Overview of Baby Steps#
Baby Steps follows the story of Eiichirō Maruo, an honor student known as “Ei-chan” due to his straight-A grades. A dedicated bookworm with little interest in anything outside of his studies, Ei-chan decides to enroll in a tennis school to address his lack of physical strength. What begins as a fitness exercise quickly turns into a passion as he discovers the fascinating side of the sport. Lacking raw athletic power, Ei-chan utilizes his exceptional observing and analyzing skills to compete and grow as a player.
If you are looking to dive into this analytical sports journey, you can watch the anime on Prime Video.
Is the Anime Really Finished?#
If you are looking for a complete story conclusion within the anime alone, you may find yourself wanting more. While the anime consists of two seasons released in 2014 and 2015, the source material—the Baby Steps manga—continued well beyond the anime’s production, eventually concluding in November 2017.
Because the manga provides the final chapters of Ei-chan’s journey, those who wish to see the definitive end of the story will need to continue with the manga after finishing the anime. You can buy the Baby Steps manga here to see how the story truly concludes.
Who Should Watch Baby Steps?#
Baby Steps is an excellent choice for fans of the sports genre, specifically those who enjoy a blend of drama, romance, and the high stakes of tournament arcs. Unlike some sports series that rely on supernatural abilities, Baby Steps appeals to viewers who appreciate a methodical approach to improvement.
It is best suited for audiences who enjoy:
- Analytical Protagonists: Seeing a character use intelligence and observation to overcome physical shortcomings.
- School Life: The series heavily features themes of school and personal growth.
- Steady Progression: Watching a newbie transform into a competitive player through hard work and study.
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Recommended Watch and Read Order#
Depending on whether you are a casual viewer or a completionist, there are a few ways to approach this series. For a detailed look at how the anime relates to the manga, please refer to the relationship tree provided on this page.
Release Order#
For those who want to experience the series as it was released to the public:
- Baby Steps (Season 1) - Released 2014
- Baby Steps (Season 2) - Released 2015
Completionist Order#
If you want to experience every bit of content available:
- Watch Baby Steps Season 1.
- Watch Baby Steps Season 2.
- Read the Baby Steps manga (from the beginning or from where the anime leaves off) to reach the series finale in November 2017.
Source Material Path#
For those who prefer the original vision or do not mind jumping into the manga early, reading the manga from the start is the only way to ensure you get the full story without any gaps.
While you’re exploring the world of Ei-chan, you might also want to pick up some Baby Steps merchandise to celebrate your love for the sport!
Baby Steps • manga • 2007-10 to 2017-11-01 (serialized in Weekly Shōnen Magazine)
└─(adaptation)→ Baby Steps • anime • 2014-04-06
└─(sequel)→ Baby Steps • anime • 2015-04-05
