Love reading basketball manga?
Step into the court of imagination and witness the fusion of athleticism with fantastic storytelling.
In the blog post, we unveil a curated list of the best basketball manga that will take you on intense thrilling matches.
From “The Basket Ball Girl”, and “Dear Boys”, to “Dear Boys”, Here are the 17 best basketball manga of all time.
So, let’s get started.
17. Dash Kappei
Kappei is no ordinary athlete – his superhuman strength is fueled by an unusual source: the sight of a beautiful pair of underwear!
As a high school student, he’s not exactly the picture of a world-class sportsman, but when it comes to competing, Kappei is unmatched.
With his unique and somewhat embarrassing talent, he dominates on the field like no one else.
But will his secret obsession become his downfall, or will Kappei’s love of underwear help him become the greatest athlete of all time?
One thing’s for sure – this sports story is unlike anything you’ve seen before!
16. Backcourt
David Suh, a former basketball prodigy now works at a convenience store.
One day, he receives an unexpected visit from an old friend who offers him a job as a high school basketball coach.
Thrilled by the idea of making a grand comeback, David accepts the offer without a second thought.
But things don’t go as planned when he realizes the basketball team he has to coach is far from famous.
It’s a group of misfits who can barely shoot a basket! With the odds stacked against him,
15. Switch
Riku may be a basketball superstar, but his younger sibling Raimu is done living in his shadow.
With a burning desire to step out of Riku’s shadow, Raimu sets his sights on one goal: to become a better basketball player than his brother.
But can he rise to the challenge and become a true basketball prodigy in his own right?
With sweat, determination, and a fierce competitive spirit, Raimu is ready to take on the court and prove that he’s more than just Riku’s little brother.
14. Buzzer Beater
In a futuristic New York, a young homeless boy named Hideyoshi survives by hustling other kids into basketball games.
But his life takes an incredible turn when he’s drafted into a pro team with a mission that seems impossible: defeating a team of physically superior alien players who have taken over the game of basketball.
Hideyoshi’s team, made up entirely of humans, is determined to become the first all-human team to compete in the Space League and bring the championship back to Earth.
13. The Basket Ball Girl
Hans Duan was just an ordinary interior designer until he found himself accused of murder and sentenced to death.
But that wasn’t the end for him.
A government scientist offered him a chance at a new life through a risky experiment, but things didn’t go as planned.
Hans died, only to be resurrected with a surprising transformation: he was now a woman.
Confused and uncertain about what the future holds, Hans must navigate the challenges of this unexpected change and find a new place in the world.
12. Harlem Beat
For Nate Torres, basketball isn’t just a game, it’s his passion.
But when he fails to make the cut for his high school team, he thinks his hoop dreams are over.
Determined to prove himself, Nate hits the streets, ready to take on anyone who challenges him.
With the smell of hot asphalt and the sound of sneakers screeching, Nate finds himself on a half-court in a back alley, where the only thing that matters is the game.
There, he discovers a new level of intensity and competition, pushing himself to the limit to become the best.
11. Dear Boys
Aikawa Kazuhiko, the former captain of Tendoji High School’s prestigious basketball team, moves to a new town to attend Mizuho High School.
But instead of finding a thriving basketball team, he discovers a defunct one.
Undeterred, Kazuhiko’s unwavering passion for the game and his impressive skills inspire his new teammates to pick up their basketballs once again.
With their sights set on the national tournament, the Mizuho team sets out on a journey of self-discovery and determination.
The stories of five young protagonists – Fujiwara Takuya, Ishii Tsutomu, Dobasi Kenji, and Aikawa Kazuhiko begin to unfold along with the rebirth of Mizuho High School’s basketball team.
10. Fight No Akatsuki
Akatsuki and his best friend Kiyoharu, who he affectionately calls Kiyo-chan, used to dominate the basketball court in their neighborhood.
But when they enrolled in a new school and joined the basketball team, their fortunes changed.
While Kiyo-chan was placed in the strong “B” group, Akatsuki was relegated to the “F” group, known as the “Failure” group.
Despite this setback, Akatsuki refuses to give up on his dream of becoming a successful basketball player.
With his unwavering determination and infectious smile, he sets out to prove everyone wrong.
9. Cheeky Brat
Yuki Machida may be used to handling the chaos of her younger siblings, but when it comes to the boys in her life, things get a little more complicated.
She can handle her secret crush Kido having a girlfriend, but when the arrogant Shou, who once groped her, starts confessing his feelings, Yuki doesn’t know what to do.
To make matters worse, Shou is a member of the basketball club she manages, which puts her in a tough spot.
8. I’ll
Akane Tachibana has a natural talent for basketball, but he’s had enough of the pressure from sports clubs and decided to give up playing.
However, fate has other plans in store for him when he meets a fellow basketball player at his new high school, and he decides to give the sport another chance.
Their first exhibition game of the season is against the unbeatable Hyamazaki team, coached by Hiiragi’s father and featuring his older brother.
Things don’t go smoothly for the newly formed team until a senior player challenges them to beat him, and they join forces to inspire their team to victory.
7. Waiting For Spring
Mitsuki Haruno is desperate to break out of her shell and make friends in high school, but her shy demeanor holds her back.
That is until she meets four of the school’s most popular basketball players, Towa Asakura, Rui Miyamotoi, Ryuuji Tada, and Kyousuke Wakamiya.
Despite their initial arrogance, they prove to be surprisingly kind and protective of Mitsuki when they stumble upon her working at a café.
As Mitsuki’s friendship with the boys grows, she finds herself drawn to Asakura, but jealousy and drama threaten to tear them apart.
6. Ahiru No Sora
Kurumatani Sora is a short and weak transfer student who has just arrived at a new school.
Despite his physical shortcomings, he has a burning passion for basketball and has been shooting hoops since he was a little kid.
His dream is to follow in his mother’s footsteps, who was once a talented basketball player herself.
However, her mysterious disappearance has left Sora with many unanswered questions.
With a fierce determination to make a name for himself and uncover the truth behind his mother’s disappearance, Sora steps onto the court and into a world of competition, camaraderie, and challenges.
5. Blue Box
Taiki Inomata is a badminton enthusiast who dreams of making it to nationals, but his heart is about to be captured by a fiery upperclassman.
Chinatsu Kano is a fierce basketball player, and when Taiki sees her sweat and determination on the court, he can’t help but fall head over heels.
But when fate brings them closer together, they may discover that there’s more to life than just sports.
4. Cross Over
Ogata Natsuki may be a basketball prodigy, but he’s stuck in a junior high team that can barely make it through the Prefectural Tournament.
That is until his friends convince him to aim higher and try out for the Number One High School Basketball team – Fujiwara Academy.
To give himself the best chance, Natsuki moves in with his aunt, who runs a hot springs resort near the school.
But making the cut for the top team won’t be a cakewalk, and Natsuki will need to bring his A-game if he wants to compete with the best of the best.
3. Real
Tomomi, Kiyoharu, and Takahashi are not your average high school basketball players.
He is a dropout with a tragic past, Kiyoharu is a former track star who was confined to a wheelchair due to bone cancer, and Takahashi lost his mobility in a bike accident, causing him to lose his place as the captain of the basketball team.
Despite their physical and emotional setbacks, these three boys share a deep passion for the game.
Together, they will overcome society’s judgment and their own self-doubt to show the world that their love for basketball is stronger than any obstacle in their way.
2. Kuroko’s Basketball
The ‘Generation of Miracles’ was unstoppable on the basketball court, with five prodigies leading their team to countless victories.
But rumors of a sixth member, a phantom player highly respected by the others, began to surface.
Enter Tetsuya Kuroko, a freshman at Seirin High and the newest addition to the basketball club.
Despite his unremarkable presence, Kuroko possesses a unique set of skills that he’ll use alongside his powerful teammate Taiga Kagami to take down their old rivals and climb their way to the championships.
With the spotlight on him, Kuroko must prove that he’s not just a phantom, but a force to be reckoned with on the court.
1. Slam Dunk
Sakuragi Hanamichi is a tough guy with a soft spot for girls, but with a rejection record of fifty, he’s convinced he’ll never find love.
Haruko Akagi sees something special in him and convinces him to join the Shohoko basketball team.
Though he’s never played before, Sakuragi’s natural athleticism makes him a standout player.
But his hotheadedness and rivalry with Rukawa threaten to ruin their chances at the national championship.
As Sakuragi learns to control his emotions and work with his teammates, he begins to understand the true meaning of teamwork, and maybe even finds love along the way.
