The appeal and reviews of "Baby Steps": A moving story of tennis and youth

Baby Steps - Detailed review and recommendation of the TV anime series

overview

"Baby Steps" is a television anime series based on the manga of the same name by Katsuki Hikaru. It aired on NHK Educational TV from April 6 to September 21, 2014, and consists of 26 episodes. Animation was handled by Pierrot and the director was Murata Masahiko. The work is a youth sports drama with a tennis theme, depicting the growth and challenges of the main character.

story

The main character of "Baby Steps" is Maruo Eiichiro, a high school student who excels at studying and is diligent. One day, he becomes interested in tennis and joins the tennis club. However, he has no experience with tennis and starts as a beginner. Eiichiro is not blessed with any talent for tennis, but he grows step by step through hard work and determination. His efforts are depicted through his interactions with his friends and rivals on the tennis club, leaving viewers in awe.

character

The main character, Maruo Eiichiro, is characterized by his earnest and hardworking personality. When he starts playing tennis, he continues to challenge his own limits. Eiichiro's growth resonates with viewers and makes them want to work hard too. Eiichiro's rival, Date Naoto, is a character with a genius sense for tennis, and the contrast between him and Eiichiro adds depth to the story. Furthermore, Eiichiro's girlfriend, Egawa Tamaki, supports him, adding a bittersweet element of youth to the story.

Animation and performance

Pierrot's high level of technical skill shines through in the animation of "Baby Steps." The tennis match scenes are realistic and dynamic, drawing the viewer in. The characters' expressions and movements are also depicted in great detail, making it easy to understand the changes in their emotions. Director Murata Masahiko has directed the film to bring out the best in this youth sports drama, and there are many scenes that will move the viewer.

music

The music in "Baby Steps" is an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the story. The opening theme, "Baby Steps," is a powerful song that symbolizes the protagonist's growth and challenges, inspiring the audience. The ending theme, "Believe in Yourself," is a gentle song that conveys Eiichiro's efforts and the bond with his friends, enhancing the moving story. The background music also effectively expresses the tennis match scenes and the characters' feelings, and the music as a whole enhances the appeal of the work.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Baby Steps" has received extremely high praise as a youth sports drama. In particular, the storyline depicting the protagonist's efforts and growth has touched many viewers. The realism of the tennis match scenes and the appeal of the characters have also been praised. This work is recommended not only for those who like sports anime, but also for those who like youth dramas and stories about effort. It is especially recommended for those who want to challenge their own limits and those who want to reaffirm the importance of effort.

Related information

The original manga for "Baby Steps" was serialized in Kodansha's "Weekly Shonen Magazine" by Katsuki Hikaru. It is a long work consisting of 47 volumes, and is highly acclaimed as a youth sports manga with a tennis theme. In addition to the anime series, it has been expanded into various media mixes such as drama CDs and games. Furthermore, a sequel, "Baby Steps 2nd Season", was broadcast in 2015, depicting an even deeper story and character growth.

How to watch

"Baby Steps" can now be purchased on DVD and Blu-ray. It can also be viewed on video streaming services. In particular, all episodes are available on Amazon Prime Video and Netflix, making them easy to watch. In addition, some episodes may be available for free on the NHK official website, so if you're interested, be sure to check it out.

summary

"Baby Steps" is a youth sports drama with themes of hard work and growth that has touched many viewers. The story, which depicts the growth and challenges of the main character, Maruo Eiichiro, resonates with viewers and inspires them to try their best. The realism of the tennis match scenes and the appeal of the characters have also been praised, making it a recommended series not only for fans of sports anime, but also for fans of youth dramas and stories of hard work. Be sure to watch this series and experience Eiichiro's efforts and growth.