Baby Steps
Studios
Staff
Characters
Tags
Episodes (25)
1 / 2
EP 1Study Prodigy Shares Notes with Classmate Who Damages Them
Apr 6, 2014Eiichirou, a study prodigy known for his meticulous notes, struggles to find time for exercise. Natsu Takasaki arrives seeking help for an upcoming World History exam. The class directs her to Eiichirou, who generously lends her his original study materials. However, Natsu accidentally damages the notes. To apologize and thank him, she invites Eiichirou to STC for a free tennis tryout, providing the exercise opportunity he had been seeking. This interaction highlights the contrast between Eiichirou's academic focus and Natsu's athletic approach to resolving their situation.
EP 2Eiichirou tries tennis and meets intimidating upperclassman Egawa Takuma at STC
Apr 13, 2014When Natsu asks Eiichirou about his favorite activities, he cannot provide an answer. Consequently, Eiichirou develops an interest in tennis and returns to STC to participate in another free trial session. During this visit, he encounters Egawa Takuma, an upperclassman who maintains a friendly relationship with Natsu. Despite this connection, Takuma displays unexpected hostility toward Eiichirou, creating an intimidating atmosphere. While observing the interaction, Natsu proceeds to teach Eiichirou the proper technique for hitting the ball, guiding him through the initial steps of the sport.
EP 3Eiichirou practices relentlessly against the wall to perfect his serve return
Apr 20, 2014Eiichirou 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. After seeing Eiichirou practice against the wall non-stop for six hours on a Sunday, Natsu predicts that he will quickly improve.
EP 4Eiichirou adapts to Takuma's speed during a challenging 50-serve training drill
Apr 27, 2014Eiichirou and Takuma Egawa engage in a serving match where Eiichirou attempts to return 50 shots. Initially unable to reach the balls, he gradually adjusts to Takuma's pace, eventually returning shots as fouls. By the 49th attempt, Eiichirou has successfully adapted to Takuma's speed, compelling Takuma to alter his serve for the 50th shot. The episode concludes with Coach Miura requesting that Eiichirou participate in his first match during the upcoming Kanagawa Junior Circuit.
EP 5Eiichiro faces Oobayashi in a surprising first match that tests his resolve.
May 4, 2014Eiichiro steps onto the court for his debut against Oobayashi, mentally preparing to give his best effort. Oobayashi serves first, and Eiichiro instinctively returns the fast ball for an ace, securing a game against the fifth-seeded opponent. However, his performance declines after a weak serve, allowing Oobayashi to dominate subsequent games. By the seventh game, Eiichiro realizes the match could end in just four points, which fuels his desire to extend the contest. He shifts his strategy from focusing on basic strokes to maximizing returns. By closely observing Oobayashi’s movements, he anticipates a cross shot, reacts faster, and successfully wins the point.
EP 6Eiichirou faces elimination in his first match against Oobayashi
May 11, 2014Eiichirou trails 5 games to 1 in the final set but fights to stay on court. Coach Miwa observes his sharp focus and ability to predict moves. The match lasts nearly an hour, yet Eiichirou scores zero points. Oobayashi discovers this is Eiichirou’s first match and fears his potential if he trains diligently. The following day, Eiichirou returns to the Kanagawa Junior Circuit to study other players despite elimination. Coach Miura spots him and invites him to STC the next morning at 7 AM to improve.
EP 7Coach Miura trains Eiichirou on a 9-square court before pitting him against Takuma.
May 18, 2014To enhance Eiichirou’s skills, Coach Miura has him practice control on a 9-square court. Once the basics are mastered, Eiichirou is compelled to play against Takuma. Although Takuma acknowledges Eiichirou’s improved control, he demonstrates that experience and good eyesight surpass mere technical skill. Consequently, Coach Miura instructs both players to engage in frequent matches against each other. Three months following the Kanagawa Junior Circuit, Coach Miura requests that Eiichirou register for the Championship Match Tournament to evaluate his progress and development since their previous encounters.
EP 8Maruo Eiichirou trains at STC for one year aiming to pass third round
May 25, 2014Maruo Eiichirou continues his training at STC as he tries to master every shot. At smaller tournaments he begins advancing to the third round but is unable to go further. His mother worries that Eiichirou is spending too much time on tennis when he drops out of cram school to practice more. Eiichirou begins calling Natsu Nat-chan. After one year of playing Maruo prepares to return to the Kanagawa Junior Circuit and make it past the third round, but in order to do so he'll likely have to defeat three seeded players.
EP 9Eiichirou Overcomes Tension to Defeat Koshimizu and Prepare for Miyagawa
Jun 1, 2014Eiichirou returns to the Kanagawa Junior Circuit and faces high school student Koshimizu Nariyuki, who constantly competes for top scores. Initially tense, Eiichirou falls behind 3-0 but uses a note from Natsu to calm down and wins 6-3. This victory sets up a third-round match against 5-seed Miyagawa, who claims to have identified Eiichirou's weakness after watching one game. Before that encounter, Eiichirou plays the 52-seed Noborikawa in the second match. Without tension, he secures an easy 6-1 win. Following this match, Eiichirou observes Miyagawa’s gameplay to better understand his opponent's true tennis style and prepare for their upcoming third-round clash.
EP 10Eiichirou adjusts tactics against Miyagawa during a tense tiebreak match
Jun 8, 2014Eiichirou and Miyagawa start their match holding serve, but Eiichirou senses something is wrong. After reviewing his notes, he discovers Miyagawa has been analyzing his shots. With a 4-3 lead, Miyagawa intends to break Eiichou in the eighth game to win the set. Rather than despair, Eiichirou shifts his strategy to serve and volley tennis. This change of pace helps him win the eighth game, tying the score at 4-4. The outcome remains uncertain as both players compete to break serve, and it is unclear if Eiichirou can find a winning shot before time runs out.
EP 11Eiichirou secures victory in a tense tiebreaker against Miyagawa after a risky gamble shifts momentum.
Jun 15, 2014Eiichirou maintains his serve while attempting to break Miyagawa, leading to a tiebreaker at 6-5. He gambles with a full stroke to steal a point, but Miyagawa equalizes to 6-6. The aggressive tactic causes Miyagawa to overthink, resulting in a double fault that grants Eiichirou match point. Facing elimination, Miyagawa rushes the net to surprise his opponent. However, Eiichirou positions his racket perfectly for a short-distance return. This miraculous shot wins the tiebreaker 8-6 and the match 7-6. The crowd is stunned as the fifth-seeded player is eliminated from the tournament.
EP 12Eiichirou trains with Coach Mike to recall shots in 20 seconds before facing Iwasa Hiromi.
Jun 22, 2014Following his victory over Miyagawa, Eiichirou returns to STC for intensive training designed to improve his performance within 1 day. He is paired with Coach Mike from Florida, who focuses on psychological conditioning. Mike observes Eiichirou’s notes, noting they aid in recalling shots faster, and instructs him to retrieve his best memories within 20 seconds. Eiichirou masters this technique and easily defeats the 16-seed Terashima in round 4. A broken string leads him to a tennis shop, where he encounters his quarterfinal opponent, 3-seed Iwasa Hiromi. Hiromi shows no interest in Eiichirou and leaves without engaging. The shop owner reveals that Hiromi avoids learning about opponents beforehand, choosing instead to draw images of them while they play on the court. Eiichirou is puzzled by this method, questioning how one can sketch while competing.
EP 13Hiromi and Eiichirou face off in a strategic tennis match involving speed and tactical planning.
Jun 29, 2014The tennis contest between Hiromi and Eiichirou commences, with Hiromi initially dominating by placing shots Eiichirou cannot reach to take a 1-0 lead. Eiichirou devises a strategy to let Hiromi finish his shot before returning it, eventually building a 5-2 advantage. However, Hiromi increases his speed to narrow the gap to 5-4. Drawing inspiration from his past encounter with Terashima, Eiichirou formulates a new plan aimed at securing his spot in the semi-finals.
EP 14Eiichirou advances after Hiromi's cramp and prepares for Araya in the semifinals.
Jul 6, 2014Eiichirou defeats Hiromi 6-4 in the final set of their match, as leg cramps allow him to secure two aces. Hiromi then declares his intention to prioritize painting over tennis, while noting Eiichirou shares the professional ambitions of other top players. Eiichirou subsequently faces Araya, losing 6-0, but receives a warning about their upcoming encounter. With the semifinals in two days, Coach Miura advises Eiichirou to refine his own style rather than mimicking Araya. On the day of the match, Miyagawa cheers for him and suggests that exploiting weaknesses helps opponents improve. Consequently, Eiichirou consults Takuma to identify Araya's vulnerabilities, only to witness Araya whispering to Takuma, potentially altering the match's outcome.
EP 15Eiichirou devises a five-step strategy to defeat Araya in a high-stakes tennis tournament match.
Jul 13, 2014Eiichirou learns Araya plans to retire if he loses to Takuma, prompting a scheme to defeat him and turn pro. Takuma shares Araya’s weaknesses, enabling Eiichirou to secure the first game. After a protest warning in the second game, Araya enters a focused state and wins six consecutive games to take the first set. In the second set, Eiichirou analyzes Araya’s previous shots, realizing he can predict his opponent's movements. Despite trailing 1-0 in the set, Eiichirou successfully reverses Araya’s counter shot, gaining a Love-15 advantage. The narrative concludes with the ongoing tension of this intense rivalry, leaving the final outcome of the match unresolved.
EP 16Araya suppresses emotions to maintain lead while Eiichirou attempts strategic prediction in tense final game
Jul 20, 2014Araya takes a 3-1 lead in the second set after ascending Love-15, utilizing multiple service aces. Eiichirou maintains his serve, reaching a 30-40 advantage in Game 6. To remove emotional interference, Araya strikes his own face. Both players hold serve, resulting in a 5-4 advantage for Araya in what appears to be the decisive game. Eiichirou adopts a gambling strategy, attempting to predict Araya's shot placement. At 30-30, Araya serves, aware that winning this point will secure the advantage for the remainder of the match.
EP 17Araya and Takuma compete in the finals while Eiichirou considers a professional tennis career.
Jul 27, 2014Araya and Eiichirou reach deuce before Araya secures match point with a lucky bounce, winning 6-1, 6-4. Takuma defeats Araya in the finals with a score of 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 to claim the championship. Eiichirou encounters a young man named Ike Souji, who requests Eiichirou's notes and instructs him to tell Coach Miura of an upcoming visit to STC. Following the awards ceremony, other players promise to defeat Eiichirou at the All Japan Junior, though Eiichirou states he cannot participate due to poor results the previous year. He vows to prepare for the Inter-High instead. Upon returning home, Eiichirou receives a reward for his performance but surprises his parents by asking how they would feel if he chose to pursue tennis professionally.
EP 18Eiichirou seeks parental approval for pro career and faces Ike Souji
Aug 3, 2014Eiichirou investigates becoming a professional player but receives a lukewarm response from his parents. He attends the first round of the All Japan Pro tournament with Natsu to watch Ike Souji’s debut. Eiichirou then presents a proposal to his parents, requesting one year off from studying and cram school to focus on qualifying for the All Japan Junior tournament. He agrees to prioritize academics if he fails to win. After securing their approval, he informs his coaches at STC, who devise an intense schedule of practice and tournaments to prepare him. Later, Ike Souji visits STC and, after receiving clearance from his staff, practices with volunteers. When his support team leaves, Ike asks Eiichirou to play a full practice match with him during the remaining time.
EP 19Eiichirou steals a point before intense training and observing top junior players
Aug 10, 2014Eiichirou secures a 1-point victory in a 10-minute match against Ike, forcing his coaches to intervene and end the game. He is subsequently sent home to rest. The following day, Eiichirou undertakes a rigorous training regimen designed to recondition his body to professional standards. After 2 weeks of this intense practice, Coach Miura invites him to observe the top seeds at the All Japan Junior tournament. During the event, Eiichirou encounters another dedicated note-taker and is surprised to discover that this individual is the 2-seed. Eiichirou recognizes that his detailed data collection, combined with proper physical conditioning, will enable him to control his opponents' shots effectively.
EP 20Eiichirou wins the tournament and receives a week off before more training
Aug 17, 2014After three months of intense training, Eiichirou enters a tournament and reaches the final. He discovers the value of active rest during the competition. His opponent is Terashima, whom he defeats decisively with scores of 6-1 and 6-0. This victory is his most dominant, as his closest previous match ended 6-2. Following the win, Coach Miura announces a one-week break before resuming three weeks of grueling practice. The coach explains that this training cycle will persist through the year, eventually reducing rest periods to just two days. During his week off, Eiichirou assists his school with its annual cultural festival. The event provides an opportunity for him and Natsu to grow closer to each other.
EP 21Eiichirou faces top seed Yu Nabae after qualifying last for the tournament
Aug 24, 2014Eiichirou continues his training routine while receiving his upcoming tournament schedule. Having qualified as the final player, he is matched against the number one seed, Yu Nabae. Eiichirou reviews footage of Yu to identify potential vulnerabilities in his gameplay. However, the analysis reveals a highly adaptive playing style that poses a significant threat. Eiichirou realizes that Yu could easily defeat him unless he develops specific strategic tricks to counter this flexibility. This realization highlights the difficulty of the upcoming match and the necessity for Eiichirou to innovate his approach to secure a victory against such a formidable opponent.
EP 22Yu Nabae Exploits Eiichirou's Lack of Fundamental Experience in Match
Aug 31, 2014Yu Nabae faces Eiichirou and recognizes they are nearly identical players. He determines that Eiichirou is deficient in fundamental skills because he has never encountered an opponent like himself. After losing the first set, Nabae gains control of the match. He steadily pulls away from his opponent, eventually establishing a significant lead. The narrative highlights how Eiichirou's inexperience with basic techniques becomes a critical weakness against a mirror image of his own playstyle. This realization allows Nabae to dominate the subsequent points and secure a commanding advantage on the court.
EP 23Eiichiro attempts a 100-square strategy to reverse his losing streak against Nabae
Sep 7, 2014Seeking to change his fortune, Eiichiro abandons his previous nine-square approach in favor of aiming for 100 squares. This new method of precision initially allows him to secure some points, but the strategy proves inconsistent. More frequently, Nabae capitalizes on missed shots, easily gaining points as balls go out. The match continues with Eiichiro struggling to maintain momentum against his opponent's steady accumulation of scores. The narrative focuses on whether Eiichiro can sustain this new tactic to win games and finally break his current losing streak against Nabae.
EP 24Eiichirou witnesses Natsu's match and meets new coach Ryuhei Aoi at STC
Sep 14, 2014Upon learning that Natsu is in danger of losing her match, Eiichirou rushes to watch the event. Following the match, he returns to STC where he encounters Ryuhei Aoi, who is introduced as his new coach. Eiichirou initially doubts Ryuhei's statements. He becomes even more shocked when Coach Miura announces that all training responsibilities are being transferred to Ryuhei. Furthermore, Ryuhei forbids Eiichirou from participating in any practice sessions for the next two days, leaving the young athlete surprised by these sudden changes to his regimen and leadership.
Similar titles
Frequently asked questions
- How many episodes does Baby Steps have?
- Baby Steps has 25 episodes.
- When did Baby Steps come out?
- Baby Steps came out in 2014.
- Which studio made Baby Steps?
- Baby Steps was produced by Studio Pierrot.
- Who directed Baby Steps?
- Baby Steps was directed by Masahiko Murata.
- Is Baby Steps finished?
- Current status of Baby Steps: Finished.