Are you a basketball fan and an anime enthusiast? If so, we have the perfect list for you. We have rounded up the 14 best basketball anime series of all time so that you can indulge yourself in these thrilling and exciting sports anime.
Whether it be watching a fast-paced showcase of moves on the court or indulging in an ensemble cast of characters, these basketball anime series have it all.
From established legends to fresh faces to young stars, these series feature a diverse range of individuals striving for greatness.
You will surely experience high-stakes clashes as well as feel-good motivational stories when watching this great selection of basketball anime series. So what are you waiting for?
Take a break from your busy day and dive into one of the lists below to experience the heart-thumping thrills and exciting antics of Japan’s phenomenal casts and great storylines:
Contents
14. Onagawa Chuu Baske Bu: 5-nin no Natsu
Onagawa Chuu Baske Bu: 5-nin no Natsu is an exciting basketball-themed anime series that brings to life the thrilling game of basketball.
This series follows the story of five boys living in a small town as they come together to form their own basketball team and take on some of the most talented teams in Japan.
Despite having no formalized training or experience, these boys prove to be a formidable challenge for their opponents.
Each episode is full of intense action, drama and heartfelt moments as the group struggles to rise up from the despair and poverty brought by their city’s declining population. These characters will teach viewers about resolve, friendship, dreams and overcoming any odds.
13. Mitsu x Mitsu Drops
Following a successful launch, Mitsu x Mitsu Drops, one of the most popular basketball anime series around, has been growing in popularity over the years.
The story follows the lives of two girls, Mitsuki and Mizuki, both of whom are talented on the court but have vastly different personalities.
As they challenge each other to become better and strive to reach the ultimate heights as players and individuals alike, viewers are further captivated by their countless successes out on the court.
The character designs and plot development further complement the intense basketball action that keeps viewers hooked for every new episode.
With all its exciting plot points, stunning visuals, and astonishing basketball prowess showcased throughout all these episodes, it’s no wonder why Mitsu x Mitsu Drops is liked by so many fans today.
12. Heong-geuli Beseuteu 5
The basketball anime series “Heong-geuli Beseuteu 5” is a must-watch for anyone looking for an enjoyable sports-themed show.
With a total of 81 episodes, the series follows the fortunes of the five members of Harajuku Basketball Club as they attempt to win various tournaments and improve their skills.
At the same time, it develops the characters’ personalities and relationships with each other, presenting audiences with fascinating dynamics between them.
Motivated by their desire to become better ballers and friends, they go through numerous challenges together and uplift each other when obstacles arise.
With its dynamic plot full of comedy and emotion, in addition to its themes of friendship, hard work and determination, “Heong-geuliBeseuteu 5” provides an inspirational story that appeals to viewers from all sorts of demographic backgrounds.
From its life lessons on confidence, decision-making and cooperation, fans are sure to learn something valuable from this series no matter what age or generation they belong to.
11. Breakers
“Breakers” is a popular basketball anime series that has gained much attention since its debut. This action-packed show follows the journey of a group of street-level ballers and their quest to work together and become champions amidst various challenges.
With a memorable cast of characters, solid animation, a terrific soundtrack, and a powerful narrative, this series continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
While it incorporates recognizable elements from other similar sports anime titles, “Breakers” stands out with its unique tone and style. Even if you’re not normally into sports anime series, you’ll find yourself hooked on this gripping spectacle in no time.
“Breakers” has everything fans look for in quality storytelling – drama, humour, intrigue – all served up with intense basketball battles that are sure to leave you satisfied. It’s an unmissable experience for anyone looking for an adrenaline-filled ride.
10. Dash! Kappei
Dash! Kappei is an exciting basketball anime series about a high-school student trying to make his dreams come true.
Kappei has always dreamed of becoming a professional basketball player, but he soon finds out that the world of competitive sports is much more challenging than he had expected. He must face adversity and uncertainty as he strives to reach his goals and eventually go pro.
As he begins to understand the importance of teamwork, determination, hard work and practice, Kappei embarks upon a journey of self-improvement which takes him through breathtakingly intense matches and lessons in life which impact not only Kappei but also those around him.
Dash! Kappei is an inspiring and entertaining show that will have viewers riveted from start to finish as they follow Kappei’s adventures on the court and beyond.
9. Barangay 143
Barangay 143 is a Filipino anime series that revolves around basketball, the most popular sport in the Philippines. It follows the story of Bruno, an extraordinary streetballer from Manila’s notorious Barangay 143, on his search for fame and glory.
With strong characters and exciting storylines, Barangay 143 offers its viewers an engaging and immersive experience. Despite being set in Urban Manila, it provides viewers with a perspective on life not often shown in mainstream media.
Drawing inspiration from real-life scenarios, it brings to the screen relatable themes of friendship, family dynamics and striving for one’s dreams that resonate with its followers worldwide.
Thanks to its stunning visuals, innovative storytelling and intriguing plot twists, Barangay 143 has also become a favoured series amongst fans of anime and animation worldwide.
8. Ro-Kyu-Bu!
Unbelievably hilarious, the unique Basketball Anime Series Ro-Kyu-Bu! is sure to keep you entertained. Ro-Kyu-Bu! is about a young high school student, Subaru Hasegawa, who gets coerced into joining his school’s basketball club by the coach’s daughter Hinata.
Things get interesting when the loveable characters discover that some of its members are better at passing the time with adorable pets rather than trying their best at playing on the court. Subsequently, they come up with an amazing plan to win their first tournament.
With a plethora of lovable characters, comedy and sports altogether, this series will not only leave you laughing but will also tug your heartstrings; rest assured, it won’t let you down if you’re looking for an enjoyable watch.
7. I’ll CKBC
I’ll CKBC (Take Your Marks), a wildly popular basketball anime series, follows the story of Aya Kaminari and her journey to becoming an amazing basketball player.
Aya seems like just a regular schoolgirl, but when she joins Northern High School’s team and meets an old friend from her past, things start to get exciting.
Aya must now use her unusual talents in basketball to overcome the strongest teams in Tokyo during the toughest tournament competition – “I’ll CKBC”. Alongside Aya, we travel on an unforgettable journey filled with immense drama and thrilling suspense.
Throughout this incredible adventure, Aya overcomes obstacles such as fears, physical fatigue and inexperience but manages to gain victory in I’ll CKBC.
An attractive combination of inspiring story development and captivating visuals make CKBC one of the more popular sports anime series of its time period.
6. Buzzer Beater
Buzzer Beater is an anime series that follows the incredible basketball exploits of a ragtag group of no-hope players. Led by Takeo, their star player, they face off against the well-respected and powerful Aoba Jousai High school team.
The series focuses on the intensity of the game as Takeo, and his teammates must work together to overcome long odds and win each match.
Drawing upon themes from classic sports anime like Slam Dunk and Eyeshield 21, Buzzer Beater’s story is full of suspense, thrilling gameplay moments and engaging character development.
Fans will appreciate its twist on the traditional basketball premise – with the main characters representing several different countries, racial backgrounds and lifestyles.
As the stakes mount in each wild match, viewers will be drawn further into this high-octane tale of courage, strength and determination.
5. Dear Boys
The exhilarating drama of this classic anime goes beyond the court as it follows the lives of a young high school basketball team determined to work hard to fulfil their dream of capturing the national championship title.
Each individual character faces personal growth and journeys through various competitions with varied objectives. With its fast-paced design, dynamic camera angles, realistic action shots and stylized visual direction – Dear Boys will provide you with a thrilling experience.
4. Slam Dunk
The Basketball Anime Series “Slam Dunk” follows the incredible story of a delinquent high-school student, Hanamichi Sakuragi. Sakuragi’s journey involves joining and succeeding in the Shohoku High Basketball Team and ultimately transforming into an elite player with the ability to defeat any and all rivals.
With intense scenes of strength and courage, this heartwarming anime series has captivated audiences from around the world since its initial manga publication in 1990. Now, viewers can enjoy all of this on the small screen as well with both the anime series and movies.
The animation provides an unforgettable viewing experience that captures both fans of the original manga version and new viewers alike.
With an impressive cast of characters, each with their own unique traits that help bring out their individual personalities, this series is sure to leave anyone who watches it feeling motivated and inspired.
3. Basquash!
Basquash! is an exciting basketball-themed anime series from Japan. Unlike traditional sports anime, Basquash! Takes place in a distant future where the world has been re-defined by giant robots and basketball.
The athletic Games of BigFoot attract players from all over the world, who come to compete in giant mechanical bots called “BASQUASH”.
When Dan JD, the main character of the story, stumbles across BASQUASH and decides to join the Games of BigFoot, he discovers an exciting and thrilling world full of adventure and glitter.
With amazing graphics and a soundtrack, Basquash! is sure to satisfy any fan of sports anime. Follow Dan and his team as they bravely face off against legendary opponents in powerful aerial combat above the courts and experience the adrenaline rush first-hand like never before.
2. Kuroko No Basketball
The anime series “Kuroko no Basketball” is a fan favourite, and it continues to entice millions of viewers from around the world. Its story revolves around a high school basketball team, which is known as “The Generation of Miracles”. The team is composed of five incredibly talented players, and Kapurako Tetsuya is its sixth member.
He has the special ability to vanish from sight during games, making it difficult for opponents to locate him on the court and become successful against the team.
The anime also enjoys immense popularity owing to its inspiring and comedic elements, which, together with action-packed game scenes, make it an attractive watch.
It caters to those interested in sports or who are already engaged in basketball. The series encourages pride and camaraderie among viewers who bask in the collective success of their favourite characters.
1. Ahiru no Sora
Ahiru no Sora is an underrated gem of a basketball anime series, and it should be appreciated for its captivating story-telling and fluid animation.
Set in the high school basketball environment, this popular manga-turned-TV series follows the life of Kite Sora, a young athlete with a burning passion for basketball.
With every episode packed with riveting matches between opponents and thrilling underdog victories, it offers a unique perspective on the cutthroat world of Japanese high school basketball.
The emotionally charged storyline creates a heartwarming journey as we witness Sora grow into a capable team member who develops his own unique style of play.
Moreover, the rich characterizations of each member of the team all contribute to making Ahiru no Sora the most compelling show out there.
Conclusion
Basketball is a beloved sport all around the world, and it has inspired fans to create some amazing anime. This article explored the best basketball anime series of all time, analyzing each show and highlighting its most impressive features.
These shows have all earned their spots on this list. Each anime showcases an exciting array of characters and storylines that give viewers an immersive experience.
Through this article, you can find incredible shows to watch that implement a satisfying sense of competition with engrossing plotlines. If you’re looking for a captivating — but still light-hearted — anime, check out one of these games.
