10 Best Football/Soccer Anime to Watch in 2023 (Ranked)

Football, or soccer as it is known in some countries, is one of the most popular and widely played sports in the world. It is no wonder that many anime fans also enjoy watching football anime, which combine the excitement and drama of the game with the creativity and flair of animation. Whether you are a hardcore fan of the sport or just looking for some entertainment, there is a football anime for you.

But with so many football anime out there, how do you choose which ones to watch? Well, we have done the hard work for you and ranked the 10 best football anime to watch in 2024. We have based our ranking on factors such as popularity, quality, originality, and personal preference. Of course, you may have your own opinions and preferences, so feel free to disagree or suggest your own favorites in the comments section.

Without further ado, let’s kick off the countdown!

10. Knight In The Area

Knight In The Area is a football anime that tells the story of two brothers, Kakeru and Suguru, who share a passion for football and aspire to become professional players. However, their lives take a tragic turn when Suguru dies in a car accident and Kakeru receives his heart in a transplant. Kakeru then decides to honor his brother’s memory by pursuing his dream of playing football, with the help of his childhood friend Nana and a mysterious figure who claims to be Suguru’s ghost.

Knight In The Area is a touching and inspiring football anime that deals with themes such as grief, loss, courage, and hope. It also features some thrilling and emotional matches, as well as a realistic depiction of the Japanese football scene. If you are looking for a football anime that will make you cry and cheer, Knight In The Area is a good choice.

9. Captain Tsubasa

Captain Tsubasa is a classic football anime that has been around since the 1980s and has spawned several sequels, spin-offs, and remakes. It follows the dreams and adventures of Tsubasa Ozora, a young prodigy who loves football more than anything and wants to become a world-class player. Along the way, he meets and befriends many other talented players, such as Genzo Wakabayashi, Kojiro Hyuga, and Taro Misaki, and faces various challenges and rivals, both on and off the pitch.

Captain Tsubasa is a football anime that has influenced and inspired generations of fans and players, including some real-life stars like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Zinedine Zidane. It is a fun and nostalgic football anime that showcases the passion and spirit of the game, as well as some spectacular and exaggerated moves and skills. If you are looking for a football anime that will make you feel like a kid again, Captain Tsubasa is a must-watch.

8. Giant Killing

Giant Killing is a football anime that takes a more realistic and gritty approach to the sport, focusing on the struggles and triumphs of a low-ranked team and their charismatic coach. The team is East Tokyo United (ETU), a former powerhouse that has fallen into decline and faces the threat of relegation. The coach is Takeshi Tatsumi, a former ETU star who left Japan to pursue a successful career as a manager in England. He returns to his old club with the aim of reviving its glory and proving himself as a giant killer, someone who can defeat stronger opponents with weaker resources.

Giant Killing is a football anime that appeals to fans who appreciate the tactical and strategic aspects of the game, as well as the psychological and social dynamics of a team. It also features some realistic and thrilling matches, as well as a diverse and likable cast of characters, each with their own backstory and personality. If you are looking for a football anime that will make you think and feel, Giant Killing is a great option.

7. Clean Freak! Aoyama kun

Clean Freak! Aoyama kun is a comedy football anime that revolves around a talented but germophobic player and his quirky teammates. The player is Aoyama, a handsome and skilled midfielder who is obsessed with cleanliness and hygiene. He avoids physical contact with others, wears gloves and a mask, and constantly washes his clothes and body. His teammates are a bunch of oddballs who have their own quirks and problems, such as a narcissist, a glutton, a stalker, and a cross-dresser. Together, they form the football club of Fujimi High School, where they face various hilarious and absurd situations.

Clean Freak! Aoyama kun is a football anime that does not take itself too seriously and aims to make the viewers laugh and smile. It also has some heartwarming and touching moments, as well as some decent football action, although the focus is more on the comedy than the sport. If you are looking for a football anime that will make you laugh and relax, Clean Freak! Aoyama kun is a good choice.

6. Inazuma Eleven

Inazuma Eleven is a fantasy football anime that features superpowers, aliens, and epic tournaments. It follows the adventures of Endou Mamoru, a cheerful and enthusiastic goalkeeper who loves football and wants to revive the football club of his school, Raimon Junior High. He recruits and trains various players, each with their own unique abilities and personalities, and forms the Inazuma Eleven team. Together, they participate in the Football Frontier, a national tournament that pits them against formidable opponents, some of whom are not even human.

Inazuma Eleven is a football anime that appeals to fans who enjoy watching flashy and over-the-top moves and skills, such as fireballs, lightning bolts, and giant animals. It also has a lot of action and drama, as well as some comedy and romance, making it a fun and entertaining football anime for all ages. If you are looking for a football anime that will make you gasp and cheer, Inazuma Eleven is a great option.

5. Whistle

Whistle is a motivational football anime that shows the growth and development of an underdog player and his team. The player is Shou Kazamatsuri, a short and weak boy who loves football and wants to become a professional player. He transfers to Musashi no Mori Junior High, a school with a weak football team, where he meets and befriends other players who share his passion and determination. Together, they work hard and improve their skills, facing various obstacles and challenges along the way.

Whistle is a football anime that inspires and encourages the viewers to pursue their dreams and goals, no matter how difficult or impossible they may seem. It also features some realistic and exciting matches, as well as a relatable and likable cast of characters, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. If you are looking for a football anime that will make you cry and smile, Whistle is a good choice.

4. Hungry Heart: Wild Striker

Hungry Heart: Wild Striker is a passionate football anime that explores the themes of friendship, rivalry, and love. It follows the story of Kyosuke Kano, a rebellious and hot-headed boy who quits football after being overshadowed by his older brother, Seisuke, a famous and successful player. He joins Akanegaoka High School, where he meets and falls in love with Miki, a cheerful and energetic girl who is the manager of the football club. He decides to join the club and rediscover his love for the game, while also competing with his brother and other rivals.

Hungry Heart: Wild Striker is a football anime that appeals to fans who enjoy watching emotional and dramatic matches, as well as some romance and comedy. It also features some impressive and realistic football action, as well as a memorable and charismatic cast of characters, each with their own goals and motivations. If you are looking for a football anime that will make you feel and root, Hungry Heart: Wild Striker is a great option.

3. Days

Days is a heartwarming football anime that portrays the bond and camaraderie between a novice player and a star player. The novice player is Tsukushi Tsukamoto, a shy and clumsy boy who has no talent or experience in football, but joins the football club of Seiseki High School after being invited by his friend. The star player is Jin Kazama, a talented and arrogant striker who is the ace of the team and has a reputation for being a loner. Despite their differences, they become friends and teammates, and help each other grow and improve as players and as people.

Days is a football anime that inspires and touches the viewers with its message of hard work, perseverance, and friendship. It also features some intense and thrilling matches, as well as a diverse and lovable cast of characters, each with their own personality and backstory. If you are looking for a football anime that will make you laugh and cry, Days is a good choice.

2. Aoashi

Aoashi is a new and promising football anime that follows the journey of a high school student who joins a professional club. The student is Ashito Aoi, a talented and passionate midfielder who plays for his school team in Ehime Prefecture, a rural and remote area. He catches the eye of Tatsuya Fukuda, a scout and coach of Tokyo City Esperion, a top-tier club in the J1 League. He invites Ashito to join his team and offers him a chance to pursue his dream of becoming a professional player. However, Ashito faces many challenges and hardships, such as adjusting to a new environment, competing with other players, and balancing his studies and football.

Aoashi is a football anime that captivates and excites the viewers with its realistic and detailed depiction of the Japanese football scene, as well as the struggles and joys of a young player who aims for the top. It also features some stunning and realistic football action, as well as a compelling and relatable cast of characters, each with their own ambitions and conflicts. If you are looking for a football anime that will make you admire and cheer, Aoashi is a great option.

1. Blue Lock

Blue Lock is a thrilling and intense football anime that depicts a survival game among 300 elite strikers. The game is part of a project called Blue Lock, a secret and controversial facility that aims to create the best striker in the world for the Japanese national team. The project is led by Jinpachi Ego, a ruthless and eccentric coach who believes that the only way to win is to score goals. He selects 300 high school strikers and locks them in a prison-like complex, where they have to compete against each other in teams of 11. The rules are simple: the team that scores the most goals wins, and the team that loses is eliminated. The last striker standing will be the ultimate winner and the chosen one for the national team.

Blue Lock is a football anime that shocks and intrigues the viewers with its dark and twisted premise, as well as the psychological and physical battles of the players. It also features some breathtaking and spectacular football action, as well as a diverse and fascinating cast of characters, each with their own skills and personalities. If you are looking for a football anime that will make you gasp and thrill, Blue Lock is a must-watch.

Conclusion

Football anime are a great way to enjoy the sport and the animation medium, as they offer a variety of stories, themes, and styles that cater to different tastes and preferences. Whether you are a fan of the sport or not, you can find a football anime that suits you and entertains you. We hope that this article has helped you discover some of the best football anime to watch in 2024, or at least piqued your interest in them. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your popcorn and your remote, and get ready for some amazing football anime!