Full of youthful passion, nothing gets that blood pumping like a race. Yet, it takes some talent to have a racing anime have the same effect on a person that an actual race does. While not all racing series realize that goal, they do make up for it with great characters and even more interesting plots than just Tokyo drifting. If you are looking for a good racing anime, you actually have a lot of options in an often overshadowed genre.
Best Racing Anime
Initial D
As one of the most well known and longest running racing anime series, chances are if you like racing, you like Initial D already. While it has its older entries, the series has kept a distinct premise of substance over flash, at least in terms of the vehicles. The cars are a little iconic now, yes, but it is the races where the series really shines. An abundance of racing down mountain roads to dope eurobeats is what has kept the series exciting.
MF Ghost
It took a minute to get there, but all good things must end. As such, Initial D had to end, but that wasn’t the end of the story for a lot of characters. MF Ghost is a spin-off series by the author of Initial D that follows a new main character.
In MF Ghost, racers engage in mountain racing using gas-powered luxury sports cars, something that are exclusively used for racing in this world of EV superiority. The main character races and tries to attract the attention of his long-absent father. However, he honed his racing style under a very familiar teacher if you were a fan of Initial D.
Oban Star Racers
In the year 2082, the Great Oban Race is to be held. This intergalactic race features teams competing for the ultimate prize – to have their wish granted. The series follows Eva who leaves boarding school to complete in the race in order to be reunited with her father.
Capeta
After the loss of his mother and with his dad struggling financially, a young boy named Capeta starts making a go-kart out of junk. His first race is full of issues, but he realizes his dream to one day compete in F1 races.
Capeta may start off following a child, but as a long running series, it spans quite a bit of time and it is a thrill to watch the young racer grow in all ways.
F
Made long before we were pressing it to pay our respects, F the anime series was about a reckless young country thug who dreamed of racing in a Formula One car. Heading to the big city, he chases this dream, but a country boy in a big city has a lot of adapting to do.
Redline
While I don’t normally recommend movies, like Initial D, Redline has just been a huge staple in the racing anime genre. It is a celebration of fantastic animation and the very definition of high octane. The series follows a race that happens every five years. The location is kept secret until just before it starts. Unfortunately, this year is Roboworld and their government isn’t happy about it. This means the racers may have to worry about more than just their fellow racers ruining their chances.
Rideback
Rin was a talented ballot dancer. However, an injury left her separated from what she loves. Years later, she is blown away by the RideBack club in her college. She decides to join the world of RideBack, in which people race and ride on this motorcycle-like vehicle that can also turn into a robot. In it, she can finally feel like her body moves in the way she wants it to again.
Idaten Jump
Idaten Jump combine mountain bike racing with classic shounen battle anime vibes. Essentially, the main character and his friends get sent to the X-Zone while biking. To go home, they need to win 10 golden emblems from racing. However, the legendary Idaten bikes have special powers that make the races more dangerous than your standard bike race.
IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix
In the year 2043, the IGPX, or Immortal Grand Prix, is the event of the century. It is so big of a deal, that it had its own city built for it. In this race, teams pilot mechs in order to race – and fight – their way to the finish line.
To be honest, I’m surprised their hasn’t been a Gundam series like this yet. But this is basically it.
Over Drive
Mikoto is a high schooler that is constantly bullied and with no special talent. However, one day his crush asks her to join her brother’s cycling team. To impress her, he trains hard, but above all, he finds that he actually like bicycle racing.
Air Gear
The series Air Gear surrounds the sport of Storm Riding. In it, people use futuristic flying roller blades call Air Treks to race and compete with each other. Air Treks come with a speed limit, but this is the story of those who can go beyond.
Prince of Stride
Stride is a sport that combines not just sprint racing, but free running, parkour, and relay. Nana and Takeru are both captivated by the sport and aim to join the school team, only to find it defunct. Now they must hone their skills, but also recruit team mates who have a passion for running.
Yowamushi Pedal
Onoda is an otaku who uses his bike primarily as a means of transportation. However, after riding his bike back and forth all the time, his skill at uphills catches the attention of a cyclist at his school. As such, he ends up mentoring him and recruiting him to the school bicycle club. This opens up Onoda to more than just the wonders of anime, but to the joys of racing as well.
Appare-Ranman
Smart but socially awkward Appare and his samurai friend Isshiki find themselves drifting on a boat and stranded in America. In order to get the funds to go back home, they enter a trans-American race to win the prize money. However, their opponents are reckless and crazy, making this more challenging than just your standard race.
Wangan Midnight
Tokyo’s Shuto Expressway, or Wangan, is Japan’s longest and straightest road. It is most obviously a target for street racers and law enforcement that want to catch them. Coming off a devastating defeat, high schooler and street racer Akio buys an intriguing junked car and fixes it up. While the car is fast, it also has a long history of accidents. Now he must not only battle other racers, but the car itself on the Wangan.
Uma Musume Pretty Derby
Perhaps the most different racing series on this list, Uma Musume is basically deceased race horses reincarnated into cute anime girls that run track. They have ears, tails, and horse puns. The races have drama to them, but it is very much a cute girls doing cute racing things show.
Two Car
Two Car is about kneeler racing, which is apparently a real thing and a sport in which motorcycles with sidecars race. The series itself is part racer and part romantic drama. The two-girl race team wants to compete in the international finals on the Isle of Man, but they are also both in love with their coach. Can they put aside their differences to win?
Kandagawa Jet Girls
Taking place in the future, teams of two race on what are essentially jet skis. One is the driver and the other shoots at their opponents with a water gun. It is a neat twist on what is essentially a racing anime, but with more cute girls than your standard racer as well.
Overtake
Even people who know nothing about racing know about F1 racing. However, they probably don’t realize that there are other F-races going on.
Overtake follows a photographer who grows an appreciation for F4 racing after watching the race of a struggling team. He makes it his mission to get the the sponsors that will allow them to thrive.
Do you have any more racing anime that you would recommend? Let fans know in the comments section below.
