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Apr 6, 2014 3:38 PM
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May 2011
454
copperwolf said:
Baby Steps is the absolute BEST sports manga out there (IMO of course). The reason the show (and the manga) start off so slow is in the title. Baby Steps. One of my favorite lines from the manga comes at the end of chapter 90 and epitomizes what the story and Ei-chan are all about. "Baby steps to giant strides." Ei-chan's meticulous OCD nature and his strategic way of playing tennis makes the series a joy to watch/read as he goes from a complete newbie to a tennis player who can contend on the international stage. His earnest and innocent romance with Nacchan is another high point of the series.

For those who were put off by the slow first episode, STICK WITH IT. Baby Steps is a different breed of sports anime/manga and Ei-chan is a MUCH MUCH more unique and interesting protagonist in a sports anime.

Baby steps to Giant strides.


i like that it was realistic too, but this is a manga\anime after all and tbh i got annoyed when he just started to lose important matches. (this is later on)
Apr 6, 2014 3:44 PM

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Apr 2008
2146
That frohawk looks so damn stupid :P
I wonder what the heck the mangaka or animators were thinking when they drew that.
Shave the kid dammit :P

Apr 6, 2014 3:55 PM

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Apr 2008
2146
That frohawk looks so damn stupid :P
I wonder what the heck the mangaka or animators were thinking when they drew that.
Shave the kid dammit

My predictions for who that guy is:
Probably just a friend. A guy who is in her class that also is in the tennis club. Nothing more.
But what the heck is up with the look she gave him. I was just waiting for her to smile :P

Apr 6, 2014 4:39 PM

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Jan 2009
168
Des said:
That frohawk looks so damn stupid :P
I wonder what the heck the mangaka or animators were thinking when they drew that.
Shave the kid dammit

My predictions for who that guy is:
Probably just a friend. A guy who is in her class that also is in the tennis club. Nothing more.
But what the heck is up with the look she gave him. I was just waiting for her to smile :P

It's from the manga so the animator has jack to do with it.

Decent first episode, but didn't care for the spoiler tennis match at the beginning. The manga started with the classroom scene which would have been a much better start.

Those expecting any ridiculous Princess of Tennis garbage, well you'll be disappointed. Most of what's going to come is pretty close to real life to an extent.
Apr 6, 2014 4:53 PM

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Dec 2013
34
Des said:
That frohawk looks so damn stupid :P
I wonder what the heck the mangaka or animators were thinking when they drew that.
Shave the kid dammit


The Rooster-hawk (as I've dubbed it) took me at least 100 chapters of the manga to get used to. But it grew on me.
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Apr 6, 2014 5:37 PM

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Apr 2013
26
It was ok.
Apr 6, 2014 5:38 PM

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Oct 2013
2364
Apr 6, 2014 5:42 PM

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Oct 2013
231
Kerozinn said:
after watching an episode of Haikyuu!! this felt extremely underwhelming.


yeah, I made the mistake of watching this after Haikyuu!! too. I'm still going to give it a try though. I watched Oofuri after KnB and at first it seemed kind of slow, but I ended up loving it just as much.
Apr 6, 2014 5:44 PM
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Jul 2013
1539
That was cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuteeeeeeeee


>:D

I want moarrrrrrrr SPORTS ANIME FGDKLHJKHKJLAFHJK
Apr 6, 2014 6:08 PM
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Aug 2012
8227
velcom said:
Good adaptation of the start. Really love the manga so it's great to see it animated. Bit bummed it's only 25 episodes though, it probably won't reach any of the best parts of the manga during this season.

Yeah it's unfortunate, the best parts starts a little later in the series.

The art style in the manga was already okay for me, but the anime looks slightly worse...well it's probably not a high budget anime, that's fine though since I still enjoyed the first episode :) I love tennis but I suck at it. When I watch Ei-chan though, I feel motivated. As I said, good first episode, but I can definitely see how this might be boring for some people.
Apr 6, 2014 6:32 PM

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Oct 2011
8877
The next Inui senpai !!!!!!! XDDD

Taking notes as the match progress and calculates the winning match
Apr 6, 2014 6:48 PM

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Apr 2011
1455
ownosourus said:
Not bad, not bad at all. I was wondering if we'll get a decent sports show this season.


Haikyuu! and Ping Pong say hello.
Apr 6, 2014 6:59 PM

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Apr 2011
2241
Always thought Natsu was a guys name, but know I know better. Natsu a total cutie, reminds me strongly of Nishino Tsukasa.

E-chan hair doo reminds me of a rooster head and his rival looks tough...

Glad there was no crazy Prince of Tennis stuff going on in the beginning. OP/ED was nice.
Apr 6, 2014 7:03 PM

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Nov 2007
9157
Stark700 said:
Natsu is a pro at it anyways.


You mean aim to become a pro, right? I know at this point there is no point pointing it out that you probably watch raw without knowing the slightest of Japanese language. But don't get me wrong. I actually got used to your first posts. And I think it's commendable that you go to such lengths just to create topics. Someone has to do it anyways!

As for the episode, it was okay I guess. My expectations aren't met, but not far off. Hope it improves. At this moment, it seems Haikyuu!! is the real deal, sports anime-wise in this season.
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Apr 6, 2014 7:18 PM

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Nov 2010
1690
It's was good. but i'm hoping that it get's better.
Apr 6, 2014 7:21 PM

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Jul 2012
48250
IKKIsama said:
ownosourus said:
Not bad, not bad at all. I was wondering if we'll get a decent sports show this season.


Haikyuu! and Ping Pong say hello.

And also Abarenbou Kishi!! Matsutarou...not the first episode though.
Apr 6, 2014 7:30 PM

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Jun 2012
6492
Not even a single panty shot, what am I doing with my life?
Apr 6, 2014 7:35 PM
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Jul 2012
9405
Meh, iffy episode.

This episode doesn't interest me that much even I know the sport of Tennis. The characters are bleh from me liking them at all. Been seen the love type of characters in school anime before.

2/5
Will try three more episode or four if I end up dropping this show.
Apr 6, 2014 8:01 PM

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Apr 2013
376
This actually interests me as I find most tennis anime boring. The only thing that bothers me is that clueless airhead look the blond girl has most of the time.
Apr 6, 2014 8:21 PM

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Jul 2010
3028
copperwolf said:
Baby Steps is the absolute BEST sports manga out there (IMO of course). The reason the show (and the manga) start off so slow is in the title. Baby Steps. One of my favorite lines from the manga comes at the end of chapter 90 and epitomizes what the story and Ei-chan are all about. "Baby steps to giant strides." Ei-chan's meticulous OCD nature and his strategic way of playing tennis makes the series a joy to watch/read as he goes from a complete newbie to a tennis player who can contend on the international stage. His earnest and innocent romance with Nacchan is another high point of the series.

For those who were put off by the slow first episode, STICK WITH IT. Baby Steps is a different breed of sports anime/manga and Ei-chan is a MUCH MUCH more unique and interesting protagonist in a sports anime.

Baby steps to Giant strides.
Yeah I kinda get your point and I've noticed the potential of the show too, and you're confirming my expectations. Got my hype up, looking forward to next episodes.
Apr 6, 2014 9:23 PM

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Feb 2008
480
I actually thought the show was interesting. I'll keep watching this one.
Apr 6, 2014 9:43 PM

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Feb 2010
2776
japanda said:
Realistic sports anime? Sign me up!


Dying art these days.
Apr 7, 2014 2:23 AM

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Jul 2011
4356
It's weird when I can relate to the MC so much. =.="
Only difference between us seems to be his personality...

Not liking the girl. Getting the notes dirty was just... also her whole character.
And looks like she will be the girl he'll end up with. OTL

On another note, I love the realism! First warm-up is pretty dang painful for someone who doesn't exercise, I can vouch for that! But seeing that he will improve so tremendously is nice to see (during the beginning sequence). Baby Steps indeed! I picked up the series because I love strategy and realism in sports and Ei-chan totally fits the bill!
Apr 7, 2014 2:33 AM

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Oct 2010
134
That was pretty good. I'm a big POT fan (Prince of tennis). I'm surprised on how accurate they got club tennis and the actual movements. It was kinda nostalgic, because I took the city championship my first year of tennis. I remember studying and taking notes on tennis, when I started.

The character design and personalities are no where near as good as POT, but the overall tennis animation is a lot better (realistically speaking). Then again, this anime doesn't have players smashing holes in the ground and breaking the laws of physics.
Apr 7, 2014 3:47 AM

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Apr 2013
1174
tbh this isn't bad, decent start
some ambiences, scenes and characters were awks at times
Like the OP though!!
hope it becomes much better in time!
Apr 7, 2014 6:00 AM

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Sep 2010
165
I enjoyed it quite a lot. Maybe this will focus on the romance aspect more. Looking forward to next week
Apr 7, 2014 7:50 AM

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Feb 2011
10104
Huh, not bad at all, that was really fun. Gotta get used to the art though, it's quite different from what I usually see. The grade shcool kid was a bit annoying though.

Also, the opening is SO freaking good!
Apr 7, 2014 8:00 AM

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Oct 2010
470
That was a pretty slow start, this show is making me nostalgic of Chihayafuru.

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Apr 7, 2014 8:19 AM

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Mar 2014
17
This looks more interesting than Haikyuu!!
Apr 7, 2014 10:55 AM

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Jul 2010
1293
I enjoyed the episode, but it is a bit of a slow starter. (The manga was too.) I hope they move through some of the early stuff and get to the later part of the story pretty quickly.

Apr 7, 2014 12:53 PM

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Mar 2009
858
my very 1st tennis anime~ hope this series entertain me~
Apr 7, 2014 12:57 PM

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Oct 2010
134
LiLSatan said:
my very 1st tennis anime~ hope this series entertain me~


Blasphemy! You must watch Prince of tennis.
Apr 7, 2014 1:23 PM

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Mar 2009
858
monokuma-k said:
LiLSatan said:
my very 1st tennis anime~ hope this series entertain me~


Blasphemy! You must watch Prince of tennis.


nah~ didn't like it, when i saw an episode of it with some kind of finishing moves. I kinda want it normal~
Apr 7, 2014 2:23 PM

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Apr 2012
63
Good first episode buy some pantie shots when the girl was playing tennis would've been appreciated hahaha, i didn't think that i'd like the main character but he seems all right, his school notes are the complete opposite of mine when i was in school lol.
Apr 7, 2014 3:58 PM

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Aug 2013
760
The end of that OP was just too corny..

It was ok. Not my type of comedy, but I like the lighthearted tone.

Is anyone else terrified by how weird their eyes and pupils are positioned? I would hide too...
Apr 7, 2014 7:03 PM

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Jan 2008
18142
This feels like a very poorly animated series with what we've had recently. I like how so many background things are just like, not doing anything. Like during the lunch scene the girls in the background weren't moving at all in the slightest bit nor even blinking the entire time. When it showed the surfers during the walk home, I cringed at how badly it was. The character designs for anyone who isn't the two MC's shown in this episode were like "shit, I don't care about these characters, I'll just draw something side character quality."

Also, the main characters hair is probably the first hairstyle that has bothered me in a very long time.

For a sport anime, the first episode was definitely not that motivational compared to other and recent titles.

Though you can definitely say this show won't be fujoshi or otaku pandering.
Apr 7, 2014 11:43 PM

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Sep 2012
381
Didn't like the first episode. Too slow for my taste.
Apr 8, 2014 5:23 AM

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Feb 2012
618
Great start, I like the characters and the setting.
Apr 8, 2014 5:35 AM

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Jan 2011
26375
MC is a big neeeeeeeeeeeeeerd, with a fohawk for some reason.

Anyway I quite liked this even though it didn't really have much tennis yet.
Apr 8, 2014 3:17 PM

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Apr 2013
1631
Other than the main character's hair, the episode was interesting enough for me to pick up. But if i compare it to Prince of Tennis, this series seemed inferior and boring as hell xD

Oh and I hate the female heroine already and the series feels REALLY slow.

I'll probably drop by episode 3-5 unless something really interesting happens (like the appearance of a rival)

Mhm... Actually the entire episode felt really slow and boring, I actually got sleepy once i finished watching this episode... May drop it after the 2nd episode at this rate
duderusApr 8, 2014 3:37 PM

Apr 8, 2014 9:41 PM
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Oct 2013
127
Wow.. I'm glad I decided to watch this.. This is good, although I would have been irritated by the main girl if she didn't apologized and I'm glad she did although it seems superficial? (maybe because of her personality).. I like this kind anime, sports anime that did not seem mainstream and fast pace.. I want to quickly see his grow like the one in the intro when he plays in the tournament one year later.. I'm also glad I'm not too picky when it comes to character design, so I don't have problem with it..
I cannot bring myself to rate anime that I have completed below 5. Well, it just because I have use up my precious time to watch it. so, the worse you will get from me is 5 (changes may apply)
Apr 8, 2014 9:44 PM

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Jun 2007
5649
I'm hoping for a good mix of sports and romance, not something on the same level as Cross Game or anything as there's no way this will be remotely anywhere near what that show is - but just a good balance. I really like the lead girl (not sure why she's unpopular in this thread with some people) and sports shows are much better when they are focused more on the characters and how the sport effects their lives rather than being a show simply about "I want to be the best at this sport and there is nothing else to me". So I'm hoping the romance isn't just thrown in and that character development is a main focus.

If not, still like it so far regardless.
Apr 8, 2014 10:45 PM

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Oct 2007
2932
I was kind of hoping to like this cause a lot of sports shows of late have been among my favorites but that was just really dull and left very little impression. The characters weren't really interesting, the art was kind of bad, the pace was slow and it just lacked any sort of personality or insight into the sport of Tennis. Really there wasn't even much Tennis. Maybe I'm misidentifying this as a sports show and it's just supposed to be something else but whatever it is nothing about this really stood out to me.
Apr 9, 2014 10:10 PM

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May 2011
280
Just keep watching, you guys. Or read the manga.

Baby Steps is one of the best sports manga ever.
Apr 9, 2014 11:37 PM

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Jun 2009
15185
Looks pretty good, nothing really stood out but I'll keep it up I guess.

Edit: I do like how Ei-Chan keeps those notebooks, though.
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Apr 10, 2014 7:26 AM

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Dec 2011
8943
Well there's no harm in continuing with it I guess.
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Apr 10, 2014 10:24 AM

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Nov 2010
2047
Ei and Natsu seems like a nice future couple
The way Kageyama lunch and picks his nose was just disgusting

Some decent animations were from the tennis movements
Apr 10, 2014 3:04 PM

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Dec 2012
39
Haha the main character seems so quirky. Kinda reminds me of Ippo. I guess i'll watch on to see how it progresses.
Apr 10, 2014 6:53 PM

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Jul 2013
350
I'm definitely going to finish this series, because I just love everything about the sport, and this is really my first serious anime about tennis.

It wasn't as realistic as I thought it was going to be though.
It's really not possible to become that good with a year of practice. I mean I've been playing for 7 years and Ei looks like he can beat me.
lol
Apr 11, 2014 3:58 AM

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Jul 2010
321
Dat hair XD

Was enjoyable. I like Ei-chan already^^

Damn, that guy at the end kinda looked like Kagami from Kuroko no Basket O.o
Hyuga Junpei: “Yeah… I’m confident… Because my teammates will help me out! I can shoot confidently.. because it will be okay even if I miss!”

Kagami Taiga: “I don’t know about being the bad guy or whatever. It’s only in stories where titles like that decide the loser. This is our show. We’re the ones who are writing the script.”
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It’s time to ditch the text file.
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