I will re-edit it when this manga is complete or near completion.
I will also be trying to avoid spoiling as much as possible so sorry if some things may seem vague.
When it comes to sports manga it seems you either love it or hate it. Not a lot of us may have an interest in some sports whether it be football, swimming, baseball or tennis or maybe we do but just not in that specific sport. In order to win the crowd over when it comes to sports manga and the sport it focuses on is up to the story that comes with it and characters. Let me start off by saying that if you never had an interest in sports manga Baby Steps is the right place to start, if you already do have an interest well then sit down and relax because after you read this review it's time for you to read Baby Steps!
Story 8/10
The story takes place in a high school setting in Japan. We are introduced to the very intelligent A-student Maruo Eiichirou(Ei-Chan), a 15 year old genius who spends his time studying and never really thinks about anything else. One day he decides that he needs to stay in shape and looks for some sort of physical activity to do, one thing leads to another and he ends up in the tennis club. This story follows him and the many other characters and what they do to achieve their dreams.
Now like I said vague, but you get the point. The story does take place in a typical high school setting but is top-notch though when it comes to terms of keeping you excited and wanting more. It mixes many aspects of great stories into it such as the comedy, sport, developing relationships(yes, possible romance.) and more keeping you always interested whether it be the intense matches or having the characters interact with one another. The pacing is surprisingly fantastic and always changes at just the right times. Instead of taking up 10 more chapters for 2 pointless matches they'll go through them all quickly in a chapter to that final match we all wait for and instead make that match long and intense over a few chapters.
The way they keep evolving the story with the pacing proves to make itself a great read.
Art 8/10
Clean, well-drawn and modern. Works for what it is.
Character 9/10
The characters are fantastic in the manga. From the weak genius becoming strong, to the amazing girl always nervous because everyone thinks of her as perfect, and to the delinquent bad ass who is a tennis pro that has a nice side which he tries to hide. We have many different and vibrant characters in this manga.
Every character, main or supporting has a different personality which works for them best and allow them to compliment each other. The characters are not just limited to a handful either as we are always introduced to new interesting characters.
Enjoyment 9/10
I haven't enjoyed a sports type manga like this since The Big Windup. It kept me glued to my screen constantly clicking wanting to get more and more into the story and even got me interested in the sport which I had no care for at all when I began reading it.
It's the kind of manga that you can just sit back relax and read but at the same time excite yourself when it comes to the matches.
Overall 9/10
It's not often I'm able to find a sports shounen that mixes so much and yet stays so true to what it is. From the characters, to character development, and evolving story this is one manga that I thoroughly enjoyed. Coming into this manga with no knowledge of the sport or care for it I thought it would have been a drop immediately. However I find myself coming back every week for the next update. It is certainly a manga that is worth a shot for anyone. So don't be taken aback if you have no interest in tennis! Read a few chapters and see for yourself!
