Baby Steps(2014)

Baby Steps follows Eiichirō Maruo, a straight-A student and bookworm who enrolls in tennis school to build physical strength. Initially indifferent to sports, he discovers an unexpected passion for the game. As a beginner lacking athletic conditioning, Maruo compensates with sharp observation and analytical skills, turning intellectual discipline into competitive advantage. The series chronicles his transformation from academic loner to dedicated tennis player, blending coming-of-age growth with the sport's technical demands. His methodical approach to mastering tennis mirrors his scholarly mindset, creating a unique protagonist who wins through intelligence as much as determination.