10 Best Anime Like Blue Lock, Ranked

Daksh Chaudhary
6 hours ago
5 min read

Some anime make your heart race, not because of monsters or magic, but because of pure competition. Blue Lock is one of those shows. It's the ultimate psychological thriller gem hidden beneath the sports genre. Each and every moment within the Blue Lock regime made by Ego Jinpachi makes your heart race with the moments of unparalleled pressure.

There are plenty of anime that bring the same fire. From volleyball courts to boxing rings, these shows give us intense rivalries, unforgettable characters, and moments that give you goosebumps. So if you’re looking for the best anime like Blue Lock, here are 10 of the best that will keep your adrenaline going.

ALSO READ: Best Yandere Anime, Ranked

10/10 Baki

Baki is wild, full of overly flashy muscles, blood, and characters who are basically walking weapons. But underneath all that madness is a story about proving you're the strongest. Baki, the main character, wants to defeat his monstrous father, who’s known as the world’s strongest man.

Why is Baki on this list? Because just like Blue Lock, it’s about extreme training, insane battles, and having that burning desire to be number one. The only difference is - being left behind in Blue Lock means getting kicked out of the regime, while in Baki, it can lead to your death.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
June 2018	7.31	TMS Entertainment	Sports	Netflix

9/10 Eyeshield 21

Eyeshield 21 is about American football, and it’s got everything Blue Lock fans would enjoy: an underdog main character, crazy rivals, and non-stop action. Sena, the main guy, is super fast but shy, and with a helmet hiding his identity, he becomes a secret weapon for his team.

Eyeshield 21 has got that same mix of humor, growth, and intense matches. Plus, it’s written by the One Punch Man creator, so you know it’s going to be fun. If you want a sports anime that’s exciting and a bit goofy, Eyeshield 21 is perfect.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
April 2005	7.91	Gallop	Sports	Crunchyroll

8/10 Yowamushi Pedal

Cycling might not sound super exciting, but Yowamushi Pedal changes that real quick. The story revolves around Onoda, an otaku who ends up joining a competitive cycling team. What starts as a casual hobby turns into what Onoda lives for and endless pedaling.

The competitive energy parallels with Blue Lock, with races so intense that they keep you on the edge. You’ll find yourself cheering for Onoda like he’s your best friend, and just like Blue Lock, it shows how far someone can go when they want something badly.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
October 2013	7.92	TMS Entertainment	Sports	Netflix

7/10 SK8 the Infinity

If what you loved about Blue Lock was the intense one-on-one rivalries and strong character bonds, like one we saw between Isagi and Bachira, SK8 the Infinity brings that same energy, but on skateboards. The animation is absolutely top-tier, and with only 12 episodes, this anime similar to Blue Lock is a quick but satisfying watch.

ALSO READ: Best Anime Like High School of the Dead

The story follows Reki, a skateboarding enthusiast, and Langa, a transfer student with a snowboarding background. Together, they dive into the underground world of “S,” a secret and dangerous skateboarding race.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
January 2021	8.00	Bones	Sports	Crunchyroll

6/10 Kuroko's Basketball

Blue Lock made soccer feel like a battlefield, and Kuroko’s Basketball does the same for basketball. The main character, Kuroko, feels a lot similar to Isagi. He used to be part of the legendary "Generation of Miracles," and now, he’s starting fresh with a new team and a big goal to defeat all his former teammates.

Similar to Blue Lock, he characters have special skills, which sometimes feel like superpowers, and the matches are full of drama and intensity. Just like Blue Lock, it’s about standing out and proving yourself. It’s flashy, fast-paced, and will keep you hooked episode after episode.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
April 2012	8.05	Production I.G	Sports	Netflix

5/10 Ao Ashi

If you want another football anime with a more realistic vibe, Ao Ashi is perfect. The story follows Ashito Aoi, a gifted kid who joins a youth training academy in Tokyo. The show focuses a lot on teamwork, strategy, and how hard it is to make it to the top.

Compared to Blue Lock, it’s less about ego and more about growth, but the passion and the intense heat during the matches are the same. It gives a better look at how football works in real life. If you love seeing characters evolve both as players and as people, you’ll enjoy best anime like Blue Lock.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
April 2022	8.16	Production I.G	Sports	Crunchyroll

4/10 One Outs

Imagine Blue Lock, but with baseball and brain games, that’s One Outs for you. The main protagonist, Tokuchi Toua, is a calm and super-smart pitcher who uses his mind more than his muscles. He plays in a high-stakes baseball deal where every win earns him money, and every loss costs him.

The mind games are the best part. Like Blue Lock’s Ego Jinpachi, Tokuchi is a master manipulator. It’s a hidden gem that not many talk about, but once you start, you won’t stop. If you love unpredictable characters and high-pressure matches, this one’s for you.'

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
October 2008	8.32	Madhouse	Sports	N/A

3/10 Run with the Wind

Run with the Wind is a bit slower than Blue Lock, but it’s emotionally charged. It’s about a group of college guys trying to run a marathon together, even though most of them have never run seriously before. However, unlike Blue Lock, which focuses on personal growth, it's more about teamwork.

ALSO READ: Blue Lock: Strongest Players, Ranked

What makes it special is the way it handles characters. Everyone has a backstory, a struggle, and a reason to run. If you liked how Blue Lock showed the emotional side of sports, Run with the Wind will hit you right in the heart.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
October 2018	8.38	Production I.G	Sports	Crunchyroll

2/10 Haikyuu!!

You don’t need to be a volleyball fan, or even a sports anime fan, to fall in love with Haikyuu!!. Written by Haruichi Furudate, this anime follows Shoyo Hinata, a short but super passionate player who dreams of becoming a top volleyball star. He joins Karasuno High and gives everything he’s got, despite his height and lack of experience.

People love Haikyuu!! for how it successfully fills so much energy and intensity into a simple game of volleyball. Then comes its clean animation and incredible pacing, which keeps you binge-watching the series episode by episode.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
April 2014	8.44	Production I.G	Sports	Netflix

1/10 Hajime no Ippo

If you liked Blue Lock for Isagi's personal growth and never-give-up spirit, Hajime no Ippo gives you all that inside a boxing ring. Created by George Morikawa, this anime tells the story of Ippo, a quiet high school kid who finds his courage through boxing. He starts off weak and unsure but slowly becomes one of the strongest fighters in the ring.

Critics often praise the series for making a show that's all about punches, so rich at heart. With over 100 episodes, there's a lot to enjoy, especially the powerful training scenes and rivalries. So, if you’re into underdog stories and love watching someone push beyond their limits, this best anime like Blue Lock is a knockout.