 If you liked
Chihayafuru
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 ...then you might like
Ping Pong the Animation
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Both series are normally overlooked for being in the sports genre, but really focus more in the growing and learning aspects of life, follow your dreams and the overlap between friendship and rivalry.
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Recommended by Esternocleido
Similar dramatic tones. The main characters got into the sport because of a childhood friend who they still view as their friendly rival.
These two series cleverly mask themselves in the sports genre but there's more to them. The competitive sports part of both anime are evident however it's merely used as a device to explore the characters and their beliefs. The obstacles they encounter perform a large role in characterization as we see them either overcome the hurdle or fail. If you're looking for a sports orientated anime then you may end up disappointed.
Both are labelled as Sports Genres but are focused on character development. Both Tsukimoto in Ping Pong and Arata in Chihaya Furu were bullied and outcasted by their classmates for their shy and unusual behaviour but are driven by the passion for their respective sports. Though Ping Pong and Karuta, the two characters discover their closest friends and the joy in playing with others for the first time. However, Arata becomes more of a side character to Chihaya and Taichi later on in the series.
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Recommended by Fallen_Leaves