Obaba, whose full name is Obaba Tamura, is an elderly woman in Ping Pong the Animation who runs the Tamura Table Tennis Hall, a local dojo where the main characters Peco and Smile have practiced since childhood. She is a heavy smoker and is usually seen at the dojo with a cigarette in hand, which contributes to her rough and informal presence. Her nickname Obaba functions as a familiar, affectionate term for an older woman, and she is regularly addressed by both the young players and other adults in the table tennis world.

In her younger years, Obaba was herself a renowned table tennis player. During that period she became close friends with Jou Koizumi, also known as Butterfly Joe, and the two were both respected competitors in the sport. She no longer plays because of a bad knee, but the experience and knowledge she gained as a player remain central to how she approaches the game and how she teaches others.

In terms of personality, Obaba is blunt, sharp-tongued, and outwardly gruff. She does not waste words, tends to speak her mind, and can come across as harsh or unsentimental. Beneath this rough exterior, however, she is genuinely devoted to the young players who come through her dojo. She believes in hard work and rigorous training, and she expresses her care less through warm words than through practical action, such as pushing a player to train seriously or arranging opportunities for them to improve.

Her main role in the story is that of a mentor and coach figure, especially to Peco. The dojo she owns serves as a home base where Peco and Smile develop their love of table tennis from childhood, and she watches over their growth as players. After Peco suffers a decisive defeat that shakes his confidence, Obaba becomes vital to his recovery. She takes charge of his training, subjects him to a demanding regimen, and uses her connections to the national training center to give him the chance to develop his skills at a higher level. Through these efforts she is essential to Peco's improvement both as a player and as a person.

Her relationships reflect her long history in the sport. With Peco she acts as a kind of surrogate coach and guardian, and she cares for him deeply even when she treats him roughly. With Smile she is also a familiar and trusted adult figure, and her dojo provides him with a rare space of comfort and belonging. Her friendship with Jou Koizumi is one of the most significant bonds in her past; the two share a long history as former champions, and she remains loyal to him well after their playing days are over.

Obaba does not undergo major personal change over the course of the story. Instead, her role is largely to guide others through their own transformations. Her history as a former player, and the injury that ended her career, give her a clear-eyed understanding of both the joy and the cost of competitive sport. The story gradually reveals this background, and her importance grows as her training and connections help Peco return to form and rediscover his drive.

Her notable abilities lie mainly in her deep knowledge of table tennis and her talent for coaching. As a former high-level competitor, she reads the game well, recognizes potential in young players, and knows how to push them toward their limits. She is also well connected within the table tennis establishment, which allows her to open doors for her students that they could not easily reach on their own.