Ping Pong the Animation - S01

Despite being polar opposites, Makoto "Smile" Tsukimoto and Yutaka "Peco" Hoshino have been best friends since childhood. Peco is overly confident and dreams of becoming the best ping-pong player in the world, but he often skips practice, which annoys his teammates on the Katase High School ping-pong team. Smile, on the other hand, has a natural talent for the sport but can't help holding back his full strength when he plays against others. Through their shared love of ping-pong, the two have built a bond that seems unbreakable. When Peco hears that a former national team player from China is coming to Japan, he drags Smile to rival Tsujido High School to watch them. The trip leads to a clash between Peco and Kong Wenge, who easily defeats Peco in one game. Shaken by such a complete loss, Peco starts to question why he plays at all. Seeing his potential, Katase's coach begins training Smile to overcome his hesitation, but Smile is reluctant to play if it is not for fun. As the two struggle to find meaning in the sport, many stronger players, each dealing with their own inner conflicts, await them at the inter-high tournament, where only the very best can endure. But when these young athletes let their unchecked ambition run wild, the hardships they face reveal a somber reality as they chase glory.