Review of Ping Pong the Animation

Let's start with this first - either Ping Pong gets too much praise is what some say, while on the other hand it gets too much hate. I'm here to give it a tinyy more leeway than either along with yes, this show is not perfect. However, it's still a fairly groundbreaking show and genuinely something in itself. Also, keep in mind that I prefer at -least- one or a few girls in the main cast, but that really is not this show. Do you see what I mean for one? Gosh... the first few episodes for this show just made me think ahah, well thisshow is pretty unique, but not anything super special. BUT NO it's so much more than that if you're someone who can see the hidden depths of a character. The story is also interesting enough since... is this about Ping Pong solely? Hm it might not be but do not misunderstand! It's about the characters AND ping pong versus solely the latter itself. Do you know those shows where it goes so deep into a character's backstory and it's either meaningless in the end or they never show up again? This series does neither and gives instead but depth and realism. For example to simply believe a character would do something -against- their will is a fairly absurd notion! There is not meaningless drama, there is reason, and past yet Ping Pong does not drag these things on endlessly.

Ah yes, the art - one of the biggest gripes most people have. Oh believe me! When I first watched the show I didn't like it, either! After I finished the show I purposely went back to rewatch the first episodes and examined the art carefully. I realized that it wasn't the art style that was so unappealing it was actually because I was saturated with SO many anime styles where they were so much less realistic. This show is NOT afraid to show you the elderly versus a supposed old parent with literally -three or four- wrinkles on their face. It isn't afraid to show you that people have different looks versus every attractive or unattractive person looks the same in their group. For example, stylized eyes solely for looks, all the same mouths, same slender body structures, very simplified noses... we don't have those here. If I have any art grips with this series it's one sequence in the animated opening (that I still find pretty strange) and the awkwardly put in original opening. But trust me the actual, true opening of this show? For the most part it's quite wonderful in matching the great OP song along with being an artist's dream, animation artist or not. Also give the actual opening some slack because one of the people involved? His motto is basically to always go off model because that's actually his style. The show itself though you won't find those inconsistencies if anything it's consistent.

The sound and music? This, this is where I would say the show has its falling out. I found very few tracks with this show memorable and I actually stumbled across the ost! Yeah, no, no kidding here I have standards and... I'm not into mindless edm for example. Electronic? Good. Dance? Good. Edm? Edm is rarely good and if you think so you're talking about wayy too over saturated and try hard music this is just cruel honesty. I tried pretty hard to listen to Ping Pong's ost and... that's... what some of the tracks reminded me of. But that isn't the only problem! The tracks also don't do a good job of conveying some scenes! And that's where one of the bigger issues is is what it seems like to me. You can dislike a series but still adore the music and that really is not what happened with me. I find the music quite average so it's somewhat of a shame, really.

It's obvious when the show does it, but wow. Characterization you say... also, you see... boy, girl, trans, bigender, doesn't matter if the character's a jerk and -especially- with no redeeming qualities I -already- won't like them. What's the point in being such a jerk you're not the king of the world deal. Hell, why -would- you want to be a jerk IF you're king of the world? However hear me out - when you start to see that there's more to a said jerk and there's actually -reason- for someone you thought was a jerk to lash out... it can change everything. Bear in mind! This character I'm talking about I don't even like that much! But it goes to show that there's an actual realism with characterization here, at least with the main cast. If anything I don't even the like main characters of this show that much, but ??? They're still endearing even though they'd be nowhere near my character favorites. Peco isn't a complete hero, but I find that was sort of the point and why a big layer of friction happened in this story in the first place. He's not an almighty hero, he's not a saint, but who is in reality? Who do you know is a true hero who would never do something bad if they could get away with it? If you know someone like this you're possibly just very lucky. What makes Peco special is his uniqueness in general, not just for a "sports anime." Smile? The way Smile was portrayed in Ping Pong is something that needs to be more often. Yes he's very gloomy but regarding some of his circumstances I can understand somewhat, why he's the way he is. It's in the -way- he was portrayed that gives him an edge with being more unique. There is -one- character who I... still don't really like, but he too, gets his development. Did he deserve what happened to him in his backstory though? Hell no that situation was awful. None of these characters would be my favorites but gosh was it good watching them try their very best.

It's obvious to see how much I like this show, but wait! I have more than one issue with it! However those are spoilers and instead, I tell you to not have expectations with this show like when I started it. Heck to make you feel better too I've rewatched this show a total of twice or thrice and what did I do? Have expectations, and what happened? I still enjoyed the ride each time and I do not regret it. If anything... you should be prepared for the ending because that's one of my issues with Ping Pong. The ending was pretty sudden and short to boot, even -if- it's a little longer than the manga. So yes while I thought the ending itself could've been stronger I STILL recommend watching this show. For Spring 2014's season, Mushishi, completely different genres is also good to the point where... it'd be unfair to compare these two anime. While I -do- like Ping Pong more as a show, Mushishi would be an experience in itself! But for the season Ping Pong was and IS still definitely a head of its time. If you go in with some judgment like I did that's fine. Just do not unfairly judge a show simply because the art isn't huge eyes with tiny mouths and necks so thin they can't support a head. You'd be kinda missing the point there, bud. I do hope this sheds more light on this series and I hope with or without me it'll lessen the unfair hate its gotten. Thanks a bunch for reading!