10 Sports Anime That, Sadly, Can't Hold a Candle to Haikyuu
Remember, even if these series didn't serve up a spike like Haikyuu!!, they are still worth a watch.
1. Kuroko's Basketball
Kuroko's Basketball tried to pull off the high-flying stunts that we see in the NBA, but it's no Haikyuu!! With the power of teamwork and training, the main character, Kuroko, and his team strive to become the best in Japan. The plot's premise is similar to Haikyuu!!, yet lacks the depth of character development and realistic gameplay that Haikyuu!! seamlessly integrates. It feels like watching a game of NBA Jam, and while it's fun, it's not exactly grounded in reality.
2. Prince of Tennis
Prince of Tennis serves a fun look into the world of tennis, but it's less of a sports anime and more of a superpowers showcase, with characters unleashing unrealistic moves that would put even Serena Williams to shame. The show's main character, Echizen Ryoma, is a prodigy who's always one step ahead of his competitors, which creates less tension and excitement compared to the constant struggle and growth we see in Haikyuu!!. Though it's packed with adrenaline, it lacks the nail-biting suspense of a close rally that Haikyuu!! regularly delivers. Although, just like Haikyuu!! made its sport more popular, Prince of Tennis has been a catalyst for the increase in the popularity of tennis in Japan.
3. Hanebado!
Hanebado! is to badminton what Prince of Tennis is to tennis – a drama-filled, over-the-top take on the sport. Focusing on Ayano Hanesaki, a badminton prodigy with a complicated relationship with the sport, Hanebado! serves high energy gameplay but lacks a coherent narrative. The series features a plethora of emotionally charged moments that, unfortunately, don't always hit the mark. This is where Haikyuu!! steals the show, with its well-executed balance of intense sport sequences and meaningful character development.
4. Free!
Free! makes a splash with its beautiful animation and a plot centered around friendship and rivalry in a high school swimming club. However, its narrative doesn't have the depth and attention to detail that makes Haikyuu!! such a winner. Free! focuses a lot on the drama outside the pool, while Haikyuu!! miraculously manages to strike a perfect balance between personal drama, team dynamics, and the sport itself. Also, no matter how hard they try, a swimmer's speedo can't compete with Hinata's Karasuno High uniform.
5. Yowamushi Pedal
Yowamushi Pedal takes us on a wild ride into the world of competitive cycling with the main character, Onoda, who goes from anime nerd to a professional cyclist. Although it captures the grueling nature of the sport, it can't match the intensity and strategic depth of Haikyuu!!. It tries to emulate the heart-pounding excitement of a volleyball match but ends up pedaling in circles. The plot, though engaging, doesn't pack the same emotional punch. If Haikyuu!! is the yellow jersey in the Tour de France, Yowamushi Pedal is still struggling up the mountain.
6. Days
In contrast to the wide variety of distinct and dynamic characters in Haikyuu!!, Days is heavily centered around two main characters – Tsukushi, a newbie with no soccer experience, and Jin, a soccer prodigy. While the bond and dynamic between Tsukushi and Jin create interesting moments, the series fails to give other characters the same depth. Haikyuu!! thrives on its ensemble cast, each member having a well-defined personality, something Days could learn from. Even though Days tries to tackle some emotional themes, it doesn't come close to Haikyuu!! in terms of invoking strong feelings for its characters.
7. Big Windup!
Big Windup! hits a home run in highlighting the mental aspect of baseball, but where it falls flat is in its inability to capture the sport's physical intensity. The series tells the story of Ren Mihashi, a pitcher with self-esteem issues. While Ren's journey to self-confidence is relatable, the show spends too much time inside the characters' heads and not enough time on the field. Unlike Haikyuu!!, which seamlessly blends psychological and physical aspects of the sport, Big Windup! seems stuck on the pitcher's mound. Nevertheless, Big Windup! is still worth watching if you're into sports anime: the baseball terms used in the series are accurate and well-explained, making it a good primer for those new to the sport.
8. Slam Dunk
Slam Dunk might have been the first manga to make basketball cool in Japan, but it can't lace up the sneakers to match the excitement and drama of Haikyuu!!. Following delinquent-turned-basketball player Hanamichi Sakuragi, the series does well to capture the essence of basketball and the spirit of competition. However, it lacks the consistent pacing and the intricate, detailed animations of volleyball action that make Haikyuu!! such a standout. Plus, Hanamichi's red hair can't compete with Shōyō Hinata's striking orange. Yes, hair color is a valid point, sue me.
9. Captain Tsubasa
Captain Tsubasa holds the title of one of the most influential soccer anime, inspiring many players worldwide, including notable footballers like Lionel Messi and Zinedine Zidane. But its exaggerated portrayal of soccer, with characters performing near-impossible feats on the field, makes it less relatable than Haikyuu!!. While Haikyuu!! gives a more realistic portrayal of the sport, the characters in Captain Tsubasa unleash moves that could fit right into a Dragon Ball Z episode.
10. Eyeshield 21
Finally, we have Eyeshield 21, an anime that attempts to tackle American football. The protagonist, Sena, is a weakling who turns into a sprinting star when on the field. But the drawn-out matches and the heavy use of stereotypes and tropes make the series fumble. Even though Sena's growth from a lackey to a respected member of the team mirrors Hinata's growth in Haikyuu!!, the latter does it in a more realistic and engaging manner.