Introduction to The Prince of Tennis Anime
The Prince of Tennis anime is a Japanese sports manga series written and illustrated by Takeshi Konomi. This series follows the story of Ryoma Echizen, a young tennis prodigy, and his journey to becoming one of the greatest tennis players in the world. The series was originally published in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine from July 1999 to March 2008. It was then adapted into an anime series by Trans Arts and aired on the Japanese network, TV Tokyo, from October 2001 to March 2005.
Plot Summary
The Prince of Tennis follows the story of Ryoma Echizen, a young tennis prodigy from a family of former tennis champions. He is enrolled in the renowned Seishun Academy, which is known for its tennis club, the Seigaku tennis club. Ryoma is determined to become the best tennis player in Japan, and he joins the tennis club to reach his goal.
The series follows Ryoma and his friends as they participate in various tennis tournaments and strive to become the best tennis club in Japan. Along their journey, they face various obstacles and rivals, such as the powerful and mysterious Rikkaidai tennis club.
Characters
The Prince of Tennis features a large and varied cast of characters, all of whom play a major role in the story. Below is a list of the main characters:
- Ryoma Echizen: The main protagonist of the series, Ryoma is a tennis prodigy and the son of the former tennis champion, Nanjiro Echizen. He is determined to become the best tennis player in Japan.
- Kunimitsu Tezuka: The captain of the Seigaku tennis club and Ryoma’s mentor. He is known for his stoic demeanor and incredible talent.
- Sakuno Ryuzaki: Ryoma’s childhood friend and romantic interest. She is a shy girl who is devoted to Ryoma.
- Kamio Akira: A talented player from the rival Rikkaidai tennis club. He is a rival of Ryoma and has a deep admiration for him.
- Fuji Shuusuke: A member of the Seigaku tennis club and a rival of Ryoma. He is known for his cheerful and laid-back attitude.
Anime Adaptation
The Prince of Tennis manga series was adapted into an anime series by Trans Arts and aired on the Japanese network, TV Tokyo, from October 2001 to March 2005. The series was directed by Takayuki Hamana and written by Masahiro Yokotani. The series was split into two seasons, each consisting of 178 episodes.
The series was praised for its animation, story, and character development. It has also received a positive reception from both fans and critics alike.
Music
The Prince of Tennis anime series features a variety of music. The opening theme song for the series is “My Generation” by the Japanese rock band, The Blue Hearts. The ending theme song for the series is “Furimukeba Ai” by the Japanese singer, Aya Matsuura.
The series also features a variety of insert songs, such as “Garasu no Hana” by the Japanese band, Tokyo Jihen, and “Kaze to Issho ni” by the Japanese singer-songwriter, Yuna Ito.
Trivia
- The Prince of Tennis anime series was ranked as the 3rd best anime series of 2001 by the Japanese magazine, Animage.
- The series has been adapted into several video games, as well as a live action movie and an audio drama series.
- The series has been licensed in many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.
- The series has spawned a variety of merchandise, such as toys, clothing, and trading cards.
Reception
The Prince of Tennis anime series has received a positive reception from both fans and critics alike. The series has been praised for its animation, story, and character development.
The series was also ranked as the 3rd best anime series of 2001 by the Japanese magazine, Animage. It was also ranked as the 8th best anime series of all time by the same magazine in 2006.
Conclusion
The Prince of Tennis anime series is a classic sports anime series that follows the story of Ryoma Echizen, a young tennis prodigy, and his journey to becoming one of the greatest tennis players in the world. The series was adapted into an anime series by Trans Arts and aired on the Japanese network, TV Tokyo, from October 2001 to March 2005.
The series has received a positive reception from both fans and critics alike and has spawned a variety of merchandise, such as toys, clothing, and trading cards. It is considered one of the best anime series of all time, and it is sure to be remembered for years to come.