Sports are an important part of any society and can inspire tremendous works of art, which is why it's no surprise that the best fitness and sports anime stand as titans of the medium. More than just a niche, the history of sports anime is heavily tied into the history of the medium in general. Series that grow popular enough have gone on to be huge influences even outside of their genre.

Unlike most feature films and live-action TV shows, these all-time best sports anime series may not always be grounded in reality, but, because the medium brings a whole new quirky twist to sports, these shows can often be as entertaining as some of the best athlete biopics—if not more so. On that note, from traditional uplifting dramas to genre-bending sports comedies, even those utterly uninterested in sports may find something of interest.

25 How Heavy Are The Dumbbells You Lift? (2019)

Animated By Doga Kobo & Based on the Manga By Yabako Sandrovich & MAAM

Since How Heavy Are The Dumbbells You Lift is a more adult anime that thrives on fan service and distinctly anime feel-good humor, it may not be to everyone's taste. But, for anyone who has been in the pursuit of bodybuilding or regular fitness, the comedic stylings of How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift? are enough to entertain.

Though they are wildly different series, How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift? and Kengan Ashura's original mangas are both by the same creator, Yabako Sandrovich, and even share a universe.

The central character of the series is gluttonous high schooler Hibiki Sakura. When her expanding waistline begins to concern her, she decides to turn her life around and s a gym—but she must conquer insurmountable and often hilarious odds to stick to her fitness journey.

24 Welcome to the Ballroom (2017)

Animated by Production I.G & Based on the Manga by Takeuchi Tomo

Welcome to the Ballroom is an anime about an ignored sport for the vast majority of people; ballroom dancing. While dance as a discipline may not particularly attract the attention of many, the anime introduces dance competitions in the most intense way possible with a dynamism and beauty that will captivate any viewer.

Welcome to the Ballroom shines for its characters, especially for the growth of Tatara Fujita, but also for its music and representation of what it means to dedicate to something you are ionate about, the complications of improving not only for yourself but for a partner who depends on you, and the difficulty of training to keep up with others who have been working on their body and technique for years, making it the perfect option for those wanting to experience something different but equally motivating and thrilling as watching a soccer or basket match.

23 Kengan Ashura (2019)

Animated by Larx Entertainment & Based on the Manga by Yabako Sandrovich and Daromeon

Depending on how viewers experience martial arts, it can sometimes be overlooked for its potential when overlapping with combat sports. In Kengan Ashura, the business world secretly resolves its disputes using essentially hired gladiators in Kengan matches. At the show's beginning, Ohma Tokita unwittingly incapacitates the chosen fighter for the Nogi Group corporation.

Fans who love fighting anime will want to watch the Kengan Ashura and Baki crossover now streaming on Netflix!

Despite the show's use of 3D animation, a point of contention for viewers, it is quite well-executed, bringing manga s to life with strong combat animation.

22 Baby Steps (2014)

Animated by Pierrot & Based on the Manga by Hikaru Katsuki

Baby Steps follows Eiichiro Maruo, a model student known for the impeccable nature of his notes but who, despite his academic perfection, is lacking in physical condition. Maruo seeks to start doing a sport, finding his true ion in tennis. Although its premise might come across as generic, Baby Steps' biggest charm is that it shows tennis realistically, with no sports geniuses with superhuman abilities, much drama, or scenes that defy the laws of physics.

Instead, Baby Steps presents a protagonist without any prior ability who stands out for using his intelligence and dedication to improve, delving into his training, strategic techniques, first matches, and the love interest and rivals that Maruo will find both within the tennis club itself and in competition.

21 Aoashi (2022)

Animated by Production I.G & Based on the Manga by Yugo Kobayashi

Aoashi, rather than focusing on winning a high school national tournament like other sports anime, directly moves into the competitive world of the professional minor league soccer teams, showing Ashito Aoi's struggle to enter and survive in the Tokyo Esperion Youth.

Starting with the difficulty of the selection process, coming from a remote prefecture and a family of low income, Aoashi features the path of pursuing one’s dreams with a more realistic approach than animes like Blue Lock. However, the anime is equally exciting, as Aoashi's story is wrapped in comedy and focuses on a broader view of soccer, teaching that there is more in the sport than only scoring and that to advance in life necessary teamwork, tactics, and honed techniques.

20 Eyeshield 21 (2005)

Animated By Gallop & Based on the Manga By Yusuke Murata & Riichiro Inagaki

American football isn't particularly popular in Japan, though it's surprising to discover that the country actually does have a professional league for the sport known as the X-League. American football was also represented briefly through the relatively short-lived anime series Eyeshield 21. When the timid Sona Kobayakawa develops a hidden talent for running and evasion after years of eluding school bullies, he anonymously s an American football team, wearing a face-concealing visor and going by the moniker Eyeshield 21.

Eyeshield 21's artist, Yusuke Murata, is probably best known for handling the manga adaptation of One-Punch Man's original webcomic.

Eyeshield 21's unique hook and compelling cast of characters undeniably mark it as one of the best sports anime ever.

19 Yowamushi Pedal (2013)

Animated By TMS Entertainment & Based on the Manga By Wataru Watanabe

Yowamushi Pedal's Sakamichi Onda is a high school otaku whose interests do not exceed the bounds of anime and general nerd culture. However, when a famous cyclist and fellow student happens to discover Sakamichi's surprising prowess on his bulky, beach cruiser-like bike, he's roped into the world of cycling.

A series about coming out of one's shell and discovering new ions and interests as much as it is about cycling, Yowamushi Pedal adds quite a bit of personality and intrigue to a sport that isn't often covered in most media. Biking isn't a common subject in sports anime, but Yowamushi Pedal makes a great case for why it should be. Every race is thrilling, and the animation from TMS really sells the thrill of every twist and turn the characters face.

18 Captain Tsubasa (2018)

Animated by David Production and Studio Kai, Based on the Manga by Yoichi Takahashi

While its portrayal of soccer gameplay is unrealistic, Captain Tsubasa is commonly regarded as the best adaptation out of several to tackle the classic sports manga. Tsubasa Oozora starts the series as a young kid with aspirations to play for Japan at the FIFA World Cup, with the series, in turn, inspiring many of the world's all-time great footballers to pursue the sport as a career.

Even with its exaggerated animation, which often creates more bombastic portrayals of the sport, the series wins over the hearts of longtime Captain Tsubasa fans with great animation and strong character development. Captain Tsubasa is a legendary franchise over in Japan, and the best way for Western fans to get into the series has to be the 2018 adaptation of the anime.

17 Free! Iwatobi Swim Club (2013)

Original Anime Series By Kyoto Animation

Some viewers might scoff at Free!'s intensive fan service, but there's a lot more to the anime than just the good looks of its heroes. The series' character are Free!'s heart, all of whom get relatively balanced development throughout its runtime.

Despite having a fairly predictable premise, Free! keeps viewers intrigued with its high-octane swimming competitions and rivalries. Not to mention, since KyoAni is behind the anime's production, both the style and quality of its animation make it one of the best-looking sports anime ever. While it's easy to write Free! off as nothing but fanservice, that ignores the incredible skill that goes into crafting the series. The characters are likable, the animation is great, and the story is fun, easily making Free! rank highly among the best sports and fitness anime.

16 The Prince Of Tennis (2001)

Animated By Trans Arts & Production I.G., Based on the Manga By Takeshi Konomi

Premiering back in the mid-aughts, Prince of Tennis drifts away from the typical sports anime narrative. Instead of focusing on an underdog character, it tells the story of a star player, Ryouma Echizen. The young boy s the Seishun Gakuen Junior High School after moving to Japan from the West. With his presence, the team becomes a force to be reckoned with. However, despite being a great player, Ryouma wishes to become the finest tennis player in Japan and create his own legacy instead of living under his father's shadow.

The Prince of Tennis was a massive anime when it premiered in 2001, and that legacy endures even today. While the series barrows more than a few elements from classic battle shonen, they all work despite their ridiculousness. The result is a series that puts an incredibly fun spin of tennis.