10 Best Anime References in the Summer 2024 Olympics (2024)

The Summer 2024 Olympics were spectacular with their amazing displays of athleticism, but what made this year's Summer Olympics even more thrilling for fans were the abundance of anime references made by athletes throughout the games. From athletes expressing their love for the iconic series' One Piece and Jujutsu Kasien to teams incorporating anime themes into their routines, there was a record amount of anime love in the 2024 Summer Olympics. The many anime references brought out fun and cultural moments throughout the Summer Games.

Anime fans around the world were able to cheer on athletes as they referenced their favorite anime shows on one of the biggest stages in sports. This year's Olympics proved that the influence of anime extends far beyond the screen and is present among people of all backgrounds.

Through both subtle nods to anime and bold showcases of anime love, the amount of anime references in the Summer 2024 Olympics shows how anime has become an important part of global pop culture.

10 Colombian Weightlifter Mari Leivis Wearing Luffy Socks At the Summer 2024 Olympics

Mari Leivis Sanchez Referenced One Piece With Her Outfit

One of the most hilarious and recognizable anime references came from a Colombian weightlifter named Mari Leivis Sanchesz who showcased her love for One Piece by wearing socks that featured the series' main character, Monkey D. Luffy. These socks, which depicted Luffy in various iconic poses, quickly became a viral sensation. The weightlifter not only displayed one of her favorite anime's, but also symbolized the adventurous spirit that One Piece is known for through her bold choice of socks.

9 Yusuf Dikeç and Kim Yeji Reference Jujutsu Kaisen With Their Shooting Stances

These Olympians Posed Similarly To Toji And Gojo During Their Olympic Shooting Match

The shooting events at the Summer 2024 Olympics saw several homages to some of Jujutsu Kaisen's most popular characters when Yusuf Dikeç and Kim Yeji, representing Turkey and South Korea respectively, mimicked the iconic stances of Toji Fushiguro and Satoru Gojo. While taking their shots, both athletes posed the same way that Toji and Gojo do when taking their own shots, using the intensity and focus that is required by the sport and the moments within the anime. Their playful but serious nod to Jujutusu Kaisen gave anime fans more entertainment and investment in the Olympic shooting competition.

8 Noah Lyles Brought Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards For His Qualifying Race

The Cards Supposedly Bring Him Luck And Power

Track star Noah Lyles made headlines not just for his speed, but also for bringing a deck of Yu-Gi-Oh! cards to his Olympic qualifying race. Lyles has been outspoken about his love for the Yu-Gi-Oh! anime and trading card games throughout his racing career, but this Olympic season he revealed that he carries these cards as a good luck charm, believing that they bring him power-ups similar to the characters in the anime.

The sight of Lyles holding up his cards gained media and anime fans attention, showcasing Noah Lyles strong love for the anime genre and his unique way of staying focused and motivated throughout his races.

7 The Spanish Triple Jump Olympic Champion References Attack On Titan Two Times

Jordan Alejandro Diaz Fortun Makes The Shinzou Wo Sasageyo Pose And Imitates Eren's Titan-Shift By Biting His Hand

Jordan Alejandro Diaz Fortun, Spain's triple jump champion, didn't just win gold, he won the hearts of Attack on Titan fans worldwide. After clinching his victory, Fortun did the iconic "Shinzou wo Sasageyo" pose, a tribute to Attack on Titan's Survey Corps. To add to the Attack on Titan excitement, Fortun was also seen biting his hand, imitating Eren Yeager's Titan-shift transformation. These very recognizable gestures made after Forun's victory, showed his love for the Attack on Titan anime and its themes of sacrifice and strength.

6 Miltiadis Tentoglou Referenced A Famous Luffy Pose

During The Men's Long Jump, Tentoglou Made The Luffy Gear Five Pose

Greek long jumper Miltiadis Tentoglou thrilled the audience not only just with his impressive jump, but also with his playful and funny reference to One Piece. Before his final jump, Tentoglou struck the Luffy Gear Five pose, drawing cheers from One Piece fans in the crowd and around the world. This pose, associated with Luffy's strength and character growth, also symbolized Tentoglou's determination to push beyond his limits, just like Luffy. His performance, paired with the homage to One Piece, made for a memorable Olympic moment.

5 Payton Otterdahl Referenced Another Famous Luffy Pose

United States' Otterdahl Did The Luffy Gear 4 Transformation Pose

Another One Piece Olympian fan named Payton Otterdahl added his own anime reference by mimicking Luffy's Gear Four transformation during his walkout for the shot put event. Otterdahl, known for his light-heartedness, explained that the pose helped him pump up and channel the explosive energy needed for his throws. The reference not only amused anime fans but also showed how much of an influence Luffy from One Piece has on athletes who look for strength and perseverance.

4 Japanese Artistic Swimming Team Plays NieR:Automata Score During Their Routine

The Japanese Swimming Team Referenced NieR:Automata Through Their Music Choice

The Japanese Artistic Swimming Team took a creative approach to their anime reference by incorporating the hauntingly beautiful score of NieR:Automata into their performance. The NieR:Automata music is known for its depth and connection to the anime's themes of humanity and existentialism.

This style of music made for a great backdrop to the teams' synchronized movements. This artistic and creative reference to NieR: Automata showcased the Japan team's ability to merge athletic performance with an anime homage in a captivating and fan-favorite way.

3 The French Fencing Team Posed For A Group Kamehameha

This Team Won Bronze And Referenced Goku

The French Fencing Team, after securing a bronze medal, decided to celebrate with a pose that almost every anime fan would recognize: a group Kamehameha. Inspired by Dragon Ball, the team lined up and performed the famous energy attack gesture, symbolizing their united victory and group strength. This happy moment shows how the French Fencing Team have a great friendship and a love for Dragon Ball, one of the most influential anime series in history.

2 Japan's Men's Volleyball Team Played One Of The Haikyuu!! Opening Theme Songs

After Their Win Against Argentina, The Japanese Men's Volleyball Team Referenced Haikyuu!!

After their thrilling victory against Argentina, Japan's Men's Volleyball Team paid tribute to the anime Haikyuu!! by playing one of its opening theme songs during their celebration. Haikyuu!!, which is about a group of high school volleyball players, has been a source of inspiration for many athletes since its release. The team's choice to incorporate the song "Fly High!!" showed their connection to the series and the impact that Haikyuu!! has had on volleyball's popularity in Japan and beyond.

This anime reference caused the Japanese Men's Volleyball Team to receive a fun drawing from Haruichi Furudate, the Haikyuu!! creator. Even though the team eventually lost to Italy in the quarterfinals, this heartwarming illustration from Furudate shows how great their effort in the games was and how prevalent Haikyuu!! is within the volleyball world.

1 Noah Lyles Poses With A Dragon Ball And Jujutsu Kaisen Reference

Noah Lyles Does His Own Kamehameha And Gojo Domain Expansion

Noah Lyles made two more anime references throughout his Olympic appearance from two more of his favorite anime series, which are Dragon Ball and Jujutsu Kaisen. Before and after winning his races, Lyles struck two different anime poses, a gesture mimicking Gojo's Domain Expansion, followed by a Kamehameha pose. This double reference to two of the biggest Shonen Jump anime, showcases Lyle's deep love for anime and his fun nature, making him an athlete that fans of anime can love.

The Summer 2024 Olympics will be remembered for both the incredible athletes who competed and the unforgettable anime references that brought joy to anime fans around the world. These moments showed how deeply anime culture has grown in the lives of many athletes, serving as an inspiration for them and a way to connect with others. As anime continues to grow in popularity around the world, it is clear that anime's influence will be even bigger at the next Olympic Games.