Kuroko's Basketball is an iconic shonen sports anime series that has spawned a loyal fanbase. With its intense scenes and emotionally resonant story, it's no wonder that it has become so popular. The show features intense basketball matches, compelling stories, and a cast of unforgettable characters.
For those looking for a new anime to watch after completing Kuroko's Basketball, there is an array of other sports shows that feature intense matches and characters with unique abilities. From the thrilling swimming competitions of Free! to the exciting ping-pong matches in Ping Pong The Animation, there's a sports anime for everyone. For fans who love the excitement and intensity of Kuroko's Basketball, here are some shows that are sure to hit the spot.
10 Ping Pong The Animation
Through their mutual love for ping-pong, Makoto "Smile" Tsukimoto and Yutaka "Peco" Hoshino developed an unbreakable bond, despite being polar opposites in terms of their personalities and playing styles. As they compete in higher-level tournaments, they face more formidable opponents and learn more about themselves and the game as they progress.
Fans of the series appreciate the unique animation style and the grounded depiction of ping-pong. The show takes the time to show the strategic depth of skill required for the sport without ever feeling slow or dull. With the thoughtful and nuanced approach to the sport, the show does an excellent job conveying the intensity of the game and its characters’ emotional investment.
9 Run With The Wind
Run With The Wind is a great choice for those looking for an anime with a similar vibe to Kuroko's Basketball. It follows Kakeru Kurahara, a university student recruited by his classmate Haiji to join an amateur running team to compete in the Kansei University Ekiden, the biggest marathon in Japan. Despite their many challenges, the team comes together, learning valuable lessons and discovering the true meaning of victory.
The show emphasizes the importance of teamwork, highlighting that success depends not only on individual talent but also on the group's collective efforts. Like Kuroko's Basketball, viewers find inspiration in the characters' relentless determination and unyielding strength, as well as the deep friendship and camaraderie that blossoms between them.
8 Blue Lock
After a disappointing loss at a high school soccer game, Yoichi Isagi receives an invitation from the Japan Football Union to join an unconventional project named Blue Lock. Blue Lock focuses on each player's individual strengths and features a thrilling story and intense gameplay with both captivating and frightening characters.
Isagi's ambition to be the best is not an innocent youthful dream but a deeply-rooted obsession that’s taken it to shocking and enthralling heights. It takes the traditional, dreary survival game premise and puts the spotlight on what would be the antagonists' way of becoming stronger in other sports-themed anime. It's an anime that any fan of sports anime, and especially Kuroko’s Basketball, should watch. With its intense matches and thrilling story, it's sure to captivate its viewers.
7 Ace of Diamond
When Eijun Sawamura is invited to join Seidou High School, an elite baseball team in Tokyo, he struggles to find his place amongst some of the highest-caliber players in the city. He must diligently work to surpass the formidable Satoru Furuya and reach his goal of becoming the team's ace. The Seidou baseball team is united in the ambition to be the best in Japan, and they collaborate to overcome the many challenging adversaries they encounter.
With Ace of Diamond and Kuroko's Basketball both produced by the same studio, they share the art style and enthralling soundtrack that lends to the appeal of the action sequences. Both have exciting matches that keep viewers on the edge of their seats and a healthy dose of humor that brings lightness to the show in the face of seemingly undefeatable opponents.
6 The Prince of Tennis
Ryouma Echizen, a tennis prodigy, returns to Japan from America and joins the Seishun Academy tennis team, one of the best teams in the country. His skill and determination soon prove to be beyond what anyone had anticipated, and with his help, the team sets out to compete in the National Tournament. Despite the difficulties that the members of the Seishun Academy tennis team face, they stay focused and never lose sight of their goal to become the best in the nation.
Like Kuroko’s Basketball, The Prince of Tennis is a shonen series in the sports genre that highlights the joy of friendships and the importance of teamwork for success. The characters in both series are highly relatable and have unique abilities and techniques that make the show even more captivating. They are both highly engaging and feature stunning visuals and stories that encourage viewers to develop a connection with the show and become enamored with the sports featured in the series. Despite being based on two distinct sports, both shows share comparable traits that are certain to resonate with fans of Kuroko’s Basketball.
5 Backflip!!
Like Kuroko's Basketball, Backflip!! features a team of characters with unique abilities and a shared goal. After Shoutarou Futaba stumbles upon a group of gymnasts performing in the park, he becomes captivated by the sport. He decides to enroll at Shoushukan, hoping to join the team. With his newfound ambition, Shotaro aims to compete in the Inter-High Tournament alongside his teammate.
Backflip!! recreates the intense plays in Kuroko’s Basketball. It showcases rhythmic gymnastics in a stimulating and dramatic way and provides an inspiring and heartwarming journey. Backflip!! Is excellent for anyone looking for an anime similar to Kuroko's Basketball. It has an exciting plot filled with compelling tournament arcs, beautiful animation, and a cast of unforgettable characters that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
4 Free! - Iwatobi Swim Club
Those captivated by the thrilling basketball matches featured in Kuroko's Basketball will love the intense swimming competitions showcased in Free!. With vivid animation and an exciting storyline, Free! is an anime that will leave any viewer wanting more. It follows a handful of high school students as they come together to form a swim club and the journey they take to become champions.
Although Free! is more slice-of-life than typical shounen sports anime, it has a sports-centric focus like Koroku’s Basketball. Both plots explore rivalry between former friends and their shared passion for their sport, and they give the audience the same feelings as the story progresses: angst, eagerness, and determination. Simple and emotionally resonant, this series is perfect for anyone looking for an anime with stunning visuals and a captivating story.
3 Haikyuu!!
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Haikyuu!! follows the story of Shoyo Hinata, a student with a short stature who was motivated to become a great volleyball player after witnessing the performance of Karasuno's "Little Giant." He decides to join the Karasuno male volleyball team and forms an unlikely alliance with his rival and teammate, Tobio Kageyama. Together with the rest of the team they strive to make it to the national championships.
Both sports anime are made by Production I.G., revolving around an unlikely duo trying their best to overcome their weaknesses and bring out the best in their teams. Both shows have a similar cast which share several humorous interactions. Through hard work and practice, the characters overcome their obstacles one by one to achieve their dreams.
2 Ahiru no Sora
Ahiru no Sora focuses on basketball, centering around a protagonist who, like Kuroko, has a physical deficiency. Despite his small stature, Sora Kurumatani refuses to let this limit his ability to excel in basketball. His dedication to the game leads him to the Kuzuryuu High School basketball club, but on his arrival, Sora finds the team full of boys who need more passion for the sport. He decides to challenge them to a match, and his display of skill and devotion revives their love for basketball.
This anime's story arc and character development closely mirrors Kuroko’s Basketball, as each features tournament arcs with incredibly entertaining basketball games. Ahiru no Sora is worth watching for anyone who enjoys sports anime with characters with physical flaws striving for success, punctuated with comedic moments that break up the intensity.
1 Slam Dunk
Like Kuroko's Basketball, Slam Dunk is a sports anime with basketball as its central theme, albeit without unconventional or almost supernatural character abilities like the former. It focuses on the journey of Hanamichi Sakuragi, who falls into basketball in his romantic pursuit of Haruko Akagi, the sister of the team's captain. As he trains with the rest of the Shohoku High School basketball team, he not only develops into an adept basketball player but also learns to control his temper and channel his energy into the game.
The charm of this show lies in its portrayal of the game with surprisingly effective comedy and the sincerity of Hanamichi's bond with his new teammates. Although Slam Dunk is distinct from Kuroko's Basketball in terms of look, tone, and characters, it shares a similar core theme of friendship and teamwork.