Top 10 Sports Anime of 2021
1. Umamusume: Pretty Derby Season 2
The second season of Uma Musume: Pretty Derby.
All eyes are on Toukai Teiou as she takes on the Japanese Derby, ready to gallop in Symboli Rudolf's footsteps and become an undefeated Triple Crown Horse Girl. The stands are full. The track is set. It's time to see which horse girl fortune favors!
(Source: Crunchyroll, edited)
2. MEGALOBOX 2: NOMAD
The second season of Megalo Box.
In the end, “Gearless” Joe was the one that reigned as the champion of Megalonia, a first ever megalobox tournament. Fans everywhere were mesmerized by the meteoric rise of Joe who sprung out from the deepest underground ring to the top in mere three months and without the use of gear. Seven years later, “Gearless” Joe was once again fighting in underground matches. Adorned with scars and once again donning his gear, but now known only as Nomad.
(Source: TMS Entertainment)
3. Girls und Panzer das Finale – Part 3
The third film in the six-part Girls und Panzer: Saishuushou film series.
Firepower and strategy are the name of the game as the schools square off on three additional battlegrounds. Six teams enter and only the survivors will advance!
(Source: HIDIVE)
4. SK8 the Infinity
Reki, a high school sophomore and skater, is addicted to “S,” a highly secret and dangerous downhill skateboarding race that takes place in an abandoned mine. The skaters are especially wild about the “beefs,” or heated battles that erupt in the races.
Reki takes Langa, a transfer student returning to Japan after studying abroad, to the mine where the races are held. Langa, who has no skateboarding experience, finds himself pulled into the world of “S”...
(Source: Aniplex of America)
Note: On March 13, 2021 a recap episode (9.5) went on air, postponing the broadcast of the regular episodes by one week.
5. Baki Hanma
To gain the skills he needs to surpass his powerful father, Baki enters Arizona State Prison to take on the notorious inmate known as Mr. Unchained.
(Source: Netflix)
6. Free! the Final Stroke: The First Volume
Theatrical follow-up to Free! Dive to the Future.
As representatives of Japan, Haruka, Rin, and Ikuya are heading to Sidney to participate in the Swimming World Cup. They will finally compete with world class athletes but can they survive these games? This is the climax of the “Free!” series from Kyoto Animation.
(Source: Crunchyroll)
7. Backflip!!
Each laugh takes them higher. Each tear makes them stronger.
The final summer of middle school, Shoutarou Futaba discovers boys gymnastics and is completely enamored by it. Shoutarou ends up going to Soshukan Private High School (Also known as Ao High) and decides to visit the boys gymnastics club. He's greeted by very unique senpais and a star gymnast named Misato Ryouya. Dedicating your life to something you love during your fiery days of youth... Of course, there is frustration, and fights, but see how these boys work together as a team towards a similar goal in this drama about sports and youth. This spring, see passionate boys give their all for their youthful dreams!
(Source: Crunchyroll)
8. RE-MAIN
Just after winning a national water polo title in his third year of junior high, a car accident left Minato Kiyomizu in a coma. Nearly a year passes before he awakes, but with no memory of his last school year. Now in high school with a fresh start, he leaves the sport behind, but a promise has him returning to it. However, his new team is weak, and that’s just a sign for more problems to come.
(Source: Funimation)
9. Initial D BATTLE STAGE 3
The third compilation OVA of Initial D. This time it features every race from Fifth Stage and Final Stage. Although it follows the same format as the two previous Battle Stages, this OVA doesn't include any conversation nor any new races.
10. Farewell, My Dear Cramer: First Touch
14-year-old Nozomi Onda has only one thing on her mind: playing beautiful soccer. There's just one problem: no matter how much she longs to participate in official matches, she'd have physically superior boys as opponents. But when a boy from her past confronts her on the street, she decides she can't wait any longer.
(Source: Kodansha USA)