Mohsin Lag
Today, we will be discussing a recommended list of the best anime about football that all soccer fans should watch.
Given that football is one of the most popular sports in the world, with millions of fans across the globe, it’s not surprising that anime studios have produced a plethora of soccer-themed anime series over the years.
In this article, we will explore the top 25 anime with soccer themes that you should consider watching.
25. Shoot Goal to the Future
Let’s kick off our list of the top anime about football with Shoot Goal to the Future, which is the perfect combination of football and team spirit.
This 2022 anime series follows the story of Atsushi Kamiya, a former captain at Kakegawa High School and a renowned “courageous captain” for a famous Italian soccer team.
But his life takes an exciting turn when he meets Hideto Tsuji, a student at his old high school, who isn’t quite enthusiastic about the school’s now weakened soccer team. Together, they begin a journey that leads to a legendary future.
24. Ashita e Free Kick
Ashita e Free Kick is a timeless 1992 sports anime and manga that focuses on football and the challenges that come with it.
This 52-episode anime follows the story of Shun Godai, a young boy who has a passion for soccer, but his successful businessman grandfather wants him to follow in his footsteps.
This is a good anime about soccer that will inspire you to follow your dreams no matter what, and it will leave you on the edge of your seat, wondering if Shun will pursue his dreams or fulfill his grandfather’s expectations.
23. Chao Zhi Neng Zu Qiu
For those who are looking for a good laugh, Chao Zhi Neng Zu Qiu is the perfect 2010 comedy and football anime for you.
The anime showcases the relationship between technology and sports in the 21st century. With the help of Professor GGO, a consultant in the research, GGO robotic footballers are created to enhance the design of footballs and shoes.
This anime will tickle your funny bone while also giving you a glimpse into the fascinating world of sports technology. So, if you’re a soccer fan and love a good comedy, this anime is a must-watch.
22. Goal FH
Goal FH is a 1994 sports anime that mainly focus on football and is a perfect blend of action and challenges.
The story revolves around Hikaru Tatsumura, a Brazilian soccer player who comes to Japan to fulfill his dream of becoming a great soccer player.
Despite his cheerful and easy-going nature, Tatsumura is serious and strong when it comes to soccer.
He gives a unique performance, such as doing a funny dance with his buddy after making a goal.
Tatsumura and his team will face numerous challenges as they aim for success, making it an exciting anime to watch for all soccer fans.
21. Dragon League
If you’re a fan of adventure, comedy, and fantasy, Dragon League is a 1993 football anime that you can’t miss.
The anime follows the story of Tokio and his father Amon, who visit the soccer country of Elevenia and witness a parade of the strongest soccer team in the country, the Winners. When Amon challenges the team captain, Leon, to a soccer battle and loses, Leon turns him into a miniature dragon.
To turn Amon back into a human, Tokio decides to challenge Leon in a soccer match. This anime is a perfect blend of football, adventure, and fantasy, making it an excellent choice for all anime lovers.
20. Moero Top Striker
Moero Top Striker is a 1991 anime about football that follows the story of Hikaru Kicker, a 13-year-old boy who has a passion for soccer.
Hikaru travels to Italy to learn the sport and joins a strong team at Genova before quitting to join a weak team named “Columbus” with his female friend Anna.
Despite facing numerous hardships and difficulties, Hikaru and his team gradually become stronger and defeat Margerita, one of the strongest soccer teams in Genova.
This is a nice soccer anime that showcases the importance of passion and determination in achieving one’s dreams and goals, making it an inspiring pick to watch for all football fans.
19. Shippu! Iron Leaguer
Shippu! Iron Leaguer is a mecha and football-themed anime by Sunrise studio that follows The Iron League, a place where teams of robots, under individual “owners,” play various sports and duke it out in tournaments.
Mach Windy, a member of Dark Prince, a team that doesn’t play fair, defects and joins Silver Prince, the weakest team in the league.
Together with his companions, they battle against Dark Prince in games of soccer and baseball to aim for the top.
18. Farewell, My Dear Cramer
Farewell, My Dear Cramer is a 2021 anime about women’s football in Japan. Nozomi Onda, a skilled soccer player, is convinced by her former coach to join a girls’ soccer club.
There she meets Sumire Suou, a promising rookie with exceptional talent but hindered by a team that cannot keep up with her abilities.
Along with their teammates, they display their full potential and skills on the field to ensure that women’s soccer gets back into the spotlight.
17. Fantasista Stella
Coming up, we have Fantasista Stella, which is a three-episode OVA series by studio Xebec that features soccer as the main sport.
The series aired in 2014 highlighting the story of Teppei and his teammate Keisuke Honda, who aim for the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil, displaying all the basic elements to make a sports anime.
16. Soccer Fever
Now we have Soccer Fever, which is a good classic anime that follows the life of Brian Thompson, an ex-reporter, who relives the great games of the Football World Cup from Uruguay in 1930 to the United States in 1994.
The anime also showcases spectacular players like Franz Beckenbauer, Müller Gard, Eusebio, and Pelé, and depicts Thompson’s life from his youth to the present.
The series is so good to watch as it has themes of history and teamwork.
15. Offside
Offside is a captivating sports manga and anime about soccer that tells the story of Goro Kumagaya, a talented goalkeeper who ends up in a low-ranked school’s football club after failing to enter the elite Yokonan high-school football club due to an accident.
Along with his new friends, Hideki, Shingo, and Kazuhito Oda, they form the Kawasaki High School football club and challenge any school, including Yokonan, to improve and become champions.
With each setback, they use it as an opportunity for improvement, and when Goro’s natural talent as an ace striker is discovered, it gives them an edge in their games.
14. Detective Conan Movie 16: The Eleventh Striker
Moving on we have Detective Conan Movie 16: The Eleventh Striker, a thrilling anime movie that takes place during a J. League soccer match at Touto Stadium.
Detective Kogorou Mouri receives a bomb threat and a riddle that points to the bomb’s location. Conan Edogawa must race against time to save the fans of the game and decipher another riddle to find the location of another hidden bomb set to explode at a large event in the city.
With thousands of lives at stake, Conan must use his quick thinking and clever actions to catch the culprit and evade a terrible tragedy.
13. Hungry Heart: Wild Striker
Hungry Heart: Wild Striker is a heartwarming sports anime that follows the story of Kyousuke Kano, who aspires to become a professional soccer player.
After endless comparisons to his famous brother, a midfielder in AC Milan, Kyousuke decides to quit playing soccer. However, his passion for the sport reignites when he meets a girl who forces him to coach his school’s women’s soccer team.
With his love for the game rekindled, Kyousuke aims to lead his team to the national tournament and win the hearts of many.
12. Ani x Para: Who is Your Hero?
Ani x Para: Who is Your Hero? is a collection of short episodes that were created by several animation studios including DLE, Gallop, Nippon Animation, and TMS Entertainment.
The series began airing in 2017 and continued until 2022, and it aims to showcase the beauty and appeal of para-sports to a wider audience.
The episodes cover a wide range of para-sports such as tennis, running, and soccer, and they feature various athletes who have overcome challenges to achieve their goals.
The show aims to inspire viewers to appreciate and support the Paralympics around the world.
11. Area no Kishi
Area no Kishi is a motivational anime series that follows the journey of two brothers who share a deep passion for football.
One brother becomes a star player in a youth team, while the other becomes a manager. However, the manager’s brother suddenly decides to become a soccer player himself, which changes everything.
He trains hard to become the best player he can be and dreams of one day competing in the World Cup. Along the way, he is motivated by a childhood friend who currently plays for the Japanese women’s national team.
Area no Kishi is a compelling anime that showcases the power of determination, teamwork, and passion for the sport.
10. Aoki Densetsu Shoot!
Aoki Densetsu Shoot! is a classic anime series released in the 1990s that tells the story of a high school soccer player named Toshihiko Tanaka.
Tanaka enrolls in a high school that his football idol once attended, hoping to follow in his footsteps and become a successful player.
However, Tanaka faces many challenges on his road to success, including club drama and personal setbacks.
Just when he feels like giving up, a childhood friend comes to his rescue and helps him reignite his passion for football.
Aoki Densetsu Shoot! is an entertaining and engaging soccer anime that captures the drama and excitement of high school football.
9. Victory Kickoff!
Victory Kickoff! is an inspiring anime series about soccer that follows the journey of a young boy named Shou, who dreams of playing professional football.
Shou used to be a part of a football team, but it was disbanded due to a lack of members. However, his passion for the sport is reignited when he meets a talented girl football player named Misaki.
She encourages him to form a new team and pursue his dream of becoming a professional football player. Along the way, Shou and his team face challenges and overcome obstacles, learning valuable lessons about teamwork, dedication, and perseverance.
Victory Kickoff! is a heartwarming and engaging anime series that is sure to inspire any football fan.
8. Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun
Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun is a hilarious comedy anime that revolves around the life of a high school football player named Aoyama.
Aoyama is known for his exceptional athletic skills and charming personality, but he has one unusual quirk – he is a clean freak.
Aoyama has a phobia of dirt and contamination, which makes it challenging for him to participate in a sport like football, which can be quite rough and dirty.
Despite this, Aoyama’s talent and dedication to the sport shine through, and he becomes a vital member of his team.
Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun is a unique and entertaining anime series that combines soccer with comedy and a quirky character.
7. Aoashi
Aoashi is a recent 2022 football seinen anime that has received positive reviews from the anime community.
The anime follows the story of a talented young football player named Ashito Aoi, who is determined to become the best player in the world.
However, he must overcome many obstacles and challenges to reach his goal, including tough opponents, injuries, and personal setbacks. The anime features realistic football matches, intense action, and memorable characters.
With its top-notch animation and engaging storyline, Aoashi is a must-watch anime series for any soccer fan.
6. Inazuma Eleven
Inazuma Eleven is another popular soccer anime series that follows the story of a young boy named Mamoru Endou.
Mamoru is the captain of his school’s soccer team and is determined to win the Football Frontier tournament.
Along the way, he encounters various challenges, including tough opponents and personal setbacks.
Inazuma Eleven has an engaging storyline, exciting matches, and lovable characters.
5. Days
Days is one of the newest soccer anime series that premiered in 2016. It follows the story of a high school student named Tsukushi Tsukamoto, who is not particularly athletic.
However, he becomes interested in soccer after meeting a talented player named Jin Kazama. The anime series showcases Tsukushi’s journey to becoming a skilled soccer player and his team’s quest to win the national championship.
Days is a great tv show that features great animation, likable characters, and unforgettable moments.
4. Giant Killing
Giant Killing is a great soccer anime tv show that focuses on a struggling professional football team named East Tokyo United.
The team hires a new coach named Tatsumi Takeshi, who has a reputation for turning underdog teams into champions.
Tatsumi faces many challenges as he tries to turn the team’s fortunes around, including opposition from team members and fans.
Giant Killing is a realistic and intense soccer anime that delves into the complexities of team dynamics.
3. Whistle!
Whistle! is another really good recommendation for soccer fans, because simply this a series that will make you motivated and leave you inspired.
It follows the story of a young boy named Shou Kazamatsuri. Shou is determined to become a professional soccer player and joins a new school with a strong soccer team.
However, he faces challenges from his teammates and coaches, who do not believe in his potential. Whistle! has relatable characters, exciting matches, and a compelling storyline.
2. Captain Tsubasa
Captain Tsubasa is perhaps the most well-known soccer anime series out there. This is a heartwarming tale of a young boy who has a deep love for soccer.
From a young age, 11-year-old Tsubasa Oozora has been enamored with the sport and has developed a deep passion for it.
Moving with his mother to Nankatsu city, which is known for its excellent elementary school soccer teams, Tsubasa sees this as a chance to pursue his dream of becoming the best soccer player he can be.
However, he quickly realizes that he has a lot of competition and will need to work harder than ever before to stand out from the crowd.
Despite this, Tsubasa remains determined and encounters both rivals and new friends along the way, including the talented goalkeeper Genzo Wakabayashi and the pretty girl Sanae Nakazawa, who share his passion for soccer.
Although his ultimate dream is to represent Japan in the FIFA World Cup, Tsubasa knows that it will take more than just raw talent to achieve his goal.
With the help of his friends and his own unwavering dedication, Tsubasa will do everything in his power to make his dreams a reality.
1. Blue Lock
At number 1 of the best soccer anime of all time we have Blue Lock, a recent trending anime series that has taken the world by storm.
This newly-released football anime is aimed at supporting Japan in the World Cup and has captured the attention of viewers worldwide.
The Japan national team even dons jerseys identical to those featured in the anime.
Following the story of Yoichi Isagi, a young boy who dreams of becoming the world’s best striker, Blue Lock is a shounen anime series filled with drama and excitement.
After suffering a devastating loss in a crucial high school game, Yoichi is invited to join a U-18 special project that aims to cultivate and train the best strikers in the world.
