Going for the Gold! Our Favorite Sports Anime
Anime's Sporting Spirit: More Than Just a Game As the 2026 Winter Olympics unfold in Italy, let's celebrate the intersection of sports and anime. Anime News Network critics share their favorite sports stories, highlighting protagonists who inspire us to push our limits and rediscover our love for the game. Robot × Laserbeam: A Grounded Approach to Golf Lucas DeRuyter champions Tadatoshi Fujimaki's "Robot × Laserbeam" for its authentic portrayal of golf. Unlike typical shonen sports series, this manga remains grounded in reality, capturing the mental and emotional challenges of the sport. Golf is a game of managing mistakes and navigating obstacles, a frustrating pursuit of unattainable perfection. The manga expertly depicts the emotional rollercoaster of competition, resonating with anyone familiar with the sport's highs and lows. Furthermore, Robato Hatohara, the protagonist, is coded as a high-functioning person on the autism spectrum. His journey of c...