What is this genre all about? Stories involving teams playing soccer aka football.
We present you the list of Soccer anime you should watch right now.
Try our anime quiz: Anime Characters Guessing Quiz/Game
Top 19 Soccer anime you should watch right now. [2026 List]
- 19. BLUE LOCK
- 18. Blue Lock VS. U-20 JAPAN
- 17. Ao Ashi
- 16. Captain Tsubasa (2018)
- 15. Aoashi 2nd Season
- 14. Blue Lock: EPISODE Nagi
- 13. Captain Tsubasa
- 12. Inazuma Eleven
- 11. Area no Kishi
- 10. Captain Tsubasa: Season 2 - Junior Youth-hen
- 9. Blue Lock (Zoku-hen)
- 8. Giant Killing
- 7. Keppeki Danshi! Aoyama-kun
- 6. Days (TV)
- 5. Detective Conan Movie 16: The Eleventh Striker
- 4. Captain Tsubasa J
- 3. Inazuma Eleven: Reloaded - Soccer no Henkaku
- 2. Inazuma Eleven Go
- 1. Forza! Hidemaru
19. BLUE LOCK
Japan’s desire for World Cup glory leads the Japanese Football Association to launch a new rigorous training program to find the national team’s next striker. Three hundred high school players are pitted against each other for the position, but only one will come out on top. Who among them will be the striker to usher in a new era of Japanese soccer?
BLUE LOCK has finished airing and it has 24 Episodes. It is also Known as: Blue Lock, ブルーロック, BLUE LOCK
18. Blue Lock VS. U-20 JAPAN
The second season of Blue Lock.
The hottest soccer matches start again as the U-20 Japan National Team makes their debut!
BLUE LOCK Season 2 has finished airing and it has 14 Episodes. It is also Known as: ブルーロック VS. U-20 JAPAN, ブルーロック第2期, Blue Lock 2nd Season
17. Ao Ashi
Ashito Aoi is a young, aspiring soccer player from a backwater town in Japan. His hopes of getting into a high school with a good soccer club are dashed when he causes an incident during a critical match for his team, which results in their loss and elimination from the tournament. Nevertheless, he catches the eye of someone important who happened to be visiting from Tokyo. How will things turn out for Ashito?
Ao Ashi has finished airing and it has 24 Episodes. It is also Known as: アオアシ, Aoashi
16. Captain Tsubasa (2018)
Captain Tsubasa is the passionate story of an elementary school student whose thoughts and dreams revolve almost entirely around the love of soccer. 11-year-old Tsubasa Oozora started playing football at a very young age, and while it was mostly just a recreational sport for his friends, for him, it developed into something of an obsession.
In order to pursue his dream to the best of his elementary school abilities, Tsubasa moves with his mother to Nankatsu city, which is well-known for its excellent elementary school soccer teams. But although he was easily the best in his old town, Nankatsu has a lot more competition, and he will need all of his skill and talent in order to stand out from this new crowd.
He encounters not only rivals, but also new friends like the pretty girl Sanae Nakazawa and the talented goalkeeper, Genzo Wakabayashi, who shares the same passion as Tsubasa, and will prove to be a treasured friend in helping him push towards his dreams. Representing Japan in the FIFA World Cup is Tsubasa’s ultimate dream, but it will take a lot more than talent to reach it.
Captain Tsubasa (2018) has finished airing and it has 52 Episodes. It is also Known as: キャプテン翼, Captain Tsubasa (2018)
15. Aoashi 2nd Season
The second season of Aoashi.
Aoashi 2nd Season has not yet aired. It will air on October 4, 2026. It is also Known as: アオアシ 第2期, Aoashi 2nd Season
14. Blue Lock: EPISODE Nagi
A movie centered on Nagi Seishirou before he enters BLUE LOCK.
My life was full of boredom. Until I met him.
“That’s a hassle.” That was second-year high schooler Nagi Seishirou’s favorite phrase as he lived his dull life. Until Reo Mikage, a classmate who dreamed of winning the World Cup, discovered Nagi’s hidden skill, inspiring him to play soccer and share his outstanding talent. Nagi is pulled into Reo's world of soccer and out of his leisurely lifestyle. What fate awaits this prodigy in BLUE LOCK? A world he’s never known.
Blue Lock the Movie -Episode Nagi- has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: ブルーロック-EPISODE 凪-, BLUELOCK: EPISODE Nagi, 劇場版 ブルーロック, BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE -EPISODE NAGI-, Blue Lock Movie
13. Captain Tsubasa
Captain Tsubasa is the passionate story of an elementary school student whose thoughts and dreams revolve almost entirely around the love of soccer. 11-year-old Tsubasa Oozora started playing soccer at a very young age, and while it was mostly just a recreational sport for his friends, for him, it developed into something of an obsession.
In order to pursue his dream to the best of his elementary school abilities, Tsubasa moves with his mother to Nankatsu city, which is well-known for its excellent elementary school soccer teams. But although he was easily the best in his old town, Nankatsu has a lot more competition, and he will need all of his skill and talent in order to stand out from this new crowd.
He encounters not only rivals, but also new friends like the pretty girl Sanae Nakazawa and the talented goalkeeper, Genzo Wakabayashi, who shares the same passion as Tsubasa, and will prove to be a treasured friend in helping him push towards his dreams. Representing Japan in the FIFA World Cup is Tsubasa’s ultimate dream, but it will take a lot more than talent to reach it.
Captain Tsubasa has finished airing and it has 128 Episodes. It is also Known as: キャプテン翼, Flash Kicker
12. Inazuma Eleven
While other schools in Japan compete for the title of being the best soccer team in the country, Raimon Middle School's soccer club, Inazuma Eleven, struggles to rise from the verge of being disbanded. The grandson of Inazuma Eleven's first generation goalkeeper and captain of the team, Mamoru Endou, takes the challenge of kicking the long neglected club back into shape. To do this, he'll need a little help and more than a little luck.
Mamoru Endou finds hope in the hands of Shuuya Gouenji, a brilliant young player who has given up on soccer. Mamoru is determined to get Shuuya and other new recruits to join his team, no matter what the cost. Is his passion and determination enough to treat the ailing club? Or is there no more hope for the team?
Inazuma Eleven has finished airing and it has 127 Episodes. It is also Known as: イナズマイレブン, Inazuma Eleven
11. Area no Kishi
Kakeru and Suguru are brothers who both have a flaming passion for soccer. However, while Suguru becomes a rising star in the Japanese youth soccer system, Kakeru decides to take on a managerial role after struggling on the field. But due to a cruel twist of fate, Kakeru ends up reevaluating the role he has chosen.
In hopes of one day being able to enter the World Cup by becoming a member of the national team, Kakeru trains harder than anyone else. He isn’t alone in this quest for glory, though. Kakeru's childhood friend, Nana, is a soccer prodigy of her own, with the wicked nickname “Little Witch”. She is a top-ranked player and is already playing for Nadeshiko Japan, the Japanese women’s national team. Nana's success gives Kakeru the extra push he needs to reach for his goals.
Soccer and adolescent fervor combine for an epic, emotional ride. Check it out for yourself in Area no Kishi!
The Knight in the Area has finished airing and it has 37 Episodes. It is also Known as: エリアの騎士, Area no Kishi
10. Captain Tsubasa: Season 2 - Junior Youth-hen
The second season of Captain Tsubasa (2018).
The International Junior Youth Tournament in Paris, France, is about to begin, and Tsubasa, Misaki, Wakabayashi, Hyuga, and Wakashimazu are ready. Japan’s team of elite players is to face off against the best the soccer world has to offer. Germany’s Schneider, France’s Pierre, Argentina’s Diaz, and Italy’s Hernandez await, along with a host of other new rivals. Let the battle begin!
Captain Tsubasa: Junior Youth Arc has finished airing and it has 39 Episodes. It is also Known as: キャプテン翼シーズン2 ジュニアユース編, Captain Tsubasa (2018) Season 2 - Junior Youth-hen, Captain Tsubasa: Jr. Youth Arc
9. Blue Lock (Zoku-hen)
Announced at the "Blue Lock Egoist Festa 2025" event: a sequel to Blue Lock VS. U-20 JAPAN.
Note: Title is provisional and subject to change when more info is announced.
Blue Lock (Zoku-hen) has not yet aired. It is also Known as: ブルーロック(続編), Blue Lock (Zoku-hen)
8. Giant Killing
East Tokyo United, ETU, has been struggling in Japan's top football league for a few years. It has taken everything they have just to avoid relegation. To make matters even worse, the fans are starting to abandon the team.
In an effort to improve their performance, ETU has hired a new coach, the slightly eccentric Tatsumi Takeshi. Tatsumi, who was considered a great football player when he was younger, abandoned the team years before but has proven himself as the manager of one of England's lower division amateur teams. The task won't be easy, the teams East Tokyo United is pitted against have bigger budgets and better players. However, Tatsumi is an expert at Giant Killing.
Giant Killing has finished airing and it has 26 Episodes. It is also Known as: ジャイアントキリング, Giant Killing
7. Keppeki Danshi! Aoyama-kun
The handsome young soccer genius named Aoyama is a Japan representative. His play style is "cleanliness." He doesn't tackle and doesn't head the ball. If he's doing a throw-in, he'll only do it if he's wearing gloves.
Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun has finished airing and it has 12 Episodes. It is also Known as: 潔癖男子！青山くん, Cleanliness Boy! Aoyama-kun
6. Days (TV)
The series is about two boys named Tsukushi and Jin. Tsukushi is a boy with no special talent or traits while Jin is considered a soccer genius. On one stormy night, Jin meets Tsukushi, and they get dragged into the world of soccer.
DAYS has finished airing and it has 24 Episodes. It is also Known as: DAYS, Days (TV)
5. Detective Conan Movie 16: The Eleventh Striker
After an interaction with J-League professional players, Conan and co watches the big match between Tokyo Spirits and Gamba Osaka, only to find out that a bomb has been planted in the stadium. It is now up to Conan once again to foil the culprit's plans and reveal his/her true identity.
Case Closed Movie 16: The Eleventh Striker has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: 劇場版 名探偵コナン 11人目のストライカー, Detective Conan Movie 16: 11 Nin-me no Striker
4. Captain Tsubasa J
The first 33 episodes are a summary of the previous series. In the first new episodes a new character, Shingo Aoi, (playing in Italy) is introduced. After that the world cup begins, this time with extraordinary, new countries like Sweden, Thailand or Uzbekistan. Unfortunately the Anime ends in the middle of the world cup after the match Japan-Uzbekistan.
Captain Tsubasa J has finished airing and it has 47 Episodes. It is also Known as: キャプテン翼Ｊ, Captain Tsubasa J
3. Inazuma Eleven: Reloaded - Soccer no Henkaku
Special prologue episode of the Inazuma Eleven: Ares no Tenbin series. It is a remake of the original Inazuma Eleven episode 27.
After defeating Zeus and becoming the Football Frontier champions, the members of Raimon return to the soccer club. Unlike episode 27, the club is not invaded by aliens. Instead, everyone congratulates the team members for their remarkable achievements.
Kidou Yuuto and Gouenji Shuuya then propose to take on the world. Hibiki Seigou comes in and, incidentially, proposes a match between Raimon and the Spanish youth league champion, Barcelona Orb.
Inazuma Eleven: Reloaded - Soccer no Henkaku has finished airing and it has 1 Episodes. It is also Known as: イナズマイレブン リローデッド ～サッカーの変革へんかく～, Inazuma Eleven: Reloaded - Reformation of Soccer
2. Inazuma Eleven Go
Tenma Matsukaze is a new student at Raimon Junior High. Due to his love for soccer, he decides to join the school soccer team, which gained its reputation after the amazing performance shown ten years earlier in the Football Frontier International, a tournament that hosts the best youth teams the world has to offer. Unfortunately, the once renowned school doesn't have the soccer spirit it once enjoyed.
This is primarily due to the fact that soccer in Japan is now controlled by a dark entity known as the "Fifth Sector." They alone decide the fate of every match, instructing teams to either win or lose. The actions of the Fifth Sector have beaten down the country’s soccer teams, who no longer have a love for the game.
Tenma and his teammates will look to shift this paradigm and fight back against their evil oppressors. Thankfully, they will not be alone in this battle, as they will get help from a group known as the "Resistance." Cheer on the boys of Inazuma Eleven Go as they fight the good fight!
Inazuma Eleven Go has finished airing and it has 47 Episodes. It is also Known as: イナズマイレブン Go, Inazuma Eleven Go
1. Forza! Hidemaru
A soccer anime with a cast of wacky animals in sports getup seems far out of its time in the early 21st century, but it was the year of the World Cup in Japan and South Korea, and the very young audience sees these tropes with fresh eyes. Hidemaru is a feisty fox; his friends include bunnies, dogs, horses, and a couple of hefty hippo girls.
Based on a manga Hidemaru the Soccer Boy by Makoto Mizobuchi, serialized in CoroCoro Comics.
Forza! Hidemaru has finished airing and it has 26 Episodes. It is also Known as: フォルツァ！ひでまる, Go for It! Hidemaru, Go for It! Mario, Forza! Hidemaru, Forza! Mario, Forutsa! Mario, Forutsa! Hidemaru
