Ranked! The 10 best cycling anime and manga to watch right now

Since 1956, anime comics have excited fans with engaging, action-packed films that traditionally covered action, adventure, romance, and science fiction themes. With the emergence of sports anime, specifically cycling anime, biking fans are treated to comic-style films on recreational and competitive sports activities.

As the origin of cool cycling animes, Japan is one of the most cycling-friendly countries. Since the release of the first anime about cycling in 2003, Nasu: Summer in Andalusia, the list of the best anime to watch on cycling has increased rapidly. Discover more about the best cycling anime adapted from manga.

10 best cycling anime and manga to watch

What is the best cycling anime called? This article has compiled all the cycling manga available and the ten best bike racing anime in the order of their release times. Here are some good cycling animes and where one can watch them.

10. Nasu: Summer in Andalusia-2003

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The film follows the life events of a Spanish cyclist, Pépé, voiced by Yo Oizumi, and the struggles he has to overcome as he competes in an Iberian cycling race. The plot thickens when the race passes through Andalusia, Pépé's hometown, on the same day as his brother's wedding to his ex-girlfriend.

The 45-minute film premiered in January 2004 at the Future Film Festival in Italy. A sequel to the film was released three years later, Nasu: A Migratory Bird with Suitcase.

In the sequel, pro cyclists Pépé and Ciocci, voiced by Kōichi Yamadera, fight to give their team, Pao Pao Beer, a victory in the pouring rain. Emotions run high in the film as the teammates struggle to come to terms with the death of their close friend Marco Rondanini, voiced by Akio Ohtsuka.

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9. Idaten Jump-2006

Is there an anime about mountain biking? Idaten Jump is undoubtedly one of the most liked sports anime. Fans who follow the series are familiar with the protagonist's famous catchphrase, "Fire up, Flame Kaiser! Just like the burning flames in my heart, burn it up into red hot flames".

The action-packed film dives into the exciting adventures of a fifth grader, Sho Yamato, voiced by Akeno Watanabe, and his friends, Kakeru Sakamaki and Makoto Shido, voiced by Makoto Tsumura and Sawa Ishige. In the film, the friends compete in the Idaten battles in the X-Zone to return to their world.

8. Over Drive-2007

The Over Drive anime is undoubtedly worth watching as a highly-ranked TV series. The film is centred on the monotonous life of a student, Shinozaki Mikoto, who Yuuki Kaji voices.

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However, this changes when his school crush, Yuki Fukazawa, voiced by Kaori Nazuka, introduces him to cycling, giving his life meaning. Once he becomes interested in cycling, Mikoto has to muster up enough courage to overcome all the challenges in his quest to become a Tour de France champion.

7. Hill Climb Girl-2014

In the film, Hinako, voiced by Megumi Hayashi, struggles daily to beat her classmate up a steep hill on her way to school. Fortunately, an encounter with her favourite professional cyclist, Bradley Wiggins, helps end Hinako's losing streak.

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6. Chiba Pedal: Yowamushi Pedal to Manabu Jitensha Koutsuuanzen-2016

The short series takes place in the Chiba Prefecture. The Sohoku High School Cycling Club and its mascot Chibakun, tackle important cycling topics such as traffic rules, safe biking, and taking care of one's bike.

5. Long Riders! 2016-2017

The Long Riders! is one of the most famous cycling anime on NetFlix. The series tells the story of a first-year college student, Ami Kurata, voiced by Nao Tōyama, whose passion was awakened when she first saw a folding bike. She later formed the Fortuna cycling team for the college to ride in the prestigious long-distance cycling event.

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4. Minami Kamakura High School Girls Cycling Club-2017

Kamakura High School is not only known for the Slam Dunk anime series. The Minami Kamakura High School Girls Cycling Club anime is based on a Japanese manga series.

The biking film narrates the story of Hiromi Maiharu, voiced by Reina Ueda, who relocated from Nagasaki to Kamakura. The series follows Hiromi as she adjusts to her new life at Kamakura High School.

Although she has not ridden a bicycle since she was young, cycling has become a daily activity at Kamakura. In addition, Hiromi's new friend, Tomoe Akitsuki, voiced by Yūki Hirose, encourages her to join the school's cycling club and helps her become a better biker.

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3. Yowamushi Pedal-2013

Why is Yowamushi Pedal so popular? The Yowamushi series was released in 2013 and has clung to the top of all bike racing anime lists. With comedy, drama, and sports action themes, it is clear that the four-part series has become one of the best cycling anime.

The series also influences real sports. In an interview with Google Arts and Culture, Yowamushi Pedal manga author Wataru Watanabe gave an example of the influence of anime on authentic sports culture. He said,

There is a technique in bicycle racing called a bike throw, where a racer pushes their arms forward in an attempt to shave seconds off the clock. I thought this was a standard technique. Therefore, I drew a scene during the race between Akira Midōsuji and Hayato Shinkai, in which Midōsuji throws his bicycle to win. I have seen videos of readers throwing their bicycles to imitate Midōsuji.

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In the original series, the film's protagonist, Sakamichi Onada, is a fearful high school freshman who joins the cycling club after the school's anime club is disbanded. In the club, Onada overcomes his timid nature to reveal his hidden passion and competes in cycling races.

3. Yowamushi Pedal New Generation 2015-2016

The Sohoku High cycling club rivals, the Kyoto Fushimi High School Cycling Club and Hakone Academy, get ready to redeem their Championship title. Will Onada and the first years defend their title and win in Yowamushi Pedal New Generation? The film explores all that.

2. Yowamushi Pedal Grande Road 2014-2015

Yowamushi Pedal Grande Road is the second season in the series. Wataru Wanatabe introduces one of the villains in Yowamushi Pedal, Akira Midōsuji, a tall and lanky third-year student with an extreme personality and dedication to winning, coupled with a comical biking style.

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2. Yowamushi Pedal Glory Line-2018

In Glory Line, the series narrates the events surrounding the second Inter Highschool bicycle race. Will Sohoku beat their biggest competitor, Hakone Academy, to win the second Inter High racing competition?

1. Yowamushi Pedal Limit Break-2022

The newest cycling anime in the series, Yowamushi Pedal Limit Break, was released on the 8th of October, 2022 but aired in November. The entire series can be watched on NetFlix, Crunchyroll, and 9anime. Other films in the series include:

• Yowamushi Pedal Special Ride 2013
• Yowamushi Pedal Re: Ride 2014
• Yowamushi Pedal Re: Road 2015
• Yowamushi Pedal: The Movie 2015
• Yowamushi Pedal: Spare Bike 2016

Cycling manga

We have compiled a comprehensive list of manga about bikers and cyclists. Have a look at the best sports manga on bicycle riding, according to Anime-Planet.

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More than a decade ago, cycling animes entered the webtoon entertainment scene. Since then, animated films adapted from cycling manga have become highly sought after by sports fans and non-sports fans.

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