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. Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray
- 19. Blue Lock
- 18. Gyugyeok Oe Hyeoltong Cheonjae
- 17. Ao no Hako
- 16. Haikyuu!!
- 15. Sawaranaide Kotesashi-kun
- 14. Slam Dunk
- 13. Hajime no Ippo
- 12. Bildeueop
- 11. Naruto Ninden Series
- 10. The Boxer
- 9. Toaru Majutsu no Index
- 8. Muscle Joseon
- 7. Karate Shoukoushi Monogatari
- 6. Ao Ashi
- 5. Double Click
- 4. Eyeshield 21
- 3. Vagrant Soldier Ares
- 2. Baby Steps
- 1. Set Up
20. Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray
Uma Musume Cinderella Gray is a spin-off title of the Uma Musume project by Cygames. It follows Oguri Cap through her time at Kasamatsu Training Center Academy and on her journey of becoming a legendary horse girl.
Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: ウマ娘 シンデレラグレイ, Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray
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. 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
17. 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 is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: アオのハコ, Ao no Hako
16. 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!!
15. 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
14. 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
13. Hajime no Ippo
Makunouchi Ippo has been bullied his entire life. Constantly running errands and being beaten up by his classmates, Ippo has always dreamed of changing himself, but never has the passion to act upon it. One day, in the midst of yet another bullying, Ippo is saved by Takamura Mamoru, who happens to be a boxer. Ippo faints from his injuries and is brought to Takamura boxing gym to recover. As he regains consciousness, he is awed and amazed at his new surroundings in the gym, though lacks confidence to attempt anything. Takamura places a photo of Ippo’s classmate on a punching bag and forces him to punch it. It is only then that Ippo feels something stir inside him and eventually asks Takamura to train him in boxing. Thinking that Ippo does not have what it takes, Takamura gives him a task deemed impossible and gives him a one week time limit. With a sudden desire to get stronger, for himself and his hard working mother, Ippo trains relentlessly to accomplish the task within the time limit. Thus Ippo’s journey to the top of the boxing world begins.
Hajime no Ippo is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: はじめの一歩, The Fighting!, Fighting Spirit, The Fighting! Ippo, Hajime no Ippo Gaiden: Naniwa Tiger
12. Bildeueop
Maru Kang was just an ordinary kid with ordinary interests, until one day his father forces him to watch a soccer game on TV, sparking an obsession with the sport. Filled with determination, he sets a new goal for himself -- to become an amazing soccer player! The only problem is, he has already been proclaimed the “King of the Losers” at his high school. Can Maru overcome the obstacles in his path and transform into a talented and successful soccer player?
Source: Webtoon
The Build Up is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: ビルドアップ
11. 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
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. Toaru Majutsu no Index
The story is set in a world where supernatural powers exist through science, and magic exists through religion.
In the story, Touma Kamijou is an ordinary high school boy with terrible academic scores and a power called Imagine Breaker. Imagine Breaker can defeat any other power, but it also undermines Kamijou's own good luck. His Imagine Breaker's immense strength is literally immeasurable, so hapless Kamijou is listed at the supernatural level of 0. He happens to meet a girl in white hanging off his window balcony. The girl says she is being chased by sorcerers, and Kamijou learns that the girl is a Church of England nun whose memories have been forcibly replaced by Index-Librorum-Prohibitorum — the 103,000 forbidden texts of the Church.
A Certain Magical Index is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: とある魔術の禁書目録, To Aru Majutsu no Kinsho Mokuroku, Toaru Majutsu no Kinsho Mokuroku, To Aru Majutsu no Inde, To Aru Majutsu no Index, A Certain Magical Index
8. Muscle Joseon
“Huh?! Kyaaaaak!!! W-Why did I suddenly become an anchovy?!!!”
He majors in food and nutrition and has a first-class certificate as a daily sports instructor, the epitome of being a fitness enthusiast, Choi Young-jik! Well, that was who he used to be…
Waking up in the body of Prince Soo-yang, the second son of King Se-jong the Great, he lost all of his bulging muscles overnight.
Young-jik was taken aback when he realized he might be able to meet King Se-jong, his father. He couldn’t contain his excitement at the thought of meeting the magnificent King Se-jong, whether or not it was a dream or reality.
H-Huh? King Se-jong… the Great😕
There sits in front of him, a chubby man who looks like he’s struggling to breathe.
King Se-jong the Great appears to be severely obese and possibly diabetic… Government officials had chronic illnesses and frail bodies… Choi Young-jik, a seasoned fitness trainer with 15 years under his belt- holding the pride of the fitness community- begins to feel a fire ignite inside him.
“Alright, shall I try spreading the fitness craze in Joseon?!”
Muscle Joseon is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Joseon musculaire, Muscle Building, Muscle Chosun, Músculo Joseon, Otot Joseon, Наращивание мышц в Чосоне, العضلات جوسون, マッスル朝鮮, 筋肉朝鮮, 肌肉朝鲜, 근육 조선, 근육조선
7. Karate Shoukoushi Monogatari
Takeru and Meo, two best friends both troubled by tragedies in their pasts, have been sweeping local junior karate tournaments as high school freshmen. But now, they set their sights on a national karate tournament. Unfortunately, the funding required to achieve their goal can only be secured if they form an official karate club at their school. Their first challenge lies in getting past the beautiful student council president Izumi Touko, who also happens to be the only daughter of the head of the biggest karate organization in the world, Koudan-kai (which is totally not Kyokushin). What plot will Touko hatch, and what price is she going to exact from them? As Takeru and Meo embark on their official karate journey which will lead them to confront their pasts, almost the entire cast of Karate Shoukoushi Kohinata Minoru makes an appearance, guiding them, and teaching them the true meaning of what it is to be a karate-ka.
The Tale of Little Lords of Karate has finished publishing and it has 63 Chapters. It is also Known as: 空手小公子物語, Karate Shoukoushi Monogatari
6. 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
5. Double Click
What happens when you lose the one thing that you were the best in the world at? Jiho Seong was once a top-ranked player in the online action game, One Sword. When the game eventually shuts down due to a lack of players, he loses all interest in competitive gaming. That is, until he finds out that his school has an e-sports club and discovers a popular team-based game called Sword Rush, which seems to be an exact copy of One Sword. With new teammates now by his side, Jiho takes another shot at rising to the top of the game!
Double Click is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Double Click
4. Eyeshield 21
Wimpy Sena Kobayakawa has been running away from bullies all his life. But when the football gear comes on, things change—Sena's speed and uncanny ability to elude big bullies just might give him what it takes to become a great high school football hero! Enjoy all the bone-crushing action and slapstick comedy that this heartwarming coming-of-age story has to offer.
Eyeshield 21 has finished publishing and it has 333 Chapters. It is also Known as: アイシールド21, Eyeshield 21
3. Vagrant Soldier Ares
The story takes place in an era similar to that of ancient Rome in a country called Chronos. It follows a group known as the Temple Mercenaries. In particular, the manhwa is about Ares, Michael and Baroona, three young warriors with mysterious pasts and surpassing skills...
has finished publishing and it has 207 Chapters. It is also Known as: 떠돌이 용병 아레스, Ares: Drifter Mercenaries
2. Baby Steps
Maruo Eiitirou (E-Chan), a first year honor student, one day decides he's unhappy with the way things are and lacks excerise. He finds a flyer for the Tennis Club and decides check it out. He's instantly captivated by it. With no prior experience and poor physical conditioning, join E-Chan as he embarks on a tennis journey using his smarts, dedication and work ethic.
Baby Steps has finished publishing and it has 462 Chapters. It is also Known as: ベイビーステップ, Baby Steps
1. Set Up
“Would you like to install this version to directly manage a volleyball team and train the players?” Secret training begins between the worst-performing professional female volleyball team and the lowest-ranking staff!
Set Up is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Set Up (Kim Mundo), Set It!
