Ping Pong
Edit
What would you like to edit?
 

Ping Pong

Alternative Titles

Japanese: ピンポン


Information

Type: Manga
Volumes: 5
Chapters: 55
Status: Finished
Published: 1996 to 1997
Genres: Drama Drama, Sports Sports
Demographic: Seinen Seinen
Serialization: Big Comic Spirits
Authors: Matsumoto, Taiyou (Story & Art)

Statistics

Score: 8.531 (scored by 72597,259 users)
1 indicates a weighted score.
Ranked: #1282
2 based on the top manga page. Please note that 'R18+' titles are excluded.
Popularity: #857
Members: 22,454
Favorites: 733

Resources

8.53
Ranked #128Popularity #857Members 22,454
Add to My List
Volumes: /5
Chapters: /55

Synopsis

Makoto Tsukimoto (nicknamed Smile) is a quiet high schooler who's been friends with the loud and energetic Yutaka Hoshino (nicknamed Peco) since childhood. They're both in the local table tennis club and both have a natural talent for it, although Smile's personality always prevents him from winning against Peco. The club teacher, however, notices Smile's talent and tries to make him gain some sportive tenacity.

(Source: ANN, edited)

Background

Ping Pong was published in French by Delcourt from November 2003 to November 2004 and in Spanish by ECC Comics from August to December 2016. It was published in English by VIZ Media under the VIZ Signature imprint as omnibus volumes from May 19, 2020 to September 15, 2020.

The manga was adapted to film in 2002 by director Fumihiko Sori, and released in Japan on July 20th of that year, under the same title. It was nominated for eight Japanese Academy Awards, with Shidou Nakamura winning the 'Newcomer of the Year' prize for his performance as Dragon.

Characters


Reviews

Aug 15, 2010
"I'm sure you'll understand too, someday. The melancholy of winning. The pain of praise. The weight on your shoulders... the loneliness and agony. The time will come where your efforts will seem meaningless and your victories empty."

Like much of Taiyo Matsumoto's work, Ping Pong includes the same level of energy and surprising depth that outshines its basis to the point of sheer brilliance. Ping Pong, contrary to the title, is less a story about table tennis and more a story about the coming of age of two polar opposite individuals. The author uses ping pong as a medium to advance the story and to develop ...
Apr 7, 2014
Taiyou Matsumoto is somewhat of a hidden master of manga, most people don't know about him but those who do respect him a lot. Sadly until recently I was someone from the first group, but fortunately I have now converted to the second group. This guy is master of telling a story by very subtle means, conveying the tell with both his excellent and imaginative writing and unconventional and brilliant drawing.

Ping Pong is one of his most famous mangas and after you are few chapters within you begin to understand just why is this guys so special. This manga is a very simple tale of ...
Sep 17, 2024
Mixed Feelings
Ping Pong is a philosophical exploration of what motivates people to undertake, well, anything. Some do it to kill time, some for the camaraderie, some chase after an aesthetic ideal, and some do it because they cannot bear failure, and so on. It starts off brilliantly, laying out the characters that exemplify this or that facet of competition, what they look like if mapped onto a motivational spider chart, how they interact with each other, reconcile contradictions, and mature.

However, as competitors drop out of the race and we approach the final reckoning, the manga also gradually becomes a slide show of flashbacks, action shots, symbolism, ...

Interest Stacks

45 Entries · 496 Restacks
by Dane-se
50 Entries · 102 Restacks

Recommendations


Recent News

North American Anime & Manga Releases for September

North American Anime & Manga Releases for September

Here are the North American anime & manga releases for September Week 1: September 1 - 7 Anime Releases Africa no Salaryman (TV) (Africa Salaryman) Complete Coll...read more

North American Anime & Manga Releases for May

North American Anime & Manga Releases for May

Here are the North American anime & manga releases for May Week 1: May 5 - 11 Anime Releases After War Gundam X Collection 2 Blu-ray Aria the Natural Part 2 Blu-...read more


Recent Forum Discussion

Poll: Ping Pong Chapter 55 Discussion
-Karoshi- - Apr 4, 2014
7 repliesby Pepinillo7 »»
Nov 13, 10:21 AM
Poll: Ping Pong Chapter 54 Discussion
Stark700 - Jun 21, 2014
1 repliesby removed-user »»
Feb 25, 2023 9:36 PM
Poll: Ping Pong Chapter 53 Discussion
Stark700 - Jun 21, 2014
1 repliesby removed-user »»
Feb 25, 2023 9:27 PM
Poll: Ping Pong Chapter 52 Discussion
Stark700 - Jun 21, 2014
1 repliesby removed-user »»
Feb 25, 2023 9:18 PM
Poll: Ping Pong Chapter 51 Discussion
Stark700 - Jun 21, 2014
1 repliesby removed-user »»
Feb 25, 2023 9:08 PM