Reviews

It was so refreshing to see a sports story that does everything it can to not conform to common sports story tropes. Ping Pong The Animation was able to develop unique characters who all had their own interesting qualities and especially interesting motives. One of the best way this anime thrived was showing the backstories of the characters in order to give the audience insight into how they got to where they are and why they play the way they do. Even though it is only the second sports anime I have seen, I would find it hard to believe that I will find another one that I like more. It made me cheer for characters I liked, and still sympathize for the characters I didn't. Because of that, no character seemed 2-dimensional.

I LOVE how the story is able to see so many sides of competitive sports/activities. It gives arguments for basically ever view and approach to the competitive scene. I'm not going to pick apart each character, but as you watch it, keep that in mind. Certain characters really do want to go all the way and become the best. Others feel obligated to. Others just play for fun, but they find their fun in getting really good. Still others just try and try, but simply can't make it to that "next level of play". All of this ultimately ties in to the ending of the show extremely well.

Now for the unavoidable conversation about the animation. Some people say they hate it, and honestly I was a LITTLE intimidated going in. However, the animation alone would have been able to keep me engaged, as it always had something pleasant and exciting to look at. Sure some of the character designs were over-the-top and cartoonish, but hey... its a cartoon. Some of my favorite moments in this show were the split-screen shots. It made everything that happened, even mundane conversation, become exciting somehow. This show really is something to behold.

Overall, this show was absolutely amazing. It starts in a place that gives the characters plenty of room to grow, and ends in a place that leaves you loving the main characters, understanding and sympathizing with the secondary characters, and wanted to freaking play some ping pong! I am really finding it hard to say anything bad about this show. for now, I'm not gonna give it a 10/10 because I feel like it was missing something that could really push it to be one of my favorite shows... however... there is a reason I completed this show in less than 24 hours.

Sentence: This show is a freaking blast!