Top 20 Best Sports Manga

Last Updated : 08 Jan, 2024

Sports manga is a popular genre of anime and manga that revolves around sports. They are very low-stakes emotional stories about people pursuing their athletic goals. It is a versatile genre that focuses on different games from football to racing to baseball and even wrestling.

The main focus of Sports manga is on dedication, perseverance, teamwork, and hard work. The manga is filled with exciting sequences that keep the fans on the edge of their seats. They do a great job at dramatizing sporting events with their animation and background music.

The protagonist of the story is a high school footballer Yoichi Isagi, who is not happy with his skills and joins the program to become the world’s best striker. The story revolves around hard work, priority, and aspirations.

20. Cross Game

Volumes: 139

First Published in: 11th October 1989

Creators: George Morikawa

Volumes: 17

First Published in: 27th April 2005

Creator: Mitsuru Adachi

Cross game is about Ko Kitamura and the five Tsukishima sisters who live in his neighbourhood. Wakaba and Ko are born on the same day and are very close to the point where she treats Ko as her boyfriend. But this makes her younger sister Aoba hate Ko, as she believes that Ko is stealing her sister. After Wadaba dies in an accident, Ko and Aoba come together to fulfil Wadaba’s dream of seeing them in baseball.

The manga is a heartwarming tale of love and legacy. It is very emotional and will definitely make the reader feel a number of emotions from happiness to sorrows. It is also about friendship and promises, which play an important part in the lives of Aoba and Ko.

19. Welcome to the Ballroom

Volumes: Ongoing

First Published in: 5th November 2011

Creators: Tomo Takeuchi

Tatara Fujita is a third year middle schooler who is trying to find something he can pursue as a career for the rest of his life. Once while getting bullied by some kids, he is saved by a motorcycle-riding dance instructor-Kaname Sengoku who introduces him to Ogasawara Dance Studio and through Ogasawara Dance Studio, young Tatara is introduced to the competitive world of Ballroom Dance.

Welcome to the Ballroom is a sports comedy that has a number of light hearted moments that make sure the audience is not bored. The story is heartwarming and the characters are endearing. The manga focuses on how one might find their purpose in the worst situations.

18. Kengan Ashura

Volumes: 27+1

First Published in: 11th October 1989

Creators: Daromeon and Yabako Sandrowich

The story is set in an alternate world, where rich people hire fighters to fight for them in a gladiator match. The protagonist of the series, Tokita “Ashura” Ohma is hired by the Nogi Groups CEO, Nogi Hideki after Ashura beat up one of his fighters.

This visually stunning manga is set in a very dystopian world. The world these characters reside in is extremely dark and sad. The manga follows Ashura as he tries to fight and win every match he is put into. It is also a commentary on how the world is ruled by the elites and they can make the lower class do whatever they want them to.

17. One Outs

Volumes: 19

First Published in: 18th June 1999

Creators: Shinobi Kaitane

One Outs is the story of Saitama Lycaons, who are the weakest team in the league. In his last attempt to win the Japan League championship, the star batter Hiromichi Kojima forms a training camp in Okinawa. But through the practice Hiromichi is injured and has to spend his time healing from the injury instead of practising.

One Outs is a psychological drama in its true sense. This psychological sports drama went on for 7 years and later received a sequel titled, One Outs: Miwaku no All-star-Hen and an anime with 25 episodes that went from 8th October 2008 to 1st April 2009.

16. Eyeshield 21

Volumes: 37

First Published in: 23rd July 2002

Creators: Riichiro Inagaki and Yusuke Murata

A shy and quiet kid by the name of Sena Kobayakawa gets admitted to Deimon Private Senior High School. While he is shy and unassertive, Sena is also a good runner, which is noticed by the American Football team captain, Yoichi Hiruma. Hiruma forces Sena to join the highschool team as a running back.

The anime is about finding confidence and how skills are more important and will come into the limelight no matter how hard you hide them. The anime was targeted to the American audience, where it sadly did not get popular at all.

15. Blue Lock

Volumes: 27

First Published in: 1st August 2018

Creators: Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura

After getting hired by the Japan Football Association, Ego Jinpachi developed a new type of practice regime for the recruitment of Japan’s National team. The regime, Blue Lock, is designed to create the most egotistical striker in the world. It then became a rule by the Japan Football Association, that whoever fails Blue Lock, will not be permitted to represent Japan.

14. The Boxer

Volumes: 7

First Published in: 15th December 2019

Creators: Jung Jee Hoon

Another Manhwa on the list, The Boxer is as the name suggests a boxing manga/manhwa. It was created as a webtoon and is announced to be turned into an animated show by Xtrom. It tells a story of an underdog boxer, Yu, who fights his way to the top. As the story proceeds, the audience also gets to read the backstory of other boxers.

While the manga wasn’t welcomed well, when it first arrived, it has slowly gained more and more popularity among Webtoon readers. It will soon be serialised by Xtrom in the form of a 12-episode-animated series.

13. Ping Pong

Volumes: 5

First Published in: 30th July 1996

Creators: Taiyo Matsumoto

This short lived manga was published in 1996 and ended in 1997. Ping Pong is not just a sports manga but also a Psychological drama and a coming of age story. It tells the story of two boys, Peco and Smile. These two childhood friends are polar opposite when it comes to their personality but one thing brings them together, Table Tennis.

Peco and Smile take part in the table tennis club of Katase High School. In one of the matches, Peco loses to a Chinese student which leads to him quitting table tennis. Smile on the other hand is unable to overcome Peco, due to Smile’s personality.

12. Ace of the Diamond Act II

Volumes: 47

First Published in: 17th May 2006

Creators: Yuji Terajima

Eijun Sawamura is a baseball pitcher with a very unique pitching style that makes the ball unpredictable on the plate. He and his high school buddies play baseball for fun but all of it changes when a scout from the prestigious Seido High School approaches him and offers him a scholarship, if he plays for the famous high school.

Baseball is one of the most popular games in Japan. The manga was a success as anyone would have guessed. In 2013, Madhouse and Production I.G started producing an anime based on the popular manga.

11. Ao Ashi

Volumes: 33

First Published in: 5th January 2015

Creators: Yugo Kobayashi

Ashito Aoi is a third year middle schooler who studies in Ehime City Middle School. He has a god gifted talent for football but he can be very hard to work with. His football coach, Tatsuya Fukuda decided to take the risk and start working with the young talent to sharpen his edges and make him one of the best footballers in the country.

Ao Ashi shows the evolution of a rude, crappy little kid into a dedicated, hardworking and reliable football player. The manga has acquired a large number of fans, including Spanish Midfielder, Andres Iniesta, who recommended this very manga in March of 2023.

10. Wind Breaker

Volumes: Ongoing

First Published in: 15th December 2013

Creators: Jo and Yongseok

Wind Breaker is a Manhwa not a Manga, but it still deserves a spot in the list. The Manhwa is about a second-year high school student, Jo “Jay” Ja Hun, a studious and intelligent guy, who is unable to make friends. Jay is also an exceptional biker, who can go toe to toe with experienced bikers. His classmate, Yoon Min Woo notices this talent and approaches Jay to join the high school biker team, but Jay rejects at first.

The manhwa is not very popular among the larger anime/manga fanbase. But it is a fun read for someone who is new to sports manga and wants to start somewhere.

9. Chihayafuru

Volumes: 50

First Published in: 28th December 2007

Creators: Yuki Suetsugu

The story follows a young girl, Chihaya Ayase who is supporting her sister’s career as a model. She comes across a Karuta player, Arata Wataya, who believes she can be a great Karuta player as well. He encourages her to become a Karuto player. And that sets Chihaya on her path to become the greatest Karuta player in Japan.

The manga boosted the popularity of Karuta among the young people. Chihayafuru’s author and creator, Yuki Suetsugu was part of his high school’s Karuta club, which became the inspiration for this beautiful story.

8. Hajime no Ippo: Fighting Spirit!

Volumes: 139

First Published in: 11th October 1989

Creators: George Morikawa

Hajima no Ippo is one of the oldest manga of all time. It tells the story of the high school student, Ippo Makunouchi as he starts a career as a boxer and gains fame through his matches and victory. After being beaten by a bunch of bullies, Ippo decides to turn his life around and learn how to fight. All of these lead to Ippo becoming one of the most decorated Boxers of his time.

Hajima no Ippo is one of the most iconic manga of all time. It brought the sport manga genre in limelight and brought a huge number of readers towards the genre. The story of a boy dedicating his life to his goals is reflected with a wide range of audience and is loved by everyone.

7. Kokou no Hito

Volumes: 17

First Published in: 1st November 2007

Creator: Shin-Ichi Sakamoto and Yoshiro Nabeda, based on a novel by Jiro Nita

The story of Kokou no Hito, (meaning Solitary Person) is a story of a solo mountain climber, Mori Bantaro who is introduced to sport climbing and decides to make his career in that very sport. The story follows a gloomy, silent and introverted Mori Bantaro as he discovers his passion for high places and mountains. He starts out as a member of High School Mountain Climbing club and works his way to become world class professional climber and finally climbing the most difficult trek in the world, K2.

The story of Mori is partially based on the real life professional climber, Buntaro Kato. It talks about loneliness, depression, self discovery and pursuing one’s passion.

6. Haikyuu!

Volumes: 45

First Published in: 20th February 2012

Creator: Haruichi Furudate

Haikyuu!! Tells the story of a short boy, Shoya Hinata, who dreams of becoming a volleyball player, despite his short height. He is inspired to become one of the greatest volleyball players after watching Karasuno High School compete in the national level Volleyball event and hears a commentator call Karasuno’s talented win, Spiker, the Little Giant.

The manga is an in depth examination of athletes as well as non-athletes mental and physical struggles. The story focuses on dreaming and achieving your dreams as well as aspiring to be someone better no matter the challenges. The main theme of the manga revolves around hard work, practising and teamwork.

5. Grand Blue Dreaming

Volumes: 18 (on halt due to creator’s sudden illness)

First Published in: 7th November 2014

Creator: Kenji Inoue and Kimitake Yoshioko

This underrated manga tells the story of Iori Itihara who travels to Izu Peninsula to start a new life under his Uncle’s watch. He lives above his uncle’s diving shop, “The Grand Blue,” where he meets a group of buff men who are part of a diving group that spends more time drinking and partying than diving. It shows their funny life and how they get poor Iori in trouble every once in a while.

This manga is still going on but was put to halt after one of the author’s caught sudden sickness. The manga is not as popular as others but it is a fun story, with a lot of light hearted moments which for some reason makes anyone who reads or watches them nostalgic.

4. Real

Volumes: Ongoing

First Published in: 28th October 1999

Creators: Takehiko Inoue

Another of Takehiko’s creations, Real is an ongoing basketball manga. Real tells the story of three teenagers; Nomiya Tomomi, Togawa Kiyoharu and Takahashi Hisanobu. Nomiya is a high school dropout, Togawa is a wheelchair basketball player and Takahashi is paraplegic due to an accident. But that doesn’t stop them from playing the sport they very much love, Basketball.

While not as popular as Inoue’s creation, Real is a wonderful manga that tells a more complex story with deep emotions and conflict. This manga also shows the evolution of Inoue as a writer and an artist.

3. Ashita no Joe

Volumes: 20

First Published in: 1st January 1968

Creator: Asao Takamori & Tetsuya Chiba

Ashita No Joe, or Tomorrow’s Joe is a classic sport manga and one of the best in the world. It tells the story of a drifter who comes across the legendary boxer, Danpei Tange. After Jor is arrested for fraud and thrown into a temporary prison, where he beats up Nishi Kenichi. After the incident he is shifted to the Juvenile prison, where he comes across Toru Rikishi, another boxing protege and a rivalry forms between the two.

In 2006, it was voted as “Japan’s favourite anime” by the general audience via voting. It is one of the most popular anime of all time and a classic among fans. The anime perfectly captures the 60’s Japan and the culture that was relevant to that time and incorporates it in the story.

2. Slam Dunk

Volumes: 31

First Published in: 1st October 1999

Creator: Takehiko Inoue

Slam Dunk is one of the most popular manga of all time. It ranks 7th on the list of most sold manga of all time. It sold over 170 million copies all over the world. The manga became so popular that it led to the popularity of Basketball among the Japanese masses. The manga follows a delinquent boy, Hanamichi Sakagura who takes part in the high school basketball team to impress his crush Ryoto but slowly falls in love with the sport itself.

It is one of the most influential manga of all time. It had a huge impact on the sport culture in Japan and is still held as a classic among Manga and anime fans. The story of this lighthearted comedy is centred around not just sport, but love, rejection and dedication. It also shows the change people go through for the people they love.

1. JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken: Steel Ball Run

Volumes: 24

First Published in:19th January 2004

Creator: Hirohiko Araki

Steel Ball Run is the 7 part of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. While Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure overall is not believed to be a Sport Manga, Steel Ball Run definitely is. It follows the story of Johnny Joestar who’s ability to walk returns after his encounter with a magical steel ball. With his renewed ability, JoJo takes part in the race to discover the truth of the artefact.

It is a different take on JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, but with the same weirdness. Fans are able to witness a gruelling cross country race with high stakes with a backdrop of a mystery tale and fantasy.

Conclusion

Sports Manga and anime are a versatile genre. We have sports mangas that revolve around love, magic, legacy, dystopia, and many other storylines. The opportunity with sports manga is immense. It is also one of the most popular sub genres of manga.

Sports manga combine two of the best things in the world and create a beautifully crafted story. These stories are inspiring, powerful and invoking. The characters are relatable and interactive in many ways, that doesn’t need the breaking of the fourth wall. It also promotes hard work, perseverance and aspirations.