Blue Box (2024) masterfully intertwines sports and romance, following Taiki and Chinatsu as they navigate high school athletics and budding feelings while living under one roof.
The series thrives on themes of balancing ambition with vulnerability, underdog perseverance, and genuine character growth.
Below are 15 underrated anime that mirror its heartfelt storytelling, blending competitive spirit with emotional depth.
1. Cross Game (2009)
- Streaming: HiDive
- Plot: Ko Kitamura honors a childhood friend’s dream by joining his high school baseball team, bonding with her sister Aoba through shared grief and ambition.
- Similarities: Balances sports drama with quiet romance, legacy themes, and understated emotional growth.
- Details: 50 episodes | MAL: 8.2 | Studio: SynergySP | Awards: 54th Shogakukan Manga Award
2. Suzuka (2005)
- Streaming: Funimation
- Plot: Yamato joins a track team to impress aloof high jumper Suzuka, navigating unrequited feelings and personal growth.
- Similarities: Athletics as a metaphor for emotional barriers and perseverance, slow-burn romance.
- Details: 26 episodes | MAL: 7.1 | Studio: Studio Comet
3. Baby Steps (2014)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Methodical student Eiichirō takes up tennis, using analytical skills to climb ranks while balancing feelings for a teammate.
- Similarities: Underdog protagonist, strategic sports focus, and low-key romance.
- Details: 50 episodes | MAL: 7.7 | Studio: Pierrot | Awards: 38th Kodansha Manga Award
4. Chihayafuru (2011)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll, HiDive
- Plot: Chihaya Ayase forms a karuta club to pursue nationals, reconnecting with childhood friends and rivals.
- Similarities: Combines niche sports with emotional stakes, ensemble dynamics, and slow-burn relationships.
- Details: 74 episodes | MAL: 8.1 | Studio: Madhouse | Awards: Manga Taishō
5. Touch (1985)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll (DVD-only)
- Plot: Twin brothers compete in baseball and love, with Tatsuya stepping up after tragedy to fulfill his brother’s dreams.
- Similarities: Classic mix of sports rivalry, family bonds, and subdued romance.
- Details: 101 episodes | MAL: 7.9 | Studio: Group TAC
6. Tsurune (2018)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: An archery team rebuilds after a crisis, focusing on trust and self-discovery.
- Similarities: Aesthetic sports focus, healing through teamwork, and Kyoto Animation’s signature visuals.
- Details: 26 episodes | MAL: 7.3 | Studio: Kyoto Animation
7. Run with the Wind (2018)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A ragtag college team trains for a marathon, overcoming personal struggles to bond as athletes.
- Similarities: Focus on camaraderie, underdog spirit, and organic character growth.
- Details: 23 episodes | MAL: 8.4 | Studio: Production I.G
8. Hikaru no Go (2001)
- Streaming: Hulu
- Plot: A boy channels a ghost’s expertise in Go, evolving from reluctant player to passionate competitor.
- Similarities: Niche sport focus, mentorship, and balancing ambition with identity.
- Details: 75 episodes | MAL: 8.3 | Studio: Pierrot
9. Kono Oto Tomare! (2019)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A koto club revives with members tackling trauma and rivalry through music.
- Similarities: Ensemble growth, emotional catharsis, and niche art form focus.
- Details: 26 episodes | MAL: 8.0 | Studio: Platinum Vision
10. Mix (2019)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: Stepbrothers revive their school’s baseball legacy, honoring their parents’ past.
- Similarities: Legacy themes, family bonds, and sports as a bridge for relationships.
- Details: 24 episodes | MAL: 7.3 | Studio: OLM
11. Ballroom e Youkoso (2017)
- Streaming: Prime Video
- Plot: A shy teen discovers competitive ballroom dancing, transforming through partnership and passion.
- Similarities: Underdog reinvention, artistic expression, and nuanced rivalries.
- Details: 24 episodes | MAL: 7.9 | Studio: Production I.G
12. H2 (1995)
- Streaming: RetroCrush
- Plot: A star pitcher switches schools after injury, rebuilding his career amid love triangles.
- Similarities: Complex relationships, sports as redemption, and ’90s nostalgia.
- Details: 41 episodes | MAL: 7.5 | Studio: Ashi Productions
13. The Knight in the Area (2012)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A former manager steps onto the soccer field after a tragedy, driven by his brother’s legacy.
- Similarities: Underdog resilience, emotional stakes, and intertwining sports/romance.
- Details: 37 episodes | MAL: 7.4 | Studio: Shin-Ei Animation
14. Yowamushi Pedal (2013)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: An otaku joins a cycling club, discovering latent talent in uphill races.
- Similarities: Quirky protagonist, incremental triumphs, and team synergy.
- Details: 62 episodes | MAL: 7.8 | Studio: TMS Entertainment
15. Days (2016)
- Streaming: Crunchyroll
- Plot: A soccer novice joins a high school team, relying on grit to compensate for lack of skill.
- Similarities: Underdog narrative, team-driven growth, and lighthearted humor.
- Details: 24 episodes | MAL: 7.4 | Studio: MAPPA
Why These Anime Work for Blue Box Fans
These series mirror Blue Box’s strengths: sports as emotional metaphor (Chihayafuru), underdog resilience (Days), and quiet character-driven moments (Run with the Wind).
They prioritize growth over glory, whether through niche sports (Kono Oto Tomare!) or classic competitions (Touch). For fans craving heartfelt storytelling where ambition and affection collide, each title offers a fresh take on perseverance, teamwork, and the joy of chasing dreams.
