For numerous fans, basketball anime has remained a beloved genre, combining the thrill of the sport with a captivating storyline and compelling characters. Whether you are a basketball enthusiast or simply appreciate a well-crafted narrative, these anime deliver exhilarating games, high-stakes matches, and dynamic character growth that will captivate audiences.
For those seeking intense competition or a shounen-style tale of camaraderie and determination, basketball anime offers something for all viewers. In this article, we will discuss the five most beloved basketball anime that have won over audiences across the globe. So without delay, let’s immerse ourselves in the realm of basketball anime.
Buzzer Beater
Buzzer Beater is a 2005 sports anime based on the manga created by Inoue Takehiro. The show is set in a world where basketball, a sport once dominated by humans, is now played by aliens. As a result, this anime stands out from typical sports anime due to its futuristic and otherworldly elements.
The narrative centers around Hideyoshi, the main character, who is a destitute individual living in New York. When he is unexpectedly recruited into a professional basketball team, he faces challenges as he strives to keep up with the Space League, a group of extraterrestrial creatures who were dominating the sport at the time.
Despite having numerous exciting showdowns and appealing to those who enjoy underdog characters, this anime may not measure up to other sports anime in terms of overall quality. This is due to its less serious and unrealistic take on basketball, which is primarily influenced by its sci-fi elements.
Basquash!
This anime also shares similarities with Buzzer Beater as it incorporates sci-fi elements that deviate from the typical sports anime formula.
The setting for this tale is a world known as “Earth Dash”, where two distinct groups of humans coexist: the technologically advanced Lunar society and the struggling surface society. Despite their differences, both factions share a love for the sport of basketball and participate in a unique version called Big Foot Basketball (also known as Basquash). In this game, players ride mecha known as “Big Foot”in a grand arena, making it a perfect fit for the mecha anime genre.
The plot revolves around Dan JD and his group of friends as they strive to achieve their aspirations and face formidable adversaries in the world of Basquash. This anime is particularly intriguing due to its distinctive features. Despite surpassing Buzzer Beater, it still falls behind in comparison to typical sports anime.
3. Basketball Anime: Ahiru no Sora
Despite his below-average physique, Sora Kurumatani has an undying love for basketball in the regular old sports anime Ahiru no Sora, written and illustrated by Hinata Takeshi. As a high school boy, he faces the challenge of being much shorter and weaker than his peers, making him seemingly unqualified to play the sport he loves.
Although Sora may have some flaws, his exceptional talent and passion for basketball more than compensate for his lack of height. In order to fulfill a promise he made to his mother to win a high school basketball game, Sora decides to join the basketball team at Kuzuryu High School, which is known for its rowdy and rebellious players.
Sora’s journey in his new high school is the focus of the story, as he strives to not only find his place but also transform his unruly teammates in order to win a coveted prize. Regarded as one of the top basketball anime, the show effectively highlights the importance of perseverance and determination, qualities that Sora exemplifies.
Kuroko’s Basketball
Fujimaki Tadatoshi’s manga, which was adapted into an anime, has gained immense popularity and is known as Kuroko’s Basketball, one of the most beloved sports anime of all time.
The anime Kuroko’s Basketball is a captivating series that chronicles the journey of Tetsuya Kuroko, a reserved and unassuming player who was once a member of the renowned Generation of Miracles team. Kuroko’s ultimate ambition is to defeat his former teammates, who have since joined different schools. With the help of Taiga Kagami, a skilled yet impulsive player, they join forces to achieve their dream of becoming the top team in Japan.
This anime offers thrilling basketball games, intense competition, and significant character development as the cast bands together to reach their objectives. Any true basketball or sports enthusiast would thoroughly enjoy this series and be captivated by the suspenseful viewing experience it provides.
1. SLAM DUNK
In contrast to Buzzer Beater, Slam Dunk can be considered a masterpiece.
Sakuragi Hanamichi, a delinquent student from Shohoku High School, is the main character in this 101-episode long anime. Despite his initial dislike for basketball, an interaction with a girl he had a crush on sparked his interest in the sport and motivated him to become a master at it.
It is understandable that this may not be a compelling enough reason for people to begin watching this anime. However, the fact that our protagonist’s initial motivation for playing basketball was a girl ultimately led him to discover his true passion for the sport. The journey he embarks on to become the best with his teammates has solidified this anime as one of the finest in the sports genre.
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