Short thread of why I think Peco and Smile's relationship/dynamic in PPTA is honestly top tier, and fucking wholesome.

We're introduced to these two characters as such:
Peco, is talented. However, he's kind of jackass at the beginning. He let his praise, and his talent get to his head. He's technically good at the game, but he's been stagnant for a long time because he's so cocky.

Smile on the other hand. was bullied as a kid. He adopted the mindset that if he showcased himself as this emotionless machine, people would stop bothering him. Despite this, at a young age, Peco taught him how to play ping pong, and it was something that truly made him happy.

Their friendship was founded on this mutual benefit. At least prior to the robot-like pretenses Smile put up, Peco taught him how to laugh, how to smile, through the love of the game. Now, I think this is the central idea to their dynamic, the initial conditions to the show:

Smile only wants to have fun. Peco, enjoys the game through winning. So . . . over time, their relationship in ping pong becomes this thing where Smile lets Peco win. He has fun when his friend his happy. His friend has fun 'cause he's winning. This is important cause:

This dynamic is essentially them stifling each other. Their friendship via ping pong resulted in them actively preventing each others growth. Peco will never get better if his friend just keeps on letting him win. And through constantly holding back on purpose, Smile hinders-

himself. I think the foundation of this relationship, what it results in, and how it's resolved, are at its core, what make the show so great to me. Their names "Hoshino" and "Tsukimoto" represent the star and the moon, and this is explored over the course of the shows 11 eps

"Hoshino", the one with the most talent who stagnated due to his attitude and relationship with Smile, ends up being the true star of ping pong the animation. "Tsukimoto", the enigmatic moon, this force that dictates the progression and arcs of others through his talent +

indifference, ends up passively existing, aware of his importance, but not regarding it.

Together the star and the moon coexist in the sky. Thanks for reading if you did, hope this didn't seem too rambley, I love their relationship. Great show!

TL;DR: their friendship is grown through their flaws. They hinder each others growth despite thinking the opposite. In order to reach their highest heights, they both need to realize these things on their own. It works, because the foundation of their friendship is sound.

i dont mean sound literally btw, I mean like, sound as in sturdy, concrete. They became friends over a deep love for p ing pong. sorry I'll shut up now ajhksfjskfjs