Unconventional Sports Anime: From Badminton to Go
Discover a diverse range of sports anime that go beyond traditional sports, featuring activities like badminton, parkour, kendo, mahjong, esports, kyudo, fishing, karuta, shogi, and go.
Unconventional Sports Anime: Exploring Unique Activities Beyond Traditional Sports
The world of sports anime is vast and diverse, encompassing activities that go beyond traditional sports. These anime series often highlight competition and sports-style structures, even if the activities themselves may seem unconventional. From Karuta to Shogi, here are some sports anime that fans may not believe are about sports, but still deliver thrilling and competitive storylines.
( Credit to: Screenrant )
Badminton and the Corporate World: Unveiling the Unique Blend in ‘Salaryman’s Club’
One such anime is ‘Salaryman’s Club,’ a unique series set in the corporate world. Despite its title, this anime focuses on badminton and follows the protagonist, Shiratori Mikoto, as he navigates the challenges of balancing his dreams of playing badminton professionally with the realities of his salaryman job. The series explores Mikoto’s personal growth and the bonds he forms with his teammates as they compete in professional-level badminton tournaments.
( Credit to: Screenrant )
Reviving the Stride Club: The Thrilling Blend of Sprinting and Parkour in ‘Prince of Stride’
Another unconventional sports anime is ‘Prince of Stride.’ This series combines the explosiveness of sprinting with the dexterity of obstacle course running, resembling modern-day parkour. The story revolves around Sakarai Nana and his teammates as they strive to revive their school’s stride club. With its unique athletic activity and the incorporation of established sports anime structures, ‘Prince of Stride’ offers a fresh and exciting watch for sports anime fans.
( Credit to: Screenrant )
Blending School Life with Traditional Martial Arts: ‘Bamboo Blade’ and the World of Kendo
‘Bamboo Blade’ is a classic sports anime that blends school elements with traditional Japanese martial arts. The series focuses on the Muroe High School girls’ kendo team and their coach’s ambition to defeat a rival team. While martial arts anime often have supernatural elements, ‘Bamboo Blade’ stands out for its realistic portrayal of kendo and its exploration of competitiveness in this traditional sport.
( Credit to: Screenrant )
Hot-Blooded Mahjong Battles: ‘Saki’ and the Competitive World of High School Mahjong Clubs
‘Saki’ flips the notion of mahjong as a game associated with the elderly and brings it to the world of hot-blooded high school students. This slice-of-life sports anime delves into the strategic aspects of mahjong, showcasing the competitive world of high school mahjong clubs. Through its low-key adaptation, ‘Saki’ inspires young anime fans and introduces them to the world of competitive mahjong.
( Credit to: Screenrant )
Exploring the Esports Industry: ‘The King’s Avatar’ and the Complexities of Professional Gaming
‘The King’s Avatar’ is one of the first Chinese anime and explores the professional gaming industry. The series follows main character Ye Xiu as he navigates the world of the battle RPG called Glory. ‘The King’s Avatar’ offers a fresh take on the esports genre, showcasing both intense in-game battles and the complex human relationships behind the avatars.
The Subtle Beauty of Kyudo: ‘Tsurune’ and the Elegant Sport of Japanese Archery
‘Tsurune’ combines Kyoto Animation’s artistic prowess with the elegant sport of Kyudo, or Japanese archery. The anime follows the kyudo team of Kazemai High School as they prepare for a prefectural tournament. With its focus on personal development and the subtle beauty of Japanese culture, ‘Tsurune’ offers a unique and visually stunning sports anime experience.
Beyond Fishing: ‘Tsuritama’ and the Bonds Formed Through a Shared Hobby
‘Tsuritama’ may be about fishing, but it goes beyond the sport itself. This A-1 Pictures production uses fishing as a hobby that brings together a group of four boys, each with their own quirks. As the series progresses, aspects of competitive play are introduced, adding depth to the narrative and character development.
Karuta and the Beauty of Japanese Poetry: ‘Chihayafuru’ Blends Sports and Literature
‘Chihayafuru’ is a well-rounded anime that combines romance, slice-of-life, drama, and sports. The series follows protagonist Chihaya Ayase as she immerses herself in the world of karuta, a card game based on ancient Japanese poetry. ‘Chihayafuru’ skillfully depicts the day-to-day life of a high school sports club while also exploring the allure of literature and poetry.
The Strategic Mind Game: ‘March Comes in Like a Lion’ and the World of Shogi
‘March Comes in Like a Lion’ is a low-key sports anime that contextualizes the game of shogi, or Japanese Chess, within the struggles of high school-aged protagonist Kiriyama Rei. The series delves into Rei’s personal problems, loneliness, and loss of purpose, while also showcasing the grueling world of professional shogi and his relationships with other players.
The Ancient Game of Go: ‘Hikaru no Go’ and the Journey Towards Greatness
Finally, ‘Hikaru no Go’ focuses on the ancient game of go and follows young protagonist Hikaru as he awakens the spirit of an ancient go master. The series explores the intricacies of go and Hikaru’s journey towards greatness in this strategic board game.
Conclusion: A Diverse Range of Unconventional Sports Anime
These sports anime may not revolve around mainstream sports, but they offer unique and compelling storylines that captivate viewers. Whether it’s badminton, parkour, kendo, mahjong, esports, kyudo, fishing, karuta, shogi, or go, these anime showcase the competitive spirit and sports-style structures that make them true sports anime.