17 Best Soccer Anime and Manga to Watch in 2024

This is a list of the best soccer anime series you can watch in 2024.

Soccer is the most popular sport around the world. So it’s no surprise it also has a significant presence in anime and manga.

The sport’s appeal lies in its ability to bring people together. It emphasizes collaboration, determination, and resilience in the face of adversity.

That’s why anime and manga have capitalized on this popularity. They’ve created engaging stories and characters centered around soccer.

But what can you watch among a sea of soccer animes out there? Which ones are worth your time?

That’s what I’ll be taking you through in this guide to the best soccer anime and manga in 2024.

On this list, you’ll find some anime classics like:

Captain Tsubasa
Blue Lock
Inazuma Eleven

Aoashi
And more!

So let’s dive straight into the list!

1. Aoashi

Genre: Sports, Drama
Year of Release: 2022

Episodes: 24
IMDB Score: 8.1/10
MyAnimeList Score: 8.19/10

Aoashi follows the story of Ashito Aoi, a junior high school student and soccer player. He’s the best player on a weak soccer team at his school.

After losing his last junior high school tournament, he meets Tatsuya Fukuda, the youth team coach at Tokyo City Esperion FC.

Impressed by Ashito’s potential, Tatsuya invites him to try out for the youth team. Fukuda has his eyes set on making Tokyo City Esperion one of the best teams in the world. And he thinks that Ashito would be a perfect piece of his jigsaw.

Ashito accepts the invitation and heads to Tokyo to face the selection exam. And subsequently, starts his journey filled with challenges and opportunities.

I love this anime because it’s grounded and has no fantastical elements. That’s why Aoashi gets the top spot on the list.

2. Blue Lock

Genre: Sports, Thriller
Year of Release: 2022
Episodes: 24

IMDB Score: 8.2/10
MyAnimeList Score: 8.27/10

Blue Lock is a unique anime that combines the excitement of soccer with the elements of a lethal game story like Squid Game.

The series follows the story of Yoichi Isagi, a high school soccer player. He’s invited to the Blue Lock program, a competition to find the best soccer striker in Japan.

The anime subverts the expectations by focusing on the cutthroat nature of the competition. You’ll see the players encouraged to betray and backstab each other to achieve their goals.

I loved its unique take and fresh perspective on the sports genre. You rarely see a soccer anime with thriller elements to it. So, Blue Lock comes a close second on the list.

3. Captain Tsubasa

Genre: Sports, Drama, Comedy
Year of Release: 1983

Episodes: 175
IMDB Score: 7.9/10
MyAnimeList Score: 7.35/10

Captain Tsubasa follows the story of an elementary school student named Tsubasa Oozora. His thoughts and dreams revolve around the love of soccer.

He starts playing soccer at a very young age. And while it’s just a recreational sport for his friends, for him, it develops into an obsession.

To pursue his dream, Tsubasa moves with his mother to Nankatsu City. Nankatsu is well-known for its excellent elementary school soccer teams.

Tsubasa was the best in his old town, but Nankatsu City has a lot more competition. So, he will need all his skill and talent to stand out from this new crowd.

Captain Tsubasa is a classic anime, which has been remade several times. It has now become an icon in the anime scene. So, if you’re a sports fan and love character-driven stories, you don’t want to miss this one.

4. Giant Killing

Genre: Sports, Drama
Year of Release: 2010
Episodes: 26

IMDB Score: 7.6/10
MyAnimeList Score: 7.53/10

Giant Killing takes a unique approach by focusing on a professional soccer team, rather than high school or youth teams.

The story revolves around the struggles of East Tokyo United (ETU), a small and weak club in Japan’s top soccer league. The club is on a losing streak and they aim to turn their misfortune around.

To achieve their goals, ETU hires Takeshi Tatsumi, an eccentric coach who implements unorthodox tactics to defeat larger clubs.

The anime delves into the realistic and gritty world of professional soccer. It showcases ETU’s journey to regain its former glory and become a competitive force in the league.

Giant Killing is a breath of fresh air in a genre filled with high school stories. If you’re a soccer fan, you’ll love this anime for its clever discussions of tactics and attention to detail.

5. Inazuma Eleven

Genre: Sports, Comedy, Family

Year of Release: 2008
Episodes: 127
IMDB Score: 8.1/10

MyAnimeList Score: 7.71/10

Inazuma Eleven is the story of a talented young goalkeeper, Endou Mamoru, who has a dream of reviving his school’s lackluster soccer team.

His school team, Inazuma Eleven, is struggling to rise from the verge of being disbanded. So, Endou takes the challenge of kicking the long-neglected club back into shape.

The series follows the team’s journey as they progress through the Asian preliminaries and face teams from all over the world.

Inazuma Eleven is a journey of self-discovery, friendship, and unyielding determination.

The series is emotional and funny, with a great plot and a wide variety of characters. The art style is also impressive, especially in the attacks.

Plus, it has a unique approach to soccer anime with the characters having special abilities. So, you’ll love Inazuma Eleven if you enjoy a pinch of fantasy in a story about friendship and teamwork.

6. Hungry Heart: Wild Striker

Genre: Sports, Comedy, Slice of Life

Year of Release: 2002
Episodes: 52
IMBD Score: 8.0/10

MyAnimeList Score: 7.55/10

Hungry Heart: Wild Striker follows the story of Kano Kyosuke, a high school student who has just transferred to Jyoyo Orange High School.

Kyosuke’s older brother, Kano Seisuke, is a famous A.C. Milan soccer player. This puts pressure on Kyosuke to grow as a soccer player at the same pace his brother did.

Living in his brother’s shadow, Kyosuke decides to abandon soccer. But the manager of Jyoyo Orange High School’s soccer team sees his potential and wants to see him return to the game.

The story of his journey to become a professional soccer player is heartwarming and motivating.

The anime also does a great job of showcasing the importance of hard work and determination in achieving your goals.

The characters are well-developed, and the relationships between them are complex and engaging.

I highly recommend Hungry Heart: Wild Striker if you’re looking for an inspiring story about soccer.

7. Whistle! (Hoissuru!)

Genre: Sports, Drama, Action
Year of Release: 2002
Episodes: 39

IMDB Score: 7.9/10
MyAnimeList Score: 7.4/10

Whistle! is a sports anime about Sho Kazamatsuri, a small and weak boy who dreams of playing soccer. But despite his lack of skills and size, he wants to become a successful soccer player.

The story follows his journey as he transfers to a new school with a reputable soccer team. At his new school, he faces challenges and learns the importance of hard work, perseverance, and teamwork.

Whistle! is a classic anime story about the protagonist’s growth and determination. But that’s also its downside. Due to this trope, it might come off as a lack of uniqueness in the plot.

But it’s a good time, especially if you’re just getting into soccer anime.

8. Days

Genre: Sports, Drama
Year of Release: 2016

Episodes: 24
IMDB Score: 7.3/10
MyAnimeList Score: 7.2/10

Days follows the story of Tsukushi Tsukamoto, a high school student. He has no athletic skills but has a strong determination to become a soccer player.

He meets Jin Kazama, a talented soccer player who got expelled from his previous school due to a fight. Together, they join the soccer club of Seiseki High School and aim to become the best team in Japan.

From the start, Days has engaging storytelling, realistic animation, and character development.

I also loved the depth in which the characters’ personalities are explored. This makes them relatable for the viewers.

So, I highly recommend Days if you enjoy character-driven stories.

9. Aoki Densetsu Shoot!

Genre: Sports, Action, Comedy
Year of Release: 1993
Episodes: 58

IMDB Score: 7.3/10
MyAnimeList Score: 7.43/10

Aoki Densetsu Shoot! is the story of Toshihiko Tanaka, who joins the same school as his idol, Yoshiharu Kubo, to play soccer with him.

But all doesn’t go as planned. His friends, Kenji and Kazuhiro, quit soccer for personal reasons. Moreover, Kubo is absent from the team due to illness.

All this makes Tanaka start losing hope of playing soccer. But as all hope seems to be lost, a girl from his childhood comes in to save the day.

The story follows their journey to rekindle their passion for soccer and get the trio back in action.

Aoki Densetsu Shoot! has lovable characters who’ll remain etched in your memory long after you’ve completed the series. It’s a classic anime that focuses on overcoming hurdles through friendship and hard work.

But the plot is pretty straightforward and might seem like you’ve watched it before.

So, while it’s a classic, you might find it a bit slow-paced at times.

10. Victory Kickoff!! (Ginga e Kickoff!!)

Genre: Sports, Drama
Year of Release: 2012

Episodes: 39
IMBD Score: 7.9/10
MyAnimeList Score: 7.21/10

Victory Kickoff!! (Ginga e Kickoff!!) follows the story of Sho Ota, a sixth-grader who wants to reassemble his disbanded soccer team.

The task seems impossible until Sho meets a female professional soccer player. Together, they go on a journey to assemble the best soccer team in the galaxy.

Ginga e Kickoff!! is a unique story of elementary school kids striving to be the best at soccer. The plot is also very ambitious with Sho striving to challenge FC Barcelona at Camp Nou with his team.

I appreciated the anime’s focus on the dreams and aspirations of young soccer players.

While the storyline may be shaky at times, Victory Kickoff!! is still a worthwhile watch.

11. Dragon League

Genre: Sports, Comedy, Adventure, Fantasy
Year of Release: 1993
Episodes: 39

IMBD Score: 7.5/10
MyAnimeList Score: 7.29/10

Dragon League is an anime about soccer but with a twist. It involves players turning into dragons!

The story follows Tokio and his father, Amon. He witnesses a soccer battle between Amon and Leon, the captain of the soccer team, the Winners. Amon loses the battle and so, Leon turns him into a miniature dragon.

So, Tokio decides to gather a team of soccer players who can transform into dragons to challenge Leon and his team.

Dragon League has a very unique concept and features some iconic soccer battles. And I know, it sounds like a serious plot. But surprisingly, Dragon League also has a good dose of comedy.

The anime’s weakness lies in its storyline and character development. They’re not as strong as other soccer anime, and the animation is also not as polished.

It’s a good anime for kids and if you want to watch something light. But if you’re looking for something with mature themes, then this one might not be for you.

12. Offside

Genre: Sports, Drama
Year of Release: 2001
Episodes: 39

MyAnimeList Score: 7.19/10

Goro Kumagaya is an established middle-school goalkeeper who wants to take his skills to the next level. For that, he aspires to enter Yokonan High School, known for its elite soccer program.

Offside follows his journey as he ends up joining a lowly-ranked school opposite Yokonan by accident.

Despite the setback, Goro meets four skilled players Shingo, Hideki, and Kazuhito Oda. And together, they strive to take Kawasaki High School football club to the top.

The series combines elements of drama and tournament-style story, which makes for an exciting viewing.

The character development in the show is also top-notch. We see Goro suffer a setback at the start, then overcome it and work with what he’s got.

If you’re a soccer fan, and love a bit of comeback story, then you’ll love watching Offside.

13. Moero! Top Striker

Genre: Sports, Drama

Year of Release: 1991
Episodes: 49
IMBD Score: 7.8/10
MyAnimeList Score: 6.7/10

Moero! Top Striker revolves around Hikaru Kikkawa, the son of a diplomat who joins the San Podesta Junior soccer team in Genoa.

He becomes frustrated being the substitute of the team, so joins a weaker team Columbus. After losing his parents in a plane crash, Hikaru is taken under the wing of former player Albert Robson.

Hikaru gets better under Robson and soon becomes the captain of his team. His aim then becomes to win the championship with Columbus.

Moero! Top Striker has an engaging storyline and character development. It also shows soccer as a unifying force that transcends national borders.

The dynamic between Hikaru, Robson, and other characters also adds depth to the narrative.

But since the anime was released in 1991, some viewers may find the animation style to be a bit dated.

But its nostalgic charm and focus on the journey of its characters still make it a worthwhile watch.

14. The Knight In The Area (Area no Kishi)

Genre: Sports, Drama, Action, Comedy
Year of Release: 2012
Episodes: 37
IMDB Score: 6.8/10
MyAnimeList Score: 7.17/10

The Knight in the Area follows the story of Kakeru Aizawa, a young boy who loves soccer.

But there’s one problem. He’s not good at it.

He has always lived in the shadow of his talented brother, Suguru. So Kakeru decides to take on a managerial role.

But after a tragic accident, Kakeru’s life changes dramatically. He’s forced to re-evaluate his decision to become a manager and decides to get back into playing soccer.

With the help of his friends, Kakeru embarks on a journey to become a successful soccer player.

The soccer action in the anime is one of the best in the industry. All the matches are also unpredictable which makes them exciting to watch.

But the character development and plot are not the best.

So, at the end of the day, it’s a good watch, but not something that you can’t afford to miss.

15. Clean Freak! Aoyama Kun (Keppeki Danshi! Aoyama-kun)

Genre: Sports, Comedy
Year of Release: 2017
Episodes: 12
IMDB Score: 6.5/10
MyAnimeList Score: 6.95/10

Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun follows Aoyama, a cleanliness-obsessed soccer prodigy who plays for Fujimi High School’s soccer team.

Despite his talent, Aoyama’s obsession with cleanliness often hinders his ability to play soccer. As the playmaker for the team, Aoyama avoids physical contact at all costs. This dynamic leads to humorous and unexpected situations.

The animation and art style of the anime fit perfectly with its theme. They’re well-polished and clean.

The comedy in the series is also well executed. But it can also become repetitive as most jokes are centered around Aoyama’s cleanliness.

Another downside is the lack of character development in the series. Aoyama feels very one-dimensional and lacks any progression throughout the series.

But if you like soccer, and are looking for a lighthearted and comedic anime, then Clean Freak! Aoyama Kun might be for you.

16. Farewell, My Dear Cramer (Sayonara Watashi no Cramer)

Genre: Sports, Drama
Year of Release: 2021
Episodes: 13
IMDB Score: 6.5/10
MyAnimeList Score: 6.09/10

Farewell, My Dear Cramer follows Sumire’s journey as she enters high school and joins the soccer team.

It’s a coming-of-age story that explores the highs and lows of high school soccer. It delves into the relationships between the players and the pressure to perform at a high level. The series also dives into the challenges students face with balancing academics and sports.

Farewell, My Dear Cramer has a realistic portrayal of soccer, which I’m a big fan of. It also focuses on the mental and emotional aspects of soccer rather than just the gameplay.

But it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. The pacing might seem slow to some viewers. I’m also not a big fan of the animation.

That’s why Farewell, My Dear Cramer doesn’t make it higher on this list.

17. Soccer Fever

Genre: Sports, History
Year of Release: 1994
Episodes: 51
IMBD Score: 6.3/10
MyAnimeList Score: 6.26/10

Soccer Fever might be the most unique entry on this list.

It isn’t a classic story-based anime. Instead, it follows Brian Thompson an ex-reporter, who takes us through the great games of the FIFA World Cup.

The series covers every World Cup from its start in 1930 to the 1994 World Cup in the USA.

On the parallel, we also get a depiction of Thompson’s life from his youth until now.

It’s a pretty simple concept. There’s not much in the way of a storyline or character development. Plus, the animation also looks old since it was released in 1994.

But if you want to relive the history of the World Cup in animated form, then why not?

Thank You For Reading

So I hope you enjoyed this list of the best soccer anime series you can watch. If you did, then do consider sharing it with fellow soccer enthusiasts.

Your support and sharing of this content can help us reach a wider audience. It can also provide valuable information to more people who share our passion for the beautiful game.

I’d also like to hear what you have to say…

What was the first soccer anime you ever watched?

Have you seen any of the anime on the list? Which one’s your favorite?

Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below right now!

And thank you for supporting Soccer Mavericks!

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