Updated November 25, 2022 by Ernie
We all know how there are certain anime that just give you an instant adrenaline rush, right? Though all sports anime are full of thrills and competition and that’s what makes these stand out from the rest of the anime.
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There’s intense competition among the teams and we also get to learn about their teamwork which helps us in real life too, especially if you’re an athlete! I’m sure big athletes like Messi or Ronaldo might have watched some of the soccer anime.
Well, if you’re here to look for some of the intense, survival, and sports anime like Blue Lock, you’re at the right place! Without further ado, let’s get started!
SURVIVAL ANIME LIKE BLUE LOCK!
30. Parasyte The Maxim
| Title | Parasyte The Maxim |
| Genre | Action, Horror, Sci-Fi |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | Madhouse |
| Premiered | Fall 2014 |
| Episodes | 24 |
| Duration | 24 min per ep |
Parasyte The Maxim is an anime that resembles Blue Lock since the MC is forced to change his naive self and prepare himself for the cruel reality of the world. So, both anime portray strong philosophical and strong emotions.
Parasyte tells us the story of Shinichi Izumi who gets infected by a parasyte (monsters that consume humans) and he must learn to live with this parasyte. If he wants to survive as a human as well as a part of the monster, he will have to learn to live with it, or else he will get himself in danger!
29. Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor
| Title | Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor |
| Genre | Suspense |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | Madhouse |
| Premiered | Fall 2007 |
| Episodes | 26 |
| Duration | 23 min per ep |
Just how the plot of Blue Lock portrays the egotistical theme, Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor portrays a similar message where people are abandoned into a unique and isolated contest where they have to be egotistical in order to survive!
It’s definitely true that you have to be selfish in order to survive in today’s world. Or else you get used to it! Anyways, let’s talk about Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor now. It tells us about Kaiji, a lazy and poor guy living alone. He’s in a huge debt which he has to pay by playing cheap games like gambling with his neighbors.
In spite of the fact that he’s in huge danger, he risks his life to endure danger and move forward. At the beginning of the story, he had a debt of 3,850,000 yen and he owes it to his coworker who made him sign a loan contract.
28. Food Wars!
| Title | Food Wars! |
| Genre | Gourmet |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | J.C Staff |
| Premiered | Spring 2015 |
| Episodes | 24 |
| Duration | 25 min per ep |
Just like how in Food Wars, we get to see a huge cooperation that is dedicated to finding the best chef, we get to see the cooperation looking for the best egotistical striker in Blue Lock. There is a diversity of characters each having their own weapon which they use during the contests or battles.
So, Food Wars is mostly based on food where an aspiring chef gets admission in an elite culinary school where different students take part in competitions. Yukihira is our main character who is among other characters trying to make a name for themselves in the world of gourmet food!
27. Kakegurui
| Title | Kakegurui |
| Genre | Drama, Mystery |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | MAPPA |
| Premiered | Summer 2017 |
| Episodes | 12 |
| Duration | 24 min per ep |
When it comes to intense competition and ego, Kakegurui should be at the top of the list. We all know how there were tons of gambling battles in Kakegurui and how the students’ egos were stomped as they lost the battle. Similarly, in Blue Lock, it’s all about Ego! Jinpachi Ego is a coach looking for the best egotistical striker in the world. So, among many characters in Blue Lock, there has to be one egotistical striker who will eventually win the Blue Lock Project.
Similarly, in Kakegurui various students are in debt and they have to clear those debts by indulging in gambling competitions. Our main character, Yumeko Jabami attends an elite academy and stomps on other peoples’ egos to win the games!
26. Giant Killing
| Title | Giant Killing |
| Genre | Drama, Mystery |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | Studio Deen |
| Premiered | Spring 2010 |
| Episodes | 26 |
| Duration | 24 min per ep |
Ah yes! Now, we have a football anime similar to Blue Lock. It tells us about the East Tokyo Unit that has been having a hard time finding Japan’s top football team for years. East Tokyo Unit hires Takeshi Tatsumi in order to break the curse on Japan’s football team. Since he spent many years in England, he did his best and took the team to the top 32 teams in the FA Cup. So, pretty much like Blue Lock, this anime gives the message of building the best team in the world.
25. World Trigger
| Title | World Trigger |
| Genre | Action, Sci-Fi, Supernatural |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | Toei Animation |
| Premiered | Summer 2017 |
| Episodes | 73 |
| Duration | 23 min per ep |
When it comes to survival, World Trigger will never do you wrong! Since Blue Lock gives out the message of survival and character development to a deeper level, it won’t be wrong to say that World Trigger is an anime like Blue Lock.
Anyways, let’s learn about World Trigger! So, it tells us the story of Osamu Mikumo who has to survive with other people against the attacks of “neighbors”. After the opening of a gateway, some aliens caused havoc in Mikaido City. Now, everyone has to fight for their survival. The character development in this anime is no joke, so don’t miss out on it!
24. Juuni Taisen: Zodiac War
| Title | Juuni Taisen: Zodiac War |
| Genre | Action |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | Graphinica |
| Premiered | Fall 2017 |
| Episodes | 12 |
| Duration | 24 min per ep |
Juuni Taisen: Zodiac War is similar to Blue Lock in a way that this anime portrays the message of a fight for your life. So, pretty much like Blue Lock, the 12 zodiacs have to fight for their survival in a contest in order to get their wish granted! Among these 12 zodiacs, our boy Nezumi has to struggle and be careful about every step that he takes since it can leave a rather deep impact on his life. Sounds pretty interesting, right?
23. Fate Zero
| Title | Fate Zero |
| Genre | Action, Fantasy, Supernatural |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | ufotable |
| Premiered | Fall 2011 |
| Episodes | 13 |
| Duration | 28 min per ep |
Another anime that is full of competition is Fate Zero. In this anime, the characters have to take part in a competition in order to come to the top. However, the ways that Blue Lock and Fate Zero start off are quite different.
It tells us about Kiritsugu Emiya who’s the main character on Alimango Island specializing in magic. Overall, the story tells us about the Fourth Holy Grail War which is a secretive tournament where mages summon different spirits or Servants in order to fight others. So, the competition in this anime is quite nerve-wracking just like Blue Lock!
22. Hunter X Hunter
| Title | Hunter X Hunter |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Fantasy |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | Madhouse |
| Premiered | Fall 2011 |
| Episodes | 148 |
| Duration | 23 min per ep |
Hunter X Hunter literally started off with competition. Being a hunter is all about competition. Like Blue Lock, there was heavy character development with our main character Gon who was quite naive in the beginning. But as the story progressed, he learned about his surroundings and decided to change.
Hunter X Hunter tells us the story of Gon who’s on a journey to become a hunter and eventually meet his dad, Ging who is a popular hunter among others. So, the story is Gon’s journey through which he makes a lot of new friends as well!
21. Deadman Wonderland
| Title | Deadman Wonderland |
| Genre | Action, Horror, Sci-Fi, Supernatural |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | Manglobe |
| Premiered | Spring 2011 |
| Episodes | 12 |
| Duration | 24 min per ep |
Deadman Wonderland is like Blue Lock except for the fact that there’s no football in it. But the main focus is on its characters who have to become more and more aggressive versions of themselves.
In Deadman Wonderland, some innocent people get caught up in the tricks of higher-ups that make them perform tricks for their own pleasure and amusement. So, as the story progresses our main character Ganta Igarashi has to become aggressive in order to survive in such a cruel world. So, if you want to watch an anime like Blue Lock, this might not be a bad pick!
20. The Knight in the Area
| Title | The Knight in the Area |
| Genre | Comedy, Sports |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | Madhouse |
| Premiered | Winter 2012 |
| Episodes | 37 |
| Duration | 25 min per ep |
Like Blue Lock, The Knight in the Area tells us about Kakeru and Suguru who are siblings having a burning passion for football! While Suguru is aiming to become the rising star of the Japanese Youth Soccer Club, Kakeru goes for the managerial role.
But due to a crucial twist of fate our boy Kakeru has to become a member of the national team to enter the world cup. Thus, he has to train harder than anyone else on the team! So, if you’re looking for a sports anime with many twists in it, watch The Knight in the Area!
19. All Out!!
| Title | All Out!! |
| Genre | Sports |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | Madhouse, TMS Entertainment |
| Premiered | Fall 2011 |
| Episodes | 25 |
| Duration | 23 min per ep |
All Out!! Is another sports anime that resembles Blue Lock. In this anime, anyone who can hold the ball can become a star. There are certain rules that include carrying the ball past the goalkeepers while avoiding the other team. Thus, the players are allowed to use all of their force in order to knock their enemies down. So, overall, it’s a very fun anime with flexible rules for playing football!
18. Eyeshield 21
| Title | Eyeshield 21 |
| Genre | Sports |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | Gallop |
| Premiered | Spring 2005 |
| Episodes | 145 |
| Duration | 23 min per ep |
Why do most football stories have to begin with shy and reserved main characters? Just like how Isagi is a reserved boy in Blue Lock, we have Sena Kobayakawa who’s shy and reserved. However, bullies often tease him and that’s how he ends up doing their work.
Sena has become isolated and avoids crowds. One day, the captain of Daimon Devil Football Team witnesses Sena’s leg movements as they were in motion, he walked up to him and asked him to join his squad! That’s how he ended up on the Devil Football Team. The plot sounds pretty interesting, right? Our MC gets to unleash his true hidden talents! What’s cooler than that?
17. Hanebado!
| Title | Hanabado! |
| Genre | Sports |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | LIDENFILMS |
| Premiered | Summer 2018 |
| Episodes | 13 |
| Duration | 24 min per ep |
Hanebado is a semi-serious sports anime where the main character gets defeated in the beginning and starts struggling in badminton. Nagisa Aragaki is our main character whose love for sports begins to distort. She begins to lose hope and terrorizes other members. So, this story is a compilation of her struggles in the field of badminton!
16. Darwin’s Game
| Title | Darwin’s Game |
| Genre | Action, Mystery, Sci-Fi |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | Nexus |
| Premiered | Winter 2020 |
| Episodes | 11 |
| Duration | 26 min per ep |
Darwin’s game is all about competition and survival but so is Blue Lock! Darwin’s Game revolves around a 17 years old high schooler named Kaname Sudo who accepts an online invitation from his friend to play a game called Darwin’s Game. Little did he know that he would be lost in that world. Just like that, his life was involved in a series of life and death. The players in the game are given certain types of abilities that vary from person to person. Darwin’s Game is a really nice anime that has action and mystery aspects to it. So, if you’re tired of the same old anime, it’s time to start a survival anime!
15. The Law of Ueki
| Title | The Law of Ueki |
| Genre | Action, Adventure, Supernatural |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | Studio Deen |
| Premiered | Spring 2005 |
| Episodes | 51 |
| Duration | 23 min per ep |
Tournaments are all about competitions right? Similarly, there’s a huge tournament in The Law of Ueki where this tournament will decide the future of the Heavenly World along with its next ruler!
In this tournament, total of 100 beings aka God Candidates are to search among middle schoolers for a being who can stand the heavenly powers! And he will be able to participate in the tournament just like that, his fate will also be decided!
14. Be Blues!
| Title | Be Blues! |
| Genre | Sports |
| Type | ONA |
| Studio | Unknown |
| Premiered | Fall 2011 |
| Episodes | 1 |
| Duration | 31 sec |
Be Blues tells us about the life of an aspiring soccer player named Ryuu Ichijou who has a goal to join Japan’s National Soccer Team. He’s famous for being a prodigy when it comes to playing soccer. But the sad part of the anime is that he gets hit by a car when he was trying to protect one of his friends. Now, he needs a total of two years full of rest. So, the story tells us about his struggles and journey of becoming a soccer player. Will he be able to achieve his goal? To find out, watch Be Blues!
13. Fighting Spirit
| Title | Fighting Spirit |
| Genre | Sports |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | Madhouse |
| Premiered | Fall 2000 |
| Episodes | 75 |
| Duration | 23 min per ep |
It tells us about a high schooler named Makunouchi Ippo as he begins his career in the field of boxing and he also gets many titles. Many other opponents get defeated by this powerful boxer and he also faces a lot of struggles too! Like Blue Lock, this is the story of Makunouchi as he rises from the ground and reaches the top!
12. Ping Pong the Animation
| Title | Ping Pong the Animation |
| Genre | Drama, Sports |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | Tatsunoko Production |
| Premiered | Spring 2014 |
| Episodes | 11 |
| Duration | 23 min per ep |
Ping Pong is also an actively competitive sport. This anime tells us about five ping pong prodigies who learn about the competition in the world of Ping Pong. They also learn about their own abilities as they move forward in the anime.
So, like Blue Lock we have a group of people who are trying to find their hidden weapons or abilities in order to defeat others!
11. One Outs
| Title | One Outs |
| Genre | Sports |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | Madhouse |
| Premiered | Fall 2008 |
| Episodes | 25 |
| Duration | 23 min per ep |
Hiromi Kojima is one of the stars who battled Lycaons. He heads to the southern Japanese Island of Okinawa in order to train and find a new pitcher. Then, he also comes across Toa Tokuchi who’s a pitcher and king of gambling which resembles baseball called “One Outs”. So, this is the story of going from the ground to the sky like other sports anime. (including Blue Lock)
10. DAYS
| Title | DAYS |
| Genre | Sports |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | MAPPA |
| Premiered | Summer 2016 |
| Episodes | 24 |
| Duration | 24 min per ep |
DAYS tells us about two boys named Tsukushi and Jin who are quite different from one another. For instance, Jin is quite talented and is considered a soccer prodigy. On the other hand, we have Tsukushi who is considered to be a boy with no abilities. On one strange night, Jin comes across Tsukushi and that’s how he drifts away to the world of soccer! Isn’t that fascinating! You never know who you come across in life, they can be considered very special to you!
9. Shoot! Goal to the Future
| Title | Shoot! Goal to the Future |
| Genre | Sports |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | Magic Bus, EMT Squared |
| Premiered | Summer 2022 |
| Episodes | 13 |
| Duration | 23 min per ep |
Shoot Goal to the Future tells us about Atsushi Kamiya who’s known to be the captain of Kakegawa High School and overall a brave captain. On the other hand, we have Hideto Tsuji, who’s so-not-interested in joining an old soccer team. So, it’s the story of how they met and how things changed for Hideto as he comes across the bravest captains of all time! The character development in this anime is quite similar to Blue Lock!
8. Captain Tsubasa
| Title | Captain Tsubasa |
| Genre | Action, Sports |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | Madhouse |
| Premiered | Spring 2018 |
| Episodes | 52 |
| Duration | 22 min per ep |
Captain Tsubasa is another sports anime that tells us about a football association that focuses on Tsubasa Oozora and his friends. There are many rivals and opponents that are training in order to have the best outcome for their respective football teams! Stories like these are refreshing and cool! So, if you’re looking for a refreshing sports anime that resembles Blue Lock, Captain Tsubasa is a must-watch!
7. Slam Dunk
| Title | Slam Dunk |
| Genre | Sports |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | Toei Animation |
| Premiered | Fall 1993 |
| Episodes | 101 |
| Duration | 23 min per ep |
Slam Dunk might not be all about football but it is surely about competition and the egos of its players. Slam Dunk tells us about Hanamichi Sakuragi who ends up falling for a girl, Haruko Akagi. But the only problem is that Haruko’s crush is on the basketball team and he has to defeat him in order to look cool and impress the girl on his team. So, this comedic sports anime with intense competitions should definitely intrigue you!
6. Clean Freak! Aoyama-Kun
| Title | Clean Freak! Aoyama-Kun |
| Genre | Comedy, Sports |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | Studio Hibari |
| Premiered | Summer 2017 |
| Episodes | 12 |
| Duration | 23 min per ep |
Aoyama is a first-year student who has competed in many matches before as a midfielder of the soccer club. He has a cleanliness phobia which results in his unique way of playing football. So, such different concepts being seen in an anime is quite rare! Isn’t that right?
5. Ace Of Diamond
| Title | Ace Of Diamond |
| Genre | Sports |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | Production I.G, Madhouse |
| Premiered | Fall 2011 |
| Episodes | 75 |
| Duration | 24 min per ep |
Eijun Sawamura is a pitcher for a baseball team with a unique style of pitching. Sawamura plans to go to a high school where he can become the best version of himself by polishing his pitching skills!
4. Kuroko’s Basket
| Title | Kuroko’s Basketball |
| Genre | Sports |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | Production I.G |
| Premiered | Spring 2012 |
| Episodes | 25 |
| Duration | 24 min per ep |
Who hasn’t heard of this popular basketball anime? Kuroko’s Basketball is very much like Blue Lock where there’s intense competitions and certain aspects of sci-fi as the players make their move. It tells us about Kuroko and his journey in the field of Basketball as he comes across many other players with powerful abilities.
3. Haikyuu!!
| Title | Haikyuu!! |
| Genre | Sports |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | Production I.G |
| Premiered | Spring 2014 |
| Episodes | 25 |
| Duration | 24 min per ep |
Haikyuu!! Is definitely one of the BEST Sports Anime of all time. It tells us about Shoyo Hinata and his aspiration to become the best volleyball champion. Even though others make fun of his dream yet he jumps high and proves them wrong!
2. Inazuma Eleven
| Title | Inazuma Eleven |
| Genre | Sports |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | OLM |
| Premiered | Fall 2008 |
| Episodes | 127 |
| Duration | 24 min per ep |
Inazuma Eleven is one of the oldest soccer anime that revolves around Endou Mamoru who’s a goalkeeper at Raimon Junior High. He also has six other players on his team. However, their team gets threatened with disbandment except for the fact that they’re given a chance to protect it by playing a match against Teikoku Gakuen and winning it!
1. Ao Ashi
| Title | Ao Ashi |
| Genre | Sports |
| Type | T.V |
| Studio | Production I.G |
| Premiered | Spring 2022 |
| Episodes | 24 |
| Duration | 24 min per ep |
Ao Ashi is one of the latest football anime revolving around Ashito Aoi who’s in the third year of Ehime City Middle School. He meets with his football team coach and starts his journey along with the involvement of many powerful opposing teams and intense competitions!
Conclusion
If you guys loved watching Blue Lock, you will definitely cherish these anime since they hold a similarity with your current favorite anime aka Blue Lock. Do let us know your thoughts about these anime in the comments down below! Share it with your friends who are hyped up about Blue Lock as well!
