10 Manga Like Sayonara, Football — Data-Driven Picks (2026)

If you finished Sayonara, Football and want your next read, these recommendations are not someone's opinion — they are computed from comic-lab's database of every manga published in Japan since 1968, combining three similarity axes (art style, setting, story) with real reader-behavior data.

1. Farewell, My Dear Cramer (さよなら私のクラマー)

by 新川直司 · since 2016 · 13 volumes in Japan · publication status unknown

Why it matches: readers who look up this series often move on to it; close in story & tone and setting & themes.

Find on Amazon Japanese editions (CDJapan)

2. ICONTACT (iコンタクト)

by 月山可也 · since 2021 · 4 volumes in Japan · publication status unknown

Why it matches: close in setting & themes and story & tone.

Find on Amazon Japanese editions (CDJapan)

3. Sasameke (ササメケ)

by ゴツボ×リュウジ · since 2002 · 5 volumes in Japan · publication status unknown

Why it matches: close in setting & themes and story & tone.

Find on Amazon Japanese editions (CDJapan)

4. Rugby Rumble (最強の詩)

by 宮田大介 · since 2024 · 5 volumes in Japan · ongoing

Why it matches: close in setting & themes and story & tone.

Find on Amazon Japanese editions (CDJapan)

5. Chio's School Road (ちおちゃんの通学路)

by 川崎直孝 · since 2014 · 9 volumes in Japan · publication status unknown

Why it matches: close in story & tone and setting & themes.

Find on Amazon Japanese editions (CDJapan)

6. The Knight in the Area (エリアの騎士)

by 伊賀大晃 · since 2006 · 57 volumes in Japan · no new volumes in recent years

Why it matches: shares genre and subject categories on Wikipedia.

Find on Amazon Japanese editions (CDJapan)

7. Whistle! (ホイッスル! Number)

by 樋口大輔 · since 1998 · 39 volumes in Japan · publication status unknown

Why it matches: shares genre and subject categories on Wikipedia.

Find on Amazon Japanese editions (CDJapan)

8. Captain Tsubasa (キャプテン翼)

by 高橋陽一 · since 1982 · 83 volumes in Japan · publication status unknown

Why it matches: shares genre and subject categories on Wikipedia.

Find on Amazon Japanese editions (CDJapan)

9. Play Ball (プレイボール)

by ちばあきお · since 1989 · 22 volumes in Japan · no new volumes in recent years

Why it matches: close in story & tone and setting & themes.

Find on Amazon Japanese editions (CDJapan)

10. Ashi Dribbles Through (ドリブルヌッコあーしちゃん)

by モノノヴ · since 2025 · 1 volumes in Japan · ongoing

Why it matches: shares genre and subject categories on Wikipedia.

Find on Amazon Japanese editions (CDJapan)
Method: similarity is computed over cover-art embeddings, thematic categories and plot descriptions of 133,000+ works, blended with co-reading behavior. Volume counts and dates reflect Japanese editions and update automatically.

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