The sports manga genre can be considered one of the media’s most popular, as showcased by how more than 60 titles belonging to it were released in the last two decades alone. But what differentiates a great sports series from the rest?
To help you answer that, as well as find a new title to fall in love with, here are the 10 best sports manga of all time, ranked.
10. Blue Lock
- By: Muneyuki Kaneshiro (Story) / Yusuke Nomura (Art)
- Demographic: Shonen
- Status: Ongoing
- Is it officially available in English? Yes
Blue Lock‘s over-the-top narrative style and novel approach to the competitive mindset within football (or soccer, if you prefer) earned it a spot on our list. The latter makes the manga feel way more like a battle shonen. But don’t get me wrong, this is not a negative point, as the similarity makes it the ideal pick for those looking for something extra and the most approachable sports title for newcomers.
The manga is about Yoichi Isagi, a forward who receives an invitation to the still-unknown Blue Lock project. The project’s objective? To nurture the world’s best striker no matter what.
9. Welcome to the Ballroom
- By: Tomo Takeuchi
- Demographic: Shonen
- Status: On hiatus
- Is it officially available in English? Yes
Following Tatara Fujita, a high schooler who finds a new meaning through the world of ballroom dancing, Welcome to the Ballroom fuses all of the technical and beloved aspects of dancing with a narrative exciting enough even for those who know nothing about it.
The manga has one of the most unique art styles within the genre, which excels at displaying motions and expressions. When reading, I often found myself returning to previously read pages just to be in awe once more or catch something I may have missed.
8. The Climber
- By: Yoshio Nabeta and Hiroshi Takano (Story) / Shinichi Sakamoto (Art)
- Demographic: Seinen
- Status: Completed
- Is it officially available in English? Not currently. Viz Media will begin its serialization in early 2025.
One of the most singular manga in our list, If I could describe The Climber in one word, it would be “visceral”. The reason for that lies in how the series —which is loosely based on the life of solo climber Kato Buntaro— excels by offering an inspiring but still brutal look at both the sport and the mind of one whose purpose lies within it. That is then paired with the photorealistic art style of Innocent’s Shinichi Sakamoto, which is capable of mesmerizing and terrifying in equal measure.
7. Eyeshield 21
- By: Riichiro Inagaki (Story) / Yusuke Murata (Art)
- Demographic: Shonen
- Status: Completed
- Is it officially available in English? Yes
The title responsible for making a wide array of readers fall in love with football, Eyeshield 21 pairs the phenomenal art style of Yusuke Murata with the heart-pounding storytelling of Riichiro Inagaki.
Sena Kobayakawa is a high school freshman who finds a purpose after joining his school’s understaffed American football club. Eyeshield 21 is highly regarded as the best American football manga ever published, given its meticulous understanding of the sport and ability to move readers with the events shown both in and out of the field.
6. Hajime no Ippo
- By: George Morikawa
- Demographic: Shonen
- Status: Ongoing
- Is it officially available in English? Yes
George Morikawa’s magnum opus, Hajime no Ippo follows high schooler Ippo Makunouchi from the moment he meets boxing to his career as a pro. Although mostly known for its action-packed fights (and don’t get me wrong, they are fantastic), the manga brings to readers an impactful story revolving around passion and hard work.
The series is also a staple of longevity and has managed to keep both its flame and quality up for more than three decades. That is even more impressive if we consider how Hajime no Ippo is currently fairly past the 1400 chapters mark.
5. Ao Ashi
- By: Yugo Kobayashi
- Demographic: Seinen
- Status: Ongoing
- Is it officially available in English? Yes
In Ao Ashi, we follow Ashito Aoi, a talented player whose life changes after meeting the former professional footballer and current manager of the Tokyo City Esperion FC Youth Team, Tatsuya Fukuda.
Featuring a way more grounded approach to football when compared to the likes of Blue Lock, the manga shines by providing a frank look at how the youth development process works. You will also find a masterclass on everything that goes around each match here. As a seinen, the manga also does not shy away from delicate subjects such as the harsh realities many looking to live off the sport have to face.
4. Haikyu!!
- By: Haruichi Furudate
- Demographic: Shonen
- Status: Completed
- Is it officially available in English? Yes
Haikyu! follows members of the Karasuno High Volleyball Club, especially Shoyo Hinata, who dreams of being a volleyball player despite his low stature. The only things Hinata has on his side are his drive and jumping power.
Considered by many as the definitive volleyball manga, the series brings to readers a complete package through an intricate cast of characters and an extremely dynamic and entertaining view of the sport as a whole. Another differential lies in his final arc, which subverts expectations to provide an even broader view of the world and the many forms volleyball can take.
3. Ashita No Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow
- By: Asao Takamori (Story) / Tetsuya Chiba (Art)
- Demographic: Shonen
- Status: Completed
- Is it officially available in English? Only the first volume of its omnibus edition
The ultimate underdog tale, Ashita No Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow follows Joe Yabuki, a young drifter who finds in boxing his passion. Joe’s story manages to perfectly encapsulate the beauty and the horrors of the sport while also delivering a raw punch that very few have been able to replicate since. Thanks to that, it’s no surprise that the manga continues to gather fans more than five decades after its conclusion.
For anime fans, the manga was the main inspiration behind Megalo Box, which was released in celebration of its 50th anniversary.
2. Real
- By: Takehiko Inoue
- Demographic: Seinen
- Status: Ongoing / Unregularly published
- Is it officially available in English? Yes
By Vagabond‘s Takehiko Inoue, Real follows former high schooler Nomiya Tomomi, wheelchair basketball player Togawa Kiyoharu, and former high school basketball star Takahashi Hisanobu as they find meaning and grow through the sport. Tacking subjects not many would even attempt to approach and showcasing realities many pretend not to see, Real brings forward a unique and deeply personal story, all while also introducing many to the world of wheelchair basketball.
1. Slam Dunk
- By: Takehiko Inoue
- Demographic: Shonen
- Status: Completed
- Is it officially available in English? Yes
Takehiko Inoue’s first hit, Slam Dunk, follows high school delinquent Sakuragi Hanamichi, who joins his school’s basketball club to earn the affection of his crush. Readers are then taken on a journey through Sakuragi and the team as he comes to terms with who he is and what exactly basketball means to him.
Considered by many as Inoue’s greatest work, Slam Dunk merges the grounded feel and excellence in art and storytelling the mangaka is known for with action-packed sequences. The result? The best sports manga of all time.
Now that you know our picks for the best sports manga, don’t forget to also check out the 8 best volleyball anime of all time.
