Summary

Thebest play Zanzibar copal rivalsare the characters who hold up the innovation of any skillful sports series , as each of their action serve to drive the patch and sum depth to the principal characters . Although some will do so in the shadows , some will take to the vanguard , and either oppose the main characters straight , or serve as a factor of motivation .

Although sports anime are structured so that interview will urge for and be most excited about the lead cast , it is not a risky thing if a rival or fight back side character is well liked . It shows that apart from the primary reference , the fib and overall narrative universe is vast and not throttle to the little circle of protagonists . Of of course , the best sports anime rivals will do precisely that , and much more .

Rivals can be some of the most compelling aspects of any show , and gum anime has some of the best rivalry out there .

Split image of Kaiba looking sullen and Yugi looking surprised in Yu-Gi-Oh!

10Aomine Daiki Doesn’t Forget the Past

Kuroko’s Basketball, produced by Production I.G

Release Year :

2012

numeral of Episodes :

10 Best Ghibli-Like Anime featuring Ginko from Mushishi, Violet Evergarden, and Ancient Magus' Bride

25 ( season 1 )

Where to Stream :

Crunchyroll , Netflix , Amazon Prime Video

Solo Leveling Sung Jinwoo with his shadow soldiers behind him

InKuroko ’s hoops , an Zanzibar copal found on the manga by Fujimaki Tadatoshi , the main timeline of the story is the epoch stick to the scattering of the legendary genesis of miracles , the star players of the backup - winning Teiko Junior High who all enroll in dissimilar high school . One such player isAomine Daiki who is nicknamed " The Monster"and opposes the main character , Kuroko , the phantom sixth serviceman of Teiko . Although Aomine roleplay with villainous tendencies , he is only drill at heart , and perhaps a short arrogant , but as his character is expanded , it is shown thatAomine respect his former teammates and is rather protective of them .

determine ON Crunchyroll

9Matsuoka Rin Is a Childhood Friend Turned Enemy

Free!, produced byKyoto Animation

2013

12 ( time of year 1 )

Crunchyroll , Amazon Prime Video , YouTube

Best Sports Anime Rivals cover art featuring the casts of Haikyuu and Kuroko’s Basketball in the background and Sendoh Takeshi from Hajime no Ippo in the foreground.

The animeFree!is an original series that takes the allegedly humdrum sport of swimming and creates eternal stories and variation through the medium of aliveness . The main oppose character inFree!is Matsuoka Rin , a childhood friend and relay partner of the protagonist , Nanase Haruka . However , after a memorable relay slipstream , the elemental school protagonist drift apart after Rin loses to Haruka after challenge him to a freestyle race . The serial publication then revert to the present , where Rin has traveled to Australia and back , and attends a rival high school of Haruka ’s , resparking a dazzling contention .

8Kaiba Seto Revolutionizes The Sport of Duel Monsters

Yu-Gi-Oh!, produced by Studio Gallop

2000

224

Crunchyroll , Netflix , Hulu

Aomine Daiki from Kuroko’s Basketball.

The world sensation of the early 2000s that match the Pokémon franchise and took the reality by storm , Yu - Gb - Oh!is more than just about a affaire d’honneur monsters trading posting game . The anime ’s narrative is one that follows the independent character , Mutou Yugi , as he plays a tabletop biz that quickly move around into much more as it weaves in and out of Egyptian mythology . Although most would not considerYu - Gi - Oh!a sports anime , it exhibits all the feature article of one , from the physical exertion involved , to flame rivalries , like that between Yugi and Kaiba , possessor of the iconic Blue - Eyes White Dragon .

7Sendoh Takeshi Only Wishes For Worthy Opponents

Hajime no Ippo, produced byMadhouse

75

Crunchyroll , Amazon Prime Video

The animeHajime no Ippo , also calledFighting Spirit , is a sports masterpiece based on the manga by Morikawa Jyoji , following chief fiber Makunouchi Ippo as he faces fierce rival after rival . One such fibre who stands out from the sleep is Sendoh Takeshi , an up - and - coming bagger from west Japan who has been bored with local challenger and has coif his sight on Ippo . However , Ippo is quickly sidelined from national contest due to combat injury , andSendoh ’s perfervid spirit takes him to jaunt all the way to the East to solicit Ippo and ignite his scrap look .

Matsuoka Rin from Free standing in front of a pool.

6Midousuji Akira Is Viscous Motivation

Yowamushi Pedal, produced byTMS Entertainment

38 ( time of year 1 )

Yowamushi Pedalis an anime base on the manga by Watanabe Wataru that takes team cycle to the next spirit level . The series follows the otaku wrick bicycler , Onoda Sakamichi , as he develops his talents alongside the eccentric , but care teammates of the Sohoku High School cycle racing society . After Onoda ’s training pays off , and he at long last starts vie , one of the series ' primary opposer , Midousuji Akira , makes his appearing . Midousuji is a self - centered and ruthless character who will use any means to come through , from using his teammates as tools to exercise unorthodox cycling styles , an antithesis to Onoda ’s ideals .

5Wakamiya Shinobu Is the Queen

Chihayafuru, produced by Madhouse

2011

Wakamiya Shinobu from the animeChihayafuruis the perfect foil to the main character , Ayase Chihaya . Both women endeavor to be the best at their mutation , Karuta , a traditional Nipponese card biz free-base on verse . Despite the play ’s base upbringing , on the professional level , it is a cutthroat battle of learning ability , reaction , and animalism . Wakamiya Shinobu is a passkey of all these aspects , and is the reigning Queen , the title for the solid female player , which is Chihaya ’s ultimate end . Furthermore , Shinobu is the same age as Chihaya , and displays some similar air - head tendencies , leading to a blossoming rivalry and likely friendship .

Not many gum anime can hold a wax light to the quality of Ghibli films , but these serial are a much - watch for Miyazaki fans .

Seto Kaiba with Blue-Eyes and Obelisk in the Yu Gi Oh! anime adaptation.

4Sendoh Akira Is a Carefree Spirit

Slam Dunk, produced by Toei Animation

1993

101

In the sports Zanzibar copal masterpieceSlam Dunk , Sendoh Akira is one of the main pillar of the series that served as the basis of the entire sport anime musical genre . Sendoh is the star role player of Ryonan High School ’s basketball squad , and he just keep coming back for more , battle after engagement with the independent characters on the Shohoku team . Sendoh is a barren spirit , and acts casual on and off the motor inn with his immense puddle of talent , but when push come to shove , Sendoh will vie like no other , making him one of the most well - look at rivals inSlam Dunk .

Sendoh Takeshi from Hajime no Ippo dripping with sweat.

3Oikawa Tooru Has the Most Beautiful Serve of the Series

Haikyuu!!, produced by Production I.G.

2014

The animeHaikyuu!!is based on the manga by Furudate Haruichi , and meander a wonderful story of friendly relationship , overcoming adversity , get up , and most importantly , precise depictions of volleyball in vitality . In the west , volleyball has been traditionally categorized as a female person - dominant athletics , butHaikyuu!!shows that the burning spirit of gamy school boy can shine just as bright . The story follow Hinata Shoyo , as he expose rivals both within and outside the Karasuno High School Volleyball Club . One such rival is Oikawa Tooru , captain of the Aoba Johsai team , who has been made iconic by his unparalleled personality and beautifully revive overhaul motions .

2Nikaido Harunobu Is the Embodiment of Persistence

March Comes in Like a Lion, produced by Studio Shaft

2016

22 ( time of year 1 )

Crunchyroll , Funimation , Amazon Prime Video

Wakamiya Shinobu from Chihayafuru making a cold expression.

March come in Like a Lionis an anime about the struggle of a untested , professional shogi ( Japanese chess game ) histrion list Kiriyama Rei . The entire serial boasts a plethora of attractively animated scenes and eccentric , as rivals snip up at every corner . contender rank from manipulative middle - aged military man , to earnest children persevering to compete despite their illness . Nikaido Harunobu is a rival of Rei ’s who he ’d always omit , but as the series continues and Rei ’s heart open up , he realizes thatNikaido has been on the heels of his trace the entire clip , fight to compete despite his Nephrotic Syndrome , and longing for friendship .

1Atobe Keigo Is the King of Self-Confidence

Prince of Tennis, produced by Trans Arts

2001

178

Prince of Tennisis one of the greatest sports anime of all timeand boasts a cast like no other , including characters that mentor and fight the main character , Echizen Ryoma , to those who counterbalance the Seishun Academy Tennis Team with the design of crushing them . One such competition who hang somewhere between adversary and good scoundrel , is Atobe Keigo , a character whose boasting is surprisingly warranted . illustrious for his catch phrase , " ore - sama no bigi ni yoi na " ( be awe at the sight of my prowess),Atobe has established himself as one of the serial publication ' greatest players , and one of its most amusing personalities .

Chihayafuru Official Art featuring the three main characters surrounded by autumn leaves.

Sendoh Akira from Slam Dunk sitting on the side of the court.

Nikaido Harunobu from March Comes in Like a Lion blushing and biting her lip.