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 20 Sports manga you should read right now. [2026 List]
- 20. Hajime no Ippo
- 19. Blue Lock
- 18. Ao no Hako
- 17. Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibouken
- 16. Haikyuu!!
- 15. The Boxer
- 14. Sawaranaide Kotesashi-kun
- 13. I'm Being Mistaken for a Soccer Genius
- 12. Naruto Ninden Series
- 11. Ao Ashi
- 10. Boss in School
- 9. Tetsunabe no Jan
- 8. Isshou Senkin
- 7. Slam Dunk
- 6. Syakeu
- 5. Cheonjae Midfield-ui Pass-neun Teukbyeolhada
- 4. DOGSRED
- 3. Initial D
- 2. Honoo no Tenkousei
- 1. Darwin's Game
20. 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
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. Dragon Quest: Dai no Daibouken
After the defeat of the demon lord Hadlar all of the monsters were unleashed from his evil will and moved to the island of Delmurin to live in peace. Dai is the only human living on the island. Having been raised by the kindly monster Brass, Dai's dream is to grow up to be a hero. He gets to become one when Hadlar is resurrected and the previous hero, Avan, comes to train Dai to help in the battle. But Hadlar, announcing that he now works for an even more powerful demon lord, comes to kill Avan. To save his students Avan uses a Self-Sacrifice spell to attack, but is unable to defeat Hadlar. When it seems that Dai and Avan's other student Pop are doomed a mark appears on Dai's forehead and he suddenly gains super powers and is able to fend off Hadlar. The two students then go off on a journey to avenge Avan and bring peace back to the world.
Dragon Quest: Dai's Great Adventure has finished publishing and it has 349 Chapters. It is also Known as: DRAGON QUEST -ダイの大冒険-, Dragon Quest: Dai no Daiboken, Dragon Quest: Dai's Adventure, Dragon Quest: Great Adventure of Dai, Dragon Quest: The Adventure of Dai
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?!
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!!
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. 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
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. 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
11. 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
10. Boss in School
Seth Kwon was a born fighter. But due to his promise with his mother, he decides to stop fighting, even in self-defense... Everything changes when his father dies and leaves him with a single message: "stop getting your ass kicked".
Boss in School is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Boss in School
9. Tetsunabe no Jan
Jan Akiyama, a teenage jerk of a Chinese cuisine chef who believes "cooking is about winning" battles the world iron chef style.
Tetsunabe no Jan has finished publishing and it has 249 Chapters. It is also Known as: 鉄鍋のジャン, Tetsunabe no Jan
8. 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
7. 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
6. Syakeu
Sharks don't have lungs, but they do have to breathe oxygen to survive. Instead of breathing air, though, sharks get oxygen from the water that surrounds them. So they have to move around, if they stop moving for a while, they sink into the water and die, So Sharks have to move and move constantly from birth to death. The same goes for you. If you want to survive, keep moving, then you will be the best hunter... like a shark.
Source: MU
Shark is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: Syakeu
5. 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
4. DOGSRED
The stage is the proud land of the north--Hokkaido. The year is 2010. Rou Shirakawa has just received the highest score in history at the All-Japan Junior Figure Skating Championships! But suddenly, he loses control and starts destroying the stage. He is quickly disqualified and banned from the skating world for life. Now nicknamed "the Rabid Prince," Rou ends up in Tamakomai, an ice hockey town in northern Japan. And on a hockey rink on a frozen lake, he meets the ruthless Genma brothers! Rou will soon learn of the famous Oino-kami high school and their quest to win an unprecedented 20th straight national hockey championship. And also the strong, yet beautiful battle sport--ice hockey! Change, grow, evolve! Turn defeat into victory in this red-hot redemption story!
Dogsred is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: ドッグスレッド, DOGSRED
3. 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
2. 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
1. Darwin's Game
An unknowing Sudou Kaname is invited to try out a new mysterious mobile app game called Darwin's Game, but later realizes that he's in for more than he's bargained for when he finds out that there's no way to quit the game.
Darwin's Game has finished publishing and it has 125 Chapters. It is also Known as: ダーウィンズゲーム, Darwin's Game
