The Prince Of TennisAnime Review
In this sporty week, a tennis prodigy was born, wielding enthusiasm in tennis since young, he emerged under the spot light! Thus, the journey of his life to challenge against various Tennis stars around the world commenced! What awaits for our young hero?
Ryoma Echizen- a left and right hand tennis pro @.@
Storyline:
Twelve year old Ryoma Echizen is the tennis prodigy from America who has the personal history of winning 4 successive victories at the American Junior Tennis tournaments. His father, Nanjiroh Echizen, a tennis player of legendary status, recalls Ryoma back to Japan to attend the distinguished school of Seishun Academy Middle School, Seigaku for short. Ryoma, a first year, has his eyes set on being on the regulars team of the tennis club, which the school is famous for.
Then, there's the lone girl who watches Ryoma from the audience, meet Ryoma's cute but chronically shy classmate
Sakuno Ryuzaki, who secretly had a big crush on Ryoma. She first met Ryoma when he helps her on the train from a loud group of high school boys.
Ryoma arrives at Seigaku, and was immediately challenged by the seniors for regular position.
Kaoru Kaidoh, a second year, known as "the Viper", whose perseverance is a daunting, round off the Seigaku regular team, and best known for his Buggy Whip Shot, nicknamed "Snake Shot". The vice-captain:
Shuichiro Oishi, who has a clam and rational sense of playing sense, compliments the acrobatic players of his aouble's partner,
Eiji Kikumaru, making them the Golden Pair. Then there's third years
Shusuke Fuji, a formidable player, is known for his tactical skill on the tennis courts;
Sadaharu Inui, whose tennis style relies on collecting info on his opponents' playing style called "data tennis", and
Takashi Kawamaru, whose personality instandly changes when he grabs his tennis racket. The other second year is
Takeshi Momoshiro, known for his power plays. Ryoma surprises everyone after defeating a tennis match against a second year player.
Kunimitsu Tezuka, the captain of the tennis club, whose ranking is on the National level then begins to take an interest in Ryoma.
Ryoma arrives in time for the monethly campus ranking tournament, but at first, due to his youth and cool attitude, some club members do not take him seriously; however, during the ranking tournament, Ryoma is quick to prove his skill and become the only first year on the regular team, just in time for the regional preliminary rounds.
While in a crucial match against Fudomine Middle School during the regionals, Ryoma injures his eye by accident, but his determination to finish the match with his Nitouryuu helps bring victory to Seigaku as they can advance to the Kanto conference as regional champions. Tezuka is deeply troubled by Ryoma's style; it's an exact copy of his father's. He is also worried about his own arm, which is injured and will add on injuries when using his Zero Degree Drop Shot. Tezuka plays a secret match with Echizen, and utterly defeats him using the Drop Shot, disregarding his physician's advice. He tells Ryoma to develop his own style of tennis and become the pillar of Seigaku.
As the Kanto conference draws near, Seigaku learns of their first opponent, Hyotei Middle School, their strongest rivals. All the regulars are chosen for the tournament, except for Momoshiro, as Echizen is chosen over him. However, Echizen says he has to represent in the Youth Cup and is going back to America.
At the Kanto conference, Momo still has decided not to come. Oishi and Eiji play Doubles 2. They begin a losing streak until Momo reveals himself in the cheering crowd for Seigaku. With new confidence from their returning teammate, the Golden Pair make a comeback, but lose to Hyotei 5-7. In the crowd, Kaidoh finds Echizen, who decided to stay. Kaidoh and Inui begin their Doubles 1 match. Kaidoh continually takes all the shots and uses his Boomerang Snake, while Inui stands and watches. Finally, he tells Kaidoh he has their opponents' data and they win the match 7-5. Takashi plays Singles 3 and tries his Hadokyuu, but his big opponent copies the move. They both keep using Hadokyuu until Takashi does the unthinkable: the dangerous one-handed Hadokyuu. His opponent copies, and both keep hitting until both of them drop their racquets, their hands and racket handles covered in blood. The match is considered a No Game. Fuji, playing Singles 2, borrows Takashi's racket, and amazes his opponent with his Disappearing Serve and Triple Counters; he wins 6-0. Tezuka plays Singles 1 against the popular Atobe; Echizen comes and takes his place as bench coach, and, despite some of the other Seigaku players, Tezuka allows him to rejoin the team.
Atobe seems to gain the early lead, but Tezuka comes back with his Tezuka Zone and Drop Shot. Tezuka gets to match point, but as he tries to serve, his arm gives out. Tezuka continues to play as Echizen takes off his jacket, revealing his Seigaku uniform, and goes to practice. Tezuka loses in the tiebreak, 6-7. Because both teams have two wins, their reserve players will determine the winner. Echizen faces off against Egate, and wins the first game using his teammates moves. However, as an eclipse passes over the court, Egate uses his brutal tennis form and injures Echizen's leg. Remembering his vow to become stronger, Echizen surprises everyone by using the COOL Drive attack to come back, break the eclipse, and win.
(Chibi Version) >.<
There are more tournaments than what is written here. Simply go catch the anime, where some episodes involved a rather special chibi version of themselves portrays in a fairytale themes!
Media: (season 1)
Opening theme: Future - Hiro-x
Ending theme: You Got Game - Kimeru
My End Verdict:
Something I really like about this anime is that they can be serious and funny at the same time! Aviod getting monotonous on tennis biathlon, some episodes actually included sports bowling, billiard... which I think is hilarious. Also there's this memorable sentence that Echizen says as he looks up in the stands at their future opponents, his only reply to them is, "Mada Mada Dane." ("Simply not there yet" or "a long ways to go")
Rating: 5/5. A gem! Don't miss it =)
