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.
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Top 19 Sports manga you should read right now. [2026 List]
- 19. Ao Ashi
- 18. Blue Lock
- 17. Rokudenashi Blues
- 16. Yowamushi Pedal
- 15. The Boxer
- 14. I'm Being Mistaken for a Soccer Genius
- 13. Hajime no Ippo
- 12. Haikyuu!!
- 11. Eyeshield 21
- 10. Naruto Ninden Series
- 9. Cheonjae Midfield-ui Pass-neun Teukbyeolhada
- 8. Baki: New Grappler Baki
- 7. Ao no Hako
- 6. Hikaru no Go
- 5. Slam Dunk
- 4. Initial D
- 3. SKET Dance
- 2. Captain Tsubasa: Road to 2002
- 1. Grappler Baki
19. 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
18. 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
17. Rokudenashi Blues
Maeda is a new student in the Teiken High School. He stutters when he's nervous and he's rather clumsy. He gets noted immediately because he hits a teacher during the entrance ceremony. Some clubs search to enlist him as they see in him a force they can use to get even with other clubs. But Maeda is a loner and has only one dream: becoming boxing champion. His first objective is to beat the leader of the boxing club. "Rokudenashi" translates as "good for nothing".
Good-For-Nothing Blues has finished publishing and it has 422 Chapters. It is also Known as: ろくでなしBLUES, Rokudenashi Blues
16. Yowamushi Pedal
Otaku Sakamichi Onoda has just entered high school and plans to join the anime club. In middle school, Onoda didn’t have any friends with whom he could talk about anime, games, Akihabara and other otaku things, and he is hoping he can make such friends in the anime club, but he finds out it's been disbanded. In order to reestablish the club he tries to find 4 other people who would like to join.
Since he was a little boy, Onoda has ridden his mamachari–a bulky bicycle with a step-through frame mainly used for short rides, such as for casual fun or to pick up groceries–to go to Akihabara every week to check out or buy otaku things. Fellow freshman Shunsuke Imaizumi and bicyclist, while training, notices a boy (Onoda) riding his mamchari up a steep road.
Freshman and road racing cyclist, Shokichi Naruko visits Akihabara to get some Gundam plastic models for his younger brothers and meets Onoda who catches his attention because of the his cycling skill on the mamachari and later find out they go to the same school. Later on, both Naruko and Imaizumi try to convince him to join the bicycle racing club, but will he?
is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: 弱虫ペダル, Weak Pedals
15. 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
14. 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
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. 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?!
Notes:
Winner of the 61st Shogakukan Manga Award in the Shounen Category in 2017.
Includes 2 extra chapters.
Haikyu!! has finished publishing and it has 404 Chapters. It is also Known as: ハイキュー!!, Haikjú!!, Haikyu!! Chàng khổng lồ tí hon, Haikyu!! Fly High! Volleyball!, Haikyuu!!, Haikyû!! - Les As du Volley, Haikyū!!, Haikyū!! - L'asso del Volley, High Kyuu!!, HQ!!, Volleyball!!, Волейбол!, Хайкю:!!, هايكيو!!, هایکیو, ഹൈക്ക്യു!!, ไฮคิว!! คู่ตบฟ้าประทาน (SIC), ハイキュー!!, 排球!!, 排球少年!!, 하이큐!!
11. 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
10. 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
9. 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
8. Baki: New Grappler Baki
BAKI: THE SEARCH OF OUR STRONGEST HERO is the official name of the 4th saga in which Baki will find strongest enemies in his path, and the way to challenge his dad once again, and this time… To lose is to die.
Hanma Baki (named “Wild Fang” by his father) is a boy born under an unlucky star. Since the day of his birth, Baki has been rigorously training at all kinds of martial arts, strengthening himself at his father’s command. For he must obey his father’s rule that at his “coming of age” Baki surpass his own father, Hanma Yuujiro, “the most powerful creature walking on earth.” Baki’s life has been nothing but trouble. This has given Baki a wild nature and convinced him that “to be the most powerful” is his way of life. Tenacious and fearless under all adverse conditions, Baki continues his training looking for new masters and new challenges to strengthen his personality and become “the strongest man on earth.” That road is a lonely one and Baki experienced the cruelty of his sick dad in a move that would change his life forever.
Baki: New Grappler Baki has finished publishing and it has 276 Chapters. It is also Known as: バキ―NEW GRAPPLER BAKI, Baki: In Search of Our Strongest Hero
7. 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
6. Hikaru no Go
After stumbling across a haunted Go board, irresponsible Hikaru Shindo discovers that the spirit of a master player has taken up residence in his consciousness. In his pursuit of the "Divine Move," Fujiwara-no-Sai awakens in Hikaru an untapped interest and genius for the game, and soon the schoolboy is chasing his own dream--defeating the famed Go prodigy Akira Toya!
Note: There are 197 chapters total in the original release.
Hikaru no Go has finished publishing and it has 197 Chapters. It is also Known as: ヒカルの碁, Hikaru no Go
5. 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
4. Initial D
Only the fearless survive in the white-hot world of street racing, as teams take on dangerous roads in the shadow of Mt. Akina. Behind the wheel of the mysterious "Ghost of Akina" is Takumi, on his way to becoming the greatest racer ever.
Initial D has finished publishing and it has 719 Chapters. It is also Known as: 頭文字D, Kashiramoji D
3. SKET Dance
The manga focuses on the misadventures of the "Campus Support Group" or "Sket-Dan", of Kaimei Gakuen, a club devoted to solving any and all problems brought to it by the staff or student body for the general improvement of campus life. Due to its general lack of meaningful assignments and unglamorous 'group of handymen' reputation the organization is treated with widespread contempt and it is composed of only three members.
SKET Dance has finished publishing and it has 288 Chapters. It is also Known as: SKET DANCE, SKET Dance
2. Captain Tsubasa: Road to 2002
After the World Youth, Japanese players are looking for pro careers in Japan and around the world.
In order to fulfill their dream of World Cup 2002 in Korea and Japan, they must get stronger playing in various club competitions, home and abroad.
Captain Tsubasa: Road to 2002 has finished publishing and it has 144 Chapters. It is also Known as: キャプテン翼 ROAD TO 2002, Captain Tsubasa: Road to 2002
1. Grappler Baki
The story revolves around Baki Hanma and his quest to proclaim himself as the strongest grappler in the world, thus taking the title from his father. Baki also fights to gain the trust of his overly psychotic mother.
Baki the Grappler has finished publishing and it has 371 Chapters. It is also Known as: グラップラー刃牙, Grappler Baki
