whatanimeshouldiwatchnext

The best sports anime you can start from the beginning

25 sports anime ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: Hajime no Ippo, The First Slam Dunk, Ping Pong the Animation.

Recommend me one sports anime

Narrow it down: Team Sports 85 · School 72 · Comedy 49 · Drama 31 · Combat Sports 28

The list

1. 1 Hajime no Ippo Fighting Spirit TV · 2000 · 75 episodes · Madhouse · #41 on MyAnimeList 96% would recommend
2. 2 The First Slam Dunk Film · 2022 · Toei Animation · #68 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
3. 3 Ping Pong the Animation TV · 2014 · 11 episodes · Tatsunoko Production · #97 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
4. 4 Slam Dunk TV · 1993 · 101 episodes · Toei Animation · #137 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
5. 5 Haikyuu!! Haikyu!! TV · 2014 · 25 episodes · Production I.G · #209 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
6. 6 Ashita no Joe Tomorrow's Joe TV · 1970 · 79 episodes · Mushi Production · #248 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend
7. 7 Kaze ga Tsuyoku Fuiteiru Run with the Wind TV · 2018 · 23 episodes · Production I.G · #252 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
8. 8 Medalist TV · 2025 · 13 episodes · ENGI · #255 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
9. 9 Cross Game TV · 2009 · 50 episodes · SynergySP · #259 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
10. 10 Hyakuemu. 100 Meters Film · 2025 · Rock'n Roll Mountain · #295 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
11. 11 One Outs TV · 2008 · 25 episodes · Madhouse · #312 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
12. 12 Major S1 TV · 2004 · 26 episodes · Studio Hibari · #438 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
13. 13 Ballroom e Youkoso Welcome to the Ballroom TV · 2017 · 24 episodes · Production I.G · #477 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
14. 14 Chihayafuru TV · 2011 · 25 episodes · Madhouse · #500 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
15. 15 Ao Ashi Aoashi TV · 2022 · 24 episodes · Production I.G · #520 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
16. 16 Ao no Hako Blue Box TV · 2024 · 25 episodes · Telecom Animation Film · #521 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
17. 17 Diamond no Ace Ace of Diamond TV · 2013 · 75 episodes · Production I.G · #564 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
18. 18 Blue Lock TV · 2022 · 24 episodes · 8bit · #607 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
19. 19 Kuroko no Basket Kuroko's Basketball TV · 2012 · 25 episodes · Production I.G · #689 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
20. 20 Touch TV · 1985 · 101 episodes · Group TAC · #740 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
21. 21 SK∞ SK8 the Infinity TV · 2021 · 12 episodes · Bones · #776 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
22. 22 Yowamushi Pedal TV · 2013 · 38 episodes · TMS Entertainment · #898 on MyAnimeList 88% would recommend
23. 23 Eyeshield 21 TV · 2005 · 145 episodes · Gallop · #903 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
24. 24 Yuri!!! on Ice Yuri!!! On Ice TV · 2016 · 12 episodes · MAPPA · #946 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
25. 25 Megalo Box Megalobox TV · 2018 · 13 episodes · TMS Entertainment · #1012 on MyAnimeList 89% would recommend

Why this is not MyAnimeList's sports ranking. Every entry here is one you can start from the beginning. Anything with a prequel or a parent story is left out, as are recaps and compilation editions — about half of what MyAnimeList ranks — so there are no second seasons or side stories to work backwards from. Ordered by MyAnimeList position. The percentage is the share of MyAnimeList scorers who rated a title 7 or higher.