10 most popular racing anime that you need to watch

Racing anime
Racing anime (Image Credit: Studio Madhouse, P.A. Works, and Hal Film Maker and Pumpkin 3D)

Racing anime is full of speed, action, and exciting characters. These shows focus on fast races, strong rivalries, and personal growth. Whether it's cars or even futuristic machines, racing anime delivers thrill and energy. If you're looking for something fun and intense, these ten popular racing anime are a great place to start.


Ranking of the Racing anime

1. Oban Star-Racers

Oban Star-Racers (Image Credit: Hal Film Maker and Pumpkin 3D)
Oban Star-Racers (Image Credit: Hal Film Maker and Pumpkin 3D)

Episode Count: 26

Oban Star-Racers is a racing anime that mixes science fiction and emotional storytelling. It follows a young girl named Eva who loses her mother and goes in search of her father, Don Wei. Her father is generally referred to as the greatest race manager in the world.

Unfortunately for her, Don Wei did not recognize her. As such, she enters a galactic race to reconnect with her father. Eva takes on the alias “Molly” and joins the Earth team. The races take place across the universe with strange alien competitors and flying machines.

The show has strong characters, a deep story, and great animation. It feels fresh and exciting even years after its release. This racing anime stands out for its creative world and emotional moments.


2. Appare-Ranman!

Appare-Ranman! (Image Credit: P.A. Works)
Appare-Ranman! (Image Credit: P.A. Works)

Episode Count: 13

Appare-Ranman! is a racing anime set in the Meiji era in Japan. It tells the story of a Japanese inventor, Sorano Appare, and a smart yet cowardly samurai, Isshiki Kosame. The samurai was tasked with keeping the inventor in check, but ended up stuck at sea.

Saved by an American steamship, they find themselves in a different world. In a bid to earn some money and get back home, they enter a cross-country race across the United States. The anime blends steampunk elements with fun and wild racing scenes.

Each episode brings new challenges and rivals as they race from Los Angeles to New York. It also has bright art and a fun mix of comedy and drama. This racing anime feels unique because of its historical setting and creative car designs. If you like something different with a strong story, this one is a great pick.


3. Capeta

Capeta (Image Credit: Studio Comet)
Capeta (Image Credit: Studio Comet)

Episode Count: 52

Racing anime often tells stories of growth, and Capeta is a great example of that. The story follows Capeta Taira, a young boy who lost his mother and lives with his hardworking father. Though he tries to act strong, Capeta feels lonely and has a hard life. His father works long hours, and Capeta also deals with bullying at school.

One day, his father sees young go-kart racers and is inspired to build a kart using old parts. Capeta finds the kart and, even though it’s raining, decides to try it out. That moment changes everything. He feels alive and excited for the first time in a long while. From then on, racing became his dream.

This racing anime is full of emotion, hard work, and the drive to chase something greater. The way his life changed after finding something he loved is something most viewers can relate to.


4. Uma Musume: Pretty Derby

Uma Musume: Pretty Derby (Image Credit: Studio Kai)
Uma Musume: Pretty Derby (Image Credit: Studio Kai)

Episode Count: 39 episodes across 3 seasons

Racing anime doesn’t always stick to cars and bikes. Uma Musume: Pretty Derby takes a very different path compared to other entries on this list. In this story, famous racehorses are reborn as girls in a special world where they race again, this time on foot. The girls retain some characteristics of when they were horses with their horse ears and tails.

One of them is Special Week, a cheerful horse girl who moves to Tokyo with big dreams. She joins Tracen Academy, a school that trains horse girls to become top racers. After seeing the amazing skills of Silence Suzuka, Special Week is inspired to follow in her footsteps.

She soon joins her team, Spica, and begins her journey to become Japan’s best racer. This racing anime mixes fun and speed in a unique and exciting way. The characters train hard and face challenges. The animation during the races is also smooth and intense.


5. Future GPX Cyber Formula

Future GPX Cyber Formula (Image Credit: Sunrise Studio)
Future GPX Cyber Formula (Image Credit: Sunrise Studio)

Episode Count: 37

Racing anime often show how people and machines work together, and Future GPX Cyber Formula does this really well. The story is about a 14-year-old boy named Kazami Hayato, who becomes the youngest driver in a high-tech racing league called Cyber Formula.

These races use special cars with computers to help drivers on the track. Hayato teams up with the most advanced system, called Asurada, and joins Team Sugo to compete in the 10th Cyber Formula Grand Prix. But winning isn't just about fast cars. Different people try to steal Asurada, and he has to work to stop them.

The anime mixes drama with science fiction. It has great racing scenes, strong friendships, and rivalries. It’s one of the classic racing anime that helped shape the genre. If you enjoy high-speed action with futuristic themes, this series is an awesome place to start.


6. IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix

IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix (Image Credit: Production I.G. and Bee Train)
IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix (Image Credit: Production I.G. and Bee Train)

Episode Count: 26 episodes across 2 seasons

Mecha anime is one of the most interesting genres of anime. IGPX: Immortal Grand Prix is a racing anime where teams of racers control giant robots wielding guns. These machines run at a high speed of greater than 400 km/h and battle on a huge track.

The anime is set in the future and focuses on teamwork, strategy, and competition. A lot of investments have been put into the sport with 60-mile-long tracks. A match consists of two teams of three IG machines. Each team goes around a track attacking each other as they try to cross the finish line first.

The series was made with help from both Japanese and American creators. The animation is sharp, and the story is simple but exciting. This racing anime stands out for its unique setting and mix of racing with robot action. It’s a fun blend of sports and sci-fi. There is also a video game released based on the story.


7. Redline

Redline (Image Credit: Studio Madhouse)
Redline (Image Credit: Studio Madhouse)

Episode Count: Single movie

Unlike most entries on this list that are series, this entry is a movie. Redline is a racing anime movie known for its bold style and non-stop action. The story is about a wild space race that only happens once every five years. Something peculiar about the race is that there are no rules in the race; anything goes.

This year, the race was to take place on Roboworld, a dangerous world that people feared. As a result of other competitors dropping out of the race, the main character, JP, qualifies to enter the race. He is eager to compete and win the match against pro racers, especially since Sonshee McLaren, the only other human who was also racing.

The animation is very beautiful and full of energy, with every scene feeling fast and loud. This racing anime is more about fun than logic, but that’s what makes it special. It’s a must-watch for fans who want a crazy, over-the-top experience.


8. Yowamushi Pedal

Yowamushi Pedal (Image Credit: TMS Entertainment)
Yowamushi Pedal (Image Credit: TMS Entertainment)

Episode Count: 137 episodes across 5 seasons

Yowamushi Pedal is an anime that focuses on the exciting world of competitive bicycle racing. It tells the story of a quiet boy named Onoda Sakamichi who loves anime. He just started high school and is looking to make friends by joining the anime club. Unfortunately, the club has been disbanded and requires people for revival.

On his journey to find new members, Imaizumi Shunsuke sees Onoda riding his heavy bike called a "mamachari" up a steep hill with ease and is shocked by his natural skill. Another student named Naruko also notices his talent while visiting Akihabara. Both of them soon encourage Onoda to join the school’s bicycle racing team.

After that, Onoda starts his adventure in competitive cycling, discovering what it means to race and develop as a cyclist and an individual. This racing anime is great for anyone who likes stories focused on characters in a sports environment.


9. Initial D

Initial D (Image Credit: OB Studio Comet, Studio Gallop, Pastel, A.C.G.T, and SynergySP)
Initial D (Image Credit: OB Studio Comet, Studio Gallop, Pastel, A.C.G.T, and SynergySP)

Episode Count: ~ 81 episodes across 6 seasons

Among racing anime enthusiasts, Initial D is usually referred to as a classic that defined the entire genre. The story focuses on Takumi Fujiwara, a quiet high school boy who does his daily delivery of tofu every morning to his father’s shop. He drives through mountain passes in a Toyota AE86, gradually developing phenomenal drift skills entirely by accident.

Over time, Takumi gets noticed by local street racers who challenge him to races down the mountain. Despite being new to competitive racing, Takumi surprises everyone with his smooth control, sharp instincts, and fearless attitude.

Initial D focuses heavily on street racing culture, especially drifting on mountain passes. The anime features amazing drifting scenes and a great soundtrack. It also has a strong story about skill, pride, and beating the odds. This racing anime is a must-watch for car lovers and anyone new to the genre.


10. Wangan Midnight

Wangan Midnight (Image Credit: A.C.G.T.)
Wangan Midnight (Image Credit: A.C.G.T.)

Episode Count: 26

Racing anime fans who enjoy high-speed battles will find Wangan Midnight hard to forget. The story takes place on Tokyo’s famous Wangan route, where street racers push their cars to the limit. It follows Akio Asakura, a young man who one day finds a heavily tuned blue Nissan Fairlady Z in a scrapyard.

The car has a dark history of crashes and is known as the "Devil Z." Despite the warnings, Akio restores it and starts racing. He develops his career and ultimately comes face to face with a black Porsche 911 Turbo known as "Blackbird." The Blackbird is driven by a skilled doctor named Tatsuya Shima.

The rivalry between Devil Z and Blackbird becomes the heart of the series. Wangan Midnight focuses on the danger and excitement of racing at high speeds. The story is more serious than Initial D and explores the bond between drivers and their cars. This racing anime is great for fans who want fast action and deep character stories.


Conclusion

Racing anime is full of energy, drama, and unforgettable moments. Whether it’s cars, bikes, or robots, these ten shows all offer something special. They show how racing is more than just speed. It is about heart, skill, and determination. No matter which one you start with, each racing anime on this list is worth the ride.

Edited by Tanisha Aggarwal