One can find many great anime about a variety of sports. This is true for the sport of boxing. Without further ado, here is our list of the 10 best boxing anime of all time.

Best Boxing Anime: 10. Joe vs. Joe

This is a lesser-known anime. However, it deserves its spot on the list. Joe vs. Joe tells the story of Joe Akamine, a professional boxer, and Joe Yuuki, a popular DJ. Joe Yuuki faces off against Joe Akamine in a boxing match and naturally loses. Afterwards, Joe Yuuki wants to fight Joe Akamine again.

Yuuki is unaware that a top-notch boxer trains Akamine. Also, the loss to Akamine devastates Yuuki’s confidence. Additionally, this anime features good characters and exciting boxing action.

9. Nozomi Witches

Ryoutaro Shiba and Nozomi Egawa are the main characters in Nozomi Witches. Also, they are new to their local high school and even live next door to each other. Nozomi discovers Ryoutaro’s outstanding vision and reflexes. She encourages him to join the school’s boxing club in order to fulfill her dream of watching her brother represent Japan in the Barcelona Olympics. Also, this anime includes a compelling story, well-written characters, and an unforgettable journey.

8. Ring ni kakero

Ring ni kakero focuses on the story of Takane Ryuji and Takane Kiku, who seek to honor their deceased father’s wish by becoming the boxing arena’s champion. Kiku works as the trainer while Ryuji is the boxer and learns the boxing style known as the Boomerang. Ryuji grows and matures as a boxer and a person as he continues to face many rivals in the boxing ring. Ring ni kakero is a story about boxing, family, and personal growth in pursuit of a goal. You will like it if you enjoy boxing anime.

Best Boxing Anime: 7. Burning Blood

Ryo Takagi takes center stage in Burning Blood as a trumpet player close to achieving great success with his band. However, Takagi is a natural-born fighter and his blood burns when he fights seriously. This is why he has the nickname ‘Burning Blood’. Ryo Takagi suffers a complete defeat when he fights the young Jin Moriyama.

This motivates Takagi to change the direction of his life. Takagi stops playing the trumpet and starts pursuing a career as a boxer. This is so that he can have a rematch with Moriyama in the boxing ring. Burning Blood is entertaining, action-packed, and fun to watch.

6. Eiji

Another lesser-known anime, Eiji follows the journey of Eiji Akagi, the second son of a legendary boxer named Keijiro Akagi. Eiji is unlike his father at first, having dropped out of high school and pursuing a career as a rock guitarist despite his lack of musical talent. Eiji hates boxing despite his father and older brother being boxers. However, this changes when he meets the little sister of the local boxing champion. Eiji is a good boxing anime that tells an interesting and compelling story.

5. Rokudenashi Blues

This 1992 anime centers around Maeda, who is new to Teiken High School. He is quite clumsy and stutters when he becomes nervous. Despite this, he draws attention to himself immediately after hitting a teacher during the entrance ceremony. This leads various clubs at Teiken High School to want to recruit him.

They do so because they view him as a way to even the score with other clubs at the school. However, Maeda is also a loner by nature and isn’t interested in the clubs at first. Rokudenashi Blues follows Maeda as he starts to take an interest in the sport of boxing.

Best Boxing Anime: 4. Genki, the Boy Champ

Genki, the Boy Champ is set in post-World War 2 Japan, specifically in Tokyo. The main character sees his father die at an amusement park’s exit because of heart failure. On the same night, his father’s opponent, named Syklon Seki, becomes the national heavyweight champion of Japan. The boy assumes that Seki is responsible for his father’s death.

As a result, the boy makes an oath to defeat Syklon Seki in the boxing ring and reign as Japan’s heavyweight champion. Genki, the Boy Champ tells a great story that you will want to watch. It is unfortunately underrated, but it deserves far more recognition and attention.

3. Megalo Box

Megalo Box is a much more recent and more appreciated boxing anime, airing from 2018-2021. It centers around Junk Dog aka “Gearless Joe” as he strives to become part of Megalonia, the most distinguished mecha boxing championship in the world. Junk Dog is an underground fighter.

This anime pays tribute to the legendary boxing anime, Ashita no Joe. Megalo Box stands apart as its own separate anime. However, it shares similarities with Ashita no Joe, such as its dark tone, great plot, and well-written characters. Anyone who enjoys Ashita no Joe will enjoy Megalo Box.

2. Hajime no Ippo

Hajime no Ippo is one of the most well-known boxing anime of all time. It tells the story of Ippo, a teenage boy with unwavering determination and a pure heart, who develops a passion for boxing after veteran boxer Takamura rescues him from bullies. Also, this anime offers great characters, funny comedy, exciting boxing action, and a compelling story. Hajime no Ippo is often considered one of the best sports anime of all time. It deserves this level of recognition.

1. Ashita no Joe

Ashita no Joe tops the list as the best boxing anime ever. Joe is a teenage orphan who lives in the slums. He meets Danpei, a former boxing trainer who is now a homeless alcoholic. Danpei recognizes that Joe has a natural talent for boxing and makes the decision to train him. Ashita no Joe is a timeless classic, with outstanding characters, a compelling plot, and excellent character development.

Additionally, Ashita no Joe provides a realistic look into the world of boxing. It set the standard for the anime about boxing that followed it. However, none have surpassed this classic.

That concludes our list of the top 10 best boxing anime.