Best Sports Anime of 2021

Reki Kyan is a high schooler obsessed with skateboarding, spending his nights in a dangerous, underground mine participating in illegal races called S. After a brutal crash shatters his board and breaks his arm, Reki is forced to stop skating. During his recovery, he takes a part-time job and meets Langa Hasegawa, a transfer student of mixed Canadian and Japanese descent with no skateboarding background who is facing financial hardship. When a favor for Reki's boss inadvertently drags them into an S race, they find themselves in a perilous position. Although Langa is coerced into competing, she reveals a hidden talent that could unexpectedly alter the course of the race, leaving both her and Reki stunned.

In Megalobox 2: Nomad, Megalo Boxing competitors use mechanical frames called Gear. After becoming the first Megalonia champion to win without relying on Gear, the celebrated fighter Joe lost an exhibition match and then disappeared from the public eye. Seven years later, Joe now goes by the name "Nomad" and lives a quiet existence, entering the occasional underground fight to get by. He struggles with intense hallucinations and relies on painkillers to calm his fractured mind. During one such bout, Nomad defeats Chief, who deliberately lost the match to earn extra money from betting. After the fight, Nomad learns that Chief comes from a community of immigrants known as the Casa, who are trying to raise enough funds to legally purchase the land they currently occupy. Though initially hesitant to get involved, Nomad eventually decides to aid the Casa in their efforts.

A massive prehistoric African elephant goes on a rampage, making headlines around the world. The sole survivor of this attack claims the beast was killed by a single, unarmed person, unknowingly referring to Yuujirou Hanma, known as "the Ogre" and sometimes called "Earth's strongest being." At the same time, Yuujirou's 18-year-old son, Baki, undergoes intense training against a formidable praying mantis. Feeling prepared and driven to surpass his father, Baki kidnaps U.S. President George Bosch to set his plan in motion, leading to his deliberate imprisonment in the notorious Arizona State Prison. There, Baki encounters Oliva Biscuit, the most powerful prisoner in the country, who is free to leave whenever he wants. Eager to test his strength, Baki challenges Oliva. However, Oliva is busy with his strange opponent, Jun Guevaru, also called "the Second," the only other inmate granted special privileges. Perplexed but curious, Baki learns about his fellow prisoners and endures the harsh conditions of prison life while waiting for the right moment.

In "Re-Main," Minato Kiyomizu awakens in a hospital and discovers he spent 203 days in a coma after a car accident, losing all his middle school memories. Realizing he was once a skilled water polo player, he initially intends to move forward without the sport. But on his first day at Yamanami High School, he is reminded of his former abilities and a promise he made. Despite his current lack of proficiency, Minato decides to join the school's water polo club and start learning the sport again. Together with his teammates, they strive to gather enough players to field a complete seven-person team. Driven by his resolve to revive his latent talents, Minato forges ahead to regain his standing as one of Japan's top water polo players.

After an incident with his former volleyball team in Tokyo, gifted setter Kimichika Haijima relocates to Fukui. There, he reunites with his childhood friend Yuni Kuroba, a talented but overlooked player on the Monshiro Middle School Boys' Volleyball Team. Seeing Kuroba's untapped potential, Haijima hopes to build a new squad around him. But during a prefectural tournament, Kuroba crumbles under pressure, causing Monshiro to lose and driving a wedge between the two friends, leading Haijima to quit the team. At Seiin High School, Haijima and Kuroba end up on the same team again. Determined to make amends, Haijima helps Kuroba conquer his anxiety and become the team's star. With support from captain Shinichirou Oda and vice-captain Misao Aoki, Seiin aims to win the prefectural championship and earn a spot in the Spring Tournament as Fukui's representative. Their journey pits them against Fukuho Technical High School, the defending champions of Fukui. Can Haijima's team overcome the odds, or will the past repeat itself?

Shoutarou Futaba has always been passionate about sports, but throughout his middle school baseball days, he spent most of his time on the bench. One day, while walking through a park, he stumbles upon a group of gymnasts training and ends up watching a rhythmic gymnastics competition. Despite their impressive routine, Shoushukan High School's Rhythmic Gymnastics Club finishes second to last because they are short one member and incur penalties. This display of skill captivates Shoutarou, motivating him to enroll at Shoushukan with the goal of joining the club, even though he has zero background in rhythmic gymnastics. The club welcomes him along with Ryouya Misato, a talented gymnast who had previously earned second place in a junior competition. Now that they have a complete six-member team, the club gears up for the upcoming Inter-High tournament. For Shoushukan to have a real shot at victory, Shoutarou must rapidly learn and master the fundamentals of rhythmic gymnastics and cooperate smoothly with his new teammates.

In the fiercely competitive world of horse racing, the horse girls of Team Spica continue to climb in prominence through a series of wins. Among them, Toukai Teiou stands out for her radiant personality and exceptional racing talent. Her dream is to become an undefeated Triple Crown champion by securing three straight G1 victories, a milestone not achieved since the era of the legendary Symboli Rudolf. As she pursues this bold ambition, Teiou must overcome a variety of hurdles and face both old and new rivals. Amid these intense competitions, she also encounters key decisions that will greatly shape her path forward in the sport.

Tatsuya Yoigoshi, once a nationally celebrated soccer prodigy, enters his first year at Noukin High with a deep disdain for athletics, having traded his sporting ambitions for a career as an internet livestreamer. His path changes when Souma Azemichi, a first-year member of the school's kabaddi team, unexpectedly crashes into Yoigoshi's live broadcast with the intent to recruit him. Despite his reluctance, Yoigoshi follows Souma to the gymnasium, where he witnesses upperclassmen Kyouhei Misumi and Shinji Date locked in the intense, physical struggle of kabaddi. Initially mocking the sport's rules, Yoigoshi finds himself drawn in by the raw energy of the contest. Through a blend of persuasion and subtle pressure, he ultimately agrees to settle the matter of his recruitment by taking part in a kabaddi match—a hand-to-hand, team-based confrontation.

In "Free! the Final Stroke: The First Volume," Haruka Nanase starts a fresh chapter in Sydney, the city he always longed to revisit. While getting ready for his departure, Haru crosses paths with another swimmer from the All-Japan Invitational. Carrying memories of his past experiences in the water and the friends who stood by him, Haru steps into an unfamiliar setting. There, he comes face to face with the formidable champion, Albert Volandel. As the Sydney tournament draws near, every competitor works to raise their spirits and sharpen their performance. This volume delves into the personal drives and emotions of these athletes as they battle for dominance at the highest level. Their intense clashes with the water begin once more!

In "WAVE!! -Let's go surfing!!-", Masaki Hinaoka, an energetic 14-year-old, begins each morning by jogging along the sunny coastline with his corgi. His typical routine gets shaken up when he spots a blond boy named Shou Akitsuki effortlessly riding the waves, instantly grabbing Masaki's attention. Shou, a new transfer student who has been surfing his whole life, introduces Masaki to the sport even though Masaki has never tried it and can't even swim. Inspired by Shou's skill and encouraged by his easygoing half-Hawaiian friend Nalu Tanaka, Masaki discovers a natural talent for balance and quickly improves, eventually entering a local competition with support from Shou and Tanaka. Yet, a hidden darkness lingers behind Shou's calm exterior, hinting at trouble ahead. Still, Masaki stays determined, fully diving into his exciting quest to become a top surfer.

In Japan, women's soccer has seen a steady decline in popularity. Despite this, some schools continue to field teams, keeping the sport's future alive. Nozomi Onda, who sharpened her skills playing with a boys' soccer club in middle school, feels that competing against girls would hinder her growth. She only thrives when facing opponents she considers worthy. Meanwhile, Sumire Suou, a talented newcomer, finds her abilities held back by less skilled teammates. After her previous coach encouraged her to join a girls' team, Onda teams up with Suou and Suou's close friend and rival, Midori Soshizaki, at Warabi Seinan High School's girls' soccer team. In this new environment, both girls discover and unlock their true potential. Along with their teammates, each step, kick, and goal drives them toward success, potentially restoring the sport's former glory.

After a devastating loss to his rival Reo Shinozaki, former figure skating prodigy Kensei Maeshima abandons the sport and enrolls at Inodai High School. Using his natural athleticism, Kensei supports various sports clubs without officially committing to any. His life changes when Reo switches to skate-leading and transfers to St. Clavis Gakuin, the reigning Grand Prix champions. Inspired by Hayato Sasugai, who shares a hidden connection with Reo, Kensei decides to pursue skate-leading to reclaim his glory against Reo. Joining the Inodai Skate-Leading Club, Kensei faces distrust from its members due to his singles skating background and lack of team experience. His impulsive nature and strained history with some teammates further hinder his integration. However, the group must overcome these issues and unite if they want to qualify for the Grand Prix Finals and challenge St. Clavis Gakuin for dominance.

In "PuraOra! PRIDE OF ORANGE," third-year junior high school student Manaka Mizusawa is asked by her teacher to hang up a flyer for a trial ice hockey session put together by the local pro team, the Dream Monkeys. Interested, Manaka convinces her younger sister Ayaka along with her club friends Kaoruko Yanagida and Mami Ono to come along. When they show up at the gym for the event, they run into Riko Saginuma and Naomi Takagi, also third-year students. As the girls throw themselves into the drills, their passion for ice hockey steadily increases, steering them toward competitive play. Motivated by a wish to craft unforgettable moments through the sport, the group slowly builds a promising team with goals of reaching the top.

In 54 AD, Cestvs, a fifteen-year-old gladiator, longs to flee his harsh existence in the arena. His master promises him freedom after one hundred victories, but Cestvs soon understands that his life as a slave is worth little. Following the death of a close friend, the hope of liberty becomes Cestvs' only reason to keep going. With steadfast determination, he sets out on a path to regain his freedom, battling fellow slaves for the amusement of the crowd.

Three high school girls—Minami, Ayaka, and Haruka—head out for a sunny day of relaxation at the golf course. Beginner Minami slowly gains confidence on the grass as she learns and laughs with the encouragement of her more experienced senpai.

Nozomi Onda, a 14-year-old girl passionate about soccer, aspires to play the game without any mistakes. But she struggles to do so in official matches, where she must compete against male players who have a physical advantage. Her outlook changes when an older male acquaintance suddenly approaches her on the street, forcing her to confront her ambitions directly.

With the rise of technology, human settlements expanded across the solar system, from Mercury to Pluto. This progress sparked the creation of the "Daiundoukai," a massive athletic event featuring young women from every corner of the solar system. The winner is crowned "Cosmo Beauty" and receives a status akin to royalty. Kanata Akehoshi, once a young potato farmer, spotted what seemed like a meteor falling into a nearby forest. Investigating, she discovered a crashed spaceship with a weakened girl inside. The girl gave Kanata two wristbands and asked her to enter the Daiundoukai and claim the title of Cosmo Beauty. Kanata agreed, but the girl vanished without revealing her identity, leaving no evidence. From that moment, Kanata dedicated herself to intense training to fulfill her promise. After qualifying to represent Earth, Kanata arrives at the University Satellite, where she and other hopefuls prepare for the tournament. She builds friendships with fellow competitors, encouraging teamwork to sharpen their competitive skills. As Kanata advances toward the prestigious title, her chances of meeting the mysterious girl grow, leading her to uncover a hidden truth about the Daiundoukai.

After the National Middle School Tennis Tournament wraps up, twelve-year-old tennis prodigy Ryouma Echizen heads to the United States to sharpen his abilities. While striving to forge his own path in the sport, Ryouma is also determined to uncover the mystery surrounding his father Nanjiro's sudden departure from professional tennis. Known as "Samurai Nanjiro," his father was a celebrated player whose career came to an abrupt halt after the US Open finals. Despite Ryouma's thorough analysis of that final match, many questions linger, driving him to seek answers by witnessing the event firsthand. Through a strange twist of fate, Ryouma and his unsuspecting classmate Sakuno Ryuzaki are sent back in time to observe the pivotal match. Though the early moments appear ordinary, the mafia's involvement adds a fresh, complex layer to the enigma. Facing considerable obstacles, Ryouma must employ all his abilities to uncover the truth and stop his father's career from ending prematurely.

The grand opening of a new tennis facility built by the Atobe Group in Kanagawa is on the horizon, and an exhibition match is scheduled for the occasion. Hyoutei Academy's captain, Keigo Atobe, selects Rikkai University-Affiliated Middle School—the strongest team in the area—as the opponent for his own squad. Seiichi Yukimura, representing Rikkai, accepts the invitation, determined to display his team's strength. As preparations ramp up, Hyoutei's third-year students mentor their incoming captain, Wakashi Hiyoshi. Meanwhile, Rikkai's seniors are concerned about whether their sole second-year player, Akaya Kirihara, can guide the team to victory. Both Hiyoshi and Kirihara push themselves through rigorous training, aiming to surpass their predecessors' accomplishments and prove they are ready to assume leadership roles. The future of both Hyoutei and Rikkai rests on these ambitious second-year stars. Inspired by their dedication, the third-years from each school entrust their hopes and dreams to those who will carry on their legacy after graduation.

Special episode of Hachigatsu no Cinderella Nine (TV) sent to buyers of collector's edition of the Blu-ray.

Kimi to Fit Boxing is a short Japanese anime television series that adapts the Nintendo Switch game Fitness Boxing.

Directed by Takumi Shiga for CalorieMate, this web movie features the song "Surges" by Orangestar, with vocals performed by Kase and Loin. The video showcases an eclectic animation style while telling the story of high school students from various clubs dedicating themselves to sports during the second year of the coronavirus pandemic. Originally released on the Otsuka Pharmaceutical Official YouTube channel in July 2021, the film was later reuploaded to Orangestar's YouTube channel under the title "Surges" on August 12, 2021.

Sushi ingredients have become sumo wrestlers! Which sushi topping is the strongest of them all? Tamago-nosato, Otoro-yama, Salmon-zakura, Kurumaebi-zou, Ikura-maru… and many more. Each distinctive wrestler uses their ingredient’s traits to their advantage, performing a wide variety of techniques. So, who will come out on top in today’s match? Get fired up! “Hakkeyoi Nokotta!”

The protagonist enrolls at Powerful High School to pursue his baseball dreams. There, he reunites with his childhood friend Subaru Hoshii, who seems to have forgotten their shared promise to play at Summer Koshien.

The twenty-third season of Xi Yangyang Yu Hui Tailang.