“A story of Yuuri Katsuki, who lost all hope after suffering a crushing defeat in the Figure Skating Grand Prix final. When in his hometown he was contemplating the idea of retiring from sports, his whole life got turned upside down when his idol Victor Nikiforov, a Russian five-time world champion, suddenly came to his hometown to meet him.”
After airing in 2016, being a unique story with sports anime dynamics, Yuri!!! on Ice has left immemorable impressions on everyone’s mind. So, dear readers, if you want to watch fantastic anime like Yuri On Ice, here are the top ten series that you should absolutely check out.
10. Ginban Kaleidoscope
Tazusa Sakurano is a 16-year-old girl, beautiful and skilled figure skater whose body gets possessed by the ghost of Petre Pumps. The story revolves around the mini-adventure of both as she competes in figure skating, aspiring to be the Olympic champion.
Similarities:
- Both are sports anime.
- Both anime have the plot of heated competition in Ice skating.
- Ginban Kaleidoscope might be a little more cutesy and romantic, but the essence of both is mostly the same.
9. Skate-Leading Stars
The series is about Kensei Maeshima, who left figure skating after suffering defeat from his rival. But even after many years helping various high school teams, one day, a kid from his past finds him and offers an invitation, compelling him to join the world of figure skating once again.
Similarities:
- Both anime have a set-up in the figure skating world.
- Both series revolve around protagonists who have lost hope in themselves and their journey to regain this hope and interest again.
- Both series have a great deal of companionship and competition.
- Both are sports anime, at that.
8. No. 6
Sion is an intelligent, highly educated, and privileged child living within the walls of No. 6, one of the six city-states built after the war’s destruction. Sion got his whole life turned upside down when he met Nezumi, an escaped convict.
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He got forced to live in the lower town, where he became a regular citizen, until one day when he reencountered Nezumi and got to know about the cruelty of this post-apocalyptic peaceful city-state of No. 6.
Similarities:
- Both anime have a flavor of Shounen-ai.
- Both series portrayed the daily routine that the main characters shared.
- Sion also has white hair, just like Victor. I’m just saying this for people who like white-haired characters.
- Unique stories for BL anime.
7. Banana Fish
Ash Lynx beautiful, yet cold, ruthless killer, was forced to run away when Dino Goldzine, a gangster who brought him up, came after his life and unexpectedly discovered the hideous secret of something called “banana fish.”
The series is about Ash’s adventure along the side of Eiji Okamura, a pure-hearted young photographer from Japan who met him at the wrong turn of Ash’s life.
Similarities:
- Both anime are from Mappa Studio in terms of animation.
- Both anime have a Bl theme and a unique plot.
- The main couple in both series have a similar vibe; you’ll get it once you try.
6. Welcome to the Ballroom
Feckless high school student Tatara Fujita wanted to be good at least something. Unfortunately, he is as average as a slouchy teen, which is taken advantage of by local bullies, who hit him up for cash until one day, when Kaname Sengoku, a professional ballroom dancer, sends them packing. And Tatara Fujita got pulled into the world of ballroom dancing, and his life completely changed.
Similarities:
- Both anime have similar vibes.
- The protagonists in both series overcome trials to excel at mastering their passion.
- The animation in both anime is very dynamic, and the style is beautiful too.
- Both anime have competitive dynamics.
- Both series involve dancing and are sports anime.
5. Your Lie in April
Kousei Arima was a genius pianist until his mother’s sudden death took away his ability to play. Kousei was just drifting through his life until he met a violinist, Kaori Miyazono, with an eccentric playing style. His monotonous life suddenly started to change—a change that would last forever.
Similarities:
- Both anime have a socially awkward, glasses-wearing protagonist.
- Both anime have lots of competition in them.
- The protagonists in both anime have lost their zeal to pursue their passions until they encounter storms like a person (the lead character) in their lives.
- Both stories have beautiful romance, but Yuri on Ice is a little more upbeat.
- In both series, multiple side characters have their own stories.
4. Haikyuu!!
Shoyo Hinata isn’t a large guy but has huge ambitions, starting with being the next big thing in high school volleyball. Being able to enroll at the same high school where his idol, Tobio Kageyama, once played, he wishes to score big, too, as he joins the top team. But unexpectedly, Tobio Kageyama decided to go to the same school.
The story revolves around Shoyo Hinata, a kid out of nowhere who now plays along the side of his idol, King of the Court.
Similarities:
- Both series are sports anime.
- Both series are based on the theme of companionship.
- The protagonists in both anime are underdogs struggling to master their skills.
- The animation in both series is very dynamic and eye-catching.
- Both series have a spice of humor in them. Haikyuu is just a little more hilarious.
- Both series portrayed the backstories and struggles of side characters.
3. Given
Ritsuka Uenoyama, who lost his appeal in playing music these days and was just passing his life, turned his world upside down when he suddenly encountered Mafuyu Sato. When Ritsuka heard Mafuyu sing for the first time, the song resonated with his heart, and the distance between them started to change.
Similarities:
- Both series have unique stories in the world of BL anime.
- Both anime revolves around the passion of the main characters; where it was ice skating in Yuri on ice, here it is music.
- Both anime have lots of drama; Yuri on Ice is just a little light-weighted in comparison.
- Both anime revolve around a couple who inspire each other.
- In both series, romance is not in focus and has a good amount of humor.
- Both series have fantastic music and praiseworthy animation.
2. Free! Iwatobi Swim Club
When Haruka, Makoto, Nagisa, and Rin were in elementary school, they swam together in a relay race and won the match. As Rin was on his way to Australia to train to become an Olympic champion, the gang buried their trophy in a time capsule and retrieved it when they had all grown up.
Haruka, Makoto, and Nagisa reunited in high school and decided to dig up the prize. But on the way there, they ran into Rin, who is now so competitive against Haruka. As a result of this fateful meeting, the three friends decide to start a swim club, along with classmate Rei and their rival’s little sister Gou as the team manager. Can the gang hold their own against Rin and prove their skills at the Prefectural Tournament?
Similarities:
- Both are sports anime.
- The animation dynamics of both series are excellent.
- Both series have a very competitive environment.
- Both series have a great soundtrack.
- Both series have lovely characters and a huge fanbase.
- Both series have a big focus on friendship and have a great deal of humor involved.
- Both series have their share of Shounen-ai moments.
1. SK8 The Infinity
High school students Reki and Langa are hooked on a dangerous, top secret, unrestrained downhill skateboarding race called “S.” When Reki takes Langa, a transfer student, to the mountain where “S” is held, Langa finds himself sucked in, and hence starts the thrilling story of skateboard battles and unlimited possibilities.
Similarities:
- Both are sports anime.
- Both series have great animation.
- Both anime have a shounen-ai undertone.
- Both series have lovable characters with struggles like anxiety.
- Both series have a competitive environment.
- Bot series have a great deal of humor with a wholesome environment.
