Obaba is an old chainsmoking woman who acts as Peco's mentor. She also owns the local table tennis dojo Tamura of which Peco and Smile are frequent visitors. She is close friends with Jou Kozoimi since her youth, when both were renowned table tennis players.

Tsukimoto Makoto (nicknamed Smile) is a quiet high-schooler who's been friends with the loud and energetic Hoshino Yukata (nicknamed Peko). They're both in the table tennis club and are very good at it, though Smile's personality prevents him from winning against Peko. The club teacher however notices Smile's talent and tries to make him gain some sportive tenacity.<br>
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(Source: Anime News Network)

__Chronology:__  
- (1997) Won the "Special/Lifetime Achievement" Award at the 2nd Kobe Animation Awards. 
- (2006-04-01) Resigned from 81 Produce and established her own office, Office Nozawa.  

Makoto “Smile” Tsukimoto and his friend Yutaka “Peco” Hoshino have been playing table tennis since they were kids, but as they enter high school, they find that the game has changed. Seeing potential in them that they themselves don’t fully realize, the coach recruits them for the school team. Bringing out their best will mean challenging the top players from rival schools in the summer tournament, including an ace Chinese exchange student who almost made the Olympic team. With the pressure on, can Smile and Peco take the heat and make it into the finals?
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(Source: Viz Media)