Best Sports Anime of 2009

In the ring, Japanese Featherweight Champion Ippo Makunouchi has strengthened his hold on the title through successful defenses. His rival, Ichirou Miyata, has also come back to Japan, aiming to capture the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation’s Featherweight championship. With international challengers on the horizon, the question emerges: can Japan's top boxers rise to the world level and win, or will they fall to stronger adversaries? The champions now confront new obstacles, ready to display their unyielding fighting spirit on a global scale.

In "Cross Game," Kou Kitamura and Aoba Tsukishima are constantly at odds, even though their families are close friends and business partners. Kou, the only child of a sports store owner, has no interest in baseball, despite developing his batting skills through regular visits to the batting center run by the Tsukishima family. Meanwhile, Aoba is passionate about baseball and shines as a pitcher. Although they seem like complete opposites, Kou and Aoba share a deep bond through their feelings for Wakaba Tsukishima, Aoba's older sister and Kou's destined love interest. Wakaba often sparks their ongoing rivalry. Whether they will eventually recognize their common ground is uncertain, but baseball might be the key to resolving their personal struggles.

In Beyblade: Metal Fusion, a new group of characters enters a struggle between good and evil. At the heart of this conflict is Ginga, along with his trusted friends, who oppose the threatening Dark Nebula organization. The Dark Nebula seeks to rule the world and spread their wickedness, with their main challenge being Ginga, the one strong enough to stop their schemes. As their journey unfolds, loyalties are challenged, with allies becoming enemies and the reverse. The story centers on Ginga as he works to find the strength required to protect his world and maintain the honor of Beyblade.

In the lead-up to the Baseball World Cup, Gorou Honda is determined to represent his country. Though his name is omitted from the official roster, Gorou remains resolute and volunteers to serve as a practice pitcher for the Japanese national team. His aim is to impress the manager with his exceptional speed and abilities. Given an opportunity to prove his value in a scrimmage between the seasoned Japanese team and the promising new players, Gorou strives to stand out. The tournament, featuring top-tier talent from around the world, also sets the stage for Gorou's long-awaited confrontation with his enduring rival, Joe Gibson.

On the world of Earthdash, the gleaming lunar metropolis Mooneyes casts a spell over those living on the surface below. Dan JD, a boy from the community of Rollingtown, gets pulled into the thrilling world of Bigfoot Basketball, a high-intensity sport where competitors wage war using massive Bigfoot machines.

While watching an exciting anime, Hinako is unexpectedly pulled into the television and transformed into a cartoon character. Realizing that someone is watching her, she assumes the role of a fitness coach, guiding viewers through simple exercises like squats, push-ups, and sit-ups in order to encourage good health and physical fitness.

In the 14th year of the Taisho period (1925), baseball remains largely unfamiliar in Japan, with only a handful of male teams in existence. When a baseball player declares that women should focus on becoming housewives rather than pursuing education, 14-year-old Akiko defies this notion by persuading her friend Koume to form a girls' baseball team. Against the era's social conventions—where even running is considered improper for women and baseball is viewed as exclusively a boys' activity—the pair encounter numerous obstacles. They struggle with recruiting teammates, securing parental permission, and grasping the sport's intricacies, quickly realizing that mastering baseball is far more difficult than they initially imagined.

An OVA series that explores the past and future of the regulars who took part in the National Tournament. Volume 1 includes two episodes: one begins with Seigaku traveling to Osaka for a practice match against Shitenhouji, and the other follows Atobe's early days at Hyoutei during his first year. Volume 2 also contains two episodes: one starts with the second part of Seigaku's visit to Osaka, and the other focuses on Kirihara's beginning at Rikkai in his first year.

In the Taishou Yakyuu Musume. Specials, the Ohka-kai members catch wind of a rumor regarding a vital baseball item referred to as a "kondara" (Japanese slang for a roller used to smooth the ground). Their discussion about what exactly a kondara is only adds to their bewilderment. In the end, Koume sets out to find a kondara on her own, though her trustworthiness is uncertain given her own heightened state of agitation.

Neri Ooishi, a skilled high school student in volleyball, previously served as captain of her elementary school team that advanced to the national tournament. However, she spent three years as a substitute player at a prestigious junior high school volleyball program. Now in high school with a new set of teammates, Neri has an opportunity to demonstrate her abilities again. The sixth manga volume is scheduled for release on October 23, accompanied by a special edition that includes an anime DVD. Nihonbashi is writing the anime script, with Production I.G handling the animation.

This Flash-animated comedy follows sumo wrestler Mikoshiarashi as he travels the world to become a Yokozuna—the title of Grand Sumo Champion. Along the way, he encounters many eccentric individuals, staying dedicated to his goal of achieving success.

These specials combine the Tentai Senshi Sunred series with the J. League soccer team Kawasaki Frontale, including cameo appearances from the team's players who also perform their own voice acting.

Every high school baseball team aspires to compete in the legendary Koshien Stadium Tournament. For Seido High School, that dream is finally within reach after years of waiting, thanks to star player Gorilla Matsui giving the team a genuine shot at success. Principal Kocho is overjoyed by this opportunity. However, the Head teacher reveals to him that their opening game will be against Gedo High School, a team infamous for brutally murdering all their opponents. Upon hearing this, Kocho loses all hope—both for his students' lives and for any chance of winning the tournament.