The name really gives it away, as Giant Killing follows an anime that shows just that – killing a giant. East Tokyo United are struggling to compete in Japan’s top league, barely escaping relegation and losing five games on the rise. Enter former player and disused coach Takeshi Tatsumi on the recommendation of the general manager. Tatsumi has had some successful coaching in England, but returns to his old club to lead with his expertise in giant-killing. Takeshi Tatsuya Ashito is like Aoi, coming to his position through recommendations and comments, but also a young and inexperienced prospect that pins his hopes for the coming season on the main team. Nevertheless, Giant Killing shows us that it is possible to overcome obstacles with a fresh perspective on strategy and methods, and we just hope that Ao Ashi moves the same way for Ashito’s future.

When one thinks of sports anime, long distance running is probably the last sport that comes to mind. Instead, most anime opt for high-octane team sports like volleyball or soccer. However, like most sports anime, Run with the Wind is used as a vessel to foster excellent interpersonal relationships and storytelling, not getting too bogged down in the details of the game. Centered around a university relay team that enters the Hakone Ekaden Marathon and the relationship between Haji Kiyos and Kakeru Kurahara as they try to put together a team at the last minute. A underdog story such as Ao Ashi, Run with the Wind follows a skilled member of their game as they try to train alongside newcomers and veterans alike, but with less team orientation due to the nature of the game. . It doesn’t take away from the relationships and bonds that form between the characters, however, as Kiyos and Kurahara use their experience to better try and improve members like members of Ashito’s A-team in Tokyo.

Football anime is few and far between, but Days TV dropped in 2016 and has scratched an itch for anime football fans all around. Tsukushi Tsukamoto is new to the football world after meeting the genius Jin Kazama and becoming obsessed with the game. Despite his lack of talent, Tsukushi joins the football team and begins his journey with the talented team at Seiseki High School. Like Ao Ashi, Days TV follows high school soccer in a much more realistic fashion than most sports anime, as none have supernatural abilities. However, unlike Ao Ashi, our main character in Days TV is not remarkably talented as Tsukushi barely gets a shoo-in for the Seiseki team, while Aio joins the A team at his academy before the end of the first season. goes.

Ippo Makunuchi is a little boy who is bullied daily as he helps his mother run a fishing boat rental business. Rescued by boxer Mamoru Takamura during a violent after-school incident and taken back to the Kamogawa Boxing Gym, Ippo resumes training after impressing coach Genji Kamogawa with his powerful punches against his current rival Ichirou Miyata. Hajime no Ippo is the last underdog story in the anime world, and has many similarities with Ao Ahashi’s story. The most important story resemblance, however, is the former star coach in the game who takes on our fearsome underdog protagonist, with Genji taking on Ippo and Tatsuya from Ashito.

After losing his final match in middle school with a poor pitch, Eijun Sawamura is devastated and vows to take his high school team to the Nationals. However, after being scouted, he is invited to a top high school in Tokyo, leaving behind his old peers. Now battling in a team of talented people, Eijun struggles to be the ace of the team. Ashito and Eijun have a similar story, we had to add Ace of Diamond to this list. The two clashed with their middle school teams, were scouted for a major Tokyo team in their final matches, and fought against the odds to reach their full potential in star-studded surroundings. Everyone loves a sneaky underdog, and Ace of Diamond scratches that long run with 75 episodes in length.

Sora Kurumtani is a basketball player, but she lacks the most important attribute for star-height. Despite his physical disadvantages, Sora has trained for it by landing incredible shots, knowing how to pass with perfect accuracy, and dribbling at low altitudes to get past defenders. Joining his high school’s team, he learns that the club is used as a hangout for criminals, but some prospect opens his passion, prompting the team to compete properly. Is. Both Sora and Ashito are short in stature, trained to overcome their difficulties, and have an incredible ability to inspire their teammates to achieve their potential. The underdog story translates to all sports and Ahiru no Sora shows that whether it’s basketball or soccer, we can all support a formidable fight at the top.