Best Sports Manga Recommendations

Takehiko Inoue

Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Shonen, Sports

Hanamichi Sakuragi is a delinquent with a bad attitude and zero basketball experience. But after a twist of fate—and an attempt to impress a girl—he finds himself joining his high school’s basketball team. Clueless about the rules but blessed with raw athletic talent and incredible potential, Hanamichi begins to grow—not just as a player, but as a teammate. What starts as a shallow motive transforms into a burning passion for the game. Through fierce rivalries, deepening friendships, and the hunger to win, Hanamichi discovers what it truly means to give your all. “Youth can burn this bright.” A legendary sports manga that captures the thrill of competition and the beauty of chasing a dream—Slam Dunk is a powerful reminder of what it means to be passionate about something.

Tsurumaikada

Anime Adaptation, Drama, Ongoing Series, Sports

Tsukasa Akeuraji was a figure skater who had nearly given up on his dream—until the day he met a young girl who reignited his passion. Her name is Inori Ketsuzoku. Though she had never skated before, she possessed a fierce determination and limitless potential on the ice. "This girl… she might just change the world." Taking his first step into coaching, Tsukasa begins training Inori, who pushes forward with talent, grit, and unwavering effort. Together, they face crushing loneliness, self-doubt, and the weight of high expectations—overcoming each obstacle as they chase the dream of becoming medalists. More than just a sports story, Medalist is a moving tale of growth, soul, and unbreakable bonds set in the world of figure skating.

Mitsuru Adachi

Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Romance, Shonen, Sports

Touch is a coming-of-age baseball manga by Mitsuru Adachi, set at Meisei High School. The story revolves around twin brothers Tatsuya and Kazuya Uesugi, along with their childhood friend Minami Asakura. Kazuya is the golden boy—athletically gifted, academically successful, and well-liked by everyone. In contrast, Tatsuya grows up in his brother's shadow, often seen as lazy or unmotivated. However, deep down, he harbors a quiet passion for both baseball and Minami. Kazuya, determined and diligent, works hard with Minami to achieve their shared dream of reaching the Koshien, Japan’s prestigious high school baseball tournament. He rises as the team’s ace pitcher and symbol of hope. However, a tragic turn of events changes everything, propelling Tatsuya into the spotlight. He must confront his own feelings, potential, and the expectations placed on him. Touch is regarded as a legendary romantic sports manga that helped spark the nationwide boom in high school baseball fandom. With its heartfelt story, subtle emotional drama, and timeless love triangle, it remains a classic in Japanese manga history.

Yugo Kobayashi

Anime Adaptation, Ongoing Series, Shonen, Sports

Aoashi is a highly acclaimed soccer manga that follows Ashito Aoi, a passionate middle schooler from Ehime Prefecture. After a violent outburst in his final junior high match costs his team the game, Ashito falls into despair—until he crosses paths with Tatsuya Fukuda, a former midfielder for the Japan national team. Noticing Ashito’s rare ability to see the entire field from a bird’s-eye perspective, Fukuda invites him to try out for the youth team of Tokyo City Esperion FC, a prestigious J.League academy. Ashito moves to Tokyo and enters the fiercely competitive world of youth soccer, where top talents from across the country gather. Despite struggling with his lack of basic skills and tactical knowledge, he gradually grows through relentless effort, unwavering passion, and the support of his teammates and coaches. Eventually, Ashito shifts from forward to full-back, using his field vision as a unique weapon in pursuit of his ultimate dream: becoming a player who can compete on the world stage.

Tetsuro Kuromatsu

Drama, Ongoing Series, Seinen, Sports

DRAFT KING is set in the world of professional Japanese baseball, following the sharp-eyed veteran scout Gohara Ganriki and the rookie scout Kamiki as they navigate the behind-the-scenes world of scouting and draft negotiations. Gohara possesses an exceptional gift: the ability to spot a “Draft King”—a player who, regardless of their draft position, will ultimately rise to become a true star with the best career achievements. He often seeks out talent that no one else notices, from overlooked prospects to completely unknown players. The story spans high school, college, corporate league, and even independent league baseball, as Gohara’s unconventional scouting philosophy and Kamiki’s personal growth intertwine with the lives of the players, their families, and those working behind the scenes. It delves deep into the tense strategies before and after the draft, the rivalries between scouts, and the internal politics of baseball teams, offering a realistic portrayal of the sport’s off-the-field battles. While the teams and players are fictional, the manga occasionally references anecdotes about real-life stars such as Ichiro and Masumi Kuwata, adding an extra layer of authenticity that makes it a thrilling read for baseball enthusiasts and casual fans alike.

Riichiro Inagaki (Story), Yusuke Murata (Art)

Action, Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, Shonen, Sports

Eyeshield 21 is an American football manga that follows the story of Sena Kobayakawa, a timid and frequently bullied high school student. Upon entering Deimon Private High School, Sena finds himself being used as a gopher by delinquent classmates. However, thanks to the exceptional speed he developed from years of running errands and escaping bullies, his life takes a drastic turn. Recognizing Sena's lightning-fast running ability, Yoichi Hiruma—the cunning and fearsome captain of the Deimon Devil Bats football team—forces him to join the team. To keep his identity hidden and protect him from being scouted by rival teams, Hiruma gives him a helmet with a tinted visor and the codename "Eyeshield 21." Sena quickly becomes the team’s ace running back. Though initially joining under the guise of a team manager, Sena slowly grows in confidence and skill as he faces powerful rival teams and bonds with his unique teammates, including the gentle giant Ryokan Kurita, the hyper-competitive receiver Monta (Taro Raimon), and the clever strategist Yukimitsu. Through intense training, fierce matches, and team-building camps, the once-weak Deimon Devil Bats evolve into a formidable squad. From underdogs struggling with a lack of players, the team strives for greatness, setting their sights on the national championship—the Christmas Bowl—and ultimately on becoming the best in Japan. The story centers around Sena’s development as the "light-speed runner" Eyeshield 21, the high-stakes strategic battles led by Hiruma’s genius tactics, and the thrilling mix of sports passion, friendship, determination, and victory. As the story progresses, the bonds between friends and rivals grow stronger, and the dream expands from conquering Japan to taking on the world.

Hirai Ohashi

Ongoing Series, School, Shonen, Sports

The Days of Diamond follows Jiro Ayasegawa, an exceptionally talented fifth grader whose incredible baseball abilities inadvertently isolate him from his peers. Struggling with loneliness due to the overwhelming impact of his talent, Jiro joins the youth baseball team, Adachi Bambies, hoping to find friendship and acceptance. As Jiro forms deeper bonds with his teammates, his extraordinary skills once again create friction, forcing him to confront the double-edged nature of his gift. Torn between the joys and burdens of talent, Jiro navigates the challenging dynamics of friendship, teamwork, and personal identity. A heartfelt sports drama exploring the complexity of giftedness, The Days of Diamond beautifully illustrates the triumphs and trials faced by a young prodigy on and off the baseball field.

Uoto

Completed Series, Drama, Seinen, Sports

100 Meters is a sports manga centered around Togashi, a boy born with extraordinary running talent. Despite being nationally ranked first since elementary school, Togashi initially has little passion for running itself. His outlook changes when he meets Komiya, a new transfer student who, despite lacking natural talent, consistently practices running every single day. Inspired by Komiya’s unwavering effort, Togashi experiences for the first time the thrill of competition and the fear of losing. However, from junior high onward, Togashi's once-bright talent begins to fade. After experiencing a humiliating defeat against a rival, he loses his passion for running altogether. He quits track during high school but eventually returns, motivated by his friends' enthusiasm. At the national high-school championships, Togashi encounters Komiya again—and once more, he suffers defeat. Ten years later, Togashi is running professionally under a corporate sponsorship, yet struggles with injuries and faces the risk of losing his contract. Amid these difficulties, he searches deeply for meaning in running and strives for a comeback. 100 Meters passionately captures the drama of youth, exploring themes of talent versus hard work, setbacks, and redemption.

Takeshi Hinata

Anime Adaptation, Completed Series, School, Shonen, Sports

Here's the translated summary for Ahiru no Sora: Ahiru no Sora is a coming-of-age basketball manga about Sora Kurumatani, a passionate yet undersized high school basketball player. Standing just 149 cm (4’11”), Sora enrolls at Kuzuryu High School (nicknamed "Kuzu High") with a promise to his chronically ill mother—that he will win his first high school basketball tournament. Upon arrival, however, he discovers the school's basketball club has become little more than a hangout for delinquents, including the notorious Hanazono brothers, Momoharu and Chiaki, who show no interest in actually playing the sport. Through his unwavering dedication and passion for basketball, Sora gradually inspires the former players like the Hanazono brothers, along with the gifted ace Kenji "Tobi" Natsume and skillful center Kaname "Mokichi" Shigeyoshi, to rekindle their love for the game. Together, they overcome personal hardships and family issues, rebuilding the basketball club from scratch. Despite continuous setbacks and conflicts, they strive toward their ultimate dream: competing in the inter-high tournament.