Review of Ping Pong the Animation
I'll just say this first, it’s nothing less than a perfect masterpiece Plot: "The hero comes. The hero comes. The hero comes. Chant these words in your mind, and I'll surely come to you..." This mantra is what Makoto Tsukimoto repeats as a source of motivation when he fights through the stress of not only gruelling ping pong matches, but also in situations of his life. Makoto doesn't fight alone; he and his friend, Yukata Hoshino, nicknamed “Smile” and “Peco” respectively, are two boys who have grown up playing ping pong together nearly every day. Peco, brimming with confidence, aims to be the best table tennis playerin the world; Smile, on the other hand, shows little ambition. Nevertheless, the two have always stuck together, with a bond built upon their mutual love for this sport.
The story is simple and linear, anyone can easily understand. Story of two high school boys, and their journey with ping pong, which is showcased perfectly, in just 11 episodes. Everything from start to finish is put together in such a perfectly woven mesh, with each episode providing just enough info to keep the audience hooked to the show without any confusion.
The major theme of the anime is “why do you play ping pong?”, “for who do you play ping pong?”. Each character has their answer for these questions and backstories, which help the audience to understand the characters perception, expectation, dreams, and suppressed emotions.
Animation:
The animation is the best part of the entire series, it’s the main factor that decides whether someone will absolutely be blown away by the anime or feel as if this anime was a mistake. However, if you are a veteran weeb you will probably find this as a phenomenal show. The anime didn’t have a lot of vibrant colours, artistically drawn backgrounds, sexy character designs, huge detailed and mesmerizing eyes or faces.
But what it had was one of a kind, something which makes it stand out of the crowd, which makes it unique. The animation is majorly black and white hand-drawn lines edited frame by frame, raw and stunning, the characters and ping pong games were traced from real matches and shown in the anime in their own peculiar and distinct animation style.
Somewhat like Kizumonogatari. And the way that animation is used, in a simple game of ping pong, is what makes it so captivating.
If one can convey a person’s inner turmoil, emotions and inner thoughts through the medium of a ping pong game, you know it’s something special.
The animation is unorthodox when I say raw, I mean raw, like the shape of the ping pong isn’t even a perfect circle. But it fits the show like a glove, it is just impeccable for what the show wants to convey.
Characters and theme:
The psychological/emotional aspect is comparable to Gatsu no lion In aspects regarding the protagonists and what the sport means to them, how are they connected to the sport and its importance. This helps us understand the character, a similar thing is seen here, but rawer in its presentation.
Every major character undergoes development, realising what the sports means to them, for what they have been fighting for so long, why were they lying to themselves, what were their hidden emotions, were their decisions right, what is it that they want, and in the end, it’s all about finding themselves.
Like we have an actual character who lost a game of ping pong in the starting episodes, then goes around the world trying to find his passion, his calling, and in the end realises, in the last episode, that it was ping pong he was looking for this whole time.
The characters are very well made, you might be able to relate to someone, with no plot hole or loose threads concerning their part in the story or their backstories.
The very dialogues and conversation in the anime felt very natural, genuine, realistic. The development in 11 episodes is not an easy task but they pulled it off with just precise pacing and changing things as the show progressed.
Sound:
The OST is different from what would be expected in a sports anime, but it didn’t disappoint once. It was suiting and changed when they were playing a ping pong match, enjoying themselves, feeling sad, monologues, even when they were in between a match and their feelings surfaced, it was fairly good.
Conclusion:
This is without a doubt one of the best anime ones can find have seen in under 15 eps. Here we have a psychological sports anime, flawless animation, excellent OST, characters with depth and proper development, and a thought-provoking theme. You just have to watch this show. Overall a light watch, very entertaining and hard not to binge.
If you want something for a change from everyday normal anime, something light where everything makes sense and makes you feel good, go for this one without a doubt.
The anime is by the same director for Devilman Crybaby, Yuasa Masaki, and once again this guy has shown me something noteworthy and unique.
It’s a must-watch for every weeb out there, just get the timing right. Like if you are new to anime, don’t watch it as the art and animation may be very different for you, given demon slayer is your favourite anime. For a weeb who has seen quite a lot of stuff, and is bored with current animation in the industry, and every day shows we see, this might be for you. Just take a look at the anime opening animation, you will know if it is time for you or not.