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Apr 30, 2014 9:47 AM

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Sep 2008
11495
OP animation was so awesome now.

That was intense. Looks like Smile let Kong win here.
Apr 30, 2014 7:16 PM

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Oct 2013
231
Lovely display of skill and a sort of compassion from Smile. I'm looking forward to him overcoming his own limits.
May 1, 2014 5:37 PM

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Aug 2011
511
If every episode is like this, it will be a 10/10 from me. I am so fucking impressed. AOTY candidate, easily. Ronja is probably going to be the only competition.

Vengeance of everyone's grudge.

"I didn't add it to my list so I forgot I was watching that." - lpf
May 2, 2014 6:28 AM

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Dec 2012
24355
Why Smile..
May 4, 2014 11:40 PM

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Nov 2012
2045
The anticipated match between Smiles and Wenge was absolutely amazing to watch.
May 5, 2014 12:44 PM

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Sep 2011
33794
this show seriously keeps getting better and better, the directing in this episode was top notch how the different parts of the screen were different camera angles

Immahnoob said:
Jizzy, I know you have no idea how to argue for shit,

tokiyashiro said:

Jizzy as you would call yourself because youre a dick The most butthurt award goes to you And clearly you havent watched that many shows thats why you cant determine if a show is unique or not Or maybe you're just a child who likes common stuffs where hero saves the day and guys gets all the girls. Sad taste you have there kid you came up to me in the first place making you look more like a kid who got slapped without me even knowing it and start crying about it to me

May 8, 2014 1:18 PM
The Shrike

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Nov 2009
11752
Every now and again you see something so different, so well made, with such care and attention to every detail, that it just takes your breath away. I mean I don't even like ping pong and I was absolutely mesmerized.
"Perhaps there is a universal, absolute truth. Perhaps it justifies every question. But that's beyond the reach of these small hands." Mamoru Oshii

There is a cult of ignorance (...) nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that “my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.” Isaac Asimov

May 12, 2014 3:15 AM

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Apr 2013
607
Good ol Smile, throwing the match knowing that Kong had much more on the stake than him.
Powerful eyebrows.
May 13, 2014 5:16 PM
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Jan 2014
38
Kong won. Ofc only because Smile`s sympathy for the opponent. Gosh I love him and his humming!
And I love Kong`s character.
This show is already so perfect!! <3
May 20, 2014 5:29 PM

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Dec 2013
1998
Good guy Smile saving Kong's career, at least for now. Must be though for someone like Smile who has nothing to lose to take away another player's future.
May 21, 2014 4:40 PM

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Jul 2008
3525
That opening is more like it. If Matsumoto's drawings were to burst into life, that's what I'd expect them to look like. Demon's introduction was brilliantly done, too. But the animation is still pretty sloppy; there isn't really any consistency or flow to the ping pong rallies. I feel like they could be doing so much more with them. Though, that said, I do like the manga panel presentation going on. It adds a different edge to the show.
I write about manga → morningroo.com
and movies → letterboxd.com/ugla
Jun 26, 2014 3:53 AM

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Jan 2014
10464
Dat OP animation tho.

Goddamit Smile : you just had to let him win didn't you? China must have felt horribly insulted.

The direction this episode was nuts.
Proud founder of The Official Anti-Ging Freecss Fan Club Join now!
Kellhus said:
GuusWayne said:
there is a limit to the suspension of disbelief

And it's the fan that did it. Not the smoking porn reading rubik cube genius rape ape with a magic boat.
Jul 2, 2014 6:05 PM
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Aug 2007
468
loving the soundtrack.. not the OP/ED, but the music during the episodes.

Another great episode, I can already tell I am gonna love this anime..
Jul 12, 2014 3:25 PM

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Mar 2014
154
This show is too good. Very original, refreshing concept.

Tsukimoto definitely threw it at the end because he felt compassion for Kong. Makes him an even more interesting and elusive character now.
Jul 12, 2014 3:26 PM

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Mar 2014
154
Sapewloth said:
The direction this episode was nuts.


Seriously tho. So slick.
Jul 17, 2014 8:57 AM
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May 2012
7011
Dude......enjoy the sea~
That BGM made of ping pong sounds was so nice!! I like those panels they are doing during the battles.
Smile, you just gotta let him win, huh. Well, I kinda feel sorry for China boy. Training in China can get you killed.
Jul 23, 2014 3:23 AM

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May 2013
421
Barion-Zara said:

It's clear as day that he let him win in the end. As was being foreshadowed, he must have felt bad for Kong and lost on purpose. Though it seems Kong and pretty much every other strong player figured that out too ^^;

Wow I actually didn't catch that but it totally makes sense this way. I was feeling pretty bad for Kong too so I kind of wanted him to win but to win like this must make him feel terrible.

Another great episode. Revealed more about the characters.
Jul 30, 2014 6:12 PM

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Dec 2012
525
Great episode. Who does that bald guy remind me of? Oh yeah.
Aug 12, 2014 6:45 PM

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Jan 2014
10464
Winter_Fox_Ryuko said:
Another spectacular episode, though that "Some Africans can't dance" line was a little racist >.>
Pretty much the opposite.

That's actually a very neat way to adress the very common issue of stereotyping groups of people from countries or ethnicities different from our own, by using one of those most widespread prejudices about african peeps (that all of 'em have "the rythm in their veins", or some stupid shit like that) as a comparison.

There are Africans who can't dance. And there are Chinese players who aren't Ping Pong gods.
Proud founder of The Official Anti-Ging Freecss Fan Club Join now!
Kellhus said:
GuusWayne said:
there is a limit to the suspension of disbelief

And it's the fan that did it. Not the smoking porn reading rubik cube genius rape ape with a magic boat.
Sep 2, 2014 3:15 AM

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Jan 2012
1981
was a bit iffy about this but after 3 EP, I'm hooked

dat hum doe xD
Sep 15, 2014 3:31 PM

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Jun 2011
14153
It takes guts to eliminate the main character from the tournament after 3 rounds, but I am satisfied. Now it's Peco's turn. By the way who the hell is the guy at the end?
Honobono Log - best slice of life short
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Sep 26, 2014 7:04 AM

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May 2013
339
Best anime episode of the year?
Oct 25, 2014 12:52 AM

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Dec 2013
6607
Surprising, our MC actually lose!

I really like how they actually have the Chinese speaking their own language, it helps a ton in the immersion.

The OST use in this ep was exceptional.

What'up with that guy at the end? lol
FragOutFire said:

Why am I a Berserk fan? All I ever experience is pain.

We are in the eclipse and Miura has sacrificed us
Nov 11, 2014 10:43 AM

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Mar 2013
249
It appeared that Smile intentionally threw that match for Kong. God, I love the OP for this anime.
Nov 19, 2014 1:07 PM

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May 2012
25833
A bit unfortunate that he held back but in general it sure was a nice match, let's see what's next!
Dec 14, 2014 2:01 PM

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Jun 2009
4384
Dec 30, 2014 8:36 AM

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Aug 2014
5132
The animation was great during the ping pong matches with its speed and intensity which really added to the heat of the moment with all the build up of smile coming out of his shell which ultimately made his resulting loss more shocking and more sad for me because of how he didn't quite beat the guy he promised to beat.

Jan 4, 2015 12:46 AM

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Nov 2013
1643
Watching Smile go full robot on Kong was satisfying as hell. Too bad he lost his way.

Great episode. This anime has been growing on me. 8/10

Jan 10, 2015 11:36 AM

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Aug 2014
139
Awesome. Shame Smile lost on purpose, I don't like Kong and I wanted him to lose.
Jan 30, 2015 8:06 PM

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Feb 2013
52
That was awesome! Wow really.. wow. So good. Smile being nice in such situation is just so wrong. But he really is one interesting character. Me likey. I give this ep 10/10
Feb 20, 2015 6:16 AM

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Jan 2014
1934
I'm liking the animation style more and more. Pacing is also great for now!
Feb 20, 2015 12:12 PM
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Aug 2010
146
Great episode. As soon as the importance of the game's outcome for Kong was mentioned, I knew Smile was going to hold back. Still, I'm excited to see what comes next!
まぁ、全部嘘だけどね。
Feb 22, 2015 6:22 AM

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Oct 2013
1315
I.. I guess I'll just go to the sea.
Mar 21, 2015 10:47 PM

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Mar 2012
5785
Another great episode :) I think Kong realized that Smile threw the match at the end.
Apr 10, 2015 1:57 PM
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Jul 2018
562316
So...after 3 episodes I hate Smile and dislike Peco from the bottom of my heart. xD
I don't particularly enjoy the drawing style, those two main characters act like spoiled pedantic brats and the song...omg the song...I just had to remove my phones while Smile was singing. Why does this have such a high rate on Mal again?
I'll stick with it because I might be really surprised in the end (at least I hope so).
Apr 25, 2015 6:48 AM

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Jan 2012
31477
No offense but really Chinese sounds so weird.
Get lost.go to beach now

Jun 23, 2015 1:25 AM

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Dec 2013
15157
Wow Smile pretty much gave up. Can't blame him. I was beginning to feel bad for Kong too.
Jun 24, 2015 12:29 PM

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Feb 2012
445
I actually really like the OP. It's so cool how this anime stands out among the rest in almost everything! I was humming along through the match :') Although I really like Smile as a character, I'm sad that he just threw the game like that. I wonder what's going to happen next..
Jun 30, 2015 8:59 AM

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Oct 2010
1289
Jomei said:
Another awesome episode. There was so much going on in this one, I might have to watch it again.


so much goes on in every episode, damn this anime is good
Sep 6, 2015 7:59 PM

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Nov 2009
611
What a great episode. I specially love the representation of the hero that Smile wishes for, and the humming at the end (very atmospheric).
The couple was very interesting, heh.
The OP is amazing, I usually skip openings on the 3rd episode, but here I think I might watch it every time.

Farabeuf said:
Every now and again you see something so different, so well made, with such care and attention to every detail, that it just takes your breath away. I mean I don't even like ping pong and I was absolutely mesmerized.

Definitely agree.

(THIS WAY FOREVER)
Jan 31, 2016 11:11 AM

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Jan 2015
682
That OST and animation though
Feb 3, 2016 4:30 AM

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Jun 2014
397
For some reason this show has a hard time keeping my attention.
I'm not sure why that is. Maybe it's the protaganist or maybe it just shows how few fucks I give about anything sport related.
The anime is good, but I don't think it's the ideal show for me.
Mar 18, 2016 11:31 AM

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Sep 2015
1089
I can't get enough of this awesome OST and superb directing, gosh!!!

The whole humming scene was god-tier, and I was afraid Smile would propositaly lose that game, I was right... :/
Mar 23, 2016 1:49 AM

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Apr 2015
681
Fantastic episode. Smile was badass and pwned Kong, but his bad habits are still there and he let Kong win.

The sound of the ping ping balls hitting the table turned into music. I loved that moment.

I want more robot sounds.








“Even if the attention isn’t forever, I’ll keep singing.”
Mar 28, 2016 1:57 AM

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Dec 2012
9690
I thought he would win that match lol
May 28, 2016 11:27 AM
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May 2016
11
Looks like Smile figured out what would happen if Kong lost so he let him win.
Jun 21, 2016 11:36 PM

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Feb 2015
3575
Winter_Fox_Ryuko said:
Another spectacular episode, though that "Some Africans can't dance" line was a little racist >.>


the complete opposite. it's racist to assume all negros can dance, which is an extremely common and disgusting stereotype. she was only saying that isn't necessarily true for all.

or do you think that anything about africans and the non-praising of them is racist? if she said "all africans can dance" would you have the same response?

ksmotA said:


it feels so... mature? i dunno.


it's a seinen.

it makes everything else looks like a spoiled kid's puke. <3


would you like a humble child's instead?

oooVasAooo said:

Now, about the episode: Smile let China win on purpose, because he felt bad for him. Dammit Smile!!! He doesn't have the will he needs to win. He doesn't want to hurt people. He turned off his robotic beast because he was too worried about his opponent's feelings and future.


he did? if so, that's interesting that his character beforehand was horribly cold, but he actually cares this much for people he doesn't even know.

Ckan said:
Damn, that percussion opening right after the OP. Amazing.


IKR....

ReaperCreeper said:

Holy shit Smile is a boss. That humming and data input, oh man. I get the feeling that by the time the series is over he'll be on my fave character list.


that was kinda creepy and awesome. i expect to see more of it later.

Takuan_Soho said:


Oh definitely, remember that Smile thinks of himself as a hero, a hero doesn't beat the weak. That was what Kazuma's whole speech about how Smile thinks about his opponents was about. Smile proved he could have won, and then turned it off. His opponent's know that he did that (though they don't know why), but the spectators don't understand.



ah ok. i did feel a sort of something when it focused on his face.

ReaperCreeper said:
Char said:
Probably not that funny to others but I laughed when Smile greeted China with a "Ni hao". That passive-aggressiveness was just killing me.

The way Kong looked at Smile afterwards was the cherry on top.



no, i laughed at that too. it was so condescending. the line itself without the perfect voice acting was funny.

PremiumCascade said:
That humming was infectious and delicious

Did he give up in the end?


that's what i thought but apparently no.

ToG25thBaam said:
It takes guts to eliminate the main character from the tournament after 3 rounds, but I am satisfied. Now it's Peco's turn. By the way who the hell is the guy at the end?


what, the beach guy? smile rekted him not too long ago.
---------
ooh, the song played again before the OP (speaking of, OP HYPE!!!! animation was GREAT in that.)!

i like how smile plays PP like a god but is sure to make it clear " To play ping pong and make it your life, I find it revolting."

he doesn't have the hinata hype and doesn't even understand or bother to have it.

and it may be just me but i think that the hero that smile sees, his name is peco. it's happened twice that smile's hero appears with peco being at least mentioned (previous ep has him saying "I wish I could be like you, Peco" and the hero comes again when peco sits next to him this ep).

smile's humming made me smile; i even hummed alone with him a bit, lol. i loved how that basically intimidated china alone with the audience.

and i love the directing/cinematography! when the squares are all over the screen, giving different perspectives and such. and animation is even better than before.

side note: people were complaining about the fugly art, and whether it is or not, i find this good. now you can't look at the anime simply for pretty kyoto art and ACTUALLY PAY ATTENTION to the plot people beg so much for these days.

GREAT ep. already in love with the series, please don't fail me in future eps!
TomDayJun 21, 2016 11:41 PM
Jul 16, 2016 6:51 AM

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Aug 2013
124
Dangit yuasa, you never cease to amaze me
Oct 11, 2016 7:24 AM
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Jun 2015
48
This was a very terrible episode, I don't care what u call that ending but I was disgusted. Why do writers have to do that, when something is going so well something must always happen to ruin it. It is vexing

Oct 11, 2016 7:24 AM
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Jun 2015
48
This was a very terrible episode, I don't care what u call that ending but I was disgusted. Why do writers have to do that, when something is going so well something must always happen to ruin it. It is vexing

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It’s time to ditch the text file.
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