'Love Kuroko's Basketball? Level Up Your Watchlist With These 5 Sports Gems, Ranked by IMDb

The vibrant world of Kuroko's Basketball and the incredible dynamics of its matches set the bar high for the entire sports genre. But as iconic as this title is, it isn't the only one worthy anime in the league.

To continue your immersion in this world of adrenaline and ambition, we've prepared a list of five worthy successors.

5. 'Shakunetsu Kabaddi', 2021

IMDb Score: 7.0/10

After entering high school, former soccer player Tatsuya Yoigoshi decided to give up sports and decided to become a streamer instead.

Suddenly, a member of the kabaddi club burst through his door and invited him to join. Unable to accept his refusal, they invited him to simply watch their game.

Tatsuya couldn't have imagined that this little-known, intense sport would interest him so much.

4. 'Ahiru no Sora', 2019-2020

IMDb Score: 7.2/10

Despite his short stature, Sora Kurumatani dreams of becoming a great basketball player like his mother.

After entering high school, he hurried to join the local basketball club. Instead of finding a close-knit group of talented athletes, however, he found a bunch of bullies and slackers.

They didn't care about sports and only joined the club because it was mandatory. However, Sora's serious attitude and talent inspired them, reigniting their passion for sports.

3. 'Left-Hand Layup!', 2023-2025

IMDb Score: 7.8/10

Xu Xingze is a passionate high school basketball player who dreams of enrolling in a Beijing high school with a top-tier team. He has been following their achievements for a long time.

His dream might have come true if his older sister hadn't mixed up the names of the schools and sent his application to a neighboring school.

Unfortunately, his new basketball team isn't as strong as he'd hoped, but that's fixable. Even though Xu didn't make his dream team, he can still meet them on the basketball court.

2. 'Slam Dunk', 1993-1996

IMDb Score: 8.7/10

The story introduces us to Hanamichi Sakuragi, a school bully. After he confesses his feelings to a girl, she rejects him, saying that she likes a certain basketball player.

Any mention of basketball now irritates Hanamichi until a girl from the basketball club invites him to join the team.

Suddenly, Hanamichi dreams of becoming a great athlete and winning this beauty's heart.

1. 'Haikyu!!', 2014-2020

IMDb Score: 8.7/10

The story introduces us to Shoyo Hinata, a volleyball player. In middle school, he managed to put together a team for a competition. However, the other players weren't as passionate about winning as he was – they joined only to fill the roster.

The team's failure wasn't as devastating as the taunts of their opponent, a talented player known as the King of the Court. Upon entering high school, Shoyo decided that he would succeed on his new team and face that player again in the future.

However, he never imagined that the King of the Court himself would become his teammate.