Ranking Sports Anime by (Implicit) Romance Levels

I am not an expert in sports anime by any means, but it may be my favorite genre of anime. I am also known to enjoy a nice rom-com shoujo anime, but I think that there may be a link between the two genres. The passion for sport can also kind of become an obsessive passion for one's teammates or opponents, and as such, sports anime protagonists can find themselves in borderline romantic scenarios. There's something about endless devotion to one's team that creates these really dramatic moments between characters. So today I'll be ranking the sports anime I've watched in terms of their romance level!

7. Haikyuu!! If you looked at Archive of Our Own and saw the sheer number of Haikyuu!! fanfictions, you may be confused as to why it's ranked so low on this list. Haikyuu!! has a lot of very common and widely "shipped" couples, however, when I reflect on the show, nearly none of these relationships are depicted with the level of devotion and admiration as in the other shows on this list. Hinata and Kageyama are commonly shipped, but they are hardly even friends, seeing each other as rivals and competition above all else. Oikawa and Iwaizumi are another popular "couple" but I see them as bickering childhood friends more than anything. They have good chemistry, but Iwaizumi is frustrated that Oikawa gets all this attention from girls while he doesn't. He's constantly knocking Oikawa around and berating him. These relationships can be filled with passion and respect, but rarely the kind of compassion and tenderness that is befitting of a great romance. One exception is the relationship between Yamaguchi and Tsukishima. Yamaguchi openly admires and obsesses over Tsukishima and while Tsukishima seems annoyed by this, nevertheless he continues to hang around with him, so they must get along very well. I also feel that Kuroo's feelings toward Kenma could be described at times as romantic as he considers Kenma to be the heart of the team and he always makes sure that he's being pampered.

6. Kuroko's Basketball. Of all the shows on this list, you might argue that this one is the most focused on the sport of basketball rather than on the relationships between teammates. I rank this more highly than Haikyuu!! because of Kuroko himself. I find that the other members of the Generation of Miracles are all enamored with him and have a desire to both play with him and take care of him. Kagami and Kuroko have a nice dynamic as well, becoming closer and more devoted to each other over the course of the show. Kagami claims Kurko as his "shadow" and they become a set. The relationships between the others in the Generation of Miracles can be cute, funny, passionate, and endearing at times as well. Overall, though, I would not classify any of these relationship dynamics as much more than good sportsmanship and respect.

5. Tsurune. I haven't quite finished watching this one yet, as I have the final two episodes to watch, but I can say with confidence that this show belongs in this spot in my ranking. The dynamics between the characters lacks the passion and devotion required for me to class them as romantic for the most part. The best "chemistry" on the team, in my opinion is between "Kacchan" and Nanao, but they're cousins so it can't count. Seiya and Minato have the most "romantic" friendship out of the whole team, but for most of the show, it seems pretty one-sided. Seiya is almost obsessed with Minato, changing his choice of high school just to follow after him and he's only doing the sport of Kyudo because of Minato's passion for it. As the story develops, we see more snippets of their childhood and their history with each other. When Seiya hits his own slump with archery, Minato promises to wait for him to come out of it. In a later moment, Minato is feeling guilt over a situation with their coach, and Seiya cups his cheek and comforts him. These moments between them are pretty lovely.

4. Run with the Wind. This show really doesn't have that much ship bait in it and while it heavily emphasizes the relationships between the runners on the team, none of those relationships really skew into romance. Nico-chan and YuKi bicker with one another, and you might construe this as "chemistry." I will also mention that Haiji really seemed to pamper the character who goes by the name "Prince" as well. But these relationships aren't explored enough for me to justify calling them even implicitly romantic. However, Haiji and Kakeru do have a sort of special bond, with Haiji really looking out for Kakeru and Kakeru admiring Haiji's devotion to the team and to the sport. There's an understanding between them that goes quite deep, as they challenge and motivate one another. It comes off as rivalry and friendship, until in one of the final moments of the final episode, Kakeru gives a little monologue about what running means to him. The whole speech is quite revealing. I would say this moment almost confirms that Kakeru has some kind of romantic feeling toward Haiji, but I suppose it all comes down to a matter of interpretation.

3. Free! I really thought this show would rank more highly as the "romance" of this show is so over-dramatic and emotional. The sports element definitely takes a back seat to the relationships. Haru and Makoto have a certain vibe to their relationship, with Makoto acting like he's Haru's doting wife. Rei and Nagisa immediately get along like a house on fire, spending time together both in and out of club activity. Then there's Rin, who's whole reason for swimming is Haru. In fact, I'll just say it... At some point, almost every character in this show seems like he's in love with Haru. Characters introduced in the third season also have an almost obsessive devotion to each other. They hug, they cry, they give passionate speeches to each other. This show emphasizes time and time again the importance of swimming together and there's just something really cheesy and lovey-dovey about the whole thing.

2. Sk8 the Infinity. This show ranks even higher than Free! because it has what I would consider to be a canon couple in it. Adam and his servant/childhood friend Tadashi have a really weird, almost sexual relationship dynamic. Langa and Reki have something interesting going on, too. Their fist bump handshake, Langa's mom thinking that his issues with Reki are girl troubles, the diving hug at the end of Langa's big race... Cherry and Joe have the bickering ex-lover vibe as well. While this show has a much goofier and less serious tone that the other shows on the list, it's campiness actually lends itself quite well to romantic subtext.

1. Yuri on Ice! This ranks in at number one because it's not even implicit. This is actually as much a romance anime as it is a sports anime. Victor and Yuri are in something of a dating relationship by the end of the show, wearing matching rings which seem like wedding bands. The whole show is Victor flirting with Yuri and Yuri feeling flustered around his crush, so of course it's the most romantic sports anime on my list.

And that is my ranking! I would be interested in hearing all of the Haikyuu!! fanfiction authors debate me on the nature of the relationships within the show. Feel free to try to change my mind! Are there other sports anime out there that are even more romantic than these? I'm dying to know!