Fuji TV's late-night Noitamina programming block revealed on Thursday that Masaaki Yuasa (Mind Game, The Tatami Galaxy, Kick-Heart) will direct a television anime adaptation of Taiyo Matsumoto's Ping Pong manga this spring. Fuji TV began streaming a 30-second commercial for the anime on Thursday.

Matsumoto's (Sunny, Tekkon Kinkreet) Ping Pong manga previously inspired a live-action film starring Arata as Smile and Yosuke Kubozuka as Peco. Viz Media released the film on DVD in 2007.

The manga revolves around two longtime friends Smile and Peco who are both members of the ping pong club at their high school and are both very talented at the sport. However, Smile's quiet personality keeps him from being able to win against Peco. The club's teacher takes notice of Smile's talent and works to change his attitude toward the sport.

The five-volume manga originally ran in Shogakukan's Weekly Big Comic Spirits magazine from 1996-1997.

Update: Kevin Aymeric (art director for Kick-Heart) confirmed on his Twitter account on Thursday that he will be the background director for the series, and that Tatsunoko Productions will handle the show's animation. Thanks, jet_.

Source: Comic Natalie