent wins and how the sport values both skill and results.

‘Keijo!!!!!!!!’ (2016)

Okay, so picture this: athletes battling it out on platforms *above* the water. But here’s the catch – they can only use their hips and chests to try and knock each other in! As a wrestling fan, it totally reminds me of the psychology you see in a good ring battle – everyone’s got their signature moves, counters, and ways to fight back from a tough spot. The training is intense, focusing on balance, a super strong core, and knowing exactly where the edge of the platform is – skills that really translate to controlling your opponent. The whole competition is structured like a proper arc – you start with classes, then qualifiers, and finally the championships, and before each event, they go over all the rules so everyone’s on the same page.

‘Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple’ (2006–2007)

A student who is bullied learns self-defense by training in various martial arts, including throws, grappling, and striking. The training focuses on the fundamentals like proper stance and precise timing, with each technique explained clearly. The story follows the student as they compete in dojo challenges – similar to open fight nights – showcasing how to effectively close in on an opponent, win on the ground, and adjust strategies when faced with resistance.

‘The God of High School’ (2020)

The national tournament unites fighters with a standard set of rules, and officials carefully check for prohibited weapons or outside help. After initial qualifying rounds, a main bracket is displayed, showing the latest results. Fighters use a variety of techniques, from classic martial arts to abilities beyond the natural world, but successful moves like takedowns, counters, and pins are still key to winning. Commentary and replays help viewers understand the judges’ decisions.

‘Levius’ (2019)

This futuristic sport takes place in a gritty, industrial world where fighters battle in boxing matches enhanced with mechanical arms. A strict league governs the competition, establishing weight classes, defining fouls, and requiring medical evaluations before and after each fight. Trainers carefully study their opponents, developing strategies based on their reach, speed, and the limitations of their equipment. A fighter’s record is key to climbing the ranks, and every win brings them closer to a championship title.

‘Air Master’ (2003)

This fighter started as a gymnast and now competes in street fighting, using incredible agility and body control. Their fights feature powerful throws, grappling, and impressive mid-air maneuvers, often shown in detail with slow-motion replays. These underground matches are carefully organized with challengers, hosts, and officials to ensure fairness. Success depends on a fighter’s ability to scout opponents, maintain stamina, and adapt their strategy – much like a wrestler learning to anticipate their rival’s moves.

Let us know your favorite anime with wrestling themes in the comments – help other fans discover new shows to watch!

2025-09-20 19:17