That episode was the Ei-chan of Baby Steps episodes. Having just come off some pretty intense competition eps, Baby Steps gives us something quite different here – the consummate all-arounder, just like its hero. This was one of those quiet weeks that shows off the elements that make this something […] Read more
Slot another couple of puzzle pieces into place. The Florida Arc is one of my favorites from the Baby Steps manga, but there’s no denying it’s nice to see familiar faces again. We may have taken a break from some of the storylines back in Chiba, but it’s the nature […] Read more
Warning: incoming raves. Sorry to say (well, not all that sorry) this is one of those Baby Stepisodes that just make me want to gush. When the series is this good (and it’s this good more and more as the manga goes on) it brings out the fanboy in me, […] Read more
The tennis hierarchy is becoming clear. Atsushi made a comment in the premiere about how Alex is “in another world” from the amateur players at Florida Tennis Academy. And while that’s certainly true, one could look at the events of this episode and conclude that there’s no narrower a gap […] Read more
You’ve heard me say it before, but the title of this series is definitely truth in advertising. Baby Steps being awesome is like the sun rising in the East – you just know you can count it every time. The only downside as a writer, really, is that this is […] Read more
It’s just not possible to overstate how good it feels to have Baby Steps back. OP: “Believe in Yourself” by Mao Abe (阿部 真央 If you’re not aware of how much I love Baby Steps you must be new around here – I’ve been extolling its virtues since long before […] Read more
Never have I been happier to fill in the title line. I hardly know where to begin, really. I’m stunned, for starters. Flabbergasted. Elated. Grateful. Never happier to be wrong. When something you want very badly but seems so unlikely you don’t even allow yourself to hope for it happens, […] Read more
It’s just too cruel, really. Baby Steps ending now is just so very, very wrong. For a series that’s ending next week, Baby Steps sure isn’t acting like a series that’s ending next week. Not only does it remain resolutely – one could almost say “eerily” – faithful to the […] Read more
How can things be almost over when they’re just getting started? I made the mistake of scanning the batch of chapters that come after the (anime) current arc of Baby Steps ends, and it was a real stab in the gut. So much great stuff we’ll miss out on… Without […] Read more
No shortcuts – period. Me, last week: “The problem for Maruo is that in looking at Nabae he’s not really seeing his reflection, but himself a year from now – someone who’s had a lot more time and experience to hone that style to its current fine sharpness.” Nabae, this […] Read more