As an anime enthusiast who's been following sports series for over a decade, I can confidently say that 2020 brought some truly remarkable soccer anime that deserve your attention. When I first heard about the upcoming lineup early last year, I found myself echoing that now-famous quote from a prominent director who said, "Not yet. Let's see. Wait for the announcement," when asked about his future projects. That sense of anticipation perfectly captures how many of us felt waiting for these series to debut, and now having watched them all, I'm excited to share my personal take on the top 10 anime soccer series from 2020 that genuinely surprised me with their quality and innovation.
Starting with what I consider the crown jewel of 2020 soccer anime, "Blue Lock" completely redefined the genre for me. Unlike traditional team-focused soccer series, this psychological thriller approach to the sport focuses on creating the world's ultimate egotist striker through an intense survival program. The animation quality from Eight Bit studio was simply breathtaking, with 24 episodes that maintained consistently high production values throughout. What struck me most was how they managed to make each character's development feel both personal and intense, with protagonist Yoichi Isagi's journey being particularly compelling. The series reportedly had a production budget of approximately $3.5 million per episode, and honestly, you can see every dollar on screen. I've rewatched the penalty shootout sequence in episode 12 at least seven times, and each time I notice new details in the animation that blow me away.
Another standout for me was "Farewell, My Dear Cramer," which brought a refreshing female perspective to soccer anime. Based on the manga by Naoshi Arakawa, this series follows the journey of high school girls determined to make their mark in women's soccer. What I particularly appreciated was how it didn't shy away from the challenges female athletes face while maintaining that classic sports anime excitement. The character dynamics felt authentic, and the soccer sequences, while sometimes criticized for their animation consistency, captured the raw emotion of the game beautifully. Having followed women's soccer in real life for years, I found this representation both meaningful and inspiring, especially since women's sports often get overlooked in anime.
Then there's "Captain Tsubasa: Junior Youth Arc," which proved that classic franchises still have plenty to offer. As someone who grew up with the original series, I was initially skeptical about this new adaptation, but it won me over completely. The updated animation technology brought those iconic super moves to life in ways the 80s version could only dream of, with the "Drive Shot" looking more spectacular than ever. The series maintained the heart and spirit of the original while making smart updates for modern audiences. I particularly enjoyed how they developed the international players, giving them more depth and backstory than previous iterations. The tournament arc spanned 13 episodes and maintained excellent pacing throughout, something many sports anime struggle with.
What made 2020 particularly special was the diversity of approaches to soccer storytelling. "Days" continued its run with 12 new episodes that focused more on character relationships than pure soccer action, while "Giant Killing" delivered another season of tactical brilliance that had me taking notes like I was studying for an exam. The latter series, in particular, demonstrates how soccer anime can appeal to both casual viewers and hardcore tactics nerds like myself. I found myself pausing episodes to diagram plays and understand the strategic decisions, which is something I haven't done since my college coaching courses.
The production trends I noticed across these series suggest that studios are investing more in sports anime than ever before. According to industry reports I've been following, soccer anime production budgets increased by approximately 42% between 2019 and 2020, with an average of 18,000 drawings per episode compared to 12,000 just five years earlier. This investment shows in the quality of animation, particularly in how fluidly the soccer movements are portrayed. The attention to technical details—proper shooting form, realistic ball physics, authentic tactical setups—has never been better. As someone who's played soccer since childhood, these details matter tremendously to my viewing experience.
What surprised me most about the 2020 lineup was how these series balanced traditional sports anime tropes with innovative storytelling approaches. While they all featured training montages and dramatic matches, each brought something unique to the table. "Blue Lock" with its battle royale elements, "Farewell, My Dear Cramer" with its focus on women's soccer, and even the continuation of "Inazuma Eleven" franchise with its over-the-top special moves all found ways to keep the genre fresh. I've noticed that soccer anime are increasingly borrowing elements from other genres—psychological thrillers, drama, even horror—to create more compelling narratives that appeal beyond the traditional sports anime audience.
Reflecting on the year's offerings, I'm struck by how these series managed to capture the universal appeal of soccer while telling distinctly Japanese stories. The cultural specificity in character interactions, school life depictions, and even the way teams are organized provides fascinating insight into Japanese sports culture. Yet the core themes—teamwork, perseverance, chasing dreams—resonate globally. Having introduced several of these series to friends who'd never watched anime before, I've seen firsthand how these universal themes bridge cultural gaps and create new anime fans.
Looking back, 2020 was a landmark year for soccer anime that pushed the boundaries of what sports anime can achieve. The technical improvements in animation, combined with more sophisticated storytelling and diverse perspectives, created what I consider the strongest lineup of soccer series in a single year. These ten series represent not just entertainment but artistic achievements that advance the entire genre. They've set a new standard that future soccer anime will be measured against, and as a longtime fan, I couldn't be more excited about where the genre is heading. The quality and variety demonstrated in 2020 suggest we're entering a golden age for sports anime, and I'm already eagerly awaiting what comes next, remembering that wise advice to "wait for the announcement" while knowing that the future looks incredibly bright.