10 More Sports-Oriented Shows To Watch!
Blue Lock is a fun thrill ride. This anime revolves around our characters competing in the adrenaline-pumping sport of American soccer. They exhibit some otherworldly skills and their actions may entice viewers to go out and play the sport with their friends and loved ones. This anime follows Yoichi Isagi whose bitter about costing his high school soccer team a victory at the nationals.
He returns home and gets invited to join a controversial project called Blue Lock. Blue Lock’s goal is to transform its selected players into star strikers for the Japanese national team. Each participant must compete against others through a series of solo and team competitions. Isagi doesn’t mind crushing others as long as it means he can reach the top, so he accepts the offer. Unbeknownst to Isagi, this competition will be more challenging than he anticipated.
Fear not if you’re having trouble finding anime similar to Blue Lock! We’ve discovered 10 alternate shows that’ll give you a similar experience as Blue Lock.
Additionally, for each anime we’ve reviewed, we’ve included a link that allows you to view our full thoughts about the series to see if it’s worth your time.
So without further ado, we present 10 TV shows that should whet your appetite when you’ve finished streaming Blue Lock!
Ao Ashi
Similarities – Soccer & Emotional Trials
Ao Ashi is a fun soccer anime with more emphasis on teamwork than Blue Lock. This anime revolves around Ashito Aoi, known for his unpredictable moves and self-centered playing style. He’s solely responsible for pushing his team through a rigorous tournament. One day, another team gets Ashito riled up, resulting in his removal from the rest of the game.
Without Ashito, the team loses the tournament. Despite being down over the loss, a youth team coach named Tatsuya Fukuda approaches him and allows him to try out for a new team in Tokyo. Despite being placed in a mysterious setting, Ashito must preserve and improve himself if he hopes to obtain a life-changing career for himself.
This anime excellently explains the fundamentals of soccer and shows why each role matters on the field. From proper coaching skills to Ashito developing new techniques to use in each game, it showcases how challenging life can be for soccer players and coaches. This anime emphasizes the importance of team spirit and gives each character dreams to accomplish. If you’re looking for a show with excellent relationship-building components, give Ao Ashi a shot.
Kuroko’s Basketball
Similarities – Action & Characters
Kuroko’s Basketball gives viewers a supernatural spin on the sport. While there are hints of realism with the off-court issues our characters endure, you can expect this show to feel like a mix between Naruto and Slam Dunk. That said, Kuroko’s Basketball can be as intense as Blue Lock when it chooses to be and will leave you impressed with each game are protagonists tolerate.
Our story follows Taiga Kagami and Tetsuya Kuroko, who join Seirin High School’s basketball team. They have different strengths and clashing backgrounds. While Kagami has a strong drive for basketball, Kuroko doesn’t have capable athletic potential. However, he was once a member of an esteemed middle school basketball team called the Generation of Miracles.
But he was known for being the weakest member of the team who was only good at passing the ball. Despite his rocky history with the sport, Kuroko wants to prove himself worthy to the Seirin team. Kagami forms a partnership with Kuroko as they plan to lead Seirin to the championships and vow to crush every Generation of Miracles member in their path.
Haikyu
Similarities – Sports & Characters
Haikyu’s an incredible alternative to Blue Lock. It focuses more on teamwork and friendship though. However, our characters strive to become formidable players on the court and vow to give it their all in each volleyball game. While sports may not be the same in concept, they can be equally intense and strategic.
That said, Haikyu borrows many shonen elements from shows like Naruto. You can expect the show to tackle several life lessons through its characters’ emotional interactions and motivational speeches. The show features charming animation that may not be on par with Blue Lock’s but offers enough to keep you invested.
From our cast spikes to their elegant serves, you can expect the show to influence you in ways you never thought possible. This is a great anime that highlights personal growth and wonderfully builds upon our cast’s companionship.
Captain Tsubasa (2018)
Similarities – Soccer
Captain Tsubasa is an old-school soccer anime. It may not have a dynamic narrative or well-rounded cast, but it offers a genuinely wholesome soccer experience for new anime fans. While its 1983 adaptation features more episodes and a better soundtrack, many prefer the new 2018 adaptation animated by David Productions.
Regardless, both adaptations should suit your fancy. Our story follows 11-year-old Tsubasa Oozora who developed a fondness for soccer throughout the years. He moves into his mother’s place in Nankatsu city because he wants to sharpen his soccer skills at the city’s schools. Tsubasa’s journey won’t be easy as he finds out Nankatsu’s students are more skilled at soccer than he is.
Thankfully, he’ll make new friends at Nankatsu. Ultimately, he dreams of representing Japan in the FIFA World Cup and will stop at nothing to turn it into a reality. As one can expect, Blue Lock offers more intensity and better animation than Captain Tsubasa. However, Captain Tsubasa feels more passionate and tackles themes that can resonate with larger audiences. If you’re looking for a retro sports anime with a heart, check out 2018’s Captain Tsubasa.
Food Wars
Similarities – Competitive Activities
Food Wars feels like the anime version of competitive cooking shows you’d stumble upon on the Food Network. From Hell’s Kitchen to Master Chef, this anime evokes all that with a pinch of raunchiness. The anime can get a bit sensual at times with its characters’ over-exaggerated expressions and reactions to well-cooked meals and tasty dishes.
This is where the show’s humor comes into play. It’s not a show everyone will enjoy as some may find it overtly sexual at times. However, if you can look past the show’s quirky aesthetics, you’re in for an enjoyably intense time with it. Our story revolves around an aspiring chef named Yukihira Soma. He plans to exceed his father and attain ownership of their restaurant.
Despite his effort, Soma learns his father plans to close the shop to take a gig in New York. Soma refuses his father’s offer to accompany him on his trip and plans to enroll in Tootsuki Culinary Academy and graduate as a certified cook. Unbeknownst to Soma, graduating from this esteemed academy is easier said than done. If you’re looking for a show with satisfying rivalries, epic cook-offs, and a smidge of exaggerated humor, then check out Food Wars.
Ashita No Joe
Similarities – Sports
Ashita No Joe is a dark boxing anime. It contains phenomenal action segments and genuine character moments that’ll inspire you. Even if you’re not a fan of the sport, you’ll walk away from this show satisfied. Our tale follows a delinquent named Joe, a troubled boy that likes to solve matters with his fists.
He gets into all sorts of trouble with local thugs and gangs. One of his bouts catches the attention of a former boxing coach named Danpei. Danpei offers Joe a chance to become a professional boxer. Although Joe struggles to abide by the rules in the court, he’ll develop a fondness for the sport and a goal to become the world’s greatest fighter ever.
Fans will adore seeing Joe fight numerous foes who’ll help him grow as a person and fighter. The bond he forms with Danpei is wholesome and inspiring. If you’re looking for a fabulous boxing anime that explores its protagonist’s life inside and outside the sport, check this one out.
Hajime No Ippo
Similarities – Epic Battles & Characters
Hajime No Ippo is a phenomenal sports anime that’s easy to get invested in. It has excellent humor, powerful dialogue, and motivational sequences that’ll convince anyone to strive for their dreams. With a strong supporting cast and epic bouts, you’re sure to come away from Hajime No Ippo fulfilled.
In it, we follow Ippo, a kind-hearted boy who loves supporting his mother. Unfortunately, Ippo’s kindness leads him to get bullied by neighborhood kids. One day, Ippo bumps into a professional boxer named Takamura. After several individual training sessions, Ippo impresses Takamura, who invites Ippo to join him at his gym to receive lessons from his coach.
Thus the story focuses on Ippo’s path to greatness. Like Blue Lock, Hajime No Ippo highlights the pros and cons of Ippo’s journey. He’ll endure many fights where opponents outclass him in every way. However, he’s not one to give up easily. Ippo will put in the effort to surpass the hurdles set in front of him. It’s Ippo’s training regime and charismatic attitude that’ll hook people into this show. If you’re looking for a wonderful sports anime with a likable cast and astonishing bouts, check this one out.
Slam Dunk
Similarities – Sports & Themes
Slam Dunk is a sports anime with a realistic touch. What this show lacks in shonen power-ups, it makes up for with interesting character dynamics, relatable issues, and a gripping narrative. It’s one of those sports anime that’s not afraid to spend more time highlighting the characters’ struggles outside the sport it’s tackling.
In it, we follow Hanamichi, a hot-headed boy who desires a girlfriend. Hanamichi’s terrible reputation doesn’t get him far in life though. This all changes when he meets a girl named Haruko. Haruko and Hanamichi visit their school’s basketball court where she asks him to perform a slam dunk. Hanamichi fails, but Haruko can see potential in his physique.
She tells the basketball team’s captain about Hanamichi’s abilities, leading him to jump into a sport he used to resent. While the show does an excellent job at developing our cast, it can fall victim to dragging things out too much. Some basketball games last longer than they should. The animation hasn’t aged the best either and may turn people off. If you can overlook those minor issues, you’re in for an unforgettable time with Slam Dunk.
Eyeshield 21
Similarities – Sports & Fun-filled Games
Eyeshield 21 is a fun American Football anime with absurd humor and colorful characters. Its plot is pretty straightforward and doesn’t offer anything groundbreaking to the medium. It’s simple and easy to follow, allowing anyone to jump into the series regardless of their knowledge of the sport. It’s filled with many shonen tropes that’ll remind folks of classics like Naruto and Dragon Ball.
In it, we follow a weak individual named Sena. He’s prone to get bullied but has wonderful athletic abilities. His dodging skills catch the eye of his school’s football captain Hiruma. Hiruma persuades Sena to join the team, but there’s a catch. Sena must wear a visored helmet and take on the alias Eyeshield 21 to play.
Therefore, we follow Sena, Hiruma, and their team through several games as they hope to claim ultimate victory. The games themselves will provide viewers with entertaining matches. The animation won’t blow anyone away but it gets the job done in conveying the intensity and significance of each match-up. Fans looking for a simplistic sports anime should look no further than Eyeshield 21.
Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor
Similarities – Characters & Themes
Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor includes cast members who match the egotistical mindset of the characters you’d find in Blue Lock. The characters in this series are placed in intense situations where they must rely on their wit to walk away victorious. This anime delves more into minigames as opposed to Blue Lock but offers a similar experience nonetheless.
Our tale takes place on a cruise ship where our protagonist Kaiji competes to clear a debt given to him by his lazy co-worker. If Kaiji fails in one of the host’s games, he’ll be forced into a life of indebted servitude. This is an anime where forging falsified relationships plays a vital role in helping our characters overcome death-defying obstacles.
Although the series loves raising the stakes for its characters, it’s not afraid to sprinkle in some lighthearted humor. Fans can expect a good amount of slapstick and dark humor in this show. If you’re looking for a thought-provoking anime with small samples of action and humor thrown in the mix, check out Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor.
So there we have it, our 10 anime/TV show alternatives to watch when you’ve caught up with Blue Lock!
What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!