whatanimeshouldiwatchnext · Sports

The best team sports anime you can start from the beginning

85 anime that are both sports and team sports, 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 One Outs TV · 2008 · 25 episodes · Madhouse · #312 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
6. 6 Major S1 TV · 2004 · 26 episodes · Studio Hibari · #438 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
7. 7 Ao Ashi Aoashi TV · 2022 · 24 episodes · Production I.G · #520 on MyAnimeList 92% would recommend
8. 8 Ao no Hako Blue Box TV · 2024 · 25 episodes · Telecom Animation Film · #521 on MyAnimeList 91% would recommend
9. 9 Diamond no Ace Ace of Diamond TV · 2013 · 75 episodes · Production I.G · #564 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
10. 10 Blue Lock TV · 2022 · 24 episodes · 8bit · #607 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
11. 11 Kuroko no Basket Kuroko's Basketball TV · 2012 · 25 episodes · Production I.G · #689 on MyAnimeList 90% would recommend
12. 12 Touch TV · 1985 · 101 episodes · Group TAC · #740 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
13. 13 Eyeshield 21 TV · 2005 · 145 episodes · Gallop · #903 on MyAnimeList 86% would recommend
14. 14 Ookiku Furikabutte Big Windup! TV · 2007 · 25 episodes · A-1 Pictures · #1016 on MyAnimeList 87% would recommend
15. 15 Inazuma Eleven TV · 2008 · 127 episodes · OLM · #1217 on MyAnimeList 82% would recommend
16. 16 Hungry Heart: Wild Striker TV · 2002 · 52 episodes · Nippon Animation · #1897 on MyAnimeList 79% would recommend
17. 17 Giant Killing TV · 2010 · 26 episodes · Studio Deen · #2014 on MyAnimeList 81% would recommend
18. 18 Boukyaku Battery (TV) Oblivion Battery TV · 2024 · 12 episodes · MAPPA · #2093 on MyAnimeList 81% would recommend
19. 19 Captain Tsubasa (2018) TV · 2018 · 52 episodes · David Production · #2439 on MyAnimeList 77% would recommend
20. 20 Aoki Densetsu Shoot! Blue Legend Shoot! TV · 1993 · 58 episodes · Toei Animation · #2485 on MyAnimeList 76% would recommend
21. 21 Taishou Yakyuu Musume. Taisho Baseball Girls TV · 2009 · 12 episodes · J.C.Staff · #2655 on MyAnimeList 77% would recommend
22. 22 Whistle! TV · 2002 · 39 episodes · Studio Comet · #2666 on MyAnimeList 77% would recommend
23. 23 Captain Tsubasa Flash Kicker TV · 1983 · 128 episodes · Tsuchida Productions · #2759 on MyAnimeList 75% would recommend
24. 24 Honoo no Toukyuuji: Dodge Danpei TV · 1991 · 47 episodes · Animation 21 · #2929 on MyAnimeList 74% would recommend
25. 25 H2 TV · 1995 · 41 episodes · Ashi Productions · #3252 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.