The theme of sports is naturally intertwined with the Slice of Life genre, which is why sports webtoons and anime resonate even with viewers who may not be avid sports fans. These stories create incredible characters who captivate the audience and quickly become fan favorites. When sports content is shared as a compelling narrative, it stirs a blend of emotions, crafting an experience that’s relatable and engaging.
A recurring theme in these stories is the journey of underdogs rising to greatness—a timeless motif that only grows stronger with unique, fresh takes. Sports anime have been immensely popular for a while now, and it’s time we dive into the webtoon counterparts that have carved out a special place in our hearts. Here’s a list of must-read sports webtoons to add to your collection!
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Tweener
Creator: Geumgi
Source: Toomics
Basketball prodigy Min Taehyun steps back onto the court with his eyes set on winning the Super Money Player Tournament, bringing the energy and intensity of basketball to life in this webtoon. As a modern adaptation of graphic novels, webtoons must sync art and text to engage readers fully; however, Tweener has received mixed reviews, especially for its art style. Readers either love it or find it challenging, with opinions divided over its entire presentation, not just the storyline.
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Build Up
Creator: 911
Adolescence can be a time of self-discovery or of simply following trends to fit in. Kang Maru faces this dilemma until his father introduces him to the thrilling game of football, which inspires Maru to pursue his own dreams. Build Up is a story about finding one’s passion and “building up” the courage to follow it. The narrative encourages young readers to think outside the box and forge their own paths, rather than adhering to societal expectations.
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Golden Waltz
Creator: Sera
The world of figure skating is filled with hardship, but the Ice Dancing event allows competitors to share the burden with a partner. Yoon Hong Joo, however, struggles to see her unyielding partner as her “miracle.” With the entrance of Kim Hye Sung, everything begins to change. Golden Waltz blends sports with romance and drama, taking readers on a heart-wrenching journey through the emotional highs and lows of its characters.
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Latent Blue
Creator: ceci
An unconventional sports webtoon, Latent Blue explores the world of scuba diving—an underrepresented sport in both webtoons and anime. Set in a small coastal town, the story brings together a group of young people who find solace and self-discovery beneath the sea’s depths, using the ocean as a metaphor for life’s unpredictable waves.
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Girls of the Wild’s
Creators: HUN & ZHENA
Source: Webtoons
When Jaegu receives a scholarship to Wild’s High School, he finds himself at a former all-girls school famed for combat sports. His traumatic past makes him apprehensive about this new environment, but it quickly turns into a learning experience. This webtoon mixes action with comedy and romance, enhanced by dynamic artwork and character designs. While some readers find the plot’s pacing slow and have reservations about the protagonist’s development, it’s worth giving Girls of the Wild’s a chance.
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Ecstasy Hearts
Creator: SilentMaru
Source: Webtoons
Shimizu Anya, daughter of two former tennis stars, faces the pressure to carry on her family’s legacy. However, a fierce rivalry soon makes her question her path. Ecstasy Hearts initially dives into the sports world but gradually shifts focus to drama, with intense, often toxic relationships that develop along the way. While some readers feel the story disconnects due to the shift, others find the emotional narrative technique a highlight.
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Skill Unparalleled
Creator: Lejiang Culture
Source: Web Novel
Su Cheng arrives at Tianwu Boxing Hall in Haicheng City, determined to become a top sparring ace. His unmatched dedication and skill earn him the title of “gold medal training,” though envy soon places him in danger. Instead of backing down, Su Cheng uses this as motivation, bringing martial arts and suspense to life in the webtoon through compelling action sequences and a unique storyline.
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Attaque
Creator: Lee Sae-hyung
Leesu once held pride in being the strongest fighter at his school, but a life-changing accident leaves him determined to regain his standing through fencing. Attaque introduces the rarely explored sport of fencing in a sports webtoon, with stunning artwork and a multi-dimensional protagonist. Leesu’s story is more complex than typical shounen tales, pulling readers into the depth of his character and struggles.
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Is This the Korean Wrestling Club?
Creator: MU
Source: Naver
The synopsis leaves readers with more questions than answers:
“Let’s forget grief with Korean wrestling. The devil king thigh band has returned!”
The intrigue surrounding this cryptic description has earned Is This the Korean Wrestling Club? a spot on many readers’ lists. Will it make it onto yours?
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Fist of Legend (Legendary Fist)
Creator: Lee Jong-gyu; Illustrator: Lee Yoon-gyun
Source: Daum Webtoon
Lim Deok-gyu has been struggling through life, facing numerous hardships. Despite his resistance, he’s persuaded to join “Fist of Legend,” a reality show that pits “legends” against each other in raw, intense fights for entertainment. Forced into the competition, Deok-gyu competes for a 10 million won prize, hoping to help his daughter. But what unexpected turns lie ahead? The popularity of this webtoon even led to a live-action film adaptation in 2013.
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Summer Taste
Creator: Bei Xiang
What’s more classic than a basketball story? Jiang Xue, a student who’s changed schools more than once, finds herself at a new school where she meets Xia Zhi, whose presence changes everything for her. She also encounters Shi Haitian, who quickly becomes captivated by her. This story offers a youthful blend of love, dreams, and basketball that will captivate readers.
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Into the Net
Creator: Cao Bao Jin
Lu Yi Fan dreams of dedicating his life to basketball, but his peers don’t share his passion. Upon graduating middle school, he looks forward to a fresh start in high school, only to find the environment more challenging than he imagined. Into the Net follows Yi Fan as he grapples with his desire to succeed in a less-than-ideal setting.
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Green Boy: Shouting to You
Creator: Jung Jae-Han
Publisher: Naver
Jae-in, who aspires to be a champion, finds herself the object of Tae-jin’s affection. As they face their respective challenges, they also develop a unique bond. With contrasting personalities, they’re drawn to each other in ways they never expected. Green Boy tells a heartwarming story about life, love, and the pursuit of dreams.
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Backcourt
Creator: Sta-Road
Source: Tapas Media (for English translation)
David Suh, a former basketball star, now works in a convenience store, his dreams seemingly out of reach. But when a friend offers him a coaching job for a high school girls’ basketball team, he sees a chance to revive his passion. This inspiring story follows an underdog team’s journey to success, exploring themes of hope, perseverance, and the spirit of basketball.
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Wind Breaker
Creator: Yongseok Jo
Source: Webtoons
Jay, a model student and the student body president, finds himself thrust into the world of competitive biking. While initially reluctant, he soon discovers the thrill and challenges of the sport. With an engaging focus on the physics of biking and strong character relationships, Wind Breaker brings a fresh perspective to sports webtoons, blending personal growth with the excitement of competition.
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The Boxer
Creator: Jung Ji-Hoon (JH)
Source: Webtoons
As legendary boxing coach K nears retirement, he decides to train one last world champion, pushing his new protégé to unprecedented levels. The Boxer offers deep character exploration, shifting perspectives to reveal the mental and emotional battles each character faces. The story sheds light on the mental resilience required for boxing, crafting a powerful narrative around dedication, grit, and ambition.
And that concludes our exciting lineup of sports webtoons! This list is designed to guide you toward some of the best sports stories out there. With so much content available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when choosing what to read next, so we’ve brought these highlights together to make it easier.
Have any other recommendations? Drop them in the comments—we’d love to hear your suggestions! Thank you for joining us on this sporty journey!
Dev King is a passionate fan of manga, manhwa, and webtoons, with a love for Korean, Japanese, and Chinese cartoons. Always exploring new worlds and stories, he finds joy in every unique style and plot twist.