14 Best Wrestling Anime: The Ultimate Showdown in the Ring!

The granddaddy of wrestling anime, Kinnikuman is a legendary series that set the stage for everything that came after.

Originally airing in the 1980s, it follows Suguru Kinniku, a clumsy superhero who enters an intergalactic wrestling tournament to prove himself as the true heir to the throne of Planet Kinniku.

Despite his goofy personality, Kinnikuman grows into a formidable wrestler, taking on bizarre and powerful opponents in over-the-top battles.

What makes Kinnikuman stand out is its perfect mix of comedy, action, and heartfelt moments. It introduced iconic wrestling moves like the Kinniku Buster and inspired real-life wrestling stars.

The show’s influence can still be felt today, making it a must-watch for any wrestling anime fan. As this series has many seasons and episodes, you might need some time to finish it, a good series for a fun time.

Note: I prefer watching the modern series of Kinnikuman (Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arc 2024), but if you the old series has more episode that you don’t want to miss.

Kinnikuman info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Muscleman
• Episodes: 137
• Released: Spring 1983
• Studios: Toei Animation
• Genres: Comedy, Sports
• Themes: Combat Sports
• Score: 7.22 (MAL), 7.0 (IMDb)

Watch Kinnikuman: Perfect Origin Arc trailer:

If you’re looking for something with a stronger connection to real-life wrestling, Tiger Mask W is the perfect pick.

A spiritual successor to the original Tiger Mask anime from the 1970s, this series follows two rival wrestlers, Naoto and Takuma, who take different paths in the wrestling world.

Naoto adopts the heroic Tiger Mask persona, while Takuma infiltrates the villainous Tiger’s Den as Tiger the Dark.

What sets Tiger Mask W apart is its direct collaboration with New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW). Real-life wrestlers like Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi make appearances, adding an extra layer of authenticity.

The animation delivers impactful suplexes, powerbombs, and high-flying maneuvers, making it a treat for anyone who appreciates the sport’s in-ring action.

While the season 2 Tiger Mask W features more modern animation, you might also want to check out the original Tiger Mask anime for a richer experience.

Tiger Mask W info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 38
• Released: Fall 2016
• Studios: Toei Animation
• Genres: Drama, Sports
• Themes: Combat Sports
• Score: 6.93 (MAL), 6.8 (IMDb)

Watch Tiger Mask W trailer:

You can’t talk about wrestling anime without mentioning Baki the Grappler. While it’s technically more of a martial arts series, Baki Hanma’s grappling techniques and submission holds draw heavily from real-world wrestling styles.

Think of it as MMA with a heavy emphasis on brutal, bone-crushing moves.

The series follows Baki as he trains to surpass his father, Yujiro Hanma, the strongest man in the world. Along the way, he faces off against some of the most terrifying fighters imaginable, from death row inmates to underground legends.

The fights are intense, visceral, and often downright brutal to watch, but they’re also incredibly satisfying.

If you’re a fan of raw, unfiltered combat, Baki will leave you breathless.

Baki the Grappler info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Grappler Baki
• Episodes: 24
• Released: Winter 2001
• Studios: Group TAC
• Genres: Sports
• Themes: Combat Sports, Gore
• Score: 7.45 (MAL), 7.5 (IMDb)

For a more serious approach to the sumo wrestling, Hinomaru Sumo delivers high-energy matches and a determined underdog protagonist.

The series follows Ushio Hinomaru, a pint-sized powerhouse determined to prove himself in a sport dominated by giants. Despite his small stature, Hinomaru uses speed, technique, and sheer heart to take down opponents twice his size.

The show treats sumo wrestling with the same passion and excitement that traditional wrestling anime apply to pro wrestling, making it a great watch for combat sports enthusiasts.

Each match is a nail-biting spectacle, showcasing the strategic depth of sumo wrestling. At the same time, the characters’ relationships and personal growth add layers of emotion to the story.

If you’ve ever rooted for an underdog, you’ll find yourself cheering for Hinomaru every step of the way.

Hinomaru Sumo info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Sumo of the Rising Sun
• Episodes: 24
• Released: Fall 2018
• Studios: Gonzo
• Genres: Sports
• Themes: Combat Sports, School
• Score: 7.53 (MAL), 7.2 (IMDb)

Watch Hinomaru Sumo trailer:

What happens when you take a wrestling champion and drop him into a fantasy world?

You get Kemono Michi: Rise Up, an isekai comedy where professional wrestler Genzo Shibata is summoned to defeat the demon king but instead, he just wants to suplex magical creatures and open a pet shop.

Unlike traditional wrestling anime, Kemono Michi isn’t about the sport itself but rather about how wrestling techniques translate into a fantasy setting.

Picture him suplexing dragons or locking demons in a headlock. It’s as ridiculous as it sounds, and that’s exactly why it works.

Kemono Michi: Rise Up info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Hataage! Kemono Michi
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Fall 2019
• Studios: ENGI
• Genres: Comedy, Fantasy
• Themes: Anthropomorphic, Isekai
• Score: 6.59 (MAL), 6.5 (IMDb)

This is a wrestling… kind of.

Keijo!!!!!!!! takes the concept of wrestling-inspired battles and cranks it up to absurd levels. In this anime, female athletes battling each other on floating platforms using only their chests and hips to knock each other off. Yes, you read that correctly.

While the premise might sound gimmicky, Keijo!!!!!!!! fully commits to its ridiculous setup, delivering fast-paced matches filled with strategy, skill, and plenty of fanservice.

The story follows Nozomi Kaminashi who goes from gambling to survive to dominating the sport, all while forming bonds with her fellow fighters. It’s silly, over-the-top, and utterly addictive, a guilty pleasure that wrestling fans will devour.

But well… because of its nature, this is not the anime for everyone, and not the kind of anime you watch with someone.

Keijo!!!!!!!! info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Hip Whip Girl: Keijo
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Fall 2016
• Studios: Xebec
• Genres: Sports, Ecchi
• Themes: Combat Sports
• Score:6.90 (MAL), 6.7 (IMDb)

Sumo wrestling might not get as much screen time as other combat sports, but Rowdy Sumo Wrestler Matsutaro!! proves it deserves more attention. This series follows Matsutaro, a lazy slacker who reluctantly joins a sumo stable after losing a bet.

Unlike the typical shonen sports anime, this one features an unlikable, rough-around-the-edges protagonist who gradually grows into a respectable sumo wrestler.

If you’re interested in combat sports with a wrestling-adjacent feel, this anime provides a mix of comedy and realism.

Rowdy Sumo Wrestler Matsutaro!! info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Abarenbou Rikishi!! Matsutarou
• Episodes: 23
• Released: Spring 2014
• Studios: Toei Animation
• Genres: Sports
• Themes: Combat Sports
• Score: 6.08 (MAL), 5.9 (IMDb)

This anime is the kind of wrestling anime that you can only watch alone. Wanna Be the Strongest in the World flips the common script of wrestling anime by centering its story around female wrestlers.

Mixing idol culture with wrestling, Wanna Be the Strongest in the World takes a unique approach to the genre.

It follows Sakura Hagiwara, a pop idol who transitions into the world of pro wrestling after witnessing her friend being attacked by pro-wrestler during a TV program.

Determined to avenge her friends, she undergoes intense training and gradually rises through the ranks of women’s wrestling.

This anime leans heavily into the fanservice side of things, which might not be for everyone, but it does feature genuine wrestling moves and training sequences.

The underdog story is a classic sports anime trope, and seeing Sakura evolve from a total rookie to a fierce competitor is undeniably satisfying.

Wanna Be the Strongest in the World info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Sekai de Ichiban Tsuyoku Naritai!
• Episodes: 12
• Released: Fall 2013
• Studios: Arms
• Genres: Sports, Ecchi
• Themes: Combat Sports
• Score: 5.74 (MAL), 5.2 (IMDb)

If you like wrestling but want a futuristic twist, Metal Fighter Miku might be up your alley.

This anime takes place in a world where pro wrestling is fought with power suits, enhancing the strength of its fighters. The story follows Miku, an aspiring wrestler who joins the Pretty Four team and works her way up in a cybernetic wrestling league.

While the premise sounds like Wrestling Meets Mecha, the series keeps the spirit of pro wrestling alive with exciting matches, intense rivalries, and a strong underdog storyline.

It’s an overlooked gem that brings something different to the genre.

Metal Fighter Miku info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 13
• Released: Summer 1994
• Studios: J.C.Staff
• Genres: Comedy, Sci-Fi, Sports
• Themes: Combat Sports
• Score: 6.09 (MAL), 7.0 (IMDb)

For something completely out of the ordinary, Kick-Heart is a short yet unforgettable anime about a masked wrestler with a secret: he enjoys getting beaten up.

His life takes a turn when he faces a mysterious female wrestler who might just be his perfect match, both inside and outside the ring.

Created by Masaaki Yuasa (Devilman Crybaby, The Tatami Galaxy), this surreal, artistic take on wrestling is visually stunning and deeply unconventional.

It’s not a traditional wrestling anime, but if you’re into experimental animation and bizarre storytelling, it’s a must-watch.

Kick-Heart info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 1
• Released: 2003
• Studios: Production I.G
• Genres: Comedy, Romance, Sports
• Themes: Combat Sports
• Score: 6.42 (MAL), 6.8 (IMDb)

Here’s another concept you don’t see every day: wrestling and mecha. Bio Armor Ryger is an underrated series that mixes the spectacle of professional wrestling with sci-fi action.

The anime follows a protagonist who dons a powerful bio-armor suit, engaging in high-intensity battles that feel like a mix of pro wrestling and superhero combat.

While it leans into its sci-fi elements, the fight choreography and dramatic storytelling stay true to the spirit of wrestling.

Bio Armor Ryger info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Juushin Liger
• Episodes: 43
• Released: 1989
• Studios: Sunrise
• Genres: Action, Sci-Fi
• Themes: Mecha
• Score: 6.70 (MAL), 7.5 (IMDb)

For those who appreciate a more grounded take on wrestling, Wanna Be’s offers a nostalgic trip back to the late ‘80s and early ‘90s wrestling scene. This 1980s anime follows a group of aspiring wrestlers, each determined to carve out their place in the industry.

It has an old-school charm with grounded storytelling, focusing on the emotional and physical struggles of the characters as they navigate the wrestling world.

Wanna Be’s info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: N/A
• Episodes: 1
• Released: 1986
• Studios: AIC, Artmic
• Genres: Comedy, Sports
• Themes: Combat Sports
• Score: 5.13 (MAL), 6.4 (IMDb)

Wrestling meets martial arts in Ayane’s High Kick, an anime about a high school girl who dreams of becoming a pro wrestler but ends up training in kickboxing instead.

While not a pure wrestling anime, it carries strong wrestling influences, particularly in its portrayal of fighting spirit and perseverance. Ayane’s journey from an overconfident rookie to a disciplined fighter makes for a compelling sports anime experience.

Ayane’s High Kick info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Ayane-chan High Kick!
• Episodes: 2
• Released: 1997
• Studios: Rikuentai
• Genres: Comedy, Sports
• Themes: Combat Sports
• Score: 5.83 (MAL), 5.5 (IMDb)

This is not the usual wrestling, but if you love mecha, robot figures and wrestling, you will love Plastic Model Wrestling Sanshiro. Wrestlers aren’t people in this anime, they’re plastic models brought to life!

Led by the titular Sanshiro, these miniature fighters compete in epic battles that combine wrestling with elements of robot combat.

It’s a niche concept, sure, but Plastic Model Wrestling Sanshiro pulls it off with charm and creativity. The fights are surprisingly well-animated, and the humor keeps things entertaining throughout.

If you’re a fan of retro toys or just enjoy offbeat premises, this one’s worth checking out.

Plastic Model Wrestling Sanshiro info (MAL):

• Alternative Title: Plawres Sanshirou
• Episodes: 37
• Released: Summer 1983
• Studios: Kaname Productions
• Genres: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
• Themes: School
• Score: 7.37 (MAL), 8.7 (IMDb)

Champion’s Wrap-Up

From high-flying action to absurd comedy, wrestling anime comes in many forms. Whether you’re into Ultimate Muscle’s ridiculousness, Tiger Mask W’s intense realism, or Keijo’s ‘insane’ battles, there’s something here for every kind of wrestling fan.

Do you have a favorite wrestling anime that deserves a shoutout? Let us know. We’d love to hear what makes a great wrestling anime in your book!