Audience reviews
20 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
scarykitty84
The Good:
- The art style is amazing and unique. There's nothing cookie cutter in this show visually and it keeps things interesting.
- The character development is outstanding. They really do a great job of taking you inside the minds of the individual players and give quite a bit of depth to their backgrounds as people and why they play the game.
- In a way it's a typical shounen power struggle type show, but they do it in a mature way that's not cartoonish or cringey like a lot of shounen can be.
- Cool opening theme
- I thought the ending was well done
The Bad:
- The art style is so unique that I found it somewhat exhausting at times as a viewer. It's hard to explain but I feel like it takes a little more effort to watch this show than it does other shows. Yes it pays off, but still i…
Read at the sourceDirtyHarry27
Anyone would be skeptical upon starting this show, its animation is super out there at first glance. However, I realized very quickly that the style fits so perfectly I wouldn't have it any other way. The art style allows for wildly absurd moments, and when combined with the phenomenal soundtrack, you really feel the power clashing between characters. Its plot is cliché, but that isn't the main point—the characters are what really make the story enjoyable. Their development makes you truly invested. By the end, I couldn't even say who my favorite was amongst them. Ping Pong the Animation pairs impactful moments with a super energetic soundtrack, following characters you are truly invested in, this combined with the end takeaway you get from it makes It well worth a watch.
Read at the sourcejackn6
For about four years, I was a swimmer, training almost every weekday, going to meets here and there. Before that, I actually played table tennis casually and entered local tournaments. I have friends in both sports who've gone on to compete at national and even international levels. As for me, I quit after seeing fewer and fewer improvements in my athletic abilities. Training felt like a chore, races stressed me out, and none of it felt like I was doing it for myself.
But there was a time when I felt that excitement, not just for the sport itself, but for everything surrounding it. The friends I made, the different places I traveled to, all those little moments that turned it into a chapter of my life I'll always remember. As I grow and change, I can point to so many things that happened…
Read at the sourceOwnerOfStars
This anime is perfect. I mean that with no exaggeration, no mindless praise, but with full honesty. The visuals are striking and engaging, catching your attention with ease. The animation is surprisingly fluid and works well the series’ tone and style. The music is also intriguing with excellent sound choice. The main cast is exceptionally explored with some of the best character writing anime has to offer.
The dynamic between the two protagonists is one of the best rivalries I’ve seen despite it not reaching full intensity until the last episodes. The dynamics between the side characters are interesting too and even subtle dialogue reveals much. The sudden and wacky visuals regarding heroes and robots are also fun and match the youthful mood.
If anyone reading this wants to enjoy the t…
Read at the sourcedeadmessenger
In my eyes, this anime is an absolute masterpiece. I had heard good things about it going in, which is usually bad because I'll get my hopes up, only to end up dissapointed. This is one of the rare times an anime not only met my expectations, but also exceeded them. I know the style is a bit of a turn off for some people, but personally I thought it was great and added so much personality to the show.
The story is just peak, I loved all the characters and they felt incredibly realistic and deep. I also appreciate how there really aren't any unrealistically mean or evil characters in this show. Kazama may have been a bit harsh during his matches, but that's understandable. Outside of them, he's actually a super nice guy. My point is that the characters felt like actual people and not just…
Read at the sourceOlorin666
I've been putting this anime off for the same reason everyone else has. Well, what can be interesting in ping pong, and also with such a terrible design and drawing? Regarding the latter, my opinion has not changed. The drawing is very lazy and of poor quality. But all other components are at a height. There are not many characters, all of them have clear motivations, and are revealed in detail. Watching a game of ping pong is very interesting, everything is shown very clearly and it is easy for you to cheer and understand what is happening. Also, the anime has a very cool musical accompaniment that successfully complements the atmosphere. All in all, it's just a great sports anime, blessed with interesting gameplay and a deep psychology behind each character.
Read at the sourceAnon_8584
A great show with very stylised animation.
While the style may deter most people, the majority would find that the overall storyline and execution trumps any issue, and the horrendously hilarious rotoscoping matches the overall style of the show quite well.
A character-centered storyline exploring the limits of talent, hard work and motivations for being the best at a sport, the plot may not be unique, but it was executed very well in the span of 11 episodes.
Whilst predictable - I honestly predicted every plot point from early on - this wasn’t much of an issue either. With the small backstory to each of the main cast, short, yet deep enough such that you can understand the motivations behind their actions, it’s hard to root for only one character. Each character is heavily flawed, and…
Read at the sourceholdenpnw
Ping Pong the Animation is one of the greatest anime of all time, and is my personal favorite. I haven't seen every anime, not even every anime considered a classic, but I find it hard to imagine anything ever topping Ping Pong on my personal rankings. I wouldn't go as far as to call it the greatest anime of all time (hello Cowboy Bebop), but it is still the anime I recommend above all others.
As someone who has enjoyed competition in many forms throughout my life, no coming of age story has ever clicked with me in the same way as Ping Pong. It is a story that simple "gets it." The variety of characters and journeys through the competitive mindset shown in 11 episodes is amazing, probably the most effectively and efficiently told story in anime. The amazing artstyle feels like Taiyō Matsu…
Read at the sourceBlueSharko
I was a bit worried going in as there is much hype surrounding the show. However, Ping Pong the animation lives up to its reputation. The animation has a great sense of plasticity, movement is fluid and beautifully exaggerated. It’s both expressive and naturalistic, as sportsmen don’t always look “pretty” while playing. The art style fits the story and it is rare to see two go hand in hand so well.
The story was compelling. This includes even tertiary characters, who go on about their lives after clashing with the strong personalities of our main cast. The story explores sportsmanship but also other parts of life, like family or friendships, and asks the viewer whether we should prioritise one over another.
The story explores the notion of giving up as well. It could be done in service of…
Read at the sourceIgnotumignotius
+Quality and Uniqe animation style
+Alive characters
+made me cry
-only 11 episodes
I really enjoyed the animation style, it is very choppy and unique, there is some mixed media but the CGI isn't distracting. This anime is short, but i feel like every episode slaps. The gimmick of the anime is of course ping pong, however it is not overplayed. I feel like it is just a set-dressing. The ending plays out well enough, although this could have been longer. The music is amazing and memorable throughout the series. It fits the vibe well. The characters are very alive, they have soul. I was able to relate to the lead a lot. There was plenty of character growth in this short series. I would recommend this series. I think even someone who doesn't really like anime would enjoy this.
Read at the sourceSpike_Spiegel06
This anime is such an underrated gem, can’t believe no one actually talks about it. Directed by critically acclaimed director masaaki yuasa, the show’s distinctive artstyle was amazing and it felt really unique, and the animation was great too, especially during the ping pong scenes. It’s also important to note that yuasa and eunyoung Choi (co founders of science saru) also worked on this show, and it is considered to be a key early work for the studio.
The story in this show was great, I really loved how they explored themes such as talent vs hard work, self-discovery, failure and redemption, and the psychological pressure of competition in such a cynical yet philosophical way. The characters were also great, they were very well written, complex, and very interesting.
Overall, ping pong…
Read at the sourcetchkrvlist
Without spoiling any of the fun, I’ll tell you why ping pong is special from the rest of the sports anime. The plot structure takes the age old ‘hero’ archetype, and stretches it across the story. What i mean by that is all the characters affect each other with their interactions and struggle for excellence. All the characters feel alive, and they go through their own problems and troubling emotions - just like any of us do. It’s not just about the main characters, even the minor characters who appear only for a few seconds, are well-written in a way that never compromises their purpose in the story. Most anime have a big moment for a side character to remove and most likely, undermine them for the ‘character development’ of the main cast. That kind of thing is non-existent in this anime.…
Read at the sourcedadoanime7
Ping Pong (no spoilers)
It's a fantastic anime. It has a unique animation. It's a anim that teaches you how to live friendships and the importance of certain things in life.
The two protagonists have a deep friendship. Their personalities are totally different, but despite everything, they are best friends.
all charachters are great and has their own story and in only 11 eps it can involve you into the story
the story is unique it's not a normal sport anime but is more like a slice of life
It's a fantastic anime. I recommend it to people of all ages because it's an anime that moves you.
Read at the sourcemingus_mingus
Easily the best sports anime of all time. Although, I hesitate to refer to it as a sports anime.
Ping-Pong the Animation has the sport as its base, but primarily is focused on the player’s lives, growing up, and realizing what is truly important to them. It covers the concept of a genius, as well as what it’s like to not be a genius. It talks about each individuals reason for playing the game, and what pressures to succeed that they may face.
The story arcs in this anime are infinitely better than any other sports anime, and the writing doesn’t sound dumb or cliche. Every other sports anime follows the sport in an action sense, and provides the viewer with much more shallow character building and story arcs. The only other sports anime that comes close to Ping-Pong in that way is Haikyu…
Read at the sourcek-0da
As I watched this show with my friend, I've included her individual review up top, and mine underneath.
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Every anime snob under the sun tells people to watch a. Legend of the galactic heroes and b. Ping pong the animation. And man ping pong is really good.
Sports anime tend to be about how much a sport rules, giving the author ample space to make passionate character speeches and very technical talk at the same time. Ping Pong is very much like that, and like any good sports anime, it contaminates the audience with its passion by being really compelling to people who might not give a shit about table tennis.
Passion is very much the core of the show, everybody is a nerd who cares so much even if they have different ways of showing it, and that’s lovely! The flat, loose style employ…
Read at the sourcesporespace
Ping Pong the Animation is a story about being autistic. To go into this show expecting it to be like other sports anime, and treating it as such is giving a disservice to the real message of the story being about accepting yourself for who you are. The protagonist has tremendous skills from a young age, and high expectations being pushed upon him, and yet he's treated differently by his peers because he isn't like them, but not in the way a character like Naruto is a social outcast. Hes treated differently because he acts differently from everyone else. The uniqueness of the protagonist and the development he goes through, as well as the unusual art style, make this show something that really stands out in your memory. If you are autistic and have struggled with accepting yourself and you…
Read at the sourceOnizuka_Reviews
Ping Pong The Animation is..... ridiculously outstanding. It is something which shouldn't be possible. Ping Pong The Manga quite possibly has some of the most 'fluid' art manga history and should be one of the most difficult artstyles to adapt.
But Masaaki Yuasa, art director Aymeric Kevin(Art Director of Arcane S1) and the gang at Tasunoko Animation and Science Saru made it all possible, almost surpassing the manga in everything. Using digital animation, you get to see one of the most detailed, yet unrealistic movements which use panelling, storyboarding and some of the most fluid movement which make it look like a manga come alive.
With Sound Director Seiko Kimura and Music Director Kensuke Ushio, you absolutely need to see this is with a proper headphone or speaker to hear the amount…
Read at the sourceMichaelBellonis
“You’ll never cross the sea on such delicate wings.”
I’m back yet AGAIN with another contender for my Top 100 Greatest Anime of All Time List.
Ping Pong: The Animation was released in 2014 by Tatsunoko Production, and was directed by Masaaki Yuasa - a singular visionary director who has had such creative works as Mind Game, The Tatami Galaxy, Devilman Crybaby, and that one episode of Adventure Time that’s burned into your subconscious.
This experimental anime forgoes any conventional framing or on-model reasonability whatsoever, instead choosing to place emphasis on the emotionality of the scene. It does not hold your hand when it comes to the sport itself - it refuses to slow down any moment of the game to explain the technicalities of it, what’s happening during a match, or even how…
Read at the sourcesantoru0
When you talk about Ping Pong, the first thing to understand is that it’s not really about sports. It’s about the people inside that world. Ping pong is just the facade; swap it out for any other setting, and the heart of the story would remain the same.
Disclaimer. If the opening feels too quirky or comedic and you’re tempted to drop it — don’t. Give it a chance, and it will leave a mark.
This is a story about human lives, ambitions, talent and the lack of it, inner battles, and growing up. It’s one of those rare, deeply personal works in a landscape dominated by formulaic plots and stock archetypes.
The plot doesn’t grab you instantly, but the pace with which it introduces new characters and conflicts — without forgetting those already established — is superb. The “Chekhov’s gun” prin…
Read at the sourceJeilh
I started the anime because I was curious about how you can make an anime about ping pong, and I'm glad I did. You get to learn the basics of the sport, and see how it can actually be taken very seriously.
At first I was kinda disappointed with the animation style because it was so different from what I'm used to, but after a few episodes and some very creative and visually appealing scenes, I started to really enjoy it. What helped the most is that it has awesome soundtrack for the "action" scenes.
Along the series you get to explore the different perspective of the players and maybe empathize with them; as in how to deal with failure, manage expectations, find your motivations, etc. The story may feel a bit fast, but it's a good pace for 12 episodes, goes with a good ending scene and…
Read at the source
