19 Soccer Anime You’ll Want to Watch ASAP

Anime expert Megan Blue shares the most popular soccer anime series

Co-authored by Megan Blue and Marcus Pruitt, BS

Last Updated: July 21, 2026 Fact Checked

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, so it makes sense that soccer anime hold a strong place in the anime space. While not nearly as popular as battle-shonen like Jujutsu Kaisen, soccer anime still has a dedicated fan base who are always searching for new, exciting watches. If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place. For this article, we partnered with an anime expert to recommend 19 of the best soccer anime, ranking them using the x/10 star rating from fans over at MyAnimeList. Read on and get these added to your watch later list!

Most Popular Soccer Anime

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A chart of the most popular soccer animes and their ratings.

Anime expert Megan Blue lists Captain Tsubasa, Days, Whistle!, Aoashi, and Inazuma Eleven as the most popular soccer animes. Here’s a quick plot overview of each series:

Captain Tsubasa (7.37 stars): A story about a kid going from elementary school to professional soccer.
Days (7.16 stars): A story about the relationship between a bullied teen and a soccer genius.
Whistle! (7.39 stars): A story about a transfer student who works hard to earn his place on the field.
Aoashi (8.15 stars): A story about two teammates learning fundamentals from one another.
Inazuma Eleven (7.78 stars): A story about a talented player trying to help his teammates improve.

1

Aoashi

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Check out this soccer story about teammate drama and relationships. Aoashi follows Ashito Aoi, a young soccer ace who is recruited from middle school to join former professional soccer player Tatsuya Fukuda’s youth football team. Once he joins, he must learn how to navigate the relationships with his new teammates and the drama that comes with them. That doesn’t mean that this is a drama, though, as it still has fun, realistic depictions of soccer.^{[1]
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Research source} Blue also says that Aoashi is one of the most popular soccer animes ever!^{[2]
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Expert Source

Megan Blue
Anime Expert

Expert Interview}
- Rating: 8.15 stars
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube TV.
Meet the wikiHow Expert

Megan Blue is an anime expert and content creator based in Kingston, OH. She has 25+ years of experience watching anime and nearly 10 years creating content. She is also known as The Fangirl (@TheFangirlWatches) online.

2

Blue Lock

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Watch Blue Lock for a thrilling, intense, shonen take on soccer. Blue Lock is arguably the most popular anime on this list, and for good reason. It follows a group of Japanese high school soccer players who enroll in the Blue Lock program. The program is an intense training camp built to put the players to the test, draw out their true potential, and produce the best striker in Japan, making for an intense, exciting watch from start to finish.^{[3]
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Research source}
- Rating: 8.10 stars
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, The Roku Channel, and YouTube TV.
- Want to learn how to watch Blue Lock in order? Check out this wikiHow article!

3

Inazuma Eleven

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Watch Inazuma Eleven for a fun soccer anime about improving as a team. Inazuma Eleven follows Endou Mamoru, a talented goalkeeper who fights to push the rest of his teammates to be great and reach new athletic heights.^{[4]
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Research source} After their soccer team nearly shuts down, Mamoru whips the rest of his rag-tag teammates into shape, with all of the action, reality-defying shots, and excitement of anime to match.^{[5]
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Research source} It’s also one of the top soccer animes, according to Blue.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Megan Blue
Anime Expert

Expert Interview}
- Rating: 7.78 stars
- Where to Watch: Not legally available in the U.S.

4

Hungry Heart: Wild Striker

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For an anime about carving your own legacy, check out Hungry Heart. Hungry Heart: Wild Striker centers around transfer student Kyosuke Kano, who has just moved to Milan, Italy, to play for a new soccer team. As the younger brother to soccer star Seisuke Kano, Kyosuke fights to stay out of his shadow, prove that he’s his own player, and rekindle his love for the game.^{[7]
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Research source}
- Rating: 7.56 stars
- Where to Watch: Not legally available in the U.S.
- If you’re looking for a soccer anime that shows a young man’s journey falling back in love with the game and becoming his own person, check out Hungry Heart: Wild Striker.

5

Giant Killing

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Watch for a story that shows the importance of a good coach. Giant Killing focuses on the struggling soccer club East Tokyo United. They play in one of Japan’s toughest leagues, and under the tutelage of their new coach, Tatsumi Takeshi, they fight to return to their former glory. Tatsumi does one-on-one work with each player, figuring out their hidden talents and bringing them out so they can reach their full potential.^{[8]
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Research source}
- Rating: 7.54 stars
- Where to Watch: Not legally available in the U.S.
- If you want a fun soccer anime about the power of a good coach and what one can do with the right dedication and drive, check out Giant Killing.

6

Aoki Densetsu Shoot!

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Watch Aoki Densetsu Shoot! for an inspiring underdog story. This 90s soccer anime is another classic underdog story, following Toshihiko Tanaka, a boy who has dreams of becoming the next soccer star. He enrolls in his idol’s school in hopes of making a name for himself, but quickly realizes it won’t be easy. This is a great soccer anime if you’re looking for an inspiring story about overcoming adversity to chase your dreams.^{[9]
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Research source}
- Rating: 7.41 stars.
- Where to Watch: Not legally available in the U.S.

7

Whistle!

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Watch Whistle! for a classic underdog story. Whistle! is an older 39-episode anime that follows Sho Kazamatsuri, a transfer student who never got the chance to play on his old soccer team. At his new school, he hopes to build up his skills, get more playing time, and win his teammates’ respect. This makes for a grounded story about an underdog who just wants to be great, something many players can relate to.^{[10]
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Research source} Blue also shares that it’s one of the most popular soccer animes of all time!^{[11]
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Expert Source

Megan Blue
Anime Expert

Expert Interview}
- Rating: 7.39 stars
- Where to Watch: Not legally available in the U.S.

8

Captain Tsubasa

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Check out this story about growth and dream chasing. Captain Tsubasa was one of the first soccer anime, hitting the scene all the way back in 1983. It follows Tsubasa Ozora, an 11-year-old soccer player as he develops from elementary school to middle school, eventually making it all the way to his dream of reaching the professional league. It’s also a long series, so if you’re looking for an exciting show to keep in your rotation for a while, check it out!^{[12]
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Research source} Blue also lists it as one of the most popular soccer animes.^{[13]
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Expert Source

Megan Blue
Anime Expert

Expert Interview}
- Rating: 7.37 stars
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Netflix, Apple TV, YouTube TV
- Across the entire series, Captain Tsubasa has 279 episodes, 14 OVAs, and four films.

9

Victory Kickoff!!

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Watch Victory Kickoff!! for a heartwarming story about determination. Victory Kickoff!! (also known as Ginga e Kikkuofu and Galaxy Kickoff!!) follows Shou Oota, who has a passion for soccer despite not being very good. When his soccer team is disbanded, he works to recruit new team members to bring the team back to their former glory, building his personal skills in the process. This one’s great if you’re looking for a feel-good soccer anine about teamwork and perseverance.^{[14]
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Research source}
- Rating: 7.23 stars
- Where to Watch: Available on Crunchyroll, YouTubeTV

10

The Knight in the Area

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Check out The Knight in the Area for a deep, heartfelt soccer anime. The Knight in the Area follows Kakeru Aizawa, a football prodigy on Japan’s under-15 national team. Before the series, he quit his position after a traumatic leg injury. However, after he and his brother, Suguru Aizawa, are hit by a truck, Suguru’s heart is transplanted into his brother’s body. With his new heart, Kakeru returns to the field to try and win the World Cup, hoping to achieve his brother’s dream.^{[15]
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Research source}
- Rating: 7.16 stars
- Where to Watch: Not legally available in the U.S., but was previously available on Crunchyroll.
- If you’re looking for a heartfelt soccer anime about determination and brotherly love, check out The Knight in the Area.

11

Days

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Check out Days for a teammate-centric soccer anime about dedication. Days follows the teammates Tsukishi and Jin. Jin is the prodigy who everyone is behind, while Tsukishi is especially bad at the game. Despite being bad, Tsukishi is determined to be great, as he truly loves soccer. This inspires Jin, who is pushed by Tsukishi to improve like he is.^{[16]
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Research source} According to Blue, Days is one of the most popular soccer animes out there!^{[17]
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Expert Source

Megan Blue
Anime Expert

Expert Interview}
- Rating: 7.16 stars
- Where to Watch: Not legally available in the U.S., but was previously available on Crunchyroll.
- This one’s a great soccer anime if you’re looking to see strong teammate dynamics and how they influence the way a game is played.

12

Dragon League

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Check out this fantastical story about dinosaurs and soccer. Dragon League is arguably the most unique anime on this list, taking place in a world where humans and dinosaurs coexist. It follows a boy named Tokio, who enters the Dragon League soccer tournament in hopes of reversing his father’s transformation into a mini dragon. During the tournament, he meets new rivals, bonds with teammates, and tirelessly chases his goal.^{[18]
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Research source}
- Rating: 7.08 stars
- Where to Watch: Not legally available in the U.S.

13

Clean Freak! Aoyama Kun

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Check out this story about sacrificing for greatness. This is a fun, lighthearted soccer anime that follows Aoyama, a passionate soccer player who wants to be a prodigy. The only problem is that he’s a huge germaphobe who hates making physical contact with others. However, he soon realizes that if he wants to truly improve, he’ll have to get over his phobia, making for a fun story about transforming for the greater good.^{[19]
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Research source}
- Rating: 6.94 stars
- Where to Watch: Not legally available in the U.S., but was previously available on Crunchyroll.

14

Ganbare, Kickers!

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Watch Ganbare, Kickers! for a story about growing as underdogs. Ganbare, Kickers! follows Kakeru Daichi, a transfer student who works to turn his new school’s losing soccer team into a strong contender. In the series, Daichi works with his teammates to help them find passion in soccer (rather than focusing on winning), overcome their personal challenges, and work together as a team, making for an exciting underdog soccer anime.^{[20]
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Research source}
- Rating: 6.89 stars
- Where to Watch: Not legally available in the U.S., but was previously available on Crunchyroll.

15

Moero! Top Striker

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Check out this fun story about overcoming challenges. Moero! Top Striker follows Yoshikawa Hikaru, a soccer prodigy who becomes an international player at just 13. He takes on this role at his father’s request, playing in Geona, Italy after his parents’ sudden death in a plane crash.^{[21]
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Research source} After the crash, he is adopted by former football star Albert Robson, who helps him advance his soccer skills and develop into a rising star.
- Rating: 6.78 stars
- Where to Watch: Not legally available in the U.S.

16

Farewell, My Dear Cramer

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Check this one out for a fun, exciting take on women’s soccer. Farewell, My Dear Cramer follows Nozomi Onda, an aspiring soccer player who joins Warabi Seinan High School’s girls soccer team. She joins alongside Sumire Suou and Midori Soshizaki, two rival freshmen who also want to play. Each player must chase their goals as they come to terms with their pasts, find motivation, and face challenges on and off the field.^{[22]
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Research source}
- Rating: 6.11 stars
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll
- Farewell, My Dear Cramer is a sequel to the manga, Sayonara Football.

17

Fantasista Stella

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Watch this story about what it takes to make the World Cup. Fantasista Stella follows Teppei Sakamoto, a country boy who hopes to join Japan’s national team and compete in the World Cup.^{[23]
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Research source} During the story, he pushes himself to the limit. He’s already skilled, but he knows he must be great if he wants to achieve his dreams. After learning the game from his sister, he goes to Mizumoto High School to chase those dreams.
- Rating: 5.87 stars
- Where to Watch: Not legally available in the U.S.
- Fantasista Stella is a special case, as it’s technically an OVA (original video animation), rather than a full series. That doesn’t mean it’s not just as exciting, though!

18

Futsal Boys!!!!!

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Check out this anime about chasing professional dreams. Futsal Boys!!!!! is a fun, feel-good story about Yamato Haru, a young boy who’s inspired to play soccer after watching one of Japan’s star players, Tennouji Tokinari, play in the final of the U-18 World Cup. Haru hopes to become like him, so he joins the Koyo Academy’s soccer club to chase his dreams, making for a fun story about growth and chasing your dreams.^{[24]
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Research source}
- Rating: 5.47 stars
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll

19

Shoot! Goal to the Future

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Check this out for a deep story about overcoming challenges to be great. Shoot! Goal to the Future follows Atsushi Kamiya, a former Kakegawa High School captain and the current captain for a world-renowned Italian soccer team, and Hideto Tsuji, a talented Kakegawa High soccer player who loses interest in the team. Kamiya returns to coach his team back to stardom, but he must help Tsuji overcome his trauma if he wants to do so.^{[25]
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Research source}
- Rating: 5.32 stars
- Where to Watch: Crunchyroll, Apple TV
- Shoot! Goal to the Future is all about overcoming hardships, healing from trauma, and building a new legacy through soccer.