Ping Pong Club...
A long time ago, when VCRs still stalked the Earth, I picked up Ping Pong Club...
By the way, a small rant about the demise of VHS packaging. The image shown here comes by way of a spine scene. In the waning days of anime on VHS, artwork was divided up among the boxes that the tapes came in. By placing the boxes side-by-side, it was possible to create a scene. The packaging for individual DVDs don't really lend themselves to this sort of thing as most DVDs are packaged in plastic cases without a cardboard slip case and, of course, the cases are only half the width of VHS. Blah. Blah. Blah...
In Ping Pong Club, the boys' Ping Pong team is preoccupied with girls, obscene jokes, and anything else except ping pong. The series is vulgar and tasteless from start to finish. Think of a Japanese version of Animal House. It's definitely not for kids or the faint of heart, but, in my humble opinion, it's well worth a peek. I used to have all three volumes on subtitled VHS. I enjoyed the series enough to repurchase it on DVD. I gave Ping Pong Club a 4 out of 5.
Volume 1
Make Way for the Ping Pong Club
The 6 Schoolboys
The boys' Ping Pong Team is preoccupied with girls, obscene jokes and everything else except ping pong, and Tachikawa, their teacher, is doing all he can to break them up. Adding insult to injury, the team's room is handed over to the girls, and the boys try just about everything to heal their wounded pride.
The Naked Ploy
As the boys are forced to perform demeaning chores on behalf of the girls' team, team captain Takeda and Kinoshita are invited to join the girls' practice. Their teacher, Tachikawa, sees the remaining boys in tears over their rejection, and gives them a final chance to prove their ping pong skills against the girls.
A Seductive Girl
A sweet, young girl declares her love for Maeno, and a tough, sexy girl comes to manage the Ping Pong Club. Jealousy and abuse quickly follow - resulting in cross-dressing and... a unique incentive to win.
The Purchase
The last balls are used up thanks to another obscene skit, and Maeno and Tanabe are sent out to buy new ones. But it remains to be seen whether Maeno can overcome his propensity to spend other people's money. Once practice resumes, a pool break is suggested. The boys leap at the chance, but the pool instructor has something else in mind.
Volume 2
Love and Comedy Die Die Die !
The Curse of Takeda
Summer's here and the team is off to summer camp! All hopes of a good time are quickly crushed as Shibazaki chooses the team's accommodations. Perhaps the discovery of the mixed bath will help ease their disappointment!
The Burning Spirit
The boys are invited to play against a woman's team, and the thought of girls in skimpy gym shorts has them scrambling for the gym. But reality slaps them hard when they find themselves paired up against a team of women somewhat more mature than they'd hoped... Can Kyoko's "unique incentive" keep the boys motivated?
The Lost Prize
The day of the championship has finally arrived, and the boys' confidence is shot. If they only had the strength to go on. Now, more than ever, Kyoko's "unique incentive" drives them on. Will she be forced to succumb to the boy who disgusts her the most?
Love and Comedy
When the boys' team discovers that Takeda is meeting Kyoko for a date, they waste no time in following the couple all over town, hoping to screw up Takeda's big chance. The intrusive team has the duo running further and faster, and before they know it, night has fallen and they're miles form home. Has the moment of truth finally arrived?
Volume 3
The Ping Pong Club Goes Too Far
The Losers' Community
Maeno, lzawa and Tanaka are faced with a new substitute teacher whose in-your-face enthusiasm and devotion could send them into insulin shock. But suddenly, the worst deadbeats in the class start acting very strangely....
The Extreme Fighter
Sick of Tanabe's stupid jokes and bad B.O., the guys ditch him en route to the pool. But when Tanabe accidentally overhears them making fun of him, he hatches a plan that will have the rest of the team begging for mercy!
Winning the Lotto!
Izawa comes to the rescue of a wealthy damsel-in-distress, and is invited to her house for dinner. But Maeno's antics quickly ingratiate him with the family, instead! Furious with Maeno for stealing his would-be girlfriend and his key to easy street, lzawa sets out to sabotage Maeno's good fortune!
Survival
Mr. Shibazaki is called to the principal's office, only to find out that some of the staff are disturbed by the ping pong club's unruly behavior. The axe falls when the fascist swimming coach, Ms. Kito, takes over for Mr. Shibazaki, and the team's off to boot camp for a dose of survival training!
By the way, a small rant about the demise of VHS packaging. The image shown here comes by way of a spine scene. In the waning days of anime on VHS, artwork was divided up among the boxes that the tapes came in. By placing the boxes side-by-side, it was possible to create a scene. The packaging for individual DVDs don't really lend themselves to this sort of thing as most DVDs are packaged in plastic cases without a cardboard slip case and, of course, the cases are only half the width of VHS. Blah. Blah. Blah...In Ping Pong Club, the boys' Ping Pong team is preoccupied with girls, obscene jokes, and anything else except ping pong. The series is vulgar and tasteless from start to finish. Think of a Japanese version of Animal House. It's definitely not for kids or the faint of heart, but, in my humble opinion, it's well worth a peek. I used to have all three volumes on subtitled VHS. I enjoyed the series enough to repurchase it on DVD. I gave Ping Pong Club a 4 out of 5.
