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IMDbPro

Ping Pong the Animation

  • TV Mini Series
  • 2014
  • TV-14
  • 23m
IMDb RATING
8.6/10
5.7K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,979
826
Ping Pong the Animation (2014)
Clip: I'm The Hero
Play clip0:31
Watch Ping Pong the Animation: Season 1
2 Videos
99+ Photos
AnimeComing-of-AgeHand-Drawn AnimationPsychological DramaSeinenTeen DramaAnimationDramaSport

Five ping pong prodigies learn to navigate the harsh climate of competitive sport and the even more frightening realm of self realization.Five ping pong prodigies learn to navigate the harsh climate of competitive sport and the even more frightening realm of self realization.Five ping pong prodigies learn to navigate the harsh climate of competitive sport and the even more frightening realm of self realization.

  • Stars
    • Kôki Uchiyama
    • Aaron Dismuke
    • Micah Solusod
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.6/10
    5.7K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,979
    826
    • Stars
      • Kôki Uchiyama
      • Aaron Dismuke
      • Micah Solusod
    • 20User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins total

    Episodes11

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated1 season2014

    Videos2

    Ping Pong the Animation: Season 1
    Clip 0:31
    Ping Pong the Animation: Season 1
    Ping Pong the Animation: Season 1
    Clip 0:30
    Ping Pong the Animation: Season 1
    Ping Pong the Animation: Season 1
    Clip 0:30
    Ping Pong the Animation: Season 1

    Photos193

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    + 187
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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Kôki Uchiyama
    Kôki Uchiyama
    • Makoto Tsukimoto
    • 2014
    Aaron Dismuke
    Aaron Dismuke
    • Hoshino
    • 2014
    Micah Solusod
    Micah Solusod
    • Makoto Tsukimoto…
    • 2014
    Tyson Rinehart
    • Ota
    • 2014
    Mark Stoddard
    • Koizumi
    • 2014
    Alan Chow
    Alan Chow
    • Kong 'China' Wenge
    • 2014
    Yûsaku Yara
    Yûsaku Yara
    • Jou 'Butterfly Joe' Koizumi
    • 2014
    Fukujurou Katayama
    • Yutaka 'Peco' Hoshino
    • 2014
    Yosei Bun
    • Kon 'China' Wenga…
    • 2014
    Masako Nozawa
    Masako Nozawa
    • Obaba Tamura
    • 2014
    Pam Dougherty
    Pam Dougherty
    • Tamura
    • 2014
    Marcus D. Stimac
    • Kazama
    • 2014
    Shunsuke Sakuya
    • Ryuuichi 'Dragon' Kazama
    • 2014
    Takanori Hoshino
    • Ota
    • 2014
    Christopher Bevins
    Christopher Bevins
    • Takamura
    • 2014
    Tze Yep
    • Kong Wenge's Coach
    • 2014
    Mitsuaki Hoshi
    • Takamura
    • 2014
    Ian Sinclair
    Ian Sinclair
    • Sanada
    • 2014
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews20

    8.65.6K
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    Featured reviews

    10abscottbrad1095

    Highly Underrated

    This is one of the most underrated anime . Don't go by the name. It is less about Ping Pong and more about life as you get older. The character development was very unique. Most of the people avoid this masterpiece because of it's unappealing animation. For me, even the animation was more like sketches brought to life. The animation works perfectly for the Ping Pong action and our imagination.While some of you may be turned off by the animation, I challenge you to give it a try nevertheless. It would be a shame to miss out on an anime as well done as this just because of artistic reasons. The music was excellent too, specially the ending song. I assure you that you will be surprised after finishing this chef-d'oeuvre.
    10duboreedas

    Blood Tastes Like Iron

    This anime is not just for anime lovers. Anybody can and should watch it. It is an education. And a funny, heartwarming sort that won't leave you soon.

    Ping Pong is something my kids would be forced to watch. It doesn't bleat about ambition or success. Instead, it humanizes growing up and living life - through the lens of four ping pong players. And no matter that you don't play the sport or know anything about it. It more about life than about Ping Pong.

    This is also a story with one of the best endings I have ever watched. It isn't pseudo intellectual but it is also not predictable. It makes you wonder about choices you have made/will make - and that is one of the greatest things art does. A new state of awareness.

    For the anime lovers reading this, note that it is another collaborative effort by Masaaki Yuasa and Taiyo Matsumoto so it is genius.
    9rohillaraj

    Simply captivating

    This is a must watch anime for anime fans,its animation can be a bit unothodox for the newer fans but with time you will realize the animations fluidity and the amazing visuals that its able to create.
    10eakamara

    One of the most interesting anime I've ever seen (and I've seen loads)

    I had almost given up on anime when I found this little pearl hidden in the land of unknown anime. I dig serious, artistic, slightly philosophical anime- there aren't many of those. But Ping Pong: the Animation was a grande surprise for me.

    First of all, I never thought I'd appreciate an 11 episode anime dedicated to Ping Pong. In general I do not like sports anime, but this anime made me want to grab a racket and play some table tennis. Maybe then I'd have those soul splitting experiences the protagonists have, or see my movements as gravity-free dances.

    Storyline At first I thought it'd be one of those anime where someone wants to be the best and has to face all these obstacles (other super good players) in order to finally get the girl. Not here- in this anime we follow several talented Ping Pong players who all have different reasons to love/participate in the sports. It's encompassing, extremely realistic and evokes sympathy.

    Visuals MAN WHAT VISUALS! It looks rotoscoped (still haven't found out whether this is the case or not) but doesn't feel as 'not there yet' as for example Aku no Hana. It reminds one of mixing comics with animation, more than a classical anime look. Most of the times they were stunning, especially during matches, and could easily be categorised as experimental.

    Soundtrack Just one mention: that hero song (!)
    9fraser-simons

    Absolutely incredible.

    First of all, if you're the type of person who doesn't like the style, well, I won't be able to entice you, I'm sure. But I personally adore the animation style. It is so dynamic and interesting. Movement looks incredible and i like that it's sort of like watching many styles come together.

    Story wise, though, this is unbeatable for me. What is so great about a well crafted story is often it's specificity. People sometimes make the mistake of trying to tell a very generic story; one where they are very obviously trying to make a character a blank slate and allow for a vicarious experience of sorts.

    But the more specific a story is, the more a person will connect to it simply be virtue that at the heart of every person, we are similar. I've never played ping pong. I don't know anything about the game. And while this story is about the game-more so, about interrogating "game" itself-its also about what makes an impression on you when you're young.

    It's about remembering who you are through the eyes of someone else. Its about joy being indomitable, but often discarded as lesser than emotion by society.

    It's about growing up and finding some kind of agency in the world. Wether by connections to people, or the associations you've made along the way that ground you in the person you are today.

    So like all good stories, in its specificity, we find that it is about many things. Almost certainly you will find something moving here.

    Best Emmys Moments

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    Psychological Drama
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    Sport

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Based on a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Taiyou Matsumoto about table tennis. It was serialized in Shogakukan's seinen manga magazine Big Comic Spirits from 1996 to 1997 and collected in five tankobon volumes.
    • Connections
      Referenced in Hello Kitty and Friends Supercute Adventures: Cinnamoroll the Champion (2024)

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    FAQ16

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 10, 2014 (Japan)
    • Country of origin
      • Japan
    • Official sites
      • Bilibili TV
      • Crunchyroll
    • Languages
      • Japanese
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • 乒乓
    • Production companies
      • Aniplex
      • Science SARU
      • Tatsunoko Production
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 23m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1
      • 16:9 HD

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