Ping Pong is a Perfect Coming of Age Story

[@24klassics]

He fixed it, fellas. Gonna watch the whole thing in celebration

[@Chris-zq8fj]

Same here!

[@Fyrijou]

I would love to see KZbin continuously taking the video down and Steak just continuously reuploads it

[@888deaththekid]

I'll never forget plagiarizing the seagull bit for a college paper and getting called out on it

[@nopenopeandnope7050]

Hey Steak. Don't know if you read these, but thanks for putting this back up. My brother passed on monday. We buried him yesterday. Through this time I've been watching your vids, as well as some others, when I had a free moment to help give me some brain space to help try and process what's going on around me. Dunno why, but it's helped. I thank you.

[@patrickhealy5393]

I like to believe that steak took his careful time reading this comment. But, even if steak did not, I did. I am sorry for your loss.

[@nopenopeandnope7050]

@@patrickhealy5393 thank you so much. I hope things in your life are going well and that you and those around you are happy and healthy.

[@misnashummel1495]

LETS GO, HERE FOR THE RE RELEASE

[@chrisbutler8024]

Oh, you reuploaded my favorite of your videos. Damn.

[@rhyds28]

Man this was your first on the channel? Thats incredible. It'd be far to cheesy to compare your work here with what you've shown me of this show how it talks about talent and love, but I cant help but hope you love doing this as much as the hero here loves ping pong. You deserve to be happy.

[@SimpleReally]

I'll take any excuse to rewatch

[@ramonpena872]

I've watched a lot of sports anime and I can't help but feel that Ping Pong is so overwhelmingly better than every other one. Story, style, symbolism, artwork, character writing, voice acting - all at the absolute peak of the genre

[@ripdito]

i think its the best anime period personally.

[@theothertonydutch]

I really hate sports. I despise athleticism. This anime is great because it gets a resonating story across using a device (sports) that I hate, but this show is amazing and I enjoyed this show tremendously in spite of that.

[@ripdito]

@@theothertonydutch i agree 100% my favorite show and i hate sports and sports shows

[@HerrDoktorWeberMD]

ah yes, a welcome reminder that I came for the metal gear review, stayed for the unexpected life philosophy. I think Steak was where the journey to how I see art today, and who I am now as a consequence, started. HBomberGuy and Noah Caldwell Gervais helped me along the rest of the way, but Steak was where it all started, and I'll always welcome a reminder to rewatch some of these videos.

[@_ins0mniac_]

even if its just a re-upload of an older video... your stuff makes my day a little brighter

[@applebane2000]

I make it a point to rewatch Ping Pong once a year. My favourite character changes every time, right now it's Koizumi.

[@ii-2023]

Fr. Around Christmas is the perfect time

[@unsungscandal9576]

Oh man! I’m glad you’re back dude! Watched your videos a couple years back, but I lost track for a while! Super stoked! Great video! Please keep up the great work! Love your videos.

[@dorgfanger]

It returned! Thanks Steak, for both introducing me to such a fantastic series but also taking the time to reuploading such a wonderful doc on said fantastic series

[@nicolascarter173]

Wouldn’t have watched my favorite show of all time (or understood it as well) without this vid, glad it’s back goat

[@crushersbutlessedgynow]

I really do hope this gets the algorithm treatment the mg4 and vb essays did, truly this is a gift

[@Nachisoubu]

I'm glad Steak got this back up. This is a really therapeutic watch.

[@zlodrim9284]

This is such a great video essay covering one of my favorite anime shows, simply beautiful! This was one of the formative shows for me when I was big into anime 10 years ago, and to think the barrier to entry for most people is the "ugly" visual style is simply ridiculous. You've covered some of the key themes quite well, and one of the things that I love the most about it is that the show deals with a lot of mature themes in the coming of age format, does it superbly well, with a lot of visual flourish and masterful direction from Yuasa, and to think it is a rollercoaster of emotions with just 11 episodes to it, really showcases how brilliantly economic it is with its storytelling, theming and execution. Looks like all you need for a great show is a quality script and that there's a lot that can be done over a span of a single season. If anime fans weren't so terrible at loving the medium, maybe shows like Ping Pong would be the go to recommendations for most newbies and people who are repulsed by anime because of all the garbage in it that ruins the optics for most. Also, "I'm not crying, you're crying", fuck you, dude, I definitely was crying! Love the video, thanks for covering Ping Pong!

[@marz9487]

God damn, this reminds me heavily of my experience with Celeste. When I turned 17 I decided to pick up Celeste for PC. I had already sunk a good 90 hours or so into the game on switch but I had heard of a mod called Strawberry Jam coming out - the largest community collaboration to date, sporting 111 levels to play ranging from very easy to some of the hardest stuff the community has ever put out. I played all of it. I didn't go into it expecting I would, or even could play it all, and yet, I did. I didn't stop there either, I kept on playing new, harder stuff the community was producing. I just loved the game and its community so god damn much that I could just play Celeste for the rest of my life and be happy. I had no idea this decent little indie game was harboring such a vibrant and amazing community underneath. So Celeste became my game. I've thought about it every day for the last 18 months. When I went to college my friends thought I was insane, lol. It's hard to describe to other people how you could love a game - or anything really - so much you'd be content spending the rest of your life playing that game alone. Celeste has been everything to me, it's been a hub for me to meet friends, it's been a community where I get belonging, it's been my coping mechanism when times get tough. All in all I'm 1400 hours into it and I could safely be considered among the best Celeste players now. I don't even feel like I did anything to earn that title, I just kept pushing myself to improve because I loved it. I can barely believe that I achieved that all through sheer passion alone. I thought getting to this point would have required some soul-rending grind or something. Recently I've been incredibly depressed and somewhat suicidal - I've more or less lost interest in everything I'm passionate about. I had to end my relationship with the girl I loved and I had a death in the family recently. This video reminded me about that passion. Maybe it won't come back today, or soon, but I hope it will. Maybe I'll find that love for something other than this silly little platformer. Thank you.

[@tetros5265]

Ping Pong is my top 3 media of all time for sure, I never rewat h anything but I've seen it 3 times. It really makes you feel it's message. Thank you so much for the reupload, this video essay is the best video on this anime, I really like your approach and you explore the show and reallt convey its experience. Great Dragon Ball artwork haha

[@ripdito]

ping pong sekiro one punch man

[@benlincoln7358]

This was beautifully done,thank you for putting in the thoughtful work. gave me a lot of new insights (esp the visual style). I’m subscribing and have your cowboy bebop video on deck, but first……I have to go watch ping pong again! My first watch I really wanted to see who won the final, bc the tournament was such a great plot arc. I did love the reveal at the hall . 2nd time i wanted to see more of the match but this time to enjoy more of the emotional catharsis of the rediscovered/evolved peco- smile dynamic. I could’ve watched an hour of the match and not cared about the score once.

[@rollsafe1280]

This video is the reason I watched Ping Pong, one of my favourite ever shows. Glad it's been re-uploaded.

[@Nihilvale]

Not that I hope you get any more vids removed but I'll watch every single one again every time you have to reupload them. All of your stuff was & still is great, Steak!

[@Twice_Baked_Potato]

Thanks Steak, wouldn't have blamed you for just uploading it to another sight and calling it quits. Love you man. Not in a parasocial way tho

[@bouncycow3010]

Oh my gosh, I just finished it a few weeks ago and it was absolutely phenomenal. Love you video essays so I'm super excited to watch this!

[@dqc7179]

This video made me cry. I should rewatch this show.

[@ripdito]

the 4th or 5th time was the best for me

[@solidsloth]

Good video essays let you briefly reflect or reminisce, about a show you enjoyed. Great essays make you want to re-watch Ping Pong, with newfound perspective and appreciation. This is one of the great ones, thanks for re-upping it Steak.

[@BerserkerBloodmoon]

I watch these videos many times through the year. Can't wait for new ones. STEAK, YOU'RE AWESOME! Keep em comin.

[@alanduae7986]

Peco never abandoned his ego, he fused it with his desire to play ping pong which is the reason he wins against everyone despite his injury and saves them as the hero he believes he is. His injury and insecurities could've made him lose if he let them, but he believed, like Smile, that a hero has no weak points. A hero does what he does and succeeds at it not because he has to save the others, but simply because he is a hero. That is a level of ego that, when realized and combined with his passion, was unmatched by anybody else in the show. Of course, I wouldn't have even realized that if it weren't for this video, so thanks Steak for making and reuploading this.

[@Cloud_Stratus]

I've watched the series literally a decade ago and it's stuck with me forever. Just a straight up masterpiece.

[@Anonlyso]

Great to see this re-uploaded (felt like I was missing something in my favorite tag) tho also having the mental piece what was and wasn't there (missing the Akuma and Tekken part on never giving up on Tekken tho) still great to see it come up again to rewatch another hood classic

[@Skimmerlit]

Glad it’s back. You’re one of the best.

[@dyuiitsumo306]

Always archive the things you cherish. Thanks for putting the effort to bring it back and keep the original up elsewhere.

[@klex3905]

This blew my mind a little bit. This is the kind of content I love.. narrated throughout with consideration of high level combined with the nitty gritty.. work like this takes a lot lot lot lot of time. After 10 mins I want to watch the show. After 15 I feel it's gonna make me a better person. 30 mins, I found a repeat button. Hands down. This is a beautiful thing. I don't understand because I dont know the subject, but I know this is a work of art. 🖤 you.

[@benzur3503]

Thanks for getting me to watch this beautiful series

[@mlism23456]

Hi Steak Bentley, I loved the video, watched ping pong around 3 times because of you now, joined a ping pong club... you know the usual things. So first of all thank you, it is an amazing sport. I just wanted to add 2 tiny bits for the final 2 episodes. In the interaction of Peko and Kong. Peko tells Kong that he taught him how to fly, further showing him how good of a teacher he is and referencing his theme of "flight" and that the ability is in him, even though he himself is scared of it for now. Also Kong takes Kazama's place on the Olympic Team later on. And in the final episode the paddle that is thrown in the ocean isn't Smiles. It's the old one that Peko threw in the ocean years ago. I think it's as a segway to how Peko is doing or showing how Smiles has made his peace with that part of his life in the past. I mean he is constantly smiling as an adult and he does still enjoy ping pong so throwing his own paddle would be weird. That did bother me the first time around. I thought you might appreciate, or just need a reason to watch the whole thing one more time. I found a working link online. Love your stuff, be carefull with those stim highs and if you write again during one, I would watch it on a second channel. Bye!

[@kamakaziYT]

Even as a re-upload Both steak and scamboli always talk about fucking HEAT

[@kangurukaiser9395]

I thought I was going crazy the other day when this was gone from the channel. Glad it's back in its rightful place

[@Kankooro]

We love you Steak. Please dont forget us patiently waiting for you to grace us with your content.

[@DoodleWill]

Damn this guy hits us with Venture Bros AND Ping Pong? Keep living the best life king.

[@treetheoak8313]

Literally just finished it again this Sunday and thought of this video essay this week as a companion piece. My buddies that saw it with me loved it. Even got one of them to tear up because he really related to Kong. Anyways great video mate it got me to subscribe to you love your work! Also you have a typo with butterfly bmetaphore

[@dannytoomey86]

I nearly jumped out of my seat when I realized you were going to talk about how the anime obfuscates the Hero's identity far more than the original manga or the live action film do, to great effect. As someone who has spent an embarrassing amount of time thinking about and rewatching this show, this was an excellent analysis, a step above the few others Ive seen on here. (I recommend the Live action btw. It's clearly worse at communicating the themes of the manga/anime, but it's still solid. The acting/casting is great, it has some great songs, and it's weirdly really funny)

[@Digital_Disco]

This is one of my favorite videos of yours. Saw it and wanted to make sure it got the view and interaction something so high quality deserves.😊

[@rondonscorcho5516]

I love this series with a passion, you wouldnt beilive how hard it is to recommend this show.

[@XxChronOblivionxX]

Oooh thank God, I was devastated when I thought you'd taken the vid down.

[@cervicatillo]

Thank you for the reupload!

[@alexanderhenriquez9354]

i also come back to ping pong after traveling the world trying many different shows and remember precisely why i loved it s much in the first place. Great video.

[@codyhutchins6279]

Glad this is back up. One day, I hope you'll do a documentary on Golden Boy since you referenced it in your MGS5 video. You've got a great style, especially in terms of passion and delivery!

[@No.1-Yellow-Wood-Sorrel-Fan]

I can tell that this is one of your favorites for a reason. What an incredible video

[@NastierNate]

Hooray, I was looking for this a week or two ago. Glad to see it’s back.

[@christophergesler1341]

bro with the hits!!!! super excited every time you upload

[@SkizBoots]

Dang dude. I watch this video like every few months. Pretty cool to see an update.

[@m33dok]

Wtf, I thought I was subscribed to you, was just thinking "man I haven't seen a steak bentley video in a while" and then I find out your most recent video was one of my favorite animes ever??

[@bdinaravideo]

This is a video I will definitely come back to again and again

[@Setzerish]

Bummer that you had to modify this one, the original was very good. It's easily the best video on this series and its strengths I've ever seen. Either way I was happy to rewatch it. Your analytical work is very good.

[@catharticgemini]

God I was wondering if this was gonna break free of the vimeo zone. Hell yeah

[@morganweinstock167]

I was just rewatching your Cowboy Bebop video. Are you monitoring my brainwaves?

[@Friday_Monday]

Hey I rewatched it within a week prior of him uploading this too lol

[@StimmBehr]

Even better the second time!

[@RyanFernandezz]

I was looking for this a few months ago, thank you so much

[@streetcheeses9234]

Appreciate the effort to re-upload a masterpiece Mr Steak 😤

[@DomWrath]

Ah yes, the anime adaptation of 1/4 of infinite jest I kid. Glad to see you fixed your classic essay steak. Wishing you nothing but struggles that are difficult but rewarding to overcome.

[@WandererTheLost]

Just happy to see you posting things.

[@tre7698]

I watch this when I work out so thanks for the reupload

[@idrinkcofe]

best video on Ping Pong the animation period

[@amgoober93]

this update schedule is awesome. It's easy to tell you're having more fun editing.

[@michaelgonzales7179]

HE'S BACK, GRAB THE POPCORN. I MISSED YOU STEAK!

[@samhinder2224]

This makes 3 uploads this year, which I think this is a new record for Steak

[@Delphinad]

easily still my favorite video on ping pong, never stop creating magic steak!

[@haughtygarbage5848]

I love this essay and I love Ping Pong. Damn near best thing Yuasa has ever directed

[@skeleslimephantom3689]

Here yet again to watch this awesome vid. Excellent stuff.

[@proxyaskew]

WE'RE SO BACK. Time to rewatch!

[@humanname5936]

im so glad you post stuff again even though it doesnt get as much views

[@bestosensei]

I watched this anime on your recommendation and it was incredible. I'm going to watch this video again.

[@nintendobl00d]

This is my comfort video. Love u papa Steak.

[@rupertbug1379]

easily worth the re-watch

[@agwgwegsdg]

Ok. I finished the video. Here's my question to you, Steak. What do you do if you don't find that one thing? What if you're as formidable as the stars are bright and as capable as a man can be, but you don't need anything? Are you free? Or are you cursed?

[@davec8385]

That Christmas scene is arguably my favourite piece of media of all time. I absolutely adore what it does with so little. It's such a powerful exploration of each character in a similar way to 'Avatar the Last Airbenders' Tales of Ba Sing Se episode. Showing us who they are, how they've changed, and giving us a reference point to compare them to who they will become. On top of that it looks great and has a fun song!

[@jlcdavenport6268]

Hell of a commentary, really sells the idea perfectly.

[@Halfway3]

The Return of the King

[@EnordAreven]

Oh dang

[@Friday_Monday]

Was thinking of rewatching this anyway

[@baalboy5]

I will gladly rewatch a classic

[@poppinfresh1010]

one of my favorite videos of all time

[@ElkiLG]

The combination of an insanely good mangaka and an insanely good director adapting it is, unsurprisingly, insanely good. How lucky are we? Your essay is, of course, no worse than their work. :^)

[@HypotheticalBees]

Oh fuck he’s back with a new old thing. Hell yeah

[@messiah2203]

The second best thing to a new steak bentley video is a reposted steak bentley video

[@Pleia_Ds]

Time for my monthly rewatch

[@gigachadbodypillow614]

I am so glad you are back.

[@onijabroni1822]

I’m a simple man. I see Steak upload. I watch regardless of how many times I’ve seen it.

[@TheSignatureK]

Saving this to my watch later for tonight

[@bsmalls7729]

The battle never ends.

[@fonofiofone]

Still the best video on ping pong forever goddamn.

[@EmilyAster]

Let's go! I'll take any excuse to rewatch.

[@roguebritgravy1]

The more steak uploads the better

[@JTreize]

Pongs back on the menu

[@grayweed7194]

Bro you got no idea how many times ive watched your vids They are the shit

[@Jobe-13]

The hairstyles and character animation styles remind me of Space Dandy and Mob Psycho.

[@smithwesson3984]

You made me love ping pong

[@Flarban]

so much soul, total kino

[@drfitz462]

Welcome back man, looking Foward to ur next video.... Even if I'm retired by then XD