Series

Baby Steps

2014★ 7.52 seasons

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.

Cast

Featured cast

Taishi MurataEiichiro Maruo (voice)

Minako KotobukiNatsu Takasaki (voice)

Daisuke NamikawaTakuma Egawa (voice)

Asami SetoHimeko Sasami (voice)

Hiro ShimonoYukichi Fukasawa (voice)

Taiten KusunokiCoach Yusaku Miura (voice)

Episodes

1Tennis and NotesMaruo 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 …25 min

2Methodical and UnorganizedEiichiro 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 t…25 min

3The Contest Is a FightEiichiro 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…25 min

4Face of ConvictionEiichiro finds himself in a contest with Takuma. Eiichiro has fifty tries to return Takuma's serve. One successful return and Eiichiro wins. However,…25 min

5A First Match Full of SurprisesEiichirō 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…25 min

6Diamond in the RoughIt 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 be…25 min

7Nine-Square and RealityIn 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…25 min

8One Year and Twenty NotebooksMaruo 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 u…25 min

9Diligence is My StyleEiichirō returns to the Kanagawa Junior Circuit. His first match is up against fellow high school student Koshimizu Nariyuki, a man whom is always tr…25 min

10Unease on the EdgeThe match between Eiichirō and Miyagawa begins with each holding serve. However Eiichirō feels that something is off. After studying his notes, Eiich…25 min

11Risk and PossibilityAfter 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…25 min

12Improvement by MemoryAfter 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 …25 min

13Art and TechniqueThe match between Hiromi and Eiichirō begins. Everytime Eiichirō tries to go on the attack, Hiromi hits a shot Eiichirō can't reach.25 min

14Putting the Pieces TogetherIt 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.…25 min

15Plan to be ForcefulEiichirō 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 an…25 min

16Beast and InitiativeAfter 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 …25 min

17Pro At My AgeAraya 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,…25 min

18Determination and PresentationEiichirō 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…25 min

19Resolve and HellEiichirō 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 …25 min

20Meat Buns and YakisobaEiichirō participates in a tournament after 3 months of hellish training. He learns about active rest while participating in the tournament and makes…25 min

21Consistency and ChangeEiichirō 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. Ei…25 min

22Fundamentals are the WeaknessYu Nabae matches up with Eiichirō and realizes they really are two players that are virtually the same. He realizes that what Eiichirō lacks is exper…25 min

23Reckless 100-SquareIn 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 9.25 min

24Duty and DesireEiichirō 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 bec…25 min

25Eiichiro and NatsuEiichirō 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 …25 min

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