I really enjoy the content 88 Films has been releasing. While martial arts is a bit of a sweet spot for me, I gave the 2002 Japanese drama Ping Pong, directed by Fumihiko Sori, a chance.
Bullied as a child, introverted Smile (Arata Iura) finds an unlikely protector in the brash Peco (Yōsuke Kubozuka), who scares off his tormentors and introduces him to the world of ping pong. The two become inseparable, but a decade later, their friendship is about to be tested.
Peco dreams of becoming the greatest player in the world, yet his lack of discipline and a devastating knee injury threaten to derail his ambitions. Smile, meanwhile, has the natural talent to dominate the sport, but his gentle nature keeps him from crushing his opponents.
Now, under his coach’s brutal guidance, Smile is finally learning to fight for victory. As the regional tournament heats up, the two friends find themselves on a collision course, with only one able to emerge as champion.
Adapted from Taiyo Matsumoto’s cult manga series, Fumihiko Sori’s (Fullmetal Alchemist) debut feature is a tale of friendship, dedication, and sportsmanship. It features table-tennis battles that will make you stand up and cheer. It takes some time to get moving, and that’s where the movie falters.
If you can make it past that hurdle, you’ll enjoy what’s to come. It is an underdog tale, and the characters are relatable, with satisfying arcs and conclusions. It perhaps focuses a bit too much on Peco and not enough on Smile, but eventually things come together.
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88 Films has released Ping Pong on Blu-ray for the first time in North America, featuring an audio commentary by Zack Davisson, an interview with Michael Arias, the trailer, a video essay by Jasper Sharp, and a reversible sleeve with new and old artwork. The limited edition (2000 units) includes a numbered OBI slip and a booklet with notes by Jonathan Clements.
Even though it drags a bit up front, Ping Pong is a captivating tale of friendship, redemption, and triumph, and it delivers ping-pong matches with real suspense and excitement.
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