Ping Pong the Animation

About Ping Pong the Animation

If you are hunting for a new drama series, Ping Pong the Animation (ピンポン THE ANIMATION) deserves a look (2014). The setup goes like this. In short: Tsukimoto Makoto (nicknamed Smile) is a quiet high-schooler who's been friends with the loud and energetic Hoshino Yukata (nicknamed Peko). They're both in the table tennis club and are very good at it, though Smile's personality prevents him from winning against Peko.

Soon after, the club teacher however notices Smile's talent and tries to make him gain some sportive tenacity.

In a drama series like this, character writing and emotional payoff matter more than spectacle. Voice work is led by Kouki Uchiyama as Makoto Tsukimoto and Fukujurou Katayama as Yutaka Hoshino. This one is best suited to viewers who prefer story and feelings over flashy action. At 11 episodes in total, it is easy to plan a viewing schedule.

Production & Appeal

Tatsunoko Production is the studio behind Ping Pong the Animation, and its direction shapes everything from character design to motion. Because it leans on drama, character writing and emotional payoff matter more than spectacle. A community score of 8.6/10 puts it among the better-received drama titles. On the casting side, Kouki Uchiyama voicing Makoto Tsukimoto gives the lead role a recognizable voice. Released in 2014, it competed with that season's other new series for attention.