Ping Pong the Animation: Smile Is a Robot First Watch

September 18, 2014 4:33 PM - Season 1, Episode 2

Coach Koizumi has started working Smile hard, and he definitely doesn't appreciate the extra attention. Available on YouTube! More about this amazing show in the first episode's post.

One thing I forgot to mention in the first post: the opening we have right now is a placeholder, and the real one doesn't show up until the next one. This isn't because of spoilers or anything, it just wasn't ready in time! You'll see why once you get to it.

Slightly spoilers note: This episode is the first one to deviate from the manga in a significant way, and even if you haven't read it you can probably figure out what they changed (for reference: Smile's transformation into a robot wasn't quite so literal). In Yuasa's last series, an adaptation of the novel The Tatami Galaxy, there were so many metaphors made literal that it basically changed genres from a sleepy college life story to magical realism. He's much more faithful this time around, yet he's still able to let loose with something amazing like this from time to time.

posted by The Devil Tesla (2 comments total)

Smile was so much more interesting in this episode, and I loved the robot sequence.
posted by Peccable at 7:35 PM on September 23, 2014

The discussion between Peco and Smile happens on the bridge to Enoshima, where I went this past summer. That was kind of weird for me.
posted by Quonab at 8:59 PM on September 26, 2014