An anime about everything under the sun.
Whether it's a show about everyday things in life or full of world technology and fantasy, you'll find a show or movie about it.
Tennis is also here.
Naturally, sports anime is a small part of the industry. They may not be as popular as part of everyday life, but they are fun, exciting and not to mention mind-blowing if you're a tennis fanatic.
Several tennis anime have appeared over the years, but they are hard to find. In this list, I want to place my favorites and tell you a little about what makes them so great.
9. Usakame
Let's start with Usakame.
For those unfamiliar, Usakame is a sequel to some other tennis anime that I will mention later in the list.
Usakame are four girls from the high school tennis club who are rivals. In fact, there are a lot of characters, so keeping up with them can be difficult. After all, it's a by-product!
If you're looking for a quick watch or something that will quench your thirst for a light and fresh tennis anime, then this is worth checking out.
Unfortunately (in my opinion) this series has a strange animation style. I mean in a bad way.
And the writing is not up to par in paragraphs. The jokes are thrown right and left, without much logic and very little character development.
If you can still dig it up, or if you love tennis series, you'll probably enjoy it anyway.
8. Happy!
Moving On is actually a manga series, but still fantastic.
This is the story of a teenager named Miyuki Umino, a child prodigy who starts her career as a tennis player in order to pay off a huge debt.
And understand, the yakuza pawnbrokers threaten that if she doesn't return the money, they will turn her into a prostitute. Oh anxiety.
Yes, I know what's on your mind.
What happened to the title if it has a tragic plot?
Well, there are two of us.
Kidding aside, this is a good anime that has some real drama.
It might not be your typical sports anime with all the glamor and powerful moves on the court, but it has depth and a pretty good story.
If you like it, choose Happy!
7. Ultramaniac
Let's get into the rhythm of a magical rom-com girl with Ultra Maniac.
Don't worry, it's as expected: a light-hearted story.
It's about Ayu Tateishi, a carefree, calm and cool girl who is a member of the local tennis club.
It turns out that this is all just a facade to impress his love.
Everything changes when we meet the second main character, Nina Sakura (keep up with me here), who turns out to be an incompetent witch in training.
When she appears in the frame, everything changes. This is where their friendship and their crazy journey begins.
The story is surprisingly good, to be honest. The characters are multi-dimensional and fun to root for.
Of course, it has the usual clichés of the magical girl love triangle in this genre. But in general, fairy fans love it, and so do I.
6. The stars align
Stars Align is about Maki Katsuragi, a talented tennis player who can just save a struggling tennis club at his new school he transferred to.
Captain Toma Shinjou is working hard to keep the team together, and he has a little bit of hope when Maki jumps in and plays really well... despite being a total rookie.
Technically, it's more like a drama anime than a sports anime. Well, I think it's both.
A lot of social issues were touched upon in this story, and I think they portray them well, as sports keep the story going in the background.
What is the best metaphor you can use to represent life's tribulations. Sports, right?
5. Softenny
There's nothing extraordinary about Softenny's plot, but it's still a great series.
It's all about high school students and their struggles on their way to compete in the tennis championship.
Most of the series is devoted to the ups and downs and ups and downs of the lives of young people.
The animation is great. It's hilarious, comedic, candid and hilarious.
It's cute and definitely popular among anime fans. And the ecchi elements make it even crazier.
Take a look at the pilot and see what you think.
4. Tikyu
If you checked out Softenny and thought it was wacky, then brace yourself as Tikyu is even wackier.
This anime is just crazy. And if you're an anime fan, you know I mean it in a good way.
Chikyu is about four girls who are members of the tennis club at Kamiedo High School.
And bear with the story as it quickly gets crazy! The plot focuses on eccentric characters and their adventures. Today they can go skiing, and tomorrow they can help aliens.
This is a funny anime that needs to be watched over and over again.
And I promise the charactersall the time are in overdrive. And their adventures too.
If you like crazy anime then this is for you.
3. Strive for the best!
Now we move on to the big titles.
The top three on this list are recognizable not only in sports anime fandom, but in anime in general.
Let's start with Aim for the Ace!
Created way back in the 1970s, this manga series has been made into several anime shows, movies, OVAs, and even a TV drama.
It's about Hiromi Oka, a high school student who wants to become a professional tennis player. Seems simple enough.
The story is riddled with real-life issues from young people, so expect a lot of drama. This may be his biggest selling point.
But it's one of the best-selling shoujo manga, so it's considered a classic and very influential.
2. Baby steps
If you ask tennis anime fans which one they think should take the top spot, you'll probably only hear two titles: Prince of Tennis and Baby Steps.
To be honest, it could easily be interchanged because they are both insanely cool for different reasons.
But I call Baby Steps second on this list.
"Baby Steps" is about Eiichiro Maruo, an honor roll student who one day decides to join a tennis club because he thinks he lacks exercise. Thus began his journey into the sport.
The manga was awarded Best Manga in the 38th edition of Kodansha, so you know there's a lot to love here.
The anime may not go in the direction you would expect from a standard sports anime. But really, that's what makes it so good.
Each character's struggle, especially Maruo, is crafted into a wonderfully crafted story, paired with a great art style that feels like the perfect formula for a tennis-themed anime series.
1. The Prince of Tennis
The Prince of Tennis takes the crown. And rightly so, as this is one of the most adapted and expanded anime on our list.
Prince of Tennis is not only a popular sports anime, spanning several manga, anime movies, TV series, as well as a ton of OVAs and even an action movie.
This is a very influential anime for the entire genre.
The story follows Ryoma as he joins Junio's Seigaku school on his journey to becoming the best tennis player in the country.
Ryoma's story is touching enough to keep you hooked as he struggles to get out of his legendary father's shadow.
His team and all the problems that come his way add excitement.
This series started back in 1999, so it's one of the first sports anime to have amazing court moves.
New fans should consider Kuroko's basketball. But for tennis.
It has great animations, fun and exciting matches, and a long journey that everyone can relate to at some level.
This is one of the coolest sports anime ever and definitely worth it for tennis fans. Enjoy!
