whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Sports

The best school sports anime you can start from the beginning

72 anime that are both sports and school, ranked by MyAnimeList, with none of the sequels, side stories or recap editions you cannot start cold. Top of the list: The First Slam Dunk, Slam Dunk, Haikyuu!!.

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The list

1. 1 The First Slam Dunk Film · 2022 · Toei Animation · #68 on MyAnimeList 95% would recommend
2. 2 Slam Dunk TV · 1993 · 101 episodes · Toei Animation · #137 on MyAnimeList 93% would recommend
3. 3 Haikyuu!! Haikyu!! TV · 2014 · 25 episodes · Production I.G · #209 on MyAnimeList 94% would recommend
4. 4 Cross Game TV · 2009 · 50 episodes · SynergySP · #259 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
5. 5 Chihayafuru TV · 2011 · 25 episodes · Madhouse · #500 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
6. 6 Ao no Hako Blue Box TV · 2024 · 25 episodes · Telecom Animation Film · #521 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
7. 7 Diamond no Ace Ace of Diamond TV · 2013 · 75 episodes · Production I.G · #564 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
8. 8 Kuroko no Basket Kuroko's Basketball TV · 2012 · 25 episodes · Production I.G · #689 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
9. 9 Touch TV · 1985 · 101 episodes · Group TAC · #740 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
10. 10 High☆Speed! Movie: Free! Starting Days Free! Starting Days Film · 2015 · Kyoto Animation · #1046 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
11. 11 Tennis no Oujisama The Prince of Tennis TV · 2001 · 178 episodes · Trans Arts · #1054 on MyAnimeList 83% would recommend
12. 12 Baby Steps TV · 2014 · 25 episodes · Studio Pierrot · #1187 on MyAnimeList 87% would recommend
13. 13 Tsurune: Kazemai Koukou Kyuudou-bu Tsurune: Kazemai High School Kyudo Club TV · 2018 · 13 episodes · Kyoto Animation · #1501 on MyAnimeList 85% would recommend
14. 14 Free! Movie 1: Timeless Medley - Kizuna Free! The Movie -Timeless Medley- the Bond Film · 2017 · Kyoto Animation · #1734 on MyAnimeList 81% would recommend
15. 15 Hoshiai no Sora Stars Align TV · 2019 · 12 episodes · 8bit · #1779 on MyAnimeList 81% would recommend
16. 16 Boukyaku Battery (TV) Oblivion Battery TV · 2024 · 12 episodes · MAPPA · #2093 on MyAnimeList 81% would recommend
17. 17 Hinomaruzumou Hinomaru Sumo TV · 2018 · 24 episodes · Gonzo · #2104 on MyAnimeList 81% would recommend
18. 18 Air Gear TV · 2006 · 25 episodes · Toei Animation · #2264 on MyAnimeList 76% would recommend
19. 19 Bakuten!! Backflip!! TV · 2021 · 12 episodes · Zexcs · #2269 on MyAnimeList 78% would recommend
20. 20 Idaten Jump TV · 2005 · 52 episodes · Trans Arts · #2456 on MyAnimeList 75% would recommend
21. 21 Aoki Densetsu Shoot! Blue Legend Shoot! TV · 1993 · 58 episodes · Toei Animation · #2485 on MyAnimeList 76% would recommend
22. 22 Taishou Yakyuu Musume. Taisho Baseball Girls TV · 2009 · 12 episodes · J.C.Staff · #2655 on MyAnimeList 77% would recommend
23. 23 Whistle! TV · 2002 · 39 episodes · Studio Comet · #2666 on MyAnimeList 77% would recommend
24. 24 Honoo no Toukyuuji: Dodge Danpei TV · 1991 · 47 episodes · Animation 21 · #2929 on MyAnimeList 74% would recommend
25. 25 Bamboo Blade TV · 2007 · 26 episodes · AIC ASTA · #3127 on MyAnimeList 75% would recommend

Why this is not a MyAnimeList search. 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. Ordered by MyAnimeList position. The percentage is the share of MyAnimeList scorers who rated a title 7 or higher.