Ping Pong the Animation

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Alternative Titles

Synonyms: PPTA
Japanese: ピンポン THE ANIMATION
English: Ping Pong the Animation
More titles

Information

Type: TV
Episodes: 11
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Apr 11, 2014 to Jun 20, 2014
Premiered: Spring 2014
Broadcast: Fridays at 00:50 (JST)
Licensors: Funimation
Source: Manga
Genres: Award WinningAward Winning, DramaDrama, SportsSports
Demographic: SeinenSeinen
Duration: 23 min. per ep.
Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older

Statistics

Score: 8.621 (scored by 174641174,641 users)
1 indicates a weighted score.
Ranked: #762
2 based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.
Popularity: #575
Members: 373,724
Favorites: 15,130

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8.62
Ranked #76Popularity #575Members 373,724
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Synopsis

Despite being polar opposites, Makoto "Smile" Tsukimoto and Yutaka "Peco" Hoshino have been best friends since childhood. Although the overly confident Peco strives to be the best ping-pong player in the world, he often skips practice, earning the ire of his fellow teammates on the Katase High School ping-pong team. Meanwhile, Smile—in spite of his innate talent for the sport—cannot help but hold back his full strength when playing against others. Through their mutual love for ping-pong, the two have developed a bond that is seemingly unbreakable.

When Peco hears that an ex-national team player from China is coming to Japan, he drags Smile over to rival Tsujido High School to observe them. The subsequent trip leads to a clash between Peco and Kong Wenge, who overwhelmingly defeats the former in one game. Stunned by such a comprehensive loss, Peco finds himself questioning why he plays to begin with. Seeing his potential as a player, Katase's coach begins to train Smile to overcome his hesitation, but he is reluctant to play if it is not for enjoyment.

As the two struggle to find meaning in the sport, a plethora of stronger players—each with their own internal strifes—await them at the inter-high tournament, where only the very best can persevere. But when these young athletes let their unbridled ambition go unchecked, the hardships they face paint a somber reality as they pursue glory.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Background

Ping Pong The Animation won the Animation of the Year award in the Television category at the Tokyo Anime Award Festival in 2015.

The series was released on Blu-ray and DVD by Funimation Entertainment on June 23, 2015.

Episode Videos


Related Anime


Characters & Voice Actors

Egami

Supporting
Tsuda, Kenjirou
Japanese

Koizumi, Jou

Supporting
Yara, Yuusaku
Japanese

Tamura, Obaba

Supporting
Nozawa, Masako
Japanese

Kong's Coach

Supporting
Ha, Tei
Japanese

Yurie

Supporting
Kawasumi, Ayako
Japanese

Staff

Cook, Justin
Producer
Yuasa, Masaaki
Director, Episode Director, Script, Storyboard, Key Animation, Series Composition
Kimura, Eriko
Sound Director
Ohira, Shinya
Episode Director, Storyboard, Key Animation, Animation Director


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Opening Theme

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"Tada Hitori (唯一人)" by Bakudan Johnny (爆弾ジョニー)
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Ending Theme





Jun 19, 2014
Ping Pong The Animation is an exceptional show. This is less of a sports anime and more of a powerful emotions series. It's a beautifully crafted coming of age story and one that certainly doesn't come along often. In a word, it's unconventional. Nothing about Ping Pong feels ordinary so love it or hate it, it's hard to not recognize its artistic merit.

The story is a simple one and it chronicles the lives of two boys and their experiences with table tennis. We're introduced to Makoto Tsukimoto, aptly nicknamed "Smile", and his boastful best friend Yutaka Hoshino, or "Peco". These two are polar opposites ...
Jun 25, 2014
"Chant these words three times in your mind!"
"Hero kenzan!" "Hero kenzan!" "Hero kenzan!"
"Do that, and I'll come to you!"

From time to time, a show will be despised by some for the unorthodox and uncommon mediums of presentation and execution. I hold the notion that Ping Pong The Animation truly uses its unorthodox way with great triumph and success.

Ping Pong The Animation is set in a local Japanese town and portrays the lives of two young boys in the local table-tennis club. Having an innate talent for the sport, Makoto Tsukimoto, nicknamed Smile, and his close friend Yukata Hoshino, nicknamed Peco, are depicted ...
Jul 7, 2014
It's a rarity nowadays to find many series or studios willing to take risks. Much of the anime industry has taken to fan-service oriented pandering and it's left me craving for something new. Something that can blow me away with it's creativity and unorthodox presentation. Utilizing its unconventional style, fantastic character development, symbolism, and occasional moments of witty dry humor, Ping Pong The Animation is that something.

When I first started this series I had low expectations. How could a series about ping pong be any good? It seemed like the flop of the season. Fortunately, I have never been so wrong. Despite its appearances of ...

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Poll: Ping Pong The Animation Episode 8 Discussion ( 1 2 3 )
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