The 10 Best Basketball Anime of All Time (2024 Update)

Anime and basketball might seem like an unlikely duo, but when they come together, they create a unique and exhilarating experience for viewers. The fusion of intense basketball action with the rich storytelling and dynamic character development characteristic of anime results in some truly unforgettable series.

In this article, we dive into the world of basketball anime, exploring the top 10 titles that have captivated audiences over the years. Updated for 2024, our list includes timeless classics and recent hits, ensuring that both seasoned fans and newcomers will find something to enjoy.

Whether you're a basketball enthusiast or an anime aficionado, these series offer a perfect blend of sport and story that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Let's lace up our sneakers and hit the court as we count down the best basketball anime of all time.

10. Basquash

Basquash!, a 2009 anime, throws together two seemingly opposite worlds: basketball and giant robots. On the planet Earthdash, the popular sport is Big Foot Basketball (BFB), where players pilot mecha suits called Big Foots and compete in a giant arena. Our protagonist, Dan JD, despises BFB because of an accident involving it, but his love for basketball burns bright. Along with his friends, they aim to revitalize the sport, renaming it the more exciting "Basquash" and chasing their dreams on the court (or should we say, arena).

9. Dash Kappei

Dash Kappei is a sports comedy anime from 1981. It follows Kappei Sakamoto, a super-athletic high schooler with a surprising weakness: a short stature and a fascination with girls' white undergarments. Despite this quirk, Kappei excels in every sport he tries, from basketball to ping pong. The show mixes his athletic triumphs with comedic situations, often stemming from his crush on Akane, a fellow athlete, and his rivalry with her dog, Solomon.

8. Breakers

While "Breakers" isn't your typical action-packed fighting anime, it does hold the title of a unique Basketball Anime. This short series follows the stories of four paraplegic athletes who compete in wheelchair basketball, goalball, swimming, and athletics. It sheds light on the determination and perseverance required in these sports, offering a heartwarming and inspiring look at the world of para-athletics.

7. I’ll/ CKBC

I'll/CKBC is a basketball anime that follows the story of Hiroto Hiuragi, a high school student who rediscovers his passion for the sport after meeting the talented Aoi Tachibana. Despite initially considering quitting due to family pressure, Hiuragi joins the basketball club at Kozou High School. Alongside his new teammates, Hiuragi strives to forge his own path in basketball, fueled by his rekindled love for the game.

6. Buzzer Beater

Buzzer Beater is a sci-fi basketball anime by the renowned manga creator Takehiko Inoue, known for his earlier basketball hit "Slam Dunk." This series takes a futuristic twist on the sport. In a world where basketball has been outlawed on Earth, the story follows a young man named Hideyoshi who dreams of playing the game. He gets a chance to compete when he's recruited for a team in the space league, facing off against talented players from different planets. "Buzzer Beater" combines high-stakes space action with the intensity and teamwork of competitive basketball.

5. Ro-Kyu-Bu!

Ro-Kyu-Bu! is a light novel series that follows a high school student who gets roped into coaching a struggling elementary school girls' basketball team. While the anime features comedic elements and lighthearted moments of the girls' lives, it also delves into themes of teamwork, perseverance, and the challenges faced by a young sports team. However, it's important to note that the series contains fanservice elements that focus on the young girls, which may not be suitable for all audiences.

4. Dear Boys

Dear Boys is a classic basketball anime that follows the journey of the struggling Mizuho High School basketball team. Enter Aikawa Kazuhiko, a talented and passionate transfer student with a mission to reignite the team's fire. Aikawa must not only rebuild their skills but also rekindle their love for the game. "Dear Boys" is a heartwarming underdog story that captures the intensity and teamwork essential to the sport, making it a must-watch for any basketball anime fan.

3. Ahiru No Sora

Ahiru no Sora is a heartwarming basketball anime that follows the story of Sora Kurumatani, a short and unathletic student with a burning passion for the sport. Despite his limitations, Sora joins the basketball team at his new high school, only to find it's a ragtag group of delinquents who use the clubroom for anything but practice. Determined to honor a promise to his late mother, Sora inspires his teammates to rediscover their love for basketball and train together to take on real competition. This coming-of-age story explores themes of perseverance, teamwork, and finding your place in the world, all wrapped around the exciting world of high school basketball.

2. Kuroko’s Basketball

Kuroko's Basketball is a high-octane sports anime following Tetsuya Kuroko, a seemingly unassuming high schooler with a shocking secret. Kuroko, alongside his powerhouse teammate Taiga Kagami, used to be part of an invincible middle school team known as the "Generation of Miracles." Now aiming to reach the top of Japan's high school basketball scene, Kuroko utilizes his unique talent of misdirection and steals to become an unexpected force alongside Kagami's raw athleticism. Together, they take on Kuroko's former teammates, each with their own phenomenal abilities, in a series filled with intense competition, flashy moves, and a dash of comedy.

1. Slam Dunk

Slam Dunk, a classic sports anime from 1 crowned the best basketball anime by many, is the story of Hanamichi Sakuragi, a hot-headed delinquent with a shocking lack of basketball skills. Joining the Shohoku High team to impress a girl, Sakuragi's determination and raw athleticism gradually turn him into a formidable player. Slam Dunk is praised for its exciting game sequences, relatable characters, and its perfect blend of humor, drama, and inspiration, making it a must-watch for any basketball fan or anime enthusiast.