Matt Schley
March 4, 2014 
Over here at Otaku USA Tokyo Headquarters, the spring anime we’re looking forward to most is, without a doubt, Masaaki Yuasa’s (Tatami Galaxy, Kick-Heart) take on the hit manga Ping Pong.
Ping Pong, written by Taiyo Matsumoto (Tekkon Kinkreet), was originally released in the 90s and was adapted into a hit live-action Japanese film in 2002. Nevertheless, Yuasa, who’s known for his eccentric, experimental style, will no doubt put a new spin on the material.
This week saw the release of a new teaser that concentrates on one of the show’s main characters, Smile.
Those who’ve read the manga or seen the film know Smile is nicknamed such because it’s something he rarely does. Unlike Peko, who lives for the game, Smile doesn’t take it as seriously, though he has more raw talent. In the teaser, voice actor Koki Uchiyama (Kingdom Hearts) definitely displays Smile’s cool persona, exclaiming “my blood has the taste of iron” in a deep, almost monotone voice.
Ping Pong’s website has also been updated with some new information, including news on the series’ soundtrack. The music will be composed by Kensuke Ushio, aka agraph, an electronic artist whose only other anime credit is on this year’s Space Dandy – much like last year’s Kick-Heart, Yuasa is continuing his tradition recruting artists who don’t usually work in the animation sphere. The ending theme will be composed by band Merengue, who did the sixth opening theme, “Crater,” for Space Brothers.
Sources: Crunchyroll, official site
Related Stories:
– Noitamina Interviews Ping Pong Director Masaaki Yuasa
– Ping Pong: Nothin’ But Love
– Kick-heart Tokyo Premiere Review
– Kick-Heart Staff Interview
– Kick-Heart Anime L.A. Interview
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