What is this genre all about? Sports anime revolves around a recreational physical activity or skill. In addition they often adhere to certain genre conventions, the emphasis on training and practice in preparation for competition, characters desire for self improvement, and pursuit of a specific goal.
We present you the list of Sports manga you should read right now.
Try our anime quiz: Anime Characters Guessing Quiz/Game
Top 20 Sports manga you should read right now. [2026 List]
- 20. Ao Ashi
- 19. Blue Lock
- 18. Ao no Hako
- 17. Honoo no Tenkousei
- 16. Slam Dunk
- 15. Haikyuu!!
- 14. Naruto Ninden Series
- 13. I'm Being Mistaken for a Soccer Genius
- 12. Isshou Senkin
- 11. Sawaranaide Kotesashi-kun
- 10. The Boxer
- 9. Ballboy Tactics
- 8. Cheonjae Tajaga Gangsokgu-reul Sumgim
- 7. Cheonjae Midfield-ui Pass-neun Teukbyeolhada
- 6. Diamond no Ace Act II
- 5. Kokou no Hito
- 4. Home Plate's Villain
- 3. Gyugyeok Oe Hyeoltong Cheonjae
- 2. Red Blue
- 1. Hal Formula
20. Ao Ashi
Ashito Aoi, a third-year middle school student from Ehime, meets Fukuda Tatsuya, a J Youth League coach. Even though he's still rough around the edges, Ashito has such amazing potential that he gets invited by coach Fukuda to participate in his team's tryouts in Tokyo. The story of a boy who will revolutionize Japanese football begins to unfold.
Notes:
- Nominated for the 2017 Manga Taishou Award.
- Winner of the 65th Shogakukan Manga Award for the "Best General Manga" category in 2019.
Ao Ashi has finished publishing and it has 410 Chapters. It is also Known as: アオアシ, Ao Ashi
19. Blue Lock
After failing to win the World Cup, there's unrest in the Japanese Soccer community. Many of the older patrons of the sport aren't too disturbed by the lack of trophies, but newcomer Anri Teiri is furious – and she's determined to fix what she sees as the problem with Japanese players. To that end she hires maverick trainer Jinpachi Ego, who devises a strange yet rigorous plan: he takes the three hundred best young soccer players in the country, sends them to a state-of-the-art training facility, and whittles them down until he has the absolute best striker in the nation. Yoichi Isagi is one of the boys chosen for the camp. He may be number 299 out of 300, but nothing – and no one – is going to stand in his way of coming out on top.
Blue Lock is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: ブルーロック, Blue Lock
18. Ao no Hako
Taiki Inomata is on the boys' badminton team at sports powerhouse Eimei Junior and Senior High. He's in love with basketball player Chinatsu Kano, the older girl he trains alongside every morning in the gym. One Spring day, their relationship takes a sharp turn ... And thus begins this brand-new series of love, sports and youth!
Blue Box has finished publishing and it has 250 Chapters. It is also Known as: アオのハコ, Ao no Hako
17. Honoo no Tenkousei
One bright fall day, young Takisawa Noboru transfered to over to Honjakuniku High, arriving an hour after the start of classes as the principal instructed him. Everything seemd to be going fine, until the mildly overzealous hall monitor Jonichi Koichi decides to charge him with tardiness, and administer punishment...see in THIS high school, any argument can be won through sports or combat, leaving Takisawa in a bit of a pinch until the lovely Yukari steps in and saves him from making himself even later than he is. But that's just the start of Takisawa's troubles...the school tough, Ibuki Saburo, has set his sights on both mashing the new meat to a pulp, and winning the hand of Yukari away from any potential suitors...in the boxing ring! Will Takisawa be able to defeat Ibuki, win the love of Yukari, and still make it to Calculus on time? Of course, it's all in a day's work for a Blazing Transfer Student!
Honoo no Tenkousei has finished publishing and it has 118 Chapters. It is also Known as: 炎の転校生, HonoTen, Blazing Transfer Student
16. Slam Dunk
Winning isn't everything in the game of basketball, but who wants to come in second? It takes dedication and discipline to be the best, and the Shohoku High hoops team wants to be just that. They have one last year to make their captain's dream of reaching the finals come true--will they do it? Takehiko Inoue's legendary beloved basketball manga is finally here and the tale of a lifetime is in your hands.
Hanamichi Sakuragi's got no game with girls--none at all! It doesn't help that he's known for throwing down at a moment's notice and always coming out on top. A hopeless bruiser, he's been rejected by 50 girls in a row! All that changes when he meets the girl of his dreams, Haruko, and she's actually not afraid of him! When she introduces him to the game of basketball, his life is changed forever...
Included one-shot:
Volume 31: Slam Dunk: 10 Days After
Slam Dunk has finished publishing and it has 276 Chapters. It is also Known as: SLAM DUNK, Slam Dunk
15. Haikyuu!!
Ever since he saw the legendary player known as the "Little Giant" compete at the national volleyball finals, Shoyo Hinata has been aiming to be the best volleyball player ever! He decides to join the team at the high school the Little Giant went to-and then surpass him. Who says you need to be tall to play volleyball when you can jump higher than anyone else?
After losing his first and last volleyball match against Tobio Kageyama, "the King of the Court," Shoyo Hinata swears to become his rival after graduating middle school. But what happens when the guy he wants to defeat ends up being his teammate?!
Note: Includes 2 extra chapters.
Haikyu!! has finished publishing and it has 404 Chapters. It is also Known as: ハイキュー!!, Haikyuu!!
14. Naruto Ninden Series
A whole village has suddenly disappeared and in its place, there is the mountain Hyatsuki. Can the story of the "Jutsu of the moving mountains" really be true? And where is Narutos old rival Renge? Naruto's job is it to find the answers to all these questions.
Note: The novel is presented as if it were written by Jiraiya.
Naruto Ninden Series has finished publishing and it has 5 Chapters. It is also Known as: NARUTO -ナルト- 忍伝シリーズ, Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi, Naruto Dokonjou Ninden, Naruto Dojunjou Ninden, The Tale of the Utterly Purehearted Shinobi
13. I'm Being Mistaken for a Soccer Genius
Lying seems simple… until the day you’re confronted with it. The lie I once told returned to haunt me. It was the point where the misunderstandings began. But, could it be that it wasn’t a misunderstanding after all?
I'm Being Mistaken for a Soccer Genius is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: I'm Mistaken for a Soccer Genius
12. Isshou Senkin
After retiring from public fighting and getting fired from underground fighting, 27 year old Tenma Nozomi's zest for life is gradually dwindling away. It's hard to be at the bottom with nowhere to go, and that's exactly where she and her two friends are. However, Nozomi hits upon an idea that may just solve all of their problems: they could make their own underground fighting circuit for women, and tap into an underexplored market. As good as that sounds, her insistence on including the unknown quantity Hongou Hina may prove to be more than she bargained for...
ST✰R: Strike it Rich is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 一勝千金, ISSK, The Priceless Victory, Isshō Senkin, Issho Senkin, STAR: Strike it Rich
11. Sawaranaide Kotesashi-kun
Kotesashi Kouyou possesses outstanding skill as a masseur. He aspires to become a sports doctor and wants to get a scholarship in medical school. Starting spring, he attends the high school attached to Seiwa University, a sports powerhouse. Since his family is not wealthy, he has to work as a hostel manager, where he is also allowed to stay, to pay for his school expenses. There he encounters high school girl athletes with various problems. Kotesashi's job is to take care of them physically and mentally and be the hostel manager.
Don't Touch Kotesashi is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: さわらないで小手指くん, Don't Touch Me Kotesashi-kun
10. The Boxer
You’ve got the raw talent. Or you’re the underdog. But do you have the heart? Do you have what it takes? Let’s see what you’re made of. The real fight starts now!
The Boxer has finished publishing and it has 133 Chapters. It is also Known as: ザ・ボクサー, Boksör
9. Ballboy Tactics
After retiring from gymnastics, Han Jiwon thought his biggest challenges were behind him. Turns out, winning Olympic medals was easy compared to surviving university as a painfully shy ex-superstar. Enter Kwon Jungwoo—campus heartthrob, basketball star, and a whole new world of trouble wrapped up in a perfect smile. But just when Jiwon thinks he has Jungwoo figured out, he discovers a surprisingly sweet side beneath that cold exterior. Can this unlikely duo overcome their differences and stick the landing on their budding romance?
Ballboy Tactics is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Ballboy Tactics
8. Cheonjae Tajaga Gangsokgu-reul Sumgim
Kang Geon-woo, a genius major leaguer who has achieved wealth, fame, and everything. Even he could not continue his happy married life with his wife. Feeling the void left by his wife, he regrets it and returns to the past with the power of a mysterious ring. Will he be able to win love this time, having become a high school student during his innocent love days?
Cheonjae Tajaga Gangsokgu-reul Sumgim is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Genius Hitter Hits Fastball, 回到愛情本壘
7. Cheonjae Midfield-ui Pass-neun Teukbyeolhada
I see it. The flow of the game, invisible to others!
Song Yu-Jun, who loved soccer more than anyone, suddenly becomes colorblind and quits the game. Fifteen years pass, and his life ends unjustly.
"Just once... If only I could play on the field just once...!"
In that moment, he returns to 15 years ago, when he could see colors. As he prepares to kick the ball, overjoyed at being able to play again, he suddenly begins to see a strange light.
A modern sports fantasy where he transforms into a genius midfielder, seeing the various colors that reveal the flow of the game!
The Genius Midfielder's Passes Are Special is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: A Prodigy Midfielder's Pass Is Special
6. Diamond no Ace Act II
Picking up the next year after the end of the fall tournament, Seidou High School baseball team battle it out with new and old faces as they begin their tournament run at Koshien.
Ace of Diamond Act II has finished publishing and it has Chapters. It is also Known as: ダイヤのA act II, Ace of Diamond act II, Daiya no Ace act II
5. Kokou no Hito
On his first day of transferring to a new high school, a loner named Mori Buntarou, is cajoled by a classmate into climbing the school building. Despite knowing that one misstep could send him spiraling to his death, he moves forward, and upon finally reaching the top, Mori experiences a sense of fulfillment. That feeling, which seems to be telling him, "You're alive!" gives birth to an adrenaline for rock-climbing.
The Climber has finished publishing and it has 170 Chapters. It is also Known as: 孤高の人, Kokou no Hito
4. Home Plate's Villain
To meet his dead parents again, Hong Bin made a deal with the Baseball Fairy, who agreed to return him to the past if he achieved 3,000 career hits as a baseball player. And at the age of 40, Bin the baseball legend hits his last ball and goes back in time. After reuniting with his family, Bin decides to pursue his old dream of joining the major league. The only issue is that he's lost all his old skills as a pro! But will his past experiences be enough to help this legend fulfill his new goal?
Home Plate's Villain is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Le Démon du Marbre, ホームベースの魔物
3. Gyugyeok Oe Hyeoltong Cheonjae
Earth had been invaded by creatures from another dimension, and it has been a few years since peace was restored, thanks to the help of various supernatural humans that revealed themselves during this invasion. Gwangik Yu, our protagonist, was born between two supernatural parents. His father is an immortal while his mother is a transformer with exceptional physical abilities along with the power to transform into beasts. Neither parent, however, is aware of each spouse’s power and both want Gwangik to follow in their footsteps.
The Perfect Hybrid is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Genius of the Unique Lineage, Extraordinary Descent Genius
2. Red Blue
A story about the sullen Aoba Suzuki and the rising star Kenshin Akasawa making their way into the world of MMA fighting.
Red Blue is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: レッドブルー, Red Blue
1. Hal Formula
Speed and winning is all that matters in this world. After years of struggling in the competitive world of motor sports, Miharu Suzukaze is ready to give up on his dreams of being a champion racer. However, something changes when he decides to compete in one final race for his brother Haruka's sake.
Hal Formula is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: ハルフォーミュラ, Hal Formula
