August 9 is “Baseball Day” in Japan — a date chosen as a play on the Japanese words “ya (8) kyū (9).” Baseball has long been one of the most beloved genres in sports anime, offering everything from gritty stories of aspiring professionals to high-school friendships forged on the diamond and impossible pitches that defy reality.
Anime!Anime! conducted its annual reader survey asking “Which baseball anime comes to mind first?” Voting ran from July 21 to 28, 2026. Respondents were roughly split evenly between male and female, with those in their 20s and 30s each making up about 30% of participants.
No. 1: Daiya no A (Ace of Diamond)
Daiya no A took the top spot with approximately 23% of the vote, jumping up from third place last year.
Based on the high-school baseball manga serialized in Weekly Shōnen Magazine, the series follows left-handed pitcher Sawamura Eijun as he enrolls at the prestigious Seidō High School and strives to become the team’s ace alongside catcher Miyuki Kazuya and the rest of his teammates.
The TV anime first aired in 2013, and in April 2026 the newest installment, Daiya no A actII -Second Season-, began broadcasting, with its second cour scheduled for October. Readers praised “Sawamura’s relentless spirit and the fierce competition for a regular spot,” calling it a work that has even inspired professional players. The boost from the new season airing this year helped propel it to the top of the rankings.
No. 2: Bōkyaku Battery (忘却バッテリー)
Bōkyaku Battery claimed second place with around 19%, sliding one spot from its No. 1 finish last year.
Adapted from the manga serialized in Shōnen Jump+, the story reunites powerhouse pitcher Kiyomine Haruka and genius catcher Kaname Kei — who has lost all memory of baseball — as they restart their careers together at Kotesashi High School.
The TV anime aired in 2024 and drew praise for its accessibility: “Because Kaname has forgotten even the basic rules, the show explains baseball in a way anyone can follow — it’s perfect for newcomers to the sport.” Others highlighted “the brilliant premise of an elite battery becoming total beginners, and the perfect balance between Kaname’s slapstick comedy and genuinely moving drama.” A second season is confirmed for 2027.
No. 3: Major (メジャー)
Major held on to the top three with roughly 7% of the vote, dropping one place from second last year.
Based on the manga from Weekly Shōnen Sunday, the series chronicles the sweeping baseball life of Shigeno Gorō, son of a professional player. The TV anime ran from 2004 to 2010, with OVA and theatrical releases also produced. Voters praised both the human drama — including Gorō overcoming loss and setbacks, and teammate Mike Murdock gradually opening up to others — and the memorable music, citing Lord of Major’s “Kokoro E” and Remioromen’s “Tsubasa” as standout tracks.
Other Notable Mentions
- MIX — Praised as a worthy successor to Touch, set at Meisei Academy with returning characters from earlier works. Fans also noted the charming real-life sibling casting of Uchida Maaya and Uchida Yuma as the story’s siblings.
- Grand Blue (ぐらんぶる) — One voter admitted the show made them think of the “baseball ken” drinking game that pops up at parties in the series.
- Princess Nine: Kisaragi Joshi Kōkō Yakyūbu — Celebrated as a groundbreaking 1990s work centered on women’s baseball, with fans still fond of its story, theme songs, and voice cast.
- Sankyu Pitch — A manga not yet adapted into anime, but fans cast votes hoping to will an adaptation into existence.
Top 10 Baseball Anime Ranking 2026
- 1st — Daiya no A
- 2nd — Bōkyaku Battery
- 3rd — Major
- 4th — Ōkiku Furikabutte
- 5th (tied) — Kyojin no Hoshi / Casey’s Baseball Team / Ballpark de Tsukamaete! / Little Busters!
- 9th (tied) — Captain / Touch / Doraemon / Dragon Ball Super / Hachigatsu no Cinderella Nine
The results highlight the remarkable breadth of baseball anime — from classic high-school tournament dramas to sweeping professional epics and pioneering stories of women’s baseball.
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