Baby Steps

Baby Steps is a TV anime adaptation of the manga by Katsuki Hikaru, blending sports action with heartfelt romance. The story follows Eiichirou Maruo, a straight-A student who discovers tennis and uses his meticulous note-taking skills to climb toward the professional ranks. His growing bond with Natsu Takasaki adds a genuine emotional core to every match. Produced by Studio Pierrot under the direction of Murata Masahiko, with series composition by Natsuko Takahashi, Baby Steps delivers a compelling underdog journey grounded in discipline, strategy, and youthful passion—a must-watch for sports anime fans.

Baby Steps, based on the manga by Hikaru Katsuki, is set in a contemporary Japanese high school where academic excellence and athletic ambition collide. The story follows Eiichirou Maruo, a meticulous and top-ranking student whose perfectly structured life begins to feel hollow and unfulfilling. Seeking a new outlet, he steps onto the tennis court for the very first time — a world entirely foreign to him. With no prior experience and average physical ability, Eiichirou brings his trademark note-taking discipline and analytical mindset to the sport, studying the game in ways most players would never consider. Along the way, he crosses paths with Natsu Takasaki, a driven young woman whose love for tennis runs deep. Together, they navigate the demanding world of competitive tennis, where Eiichirou's unconventional approach is put to the ultimate test.