#TAP10 | Athletic Anime: Top 10 Best Sports-themed Anime

One noticeable strand seems to be threaded through many of these great sports animes. Competition and rivalry are engrained in our DNA. That is why stories tend to be that more engrossing when there is opposition. So understandably it does come off as a bit of a cheat code when your story's main plot involves an activity that is an orchestration of timed, conflict-laden dramatisation involving players, objectives and obstacles. However, anime does heighten that feeling of intense confrontation. Where for us it may just be a skip in heartbeats or beating the shot clock.

The journey is always key in the story of our sports-savvy protagonists. The art of the pivot, aiming to become better and then traversing the inner and outer team dynamics makes for both a physical and emotive story that pulls you in. Not to mention it often mirrors the sport of their passion keenly.

And much of these sports animes deal with the theme of transitioning, moving from middle school to high school, or proving oneself capable far beyond any semblance of nepotism or filling the shoes of a legendary figure. Normally this would not come off as a compelling underdog story, but it does technically work for the most part.

And that's the catch 22. Of course, it's always great to want to be the best, but in following in the shadows of giants, comparing yourself to other people's accolades is never the best way to forge your own path. And not for nothing, those bouts of self-doubt is ultimately the bi-product of the constant assessing one's ability against the standards of others.

Ultimately, it is about balancing the need to be better as an individual and understanding you're still part of a team. A siren call to remain active, believe in yourself and strive for the ultimate goal with your morals intact. Now that's life-lesson for all of us, whether on and off the pitch.