Baby Steps

 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 on 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 began airing in Japan in April 2014 with a second season began airing April 5, 2015. The anime shows Taishi Murata as Eiichiro Maruo, and Minako Kotobuki as Natsu Takasaki. It also won the 38th Kodansha Manga Award in the Best Shōnen Manga category.
Story.
Eiichirō Maruo, a first year honor student, one day decides he is unhappy with the way things are and lacks exercise. He finds a flyer for the Tennis Club and decides to 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.
Media.
Manga.
Volume list.
As of December 2017, 47 volumes have been released.
Reception.
In 2014, "Baby Steps" won the 38th Kodansha Manga Award in the Best Shōnen Manga category.