Title:
The Prince of Tennis (US)
Tenisu no Ojisama (Japan)
Also known as Teni-Puri (Japan)
Creator:
Author and Artist: Takeshi Konomi
Publishers:
- Shonen Jump / VIZ Media (US)
- Shueisha (Japan)
Volumes:
38 volumes (continuing)
Manga Genres:
- Shonen (Boys') Manga
- Drama
- Sports Manga
Content Rating:
E – Everyone / A – All Ages
for sports action and straightforward plot
More about content ratings
About the Manga:
The Prince of Tennis debuted in 1999 in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine in Japan, and quickly became one of the most popular sports manga series in Japan. Attracting both male and female fans, this shonen manga series is credited with inspiring a boom in tennis club membership in schools across Japan.
An animated weekly TV series based on the manga debuted in 2001. With its large cast of male characters, The Prince of Tennis has also become a favorite subject of fan-created comics or doujinshi featuring Ryoma, his teammates and rivals in yaoi or boys love scenarios.
About the Author / Artist:
Born in 1970, Takeshi Konomi made his manga debut in 1993 in Weekly Shonen Jump magazine after graduating from college. As a member of his junior high and high school tennis clubs, Konomi is an avid tennis player when he's not drawing manga.
He has made a few cameos in the anime and live action versions of The Prince of Tennis and his Sealpoint Himalayan cat Kahluamilk is the inspiration for Ryoma's pet cat, Kalpin.
In 2004, Konomi made the Asashi Shimbun top 10 list of highest income tax payers in the Japanese entertainment industry.
Story Summary:
The winner of four straight junior tennis championship titles in the U.S., Ryoma Echizen is a seventh grade tennis prodigy. Now back in Japan. Ryoma is turning heads with his seemingly effortless skill on the tennis court against even opponents twice his size.
After several challenging matches against upperclassmen twice his height, Ryoma wins a coveted starters spot on the Seishun Academy tennis team, and sets his sights on winning the national championship.
As the series continues, readers are introduced to Ryoma's teammates and rival teams, their playing styles and the finer points of tennis technique and strategy, as they battle their way to the championships.
Main Characters
Ryoma EchizenCool and confident, Ryoma is a seventh grade tennis prodigy with skills that eclipse even players twice his age. A four-time U.S. junior champion, Ryoma comes with an enviable tennis pedigree: his father Nanjiro was once a legendary tennis pro. Now a part of the Seisun Academy tennis team, Ryoma has his sights set on the national championships and is determined to make it to the top.
Takeshi Momoshiro
Eighth grader Takeshi is an easy-going guy, with a mean competitive streak on the tennis court. His signature move is his powerful smash serve, which blows away the competition with its power and speed. Takeshi often acts like a big brother figure to Ryoma, and has a friendly rivalry with teammate Kaoru Kaido.
Kaoru Kaido
Nicknamed "The Viper," Kaoru has a piercing stare and a short temper to match his namesake. His signature move is "the snake," a shot that arcs with a treacherous twist that's almost impossible to return. A stern and serious player, Kaoru plays with a "never say die" spirit that fuels Seishun Academy's hopes for championship glory.
Kunimitsu Tezuka
The captain of the Seishun tennis team, Kunimitsu has earned the respect of his teammates and rival teams for his skill and versatility on the courts. Kunimitsu is a formidable player, but is largely sidelined for the early volumes of the series due to tennis elbow. Nevertheless, he is the conscience and the guiding spirit of the team that drives all members to always put in their best efforts to win.
