Blue Lock is a gripping sports anime starring Yoichi Isagi as he looks to become the best striker Japan has ever seen. Japan has never experienced victory at the World Cup either, and the Blue Lock program was designed to build a player strong enough to bring home the trophy. It’s a device series in Japan, as a lot of Japanese people don’t like the fun the anime pokes at them. Blue Lock is about creating the most egotistical striker ever, a player who will consume the other players around him if it means scoring a goal.
To be a good sports anime comparison to Blue Lock, a series doesn’t necessarily have to be about soccer/football. The best comparisons will be highly competitive, feature fierce characters who will stop at nothing to win, and have heart-pounding moments of pure victory.
10 Run With the Wind
Animated By Production I.G., Based on the Novel By Shion Miura
Run With The Wind is an anime series based on the novel by Shion Miura. It follows a former elite runner, Kakeru, who is invited by college student Haiji to form a running team with the goal of competing in the Hakone Ekiden marathon. The series explores the themes of friendship, perseverance, and personal growth as the team members navigate their individual challenges and aspirations.
- Cast
- Takeo Otsuka , Toshiyuki Toyonaga , Miyu Irino , Hideaki Kabumoto , Takanori Hoshino , Riki Kitazawa , Yûto Uemura , Kazuyuki Okitsu , Koki Uchiyama , Junya Enoki , Koutarou Nakamura , Kengo Kawanishi , Juri Kimura , Satoshi Hino
- Character(s)
- Kakeru Kurahara , Haiji Kiyose , Akane Kashiwazaki , Musa Kamala , Akihiro Hirata , Youhei Sakaguchi , Joujirou Kizuki , Yukihiko Iwakura , Takashi Sugiyama , Joutarou Kizuki , Genichirou Tazaki , Kousuke Sakaki , Hanako Katsuta , Kazuma Fujioka
- Release Date
- October 3, 2018
Run With the Wind is probably the best anime series about running full stop. Protagonist Kakeru Kurahara is a great character who could easily be in the Blue Lock program himself. At the start of the series, he’s a selfish runner that doesn’t care about anything other than the run itself. He admits that he doesn’t work well with others, which isn’t a problem for a solo runner, but he’s looking to work in a team. The Blue Lock program is perfect for people who are more inclined to serve themselves than the people around them.
“I was constantly suffering when I ran during high school. I don’t ever want to be restricted like that again. This time, I’ll run of my own free will. Freely, far away, to the end of the world.”
Kakeru Kurahara is a highly competitive character who just wants to run. He doesn’t want to be held back in the slightest. Run With the Wind is a great Blue Lock comparison because of how fierce Kakeru is. While his sport is a little more individual than soccer/football, there are a ton of great moments where characters come together to work on their common goal, making it a great Blue Lock comparison.
9 Garouden: The Way of the Lone Wolf
Animated By Studio NAZ, Based on The Novel Series By Baku Yumemakura
Garouden: The Way of the Lone Wolf is a television series adaptation of the manga Garouden, focusing on martial artist Bunshichi Tanba, portrayed by Takamasa Suga. The series explores Bunshichi’s journey through various underground fighting circuits in Japan as he combats formidable opponents and seeks to uncover the depth of his own fighting spirit. Directed by Toshiyuki Morikawa, the show delves deeply into the world of martial arts and personal perseverance.
- Cast
- Ryota Takeuchi , Tetsu Inada , Shunsuke Takeuchi , Rintaro Nishi , Tessyo Genda
- Release Date
- May 23, 2024
- Seasons
- 1
Garouden: The Way of the Lone Wolf is a surprisingly good Blue Lock comparison.Garouden stars Juzo Fujimaki as he looks to redeem himself for murdering an evil person and enjoying it. The premise doesn’t make much sense, but it doesn’t matter. It’s a straightforward series that sees Juzo fight scores of people through a tight, eight-episode run. Like Blue Lock, each of the fighters in Garouden is relatively alone, fighting for themselves and their own ideals.
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Garouden is a great Blue Lock comparison because of the tournament-style format that takes place, how fierce each of the fights are, and how intense each scene can feel. Juzo is one of the strongest characters in the series, but he isn’t number one. Like Isagi Yoichi, he’ll have to work hard to overcome his weaknesses and beat the people around him.
8 Slam Dunk
Animated By Toei Animation, Based On The Manga By Takehiko Inoue
Slam Dunk is a Japanese anime series based on the manga by Takehiko Inoue. The show follows Hanamichi Sakuragi, a delinquent high school student who joins the basketball team to impress a girl. Over time, Hanamichi discovers a genuine love for the sport and works with his teammates to improve their skills and aim for the national championship. The series is widely praised for its character development and realistic depiction of basketball.
- Cast
- Hisao Egawa , Eriko Hara , Akiko Hiramatsu , Yukimasa Kishino , Takeshi Kusao , Hikaru Midorikawa , Toshiyuki Morikawa , Tomomichi Nishimura , Ryôtarô Okiayu , Yoku Shioya , Hideyuki Tanaka
- Release Date
- October 6, 1993
- Seasons
- 4
- Franchise(s)
- Slam Dunk
- Writers
- Nobuaki Kishima , Yoshiyuki Suga
- Directors
- Nobutaka Nishizawa
- Main Genre
- Sports
- Creator(s)
- Takehiko Inoue
Slam Dunk is one of the grandfathers of modern sports anime. Without it, many of the most popular sports anime series of all time probably wouldn’t be the same as they are today. The series stars Hanamichi Sakuragi who joins the Shoku High School basketball team in an attempt to win the interest of a girl. He eventually discovers his own innate talent for the sport and falls in love with it as he plays. It’s a little different from Blue Lock in that Hanamichi grows his interest over time, whereas Isagi was interested from the beginning.
Where Slam Dunk and Blue Lock share the most in common is in their camaraderie. Basketball and soccer/football can’t be won on an individual level, and the main characters of each series lean on each other in an attempt to get better and surpass their current limits.
7 Hajime no Ippo: Rising
Animated By MAPPA, Based on the Manga By George Morikawa
- Cast
- Rikiya Koyama , Kôhei Kiyasu , Steve Staley , Richard Epcar , Wataru Takagi
- Release Date
- October 4, 2000
- Seasons
- 1
Like Slam Dunk, Hajime no Ippo is another grandfather of sports anime. Ippo Makunouchi is the victim of bullying in Hajime no Ippo. His life changes when he’s saved by a professional boxer. The boxer takes him to a gym where his insane talent for boxing is revealed. Like Isagi Yoichi, Ippo Makunouchi has a knack for the sport he’s in. More than that, he’s passionate about winning and will work hard if it means getting to the top. Hajime no Ippo features boxing as its main sport, a solo endeavor unlike soccer/football.
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Blue Lock isn’t a traditional sports anime though, as the characters in the program play against each other more than they play with each other. Both series share a gripping intensity, great moments of pure action, and even better moments of elation after a sublime victory.
6 Kengan Ashura
Animated By Larx Entertainment, Based on the Manga By Yabako Sandrovich
Kengan Ashura is an animated series based on Yabako Sandrovich’s manga. The show revolves around Tokita Ohma, who battles in gladiator-style matches sponsored by influential corporations. Representing the Nogi Group, Ohma’s prowess and mysterious past captivate his business handler, Yamashita Kazuo. The series delves into high-stakes combat and organizational power struggles in a world where battles determine corporate supremacy.
- Cast
- Tatsuhisa Suzuki , Chō , Yoshitsugu Matsuoka , Junya Enoki , Rikiya Koyama
- Release Date
- July 31, 2019
- Seasons
- 2
Kengan Ashura is a heart-pounding fighting series that shares much more in common with Blue Lock than most people might think. While Kengan Ashura is a violent, bloody anime filled with some of the best hand-to-hand fights around, it shares a few key traits with Blue Lock. Both of the stories are self-contained within their own world of tournaments, each character is realistically operating at an individual level to try and move forward, and for both Isagi and Tokita, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Fans of
Kengan Ashura
and
Baki Hanma
may be excited to learn that an official crossover was released on Netflix.
Kengan Ashura is one of the few sports series that can not only match Blue Lock in intensity, but it might even be more intense than the high-flying soccer/football series. It’s unfortunate that Kengan can only be watched on Netflix, but it still makes for a half-decent viewing experience similar to Blue Lock. If only the series was on Crunchyroll instead.
5 Captain Tsubasa
Animated By David Productions & Studio Kai, Based on the Manga By Yōichi Takahashi
Captain Tsubasa is an animated series focusing on Tsubasa Ozora, a young soccer prodigy who aspires to become the world’s best player. With meticulous animation and a strong emphasis on teamwork, the show chronicles Tsubasa’s journey from elementary school competitions to international championships, highlighting the power of dedication, friendship, and sportsmanship.
- Cast
- Yûko Sanpei , Takuya Sato , You-Wu-Yue-Shan , Ayaka Fukuhara , Katsuyuki Konishi , Mauriett Chayeb , Mutsumi Tamura , Sayuri Hara , Atsushi Imaruoka , Ken’ichi Suzumura , Megumi Han , Yūichirō Umehara , Soma Saito , Wataru Hatano , Tasuku Hatanaka , Hiroyuki Yoshino , Tomomichi Nishimura , Taro Kiuchi , Mutsuki Iwanaka , Ayako Takeuchi
- Character(s)
- Tsubasa Ozora , Hyuuga Kojirou , Tarou Misaki , Misaki Tarou , Roberto Hongou , Taro Misaki , Ishizaki Ryou , Nakazawa Sanae , Shiroyama Tadashi , Wakabayashi Genzou , Sawada Takeshi , Wakashimazu Ken , Misugi Jun , Matsuyama Hikaru , Morisaki Yuuzou , Taki Hajime , Mikami Tatsuo , Takasugi Shingo , Izawa Mamoru , Tachibana Masao
- Release Date
- April 3, 2018
Captain Tsubasa, like Slam Dunk and Hajime no Ippo, comes from a previous generation of sports anime that laid the groundwork for all the beloved series around today. Like all the characters in Blue Lock, Tsubasa just wants his home nation of Japan to experience the joy of winning a World Cup. He and his mother move to the town of Nankatsu early in the series, a town that has one of the best high school soccer programs in the nation.
Tsubasa learns a lot from his friends, mentors, and even rivals during the series. He’d make an excellent addition to the Blue Lock program thanks to his intensity, dedication to get better, and strong desire to bring home the Mundial. If it wasn’t for Captain Tsubasa, Blue Lock wouldn’t exist as it is today. They’re both stellar shows about giving it your all every time you step onto the pitch, and constantly finding new ways to get better.
4 Kakegurui
Animated By MAPPA, Based on the Manga By Homura Kawamoto
Kakegurui is a Japanese drama series set in an elite high school where student hierarchy is determined by gambling prowess. The plot follows a new transfer student, Yumeko Jabami, whose extreme risk-taking disrupts the established order and challenges the school’s rigid social caste system.
- Cast
- Saori Hayami , Tatsuya Tokutake , Miyuki Sawashiro , Minami Tanaka , Ayaka Fukuhara , Mayu Udono , Mariye Ise , Yuki Wakai
- Character(s)
- Yumeko Jabami , Ryota Suzui , Kirari Momobami , Mary Saotome , Sayaka Igarashi , Runa Yomozuki , Midari Ikishima , Itsuki Sumeragi
- Release Date
- February 1, 2018
- Seasons
- 2
- Creator(s)
- Mckenzie Hammonds
Kakerugui is truly a sports anime unlike any other. It’s a loose comparison in the field of sports, as Kakerugui is set on gambling, but it uses just about any form of wager it wants. Where Kakerugui and Blue Lock are most similar is in their intensity. There really aren’t any series as intense as Kakerugui. People bet everything when they enter Hyakkou Private Academy. They bet their money, social standing, and even freedom in an attempt to gain more power.
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Blue Lock is a similar series in that characters are desperate to move forward. If they lose the Blue Lock project, they’re never allowed to play soccer/football again, making each match that much more meaningful. Isagi Yoichi would have a tough time at Hyakkou Private Academy, unless he could bet on his skills on the pitch. If he could, he might just rise up to the top of the Academy in no time.
3 Ao Ashi
Animated By Production I.G., Based on the Manga By Yūgo Kobayash
Aoashi (2022) follows Ashito Aoi, a young and talented soccer player whose dreams of becoming a professional are reignited when he is scouted by a youth team coach, Tatsuya Fukuda. Despite his raw talent, Ashito must hone his skills and adapt to the competitive world of Tokyo soccer to achieve his goal of playing on the national stage.
- Cast
- Kôki Ôsuzu , Clifford Chapin , Ricco Fajardo , Ciarán Strange , Austin Tindle , Marcus D. Stimac , Ry McKeand , Mitchell Stephens , Tatsumaru Tachibana , Seiichiro Yamashita , Maki Kawase , Hiroki Yasumoto , Taku Yashiro , Chikahiro Kobayashi , Marisa Duran , Douglas Gill , Daisuke Sakaguchi , Reina Ueda , Wataru Kato , Shoumaru Zouza , Hiromichi Tezuka , Yuuki Tamai
- Character(s)
- Ashito Aoi , Soichiro Tachibana , Yuma Motoki , Ryuichi Takeshima , Keiji Togashi , Kanpei Kuroda , Martis Jun Asari , Eisaku Ootomo , Souichirou Tachibana , Hana Ichijou , Nozomi Date , Tatsuya Fukuda , Hana Ichijo , Tsukishima , Aki Tsukishima , Anri Kaidou , Roan Mino , Itsuki Nagano , Old Man
- Release Date
- April 9, 2022
- Creator(s)
- Yugo Kobayashi
Ao Ashi is the closest soccer/football comparison to Blue Lock. It’s a great series that stars Ashito Aoi as the focal point. He’s a former forward turned full-back who almost has to relearn the sport of soccer/football entirely if he wants to become a forward once again. His unique ability, Eagle Eye, allows him to see the entire pitch at once, allowing Ashito to make some insane passes nobody on his team or the opposition could have seen coming.
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Ashito Aoi would be a great addition to the Blue Lock program. His ability to find a pass in any scenario is second to none, and his hyper-competitive spirit would get him to the top in no time. If Isagi Yoichi and Ashito Aoi found themselves on the same team, they would be nearly unstoppable.
2 Haikyuu!!
Animated By Production I.G., Based on the Manga By Haruichi Furudate
Haikyuu!! is a Japanese anime series based on the manga by Haruichi Furudate that follows Shoyo Hinata, a high school student determined to become a top volleyball player despite his short stature. Through resilience and teamwork, Hinata joins Karasuno High’s volleyball team and forms a dynamic partnership with former rival Tobio Kageyama. The series highlights their journey to national tournaments, emphasizing themes of perseverance and sportsmanship.
- Cast
- Ayumu Murase , Kaito Ishikawa , Yu Hayashi , Satoshi Hino , Miyu Irino , Koki Uchiyama , Soma Saito , Nobuhiko Okamoto
- Character(s)
- Shoyo Hinata , Tobio Kageyama , Ryunosuke Tanaka , Daichi Sawamura , Koshi Sugawara , Kei Tsukishima , Tadashi Yamaguchi , Yu Nishinoya
- Release Date
- April 5, 2014
- Seasons
- 4
- Creator(s)
- Haruichi Furudate
Haikyuu! is an amazing series about volleyball that’s filled with some of the most intense arcs in sports anime. Haikyuu! takes place at Karasuno High, home of the Crows, and former home to one of the best high school volleyball teams in the nation. The series stars Hinata Shoyo and his reluctant rival Tobio Kageyama as they look to dominate each court they step on. Haikyuu! is a great Blue Lock comparison because of all the conflict between players.
Both series feature larger goals that the players/characters are pursuing, but they more often than not get into smaller, more personal competitions with each other. It makes each interaction more meaningful as the characters put everything on the line against the toughest opponents imaginable. Both Blue Lock and Haikyuu! push their casts of characters to their limit, asking them to put it all on the line if they want to win.
1 Kuroko’s Basket
Animated By Production I.G., Based on the Manga By Tadatoshi Fujimaki
Kuroko’s Basketball is a Japanese anime series based on the manga by Tadatoshi Fujimaki. The story follows the Seirin High School basketball team, specifically the duo of Tetsuya Kuroko, a seemingly invisible player, and Taiga Kagami, a naturally talented athlete. Together, they navigate the competitive world of high school basketball, aiming to defeat Kuroko’s former teammates, known as the Generation of Miracles, who are renowned for their extraordinary skills.
- Cast
- Kensho Ono , Yoshimasa Hosoya , Yuki Ono , Hirofumi Nojima , Chiwa Saitô , Takuya Eguchi , Dave Wallace , Go Inoue , Yasuhiro Yoshimoto
- Release Date
- April 7, 2012
- Seasons
- 3
- Franchise(s)
- Kuroko’s Basketball
- Writers
- Noburo Takagi , Tadatoshi Fujimaki
- Directors
- Shunsuke Tada
- Main Genre
- Sports
- Creator(s)
- Tadatoshi Fujimaki
Kuroko’s Basket is the most similar sports anime to Blue Lock. It’s an interesting series that matches Blue Lock’s intensity, need for teamwork, and overwhelming joy in victory. Tetsuya Kuroko is the main protagonist of Kuroko’s Basket. He’s the exact opposite of a character that would be in the Blue Lock program because he’s selfless and nearly nonexistant on the court, but he knows what he’s doing. By becoming a shadow of a player, Kuroko can better support the players around him.
As a series, Kuroko’s Basket puts a lot of emphasis on winning at any cost, just like Blue Lock. Characters will copy each other’s moves, go into the Zone to become untouchable, and bomb down the court like a bull in a china shop. It’s an awesome series filled with some of the most broken powers in anime, including Midorima’s ability to score a point from literally anywhere.
