What To Watch Next? Checkout These 7 Football-related Anime Series

Are you a football fan? If yes, then you might be updated about the latest season of the FIFA World Cup. In addition, you might also know the best football-related films ever made. But let’s pause from the real world, and dive into the world of anime series.

As you may already know, there’s a guaranteed anime version of almost any kind of sport. You’ll just need to find the right storyline to follow. But whether you’re an anime fan or not, certain stories will get you hooked up, and get invested in the characters.

Meanwhile, for those who are anime and football fans, you might want to check the list if you haven’t watched all football anime series yet.

 

So if you’re ready, prepare your retro football shirts, and start watching these football-related anime series for every football and anime fan!

1. Inazuma Eleven (2008-2011)

You might think that middle schoolers don’t have many plans for the future, but the Inazuma Eleven can prove you wrong. Inazuma Eleven is the team name of the Raimon Middle School football club.

At first, their team captain and goalkeeper, Mamoru, struggles to help his teammates restore their passion for playing football. However, once they start playing, all team members do their best to shine.

Another problem they’re facing is that they want to achieve the title of being the best team in the country. But of course, they need to win the Football Frontier Championship first before they achieve their goal.

2. Captain Tsubasa (2018-2019)

An eleven-year-old boy, Tsubasa Oozora, has this great dream to represent Japan in the World Cup. At a young age, he starts playing football with the support of his entire family. They move to Nankatsu city where Tsubasa enrolled for his last year in elementary and becomes a part of the football club.

Later on, he meets a professional Brazilian football player Roberto Hongô who becomes his mentor. Although Tsubasa undergoes a series of exhausting training, it helps him prepare for more challenging games in the future.

If you’ll notice, their team has a simple kit that you can also relate to retro football shirts for the past season. Moreover, if you have had a passion for football since you were younger, then you can easily relate to this series.

3. Whistle! (2002-2003)

Not everyone was born with a perfect skill for certain things. Others may need to work hard just to achieve their dream to be on top. It’s just what Shou Kazamatsuri did to reach his goal.

Although he’s not good at first, he has this dream of becoming one of the greatest football players in the world. Unfortunately, he can’t achieve his goal as a third-string player so he decides to transfer to another school. Luckily, he was accepted to a school with a top-rated football team.

From there, he works hard to practise and improve his skills which helps him to become one step closer to achieving his dream.

4. Clean Freak! Aoyama-kun (2017)

Would you still play football or any other sports if you have mysophobia (or fear of dirt)? It would be scary to deal with every day, right? But for Aoyama, getting all the dirt from playing football is worth it.

Aoyama is a high school student who’s being admired for being good at many things. Unfortunately, he’s also a clean freak, which makes it harder for his social and school activities. However, his determination to bring their football team to the top lessens the struggle they’re facing.

5. Days (2016)

One night, two high school boys, Jin Kazama, and Tsukushi Tsukamoto were stuck in a football game against bullies. Unfortunately, Tsukushi doesn’t know how to play football. But although he’s not as good as his friend, Jin, he becomes interested in the sport.

Later, he tries to work on his football skills and decides to do his best just so he becomes a part of the Seiseki high school football club.

Off the topic, if you love collecting kits, then you might be interested in the retro football shirts featured in this anime series.

6. Giant Killing (2010)

At the beginning of the series, the East Tokyo United (ETU) has been struggling for the past years just so they can avoid relegation. And as you may know, relegation is never good news. 

So they change their strategy and try their best to win the matches. The team also hires a new coach, Takeshi Tatsumi, a former professional football player who also has a background in coaching an English team. The fate of ETU is about to change, in the hands of their new coach.

7. The Knight in the Area (2012)

Compared to other football-related anime series, Area no Kishi or The Knight in the Area faces a different twist. The two brothers Suguru Aizawa and Kakeru Aizawa, are both into football. However, Kakeru decided to quit playing due to personal reasons and applied for a managerial position instead.

Things are going well until one day, the two brothers got hit by a truck. Unfortunately, Suguru dies, and his heart is given to Kakeru. To fulfill Suguru’s dream of becoming a professional football player, Kakeru continues to play football.

 

Can’t decide which anime series to watch first? You can also view their trailers online to give you more details. Don’t forget to share with us which football-related anime series is your favourite by leaving a comment below!