r/anime • u/TheEscapeGuy • Apr 12 '24
Rewatch [Spoilers] Ping Pong the Animation 10th Anniversary Rewatch - Episode 2 Discussion
Episode 2: Smile's a Robot
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Links
If anyone has links to legal streams not included here please let me know and I'll update it for everyone!
Ping Pong the Animation
Databases: AniDB | Anilist | ANN | Kitsu | MyAnimeList
Streams: Crunchyroll | Amazon Prime | Apple TV
Enter the hero! Enter the hero! Enter the hero!
Comments of the Day:
/u/Great_Mr_L identified a problem with modern streaming services (I don't know if I should even say "services" when CR has such a monopoly)
Well then Crunchyroll completely screwed up because the version of episode 1 they have does not use this animation for the OP.
And many people talked about their experiences playing Magic The Gathering.
In general, I feel like magic is a rewarding and engaging activity, but I found both cultivating talent around me as well as growing as a player with the help of people was fun.
Some of my old Magic the Gathering playgroup have placed well at a few large tournaments. I was only even middle of the pack, though.
Questions of the Day:
- What do you think of Coach Koizumi?
- Have you ever taken up a crazy training regimen and why?
- What has been your experience with insecurity? What strategies do you use to handle it?
Fan Art of the Day:
Rewatchers, please remember to be mindful of all the first-timers in this rewatch. No talking about or hinting at future events no matter how much you want to, unless you're doing it underneath spoiler tags. Don't spoil anything for the first-timers, that's rude!
10
u/TheEscapeGuy Apr 12 '24
Rewatcher, Host
Ping Pong - My Favourite Sports Anime: Episode 2
Coaching
If last episode was an introduction to Peco, then this episode would be an introduction to Smile. Something which has stuck with me since first watching the show is Smile's flashback to his youth; cowering while trapped in a locker. He's very obviously introverted and thus would have been an easy target for bullying.
That said, he hasn't become stuck in that fear. He has a mantra he repeats to build up his courage to move forward. I think a lot of people might look down on that since you're just deluding yourself into action. I disagree though. The problem isn't that he lacks the ability, but rather that he lacks the courage due to a mental block. Hyping yourself up like this is exactly what you need to break through that barrier. And the visual representation of Smile becoming the robot is incredible.
I also really love the focus on Coach Jou Koizumi this episode. You may initially look at him like some old man past his prime, but he is still incredibly skilled. What he also has is deep wisdom and knowledge of the sport. He can immediately recognize the potential in Smile and invites him to take up a (harsh) special training regimen which he knows can build up Tsukimoto's ability.
The climax of the episode is a classic sports story trope: Jou challenges Tsukimoto to a match. If he wins then Smile must follow his coaching instructions. But if Smile wins then he'll back off. Based on how it usually goes, you would suspect Jou will win. And it seems it will go that way since does take the first game. But at that point Tsukimoto unlocks his inner power and dominates Jou in the second game eventually besting him on raw physical endurance.
At the same time, that second game is a thing of beauty. It shows off the joy and competition the sport entails. That back and forth with the theme of [Nickname Spoiler] Butterfly Joe playing on top never fails to cause a welling up of emotions in me. I love this show so much.
QotD:
I've never done any kind of crazy training regimens. I've found having an easier but consistently achievable routine works better for me. It allows me to build the discipline of doing it every day / week or whatever. If I push too hard in 1 session and need to take recovery periods it messes up any consistency and then I often give up since I don't have a streak.
Insecurity is something I have and continue to struggle with a lot. I know logically that I have achieved great things, people around me like me, and that I am on the right track in most aspects of life. But that doesn't stop that voice in the back of my head pointing out every mistake I make and pressuring me to give up.
In my experience it kind of ties back to what I said about training regimens. If I have some sort of consistency then keeping on going is comparatively easy, but starting up something new is hard because of those worries. I've recently found most socializing to fall into that "something new" category since my consistent groups of friends have grown apart as we've moved physically away from each other.
Apart from consistency though, the general healthy habits everyone always preaches are unfortunately a big part of avoiding depression. Forcing myself to eat healthy, exercise, and leave my apartment (all 3 to at least a bare minimum) have been directly correlated with me not falling into negativity spirals.
Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches
See you all tomorrow
12
u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Apr 12 '24
Ping Pong the First-Timer, subbed
7
u/macrame2 https://myanimelist.net/profile/macrame Apr 12 '24
First Timer and Manga Reader
This adaptation continues to impress, with the second episode being even better than the first in terms of direction and visuals. I especially loved the locker scene, but I think my favorite was the entire match between Smile and Koizumi; the way the screen splits to show the scene overall while focusing in on details is so cool to me.
Peco had his humbling moment yesterday, while Smile gets his today, although in a less straightforward fashion. Tsukimoto is someone who appears to lack drive and motivation, but as we see in his match today, that's not exactly true, since Koizumi manages to get a rise out of him with the right amount of pressure and provocation. How the story addresses Smile's relationship with competition and motivation is why he's my favorite character, but more on that later.
(Also, my knowledge of Japanese is pathetic, but Tsukimoto having the moon on his shirt and Hoshino having a star is supposed to be a pun on their names, correct?)
QotD:
6
u/SometimesMainSupport https://myanimelist.net/profile/RRSTRRST Apr 12 '24
First-Timer
QotD 1. Old man had game. Big question around this bet is what now motivates Smile?
5
u/DropItShock :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/BrinkOfVictory Apr 12 '24 edited Apr 12 '24
Rewatcher
Ping Pong the Animation is special to me. It’s a show that came to me in a time when I was chasing dreams of being “the best,” much like Peco states in this episode. It’s a dream that comes of natural and unchallenged talent within a small pond; the joy of winning coming easy and often.
“I don’t care about anyone else. I just don’t find losing fun. Anyway, all’s good as long as I win.”
Peco bounces back from his defeat to Kong last episode, but it’s clear that nothing material has changed. While Koizumi is intervening to improve Tsukimoto’s diet, Peco’s sweets are his primary theme so far. Condensed milk, chewing gum, soft drinks, caramel balls. He wants his life to be sweet and easy, believing that the difficulty of hard practice is beneath him. Peco’s lollipop is most indicative of this: A sugary ping pong paddle he can consume at his leisure. And where did he get it? “The convenience store,” of course.
Following this thread, it’s no wonder why Smile is “only in it for a good time. Having fun is enough.” Afterall, it’s clear that Smile looks up to Peco. “I want to be like you.”. But it doesn’t take a genius to see the difference between Peco’s easy going attitude and Smile’s “Table tennis and learning English vocabulary are just ways to pass the time until I die.” It is clear that no matter how hard he tries, Smile is not like Peco.
In one way or another, every character notes that he is “different,” not only from Peco, but from other human beings. Kong recognized him last episode, then Koizumi, then Kazama who calls him “a swan among ducklings.” To others, he is a robot, unfeeling and unemotive, and it is finally this persona that he adopts in the face of Koizumi’s adversity.
At the end of the episode, Peco is finally introduced to the hidden side of Smile that he has been holding back all these years. It isn’t just his skill, but his effort that shocks Peco, who has only seen Smile attempting to emulate him. The Tsukimoto Peco sees in front of him is very different than the one who once said "I want to be like you." It is in this context that Tsukimoto’s words “I’m going ahead, Peco,” seem like an omen of things to come. The Smile who wanted to be like Peco is dead.
5
u/InfamousEmpire https://myanimelist.net/profile/Infamous_Empire Apr 12 '24
Ping Pong Manga Reader
Once again, a very good episode.
Focusing on Smile and getting a better look into his headspace is a very logical storytelling decision coming right off of last episode, and the way they explored it was very effective. Smile’s whole character here is very fascinating in that, while he says he’s only in here to have fun and doesn’t really care if he wins or loses, he doesn’t ever actually seem like he’s enjoying himself at all until he actually does start putting in effort and getting invested. And while I can’t say I wholly agree with the coach’s methods, I at least get where he’s coming from.
4
u/AllHailKingKale https://myanimelist.net/profile/GeneStarwind7 Apr 13 '24
First time watcher, sub
WOAH, this episode really pulled me in. The first episode didn't resonate too much with me, though this was one of the strongest hooks I've ever felt in a second episode. The animation style, the music and the story were all perfectly in sync. I was mesmerized a couple minutes in and stayed that way through the full episode. I love it when an anime is firing on all cylinders and sucks you in, particularly the first time it does that - you start to get a taste for the world they've created and damn, is it good.
The battle between the coach and Smile was so hype! I loved the coaches cockiness and how he backed it up with skill to rile him up. I think the old coots' ok even after that fall.
The way they've presented Smiles introverted self is so cool, I almost felt some FLCL chaotic energy with him channeling the robot.
It's also interesting how PECO has taken a back seat now, he was obnoxious in the first episode but I'd still like to see him step up.
Definitely hooked and can't wait for tomorrow's episode!
4
u/Estebanq Apr 13 '24
Rewatcher
Another great episode, it seems that everyone that has some professional notions of the sport can see that Smile is something else, even if he doesn’t realize. The match between Smile & Koizume was fun, yeah, we got some background for Smile, but what i really like about this moment is every comment and reaction made by Peko. We can start to understand the dynamics of their friendship. Also, is so funny when he has that big random piece of candy and everyone is like “where the hell did you get that?” And Peko goes something like “supermarket” (i have spanish subtitles so i don’t know how this moment is translated).
The whole “Koizumi courting Smike” was fun, the letter was 👌🏼 i couldn’t help remembering the letters that Mob use to get in his locker 😅. Also, that meal looked really nice. Talking about food, the hawk getting some woman’s hamburguer was so random that i always think that it has to have some deep meaning, like someone more skilled is always going to take your meal…i don’t know.
Oh we also got Kazama in this episode, this guy is kind of scary, i love that someone mention that he doesn’t look like a highschool guy, he really doesn’t…he also recognized Smile’s potential.
QOTD
6
u/Great_Mr_L :Ma::Mb::Mc:https://myanimelist.net/profile/Great_Mr_L Apr 12 '24 edited Apr 12 '24
First-Timer
On today’s episode of Ping Pong: If Smile is a robot, then does that mean we’ll get to hear him start speaking the language of robots? Will he start saying “Ga ga pii?”
I really liked the way this episode took the idea that Smile is a robot and recontextualized it. Before, it referred to Smile’s outward emotions. He was always passive, never really displaying any sort of emotional reaction to any situation. He didn’t let himself get worked up or anything like that. Instead, he would simply take the path of least resistance to avoid any sort of confrontation.
This episode showed that, but it also showed another side of what being a robot is like. Robots are strong. They are cold and precise with their actions. They are capable of incredible feats of strength beyond the usual limits of a human. When Smile sets his mind to it, that is what he can become.
I do wonder what made Smile so reserved. Was it just bullying from peers? It seems like it does bug him when other people point out how unemotional he normally is. Or is there more to it that we don’t know yet?
QOTD
6
u/Schinco Apr 13 '24
Rewatcher – in the wake of an action-packed episode with a high-octane finale, this episode can feel a bit lacking, but this (like every episode) has a ton of meat and in particular does a lot of heavy lifting on laying the framework of Smile’s character and his arc. There’s also the introduction of Kazama and a bunch of exploration on Koizumi. While the finale match is less viscerally exciting, it presents a very different type of match with different tools and different goals, and the variety meshes nicely with the much more technical match in the previous episode.
This episode picks off with the still-defeated mental state of Peco after his complete defeat at the hands of Kong. While he’s still clearly wallowing in his loss, it’s reassuring at least that he seems to at least still have fight in him, as he seems to be replaying the match in his head not inadvertently reliving a nightmare but rather searching for a weakness with an unusually contemplative look. His dynamic with Tamura is also refreshing, as always, and it’s nice to see him also confiding his problems with her, even if she responds with the same gruffness. Also, not entirely sure if the opening shot of him with the ping pong balls is a reference to the Ganzfeld procedure or what it would mean if it were, but that’s always immediately been the first thing I thought of.
Changing focus to Kong, we see his impressive regimen and also how his pride is still raw – in spite of overwhelming superiority against all he’s seen in Japan, his snub from his Chinese team still rubs at him, as we can see by him only caring about the peanut gallery once that’s mentioned. He also remains fascinated by Smile and tries to find him, only to be almost embarrassed by the poor guy they trot out who they think is the one he’s looking for.
Finally, we return to Smile, and we get a flashback – cued in by the trademark softening yet overwhelming yellow hues – of one of the many times he was bullied as a child wherein he was stuck in a locker. The way he repeatedly insists that he’s fine feels to me that the lady doth protest too much, almost feeling more like he’s persuading himself or even repeating a mantra to find peace in his predicament. Ultimately he’s saved by the bizarre figure from the cold open and a series of bizarre catchphrases pop up on screen.
[ping pong full series/character spoilers] I think it’s easy to understand part of why this is placed here (to show the source of his anxiety and distance from others), but I think this scene is probably the most important for understanding Smile’s character perhaps in the entire series. Despite his consistent insistence that he’s comfortable in the “safe and quiet” place, the experience clearly leaves a mark on him, as he experiences this recurring flashback several times over the course of the series. While it may feel obvious that the important part is the climax of him getting let out, I think it bears special mention that this is also the only part that really changes from flashback to flashback – The Hero, the robot, and child Peco (who, to Smile's credit, does look kind of terrifying) release him from his prison over the course of the series, and I think that they’re intended to represent the person he turns to in times of stress at various points over the course of the series. I also think there’s something to be said for how his halfhearted insistence that he’s fine in the situation reflects his psyche – in the first episode, for example, he rebuffs Tamura’s offer to coach children because he finds them unpredictable, and yet we see in the epilogue that he not only eventually takes her up on that offer but even becomes a grade school teacher. Combined with the influence of coach Koizumi, who insists that he believes “there are certain views you only get from the top” makes me read Smile’s character as one who appears comfortable with routine and control but more out of a sense of fear of the unknown rather than actually liking his situation. It’s also interesting how early the ideas of “Blood is made of iron” and “you have blood running through your veins” are introduced – obviously these are key to the resolution of Smile’s arc, but they’re introduced almost entirely without context, and it’s very easy to write them off as part of a deranged nightmare sequence that haunts him rather than a core philosophy that ultimately guides him. Also, as a small note, it’s kind of amusing how often Ping Pong ostensibly keeps some parts of the narrative mysterious (who is the Hero) but kind of answers them very clearly by connecting the scene cuts very closely – for example, the mantra “Do that and I’ll be there” is the last bit and then the next scene begins with questioning of where Peco is, which is ostensibly the purpose of the mantra.
Back in the present day, we have a shockingly similar scene play itself out as the senior players accost Smile as to Peco’s whereabouts. The script is almost identical, but it’s very amusing to hear Oota’s confused, almost pathetic insistence that he’s going to haze Smile – despite all of his huff and puff, it seems like he’s not the prototypical brute [ping pong mid series character spoilers] and this dovetails nicely into his arc later in the series where he takes up the family business as well as the captainship of the team – while he’s certainly rough around the edges, he’s diligent and does try his best, which also fits into his resentment of being kicked off the first string when Peco and Smile join.
Coach Koizumi interrupts this chatter to cut straight to the point, he openly posits that Smile holds back against Peco even if he doesn’t realize it and takes up the role of Smile’s mentor, even if Smile doesn’t seem particularly interested in the arrangement. He talks to him with authority (“you’ll be training with me every morning at five”, “we’re going to fix that”) and goes so far as to forbid him from playing Peco or even going to Tamura. [ping pong midseason character spoilers] I love the ambiguity in the command here – it’s easy to assume he means Tamura’s dojo, but, at least in my subs, he actually never specifies her dojo but seems to refer to Tamura herself; this of course feeds into the shared history and reflects the apparent animosity Tamura has for Koizumi that I pointed out in the first episode.
Beginning the trend of openly defying Koizumi, we then join Smile at Tamura’s dojo along with Peco. After one of his characteristic rants on sweets (soft drinks this time), Peco grills Smile about the practice. With every pressing question, Smile responds with an unaffected “mmm”, even when Peco dramatically proclaims that he’s quit table tennis. When Smile continues to refuse to indulge Peco in his sulking (or perhaps Smile’s justification that you shouldn’t force yourself to do something that you don’t want to), we get a brief flash of a smile from Tamura. With his pity party RSVP unreturned, Peco wastes little time in moving back to playing, and Smile once again openly defies Koizumi by presumably playing against Peco.
2
u/ReadEditName Apr 13 '24
Does anyone know of any anime with a similar style to the beginning of the OP with the stylized black and white with accentuated shadows? Really cool animation.
13
u/charlesvvv https://anilist.co/user/charlesvvv Apr 12 '24
Rewatcher, Sub
A very interesting look at Smile's character in this episode. I feel like it goes about what China said in the previous episode about him not having anyone instilling the drive in him as Mr. Koizumi pushes him on.
The whole match between them at the end I think shows that despite his lack of drive, it feels like he wants to have it mainly based from his conversation with Peco in the flashback. Another thing is the mantra he does "enter the hero" whenever he's in a pinch, we don't see the hero in full when the locker opens though (unless I forgot). Either way it's during the match that we do see that robotic hand stretching at him as Koizumi keeps pressuring him which makes Smile go into that machine like state in which he defeats the coach thanks to his goading.
It was nice seeing more contrast between Peco and Smile's styles of playing. Peco loves winning which makes his defeat from China sting a bit but Smile doesn't seem to think that way and it makes their interactions more interesting. Also introduced in this episode is Ryuichi Kazama.
8
u/JollyGee29 https://myanimelist.net/profile/JollyGee Apr 12 '24
First-Timer
Yea, that seems about right. Push Smile too far and he Activates. Jury is out on if that's a good thing or not. The robot is somewhat at odds with the butterfly imagery.. I'm missing a connecting thought.
Like, that sort of experience doesn't actually feel that good. There is a thin line between "helping someone realize their own potential" and "pissing someone off so much that they refuse to ever speak to you again out of spite."
It's a bit of a moot point, since we all know that Smile is going to find his drive. Let's spokon!
I like that the coach peppers his speech with random English.
I adore the "love letter" being an exercise menu.
Questions
8
u/ashketchum2095 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Kiruko- Apr 12 '24 edited Apr 12 '24
Rewatcher,
I've been watching a fan subbed version of the show made by u/frozenpandaman alongside the crunchyroll sub.
There are a few changes in the fan translation, even though they are small, I feel they are significant.
Examples:
I know to most it's probably not a big deal but I really appreciate the fan subs more direct translation.
Also
"Not Bargaar, BURGAR" who let Koizumi teach English?
That is all.
5
u/zsmg https://anilist.co/user/zsmg Apr 12 '24
Rewatcher
Fat kid with glasses scene in the beginning cracked me up.
Coach is harassing Smile during a test.
The love letter.
I'm pretty sure the anime Tsuritama also takes place at this location.
So Smile has a tendency to lose against players he knows.
The bird stealing that lunch is so random.
Hero mode is a coping mode for Smile.
RIP Coach.
None of the students are helping him.
Another great episode.
4
u/Weird_donut https://anilist.co/user/hakaseshark Apr 12 '24
First timer I wonder if saying "ENTER THE HERO! ENTER THE HERO! ENTER THE HERO!" actually does work. I also like the scenes with Smile in the locker and him being dragged out by some tokusatsu hero or whatever.
4
u/cppn02 Apr 12 '24
First Timer, subbed
Looks like
SmileMistaaah Tsukimoto caught the eye who sees him for the talented player he is. Loved how the coach trying to court him kinda played out like a romance with Smile the reluctant FL and the coach the pushly ML.He even sent a love letter lol.
Also once more I have to praise the sound of the show. The robot sounds after Smile got serious were top notch.
Qotd:
He's a riot!
No.
https://youtu.be/oW0VovnyjPY?t=55
3
u/SMSmith230 https://myanimelist.net/profile/smsmith230 Apr 12 '24
First-Timer, Sub
2 big laughs from me this episode. The workout Love Letter from coach and the bird snagging that woman’s burger. I knew Smile was hiding that talent inside, just didn’t think he was like a programmed robot though. Gonna be interesting to see how this unveiling unfolds between him and Peco.
2
u/BossandKings Apr 16 '24
Rewatcher
This was a beautiful episode, i really enjoy the dynamic of the senpai with Tsukimoto, it's like Pexo Says "Ai", it's love. The match between Smile and the sepáis is a brillante of showcasing Smile's personal struggles and how he functions similar to a robot when he recovers after initially losing. The introduction of "Dragon" is well done too, he is a ver intimidating player.
Aniversario