Best Girls' Sports Anime

As a seasoned anime enthusiast with over two decades under my belt, I must say that these sports-themed anime series are a breath of fresh air!

Sports anime encompass a wide range of activities, such as soccer, ice skating, and volleyball. However, it’s quite common to see all-male teams in these shows, with women usually managing or providing support. Anime featuring female main characters who actively participate in sports might not be the norm, but they are commendable for breaking the mold and offering strong female leads a platform to showcase their abilities and physical prowess.

Similar to series featuring men’s teams, shows focusing on all-female squads tackle a variety of themes. Regardless of whether the games depicted in these anime are real, underappreciated, or fantastical, they underscore the fact that women’s sports have historically been undervalued and, above all, champion them. Let’s explore some of the top anime showcasing women’s sports.

7 Taisho Baseball Girls

MyAnimeList: 7.34

Best Girls' Sports Anime

Japanese Title:Taishou Yakyuu Musume
Release Date: July 3, 2009
Studio: J.C.Staff
Based On: Light Novel
Creator: Atsushi Kagurazaka
Streaming Service: HIDIVE

1925 finds me in Japan, where baseball is a recent arrival. Despite the rapid cultural and technological shifts sweeping across the nation, there’s an unspoken expectation that women should focus on household duties rather than pursuing education or leisure activities like sports. In fact, it seems as if sports are off-limits altogether for us ladies. That’s where the story of Taisho Baseball Girls unfolds – a tale of defying expectations and embracing an unlikely passion in a world that doesn’t always welcome it.

In the face of conventional mindsets, two energetic youngsters chose to establish a winning baseball team as a testament to women’s abilities beyond household chores. Facing numerous challenges due to the societal expectations of their era, they persisted in playing against male competitors and ultimately triumphed.

6 Keijo!!!!!!

MyAnimeList: 6.91

In Keijo, female competitors stand on a floating platform over water and attempt to push or knock their opponents off balance using only their lower bodies, including hips, buttocks, and chest. The victor of each round is awarded a substantial monetary prize, leading numerous young women from diverse backgrounds to apply for training at a specialized school dedicated to this unique sport.

In “Keijo!!!!!”, new school recruits compete in a unique sport on water, vying for pro status. This anime employs substantial fanservice, which sets the intense matches against a backdrop of humor and charm reminiscent of traditional sports series. Despite its unconventional premise, the show’s execution is impressive, offering viewers more than just scantily-clad characters.

5 Hanebado!

MyAnimeList: 6.84

Release Date: July 2, 2018
Studio: LIDENFILMS
Based On: Manga
Creator: Kōsuke Hamada
Streaming Service: Crunchyroll

“Hanebado!”: Anime series focusing on the sport of badminton, showcasing Nagisa Aragaki’s fierce competition with Ayano Hanesaki. Initially, Hanesaki appeared cold, ruthless, and invincible to Aragaki, spurring her to dedicate more effort towards improving her badminton skills. However, upon joining forces on their high school badminton team, a newfound mutual respect between the two competitors develops as they both grow to appreciate the game even more.

Hanebado! stands out among sports anime with its emotionally charged matches, but it also dedicates significant time to fleshing out its characters beyond their athletic pursuits, fostering a deep-seated love for the game. The series takes an unexpectedly somber turn compared to similar genre offerings, making it more of a psychological exploration than just a sports anime.

4 Iwa Kakeru! -Sport Climbing Girls-

MyAnimeList: 6.48

Release Date: October 4, 2020
Studio: Blade
Based On: Manga
Creator: Ryūdai Ishizaka
Streaming Service: Crunchyroll

Konomi Kasahara, an ardent fan of puzzle games, was unsure which club to join at high school, until she stumbled upon a rock-climbing wall. Intrigued by the concept of solving a climb, she decided to join the climbing team without any prior experience but with lots of determination.

In Iwa Kakeru! -Sport Climbing Girls-, Kasahara’s journey up the climbing wall not only leads her to forge friendships and friendly competition with those around, but what truly sets this series apart is its unique exploration of the characters’ mental strategies, demonstrating the expertise and agility required to conquer sports-related challenges.

3 Girls Und Panzer

MyAnimeList: 7.52 (Season 1)

In the anime, “Girls und Panzer,” teams of five girls engage in a tactical game using tanks known as sensha-dō. Despite the potential hazards, the specially designed tanks minimize injuries, making it a sport that even high school students can participate in. The story revolves around Miho Nishizumi, the commander of Panzer IV, due to her family’s rich history with the game and past encounters with sensha-dō. This sport is believed to boost self-confidence, making Miho’s involvement with the Panzer IV beneficial for those around her.

Girls und Panzer dives headfirst into an unusual premise, offering an engaging and extended sports series that boasts numerous seasons and films. Initially, one might presume it to be a typical CGDCT anime with tanks as a backdrop; however, after watching a few episodes, this assumption is quickly debunked as the show’s focus lies heavily on the ‘tank’ aspect.

2 Birdie Wing: Golf Girls’ Story

MyAnimeList: 7.50 (Season 1)

In secretive underworld golf betting communities, Eve is famed as the “Rainbow Bullet” due to her bold approach and skill that allows her to finish holes in just three strokes. Ready to take on any bet at the right cost, she uses the winnings to support herself and her adopted family, keeping them away from homelessness. However, Eve’s winning streak comes to an end when she encounters Aoi Amawashi, a gifted young golfer who was born into the sport and has an unyielding passion for it.

In a fresh and engaging twist on golf storytelling, “Birdie Wing: Golf Girls’ Story” elevates the sport by infusing it with rapid-fire matches that occasionally veer into the surreal, especially in its inaugural season. The bond between Eve and Aoi, marked by mutual admiration and fierce competition, forms the core of the narrative, but they are certainly not the only compelling characters. Essentially a golf-themed battle shonen, “Birdie Wing” brims with vibrant personalities boasting strong convictions and intriguing pasts, tinged with a hint of darkness.

1 Uma Musume: Pretty Derby

MyAnimeList: 7.30 (Season 1)

Initially, the show “Uma Musume: Pretty Derby” might seem like it wouldn’t be very good. After all, anime based on gacha games often fall flat, and it’s hard to imagine a compelling story about horse girls competing in derby races. However, despite these initial doubts, “Uma Musume” has not only produced three full seasons, an ONA spin-off, and a movie, but it continues to create quality content. In fact, at times, this sports anime can be truly exceptional, with season 2 being a standout example of brilliance. Essentially, the lesson here is that there’s no such thing as a bad idea, only poor execution.

Despite some consistent characters, the anime series Uma Musume regularly introduces a new main character per season, resulting in an ever-changing world that underscores the progression of time and the awareness among these girls that their opportunities are limited to reach their aspirations. The animation quality in Uma Musume remains consistently high, with each episode offering a mix of races, training, and everyday life scenes.

2024-08-30 15:25

Best Girls’ Sports Anime