Ping Pong the Animation

Studios: Tatsunoko Production

Produces: Aniplex

Description:

Makoto Tsukimoto, known as "Smile," and Yutaka Hoshino, or "Peco," have been the closest of friends since childhood despite their contrasting personalities. While Peco aims to become the best ping-pong player in the world, he often misses practice, much to the annoyance of his Katase High School teammates. Smile, on the other hand, possesses remarkable talent but holds back when competing against others. Their deep bond stems from their shared passion for the sport. Upon discovering that a retired Chinese national team player is visiting Japan, Peco invites Smile to accompany him to Tsujido High School to observe the seasoned player. During this trip, Peco challenges the visiting Kong Wenge and suffers a crushing defeat that causes him to question his love for the game. Recognizing Smile's potential, the Katase coach begins to train him to overcome his self-doubt, but Smile is reluctant to play unless he is truly enjoying himself. As they grapple with discovering what the sport means to them, the two friends encounter a variety of formidable competitors, each with their own struggles, at the inter-high tournament, where only the most skilled players can achieve victory. However, their unchecked ambition leads to hardship, forcing these young athletes to confront the brutal realities of pursuing greatness.