It has been revealed that "Huamai Video", an up-and-coming animation studio founded in China in the summer of 2019, will be producing a Japanese dubbed version of its first original animation, "Table Tennis Girls: Beyond the Flash". The theatrical version, which compiles all three episodes that have already been distributed in China into one film, will be released on May 16th. The story is about girls facing off against each other in table tennis, and will feature voice actors Shiina Natsukawa, Sora Amamiya, Momo Asakura, and Haruka Tomatsu. It was also announced that Hina Kikuchi, who has become a hot topic as the "too cute table tennis girl", has been appointed as a support ambassador.
The story is about Zhang Ruoi, born into a family of table tennis players, who lost an important match that would have determined his professional career, but has been away from table tennis ever since. In order to start a new life, he goes to high school in Hangzhou, far from his hometown in northeastern China. After meeting Wang Lu, an honor student who excels in both academics and sports, Li Xintong, a bright table tennis nerd, and Ding Xiao, a free-spirited troublemaker, Ruoi picks up his racket again. The teaser PV released in 2021 became a hot topic, with over 1.8 million views on Bilibili.
Natsukawa, who plays Jiang Ruoi, commented, "Jiang Ruoi is a table tennis girl who appears cool but is actually very passionate! She has some surprisingly funny reactions, so I think she's a character you can't take your eyes off of! Please look forward to this straightforward coming-of-age story of Luoi, who once experienced failure, regaining her passion for table tennis after meeting new friends!"
Amemiya, who plays Wang Lu, said, "Although Wang Lu looks like a cool, excellent student, she is very expressive, so I tried my best to play the role in a way that would bring out those good points of her. Not only are the match scenes packed with content, but the everyday interactions are also portrayed in a fun way, so I think this is a production that can be enjoyed by table tennis fans and non-fans alike!"
Asakura, who plays Li Xintong, commented, "Li Xintong is a lively, cheerful girl who is a table tennis geek and loves table tennis more than anything else. When it comes to table tennis, her eyes light up when she talks and she also explains the situation, so by playing the role, I've become a little more knowledgeable about table tennis myself. This is a production that is full of friendship, club activities, and youth. I hope you enjoy it!"
Tomatsu, who plays Ding Xiao, said, "Although Ding Xiao is very skilled at table tennis, she is always at her own pace and is always a joker. She was the character who was the most different from the other members who worked hard in a stoic manner, so it was a lot of fun to play her. Even in tense scenes, she brightens the atmosphere when she speaks, so I hope you will watch with a warm heart (laughs)."
