10 Must-Watch Anime Like Blue Lock for Football Fans

Blue Lock is a Japanese manga series. Focusing on the sports genre, specifically football, the series is set after the results of the Japan soccer team after the 2018 World Cup. The anime adaptation finally started in October 2022 and if you’re a fan of the series, as you probably are because it’s great, we have a treat for you. In this article, we are going to give you a list of the 10 best anime like Blue Lock you definitely need to check out if you like football-themed anime series. The series are going to be listed in random order.

1. Captain Tsubasa

Original Release: October 13, 1983 – March 27, 1986
Number of Episodes: 128

Kicking off our collection of anime similar to Blue Lock is Captain Tsubasa. The story revolves around Tsubasa Ozora, a young Japanese boy with an unparalleled passion and skill for soccer who aspires to claim the world championship title. Alongside his family, he relocates to Nankatsu city, where he attends a public school for his final year of elementary education.

Following my encounter with Ryo Ishizaki, the school football team’s captain, he resolves to face off against Genzo Wakabayashi, goalkeeper for our rivals Shutetsu, who is renowned as nearly invincible. However, this undefeated streak will come to an end, unfortunately for him, due to Tsubasa’s actions.

On the day of the game, Tsubasa encounters Roberto Hongo – a renowned Brazilian soccer player with Japanese heritage – who was once saved by Tsubasa’s father, when he attempted suicide due to an eye issue that caused him to retire early from the sport. Moved by this act of kindness, he decides to coach Tsubasa personally and enhance his skills.

Following his enrollment at Nankatsu Football Club, Tsubasa debuts in a heated derby against Shutetsu, serving as a defender during the initial half and successfully thwarting attempts by Izawa, Taki, and Kisugi to score. In the second period, he transitions to an attacking role, enabling his team to secure their inaugural victory over their rivals without suffering a defeat.

Ultimately, a combined team consisting of top players from each city school competes for the national title, with Tsubasa taking the lead role, propelling Nankatsu to triumph over Kojiro Hyuga’s Meiwa in the final match.

2. DAYS

Original Release: July 2, 2016 – December 18, 2016
Number of Episodes: 24 + 5 OVA

The anime “Days” centers around Tsukushi Tsukamoto, a timid newcomer at Seiseki High School. During a visit to his childhood friend Sayuri Tachibana and his senior colleague at work, Tsukushi encounters a gang of bullies. It’s Jin Kazama, an outgoing and unconventional schoolmate, who steps in to protect him. Surprisingly, Jin invites Tsukushi to play soccer without realizing it.

For Tsukushi, the contest reveals his limitations, yet Jin’s exceptional skill captivates him sufficiently to persuade him to sign up for the high school soccer team. Regrettably, the Seiseki squad is extremely renowned and sought after by youth from across the nation, so Tsukushi will need to give his utmost with determination and persistence to even be considered.

3. Inazuma Eleven

Original Release: October 5, 2008 – April 27, 2011
Number of Episodes: 127

The storyline of Inazuma Eleven revolves around the once-powerful football team, Raimon. However, due to a decline in membership, the club now faces disbandment. It’s up to Mark Evans, the team captain, to lead Raimon back to its former glory by triumphing in the esteemed Football Frontier tournament.

Alien invaders have set foot on Earth, but they’ve proposed an unusual condition: if Earth’s football team loses, the aliens depart. Mark, along with other Japanese players, will strive to save our planet by participating in a global tournament called Football Frontier International. Japan intends to put forth its top talents to emerge victorious in this competition.

4. The Knight in the Area

Original Release: January 7, 2012 – September 28, 2012
Number of Episodes: 37

As a passionate moviegoer, I’d put it this way: In “The Knight in the Area,” I find myself drawn to Kakeru Aizawa, younger sibling of Suguru Aizawa, an exceptional football talent on Japan’s under-15 national team. Before our story begins, Kakeru gave up his striker role following a harrowing incident that left him unable to play effectively with his left leg. Instead, he opted for a behind-the-scenes role as a manager.

Following a fateful collision with a truck, my beloved brother Suguru lost his life, yet in an extraordinary twist, his heart was donated to me – Kakeru. This selfless gift rekindled my passion for football and inspired me to chase our shared dream of winning the World Cup, honoring his memory and fulfilling our lifelong aspirations together.

5. Aoashi

Original Release: April 9, 2022 – September 24, 2022
Number of Episodes: 24

As a die-hard cinephile, let me share my take on the plot of “Aoashi.” In this movie, I find myself immersed in the tale of a young fellow named Ashito Aoi, who’s about to wrap up his third year at Ehime City Middle School. What truly captures my attention is the fateful encounter between our protagonist and football coach Tatsuya Fukuda – a moment that sets the stage for an unforgettable journey.

Despite his natural talent, Ashito proves challenging, yet Fukuda remains hopeful and extends an invitation for him to be part of his team. There’s a strong possibility that Ashito, with his skills, could reshape the landscape of Japanese football.

6. Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun

Original Release: July 2, 2017 – September 17, 2017
Number of Episodes: 12

Aoyama-kun: The Neat-Freak Football Phenom

The story revolves around Aoyama, a young football sensation who has never tasted defeat in his career. However, he is not just an exceptional player; he is also a compulsive cleaner. As a member of the Japan Under-16 team, Aoyama shocks everyone by deciding to join the relatively unknown Fujimi high school club. Surrounded by teammates who are as wild as they are dedicated, Aoyama aims to elevate Fujimi high school to the pinnacle of the national championship.

7. GIANT KILLING

Original Release: April 4, 2010 – September 26, 2010
Number of Episodes: 26

The football team East Tokyo United (ETU) is close to being demoted from Tokyo’s league. With fans losing interest and support dwindling, the club’s management looks to make a change by hiring Tatsumi Takeshi, a renowned football legend who has managed an amateur English team before, as their new coach.

Initially, the ETU had a rocky beginning, tying with Tokyo Victory and then experiencing a five-game losing streak. However, after securing a win against Nagoya, they went on to win multiple matches. This was followed by a stretch of drawn games, a loss, and finally, a victory over the Osaka Gunners.

8. Shoot!

Original Release: November 7, 1993 – December 25, 1994
Number of Episodes: 58

As a passionate anime fan, let me share with you my next pick similar to Blue Lock: Shoot! Growing up, Toshi, Kenji, Jim, and I were inseparable friends. While we were still in middle school, the three of us were part of our school’s soccer team, with Cindy cheering us on from the sidelines.

This tight-knit group of friends had propelled their team to within reach of the national championship final in their category; however, Kenji unfortunately found himself embroiled in a clash between rival gangs, leading to the entire team being disqualified from the tournament due to ancient codes of honor and loyalty.

After retiring permanently, Kenji’s hope for claiming the championship title was irreparably broken. Several years have elapsed since then, and the close-knit quartet of friends has disbanded: each member pursued different directions and developed distinct interests.

Toshi chooses to attend Kakegawa Scientific High School as his role model, Kubo, is part of their football team. However, he was unaware that Cindy, Kenji, and Jim were already students there.

9. Hungry Heart: Wild Striker

Original Release: September 11, 2002 – September 10, 2003
Number of Episodes: 52

The animated soccer series titled “Hungry Heart: Wild Striker” centers on Kyosuke Kano, a spirited and headstrong young character. He’s the younger sibling of renowned Milan footballer Seisuke Kano, who instills in him his ardor for the beautiful game of football. As the story unfolds, it is revealed that Kyosuke was adopted after his biological parents died in a car accident when he was only one year old. Surprisingly, his biological father, Keisuke Narumi, was a gifted forward on the field.

Fed up with the endless comparisons to my renowned footballer sibling, I chose to step away from the pitch, opting for a bold, fiery orange hairdo instead, and embracing a new lifestyle as an avid supporter – or “hooligan,” if you will.

After my passion for cinema took a brief hiatus, I found myself drawn back to the beautiful game. Initially, I took up coaching for the women’s football team at Joyo Akanegaoka Institute, which was an incredibly rewarding experience. Later on, I decided to dust off my boots and rejoin the men’s club of the same institute as a player. It felt great to be back on the pitch, immersed in the thrill of competition once more.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’m part of an exciting new trio alongside Rodrigo, the skillful Brazilian midfielder, and Koji Jefferson Sakai, our exceptional English-born goalkeeper. We three freshmen share a common dream: to seize the starting spots on our team and ultimately triumph in the regional championship. Standing before us is Kokuryo, the region’s dominant force that we must vanquish to make history.

10. Ganbare, Kickers!

Original Release: October 15, 1986 – March 25, 1987
Number of Episodes: 26

10th on our list of anime similar to Blue Lock is Ganbare, Kickers! This story revolves around an elementary school soccer team from Kitahara School who initially lack a strong striker. However, when young Kakeru Daichi moves to the city, he decides to join the team as a striker and demonstrates his impressive soccer skills.

With Kakeru joining the team, we’re now fully equipped for any challenge, and that boosts our confidence to take on the formidable “Red Devils”. Even though Kakeru’s team suffered a heavy defeat with a score of 10-1, the prodigious striker from Kitahara astonishingly found the back of the net against the previously undefeated goalkeeper, Uesugi.

The addition of Kakeru to our team completes our roster in every aspect, giving us the courage to face off against the mighty “Red Devils”. Although Kakeru’s team endured a significant loss with a scoreline of 10-1, an impressive young striker from Kitahara miraculously scored a goal against the seemingly invincible goalkeeper, Uesugi.

Afterward, Kakeru’s squad qualifies for the national championship. Simultaneously, their goalkeeper, Hongo, develops feelings for Ayumi Daichi, who is Kakeru’s sister. Later on, the team recruits a new top-tier coach whose guidance propels them to the league semifinals, where they encounter the Red Devils once more.

Following an intense two-episode series that lasted forty minutes, Uesugi’s squad eventually emerged victorious against a disheartened Kakeru’s team after a tough battle on the field.

2025-06-08 10:15