Best Sports Anime of 2024

In the second season of Blue Lock, the competition intensifies as only 35 players remain. These aspiring strikers compete for a chance to face Japan’s current U-20 soccer team in an exhibition match. Success would mean becoming the new national U-20 squad, while failure would end the Blue Lock program. Yoichi Isagi is still among the contestants, continuing to discover his true potential. Six of the strongest players have already secured spots in the starting lineup, forcing the other 29 to fight for the final position. During the selection process, each player must choose one of the top six as a partner to prove their value. To overcome the established U-20 team, these players must learn to integrate their unique playing styles seamlessly.

Taiki Inomata, a first-year student, dashes to his high school gym each morning to sharpen his badminton skills, but his real reason is to be near Chinatsu Kano, a second-year and the star player of the girls' basketball team, whom he deeply admires. Even though he sees Chinatsu as out of reach, Taiki gradually finds chances to interact with her. Unbeknownst to Taiki, his dedication and admiration inspire Chinatsu to pursue her goals with more passion. When her family has to move abroad for work, Chinatsu decides to stay in Japan to compete for a national championship. With nowhere to live, she moves in with Taiki’s mother, a longtime friend of Chinatsu’s family. Faced with sharing a home with his crush, Taiki sets his sights on achieving a national ranking in badminton and getting closer to Chinatsu. Though his coach notices his talent, Taiki still must overcome tough upperclassmen to secure a starting position. With support from both Chinatsu and his childhood friend Hina Chouno, a gymnast, Taiki works hard to prove himself and make a name in the sport.

Kenma Kozume approaches volleyball as a craft to be perfected, not as a source of fun. After Nekoma High School's volleyball team secures a spot in the Spring Nationals, they are set to face their longtime rivals, Karasuno. Kenma must devise a plan to counter Karasuno's unpredictable and persistent style while steering his team toward victory. He also confronts his friend Shouyou Hinata, Karasuno's extraordinarily skilled middle blocker who defies his short height. Despite his typical detachment, Kenma feels a flicker of excitement at the thought of battling Karasuno in this high-stakes, single-elimination match. For Karasuno to reach the semifinals and restore their former reputation, they must break through Kenma's sharp tactics and overcome Nekoma on their home ground.

My days were filled with nothing but tedium. That changed when I crossed paths with him. “That’s a hassle.” Those words were second-year high schooler Nagi Seishirou’s go‑to phrase as he drifted through his unremarkable existence. Then Reo Mikage, a classmate with dreams of winning the World Cup, uncovered Nagi’s hidden talent and spurred him to take up soccer, sharing his extraordinary gift. Nagi gets drawn into Reo’s world of soccer, leaving his easygoing routine behind. What future lies in store for this prodigy inside BLUE LOCK? A world he has never known.

Stretch out your hand and claim greatness. Jungle Pocket, affectionately called "Pokke" by her close friends, is a carefree Umamusume who has already proven her dominance in freestyle racing. After being awestruck by Fuji Kiseki's magnificent performance in a graded Twinkle Series race, she decides to enter the Twinkle Series herself. Soon after enrolling at Tracen Academy, the Umamusume training school, Pokke is taken under the wing of Tanabe, a veteran trainer who once nurtured Fuji Kiseki's abilities. Together, they set their sights on conquering the Triple Crown series—three races that can only be attempted once in a lifetime. Waiting for them are formidable rivals from Pokke's generation, whose talents even outshine her own. There is Dantsu Flame, whose perseverance and drive to win are unparalleled; Manhattan Cafe, who chases the fleeting silhouette of a "friend" that only she can see; and Agnes Tachyon, a true mad scientist striving to push the boundaries of what Umamusume can achieve. These four runners pour their pride, spirit, and souls into every stride on the track. Beyond the finish line of their fierce clash lies a door waiting to open—one that heralds the beginning of a new era. "It doesn't matter who stands in my way! I'm going to be the greatest!"

Tarou Yamada is a first-year high school student who once dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player. That ambition was crushed by the overwhelming skill of Haruka Kiyomine and Kei Kaname, a pitching and catching duo known as the "General." Their extraordinary abilities and tactical brilliance dominated middle school baseball, leaving Yamada and many other aspiring players feeling defeated. Now attending the unremarkable Kotesashi High School, which has no baseball team, Yamada finds himself in the same class as Kiyomine and Kaname, who has become forgetful. The once-strategic General has turned into a loud and playful class clown due to amnesia. Because Kaname lost interest in baseball, he convinced the reluctant Kiyomine to enroll at Kotesashi simply because it was close to their home. When Kotesashi High School starts a new baseball club, Yamada encounters former teammates who have also given up on the sport. Despite their current lack of enthusiasm, Yamada believes that if he can rekindle their love for baseball, they might achieve their long-held goal of winning a national championship. The only challenge is Kaname's constant jokes and antics.

Gawain, a young boy residing in a rural mountain area, is deeply passionate about baseball and loves sending the ball soaring. One day, he encounters a female visitor to his small community, and she shows him a sport where a ball truly takes flight: golf. After just one swing, Gawain becomes completely captivated. With his grandfather's permission, he journeys to Tokyo alongside this mysterious woman to absorb everything he can about golf, meeting a host of vivid personalities and facing various challenges on his path.

Theatrical version of Uma Musume: Pretty Derby - ROAD TO THE TOP which includes new extra scenes.

The second season of Rising Impact follows golf prodigy Gawain and his teammates from Camelot Academy's Japan division as they face off against talented young golfers representing schools from the United Kingdom and the United States in the prestigious Camelot Cup tournament.

Kazuyoshi Igarashi, a former professional golfer, relocates to Hinoshima Island to start a new chapter in his life, taking a position at the local development center. Expecting a quiet, rural setting, he is surprised to find a fully functional golf course built by the islanders, which turns the coastline into a shared golfing space. His amazement grows when he meets Tonbo Ooi, a young girl who plays exclusively with a challenging 3-iron club. Through his interactions with Tonbo and witnessing her remarkable abilities, Kazuyoshi rediscovers a renewed appreciation for golf and finds the true joy of the sport once again.

In the world of women's competitive cycling, which had been inactive for years, the newly established Rinkai League sparked renewed interest with its first races. This revival attracted many Japanese women aiming to become professional cyclists. Izumi Itou, a cycling enthusiast, is reluctant to fully commit to the competitive arena despite encouragement from friends. However, Izumi's viewpoint changes upon learning that her grandmother was once a champion in women's cycling. Her grandmother then decides to mentor Izumi, helping to bring out her hidden potential. Although Izumi lacks experience, the presence of a formidable Swiss rival determined to dominate the competition pushes Izumi to surpass personal limits and chase victory.

After a fierce series of battles among various Choujin factions—superpowered beings from across the cosmos—the former enemies of the victorious Seigi Choujin manage to arrange a fragile truce. However, this peace is quickly shattered when the Perfect Large Numbers, a group of seven Perfect Choujin led by Strong the Budo, invade Japan. They overwhelm several Seigi Choujin, reigniting the conflict. Determined to defend the peace at any cost, Terryman, the new leader of the Seigi Choujin, confronts the Perfect Large Numbers in a struggle for dominance. Despite the overwhelming odds, Terryman trusts that Suguru Kinnikuman, the strongest Seigi Choujin, will see that justice prevails.

After the quarterfinals, only four strong teams remain in the U-17 World Cup. Japan is on the verge of a historic victory but must defeat Germany, the nine-time defending champions, whose lineup includes professional tennis player Jurgen Borisovich Volk. The crowd and overall atmosphere heavily favor Germany, making the match tough for Japan. Determined to settle an old loss, Japan deploys its best roster, featuring captain Houou Byoudouin. Despite their resolve, the weight of possibly reaching Japan's first-ever final may overwhelm even these brave players as they confront new obstacles in unfamiliar territory.

After finishing middle school, Tonbo Ooi departs from the secluded Tokara island and heads to Kumamoto to further develop her golf game. With guidance from her mentor Kazuyoshi Igarashi, she meets coach Hajime Udou as a potential trainee. At first, Tonbo struggles to demonstrate her abilities because of her unconventional technique and lack of familiarity with different golf clubs. Nevertheless, during her debut tournament, she astonishes everyone with her remarkable skills. Tonbo's showing grabs the attention of Hajime and others, resulting in her entry into the Kyushu Women's Championship. There, she goes up against both old rivals and fresh opponents, fully intent on carving out a place for herself in the professional golf world.

When Etsuko Murakami was in elementary school, she believed her speed made her special. However, as other kids began to beat her in athletic events, her frustration grew, and she eventually stopped running altogether. Now a second-year high school student, her disappointment deepens when the rowing club she joined disbands. Everything shifts when the energetic transfer student Riina Takahashi convinces Etsuko and their classmate Hime Saeki to help bring the club back to life. The team is completed with the addition of rivals Taeko Hyoudou and Mayumi Imoto. Although Etsuko is initially hesitant to give her all, she may have finally found where she truly belongs, dedicating herself fully to rowing alongside the rest of the squad.

Desperate to get away from soccer and even hoping it would vanish entirely, Sasanami Unmei enrolls at Nagumohara Junior High in Nagasaki. Meanwhile, Endou Haru—a prodigy widely regarded as the finest player of his generation—struggles with his own mixed emotions about the sport. Their unexpected meeting paves the way for a new generation of heroes.

The Raimon Junior High soccer team, under the leadership of captain Endou Mamoru, strives to win the national Football Frontier tournament in "Inazuma Eleven Movie: The Legendary Kickoff." During the regional qualifiers, they confront numerous obstacles and intense competition from other schools. After the famous striker Gouenji Shuya joins Raimon, the team overcomes these hurdles. Subsequently, Kidou Arihito—a former adversary and brilliant strategist from Teikoku Gakuen—also becomes a member of the team. Together, they advance to the finals, where they must face the powerful Zeus Junior High.

The story takes place during an intense G1 racing event where jockeys, horses, onlookers, and coaches use all sorts of strange and amusing methods. It delves into the profound feelings of people and horses alike as they navigate their complex personal circumstances and emotions, all while aiming to claim victory in the G1 and deliver accurate predictions.

For the 30th anniversary of the original series, Dokodemo Makibao is a spin-off of Midori no Makibao. This new installment focuses on casual competitions and everyday challenges, with peculiar events like beach clean-up contests and races to the basement of a department store for exclusive limited-edition snacks.

After winning the Yunhai City High School Basketball League, star player Mu Ma grows overconfident. However, he suffers a crushing defeat against Long Han, the top player of the Haixi Team, who are the national league champions. Seeking improvement, Mu Ma and his friend Chen Yang decide to try out for the provincial Jingjiang Team.

New KING OF PRISM film reconstructing the events of the Prism Show competition, the PRISM.1, shown during KING OF PRISM -Shiny Seven Stars- with added scenes.