Find a complete rundown of the top five sports manga here.
Ping Pong
The protagonists of Ping Pong are two college students named Smile and Peco, who are both members of the school’s table tennis club. Even though Smile has a hard time beating Peco, their teacher does what she can to help them out since she recognizes Smile’s potential.
Ping Pong’s popularity persists despite the series’ brevity, thanks to the show’s stunning visuals and heartfelt narrative. The novel is less about ping pong and more about the characters’ lives, so even if you’re not into the sport, you should still enjoy it.
Chihayafuru
The protagonist of Chihayafuru, Chihaya, meets Arata Wataya and learns that she has a natural talent for the game. Chihaya reunites with her childhood buddy Taichi Mashima in high school, where the two of them form a chess club.
Chihaya strives to improve her playing to a higher level in the hopes of being reunited with Arata. Throughout Chihayafuru, she trains hard to beat out her long-time rival and become the best Karuta player in the world.
Hajime No Ippo
One of the best boxing comics ever written, Hajime No Ippo is continually being updated with new chapters. There are fans of the show throughout multiple generations, making it one of the most popular sports anime ever.
The tale follows Makunouchi Ippo, a high school dropout who trains with legendary boxer Takamura. Learning to reach his full potential. Hajime no Ippo is a boxing manga that also shows its characters at their finest and doesn’t sugarcoat their failures.
Eyeshield 21
Eyeshield 21 is a football narrative with some of the most beautiful and expressive art by Yusuke Murata. Sena Kobayakawa (portrayed in the show) is a high school student who is dragged onto the football field and given the alias “Eyeshield 21”.
Sena is surprisingly talented at the game, despite his timid nature and short stature. He becomes the school’s hero thanks to his secret abilities, and Sena gradually develops a sense of self-assurance he never knew he lacked.
Read: Five Best Volleyball Anime Of All Time
Slam Dunk
Without a doubt, Slam Dunk is one of the best sports manga series ever created. The protagonist, Hanamichi Sakuragi, has a checkered past and is the focus of the story. Two things ran through his mind during his first day of high school: “I hate basketball” and “I need a girlfriend”.
Hanamichi’s luck changes when he meets a girl named Haruko Akagi, who is blown away by his extraordinary physique. Despite his initial disinterest, he joins the team and soon finds himself immersed in the sport’s intricate culture. Soon, basketball will become the driving force in his life, transforming him in ways he never imagined possible.
