Medalist is definitely going to be one of the best anime of 2025. With an engaging plot, lovable characters, and fantastic animation, this anime is a treat for sports anime fans. If you’re a fan of this genre, you’ll likely want to watch more anime like it. In this post, I’ve mentioned some underrated sports anime that you may not have heard of before, but are definitely worth your time.
Capeta
After losing his mother at a young age, elementary school student Capeta Taira tries to act tough so his hardworking father won’t worry about him. Life is difficult, but everything changes when his father, inspired by young go-kart racers, builds him a homemade kart from scrap parts. Even though it looks old and worn out, Capeta can’t resist taking it for a ride. What starts as a simple test drive turns into an exciting moment that sparks his love for racing. From that day on, he sets his sights on becoming a top racer.
If you’re looking for anime like Medalist, Capeta tells a similar story of a young underdog chasing their dream. Both anime follow kids who start with almost nothing but work hard to prove themselves in a competitive sport. With the help of mentors who believe in them, they push past their struggles and grow stronger. Whether it’s figure skating or racing, both stories capture the excitement, challenges, and determination of athletes striving for greatness.
Baby Steps
Eiichirou Maruo is a top student who spends most of his time studying. Worried about his health, he decides to get more exercise and joins a tennis club. There, he meets Natsu Takasaki, a girl who dreams of becoming a pro player. At first, Eiichirou has no real interest in tennis, but as he plays more, he starts to love the sport. Using his careful and hardworking nature, he slowly improves and sets his sights on competing against the best.
For those searching for anime like Medalist, Baby Steps delivers a similar story of perseverance and growth in a competitive sport. Both anime follow protagonists who start with no experience but work tirelessly to improve, driven by a newfound passion. With the guidance of skilled mentors and sheer determination, Eiichirou and Inori take on challenges step by step, proving that hard work and dedication can lead to success.
All Out!!
All Out!! is about Kenji Gion, a small but determined high school freshman who discovers rugby and believes it’s the sport for him. After meeting Sumiaki Iwashimizu, a tall but shy student, Gion convinces him to join the school’s rugby team. Gion learns that rugby is a sport where players of all sizes can shine, and together with his teammates, he works hard to compete in Hanazono, the national high school rugby championship.
All Out!! shares a similar theme to Medalist with its focus on young athletes overcoming challenges and pushing themselves to improve. Like Inori in Medalist, Gion has to prove that even those who seem unlikely to succeed can make it with hard work and teamwork. Both anime emphasize personal growth, showing how dedication and support from teammates can help young athletes achieve their goals, no matter the obstacles.
Tonbo!
Kazuyoshi Igarashi, a former professional golfer, moves to Hinoshima Island for a new job, expecting a quiet, rural life. However, he’s shocked to find a golf course created by the island’s residents, who use the seaside land to play golf as a hobby. Kazuyoshi meets Tonbo Ooi, a young girl who plays golf using only a difficult 3-iron. As he watches her make incredible shots, Kazuyoshi begins to rediscover the joy of the game and gets pulled back into the sport.
For fans of anime like Medalist, Tonbo! has a very similar story. Both anime feature a talented young lead who excels in their sport, despite limited experience or unusual techniques. In Tonbo!, Tonbo’s talent and unique approach to golf inspire Kazuyoshi, her mentor, who had become disillusioned with the sport. Like Inori in Medalist, Tonbo helps her mentor rediscover their passion for the game. As Kazuyoshi helps Tonbo improve, both characters grow, making it a heartfelt story of personal growth, mentorship, and love for the sport.
Major
Gorou Honda is a young boy who loves baseball and dreams of becoming a professional player like his father, Shigeharu. Despite his father’s struggles with his second-string team and the loss of his wife, Gorou’s admiration helps keep Shigeharu going. However, after an injury forces Shigeharu to leave the team, he nearly gives up. But after talking with a friend, he decides to keep playing, switching from pitcher to batter. With his father’s renewed motivation, Gorou works hard to follow his dream in the Japanese Little League.
If you want to watch anime like Medalist, Major is a great pick. Both anime focus on young athletes who are determined to overcome obstacles and improve in their sport. Like Inori in Medalist, Gorou pushes through challenges with the help of his mentors and loved ones, showing the power of hard work and passion for a dream. Both anime are about personal growth and the determination to succeed, even when the road ahead seems tough.
Ginban Kaleidoscope
Tazusa Sakurano is a top figure skater on her way to the Olympics, but during an important competition in Canada, she falls and hits her head on the ice. At the same time, Canadian stunt pilot Pete Pumps crashes his plane and ends up as a ghost. Now, Pete is stuck in Tazusa’s body, and she can hear his voice in her head. While dealing with this strange situation, Tazusa continues to train and compete, with Pete’s advice helping her work through her struggles and get closer to her dream of making it to the Olympics.
Ginban Kaleidoscope shares a lot of similarities with Medalist, as both shows focus on athletes overcoming difficulties to achieve their dreams. Like Inori in Medalist, Tazusa faces tough challenges, but with hard work and guidance, she grows and improves. Both anime highlight the importance of perseverance, emotional growth, and mentorship, making Ginban Kaleidoscope a great pick for fans of anime like Medalist.
Giant Killing
East Tokyo United (ETU) has been struggling in Japan’s top soccer league, barely managing to avoid being dropped to a lower division. After losing five games in a row and with fans turning against them, the team is in a tough spot. In a last-ditch effort, the board hires Takeshi Tatsumi, a coach with a reputation for turning struggling teams around. Although Tatsumi’s methods are different from the norm, his experience and belief in teamwork help him lead ETU to take on the bigger, wealthier teams and prove they can win.
For those who loved watching Medalist, Giant Killing presents a similar underdog story. Like Inori in Medalist, the characters face tough challenges and doubts but keep working hard to improve. Both anime focus on young athletes and coaches who use determination, strategy, and teamwork to overcome bigger obstacles and find success. Whether it’s soccer or figure skating, both shows inspire with their stories of growth and perseverance.
The Knight in the Area
Kakeru and Suguru Aizawa are brothers who both love soccer, but their paths in the sport are different. While Suguru becomes a rising star, Kakeru struggles on the field and decides to become a manager. However, after a twist of fate, Kakeru decides to try harder and dreams of joining the national soccer team. With the support of his childhood friend Nana, a talented soccer player already on Japan’s women’s national team, Kakeru pushes himself to reach his goal of playing in the World Cup.
The Knight in the Area has a lot in common with Medalist, especially in how both shows focus on characters overcoming personal struggles to achieve their dreams. Like Inori in Medalist, Kakeru faces challenges that hold him back, but with hard work and support from others, he continues to improve. Both anime focus on growth, perseverance, and working through obstacles to succeed, making The Knight in the Area a great choice for fans of anime like Medalist.
Burning Kabaddi
Tatsuya Yoigoshi, a former soccer player, has given up on sports and now wants to become a famous livestreamer. However, his life changes when Souma Azemichi from the kabaddi team asks him to join. At first, Tatsuya is not interested, but after watching a kabaddi match and seeing how intense the game is, he agrees to give it a try. Soon, Tatsuya starts training hard and finds his love for sports reignited as he works with his new team to succeed in this exciting, physical sport.
Burning Kabaddi shares a lot in common with Medalist, especially when it comes to characters rediscovering their passion for sports. Like Inori in Medalist, Tatsuya is initially hesitant and struggles to get back into the game. But through hard work and support from others, he pushes past his doubts. Both anime focus on personal growth, teamwork, and overcoming challenges, making Burning Kabaddi a great choice for fans of anime like Medalist.
Big Windup!
Ren Mihashi was the ace of his middle school baseball team, but due to his poor pitching, the team never won, and he was bullied by his teammates. This left him with low self-esteem, so he decided to go to a high school far away where he wouldn’t play baseball. However, when he arrives at Nishiura High, he is pushed to join the baseball team as the starting pitcher. At first reluctant, Mihashi starts to feel accepted by his new teammates, especially with the support of Takaya Abe, the catcher who believes in his potential and helps him become a better pitcher.
Big Windup! has similarities with Medalist, especially in how both main characters struggle with their own self-doubt. Like Inori in Medalist, Mihashi feels unsure of his abilities at first, but with the help of others, he starts gaining confidence and improving. Both anime explore themes of personal growth, teamwork, and working through challenges, making Big Windup! a fantastic choice for fans of anime like Medalist.
Hikaru no Go
While searching through his grandfather’s attic, Hikaru Shindo finds an old Go board and, after touching it, hears a mysterious voice. When he wakes up, he learns the voice belongs to Fujiwara no Sai, the spirit of a famous ancient Go player. Sai’s goal is to master a special Go technique, and he uses Hikaru to keep playing the game. Although Hikaru doesn’t care about Go at first, he starts to get interested after meeting Akira Touya, a talented Go player. This sparks his passion for the game, and he begins his journey in the world of Go.
For those looking for anime like Medalist, Hikaru no Go offers a similar story of growth and passion. Like Inori in Medalist, Hikaru starts out unsure and inexperienced but becomes driven by his love for the game and a rivalry with a skilled player. Both anime focus on young characters who improve through hard work, guidance, and competition, making them inspiring stories about finding your passion and striving to be the best.
I hope you enjoyed discovering these underrated sports anime! If you’ve watched any of them or have other recommendations, feel free to share in the comments below. I’d love to know what you think!