The fictitious sports depicted in anime are a popular subgenre of Japanese animation. Anime has been appreciated by people of all ages for quite some time, and among its many subgenres, those centered on made-up sports are among the most well-liked. These stories follow fictional athletes and teams as they train for and take part in fictitious competitions.
Sports in these shows can include anything from typical team sports like basketball, soccer, and baseball to more outlandish endeavors like gambling, robot fights, cyborg-based sports, and intergalactic space games. The plots of these anime series frequently center on topics like cooperation, friendship, rivalry, and personal development.
7Kakegurui: Gambling
A transfer student at the elite Hyakkaou Private Academy, Yumeko Jabami, is a mystery. Students' performance at the academy is based entirely on their ability to gamble. Students who demonstrate skill in gambling are elevated in social standing, whereas those who fail do not do well. While Yumeko plots her rebellion against the school’s established order, she becomes embroiled in a series ofhigh-stakes gambling games.
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Throughout the series,Yumeko and her classmatescompete to see who can win the most school gambling tournaments, bringing up issues of privilege, addiction, and power. Yumeko has to confront her challenges amidst the high stakes of the gambling bouts. High-stakes situations tend to be fraught with tension and increasingly volatile outcomes.
6Pokemon: Pokemon Battles
The plot of the Pokemon battles in its anime series centers on a Pokemon Trainer’s quest as he or she journeys across thePokémonuniverse in search of new Pokemon to train and battle. The Trainer’s journey is often accompanied by a cast of secondary characters, some of whom are other Trainers, Gyms, and Leaders.
Along the way, the Trainer will come across wild Pokemon, which they may capture and add to their team, and they will also face off againstother Trainers in battlefor the chance to gain experience and rewards. Trainers can fight against the best Trainers in the world in the Pokemon League if they win enough matches and collect enough badges. The ultimate goal for the Trainer is to take home the championship trophy.
5Battle Angel Alita: Motorball
Based on the manga by Yukito Kishiro,Battle Angel Alitais an anime series about a cyborg girl named Alita who is discovered by the scientist Dr. Ido in a junkyard. Alita is given a new body and a new identity, but she has no recollection of her previous existence. After undergoing her metamorphosis, Alita finds that she enjoys participating in Motorball. In the futuristic sport of Motorball, cyborgs fight against one another in a footrace to amass the most points.
After being recruited by a squad, Alita sets out on a journey to win the Motorball championship. She encounters a wide variety of challenges along the road, and her adversaries only get stronger. Alita’s journey into self-discovery and exploration of her past is chronicled throughout the series. Alita must gain confidence in herself and the strength to stand up for what she believes in as she travels.
4Gundam Build Fighters: Gunpla Battles
Gundam Build Fightersfollows the adventures of Sei Iori, a teenage Gunpla (Gundam plastic model) builder who hopes to compete in the Gunpla Battle World Championships someday. He and his friend Reiji form a squad to take part in the tournament.
They team up to beat out all other Gunpla Builders around the world, and along the road, they make some new friends and face some tough competition. They use their Gunpla models and fighting skills to advance through the competition and reach their goal.
3Air Gear: Air Trek
The “Storm Riders” ofAir Gearare a crew of street-savvy, mischievous teenage rollerbladers that participate in the dangerous underground sport of Air Trek using their own brand of rollerblades and a plethora of innovative tricks. Air Trek is the name of a mystery pair of inline skates that Itsuki “Ikki” Minami discovers.
With the support of his friends and his newfound skills, he soon jumps to the top of the sport. The more Ikki learns about Air Trek, the more he finds himself in the center of a perilous power struggle that could determine the fate of the entire sport.
2Megalo Box: Megalonia
Megalonia is a tournament where characters of all kinds in theMegalo Boxseries square off to see who can claimthe title of strongest Megalo boxer. Mechanical limbs are commonly used by competitors to give them an advantage in the ring by increasing their punching strength and speed.
In theMegalo Boxanime, Junk Box crosses paths with Yuuri, the titleholder. Yuuri, in disguise, defeats him in their first encounter and challenges him to fight his way up to his ring. Junk Box, who now goesby the alias “Joe"in the ring, climbs the ranks by challenging other fighters in search of his rival.
1My Hero Academia - U.A Sports Festival
InMy Hero Academia, U.A. High School hosts an annual competition known as the U.A. Sports Festival. At the festival, kids of all ages can compete in events including the obstacle course race, the cavalry battle, and the pivotal U.A. tournament, the winner of which will be named the festival’s top hero. The program opens withprotagonist Izuku Midoriyaand his classmates preparing for the festival.
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As they compete, Midoriya and his friends go up against formidable foes. Midoriya and his fellow students are striving to become the greatest heroes possible. While traveling, they learn the importance of bravery, friendship, and persistence. The winner will be the student who best demonstrates strength and competence.
