10 best anime to watch if you like Ping Pong the Animation

Ping Pong the Animation is a coming-of-age sports anime that follows two friends and rivals, Peco and Smile, as they compete in table tennis competitions on their journey to become the best in Japan.

With its unique animation style, insightful look at ambition and talent, and emotional storytelling, Ping Pong has resonated with many anime fans.

If you're looking for more thoughtful, character-driven anime about sports, competition, and personal growth like Ping Pong the Animation, here are 10 excellent recommendations worth checking out.

Haikyuu!!, Run with the Wind, and 8 anime for fans of Ping Pong the Animation

1) Haikyuu!!

Centered around high school volleyball, Haikyuu!! is an exhilarating sports anime that captures the intensity of games, the beauty of teamwork, and the growth of its determined characters.

Protagonist Hinata's inspiring passion for volleyball after seeing an ace player compete motivates him to join his high school's volleyball team, where he forms an unconventional partnership with genius setter Kageyama. Together, they aim to reach the top in national tournaments.

With amazing animation that conveys the energy of volleyball and fleshed-out characters you form emotional connections with, Haikyuu!! shares Ping Pong the Animation's ability to turn a niche competitive sport into a conduit for meaningful storytelling.

2) Run with the Wind

Run with the Wind (Image via Production I.G)

Kakeru, a listless college student, becomes a part of the university's dorm after his senior, Haji, asks him to join their team competing in the Hakone Ekiden relay marathon.

Training alongside unique teammates and all finding their motivation, Run with the Wind craftily develops relationships between this eclectic group as they grow as runners.

Like Ping Pong the Animation, this show delves into why we compete, balances competition drama with slice-of-life comedy, and features beautiful animation capturing the mechanics and psychology of sports.

3) Welcome to the Ballroom

Welcome to the Ballroom (Image via Production I.G)

Unconfident Tatara is drawn into the unfamiliar world of competitive ballroom dancing, finding a passion for dance he didn't know before alongside an eccentric, skilled partner.

Welcome to the Ballroom's exploration of Tatara discovering confidence and meaning in the art of dance is reminiscent of Ping Pong the Animation's emotional storytelling related to talent and ambition.

It also offers gorgeous animated dance sequences and plenty of competitive spectacle, like thrilling dance-offs.

4) Chihayafuru

The little-known traditional Japanese card game of karuta may seem like an unlikely sport for an anime, but Chihayafuru turns it into a fascinating vehicle for self-discovery. When Chihaya reunites with her childhood friend Taichi, they form a competitive karuta club, aiming for the national championships.

Like Ping Pong the Animation, character development is centered around why protagonists compete in their selected sport and finding their individual playing styles/life philosophies. It balances slice-of-life storylines with intense game sequences building towards emotional crescendos.

5) Cross Game

There’s a unique romance at the heart of this baseball anime. Friends Ko, a talented pitcher, and Wakaba dream of entering high school baseball finals at Koshien Stadium before a tragedy disrupts plans and emotions. Years later, Ko aims to fulfill Wakaba’s dreams while also drawing closer to her sister.

Skillfully mixing lighthearted comedy with dramatic competitive arcs and teenage romance, Cross Game shares Ping Pong the Animation’s deft balance of sports and personal storytelling. The animation is also stellar in capturing tense baseball moments.

6) Baby Steps

Eichiro Maruo prefers studying to sports, but taking up tennis to improve his fitness introduces self-improvement goals that play to his studious nature. Baby Steps' long-running slice-of-life story allows Eichiro's skills, mindset and relationships time to gradually develop between humor and strategically-animated tennis matches.

Fans of Ping Pong the Animation's focus on the technical and mental aspects of sports over pure hot-blooded action will find Baby Steps just as engrossing. It realistically captures both the athletic and psychological growth in becoming devoted to a sport.

7) March Comes in Like a Lion

March Comes in Like a Lion (Image via Shaft)

Though more overtly dramatic than Ping Pong the Animation, this series thematically complements it through the parallel storylines of talented teenage shogi player Rei and his interactions with the three Kawamoto sisters.

They all seek belonging, cope with pressures, and balance developing identities, with Rei as a competitor in shogi and the sisters providing emotional support.

Moving character writing and visual direction (highlighting isolation and bonds) resemble aspects that made Ping Pong the Animation compelling, albeit exploring more traumatic emotional issues.

8) Hikaru no Go

The classic anime series that sparked Japanese interest in the historical board game Go sees aimless Hikaru haunted by the spirit of a master Go player, prompting him to achieve the greatness he should've had before his early death.

Balancing Hikaru's growth in skill and passion for Go with humor and heart, Hikaru no Go's emphasis on the evolving mental duel between talented players mirrors aspects that make games compelling in Ping Pong the Animation. The fluid way it animates the strategic game of Go retains exciting intrigue across matches.

9)Yowamushi Pedal

Yowamushi Pedal (Image via TMS Entertainment)

Another anime centered around an uncommon high school sport, Yowamushi Pedal follows Sakamichi Onoda, an otaku with a passion for anime and manga.

Despite initially lacking racing techniques, he displays immense potential as a racing cyclist, able to keep pace with much more experienced riders over long distances.

Reminiscent of Ping Pong the Animation’s Peco or Manabu, Sakamichi discovers great talents and dedication when he finds motivation through a sport connected to his interests, leading to exciting racing contests animated with care for cycling techniques.

10) Megalo Box

Megalo Box (Image via TMS Entertainment)

Set in a dystopian future where boxers rely on mechanical “gear” to enhance their abilities, underground fighter Junk Dog enters the prestigious Megalonia tournament to challenge the world champion under the name “Joe”.

Like Ping Pong the Animation’s examination of ambition, talent vs hard work, and finding purpose through sport, Megalo Box portrays Junk Dog’s gritty journey to prove himself and gain self-worth in the face of a formidable rival. It features similarly stylized animation with lots of visual flair in conveying the raw emotion of boxing.

Conclusion

Those looking for emotional storytelling through niche sports along with unconventional protagonists, are bound to love these anime. Like Ping Pong the Animation, these too look at the psychology behind talent and competition and have beautifully animated sports sequences.

Exploring these shows provides more thoughtful takes on sports anime.