Book Review
Title: Ping Pong Dash Volume 1
Author: Shingo Honda
Genre: Manga
Rating: *****
Review: So, all we get from the synopsis of this manga is: Haruku Tendo is the strongest Yankee, striking fear into all of Ibaraki Prefecture. He meets the beauty Sawa, and then discovers ping pong, so I honestly had no idea what to expect from it, but I had never been drawn to sports related anime or manga, so I didn’t have the highest of hopes going into it.
Haruku is a Yankee which does refer to Americans but to a specific type of punk found in Japan, he and his gang are just chilling out on day when he meets Sawa, a beautiful young woman but he isn’t interested in her because she isn’t part of the punk lifestyle. Haruku also has an issue with Tokyo and people from Tokyo and when he learns Sawa has transferred from there he challenges her to a ping pong match. She agrees and even tells him if he can score a single point he wins but, in the end, he loses badly to her. This single match gives him a new perspective on her and he joins the club and he thinks he is in love with her. So, far the story is great with lots of humour and cultural references that are just divine to read especially as I am a person who is completely in love with all things Japan.
In order to win Sawa’s affections Haruku is determined to get into the ping pong club but people are against it because of him image but Sawa manages to convince the coaches to give him a chance. However, behind the scenes as Haruku trains for his match his gang is getting beaten up by a rival gang. But when they go one step too far and trash the ping pong training room Haruku loses it but his friends get behind him and he makes it just in time to prove what he has learnt in just one week.
While he gets into the club he is told that one strike and he’s out, but he is well on his way to becoming a man that Sawa would date and he is hilarious to boot. However, when a guy from Sawa’s past shows up Haruku is being challenged for her affections but this only makes him more determined that ever. In joining the ping pong club he has neglected his gang a little, but they still stand behind him but in his absence, there are many that are looking to either take his place or recruit him and they are willing to resort to drastic measures to get his attention.
Overall, I really enjoyed Ping Pong Dash it was funny and light but had it darker moments that really got you hooked, and I will definitely be reading the next instalment as soon as I can. I recommend this for people looking to get into the sports genre of manga.