There are a number of great anime that have been made about a variety of sports. Naturally, that includes the sport of soccer, which is the most popular sport in the world. Soccer is not the most popular sport in Japan despite the sport’s long history. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t excellent soccer anime, as well.

Quite a few high-quality anime series about soccer have been created over the years. These anime capture the beauty and excitement of the game well. Without further ado, here are the seven best anime about soccer of all time.

Best Soccer Anime: 1. Blue Lock

Blue Lock is the newest anime on this list, but it deserves its recognition as a great anime about soccer. This anime focuses on Yoichi Isagi, a talented high school soccer play who joins the Blue Lock program in order to achieve his goal of becoming the best striker in the world. It is important to add the Blue Lock program is a training program made to create the best striker in the world.

This anime features exciting matches, high-quality animation, and interesting storylines. It is unsurprising that it has become one of the best-selling manga series of all time. Merchandise relating to it, including T-shirts, is also quite popular. The anime also received its own film in April 2024, further showcasing its popularity. Blue Lock is an excellent anime to start off our list.

2. Ao Ashi

Ao Ashi is another relatively recent anime, which aired in 2022. This anime concentrates on a character named Ashito Aoi, the star player of the junior high soccer team he is on. However, Ashito loses his temper one day and is removed from the team. His team falls apart without him but Ashito meets a coach who gives him an invitation to Tokyo to improve his skills.

There is quite a bit to like about this anime. It includes plenty of outstanding soccer matches and these keep the viewer engaged throughout the anime. However, it also explores the characters’ lives off the soccer field. Ao Ashi delves into the characters’ struggles to grow, challenges, and their mentalities. It explores all of this very well.

As a result of this, the viewer can connect with the characters on a deeper level instead of thinking about them as only soccer players. This means that viewers become more invested in the story, since they know the characters well and form an attachment to them. It is fair to say that the exploration of these characters’ lives outside of soccer is one of the best parts about the Ao Ashi anime.

However, that doesn’t mean the soccer games are lacking in this soccer anime. In fact, Ao Ashi provides exciting and intense soccer matches that capture the viewer’s attention. Viewers who want to watch entertaining soccer games will not be disappointed.

3. Captain Tsubasa

Captain Tsubasa is the oldest anime on this list, with the original anime airing in 1983. However, it remains one of the best anime in the soccer genre. Tsubasa Oozora is the main character of Captain Tsubasa and follows his story as he seeks to achieve his dream of winning the World Cup with Japan. The series showcases his growth as he works toward this dream.

Additionally, it delves into Tsubasa’s friendships, rivalries, competition, training, and the outcomes of every soccer match he is in. The original anime aired from 1983 to 1986. However, fans who might prefer a more modern animation style are in luck, since a new Captain Tsubasa anime aired from 2018-2019. Its second season aired in 2023. Captain Tsubasa is historic in that it helped popularize soccer in Japan.

Despite its age, merchandise related to the anime still sells well, particularly in Japan. Several Japanese professional soccer players have cited the anime as their inspiration for wanting to play soccer. An anime of this historical significance had to feature on the list.

Best Soccer Anime: 4. Inazuma Eleven

Inazuma Eleven revolves around the main character, Mamoru Endou, and his attempts to resolve the turmoil that has plagued Raimon Middle School’s soccer team for some time. Mamoru is the team’s captain and soon discovers the difficulty of his task. He later encounters Shuuya Gouenji, a talented soccer player who lost his interest in the sport. Mamoru begins trying to recruit him to help turn the team around.

Inazuma Eleven begins on a small scale but gradually expands its scope as the anime progresses. The soccer matches are exciting, even if they can be slightly over-the-top. The tone is also kid-friendly. Viewers who don’t mind either of these things are sure to enjoy it.

5. Giant Killing

Many soccer anime focus on the players instead of the managers, coaches, or other personnel. However, Giant Killing takes a different approach, focusing on East Tokyo United’s new manager, Tatsumi Takeshi. The club brings him in after struggling in Japan’s top soccer league for some time. Other clubs in the league have far larger budgets, so Takeshi’s task won’t be easy. Additionally, his past actions means the fans dislike him quite a bit.

Giant Killing’s focus on the manager brings more realism to the anime. It also concentrates on tactics more than an individual player’s talent or moments of magic. Viewers who want a realistic soccer anime will enjoy Giant Killing.

6. Hungry Heart: Wild Striker

Hungry Heart: Wild Striker is another one of the best soccer anime of all time. A high school student and soccer player named Kano Kyosuke takes center stage in this anime. Kyosuke has an older brother who plays for A.C. Milan, one of the most successful soccer clubs in Italy. This leads to people comparing Kyosuke to his brother, leading him to lose interest in soccer. However, he regains his love for soccer after joining Jyoyo Orange High School and dives back into the sport.

This anime features thrilling matches, emotional moments, and a well-written story. Viewers who enjoyed Captain Tsubasa will likely enjoy Hungry Heart: Wild Striker, since it comes off as a spiritual successor to Captain Tsubasa at times.

Best Soccer Anime Ever: 7. Whistle!

Whistle! is another top soccer anime, focusing on Kazamatsuri Shou, who wants to achieve his dream of playing soccer professionally. He continues working toward this goal after joining Sakura Jousui High. His friends and teammates support him as he works toward this goal. This anime features likeable characters and fun soccer games. Fans of soccer anime are sure to enjoy Whistle!