The one thing every basketball fan loves is watching their favorite game incorporated in TV shows and series.
Through these shows, fans and enthusiasts are able to learn new techniques while still getting entertainment.
Fortunately, there are several basketball-themed animes out there for you to watch. Most of these shows are an entertainment package for everyone, not just basketball enthusiasts.
Even if you have no prior knowledge of basketball, you will still have a great time watching these basketball anime.
So, to help you get rid of your boredom and learn new tips and tricks, here are the best basketball anime for you to watch.
Best Basketball Animes To Watch
Below is a collection of the top 10 basketball animes to consider watching during this phase of extreme boredom in our lives.
So, get your popcorn and cokes ready, clear out the couch, and gear up to get hooked on one of the best anime series!
Slam Dunk
The top basketball anime on our list is Slam Dunk. It is considered a pioneer of sports anime; from its witty jokes to its inspiring speeches, it’s a masterpiece from the 90s.
It teaches many valuable morals of life such as establishing strong bonds with each other, and to never give up. It’s an anime that’s been a part of my childhood, and I knew from its first episode that it would be hilarious.
The main character Sakuragi Hanamichi is what makes the whole thing entertaining. He is brash, tactless, rough and stupid -- and, for some odd reason, really funny.
Even when he gets on my nerves, he does something random and ridiculous and retarded, and it just ends up cracking me up.
He's always calling himself a genius (when he doesn't know how to do anything) and laughing in this obnoxious, cocky manner and making awful mistakes, but he's somehow loveable anyway and you end up rooting for him because he's just that charismatic.
The thing that's really nice about him is just how flawed he is... he's got natural athleticism, but he's far from being a natural on the basketball court and he's loyal, strong, and dedicated, but he's also impatient and hot-tempered and loud.
And he's really nicely backed up by a team of interesting, diverse guys who each (eventually) get their time in the limelight and each have their own personal struggles to overcome while striving to work together as a team.
Get Season 1 of Slam Dunk on Amazon Prive Video here.
Slam Dunk: Shouhoku Saidai no Kiki! Moero Sakuragi Hanamichi
Slam Dunk: Shouhoku Saidai no Kiki! Moero Sakuragi Hanamichi is a spin-off film of the above anime while the manga and TV series were still running.
It has an intriguing storyline with the lead character Sakuragi (who is now the captain of team Shohoku) going through a transitional phase in basketball.
The coach of the Shohoku team, Coach Anzai, feels upset after the Shohokus lose several matches against Kainan High. Yup, you read that right.
The leading team in the series loses the game before the transition of the captain. The story promises entertainment and life lessons, as it teaches team building and that you should never give up, no matter what.
The series (both the anime and the film) have a comedy genre other than basketball, and you’re sure to get addicted to it after only a few episodes. It is surely a fascinating anime that keeps the audience engaged till the end.
Kuroko's Basketball
Next up, we have another fan-favorite basketball anime, ‘Kuroko's Basketball.’ This show gained popularity back in 2012 when it first aired.
The lead character in this series is a middle school basketball player named Kuroko, the team’s sixth man.
The story starts with him starting a new chapter of his life dominated by basketball. The second lead in this story is Taiga Kagami, with whom Kuroko pairs up in the upcoming matches to have a blast.
The series is full of stunning basketball moves which may not be possible to perform in real life but come under the principles and rules of the sport.
Even though it involves a few unrealistic scenes, it is still one of the best shows to binge-watch in your spare time.
Prefer to read? Get the Vol 1 manga here.
Ahiru no Sora
This beauty in basketball anime was released at the end of the year 2019. The storyline is quite interesting as it revolves around a short basketball player named Sora Kurumatani.
This series was especially loved by people who felt demotivated to play basketball because of their short height, as they expressed how it helped boost their confidence and encouraged them not to lose hope.
The minor characters in this series are the players on Sora’s team who are pretty much losers. Regardless, this team of losers thrives hard to do well in the basketball championship, and their struggle makes this series a hit.
The genre of this series is shonen, which means a combo of action, comedy, friendship, and tragedy. With immense tragedy and comedy, this series keeps you intrigued till the end.
Buzzer Beater
Have you ever imagined aliens playing basketball? Well, this series is sure to add tons of ideas to your imagination.
Buzzer Beater is an anime in which the writer shows an intergalactic basketball championship. In the series, basketball is shown to be a universal sport adored by aliens.
Several matches take place in this intergalactic league, but the twist is that the alien league is physically more powerful than humans. To find out whether humans managed to take over the league, you will have to watch it yourself.
If you are a die-hard basketball fan or player, then this series will surely interest you a lot.
Basquash!
Basketball with aliens is another thing, but what about basketball with giant humongous robots? Well, now we’re talking.
Basquash! (with an exclamation mark) is a series released in 2009. This anime is about basketball and mecha (a typical Japanese genre with robots controlled by humans).
In this series, basketball is played in large arenas while the championship league is called ‘BigFoot Basketball’ (witty). The BFB becomes incredibly famous when Dan wins it as a street basketball player.
The series claims some unique and unrealistic moves and shots made by Dan and his team in their fight to win the battle against their nemesis. Overall, the series is fantastic and focuses on the value of friendship and teamwork in one's life.
Get the Blu-ray DVD here.
Breakers
Have you ever imagined how it would feel to be unable to play basketball due to a disability?
Breakers is an anime series that focuses on paralympic sports, particularly goalball, swimming, track and field, and basketball. Its main genres include basketball, tragedy, and comedy. Breakers demonstrates that paralympic basketball can be just as exciting to watch as conventional basketball.
The suspense and thrill of the game further add to the excitement of the show. Like any good anime, this series has the potential to make you pull an all-nighter to watch all of the episodes.
Heong-geuli Beseuteu 5 (Hungry Best 5)
Heong-geuli Beseuteu 5 is a Korean basketball anime with a huge fan base all over the world. Emphasizing the importance of teamwork and unity, this series brings an inspiring plot to your screens.
The protagonist of the series, Kim Youngwoong, is a basketball champion at one of the best schools in the country. Despite being surrounded by fans and trophies, Kim decides to leave school and join an underdog team instead.
He wants to turn the squad into winners by training them and bringing them to the championship cup. However, Kim's biggest challenge is bringing the squad together and getting them drilled.
Overall, this series is definitely worth watching if you want to learn more about collaboration and team effort.
Dear Boys (Hoop Days)
Dear Boys is the perfect basketball anime for you if you want to watch something entertaining while still learning new techniques. It's a terrific anime that educates the audience about basketball and carries a story on the side.
You must watch it if you are a basketball fan or want to learn a few tips and tactics.
The anime tells the story of Kazuhiko Aikawa, a well-known Japanese high school basketball player.
However, the plot twist is when he decides to transfer to Mizuho high school. Because of minimal opportunities for extra-curricular activities, his new school was not a place for winners.
With no coach to lead them, Aikawa takes it upon himself to tie up loose ends and help the team start from scratch.
Despite knowing about the circumstances, Aikawa took a chance and brought together a team of young players.
His goal was to win the high school basketball tournament. You can learn a thing or two from his attempts to teach his team members.
It's a fantastic series to watch for beginner basketball players as it will help them polish their pre-existing skills by implementing the show's simple tips and tricks.
The plot includes a female coach who initially chastises the squad but quickly becomes acquainted with them and helps them with their journey.
Their primary goal is to compete in the national tournament and represent their country as the Furious 5.
Dash Kappie
Even though it is an old basketball anime series from the 1980s, it is a fan-favorite up to this day. The anime has 65 episodes that keep viewers riveted to their televisions until the very end.
Kappie Sakamoto, a small person who is less than a metre tall, is the protagonist of the story. He portrays a high school kid with exceptional basketball abilities. The coach's white underpants (such an awkward explanation!) are his inspiration for playing basketball.
Kappie's strange fascination with underwear also becomes the cause for his winning record. His character is the series' highlight since he is hilarious and attempts to explain certain gaming tactics in easily understandable and comprehensive ways.
Overall, it's an excellent comedy anime that you can enjoy with your family and friends on a movie night.
Conclusion: Best Basketball Anime
Something that all anime share in common is that they never come without a moral or life lesson. As a result, you’ll always find one thing or the other to learn from watching these sports animations.
Watching basketball anime will allow you to get a different perspective on your favorite sport. A good sports anime will give you a suitable plot that revolves around the game and emphasizes the characters.
Moreover, watching basketball anime will let you experience the sport from the comfort of your bed.
So, what are you waiting for? Make sure to add the above basketball anime collection to your list and kill your boredom!
