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COLLECTION · Series · 2014

Baby Steps

ベイビーステップ

Eiichirō Maruo (nicknamed "Ei-chan" for his grades being straight "A") is an honor student, bookworm, and is not interested in anything other than studying. In order to solve his problem of lacking physical strength, he enrolled a tennis school and soon found the fascinating side of tennis. Being a tennis newbie lacking physical strength, he supplement his shortcomings with his excellent observing and analyzing skills.

Source: TMDB
* 7.6 (21)AnimationComedyJapan
Soundtrack
Google
Countries
Japan
Studios
NHK Educational TV · Pierrot · NHK · NHK Enterprises
Runtime
25 min/ep
Release
06/04/2014
Score
7.6 / 10 (21)

Awards and nominations

  • 1 nomination total.
Where to watch
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Seasons and episodes
Season 1
Season 1
25 episodes · 2014
Tennis and Notes
Episode 1. Tennis and Notes
2014-04-06 · 25 min

Maruo Eiichiro is an honor student in his first year of high school. He's a very methodical person who keeps two sets of notes for class and focuses entirely on his studies. One day, Eiichiro decides to participate in a free trial at…

Methodical and Unorganized
Episode 2. Methodical and Unorganized
2014-04-13 · 25 min

Eiichiro is unable to answer Natsu when she asks him what he enjoys doing most. He becomes interested in tennis and returns to STC for another free trial.

The Contest Is a Fight
Episode 3. The Contest Is a Fight
2014-04-20 · 25 min

Eiichiro is unable to forget how good it felt when he successfully returned Takuma's serve, and he spends all of his time practicing against the wall. After seeing Eiichiro practice against the wall non-stop for six hours on a Sunday,…

Face of Conviction
Episode 4. Face of Conviction
2014-04-27 · 25 min

Eiichiro finds himself in a contest with Takuma. Eiichiro has fifty tries to return Takuma's serve. One successful return and Eiichiro wins. However, despite Eiichiro's best attempts to follow his notes and stick to the basics, he can do…

A First Match Full of Surprises
Episode 5. A First Match Full of Surprises
2014-05-04 · 25 min

Eiichirō is about to play his first match. He receives advice from the other STC members, but it only makes him more nervous. He doesn't get a chance to calm himself down as he's soon called to the tennis court.

Diamond in the Rough
Episode 6. Diamond in the Rough
2014-05-11 · 25 min

It is down to the final match of the set. Eiichirō trails 5 games to 1, but with a determination to stay on the court as long as possible Eiichirō begins to push Oobayashi.

Nine-Square and Reality
Episode 7. Nine-Square and Reality
2014-05-18 · 25 min

In order to improve Eiichirō's playing, Coach Miura has him learn control on a 9-square court. After getting the basics done, Eiichirō is forced into a match against Takuma.

One Year and Twenty Notebooks
Episode 8. One Year and Twenty Notebooks
2014-05-25 · 25 min

Maruo Eiichirō continues his training at STC as he tries to master every shot. At smaller tournaments he begins advancing to the third round but is unable to go further. His mother worries that Eiichirō is spending too much time on tennis…

Diligence is My Style
Episode 9. Diligence is My Style
2014-06-01 · 25 min

Eiichirō returns to the Kanagawa Junior Circuit. His first match is up against fellow high school student Koshimizu Nariyuki, a man whom is always trying to compete with Eiichirō for the top scores.

Unease on the Edge
Episode 10. Unease on the Edge
2014-06-08 · 25 min

The match between Eiichirō and Miyagawa begins with each holding serve. However Eiichirō feels that something is off. After studying his notes, Eiichirō realizes that Miyagawa has been studying his shots, and with a 4-3 lead he plans on…

Risk and Possibility
Episode 11. Risk and Possibility
2014-06-15 · 25 min

After managing to hold serve Eiichirō starts looking for an opportunity to break Miyagawa. Both hold serve and force a tiebreaker. With the score 6-5 Maruo in the tiebreaker Eiichirō decides to try and gamble to use his full stroke and…

Improvement by Memory
Episode 12. Improvement by Memory
2014-06-22 · 25 min

After defeating Miyagawa, Eiichirō returns to STC for some training that will make him better in 1 day. Eiichirō is teamed up with a Coach Mike from Florida who specializes in pyschological training.

Art and Technique
Episode 13. Art and Technique
2014-06-29 · 25 min

The match between Hiromi and Eiichirō begins. Everytime Eiichirō tries to go on the attack, Hiromi hits a shot Eiichirō can't reach.

Putting the Pieces Together
Episode 14. Putting the Pieces Together
2014-07-06 · 25 min

It is match 10 of a 1-set match, and Eiichirō leads 5 games to 4. Eiichirō begins to up his speed against Hiromi, and with it he stays even at 30-30. Just then Hiromi's legs cramp up, allowing Eiichirō to get two easy aces and win the…

Plan to be Forceful
Episode 15. Plan to be Forceful
2014-07-13 · 25 min

Eiichirō overhears Araya telling Takuma that if he loses to him this tournament, he will retire from tennis. His plan is to defeat Takuma and then announce he is going pro. Takuma agrees to tell Eiichirō Araya's weaknesses.

Beast and Initiative
Episode 16. Beast and Initiative
2014-07-20 · 25 min

After going up Love-15, Araya uses a number of service aces to go up 3-1 in set 2. Eiichirō holds serve, and as he gains a 30-40 advantage in Game 6 of Set 2, Araya punches himself in his face to eliminate his emotions from the game.

Pro At My Age
Episode 17. Pro At My Age
2014-07-27 · 25 min

Araya and Eiichirō end up at deuce after neither player can gain an advantage. An ace end up being huge for Araya give him the match point advantage, and despite his best efforts a lucky bounce proves to be the end for Eiichirō as he…

Determination and Presentation
Episode 18. Determination and Presentation
2014-08-03 · 25 min

Eiichirō investigates going Pro, but his reaction from his parents is less than he expected. Eiichirō joins Natsu at the first round of the All Japan Pro to watch the debut match of Ike Souji.

Resolve and Hell
Episode 19. Resolve and Hell
2014-08-10 · 25 min

Eiichirō manages to steal 1-point in the 10-minute match with Ike before his coaches reappear and make him stop playing a match. Afterwards Eiichirō is sent home to rest. The next day Eiichirō begins a brutal practice regimen that will…

Meat Buns and Yakisoba
Episode 20. Meat Buns and Yakisoba
2014-08-17 · 25 min

Eiichirō participates in a tournament after 3 months of hellish training. He learns about active rest while participating in the tournament and makes it to the final. Terashima is his opponent.

Consistency and Change
Episode 21. Consistency and Change
2014-08-24 · 25 min

Eiichirō continues his practice and gets his next tournament schedule. As the last player to qualify he is placed up against the 1-seed, Yu Nabae. Eiichirō begins to look for weaknesses from Yu on tape, but what he finds is a highly…

Fundamentals are the Weakness
Episode 22. Fundamentals are the Weakness
2014-08-31 · 25 min

Yu Nabae matches up with Eiichirō and realizes they really are two players that are virtually the same. He realizes that what Eiichirō lacks is experience with the fundamentals, as he has never played anyone like himself, and after losing…

Reckless 100-Square
Episode 23. Reckless 100-Square
2014-09-07 · 25 min

In an effort to try and reverse the tide, Eiichirō decides to go back to his idea of having 100-squares to aim for instead of 9.

Duty and Desire
Episode 24. Duty and Desire
2014-09-14 · 25 min

Eiichirō runs to watch Natsu's match when he learns she is in danger of losing. Afterwards they return to STC where he Ryuhei Aoi, a man who will become his new coach.

Eiichiro and Natsu
Episode 25. Eiichiro and Natsu
2014-09-21 · 25 min

Eiichirō and Natsu go out on their first date. When Eiichirō asks Natsu what she thinks about him, she tells him he is cheating. Afterwards Eiichirō is allowed to resume practice.

Season 2
Season 2
25 episodes · 2015

The stage of the second series is the Florida Tennis Academy. There, rivals aiming for the top of the world competed every day to raise the world rank even one. How will Eiichiro overcome the world barrier by studying abroad for the first time in his life ... A hot and realistic story of the boys, depicting the behind-the-scenes behind-the-scenes tennis…

The World and the Wall
Episode 1. The World and the Wall
2015-04-05 · 25 min

Eiichirō arrives in Florida, and Coach Mike introduces him to Marcia, an upcoming junior whose older brother just made the Pro's. Marcia and Eiichirō play a match, and Marcia decides Eiichirō must be training for the French Open because…

A Vicious Circle is Lucky
Episode 2. A Vicious Circle is Lucky
2015-04-12 · 25 min

Eiichirō begins closing the gap on the others at the Florida Academy, but during everyone of his matches he has one moment where he presses too hard, costing him a set and eventually costing him the match.

Data for the Future
Episode 3. Data for the Future
2015-04-19 · 25 min

After winning his first match in America, Eiichirō finally gets to play Ike in a one set match. Ike gets it approved at the New Years party where many of Eiichirō's new friends first learn of Natsu.

Awakening to Simplicity
Episode 4. Awakening to Simplicity
2015-04-26 · 25 min

In his final day in Florida Alex agrees to play a best-of-3 match with Eiichirō. Alex realizes that Eiichirō's notes contain all of his weaknesses and that he will have to adjust his play style to win the match.

Takuma's Decision
Episode 5. Takuma's Decision
2015-05-03 · 25 min

Eiichirō returns from Florida and is given a day off to adjust his body to the time difference. After the day off Eiichirō begins a new strict training regime to help him get ready for the Kanagawa Prefectural.

First Encounter by Scouting
Episode 6. First Encounter by Scouting
2015-05-10 · 25 min

Coach Aoi explains to Eiichirō that he stopped the match against Takuma because his body wasn't developed to serve like Takuma yet. If he had continued to serve that way, he would have injured himself and forced himself to give up his…

Revenge at the Critical Moment
Episode 7. Revenge at the Critical Moment
2015-05-17 · 25 min

The Kanagawa Prefectural begins as Eiichirō faces off against Araya's new underclassman Nishimura. Araya has told Nishimura all of Eiichirō's weaknesses from the year before, making Nishimura very confident in his chances of winning.

The Speed of Evolution
Episode 8. The Speed of Evolution
2015-05-24 · 25 min

Eiichirō and Miyagawa face off in the second round of the tournament for their second match. If Eiichirō loses he knows he'll lose all chance of going pro. If Miyagawa loses he knows his path to become a pro will take longer and might…

Baffled by Intuition
Episode 9. Baffled by Intuition
2015-05-31 · 25 min

Coach Ryuhei Aoi decides to teach Eiichirō the importance of relying on instincts during a match instead of relying solely on data. In order to teach him how to play against a player who relies solely on instinct Eiichirō is forced to…

Start With a Roar
Episode 10. Start With a Roar
2015-06-07 · 25 min

Araya and Eiichirō begin their match in the Kanagawa Prefectural Final. At first both are holding serve and the score is at 3-3. However Coach Aoi realizes Eiichirō doesn't have the knowledge on how to deal with left handers since he's…

Choices and Explosive Power
Episode 11. Choices and Explosive Power
2015-06-14 · 25 min

Eiichirō throws out a couple of unexpected dropshots in set 2 and begins to alter the speed of his game. After trailing 30-love to begin match 2 of set 2 Eiichirō is able to rally with this new strategy and pull off a break.

Full Force Toward Adversity
Episode 12. Full Force Toward Adversity
2015-06-21 · 25 min

Araya and Eiichirō prove to be even and are both unable to break each others serve. Making things worse is there will be no tiebreaker., Instead an individual must win by 2 games.

Gathering of Rivals
Episode 13. Gathering of Rivals
2015-06-28 · 25 min

The gang begins their third and final year of high school in different classes. Eiichirō and Natsu both realize their classes seem to be moving on without them as they are getting ready for cram schools and entrance tests.

Moonlight and the Sound of Waves
Episode 14. Moonlight and the Sound of Waves
2015-07-05 · 25 min

The final door on the way to the All-Japan Junior, the Kanto Junior Tournament, is just around the corner. Eiichiro psyches himself up as he confirms his promise to his parents that he'll give up if he doesn't win the All-Japan Junior,…

A Hero and Loud Cheers
Episode 15. A Hero and Loud Cheers
2015-07-12 · 25 min

The Kanto Junior Tennis Tournament begins at last, and Eiichiro is facing Yakabe Tadanori in his first match. Although he had watched videos of Yakabe's matches from a year ago, Eiichiro is bewildered by his opponent's much taller stature…

Whish, Then Fwoom
Episode 16. Whish, Then Fwoom
2015-07-19 · 25 min

Eiichiro is stunned by all the cheering Ide receives as their match begins. He struggles with the unpredictable plays of the intuitive Ide, but he recalls what he learned in his match with Natsu and concentrates on watching his opponent.…

Dramatic by Nature
Episode 17. Dramatic by Nature
2015-07-26 · 25 min

Ide's remarkable ability to adapt instantly to everything has Eiichiro struggling, and reads his notes again to regain his focus. This improves his movements and leads to more impressive rallies, making the match even more exciting.…

Visualize the Pressure
Episode 18. Visualize the Pressure
2015-08-02 · 25 min

Eiichiro thought he was successfully ignoring the crowd's roaring cheers for Ide, but his body was reacting to it more than he realized. The pressure of playing in front of a dramatic, Ide-centric crowd is troubling Eiichiro.

A Rude First Meeting
Episode 19. A Rude First Meeting
2015-08-09 · 25 min

Eitaro, upon winning spectacularly in his fight against Ide, decides to go to the National Junior's. Coach Aoi explains that towards the end of the match, Eitaro was completely in the zone.

Psychological Warfare and Self-Control
Episode 20. Psychological Warfare and Self-Control
2015-08-16 · 25 min

The match against Takagi begins. Just as Yukichi warned, Takagi's style is unique.

Good, Evil, and Rules
Episode 21. Good, Evil, and Rules
2015-08-23 · 25 min

Even if it seems to lack etiquette, Takagi's play style continues to work in his favor by disupting his opponent's pace. Eiichiro struggles to deal with Takagi's tactics.

Existence is the Driving Force
Episode 22. Existence is the Driving Force
2015-08-30 · 25 min

After beating Takagi, Eiichiro moves onto the semi-finals as does Natsu in the women's division. Eiichiro becomes aware of new feelings towards Natsu while watching her match.

Aggressive is Ideal
Episode 23. Aggressive is Ideal
2015-09-06 · 25 min

The match has just begun and Eiichiro is already close to being in the zone. His excellent condition is reminiscent of his match against Ide; Eiichiro doesn't give Nabae a chance to fight back and soon takes the lead.

Recklessness and Surprise
Episode 24. Recklessness and Surprise
2015-09-13 · 25 min

The match between Eiichirou and Nabae finally reaches its thrilling climax, and the former risks losing to envision his victory.

Final Set
Episode 25. Final Set
2015-09-20 · 25 min

The game finally reaches its final stage. Eiichiro who desperately envisions a vision to win Nambae and is ready for a new strategy with the intention of losing.

Cast by season
Taishi Murata
Taishi Murata
Eiichiro Maruo (voice)
Minako Kotobuki
Minako Kotobuki
Natsu Takasaki (voice)
Daisuke Namikawa
Daisuke Namikawa
Takuma Egawa (voice)
Asami Seto
Asami Seto
Himeko Sasami (voice)
Hiro Shimono
Hiro Shimono
Yukichi Fukasawa (voice)
?
Taiten Kusunoki
Coach Yusaku Miura (voice)
Takuma Terashima
Takuma Terashima
Kojirou Kageyama (voice)
Tetsuya Kakihara
Tetsuya Kakihara
Takuya Miyagawa (voice)
Chisa Yuuki
Chisa Yuuki
Yuuki Tajima (voice)
Kohsuke Toriumi
Kohsuke Toriumi
Coach Ryuuhei Aoi (voice)
KENN
KENN
Yoshiaki Ide (voice)
Yoshimasa Hosoya
Yoshimasa Hosoya
Souji Ike (voice)
Shintaro Asanuma
Shintaro Asanuma
Hiromi Iwasa (voice)
Yoshiyuki Shimozuma
Yoshiyuki Shimozuma
Nariyuki Koshimizu (voice)
Kenyu Horiuchi
Kenyu Horiuchi
Magure Mike (voice)
Takahiro Sakurai
Takahiro Sakurai
Yuu Nabae (voice)
Tomoaki Maeno
Tomoaki Maeno
Ryou Oobayashi (voice)
Wataru Hatano
Wataru Hatano
Hiroshi Araya (voice)
Yuko Kato
Yuko Kato
Sanae Maruo (voice)
Yui Kondo
Yui Kondo
Masumi Makihara
Yuumi Kawashima
Yuumi Kawashima
Coach Morimoto
Arisa Nishiguchi
Arisa Nishiguchi
Hana Yokoyama
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