Well, get to it!
PING PONG THE ANIMATION |OT| ( `´)°(ò_ó )/
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Jex
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These are all pretty interesting ideas and, just to expand upon them with some more evidence:
At the start of the match we see Smile very deliberately target Peco's weak knee, with a precision strike. Peco pushes through his weak knee and completely blows Smile's attack out of the way with a series of movements that literally leave smile crashing through the barriers in an attempt to return Peco's attack. This shows you how insanely strong Peco is a player and that even targeting his weakness will be ineffective, because heroes don't have weaknesses.
Smile, of course, breaks through his robot exterior and reveals the living, breathing human underneath, filled to the brim with red blood. What happens next in the game isn't very important, which is why the show doesn't really show it (beyond a few more volleys). What's important is Smile's transformation and his joy both in playing the match and seeing the hero return. Playing with Peco seems to be a literally transformative experience because even as he beats you he elevates you and takes you to new heights, as we've seen in his match with 'Dragon'. That's what the series is about, which is why all the debate about whether Smile let him win or not is kind of irrelevant. Peco is the hero, the star, and he lights up the world and he takes you to a better place.
Of course, for those who do want to argue about the actual match, all we see is Peco handily holding off Smile's attacks with Smile struggling to return any hits. It may well be that robo-Smile could have dealt with Peco better, continued to his exploit that knee injury, and maybe even have won the match. Robo-Smile, while unbeatable, never really seemed to be enjoying what he was doing, even though he did it very well. However Smile has clearly abandoned that shell and that play style for one that's far more human and alive and, well, enjoyable.
Smile, of course, breaks through his robot exterior and reveals the living, breathing human underneath, filled to the brim with red blood. What happens next in the game isn't very important, which is why the show doesn't really show it (beyond a few more volleys). What's important is Smile's transformation and his joy both in playing the match and seeing the hero return. Playing with Peco seems to be a literally transformative experience because even as he beats you he elevates you and takes you to new heights, as we've seen in his match with 'Dragon'. That's what the series is about, which is why all the debate about whether Smile let him win or not is kind of irrelevant. Peco is the hero, the star, and he lights up the world and he takes you to a better place.
Of course, for those who do want to argue about the actual match, all we see is Peco handily holding off Smile's attacks with Smile struggling to return any hits. It may well be that robo-Smile could have dealt with Peco better, continued to his exploit that knee injury, and maybe even have won the match. Robo-Smile, while unbeatable, never really seemed to be enjoying what he was doing, even though he did it very well. However Smile has clearly abandoned that shell and that play style for one that's far more human and alive and, well, enjoyable.
I don't entirely agree. Smile certainly played Ping Pong with a goal in mind, to summon the hero (who could in tern free Smile from his shell) but that's not all. Smile also loves Ping Pong, despite how apathetic he is towards the sport when we meet him both in terms of
flashbacks and the epilogue it's quite clear that he has a life-long love of Ping Pong.
I'm also not certain that he lacked drive or competitiveness because he was extremely serious in terms of his training and his play. I just don't think he ever had any interest in becoming a professional.
I'm also not certain that he lacked drive or competitiveness because he was extremely serious in terms of his training and his play. I just don't think he ever had any interest in becoming a professional.
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That's what I was getting at, not that he didn't have any drive, but that he wasn't driven to competition, just personal enjoyment and improvement.
Like the difference between RTZ and Mason (before they signed him on obviously)
Like the difference between RTZ and Mason (before they signed him on obviously)
Jex
Member
What is this nerd shit.
Anyway, perhaps my favourite part of the finale is how it continues the trend of subverting our expectations of sports shows in general.
Smile will exploit Peco's injury, but Peco isn't even phased by it. The intimate details of Smile and Peco's match don't matter in the slightest, it doesn't come down to a dramatic finale because we don't even see the score in the match! Smile doesn't become a professional player just because he's the main character and happens to be good at Ping Pong. Kong even manages to make it big despite losing nearly all his major onscreen matches. It's just very refreshing.
umop_3pisdn
Member
just finished and wowowowowowowow
best show I've seen in a while, I want to live in a world where I just watch wholesome stuff like this.
best show I've seen in a while, I want to live in a world where I just watch wholesome stuff like this.
Ginko-sensei
Member
I ended up preordering the Japanese Blu-ray box on Amazon, as it'll probably never be released in my country.
It's freaking expensive but I think this show is definitely worth it. We need more of these gems.
CornBurrito
Member
This will go down as one of the best animes of all time for me. So sad it's over
Aishiteruze
One thing I also wanted to note was how similar to Butterfly Jo smile became in the end. The whole mentor dynamic was so good.In my interpretation, smile could have kept aiming for the knee, but he didn't. He resolved to, at first, but then he realized that Peco would have kept playing and trying his hardest, no matter what, and that might have cost him his career. So he didn't, and quit shortly after, like Jo did, because he lacked the conviction to win at any cost. Meanwhile Peco (Kazama Sr.) went on to become world famous. Smile, like Jo, turns to coaching, and looks to become a middle school teacher, because he realized how much Jo had helped him, and because he just finds it more fulfilling
A second season would be an atrocity. I think that few series have reason to go over 13 eps.
I disagree a ton with your interpretation that
Smile threw the match and gave up. He played his heart out. That's what the scenes/music suggest. He gave up on the knee attack after Peco overcame it, and then focused more on having a fun match than being the emotionless Robo-Smile. And I really don't think Smile would let Peco win. Heroes don't have weaknesses. Heroes don't follow logic. Heroes dispel the darkness. Heroes DO NOT need to be given a free win.
Oh? Does it come with the OST? Because I really want the OST. Link to the box please?
Ginko-sensei
Member
Yes, the OST is included. Given how expensive the box is, it would have been a shame if it wasn't.
I preordered it here: http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00JUKFUWO/ (it will cost me 29,638 yen with shipping and custom fees included, I don't know how much it varies depending on the country)
It contains all the episodes, the OST, a collector box, Masaaki Yuasa's production notebook, a book about the animation process, a T-shirt, audio commentary and various bonus footage.
There's also a standard DVD box which is significantly cheaper but it only contains the 11 episodes: http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00JUKOKG6/
They're having a vote on shirts for several series on their Facebook; the top three shirts from each series get added to the store. Take a look here: https://www.facebook.com/FUNimation/posts/10152186694933481
Fimbulvetr
Member
I was turned on to this show by GAF, and I'm really glad I was. I've seen Kaiba and Kemonozume, as well as part of Tatami Galaxy (the repetition early on got to me, I should give it another try some time), but this is the first Yuasa series that's completely hit home for me. I feel comfortable saying this is one of the very best series I've ever seen. It's not completely without flaws, but it's so consistently strong and its highs are just magnificent.
One question about the final episode: what did people get out of the scene where the older generation reunites outside the match? Koizumi expresses what seems to be the closest thing to outright resentment he's capable of, asking Kazama directly about the Butterfly Jo affair. Kazama reacts completely tactlessly, shrugging it off. Koizumi challenges him, and he continues to be a total sleazeball, offering Tamura one of his wares. None of this appears to be a joke. Then the tone of the scene completely changes. Koizumi says some things that are intentionally obscured and the three seem to reconcile, "returning" to their earlier days. I can't help but feel like I missed something significant here. I'll probably feel like a fool when someone explains it to me.
One question about the final episode: what did people get out of the scene where the older generation reunites outside the match? Koizumi expresses what seems to be the closest thing to outright resentment he's capable of, asking Kazama directly about the Butterfly Jo affair. Kazama reacts completely tactlessly, shrugging it off. Koizumi challenges him, and he continues to be a total sleazeball, offering Tamura one of his wares. None of this appears to be a joke. Then the tone of the scene completely changes. Koizumi says some things that are intentionally obscured and the three seem to reconcile, "returning" to their earlier days. I can't help but feel like I missed something significant here. I'll probably feel like a fool when someone explains it to me.
Whole series is available on YouTube (capped at 480p tho)
Higher definition is available on Funimation's site (premium membership needed).
Physical release will be out on August 27th
Higher definition is available on Funimation's site (premium membership needed).
Physical release will be out on August 27th
LTTP:
Man, this came out of no where for me (Never heard until my friend suggested and never expected to be any good).
Just finished watching and man, its fucking amazing. Loved it so much. Best anime, i have seen in a long while. I never expected a sports anime to be feel-good and heart-warming. Wow.
Man, this came out of no where for me (Never heard until my friend suggested and never expected to be any good).
Just finished watching and man, its fucking amazing. Loved it so much. Best anime, i have seen in a long while. I never expected a sports anime to be feel-good and heart-warming. Wow.
Princess Carl
Member
It did the same for me as well. Such a tremendous show.
victreeb3l
Member
Wrapped it up yesterday. Absolutely loved it. Soundtrack is dope too.
I have been listening to some of the tracks now. Its is sooo good.
Princess Carl
Member
Is the art style in the manga where they got it for the show?
I enjoyed how much I ended up loving the visual look of the show. Some things just look right weird lol.
I'll definitely gonna look into the movie.
Cloud Strife
Member
Holy shit.
One of the greatest series I've ever seen. How did I miss this!?!?
The ending and foreshadowing leading up to it had me at the edge of my seat. a masterpiece.
One of the greatest series I've ever seen. How did I miss this!?!?
The ending and foreshadowing leading up to it had me at the edge of my seat. a masterpiece.
Holy shit.
One of the greatest series I've ever seen. How did I miss this!?!?
The ending and foreshadowing leading up to it had me at the edge of my seat. a masterpiece.
Good to see you find the light man..
Ultimadrago
Member
PING
PONG
PONG
Cloud Strife
Member
It was amazing how the series captures so many perspectives on the essence of sport. Like, Kong, Peco, Kazama, and Tsukimoto were all different with valid reasons to compete.
Just incredible.
The hero appearing was the best thing ever.
HappyBivouac
Member
Glad to see this thread pop up. I was lttp on this a couple months ago and it was flawless. Incredible. So many amazing characters, but Kong and Peco were the standouts for me.
Just further proof that Yuasa is a god of animation. He can do no wrong.
Just further proof that Yuasa is a god of animation. He can do no wrong.
biosnake20
Member
Just finished this. Outstanding.
I already got a preorder in! Really glad that it's actually coming out here. Hopefully it ends up being successful, so my dream of having The Tatami Galaxy released here will get closer to reality.
That's unexpected.
True Savior
Member
I'm so sorry for the bump but this was perfect. Like perfect. The ending was such a joyful explosion. I had no idea who was the main character but as the show progresses i was a little sad that it was so Smile centered until Peco takes the reigns. His smile , his VA , it was perfect. As a huge sports practitioner in school this was like a big arrow to my heart.
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