The Prince of Tennis Review: Smashes, Spinshots, and the Rise of a Young Prodigy

1. Introduction

The Prince of Tennis (Tennis no Ōjisama) is a sports anime that brings the high-intensity world of junior high tennis to life. Created by Takeshi Konomi, this long-running series mixes real-world tennis techniques with exaggerated, over-the-top moves and fierce rivalries. It centers on a tennis prodigy whose confidence, skill, and unshakable focus redefine what it means to be a middle school champion.

2. Plot Summary

Ryoma Echizen, a 12-year-old tennis genius, returns from the U.S. and enrolls in Seishun Academy (Seigaku)—a school with one of Japan’s top junior high tennis programs. Despite his youth, Ryoma quickly proves himself worthy of the varsity team. Alongside his teammates, he competes in increasingly difficult matches, striving for the National Championship. Ryoma's journey is as much about self-discovery as it is about victory, and his rivals push him to grow both as a player and person.

3. Main Characters

Ryoma Echizen – The titular “Prince,” known for his iconic phrase “mada mada dane” (“you still have a long way to go”). A cool, confident player with elite skills and an evolving sense of teamwork.

Kunimitsu Tezuka – Seigaku’s captain. Calm, strict, and an incredible player with an unbreakable will.

Shuichiro Oishi – Vice-captain, reliable and strategic.

Shusuke Fuji – The “genius” player with a deceptive smile and killer counter techniques.

Takeshi Momoshiro, Kaoru Kaido, Eiji Kikumaru, Sadaharu Inui – Each member brings unique playstyles, from acrobatics to data-driven tennis.

Rivals – Atobe Keigo (Hyotei), Sanada & Yukimura (Rikkai), and many others add fierce tension.

4. Arcs & Sagas (Tournaments & Training)

🎾 Intra-School Ranking Matches – Ryoma battles to earn a regular spot.

🏫 Practice Matches & Regionals – Seigaku faces off against top Tokyo schools like Fudomine and St. Rudolph.

🏆 Kanto Tournament – Stakes rise, introducing fan-favorites from Hyotei and Rokkaku.

🎖️ National Tournament – The pinnacle of junior high tennis, with epic matches against Rikkai and beyond.

💥 New Prince of Tennis – Post-Nationals continuation with a training camp for Japan’s best players.

5. Powers & Techniques (Tennis as Superpower)

While grounded in tennis, the series amps up realism with moves that defy physics:

• Twist Serve, Drive B, Samurai Zone, Teni Muhō No Kyōchi (Pinnacle of Perfection)

• Players return smashes with their eyes closed, summon illusions, and hit balls that literally break rackets.

Ryoma’s growth is marked by mastering his father's signature move—the Twist Serve—and eventually surpassing even the pros in skill.

6. Top Moments & Highlights

🏆 Ryoma’s debut match against Sasabe – A powerful first impression.

🔥 Tezuka vs. Atobe – One of the most iconic and emotionally charged matches.

🎯 Fuji vs. Kirihara – Technique vs. raw aggression.

👑 Ryoma awakening “The Zone” – Supernatural-level focus.

🥇 Nationals Final: Seigaku vs. Rikkai – The culmination of years of training and rivalries.

7. Influence & Legacy

• Helped revitalize sports anime in the early 2000s.

• Inspired real-life tennis interest among youth in Japan and beyond.

• One of the earliest series to popularize over-the-top sports abilities, paving the way for Kuroko’s Basketball and Haikyuu!!.

• Long-lasting fanbase, spinoffs, and live performances (musicals, stage plays).

8. Anime & Manga Status

• Original Anime (2001–2005): Covers Seigaku’s journey to Nationals.

• OVA Series (2006–2008): Finishes the National Tournament arc.

• New Prince of Tennis (2012–2022): Focuses on a training camp with Japan’s top talent.

Manga:

• The Prince of Tennis (1999–2008) – 42 volumes.

• New Prince of Tennis (2009–ongoing) – Continuation of Ryoma’s journey.

9. Where to Start Watching?

🎾 Start with the original 2001 anime through the end of the National Tournament OVAs.Then continue with:

🔥 New Prince of Tennis (2012)

🏕️ New Prince of Tennis: U-17 World Cup (2022) – For advanced-level action.

Optional: Watch The Prince of Tennis II: Hyotei vs. Rikkai Game of Future (2021) for a dream match not in the manga.

10. Manga vs. Anime Differences

• The manga goes deeper into characters’ internal struggles, especially in New Prince of Tennis.

• Anime adds some filler matches and light-hearted episodes, offering more screen time for side characters.

• The New Prince of Tennis anime adapts fewer chapters, so manga is ahead.

11. Movies & Specials

🎬 The Prince of Tennis: The Two Samurai (2005) – Original story with high-octane tennis action.

🌌 Prince of Tennis: Futari no Samurai – The First Game

🎥 Ryoma! Rebirth: The Prince of Tennis Movie (2021) – A CGI musical time-travel story that blends classic and new.

🎭 Musicals (Tenimyu) – A hugely successful live performance series with passionate fans.

12. Fan Theories & Speculations

• Ryoma’s Limit – Some fans speculate whether Ryoma has a secret injury like Tezuka.

• Nanjiro's true legacy – Was Ryoma’s father truly unbeatable, or did he hide his potential?

• Will Ryoma go pro? – Many fans think he’s destined for the world stage.

13. Final Matches & Sequel Thoughts

• New Prince of Tennis sets up international rivalries: Ryoma faces top-tier global players in a U-17 World Cup.

• The series hints that Ryoma will eventually surpass his father, becoming the next legend.

• Fans anticipate a true pro arc where Ryoma plays adults competitively.

14. Live-Action Adaptation

• 2006 Japanese live-action film – Condenses early story arcs.

• Chinese live-action drama (2022) – A modern adaptation with a different take on characters and setting.

• Both received mixed reception but showed strong international interest.

15. Ratings & Reviews

⭐ Overall Rating: ★★★★☆ (8.4/10)

🎾 Story Progression: ★★★★☆ (8.2/10)

👟 Characters & Rivalries: ★★★★☆ (8.5/10)

⚡ Animation (Original): ★★★☆☆ (7.6/10)

🔥 Hype Matches: ★★★★☆ (8.7/10)

🎶 Music/OPs: ★★★★☆ (8.4/10)

🔁 Rewatch Value: ★★★★☆ (8.1/10)

16. Recommendations

✅ If you love Kuroko’s Basketball, Haikyuu!!, Eyeshield 21, or Blue Lock, this is a must-watch classic.

✅ Perfect for fans of sports anime that blend real techniques with shonen exaggeration.

✅ Want character-driven competition, intense rivalries, and personal growth? This series has it in spades.

🎾 "Mada mada dane." Ryoma’s confidence isn’t just talk—he earns it with every serve, volley, and impossible comeback.