Best Motivational Anime About Dreams & Working Hard

One of the many reasons anime fans adore and get addicted to anime is because of the wide range of creative and unique stories that inspire and motivate their viewers to be better people and work on their shortcomings. Some of the most fascinating psychological anime series might have darker themes, but many of them have empowering and positive messages that help fans overcome the hardships they experience in their own lives.

The best motivational anime helps fans find their purpose and be more disciplined to achieve their career and personal goals in life. Despite the deep and meaningful themes, these anime shows couldn’t be further from boring or dry. Viewers can get their boost while watching creative stories, epic heroes, and some of the greatest anime villains, who all help fans understand and process difficult emotional blocks and help them achieve their dreams by working bravely towards them.

Updated October 23, 2024, by Hamza Haq: As a medium, anime’s ability to inspire its viewers to be something better than they are is unmatched. Manga, which is what most anime are based on, is an individual pursuit that only requires one person to bring it to life. A story told by a single person will almost always be more human, especially when it doesn’t have to go through the filter of producers, executives, screenwriters, and agents that movies have to go through. And since there are no limitations of scale, the stories can be as fantastical as the writer wants them to be. Anime about working hard aren’t rare because that is a core part of the human condition. But, ones that manage to truly inspire the viewer are not easy to find.

23 Dragon Ball Z

Training To Be Better Is The Theme Of This Show

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Dragon Ball started as an adventure manga before Toriyama decided to shift the focus of the series to powerups and battles. That shift helped the series become one of the most popular titles of all time. It never gets tiring watching Goku, Vegeta, and the rest of the gang push their bodies to the very limit to achieve stronger transformations and monstrous strength.

This continues in Dragon Ball Super. Many fans can resonate with the need to train oneself to become stronger and conquer greater challenges. Sure, the stakes in real life may be considerably lower, but many people will see this motivational anime and strive to better themselves, just like their fictional idols.

22 Slam Dunk

Characters Train To Become Better At Basketball

It’s a given that most sports anime will feature themes that compel viewers to work hard and perfect the skill they’re great at. Slam Dunk is no exception here. The protagonist is a delinquent who joins the basketball team to impress his crush. When he does, his natural talent for the sport lets him shine in a team that is in desperate need of an overhaul.

With numerous other team members who bring their own skills to the table, it’s a treat watching the Shohoku basketball team come from nothing to become one of the most well-known high-school basketball teams of all time. This makes it clear why people hail Slam Dunk as one of the best motivational anime that inspires them to reach greater heights and push themselves.

21 Gurren Lagann

Facing Impossible Odds Without Giving Up

Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann is one of the most influential anime series of all time, inspiring dozens, if not hundreds, of other anime in one way or another. In Gurren Lagann, the protagonist Simon has lived all of his life underground because the reigning rule of the land, Lordgenome, has forced most of mankind off of the surface and into the Earth’s crust, banning them from ever coming up to the surface.

Simon is meek and somewhat cowardly, the typical anime protagonist but Kamina, his best friend and older brother figure, is the exact opposite. Flamboyant and ready to rumble at any given chance. A stroke of luck sees Simon and Kamina reach the surface by finding a way to control mechs, thereby achieving their dream of breaking free from life underground. But that’s just the start. Gurren Lagann is a story of struggle in the face of impossible odds, fighting not only to survive but to thrive. It’s a modern classic and one of the most inspiring anime out there.

20 Bleach

Ichigo & The Other Shinigami Push Themselves To The Limit

There’s no denying that Bleach‘s writing can be suspect at times. Some people aren’t huge fans of Ichigo’s unexplained powerups, which help him boss most threats despite not showing as much grit as his opponents. However, a cast of strong side characters carry this experience. And of course, it helps that the many training sequences are as inspiring as they come.

To call Bleach one of the best motivational anime around would be a stretch, but there are many messages that viewers can take from this experience. Transcending one’s limits and reaching new heights time and time again is something that will help viewers identify and break the glass ceiling that holds them down too.

19 Prince of Tennis

A Constant Struggle To Improve In The World Of Competitive Tennis

Like most sports anime, Prince of Tennis incorporates themes of hard work and struggling hard to achieve hard-to-reach goals. The main character, Ryoma Echizen, despite being a tennis prodigy, is never allowed to rest on his laurels and is constantly forced to up his game every time because the opponents he faces have just as much talent with much more experience. It’s an incredible story of perseverance and grit that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish.

Another strong point in favor of Prince of Tennis is that the supporting cast is not just there to make the protagonist look good. From the genius captain Tezuka, the ever-rational Oishi, the hidden genius Fuji, the calculating Inui, the jolly Kikumaru, the viper Kaido, and many more, the supporting cast in this series is stacked. Not only that but even the antagonists are given plenty of screen time, allowing their characters to be fleshed out and their motivations to be explained. Other than a few exceptions, all characters in Prince of Tennis, whether they are on the side of the Seishun Academy or against it, have dreams they want to achieve and goals they’re striving for. It’s a story of their struggle to get there and how hard they work at it.

18 Dr. Stone

Using Brains & Intellect To Overcome A Deficiency In Physical Strength

While there is no doubt that most fans’ favorite is Senku, viewers can still meet a wide range of fascinating and strong characters in Dr. Stone, who will surely motivate them to work harder for their dreams even when things get tough.

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Dr. Stone is also a visually beautiful anime with a unique story that blends fantasy and sci-fi masterfully. Its story follows Senku, a brilliant young scientist, and his friend Taiju who are trying to use their smarts and science to rebuild civilization. Senku’s relentless dedication and Taiju’s perseverance will surely motivate viewers of all types to go for their dreams no matter the odds.

17 Run With the Wind

Training For A Marathon Requires Hard Work And Dedication

Run With the Wind is a feel-good slice-of-life anime that can help viewers learn more about college life as well as teamwork. This heartwarming series is simple, but thanks to its well-crafted and relatable characters, fans can get a bit of entertainment and motivation while enjoying a relaxed story.

Its story follows a group of university students who are competing in the prestigious Hakone Ekiden relay marathon. While the stories mainly center around running, they also contain plenty of important and inspirational life lessons for those who aren’t runners or competing in any kind of sporting events but want to learn how to overcome personal obstacles more easily and stay focused and motivated.

16 Bocchi The Rock!

Overcoming Social Anxiety To Become A Rock Star

Bocchi the Rock! is the perfect show for those who are looking for a fun comedy anime series that deals with important issues, including social anxiety, in a feel-good and inspiring way. It’s one of the newer anime shows filled with hilarious and strong female characters who are all unique in their own special way.

The anime’s story follows Hitori, who dreams about becoming a popular rock musician despite having extreme social anxiety. She soon joins a new band and meets a group of girls who are just as motivated as she is and help her become a more confident and better guitar player.

15 Hinomaru Sumo

Ushio’s Journey To Become A Reputed Sumo Wrestler

Sumo wrestling is not an easy sport to master in the slightest. Everything from a wrestler’s health to their discipline needs to be immaculate for these athletes to ensure that they’re on the very top of their game, and one need only check Ushio’s journey to become a powerful sumo wrestler in Hinomaru Sumo to see how hard this task is.

Viewers may be motivated to discipline themselves after watching this amazing show that serves as a slow and interesting burn. The series is a blast to watch and worth checking out for any fan of unique sports anime.

14 Chihayafuru

The Importance of Pursuing One’s Talent No Matter What

Chihayafuru is a charming anime series that’s all about determination, passion, as well as personal growth. The story is centered around a young high school girl called Chihaya who, after being inspired by another schoolmate, decides to pursue Karuta competitively.

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Anime fans can also learn about this popular Japanese card game that’s been around since the 16th century, more intimately while enjoying heartwarming and inspiring stories with relatable characters. The series also explores the importance of dedication and resilience one has to master if one wants to be successful in their chosen field. No matter what someone’s goal is, Chihayafuru will surely inspire them to never give up and to always work tirelessly to achieve excellence.

13 One Piece

Relying On Friends & Overcoming The Odds

While One Piece is one of the funniest and most colorful adventure anime shows of all time, this story is not without its dark moments. Luffy and most of the show’s characters also had to go through plenty of hardships during their journeys and had to find ways to survive and keep going even after heartbreaks and terrible losses.

One Piece is also one of the best anime set on ships filled with adventures and imaginative stories, and weirdly wonderful characters. It’s also one of the most motivational anime shows about dreaming big and working hard for one’s goals, no matter how impossible and difficult they might seem. Its story follows a young pirate named Luffy, who sets out on an epic adventure to become the next Pirate King.

12 March Comes In Like A Lion

Rei Hones His Shogi Talents & Forms Bonds Along The Way

March Comes In Like A Lion is one of the most feel-good motivational anime series that’s perfect for anime lovers who are looking for a relatable story that’ll help them deal with their everyday problems. It’s a great story that can help viewers learn more about the importance of human connections and how to deal with life as an introvert or as someone who is not generally good with emotions.

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March Comes In Like A Lion is also one of the best motivational anime with a warm and cheerful art style that turns this already great anime into a perfectly cozy and emotional experience. Its story follows a socially awkward young teen boy who is dealing with all kinds of issues, including depression and financial difficulties. However, after befriending three sisters, he begins to learn how to change his life for the better.

11 Haikyu!

The Volleyball Team Climbs From The Bottom To The Top

Haikyu! is one of the greatest sports anime like Blue Lock, with inspiring characters, complex stories, as well as thrilling and intense volleyball matches. It’s one of the best and most fun motivational anime shows, and it’s perfect for those fans who are looking for something that’ll motivate them to work harder and never give up, even when things get tough.

Haikyu! also teaches about friendship and how to work well within a team without sacrificing one’s own personality and needs. Its story follows a small teen boy Shoyo who dreams about becoming a volleyball star just like his role model, The Small Giant.

10 Assassination Classroom

Koro-sensei Motivates His Students To Hunt Him Down

Even though Assassination Classroom deals with darker themes, it’s also a surprisingly fun and motivational anime with plenty of great characters. This weird yet inspiring story is filled with relatable characters who teach viewers to care more about each other and to be more considerate towards everyone.

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Assassination Classroom also has a beautiful art style as well as some fun battle scenes. The story follows a yellow octopus-like alien who works as a teacher at a junior high school and says that he’ll destroy Earth unless his students find a way to assassinate him first.

9 Fruits Basket

Motivating The Sohma Family To Get Over Their Curses

Fruits Basket is one of the most famous and beloved motivational anime that’s also a charming and feel-good story that makes viewers feel instantly better. All the characters have to overcome very serious emotional and mental difficulties while often facing external difficulties. However, all the characters work hard to achieve their dreams while improving their bad habits and negative personality traits.

The story’s heroine is the kindhearted Tohru, who is a young orphan girl. Even though she has a hard life and has to live alone after her mom’s death, Tohru always has a positive attitude, works hard, and even motivates and inspires others to do the same. The story follows her adventures after she moves in with the mysterious Sohma family. Soon she finds out that the seemingly perfect Sohma family members have their own issues caused by an ancient curse.

8 ReLIFE

Trying To Right One’s Wrongs Is Easier Said Than Done

ReLIFE is another lovable and funny slice-of-life anime that mixes thought-provoking dramatic scenes with uplifting and warm moments. It’s a highly motivational anime that makes viewers re-think their life goals and motivates them to work on their morals and build better relationships in their personal and work lives.

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ReLIFE‘s story is also pretty fun, and it’s about Kaizaki, a young man who is struggling with life. However, his life changes thanks to a drug that alters his appearance. Kaizaki can restart his life as a high school student and work on all the things he did wrong the first time around.

7 Hajime No Ippo

Boxing Is A Hard Sport That Requires A Lot Of Dedication

Sports anime are an easy pick for most people who want to check out an anime that motivates them to do better. After all, watching regular humans push their bodies to the limits to become champions of their respective sports makes for a familiar and easy loop to be invested in.

This makes Hajime no Ippo an excellent series for fans to check out. The series has a rich legacy, with the story of Ippo’s rise from humble beginnings to become a boxing champion being a treat to witness.

6 Mob Psycho 100

Mob Must Push Himself Without Relying On His Psychic Powers

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Mob Psycho 100 is easily one of the most motivational new anime series. Some fans even argue that Mob Psycho 100 is better than One Punch Man in many ways. It’s a fun, action-filled anime with hilarious comedic moments and complex characters that make this show so lovable. The mob is one of the most powerful characters in anime, yet he’s humble and constantly works on becoming a better person and psychic to help humanity.

The story follows his life as he attempts and often fails to control his psychic powers and unstable emotions. He also has to deal with powerful evil spirits, con artists, and of course, the everyday difficulties of a schoolboy’s life.

5 Food Wars

Becoming A Celebrated Chef Is Easier Said Than Done

Food Wars is one of the most inspiring anime that motivates fans to work hard and follow their dreams while also making them hungry. It’s a funny series with great characters and hilariously heartwarming moments. However, fans can also try some pretty weird recipes thanks to the series.

It’s not just a show for foodie anime fans but for anyone who appreciates beautiful animation and loves well-crafted characters and stories about working toward success while helping others.

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Food Wars‘ story follows Soma a young boy who works in a small restaurant in Japan but dreams about becoming a famous and talented chef. He gets accepted into an elite culinary school where he and his teammates have to work together and against each other to become the best versions of themselves.

4 Barakamon

The People Around Him Make a Calligrapher Change His Worldview

Barakamon is one of the most wholesome anime about working hard for dreams and finding one’s purpose in unexpected places. It’s a lovely slice-of-life anime with plenty of great side characters and a main character who has to work hard on his personality to find success in his work life as an artist and happiness in his personal life.

The story follows Seishuu’s life as the young and talented but narcissistic artist gets sent to a remote island by his father after an especially big outburst. The young artist is not happy about relocating from Tokyo to a small village but decides to try and work on finding his unique style there. However, the locals kept barging in and wouldn’t leave him alone. While Seishuu is first annoyed, he soon grows fond of the quirky group that inspires him to become a better person and artist.