Prince of Tennis: Eikokushiki Teikyuu Shiro Kessen!

The Seigaku tennis club regulars visit England to represent Japan in a tournament. Everything was going well until a series of attacks on other players force them and the other Japanese representatives to confront the perpetrators. Rumor has it that the attacks were orchestrated by a group of banned players. Ling Xiu, a former member, warns the other players to stay away from Keith and his gang. 

Ryoma decides he needs to test this Keith in a tennis court. He is joined by Tezuka, Fuji, Atobe, Shiraishi, Kite, Sanada, and Kirihara.

This 10th anniversary movie of Prince of Tennis is full of humor and action. With strong opponents as challengers, you'd expect nothing less than explosive tennis matches. Some might not like the lineup of Ryoma's supporting cast but keep in mind that this is a movie made for fans. I don't recommend this to viewers who haven't watched the series. The characters, humor, and exaggerated plays would not make sense at all. As for the fans, this movie is an excellent treat.

Rating: 10 out of 10

PairPuri

Episode 1: Atobe times Tezuka, divided by Koharu

Prince of Tennis fans will surely enjoy this short series for its humor. The picture drama is made up of eight episodes, each one not more than 10 minutes. The best part is that all the Seigaku members each had their spotlight. Besides Seigaku are a select few characters from other schools. If you like Tenipuri humor, then this is for you. The cute ending song is a bonus.

Episode 2: Fuji brothers after school

Episode 3: Initial A

Episode 4: Kai Para

Episode 5: Beach Side's Popular Watching

Episode 6: I Don't Understand Your Feelings!

Episode 7: Whose Spectacle is This?

Episode 8: The Ocean Festival

Rating: 10 out of 10

New Prince of Tennis

Ryoma Echizen and the rest of Seigaku are back and go head to head with the best middle and high school tennis players in the country in the U-17 selection camp. The middle schoolers, which includes most of Seigaku's rivals from other schools, soon find that U-17 is full of talented players and wily coaches who want to test their limits.

Players are grouped in several courts depending on their abilities. Shuffle matches let courts move up or down the ranks. In the preliminary matches, several players are eliminated while Ryoma is disqualified for not showing up when he goes looking for Tokugawa, a player from court one, for a match. He has to leave the camp along with the losers.

They were not leaving however. They are sent to a drunkard coach, Nyudo, and undergo extensive and difficult training. Meanwhile, the middle schoolers who won, are slowly moving up the court ranking, led by the powerful Jujiroh Oni. It seems like the middle schoolers can't get along with the coach and the high schoolers who were also eliminated. Near the end of the 13-episode series, they realize that Nyudo's tactics are working. They were soon given a chance to go back to camp.

The series is too short. The last few episodes seemed like they were rushed and there is no way of knowing what the result of the training and final matches would be.

I didn't like how some teams were snubbed but at least all the Seigaku players had enough screen time.

Despite all that, it also has some good points. One of the things I noticed immediately is that Ryoma got cockier and more confident but also more mature especially while he was training. Although it was not an official match, Ryoma lost to Tokugawa. Ryoma has always seemed unbeatable but he's running out of tricks. This proves that he can still get stronger.

I loved the funny episodes too especially the one with Ryoma, Tanishi, and Kenya sneaking into U-17 camp to get supplies for Coach Nyudo.

As a fan of Prince of Tennis, this is a bit disappointing for me but it's still well-done even if it's too short.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Here are the titles of episodes 1 to 13:
Episode 1: Return of the Prince
Episode 2: The Gatekeeper of Hell
Episode 3: Friendly Fire
Episode 4: The Captain's Choice
Episode 5: Winners and Losers
Episode 6: Cliffs of the Heart
Episode 7: Start From Zero
Episode 8: Special Mission
Episode 9: Evolution and Change
Episode 10: Farewell, Kunimitsu Tezuka
Episode 11: Promise
Episode 12: The Start of a Revolution
Episode 13: Toward Your New Brilliant Selves

Prince of Tennis: The National Tournament Finals

After all the trials Seishun Gakuen has gone through, they have finally reached the greatest trial of their journey. In this OVA, they face an old nemesis and the current champions Rikkaidai Fuzoku.

WARNING: SPOILERS!

Here are the highlights from each episode:

Episode 1: New opening and ending songs.

Sanada and Tezuka's match turned out to be a battle of wills (and with a little bit of luck). Tezuka lost although Sanada was also at his limit.

Episode 2: Ryoma has an amnesia. No one knows why.

Doubles match between Inui and Kaidoh versus Renji and Kirihara.

Inui's Data Tennis is challenged. He's forced to make the impossible possible. Seigaku forfeited the match due to Inui's condition.

Episode 3: It seemed like Fuji was losing to Niou - but it was all just Inui's dream.

Niou used the Tezuka illusion to challenge Fuji. The match is essentially a battle between Fuji and Tezuka. Later, Niou used a Shiraishi illusion but Fuji surprised everyone with his 6th Counter, the Hoshi Hanabi, and won.

Episode 4: The Golden Pair versus Jackal and Marui. They have been stalling all along to give Ryoma plenty of time to recover his memory. Most of the episode was about the events that transpired before Ryoma had his amnesia. Nanjiro was training him and asked if his son enjoys tennis.

Several players helped Ryoma by having matches with him.

Oishi and Eiji won by using Synchro.

Episode 5: First of the two-part episode of the match between Ryoma and Yukimura.

Since Ryoma was late, Kintaro had a chance to duel with Yukimura.

Ryoma showed his ability to redirect the aura at will.

Episode 6: Continuation of the match.

Ryoma lost his five senses. It seemed like Yukimura was going to win.

Then Ryoma remembered Nanjiro's words. The Final Door is opened - the Tenimouho no Kiwami or Flawless Unity.

The Prince prevails over the Demi-god and wins the championship for Seigaku.

***

This is a great ending to a great series. I love the simplicity of the explanation that Nanjiro has given to the other Seigaku players about achieving Flawless Unity. Just wanting to win the game and working hard are not enough. In Rikkai's determination to hold on to the title they forgot one important thing - enjoying the game itself. It's no longer about tennis for them. Instead it's just winning the title the 3rd straight time. Yukimura never lost a game and so he had one disadvantage. He does not know the feeling of having failed and risen up to take the challenge again and again.

It was also fitting that Ryoma finished the match with a new move - and splitting the ball too!

There are a few things I would have liked to see but overall, I'm quite satisfied with this OVA. I just wish they could have wrapped it up more nicely. Those reporters who have witnessed Seigaku's journey were not present in the ending. They could have had a line or two after the last match. They were important characters too. I didn't see Jyousei Shounan and why was Ryoma's mom absent?

It seemed like things happened so fast but I'm still giving this a 10 out of 10 rating.

~Thank you Takeshi Konomi for this great series!~

Prince of Tennis: The National Tournament Semifinals

After beating Higa and Hyotei, Seishun Gakuen proceed to the semifinals to face Shitenhouji. This 6-episode OVA shows the struggle of the Seigaku regulars to find their true potential and overcome their weaknesses.

The players they will encounter are stronger and have deadly techniques that they need to overcome.

Warning: Spoilers!

The following are the highlights in each episode:

Episode 1: Shitenhouji defeat Fudomine. Episode also showed a match between Tachibana and Chitose.

Episode 2: First match between Seigaku and Shitenhouji.

Fuji is defeated by Shiraishi despite using his Final Counter.

Episode 3: New opening and ending songs.

Momo and Kaidoh versus Koharu and Hitojiri. Match tested Momo and Kaidoh's patience and how well they knew each other's moves.

Episode 4: Taka-san's dream of becoming the number one power player comes true when he survived Ishida Jin's multiple styles of Hadoukyuu.

Episode 5: A doubles match becomes a singles match as Tezuka faces Chitose.

Episode 6: Seigaku proceeds to the Finals.

Kintaro is given a chance to fight Ryoma in a one-ball match. The match lasted longer and ended up in a draw.

***

One of the highlights of this OVA is the 3 Doors of Muga (translated as 'Selfless State'). The players who have this ability have surpassed their limits at one point in the match and are able to copy tennis moves that they have seen before. This will be explained bit by bit during the matches.

Taka-san finally got to test his mettle and the rivals Momo and Kaidoh have shown that they matured.

Bringing a character like Kintaro into the picture furthered my fondness for Ryoma. Kintaro has everything I don't like in a young male character.

I'm giving this OVA a 10 out of 10 rating.

Prince of Tennis: The National Tournament

Seigaku's journey to the Nationals continue in three short OAVs. The final episode from the main series showed Ryoma leaving Japan for a tournament in the U.S. In the first episode of Prince of Tennis: The National Tournament, Ryoma went to visit his seniors to cheer them on, but because Oishi's injury got worse, the vice-captain decided to let Ryoma play in his stead. This OVA consists of 13 episodes and shows Seigaku's matches against Higa and then Hyoutei.


Warning: Spoilers!

These are some of the highlights of each episode:

 Episode 1: Seigaku cheered for Rokkaku but the team could not beat Higa's players. Oji was attacked by one of the players too.

 Episode 2: Seigaku's first match with Higa. Ryoma plays against Tanishi. Although Ryoma appeared like he was losing, he was actually doing it on purpose.

Episode 3: Fuji (teamed up with Taka-san for the doubles) revealed his Fourth Counter - Kagerou Zutsumi.

Episode 4: Eiji was still upset by Oishi's decision. He decided to play singles this time. At the end of the match though, he told everyone he realized he's better at playing doubles with Oishi.

Episode 5: Inui lets Kaidoh test his limits in a doubles match. Kaidoh wanted to try if he can win a match without using his Snake.

Episode 6: Tezuka reveals his technique called Hyakuren Jitoku no Kiwami in a match against Kite. Seigaku proceed to the Quarter Finals.

Episode 7: A must-watch episode featuring players from Seigaku and Rokkaku playing beach volleyball. 

Episode 8: Prelude to Seigaku's rematch with Hyotei.

Episode 9: Momo's battle with Oshitari. Momo showed a skill he has learned during his training with Taka-san in the mountains - Instinctive Tennis.

Episode 10: New opening and ending songs. Inui and Kaidoh's match against Hiyoshi and Gakuto. The opponents tried to win a fast match but they did not know they were playing at Kaidoh's pace all along. Tezuka will be facing Kabaji in the next match.

Episode 11: Part of this episode showed a different Tezuka. Kabaji's ability to imitate a player's moves trapped Tezuka in a match with himself.

Episode 12: The Golden Pair versus Shishido and Choutarou. The Hyotei pair showed some resilience but the Golden Pair's chemistry was better. However Eiji and Oishi lost the game when the former stopped the latter's shot. Eiji must have felt (through the Synchronization) that Oishi was at his limit.

Episode 13: Ryoma proves his worth against Atobe. After beating Atobe's technique, the game later turned out to be an endurance match, which Ryoma won.

Seigaku proceed to the Semi-finals.

 ***

The story has a faster pace than the main series. The viewer has to pay closer attention to the dialogue and the comments by the spectators. Inui and Fuji are not the only players who will explain the techniques this time. Everyone will contribute.

I'm glad to see a rematch with Hyotei in the second round. Both teams have shown that they improved.

The beach volleyball episode was hilarious so I advise the viewers to not skip it.

I liked the part where they explored part of Kaidoh's tennis. I've been wondering before how he would manage to win a game without using his famous technique. On the other hand, episode 11 has shocked me. I was happy to see different expressions on Tezuka's face for the first time but it felt so out of character. I did not think it was possible for him to have a weakness like that. Then again, he always keeps to himself and he has to carry the team's problems alone.

I'm giving this a 10 out of 10 rating.

Anyone who likes Prince of Tennis has to watch this. I mean, why shouldn't you?

The Prince of Tennis (live-action movie)

The Prince of Tennis live-action film is a shorter version of the anime, which combines some of Ryoma Echizen's rivals into one character, Egate Mcleod Higaki. He also replaced a member of Hyotei, Hiyoshi Wakashi.

The first part of the film shows his introduction to the Seigaku tennis club regulars. Ryoma here is undecisive and he doesn't seem happy to be playing tennis with his seniors.

If there was a hint of this in the anime, it's more obvious here. He seems to have little motivation in playing against other schools. His match with Tezuka Kunimitsu however somewhat changed his perception of the junior high school players. But that alone wasn't enough to convince him to stay and help Seigaku get to the Nationals.

From left: Kaidoh, Momo, Eiji, Tezuka, Ryoma, Oishi, Fuji, Taka-san and Inui

But when Higaki visited the tennis club to taunt Tezuka and the other members, Ryoma changed his mind.

The match against Hyotei followed the same events in the series except for Ryoma and Higaki's match. Halfway through their match, Higaki's relationship to the girl whom Ryoma met earlier was explained. It also provided a bit of an explanation for his attitude. The girl, Shioin Higaki, replaced Ryuzaki Sakuno's character from the series and is Egate's sister.

The last part of the match was a test of endurance instead of skills. It was a bit anti-climactic for me.

Fans of the Ryoma-Sakuno pairing might be a bit disappointed but overall it's a good movie. I'm glad that they didn't alter some of the characters' personalities.

Coach Ryuzaki Sumire didn't play a big role here and she wasn't even around during the matches.

Fans who have seen some of the musicals will be familiar with the Seigaku cast. Prince of Tennis fans will enjoy this.

***
Directed by: Yuichi Abe
Cast:
Kanata Hongo - Ryoma Echizen
Yuu Shirota - Tezuka Kunimitsu
Hiroki Suzuki - Oishi Shuichiroh
Hiroki Aiba - Fuji Shusuke
OSamu Adachi - Kikumaru Eiji
Hirofumi Araki - Inui Sadaharu
Yoshikatsu Kotani - Kawamura Takashi
Masaki Kaji - Takeshi Momoshiro
Kousuke Kujirai -Kaidoh Kaoru
Egate Mcleod Higaki - RIKIYA
Nanjiroh Echizen - Goro Kishitani
Shioin Higaki - Sayuri Iwata

Rising by Ryoma Echizen (lyrics)

kimi ha kitto onaji mainichi ni
anshin dekiru hito nanda ne
dakedo nani ka motomete tatakau
tanoshisa ni ha kitsukanai yo

ochiru yuuhi mitsumetnagara
shizumu mono mo utsukushii to
sore de kokoro yasugunara
sore demo ii kedo

boku ha zutto ue wo mezashiteku
soko kara shika mienai mono wo miru tame ni
natsukusu mono mo kakugo dekite iru
koenakya nara nai mono itsuka koeru tame ni

kimi ha itsu mo onaji michi toori
shiranai roji ha mimoshinai ne
dakedo tama ni maigo ni naru mono
tanoshii deai mitsukerareru

hitori aruku kodoku na ou no
michi ha zutto hatenai kedo
sore de kokoro tsubureru nara
sore dake no koto sa

boku ha zutto ue wo mezashiteku
soko kara shika mienai mono wo miru tame ni
kizutsuku no mo kakugo dekite iru
dare yori mo takai basho noboritsumeru tame ni

boku ha zutto ue wo mezashiteku
soko kara shika mienai mono wo miru tame ni
natsukusu mono mo kakugo dekite iru
koenakya nara nai mono itsuka koeru tame ni

boku ha zutto ue wo mezashiteku
soko kara shika mienai mono wo miru tame ni
kizutsuku no mo kakugo dekite iru
dare yori mo takai basho noboritsumeru tame ni