As a seasoned connoisseur of both sports manga and soccer enthusiast, I must say that these two titles are quite intriguing! While each offers a unique perspective on the beautiful game, they cater to different tastes.
Worldwide, soccer (also known as football outside of the U.S.) enjoys unparalleled popularity. Each match draws crowds numbering in the thousands, while millions more tune in via television. Notably, Japan has a deep-rooted affection for soccer, which is why numerous manga creators have chosen to base their stories around this beloved sport.
These tales likewise provide an opportunity for those new to soccer to experience its essence, as numerous manga and anime over time have embodied the soul of the sport. Keeping this in mind, here are some top-notch anime and manga about soccer, ideal for enthusiasts of the game.
14 Victory Kickoff!!
MyAnimeList: 7.20 (Anime)
Victory Kickoff highlights the journey of a spirited young boy named Shou, who harbors an intense love for soccer despite his average skills on the field. A crushing blow comes when the team’s manager chooses to dissolve the soccer team, causing a significant setback in Shou’s dream of playing for a competitive squad.
After a disheartening experience that left Shou feeling powerless, he experienced a significant uplift following a match against a skilled female soccer player. This encounter ignited motivation within Shou, leading him to seek fresh talent for the team. In his pursuit of new recruits, Shou’s mental fortitude was challenged. As the narrative unfolds, Shou gradually improves at soccer, an advancement that eventually guides his team towards triumph.
13 The Knight In The Area
MyAnimeList: 7.16 (Anime) / 7.48 (Manga)
The Knight in the Neighborhood provides a glimpse into Kakeru Aizawa’s emotional odyssey. On a momentous day, Kakeru suffers a broken leg, compelling him to assume the role of a manager. Content with his position, Kakeru’s life takes an unexpected turn when he and his brother are involved in an accident. This event triggers a series of changes, as Kakeru’s brother’s heart is transplanted into him for his survival.
When Kakeru fully understands the consequences of his action, he starts feeling remorse about accepting the managerial role. Later on, he decides to pursue a career as a soccer player, aiming to fulfill his late brother’s ambition of winning the World Cup for Japan. Despite not having his brother’s innate abilities, Kakeru must put in extra effort during training compared to others.
12 Clean Freak! Aoyama Kun
MyAnimeList: 6.95 (Anime) / 7 (Manga)
In a departure from typical sports manga, the protagonist of “Clean Freak! Aoyama Kun” is less about striving for greatness on the soccer field and more about Aoyama, our main character, who has an unquenchable thirst for cleanliness. Even though he understands that soccer is a physical sport with contact, Aoyama continues to play without letup.
In a more casual and accessible manner: Aoyama plays with an understated grace; he prefers to keep things straightforward and avoid being taken down by opponents. His approach earns him many compliments, but he eventually recognizes that it’s not always effective, especially when his team is aiming for major championships. The story also delves into Aoyama’s personal growth, as he navigates the messier aspects of competitive sports and adapts to the demands of a truly epic anime sporting experience.
11 Fantasista (Manga Only)
MyAnimeList: 7.58
- Writer: Michiteru Kusaba
Fantasista is a soccer manga penned by Michiteru Kusaba. This manga commenced serialization in Weekly Shonen Sunday back in 1999 and concluded in 2004. The series garnered significant popularity, even leading to a sequel that also resonated with readers. The story primarily revolves around Teppei Sakamoto, a rural boy who harbors an immense passion for soccer. In an effort to enhance his skills, he receives training from his sister. Upon completion of the training, she encourages him to join a high school soccer team as a means to progress towards his cherished dream.
While it may not offer anything particularly groundbreaking, the series Fantasista effectively preserves a genuine atmosphere, given that Tappei is skillful yet not portrayed as a prodigy. Since the sequel to the manga concluded about a decade ago, it appears that an anime adaptation is extremely improbable; therefore, those intrigued by the story would be better off reading the manga rather than anticipating an adaption.
10 Sayonara, Football & Farewell, My Dear Cramer (Manga)
MyAnimeList: 7.03 & 7.37
- Writer: Naoshi Arakawa
In the story Goodbye, Cramer, Nozomi Onda, a dedicated soccer player, struggles with opponents who are stronger than her in official games. Despite this obstacle, she remains determined to achieve her dreams. This narrative is a continuation of Sayonara Football. Characters Sumire Suo and Midori Soshizaki enroll at Warabi Seinan High School, where they vow to enhance the school’s soccer team performance in competitions. A new coach, Naoko Nomi, joins the team, guiding them towards improvement and facing top-tier national teams.
As an ardent fan, I must share that this unique case involves two mangas, both of which have been brought to life through anime adaptations. The first, “Sayonara, Football”, was beautifully translated into a movie in 2021, paving the way for a 13-episode series based on its sequel. Regrettably, the subsequent adaptation fell short of expectations, to an extent that it fails to live up to the original material, making it less advisable as a substitute.
9 Whistle!
MyAnimeList: 7.36 (Anime) / 7.72 (Manga)
A popular manga series titled “Whistle!” by Daisuke Higuchi revolves around the ambitious Kazamatsuri Shou, a young individual with a burning desire to excel as a professional soccer player. However, his aspirations are hindered by his lack of proficiency in soccer. Yet, upon enrolling at Sakura Jousui High, he begins to hone his abilities. The encouragement and camaraderie from his teammates and friends propel him towards his cherished dream.
Initially, “Whistle!” might seem like a typical sports manga in theory, but it’s remarkably well-executed, boasting a compelling narrative progression. The characters are appealing, and the soccer matches are depicted skillfully within the manga. While the anime is okay, I’d recommend reading the manga for this series instead.
8 Days
MyAnimeList: 7.16 (Anime) / 7.59 (Manga)
Days centers around the intense personal struggle between Tsukushi and Jin, two young lads. Tsukushi is often disregarded as being talentless by those around him, while Jin is regarded as a prodigy, expected to reach great heights. Their lives intersect on a momentous day, unaware that their futures will become inextricably linked.
In the realm of sports mangas, Days forges strong friendships and begins adorably, eventually evolving into an exceptional tale with thrilling matches that keep you on the edge of your seat. The anime is passable but concludes prematurely, making it a bit challenging to wholeheartedly endorse; however, the manga maintains its quality throughout its extensive duration.
7 Hungry Heart: Wild Striker
MyAnimeList: 7.54 (Anime) / 6.86 (Manga)
A well-known anime show titled “Hungry Heart: Wild Striker” aired extensively during the early 2000s. The story revolves around Kano Kyosuke, a student from Jyoyo Orange High School. Interestingly, his older brother is a professional soccer player for A.C. Milan. His elder sibling greatly influenced Kyosuke’s life by teaching him everything about the beautiful game. As people began to draw comparisons between Kyosuke and his older brother, he lost all enthusiasm for soccer. However, upon attending Jyoyo Orange High School, a change occurred, reigniting his passion for soccer once more.
Hungry Heart: Wild Striker” stands out as an exceptional anime that surpasses its original manga, and the adaptation is widely regarded as the ultimate version. It may start off leisurely, but by halfway through, the plot gains speed, and there are touching emotional scenes too. Fans of “Captain Tsubasa” will find this series reminiscent of a spiritual successor at times.
6 Giant Killing
MyAnimeList: 7.53 (Anime) / 7.99 (Manga)
“Underdog Struggle
Instead of typically focusing solely on the players, Giant Killing uniquely spotlights managers and coaches. This shift in perspective contributes to what many consider a remarkably authentic manga about soccer. The narrative places a strong emphasis on strategy rather than individual skill or exceptional plays, distinguishing it from other seinen manga series.
The
Giant Killing
anime is fine, but the manga is superior and complete.
5 Inazuma Eleven
MyAnimeList: 7.73 (Season 1)
This story chronicles the journey of Raimon Middle School’s soccer team, which has been facing numerous challenges for quite some time. The burden of resolving these issues is placed upon the shoulders of Mamoru Endou, the present captain; yet, he quickly realizes that the task will be anything but straightforward. As Mamoru encounters Shuuya Gouenji, a highly skilled soccer player who has lost interest in the game, Mamoru remains undeterred and sets out to persuade Shuuya to rejoin the team.
Inazuma Eleven offers quite an exciting journey. Starting off modestly, the anime gradually broadens its horizons, becoming more reminiscent of a battle shonen than a typical sports anime. If you’re into energetic action and maintain a preference for a youthful, cheerful atmosphere, this ranks high among the most enjoyable soccer-themed anime.
4 Captain Tsubasa
MyAnimeList: 7.35 (1983 Anime) / 7.41 (Manga)
Once upon a time, “Captain Tsubasa” was known as the top soccer manga around, though this might not be true anymore. Regardless, both the original comic and its 1983 anime adaptation are timeless works that significantly impacted the sports genre. The story revolves around a boy named Tsubasa, who harbored ambitions of leading Japan to victory in the FIFA World Cup. From a young age, Tsubasa’s soccer skills were extraordinary enough to leave those around him awestruck. With a mentor by his side, Tsubasa embarked on an incredible soccer journey and started shining in major matches. Over the decades, the series has sold more than 80 million copies worldwide, making it one of the most successful manga series ever produced.
Presently, beginners might find it more convenient to commence with the 2018 version as it’s user-friendly and gentle on the eyes. However, it should be noted that the original piece retains much appeal, yet it’s hard to deny its advanced age.
3 Blue Lock
MyAnimeList: 8.23 (Anime) / 8.48 (Manga)
In recognizing that the Japanese National Soccer Team requires significant restructuring, the Soccer Association decides on a fresh approach by recruiting Jinpachi Ego as their coach. The newly appointed coach is convinced that the national team requires a prolific goal scorer. Consequently, he establishes a training ground where three hundred potential strikers compete against each other. Yoichi Isagi is one of the many contenders, participating in this Blue Lock competition to put his past disappointments to rest. The narrative unfolds as Isagi embarks on his quest to become the world’s greatest striker. Blue Lock, with its promising potential, could rank among the best sports manga ever produced and is a must-read for fans of soccer, manga, or both.
In essence, while both manga and anime versions of “Blue Lock” are captivating, they ask viewers to set aside most of their preconceived notions about soccer. Essentially, this is a battle shonen series that coincidentally revolves around sports, where characters frequently make extraordinary advancements mid-game that challenge logic. The story places significant emphasis on rivalries, with the protagonist often at the heart of these conflicts. This isn’t inherently problematic, but viewers seeking an in-depth exploration of soccer might not find it in “Blue Lock”.
2 Be Blues! Ao Ni Nare (Manga Only)
MyAnimeList: 7.92
- Writer: Motoyuki Tanaka
Live the Blues! Ao ni Nare revolves around a young man named Ryuu Ichijou, who aspires to play for his country’s national soccer team. Things appear to be going smoothly until an unfortunate event where he attempts to save his friend from getting hit by a car. The injuries sustained cause him to be out of action for two long years. Following the incident, Ryuu enrolls in a high school soccer club and embarks on a gradual journey towards recovery.
As “Be Blues!” concluded in the year 2022, it appears an adaptation may not be on the horizon currently. However, the manga version is exceptional, boasting strong character development and impressive visuals. There’s a compelling case to be made that this is the most authentic soccer manga available.
1 Ao Ashi
MyAnimeList: 8.17 (Anime) / 8.59 (Manga)
The story revolves around Ashito Aoi, a talented junior high soccer player, whose team spirit is abruptly shattered when he loses control and gets expelled from the team. In the wake of this incident, his team disintegrates, causing him to doubt himself. Fortunately, he encounters a coach who recognizes his abilities and extends an invitation for him to refine his skills in Tokyo.
In addition to offering thrilling soccer games (which is true for both the manga and anime), Ao Ashi focuses significantly on the characters’ lives away from the field, diving into their minds, fears, and efforts to evolve. This aspect is handled exceptionally well. When the referee blows the whistle, Ao Ashi delivers some of the genre’s most intense soccer matches, even with the occasional supernatural element.
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2024-09-25 12:25