(CR) Baby Steps

[articuzwolf]

Quarity episode, like almost the whole episode...
and most likely will continue in the next episode

[Guardian Enzo]

Originally Posted by Judai

Nabae is my favorite character from Baby Steps, so to see him tell Ei-Chan his thoughts on tennis was almost surreal. And that brief glimpse of Kanda... what a tease.

These episodes are divine torture, knowing what we're not going to see adapted, and how little we'll see of characters like Nabae.

[hamazura]

nabae finally you showed up

[HandofFate]

great, episode 20.
Kind of an intermission episode before the real matches begins, but there was a lot of meat in this episode.
Confirmation of progression in Ei-chan's abilities as well as his attitude. With going into tennis, his confidence seemed to have risen as well in himself, and from that, people from around him are starting to notice him more.

Also, great Natsu scenes.

[Guardian Enzo]

That sign ain't lyin'.

[FlareKnight]

That whole scene was just fun to watch . They definitely worked to bring the cute factor with Natsu there. A nice scene since there wasn't much time to focus on the two of them with the latest tournament and probably with what is coming next. The mutual interest certainly leaping from the screen there.

Tough episode for Sasaki, though hardly unexpected. I do feel like Kageyama needs to work a bit on distance. Nothing wrong with liking the girl, but try not to make your move while she's still working on accepting the situation.

[magnumcyclonex]

Lol...the quote about the meat buns.

I haven't read the manga so I don't know what will happen next, and I like the fact that this is a realistic sports anime, but after 20 episodes, we have not seen Nat-chan's story, tennis development, and participation in tournaments. I get that the focus is all on Maruo, but I feel like the writers could show us a bit more of the social and competitive side of the other characters, especially the female lead. It just felt strange to me that they never show Nat-chan practicing with Maruo. Practicing alongside, yes, but hitting back and forth with him, no.

Am I just being a little too wishful for a realistic sports anime, or is this anime just starting to break ground little by little and set itself apart from the typical shonen sports anime?

[larethian]

Originally Posted by magnumcyclonex

Lol...the quote about the meat buns.

I haven't read the manga so I don't know what will happen next, and I like the fact that this is a realistic sports anime, but after 20 episodes, we have not seen Nat-chan's story, tennis development, and participation in tournaments. I get that the focus is all on Maruo, but I feel like the writers could show us a bit more of the social and competitive side of the other characters, especially the female lead. It just felt strange to me that they never show Nat-chan practicing with Maruo. Practicing alongside, yes, but hitting back and forth with him, no.

Am I just being a little too wishful for a realistic sports anime, or is this anime just starting to break ground little by little and set itself apart from the typical shonen sports anime?

Properly addressing your concerns and questions will venture into spoiler territory.

[dniv]

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

That sign ain't lyin'.

LOL.

Originally Posted by magnumcyclonex

Lol...the quote about the meat buns.

I haven't read the manga so I don't know what will happen next, and I like the fact that this is a realistic sports anime, but after 20 episodes, we have not seen Nat-chan's story, tennis development, and participation in tournaments. I get that the focus is all on Maruo, but I feel like the writers could show us a bit more of the social and competitive side of the other characters, especially the female lead. It just felt strange to me that they never show Nat-chan practicing with Maruo. Practicing alongside, yes, but hitting back and forth with him, no.

Am I just being a little too wishful for a realistic sports anime, or is this anime just starting to break ground little by little and set itself apart from the typical shonen sports anime?

No, you're getting the realism. Don't worry.

This was a nice episode. Those scenes were cute...

[HandofFate]

Originally Posted by magnumcyclonex

Practicing alongside, yes, but hitting back and forth with him, no.

Am I just being a little too wishful for a realistic sports anime, or is this anime just starting to break ground little by little and set itself apart from the typical shonen sports anime?

Well, despite being in the same A-class, they're both at different training menus and stages right now.
But I just say keep watching if your looking for some Nat vs Maruo practice.

[magnumcyclonex]

To those who replied to my post, that's reassuring to know. Thanks!

[Mubyoshi]

Baby Steps kinda reminds me of History strongest disciple, just need some fanservice from Natsu now haha.

[ChainLegacy]

This, HunterxHunter, and Ace of the Diamond are probably the best series airing right now IMO, I don't usually have much to say about Baby Steps because the episodes just speak for themselves, but each week I'm left wishing I could just marathon another 10 episodes. Very happy to see that Ei-chan and Nat-chan are progressing towards being a couple. Their interactions are one of the best parts of this series (especially when he was crying a few eps back ). I hate when anime throw you a really good couple, but since the primary genre isn't romance there's never any development. Not so here, there's been real movement towards romance and it's been a believable slow build, too.

[Sky Field]

A little late on watching AOTS Baby Steps, but once again, the episode was spot on in just about everything. As we near the finale, I'm getting more and more excited about how they'll cap it off.

[Itlandm]

The emotional relationship between the supposed main pair seems a bit unbalanced. Nat-chan seems to like him and be comfortable and in control of the situation, while his is more of a wild attraction that he does not understand and cannot control. In all fairness, this kind of situation is not exactly uncommon in high school even in real life. I wonder whether the anime will be exploring this any further, it seems there is not much time left if this is the final season. It seems certain now that a number of loose threads must be left hanging, perhaps even most of them?

[Guardian Enzo]

The anime is only going to cover about a quarter of the manga. I think it's safe to say there's going to be more loose ends than knots.

I can't answer that question about Nat-chan without spoilers. But I think it's pretty clear that she's often just as nervous around Ei-chan as he is around her.

[dniv]

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

The anime is only going to cover about a quarter of the manga. I think it's safe to say there's going to be more loose ends than knots.

I can't answer that question about Nat-chan without spoilers. But I think it's pretty clear that she's often just as nervous around Ei-chan as he is around her.

Natsu is just more straightforward than he is. So it may look like she isn't nervous, but she still clearly is as well.

[ChainLegacy]

I think she's nervous too, but Ei-chan's just a little bit more awkward about it than Nat-chan.

[FlareKnight]

I agree that Natsu is probably nervous and expresses it in her own way. Perhaps in how she isn't so willing to divulge how she responded to the girlfriend comments from her classmates. Though that part could just be not being willing to give him all the easy answers.

Just too bad that at this point there is a lot of stuff we aren't going to get to see animated. Though have to say they have done a much better job than I thought they might especially in terms of content. A pretty loyal adaptation with using new material for the sake of enhancing the story.

[SuitUp]

Question for those manga readers, what manga chapter you think will mark the end of the adaptation? Just so I be ready to start reading from there after this ends