For many years, there have been devoted anime fandoms and niches. But as OTT platforms began to release some of the most beloved anime ever, the genre appears to have drawn even more admirers in after the pandemic. Fandoms for long-running television series like Jujutsu Kaisen, Death Note, One Piece, and Naruto have flourished despite their widespread popularity. But people are already getting enthused about a new genre.
Sports anime is perfect for you if you enjoy sports, especially the heart-pounding excitement that shoots through your veins while you're not even trying. Even without villains, superheroes, or fantasy elements, the character development and narratives are astoundingly good. Now let's explore the top 5 sports anime available on Netflix and dive into the world of sports anime!
Haikyuu
Prepare to enter the world of volleyball—not as a lighthearted pastime but as a competitive sport. All of the teams exhibit exceptional tenacity, perseverance, and togetherness. Haikyuu tells the stories of numerous students who start out as schoolgirls and end up becoming elite volleyball players. The protagonist of the tale is a conceited setter who was despised by his teammates in middle school. Later on, he meets a volleyball player who is fairly short for a spiker, but his willpower is unmatched. Karasuno's desire of being the best volleyball team is reignited when the two enroll in the same high school. You might become so enamored with volleyball after viewing this that you begin to watch actual matches. Each character has a backstory and moments of brilliance that make you root for players on both your squad and the opposition team.
Hanebado!
This incredible sports anime tells the story of a second-generation badminton prodigy who, regrettably, gave up the game when her mother had to move abroad. In high school, her best friend tries to talk her into picking up the badminton racquet once more. The gaming scenes in this series are flawlessly animated, and it is jam-packed with excitement and action. It's one of the few programs on the list that concentrates on female athletes, and the sound and visual effects are breathtaking. This is absolutely for you if you want to see some girl strength.
Free!
This show is certainly for you if you enjoy watching swimming competitions. Prepare to become addicted, even if you've never seen any sports involving swimming. In the movie Free!, a young swimmer loses interest in competing following a rift with his boyhood swimming buddy. When they unexpectedly cross paths again in high school, old rivalries and ambitions come back to life. This show brilliantly captures the strong and frail aspects of friendships and has outstanding character development.
Yowamushi Pedal
The title accurately describes the plot, which centers on the life of Onoda Sakamichi, a cyclist and member of the school's bicycle racing club. He is an extremely powerful teenager who is ideal for the sport because he is accustomed to working out and traveling long distances on his bicycle. In addition, he leads his squad in cycling and helps them win numerous races. This tale of camaraderie and cooperation offers you an insight into the life of a biker. Settle in for four seasons and eleven2 episodes of this show!
Kuroko’s Basketball
Everyone is familiar with basketball, but how committed a team has ever been? The plot of Kuroko's Basketball centers on the players from a well-known middle school basketball team who later play for several high schools. The "Phantom Sixth Man," a passing specialist, is one of the group's members. He is so amazing that some people don't even think he exists and consider him to be an urban legend—that is, until he comes out of hiding and confronts his former comrades. There is a lot of laughter and incredible basketball skills among the vast ensemble group. Therefore, if you enjoy high levels of adrenaline, this one's for you.