Fall 2024 is bringing a few but exciting sports anime to our screens. From tennis to baseball, and more, this season has something for every sports fan. We’ll look at the most anticipated shows, their stories, and what makes each one special.
Whether you love underdog tales or team rivalries, you’ll find a new favorite here. Get ready to cheer on these animated athletes in their quests for victory!
1. Blue Lock (Season 2) - Oct 5, 2024
Studio: 8bit
Source: Manga
After Japan’s disappointing 16th place finish in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the Japan Football Union takes drastic action. They hire the enigmatic Jinpachi Ego, who proposes Blue Lock: a radical training program designed to create the world’s most egotistical striker. The stakes are high – those who fail can never represent Japan again.
Enter Yoichi Isagi, an unknown high school player grappling with his playing style. Drawn by the promise of becoming the world’s best striker, Isagi joins Blue Lock. As he faces intense competition and psychological challenges, Isagi must evolve his game and embrace his ego to survive in this cutthroat environment that aims to revolutionize Japanese football.
2. The Prince of Tennis II U-17 World Cup Semifinal - Oct 3, 2024
Studio: M.S.C
Source: Manga
Tennis prodigy Ryoma Echizen faces a major setback when he’s expelled from Japan’s prestigious U-17 training camp for rule-breaking. His fortune changes when he unexpectedly gets a chance to try out for the U.S. team. Ryoma must now prove himself against seasoned American players, navigating a new team dynamic and cultural differences.
The stakes are high as he potentially faces off against his former Japanese teammates in the World Cup. Ryoma grapples with divided loyalties and the pressure to excel in this international arena. As the semifinals approach, he must harness his skills and adapt to new challenges to lead his adopted team to victory.
3. Blue Box - Oct 3, 2024
Studio: Telecom Animation Film
Source: Manga
Taiki Inomata, a badminton player at Eimei Junior and Senior High, harbors a crush on Chinatsu Kano, his upperclasswoman from the girls’ basketball team. They share morning training sessions, but their relationship takes an unexpected turn when Chinatsu’s parents leave Japan for work. She moves in with Taiki’s family, suddenly bringing them under the same roof.
Now living together, Taiki sees an opportunity to gradually deepen their connection. However, both teens face the challenge of balancing their growing relationship with their ambitious athletic goals. As they navigate their complex feelings, Taiki and Chinatsu each strive to lead their respective teams to the national championship.
4. Negative Positive Angler - Oct 3, 2024
Studio: Nut
Source: Original
Tsunehiro Sasaki, a university student, receives devastating news: he has only two years to live due to a terminal illness. His world is turned upside down, forcing him to confront his mortality and the meaning of his remaining time. A chance accident leads to Tsunehiro falling into the sea, where he’s rescued by Hana Ayukawa.
This near-death experience becomes a turning point, sparking an unexpected friendship. Joined by Hana’s friend Takaaki Tsutsujimori, Tsunehiro discovers a new passion for fishing. As he learns the art of angling, Tsunehiro finds a way to cope with his diagnosis, forming deep connections and finding joy in his newfound hobby. The series explores how facing death can lead to embracing life fully.
5. MF Fhost (Season 2) - Oct 7, 2024
Studio: Felix Film
Source: Manga
Set in 202X, when self-driving electric cars dominate, MF Ghost follows the underground world of internal combustion car racing. The MFG organization, founded by Initial D’s Ryosuke Takahashi, keeps this tradition alive in Japan. Enter Kanata Rivington, a 19-year-old Japanese-British prodigy racing under the alias Kanata Katagiri. Driving a Toyota 86, he shocks the racing world by outperforming top-tier European cars.
Trained by legendary racer Takumi Fujiwara and a Formula 4 champion, Kanata’s skills are unparalleled. But his true motivation goes beyond racing glory – he’s on a quest to find his long-lost father, adding personal drama to the high-octane action.
