The 15 best basketball anime you need to watch at least once in your life

Basketball is a prominent sport in sports anime, right up there with baseball and soccer. High school level competition is a significant focus of basketball anime series. These convey the thrill of the hard court and, in some cases, also provide memorable plot lines and strong character development.

Even though it has basketball elements, this is typical of anime. So, if you are a basketball enthusiast, then be sure to take your popcorn and some tissues because some of these movies will have you crying.

Top 15 anime about basketball

These basketball anime on Netflix capture the excitement of the hard-court. Still, in some cases, they also offer great plot lines and excellent character development, which is typical of anime but still fun to see with basketball themes.

According to recent data analysis, here are some basketball manga you need to watch before it is too late.

15. Mitsu x Mitsu Drops (1995)

Basketball-related topics are covered in the shoujo anime Mitsu x Mitsu Drops. This strange master-slave arrangement exists at Houjou Academy. A slave, also called honey, must comply with her master’s requests. However, a honey receives a tuition exemption in exchange. Weird right?

Hagino Yuzuru has Kai Renge as a mentor in addition to being the standout basketball player for Houjou Academy. He is a student who struggles to cover his education expenses. Therefore, basketball is a standout game in this series since the loser has to give up his honey.

Basketball may be utilized as a story element in love stories like Mitsu x Mitsu Drops did in an intriguing way.

• Original Release: 6 April 2006
• Running Time: 27 minutes

14. Heong-geuli Beseuteu 5 (1995)

This 1995 Korean film demonstrates a principle that is frequently taught: teamwork is everything. A Korean star named Kim Youngwoong’s quest to become the best in the world is followed in the film.

Every big team in the nation wants Youngwoong, but he joins a squad considered a rival instead of the advice of his mentor. The sport uniquely influences several Asian countries, which is intriguing to see.

At the time, the Korean University basketball team provided their voices for the movie’s theme song, which is why Heong-geuli Beseuteu 5 caused a local stir.

• Original release: 23 December 1995
• Running time: 1 hour 30 min

13. Ro-Kyu-Bu (2013)

In the realm of manga and anime, Loli and cute girls are even more popular than giant mecha. Basically, it is the story of former basketball player Hasegawa Subaru, who quit after a bizarre scandal.

Ro-Kyu-Bu develops the notion that even if you are not permitted to play, you may still follow your dreams of playing the sport. Subaru must now impart the principles to a group of young females for them to succeed in games.

It might have less action than other anime about basketball. However, Ro-Kyu-Bu is a winner in both areas.

• Original release: 20 June 2013
• Running time: 25 minutes

12. Dash Kappei (1981-1982)

This anime was released in the 1980s and is a product of its day. Dash Kappei revolves around Kappei Sakamoto, a short player, and is backed by shameless humour.

The narrative’s main character is Kappei Sakamoto, a tremendously small high school kid (less than a meter tall) with god-like sport abilities. Although Kappei’s motivation for participating appears odd, he learned that the team’s coach wears white underwear.

Ironically, he cannot stop peering at the coach’s underwear as it becomes his worst weakness. Dash Kappei, the hilarious character who regenerates his power through underwear and wins games using weird strategies, does try to treat the sport seriously by teaching some of the words used in the game during each episode.

• Running time: Half an hour per episode
• Number of episodes: 65

11. Breakers

When discussing courage and perseverance, we must bring up Breakers. Due to its emphasis on para-athletes, Breakers is possibly the most original anime on this list. This anime depicts four sports: wheelchair basketball, Paralympic swimming, goal ball, and track.

The first episode did an excellent job of capturing the excitement of para-athletes, showcasing wheelchair basketball as the primary feature. It is a fun twist on a new kind of sport that few would consider. Undoubtedly an exciting show to see.

• Original Release: 6 October 2012
• Running Time: ‎10 hours and 50 minutes

10. Barangay 143 (2018)

In contrast to the high school basketball anime series that rule the scene, Barangay 143 is a Filipino anime that concentrates on street basketball. It dealt with the perception of street basketball from a Filipino perspective.

Bren Park, a Korean basketball player of Filipino ancestry who joins a neighbourhood street team, is the show’s focus. Bren gains additional knowledge of Filipino culture in addition to the games. Additionally, he learns how crucial it is to live your passions.

Even though Barangay 143 was created in partnership with a Filipino anime studio and TV Asahi, it does have some odd dubbing and anime peculiarities.

• Original Release: 21 October 2018/ in Netflix on 1 October 2020
• Running Time: 21 minutes

9. Buzzer Beater (2005)

Buzzer Beater is the pinnacle of basketball anime, establishing a new milestone. It has a plot that is, on the surface, quite absurd. Why limit yourself to competing against other people when you can play against aliens?

New York serves as the setting, some hundred years in the future. Hideyoshi Tanaka, a young lad, hustles other young people in street basketball games to make ends meet.

Unexpectedly selected by a professional squad, he is forced to compete against physically stronger aliens who have taken over the sport. Hideyoshi participates in the Space League with his all-human team to bring the title back to Earth.

• Running time: 25 minutes per episode
• Number of episodes: 13

8. Basquash (2009)

It should not be surprising that there is a basketball anime with robots, given Japan’s fixation with mecha. However, in contrast to Buzzer Beater, which imagines a future in which matches pit humans against aliens, Basquash imagines enormous mecha robots competing in basketball matches in massive venues.

This series has impressive anime and a wacky plot that keeps you watching, but it needs to focus on the sport more to be considered an actual anime.

• Running Time: 24 minutes per episode
• Number of episodes: 26

7. I’ll Crazy Kouzu Basketball Club (2002)

The focus of I’ll/CKBC is on two heroes who stand in for two components of the game, effort and natural skill. Akane Tachibana is very competitive, and Hitonari Hiiragi dominates opponents with his innate abilities. Despite being fierce competitors, the two elite players must now play together.

Dramatic tensions abound as the players adjust to coexisting on the floor. In equal measure, the anime combines strong emotion with a smooth action.

• Running time: half an hour per episode
• Number of episodes: 2

6. Ahiru no Sora (2019)

One of history’s most relevant storylines may be in the shonen anime Ahiru no Sora. The catch is that our guy Sora Kurumatani is petite and enthusiastic about the sport. The will to excel, however, is one quality he possesses in great quantity. The other team members pick up on Sora’s infectious attitude and inspiration.

An uplifting story of a group of players discovering their groves and overcoming their demons is featured in the anime.

• Original Release: 2 October 2019
• Running Time: 25 minutes

5. Dear Boys (Hoop Days) (2019)

Another story of underdogs turning their desire to get better into great players can be found in Dear Boys. The team’s captain of this school, Aikawa Kazuhiko, who must transfer to Mizuho High School, is the change’s impetus.

The basketball squad is in ruins when he arrives. However, the team regains its motivation and exercises toward the nationals with the assistance and direction of Aikawa Kazuhiko. The activities are fantastic, and the plot is as impressive as it gets.

• Running Time: 24 minutes per episode
• Number of episodes: 26

4. Slam Dunk: Shouhoku Saidai no Kiki! Moero Sakuragi Hanamichi (1995)

The 1995 OVA helped to confirm the reputation of Slam Dunk as one of the greatest basketball anime ever produced.

This episode concentrates, like the actual series, on the true clash of human emotions as men rise and fall. The Shohoku squad, which has just suffered a crushing loss at the hands of Kainan High, is the subject of the narrative. To improve himself, Sakuragi goes back to the drawing board.

Their subsequent match against a different heavyweight displays the team’s redemption journey. In addition, it offers a very sympathetic perspective on the highs and lows that are common in the world of the sport.

• Original Release: 4 March 1995
• Running Time: 40 min

3. Kuroko no Basuke: Last Game (2017)

Given that it is such a smash hit, Kuroko no Basket‘s last movie merits special note. With an excellent plot, it is one of the most visually stunning anime sports movies.

This movie’s plot is straightforward and is based on the Inter-High final game between Seirin and Rakuzan. For an exhibition game against some of the best high school players in the nation, Jabberwock, a brazen street ball team from the vast regions of the United States, travels to Japan.

The narrative is as simple to follow as possible, much as the main series. The Last Game‘s breathtaking action scenes, though, are what draw viewers in. For the most ardent Kuroku supporters, this film is essentially fan-service.

• Original Release: 18 March 2017.
• Running Time: 1h 31m

2. Slam Dunk (1993)

Not only is Slam Dunk one of the all-time great anime about basketball, but it completely altered how we view sports anime. Because of how accurately it simulates reality, Slam Dunk is groundbreaking.

The anime depicts the intricacies of human emotions, the unpredictability of the game, and a moving story about a bunch of outcasts on the Shohoku team discovering their true selves.

• Original Release: 16 October 1993
• Running Time: 45 minutes

1. Kuroko no Basket (2012)

Kuroko no Basuke offers several compelling reasons to watch it and is regarded as the finest basketball anime ever. Kuroko no Basuke, which relies on showy movements and special moves, defines fun. It has all the necessary components to be a successful sports anime series.

Due to his unique move, Kuroko is the sixth player for the illustrious squad. The problem is that he does not have all of the special moves. Nevertheless, Kuroko no Basuke does an excellent job of fusing fantastical elements with basketball’s everyday realities.

We now have a highly entertaining anime with amusing scenes and perfect-looking men acting irrationally on the court.

• Original Release: 7 April 2012
• Running Time: 90 minutes

Love shooting hoops but find it challenging to pull yourself away from the TV? The answers to both issues may be found in the basketball anime choices above. Fan fact is that you can find all these movies on Netflix today.

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Source: SportsBrief.com