Peco vs Smile

There's probably little point in responding to such an old post - but I'm just doing the rounds and looking at reviews and comments to some of my favourite movies.　；）

My response to your question will probably sound obtuse - I promise it's not intended. ;)

The reason I love Taiyo Matsumoto's work is that the interdependence of the characters is often an overarching theme. In a way he tries to encourage people to look beyond the superficial appearance of 'strong/weak', 'best/worst' . As with Tekkonkinkreet, I think the fundamental point is that the characters Peco or Smile (or indeed Black & White in Tekkonkinkreet) cannot function independently of each other. In a sense - they are incomplete without the other - and I always find the characters too inseparable and intertwined to regard as different characters.

In order for Peco to be everything that he can be - he needs to feel heroic - for that he needs an admirer or admirers. Conversely, Smile's passion is drawn from his admiration for the 'hero'. There is a symbiotic relationship between the admirer and the admired.

So who's better? Well, if you think about it - it's a conundrum. Technically (perhaps) Smile is Peco's equal - but if his passion to play requires Peco to be the hero - it's a psychological impossibility for him to better Peco. And yet: why is he called 'Smile' (given that he doesn't smile that much)? I think the point here is that he is more conscious than Peco of his role in the relationship. Perhaps he understands that the Peco he wants to see necessitates him being the Smile he becomes - and he is satisfied with that. In a sense the 'Smile' is the inner contentment derived from the self-awareness and his role. I guess too it's why, in the end, you see him coaching others (nurturing new heroes).

To me - they're both heroes but in very different ways. Some heroism is showy and visible, some heroism is subtle and invisible :)

'onmyōdō' ;)

I think its clear Peco is the best player with work ethic, passion, and the talent.

Demon = work ethic + passion but not the innate talent for the game.
Smile = Work Ethic + Talent. He always put in the work but never enjoyed it.
Peco = at first he has the passion + talent, but without the hardwork Smile was better. Over the course of the movie it showed that he could be in the work ethic to become a great player.

Only Peco had the ability to combine all 3 traits to be the better ping pong player of the 3.