Ping Pong
The official noitaminA channel continues to bring out some character previews for the upcoming series Ping Pong that will be a part of the block this spring. The latest character preview teaser has been released that introduces us to the character of Dragon. The character is being played by Shunsuke Sakuya. Sakuya has a number of credits to his name, though many are smaller roles in an episode here and there for a lot of series and OVAs.
The show is based on the manga that ran for five volumes between 1996 and 1997. The original manga came from Taiyou Matsumoto, which spawned a 2002 live action film as well, and now Tatsunoko Productions will be bringing this to anime form in the spring with Masaaki Yuasa directing it. The January announcement came with a thirty second promotional video to give folks a feel for the new seinen sports series. Ping Pong is set to debut on April 10th, 2014.
Plot concept: Makoto Tsukimoto (nicknamed Smile) is a quiet high-schooler who’s been friends with the loud and energetic Yukata Hoshino (nicknamed Peco) since childhood. They’re both in the local table tennis club and both have a natural talent for it, although Smile’s personality always enables him from winning against Peco. The club teacher however notices Smile’s talent and tries to make him gain some sportive tenacity.