Baby Steps (ベイビーステップ Beibī Suteppu)
is a Japanese manga series by Hikaru Katsuki. It has been serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine since October 2007. The story is centered around Eiichirō Maruo, a first year honor student who one day decides that he is lacking exercise. He then joins the Southern Tennis Club (STC) where he begins his tennis journey. An anime television series adaptation of the series will begin airing in Japan in April 2014.
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Eiichirō Maruo, a first year honor student, one day decides he is unhappy with the way things are and lacks exercise. He finds a flier for the Tennis Club and decides check it out. He is instantly captivated by it. With no prior experience and poor physical conditioning, he embarks on a tennis journey using his smarts, dedication and work ethic. He uses his inherent studious nature to develop an extremely strategic approach to tennis, taking notes on the habits and tendencies of his opponents thus allowing him to predict their shots before they make them.
Characters:
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Eiichirō Maruo (丸尾 栄一郎 Maruo Eiichirō)
Eiichirō Maruo, also called Ei-chan (エーちゃん?) by his friends is the main protagonist of the manga, Baby Steps. He later becomes a member of Southern Tennis Club, STC on his mother's suggestion to fulfill his lack of exercise. His aim is to become a professional tennis player. Has a crush on Natsu, or Nacchan as he calls her.
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Natsu Takasaki (鷹崎 奈津 Takasaki Natsu)
Natsu Takasaki, also known as Natchan, is the main female protagonist. She is a member of Southern Tennis Club, and studies in the same year and high school as Maruo. She is aiming to become a professional player.
