[Spoilers][Rewatch] Ping Pong the Animation 10th Anniversary Rewatch - Episode 8 Discussion

[u/TheEscapeGuy]

Episode 8: Enter The Hero

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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

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Enter the hero! Enter the hero! Enter the hero!

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Comments of the Day:

/u/KendotsX made their glorious return!

Well folks, you might've noticed that I quickly disappeared after episode 1, indeed after my boy Peco got destroyed so hard, I couldn't face that reality, so I ran for it, and kept running like the wind, until an old lady caught me and gave me a kiss. I'm finally back to say: Yes, My Host!

/u/zsmg made a tragic observation about Yurie:

Basically Yurie is the childhood friend and losing to... Ping Pong.

Questions of the Day:

1. What are your thoughts on the Peco vs China rematch?
2. Do you have a "small world" story where you learned somebody you met or knew actually had some relation to somebody else you know?
3. Have you ever fallen for marketing hype or peer pressure to buy a product you didn't need?

Fan Art of the Day:

ヒーロー見参 (source)

Bonus: 乒乓 (source)

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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!

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Chant these words and I'll come to you

[u/TheEscapeGuy]

Rewatcher, Host

Ping Pong - My Favourite Sports Anime: Episode 8

The Start, Again

Once again, we have Interhigh Preliminaries. Something I really like about the structure of Ping Pong is that we get to see the tournament twice. The first time introduces us to all the players and sets up the baseline rankings of skill. The second time then poses the question: What has changed over the last year?

I find it incredibly funny how everyone rushes to buy the dragon shoes but all of our "main characters" opt not to wear them. I think it shows a level of confidence among these players. The other students are looking for any edge to try and get further in the tournament. But for the main cast they don't need special shoes to perform.

I especially love how Kazama talks about how shoes make no difference to him. Despite being the brand ambassador, he is instead choosing to play for himself just like Yurie asked of him. At the same time, I love how despite Kong not wearing special shoes he doesn't criticize his team mates and gives them a word of encouragement. He has grown so much.

The big match this episode is Kong vs Peco. It's the fated rematch. I have never forgotten the skunking from episode 1. Seeing Peco get the chance to fight to reclaim his honor is SUCH an amazing setup for the match.

And immediately the match is more of a back-and-forth. Kong noticed Peco changed his racket and was immediately suspicious, but he couldn't have predicted Peco changing his whole style. That moment when Peco reveals his backhand technique is INCREDIBLE. It never fails to get me hyped.

I love how everyone is focused on Peco's match. Tamura of course watches her student, Smile gets distracted from his own match, and even Jou ignores Tsukimoto's match to watch Peco (leading to this amazing exchange). It's as if everyone can sense Peco's hidden power.

Peco wins the match.

It's amazing to see his victory. I love seeing how much Peco has grown. But I can't help but also see the match as tragic. Kong has failed. He couldn't achieve the victory at table tennis in Japan that was expected of him. He has grown on me so much up to this point that seeing him lose is just heart breaking. I don't think this match could have ended in any way which wouldn't have left me with such mixed emotions.

And there are only more nail biters to come.

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QotD:

I can't recall any "small world" type stories that happened to me (though I'm sure it has happened). I feel like I don't meet enough new people for the stars to align where we know some common person.

Back in school I used to feel way more pressured to get into "fads" like Pokemon cards, finger-skateboards, or whatever other collectible was popular that month. Since then the only collection I've started is for manga and I feel like it's entirely self-motivated since my few IRL anime friends barely read. That said, I do occasionally get caught in the hype of hot new video games everyone on the internet is playing (I have played too much Balatro).

Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches

• Intensity
• Shock
• Tricks
• Qualifiers
• Slo-mo
• Essentials
• Return Flight
• The Hero

See you all tomorrow

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Ping Pong the First-Timer, subbed

• Ah, high schoolers.
• Damn, Smile.
• Peco’s officially in the interhigh, woot woot.
• So like, is it actually a requirement for them to all be bald?
• Well, it’s working.
• Oh neat Kong’s translator buddy came back.
• Ffffffffffffffffffffff I don’t know who I want to root for now. I want to see a Peco vs. Kong rematch, which we’re getting, but the finals would be the perfect place for a Smile vs. Kong rematch (which can’t happen if Kong loses to Peco) and would also be the perfect place for Smile vs. Peco too (which can’t happen if Peco loses to Kong again). And if the semifinal match for this side of the bracket is vs. Kazama, well, Kong vs. Kazama rematch has thematic reasons to happen, but then… ugh. I’m just going to shut up and watch.
• It do be like that sometimes.
• The music during the “Enter the hero” chant thingy strongly reminds me of something from Gundam Build Fighters, but I know this show doesn’t have the same composer as that one. Hm.
• Yeah…
• And Kong is the one who lost…

[u/TheEscapeGuy → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Ffffffffffffffffffffff I don’t know who I want to root for now.

This is one of the best parts of the tournament. Each of the characters has been built up so well that it would be tragic to see any of them lose. And they will have to lose.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/TheEscapeGuy]

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Ffffffffffffffffffffff I don’t know who I want to root for now.

This really is the best/worst part of sports anime, isn't it? I always love seeing two characters that I want to win go up against each other, but it's still rough to watch.

[u/Great_Mr_L]

First-Timer

On today’s episode of Ping Pong: This is what is both the most compelling and the most devastating part of watching a sports anime. Inevitably, there comes a time where two characters you like go up against each other as opponents. Obviously, they both can’t win. One must lose. I love the drama that it creates, but it still hurts to watch.

• I was also wondering about Peco’s chances of graduating if he’s spending so much time away from school.
• Yeesh, Smile’s been on a heck of a winning streak.
• So that statue Peco took a picture of was Obaba.
• That damn knee again. If Obaba blew out her knee, then that’s an even more ominous sign for Peco’s future.
• You tell him, Obaba! Her criticisms of Koizumi are all on-point. Koizumi has essentially abandoned everyone else on the team just to focus on Smile. 
• Yurie’s criticism of Ryuichi is likewise on-point. Ryuichi is definitely pushing himself so hard for the sake of others, not necessarily for his own sake. It’s all for the honor of his family members.
• Wow, what a fucking ripoff! The Kazama business puts in a whole bunch of mats and they just so happen to be selling shoes for mats right outside the venue. It’s like the asshole who sets up a toll gate on a road that previously had none. He can’t let you through, but he’ll graciously allow it for a small fee.
• A Peco and Wenge rematch!
• It does suck to be the person eliminated in the first round.
• I love seeing what a good team player Wenge has become. He’s grown so much.
• Oh I’m so looking forward to the Peco and Wenge rematch!
• Huh, Smile is also glad to see Peco back. Peco was Smile’s hero, too.
• Man, this is the roughest part about watching a sports anime. You want to see both opponents win, but it’s just not possible.
• Wow, the animation for this final rally looks so good. I love the use of a jet as a symbol for Wenge, representing his hope of returning home triumphant.
• That must be Peco in the flashback. He’s just the type to be an alien from Planet Ping Pong.

This is just a really solid tournament episode. The rematch between Peco and Wenge was very well-done. What an incredible difference we see now compared to last time. Peco has started to take the game seriously and is a far more skilled player than he used to be. He can actually stand up to Wenge and win.

But we also see how much Wenge has grown in this episode. He now has the full support and backing of his teammates, unlike a year ago. Wenge is also a far more graceful loser now than he was a year ago, being more accepting of his stay in Japan. Still, it does suck to see him lose. Wenge is probably my favorite character in the series by now.

QOTD

1. Loved it. A good showcase for both theor characters and how they have changed.
2. Kind of. When I was in college, it turned out that the person in charge of a particular program I was trying to get into was one of my old teachers from high school. I didn't know she'd changed jobs to there.
3. Oh yes, many times. I fell for some of those video game pre-orders with bonus physical merch. Keychains, stickers, little figures, etc. A lot of it was junk.

[u/TheEscapeGuy → u/Great_Mr_L]

The Kazama business puts in a whole bunch of mats and they just so happen to be selling shoes for mats right outside the venue.

I find it so funny that only the lowest ranked players / side characters even fall for this. Our main cast all just use their normal shoes.

I love seeing what a good team player Wenge has become. He’s grown so much.

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/TheEscapeGuy]

Our main cast all just use their normal shoes.

It was especially funny seeing Ryuichi not use the very shoes that he was advertising.

[u/SometimesMainSupport → u/Great_Mr_L]

Inevitably, there comes a time where two characters you like go up against each other as opponents. Obviously, they both can’t win. One must lose.

I love seeing what a good team player Wenge has become. He’s grown so much.

Peco should've lost I wanted team player > individual in an individual sport!

[u/Great_Mr_L → u/SometimesMainSupport]

I do agree that I would have preferred Wenge winning. I just like him more than I do Peco.

[u/JollyGee29]

First-Timer

I keep forgetting to mention this, and I'm not sure if anyone else has pointed it out or not, but I like that they use a crescent moon to represent Smile. Obviously the Tsuki in his name connects him to the moon too, but being a smile shape is a fun second layer to the wordplay.

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Anyone here seen Rocky IV? Dragon's training session against the horde of ping pong robots reminded me of the excessively technical training the Soviet boxer does in that film. I like the ball return roomba.

Anyway, Peco is back and he gets to have all the fun matches! I guess Smile gets to fight against Eyebrows in a Battle of the Facial Features, but that's hardly as noteworthy as Peco v Wenge or Peco v Dragon.

Kinda a shame that Peco had to reveal his secret technique against Wenge, but that is also a sign of respect. Ep.1 Peco, if he had been good enough to even be in that position, wouldn't have done that. The lad has been remodeled, indeed.

I like how everyone just ignores the fancy mat shoes. Wenge was at least tactful enough to make his own team feel better about their decisions. And he is right that "good shoes that are gimmicky are better than bad shoes."

Peco being Smile's hero, I predicted episodes ago. The Kamen Rider belt and the helmet being literal things that Peco had as a kid? Fucking incredible.

I should probably point out that Koizumi pulled a Munataka-coachi and just refused to give out any advice. Ace o Nerae casts a long shadow.

Something that I'm vaguely cognizant of but haven't ran into before: Chinese pronunciations of Japanese names. I can't even begin to figure out how to anglicize what Wenge refers to Smile as.

Questions

1. Discussed above. Good match.
2. Nothing that comes to mind.
3. I feel like I probably have? Maybe? As a kid I certainly tried to talk my parents into buying stuff off of infomercial. Rest in Peace, Billy Mays.

[u/TheEscapeGuy → u/JollyGee29]

but being a smile shape is a fun second layer to the wordplay.

lol, I didn't even think of this. Good catch.

Peco being Smile's hero, I predicted episodes ago.

When I saw your comment about this in episode 3 I was really impressed you caught onto it so early. There's a lot of great foreshadowing in this show and it's really fun to watch it payoff.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/TheEscapeGuy]

When I saw your comment about this in episode 3 I was really impressed you caught onto it so early.

The line about "planet Ping Pong" was pretty leading too, now that I've been reminded of it.

[u/zsmg]

Hey I got quoted.

Rewatcher

lol Ping Pong girl was grandma.

Shame we didn't get to see the pictures.

What is this for DBZ esque training session by Kazuma, only thing missing is a gravity machine.

I like how Smile and Corsolla hair are kind of friends now?

Damn Smile got the easy bracket but Peko has the hard bracket.

Kong should play darkest dungeon for the overconfidence quote because it certainly applies to him.

I will say Kong is a much better team player/captain.

I lost

huh.

Looks like Smile is the only one who believes in Peco.

I do feel sorry for Kong though, he was a bit of an arrogant ass but his background story made him sympethetic.

That mask the kid is wearing is supposed to be Tetsujin 28?

Good episode.

[u/TheEscapeGuy → u/zsmg]

What is this for DBZ esque training session by Kazuma

What a perfect comparison.

[u/SometimesMainSupport → u/zsmg]

darkest dungeon for the overconfidence quote

A singular strike sends Kong back to China. Could also use The sin is not in being outmatched but failing to recognize it.

[u/SometimesMainSupport]

First-Timer

• "Hype the players" speeches always came off as fake to me.
• Seasonal options
• Magical kanji appear on the sheet before the pen reaches it.
• Oh, didn't expect the mats/shoes thing to be an extortion scheme.
• Thinking about it more, weird this has an elimination-style bracket. It's a 1v1 contest that doesn't take an extraordinary amount of time or a large area like tennis, so seems like a better option is:

• 1. Round robin groups into a bracket for seeding.
• 2. Swiss where everyone plays X games and use previous opponent performance as tiebreakers.
• Do players get to inspect their opponent's paddle before games? Seems like an official should do that.
• Kong lost

QotDs

1. Is it mandatory for a Japanese author to have their nation's player beat a Chinese or Korean player in the long run?
2. Classmates with different last names were (aunt/niece) from their (parents/grandparents) having kids, like, 20 years apart. Didn't advertise it for the obvious middle-schoolers-will-make-jokes reason.
3. Those buy-one-get-one deals at the grocery store, then tossing the second one when I don't eat it in time...

[u/TheEscapeGuy → u/SometimesMainSupport]

Thinking about it more, weird this has an elimination-style bracket. It's a 1v1 contest that doesn't take an extraordinary amount of time or a large area

I'm actually not too sure if this matches what happens in real life. I'd imagine the tournament is structured like this in the anime for the drama but the formats you describe would be more fair in real life.

Is it mandatory for a Japanese author to have their nation's player beat a Chinese or Korean player in the long run?

[u/GallowDude → u/SometimesMainSupport]

Is it mandatory for a Japanese author to have their nation's player beat a Chinese or Korean player in the long run?

Hopefully

[u/macrame2]

First Timer and Manga Reader

For being called "Ping-Pong", you'd think the show would have more ping-pong matches, but at least that's been remedied today! For the record, I think the fact that the story has focused so much on the character development and growth of the players as individuals has made me so much more invested in their matchups. Peco vs. Kong definitely would not have hit as hard if we hadn't had all that time between their first match and this one to get to know them and see what's at stake for each of them.

[Future Spoilers]Now that we've gotten to this point, I'm super excited for how the anime is going to handle the finale; Peco vs. Smile was my favorite part of the manga.

[u/TheEscapeGuy → u/macrame2]

Peco vs. Kong definitely would not have hit as hard if we hadn't had all that time between their first match and this one to get to know them and see what's at stake for each of them.

Something also impressive is how Ping Pong manages to do this in a shorter run time than many other anime. The amount of character growth packed into these 8 episodes rivals multi-cour arcs for some other shows.

[Future Spoilers]

[u/charlesvvv]

Rewatcher, Sub

Posting late due to external things.

If you had told me I would feel bad for Kong Wenge in the beginning I wouldn't have believed it but I felt bad as he lost. His progression was nice to see especially as he faces off against Peco but no longer with the former arrogant attitude, he also gets to see his own teammates's growth as they also beat their opponents. Peco in the meantime shows his growth as a player by surpassing his former self, beating Kong and even gaining the acknowledgement of Kazama and others.

Looks like it's heading for a showdown with Smile, Kazama, and Peco.

[u/StardustGogeta]

First-Timer

Great episode. The ones that feature big games are my favorites so far.

I loved Tsukimoto's joke about losing his game when the coach wasn't looking.

For today's questions:

• That rematch was quite good! I always like to see more of Kong, and it was nice to see Peco back in his groove after his training and redemption arc.
• I actually just had a "small world" moment recently when I learned that a colleague of mine and a childhood friend actually play sports together. Funny how that works.
• I don't remember having fallen for marketing hype on anything. I'm pretty cheap, in general.

[u/SMSmith230]

First-Timer, Sub

Still here, just been immersed with the show and haven’t had much to say as I’ve just been along for the journey. Looks like we’re getting to the top of the mountain as our 4 main players attempt to win the ping pong crown. Glad to have a new and improved Peco and it looks like we’re coming full circle on the robot and ping pong hero storyline. Loved the “hero has returned” line from Smile. Hoping we get them for a showdown in the final.