Best Sports Anime of 2014

Inspired by the electrifying performance of the "Little Giant" during a match, Shouyou Hinata cultivates an intense love for volleyball. Although his middle school journey concludes in heartbreak, his small frame fails to deter him from pursuing victory. Upon enrolling at Karasuno High School, the very institution where the Little Giant once competed, Hinata feels his professional aspirations drawing nearer. However, his confidence wavers when he discovers that Tobio Kageyama, the prodigy responsible for his team's past defeat, has become his new teammate. In a sport ruled by towering athletes, Hinata must forge a partnership with Kageyama and grasp the true essence of teamwork to climb to the summit of the competitive stage.

One year after the Iwatobi High School Swim Club was formed, no new members have joined, threatening the club's survival if membership doesn't increase soon. As Haruka Nanase and Makoto Tachibana begin their final year alongside their junior friends Nagisa Hazuki and Rei Ryuugazaki, they work to recruit new members to keep the club alive. At the same time, the approaching graduation makes the seniors think about their futures. While Rin Matsuoka, captain of the Samezuka Academy Swim Club, is determined to become a professional swimmer, Haruka and Makoto remain uncertain about their own career paths. New challenges arise when Sousuke Yamazaki, a recently recruited swimmer and former friend of Rin, moves to the city to attend Samezuka Academy. His arrival complicates the relationships among Rin, Haruka, and himself.

Makoto "Smile" Tsukimoto and Yutaka "Peco" Hoshino have been close friends since childhood, despite their opposite natures. Peco, an overconfident dreamer who wants to become the world's best ping-pong player, often skips practice and irritates his teammates at Katase High School, while Smile, despite his natural talent, frequently holds back in matches. Their bond remains strong through their shared love for ping-pong. When a former Chinese national team player arrives in Japan, Peco convinces Smile to visit Tsujido High School. There, Peco faces Kong Wenge and suffers a quick, crushing defeat that shakes his confidence. Seeing Smile's hidden potential, the Katase High coach starts training him to stop holding back, but Smile remains reluctant unless the game stays fun. As both friends struggle with their reasons for playing, they meet powerful opponents at the inter-high tournament, each dealing with their own inner conflicts. Only the most skilled can survive, and as these young athletes let their unchecked ambitions drive them, the harsh reality of chasing glory becomes clear.

In "Baby Steps," Eiichirou Maruo, a diligent and detail-oriented honor student, decides to add more physical activity to his packed schedule for health reasons. He joins the Southern Tennis Club at the start of high school after spotting a flyer. At his first practice, Eiichirou meets Natsu Takasaki, a fellow freshman who is passionate about tennis and aims to become a professional player. Unlike Natsu, Eiichirou's life centers on academics, a path he follows out of duty rather than interest. However, his daily routines start to change as he gets more involved in tennis and finds himself increasingly captivated by the sport. "Baby Steps" follows the journey of a young man who channels his hard work and quest for perfection into developing a unique tennis style. As his skills improve, Eiichirou strives to reach the level of the top players in the tennis world.

Continuing directly from the events of the first season, the second season centers on the Inter High bicycle race. High school competitors push themselves to their absolute limits, gambling everything on their bicycles.

This event anime presents an original tale showcasing a surprising facet of a popular player. Lev Haiba is resolved to become Nekoma High's ace volleyball player, yet he struggles to even make contact with the ball. In response, the team's coach instructs Kenma Kozume to assist Lev with his training, a task that greatly irritates Kenma. However, as their collaboration continues, Kenma comes to understand that Lev's unique height could prove advantageous in matches if his abilities are properly refined. Note: The OVA premiered at Jump Festa 2014 on November 9, 2014, and was subsequently included with the 15th volume of the manga.

A collection of animated bloopers, taken from extra content in the original manga, was packaged with both the limited and standard versions of the Kuroko no Basket Second Season BD/DVD release.

This special edition is included with the sixth Blu-ray and DVD release. It revisits the events from manga chapter 124, focusing on Kuroko and Aomine's first encounter.

After spending a month abroad, the Foreign Expedition Team returns to the Japan U-17 training camp. This group consists of twenty athletes whose skill and technique far surpass those of the other elite players at the camp. To prepare for their arrival, the coaching staff decides to select twenty top candidates for advanced training. Initially, only high school students are considered, but middle school students aim to challenge the players ranked from eleventh to twentieth to secure these spots. When the enigmatic Genius 10 make their appearance, the middle school students devise plans to claim these highly coveted positions. Unusual alliances are formed, combining their strengths to defeat the country's top ten players in a competition that tests intelligence, strategy, and talent, all in pursuit of representing Japan at the U-17 World Cup.

In the Ace of Diamond OVA, Seidou High School's baseball team consists of one hundred boys, all deeply devoted to the sport. The title of Ace belongs to the team's most outstanding player. Beyond the main characters, other athletes compete for this prestigious title, each possessing distinct abilities, imperfections, and arcs of personal development. Ryousuke Kominato stands out at Seidou not only for his brilliant fielding but also for his commanding presence, despite his small stature. He partners closely with Youichi Kuramochi, together forming the core of the team's defensive setup. Youichi's younger brother, Haruichi, trails just behind them, displaying equal skill and deep admiration for Ryousuke. Meanwhile, Youichi's roommate, Eijun Sawamura, joins them in looking back on their path to earning a place on Seidou High’s squad.

Yowamushi Pedal: Re:RIDE presents the first half of the Inter High story arc from the original anime series, with several newly animated scenes inserted throughout.

In this new film, a dream match unfolds as fan-selected players of the Inazuma Best Eleven face off against the unique Battle Eleven squad.

Short specials included in the BD release.

Sakaguchi Matsutaro is a huge and burly man whose physical power far exceeds human norms. Unlike typical shounen protagonists, he never says things like "never give up" or "keep dreaming." Nevertheless, he is the undefeated champion of sumo, with no equal rival. His primary flaw is his easygoing nature. As time passes, he progresses to become a professional sumo wrestler.

Special of Miss Monochrome. It's about football. Aired on the official Miss Monochrome YouTube channel.

Haneru Tobitatsu is an energetic middle schooler with a deep love for dancing. He greatly admires Jey El, the world's most renowned dance star, and practices every day at Memorial Hall. Without his knowledge, Kanon Otosaki—known online as the celebrated dancer Rhythm—uses the same spot for her own routines. When Haneru eventually notices Kanon, he eagerly suggests they team up. As they connect over their mutual passion for dance, they step into the street dance world and encounter Kumonosuke, Mizuki, and Yuzuru. Together, they create the group Tribe Cool Crew. They face tough rivals and strive toward their shared goal of performing alongside Jey El.

In the fourth series of Pretty Rhythm, aspiring Idol Laala Manaka gets instruction from Aira, Mia, and Naru—the main characters from earlier Pretty Rhythm installments. These mentors impart the necessary abilities for her to succeed as an Idol. Alongside her training, the series recaps important events from the previous Pretty Rhythm stories.

Teppei and teammate Keisuke Honda aim for the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil.

A story about Cat pitcher Mi-Tarou's actions. It is a 23-koma that serialized in Yomiuri Shimbun Sunday.

Movie of Yuuto-kun ga Iku.