23 Best Soccer-Football Animations of All Time. Sports is not often the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of anime and manga. Manga and anime are often associated with fantasy settings. However, there are many sports-themed manga and anime that are very popular in Japan and around the globe. The 23 top titles on our list will be ranked according to their historical significance and quality. We tried to include titles from different periods and subgenres. Stay with us if you are interested in the greatest soccer/football anime ever made!
#23 Ganbare! Kickers
26 Episodes
This story is about a soccer club made up of Kitahara elementary students, who are not good at scoring goals. Kakeru Daichi, a little girl from Kitahara, decides to become a striker and becomes a good soccer player.
Kakeru’s help completes the line-up and motivates the team for a challenge to the “Red Devils.” Despite Kakeru’s team losing by 10 to 1, the young striker of Kitahara managed to score against Uesugi, the opposition goalkeeper.
Kakeru’s team is invited to the national championship. Hongo, Kakeru’s goalkeeper, falls for Ayumi Daichi. Later, the team hires a professional coach whose guidance helps them reach the league semifinals where they face the Red Devils once again.
After a thrilling match that lasted two episodes of twenty minutes, Uesugi’s side finally defeated Kakeru’s. The game leaves Kakeru devastated.
#22 HUNGRY HEART: WILD STRIKER
52 Episodes
The soccer anime is centered around Kyosuke Kano. He is a boy who displays a rebellious, impulsive personality. He is the younger brother to Seisuke Kano (a famous Milan footballer), who teaches him how to play football. Kasuga learns, in fact, that he was adopted after his parents died in a car accident at the age of one and that his biological father Keisuke Narumi was a promising forward.
Kyosuke, tired of constant comparisons with his famous pro footballer brother, decides to quit football and dye his hair orange to become a hooligan.
He then returns to football coaching the Joyo Akanegaoka women’s team and then rejoining the Joyo Akanegaoka men’s team.
Rodrigo, a Brazilian midfielder, and Koji Jefferson Sakai (an English-born goalkeeper), are his teammates. They form a promising, but not continuous trio of freshmen who initially aim to take over the starting position, then to win the regional championship against Kokuryo, which is the strongest team in the area.
#21 SHOOT
58 Episodes
Toshi, Kenji and Cindy were close friends from a young age. In middle school, Cindy cheered on the boys’ soccer team.
This group of friends was strong enough to bring the team just one step closer to the final of the national category championship. Unfortunately, Kenji had been involved with gangs of thugs, and the rules of honor & loyalty had resulted in the disqualification of the entire team.
Kenji had retired for good and the dream of winning a championship was crushed. Since then, a few years have passed and the four-man group that was once so close has disintegrated. Each boy has pursued other paths and has different interests.
Toshi enrolls in Kakegawa Scientific High School to play on Kubo’s football team. He doesn’t know that Cindy, Kenji and Jim are also enrolled at that school.
#20 VICTORY KICKOFF
39 Episodes
Sho Ota, an elementary school boy, loves soccer and is a Momoyama Predator member. After all the soccer players quit the club, the team is disbanded.
Sho doesn’t lose heart. After meeting Erika, a young girl with the same passion as him, Sho decides to search for new players to create a stronger team for the regional championship.
#19 SOCCER FEVER
51 Episodes
The 1994 soccer world championship will be held in the United States. We are just days away. Although many people are present at the parade in New York City, Jim Ackerman, a journalist, knows that this game is not yet popular among Americans, and that interest will wane after the World Cup.
He recalls Brian Thompson, an English friend and former journalist who was the only person to have attended all of the world championships starting in 1930, and decides that he should talk to him.
Now retired, Old Thompson enjoys coaching his nephews, and their friends, during football matches. Jim, his friend, suggested that he write articles about the world cup to rekindle interest in American football. He initially declined, saying that he was too old, and his memories had faded.
Alice, his granddaughter, and her friends clean up his archives and get him a computer so Brian Thompson can refresh and write a series of articles that will trace back the event’s history.
#18 MOERO TOP STRIKER
49 Episodes
This anime focuses on the soccer adventures of Benjamin Lefranc (an eleven-year-old French child orphan living in Genoa), who has a passion for football and an innate gift. The love story of the protagonist and Catherine, a dancer and the sister to Eric Townsend (Ben’s rival), is kept to a minimum.
#17 FORZA HIDEMARU
26 Episodes
The story of Hidemaru, a boy who dreams to play football. He comes to the city wanting to play for his favorite team.
It turns out, however, that the team that interests him may be on the brink of dissolution due to the fact the nearby Sports Academy gathers and trains the best players under the guidance of an outstanding coach.
Hidemaru brings together friends and undiscovered players to rebuild the team. The hero’s goal is to have fun and not win. While they may make mistakes and face difficulties, the hero wants to prove that football is great.
#16 SUPA STRIKAS
91 Episodes
Based on Thuthuka Terry Zwane’s life, the series was inspired by his experiences in Johannesburg’s Soweto. Supa Strikas’ main characters remained local but the comic was gaining popularity worldwide. A larger cast of characters, including those of Asian, Latin American, and European descent, was added to their ranks.
#15 HITSUGAYA, KARIN AND SOCCER BALL (BLEACH)
366 Episodes (series)
Karin Kurosaki, a woman walking along a path near Karakura Town’s bridge, holds a soccer ball in her hands and contemplates how her brother Ichigo Kurosaki saved her from Fishbone D. She then kicks the soccer ball down the bank onto the street below.
Karin, startled and alarmed, jumps over the railings of the stairs that are built into the hill. She runs down to the street and sees the ball rolling across the road in front of Toshiro Hitsugaya (10th Division captain). He is in his gigai and stops the ball with his foot.
Hitsugaya stares at Karin in amazement and asks her if she has the soccer ball. Hitsugaya asks Karin if it is hers and Karin says yes. Karin catches the ball and then looks up to see Hitsugaya gone. This is one of the most beautiful soccer anime.
#14 INAZUMA ELEVEN: ORION NO KOKUIN
49 Episodes
The story starts several months after the events at the Inazuma Eleven: Ares. The Japanese youth association, Inazuma Japan is formed by the best players from the Football Frontier International national tournament.
Axel Blaze and Elliot Ember are the soccer players. Mister Yi, Raimon’s coach, has been appointed coach. Percival Travis is the Stella Academy coach.
#13 INAZUMA ELEVEN: ARES
26 Episodes
Sonny Wright formed the football team with his friends on the remote island Normidia. After the dismemberment and subsequent relocation of the original football club, Sonny Wright and his friends take the chance to replace Raimon. They move to Inazuma Town to participate in the Football Frontier, where they are trained by the strange and bizarre Mr. Yi.
Raimon is without a sponsor and it was necessary to call against the dreaded Stella Academy (where Jude was supposed to be sent). Elliot Ember, the bomber of Stella Academy, was called to help him. His athletic abilities and aggressive play style make him capable of defeating many teams.
The new Raimon loses spectacularly 10-1 despite a strong start. However, miraculously, they find a sponsor and are able to take part in the tournament. Regina Mulgrave joins the team as the new president for the school committee. This was previously held by Nelly Raimon, who initially hated the Raimon.
#12 CAPTAIN TSUBASA
52 Episodes
Tsubasa Ohzora, despite being only twenty-one, is already an outstanding footballer. His dream is to bring the FIFA World Cup to Japan. Roberto Hongo is his mentor and a legendary soccer player. Tsubasa is currently undergoing intense training.
When he integrates the Nankatsu Team, it is the beginning of a wild adventure filled with frenzied matches and encounters against formidable opponents, who will end up becoming loyal companions in arms to go higher, faster, and further.
#11 WHISTLE!
39 Episodes
Sho Kazamatsuri, a boy who dreams of being a professional footballer, is Sho Kazamatsuri. He would love to play for the “Musashi no Mori” football school. But he isn’t able to. He does however manage to make his mark at the “Sakura Josui”, and he is closer to his goal.
#10 CAPTAIN TSUBASA: ROAD TOWARDS 2002
52 Episodes
The New Team is a fusion of all the existing teams in the area. The national elementary school championship is held by the new team. Benji is hurt in the final qualifying match against Stella Shimada and is replaced by Alan Crocker. The New Team wins 3-1 and qualifies.
He suffered a first defeat from Mark Lenders’ Muppet at the national championship. The team makes it to the semifinals against Julian Ross’ Mambo despite not showing many matches. Julian scores three goals despite his heart problems (the match will still end at 4-3 for New Team).
Benji is back from injury in the final. Oliver then meets the Muppet again, and Ed Warner becomes his strong goalkeeper. Regular time ends at 1-1 (goals from Mark & Oliver), and Oliver wins 2-1 despite Warner’s miraculous feats.
He discovers, however, that Roberto Sedinho has been to Brazil without him. (He had promised that if he won, he would take him there).
#9 CAPTAIN TSUBASA J
47 Episodes
Tsubasa Ozora, a 12-year old boy, dreams of becoming the World Cup champion with Japan. The match was tied at 2-2. This refers to the Doha Agony match in which Japan lost qualification for the 1994 World Cup.
Holly, who recently moved to Fujisawa, is eager to join the Saint Francis football team. He is keen to play with Genzo Wakabayashi, the strong goalkeeper.
However, even before that, he makes friends with Ryo Ishizaki (clumsy defender, captain of Nankatsu’s poor school football team), and Taro Misaki (midfielder), who both recently moved to this area. They see great potential in Holly and convince him to join the team. Nankatsu wins the derby against Saint Francis thanks to Holly and Tom.
#8 INAZUMA ELEVEN GO
Episodes 141
Ten years have passed from the Football Frontier International events, which saw Inazuma Japan become the world champion. In this era, the Fifth Sector controls and directs all Japanese football teams, deciding the match results in advance and sending Imperiali players.
This story is about Arion, a Raimon Jr. High newcomer and captain of Raimon Riccardo di Rigo. Mark Evans, aged 23-24, will serve as Raimon’s coach.
Percy Travis and Seymour Hillman will appear along with Percy Travis and Silvia Woods. Jude Sharp, David Samford. Shawn Froste, Archer Hawkins. Nelly Raimon. Scott Banyan. Steve Grim. Byron Love, Kevin Dragonfly. Camelia will also be in the series. Veteran.
#7 THE KNIGHT IN THE AREA
37 Episodes
Kakeru Aizawa (the younger brother of Suguru, a Japanese football prodigy) is a forward for the Japan under-15 team. Kakeru quit his position as forward before the series began. He had suffered a trauma that made it impossible for him to play with his left leg. After this, he settled for a managerial role.
Suguru is killed when he and Kakeru are struck by a truck. Kakeru is able to return to football and fulfill the dreams of his brother and him to win the World Cup.
#6 INAZUMA ELEVEN
127 Episodes
Raimon was once a strong football team. However, the club’s members are now in danger of dissolution. Mark Evans, team captain, will restore Raimon’s glory by winning the prestigious Football Frontier title.
However, aliens invade the Earth. They give earthlings the chance to win: if they lose football, the aliens will be forced from the Earth. Mark and other players from Japan will fight for the fate of the planet. Football Frontier International has been organized, and Japan will send its best players to compete worldwide in this tournament.
#5 AKAKICHI NO ELEVEN
52 Episodes
Shinsei Senior School is located in the rural outskirts of Tokyo. It houses Shingo Tamai (6th-year pupil), and many other students.
Tempei Matsuki is the new teacher of physical education at the start of each school year. She was previously the goalkeeper for the Japanese national soccer team, and bronze medalist at Mexico’s Olympic Games.
#4 GIANT KILLING
26 Episodes
East Tokyo United (ETU), a Tokyo football club, is on the brink of being relegated. The managers hire Tatsumi Takeshi as their new coach to revive his fortunes. Tatsumi is a former great football player and has experience managing an amateur English soccer team.
After a draw against Tokyo Victory, the ETU suffered five consecutive losses. The victory with Nagoya was followed by a string of wins. The ETU then suffered a series of defeats, draws, and finally a win against the Osaka Gunners.
#3 DAYS
24 Episodes +5 OVA
Tsukushi Tsukamoto, a shy and awkward teenager who recently attended Seiseki high school, is now a student. Tsukushi visits Sayuri Tachibana his childhood friend and his senpai at school. Tsukushi is then targeted by bullies. Jin Kazama, an eccentric, extroverted friend from school, saves him.
Tsukushi feels the match is a failure. Jin’s talent, however, fascinates him enough that he agreed to join the school’s football team. Tsukushi will have to do his best to get accepted to the Seiseki football team.
#2 AOYAMA-KUN
12 Episodes
Aoyama, a young football prodigy, has never lost a game in his entire life. He is also a neat freak. He was a member of the Japan U-16 team and surprised everyone by joining the Fujimi high-school club. It is modest and unknown. He is determined to take Fujimi high school to national championship level with his crazy teammates.
#1 CAPTAIN TSUBASA
128 Episodes
This is the best soccer anime we have. Tsubasa Ozora, a Japanese boy who has a passion for soccer and dreams to win the world championship, is Tsubasa Ozora. He moves with his family to Nankatsu where he enrolls at public school for his last year of elementary school.
Ryo Ishizaki is the school’s captain. He decides to challenge Genzo Wakabayashi (the goalkeeper at Shutetsu), who has the reputation of being nearly unbeatable. This record will be broken by Tsubasa.
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Tsubasa will meet Roberto Hongo on the day of the match. Roberto Hongo is a great Brazilian player of Japanese heritage. Tsubasa had attempted suicide several times before his father saved him. He will be Tsubasa’s personal coach, helping him to improve his technique.
Tsubasa joins the Nankatsu football club and starts his first match as a defender against rival Shutetsu. He prevents Izawa Taki and Kisugi scoring in the first half while he attacks in the second, which allows his team to win the encounter with rivals.
Later, a team made up of the best elements from all the schools in the area is formed to face the national championship. Tsubasa takes Nankatsu to victory against Kojiro Hyuga’s Meiwa.