# The Prince of Tennis (2001)

> A prodigious young tennis player joins the powerhouse Seishun Academy team and climbs its ranks through a string of dramatic matches.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/25643

## Facts

- Seasons: 7
- Episodes: 178
- Episode runtime: 22 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: animation, comedy
- Network: TV Tokyo, TV Aichi, TVQ, TV Osaka, TVh, TSC
- Cast: Mikako Takahashi, Junko Minagawa, Hiroki Takahashi, Naru Kawamoto, Yuki Kaida, Takayuki Kondo, Ryotaro Okiayu, Shizuka Okohira
- TMDB rating: 7.3/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0466352/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: moderate
- Complexity: simple
- Violence: none
- Tone: breezy, cheerful, sincere, energetic, comedic

## What critics say

Audiences rate the series positively, valuing its energetic sports action and affectionate ensemble of rival teammates.

## Synopsis

The Prince of Tennis (2001-2005) is a Japanese animated sports comedy series produced by Production I.G, J.C.STAFF and NAS from a Shueisha manga, broadcast across several Japanese networks including TV Tokyo. Tennis prodigy Ryoma Echizen (voice by Junko Minagawa) enters the powerhouse Seishun Academy and wants nothing more than to fight his way onto the team, facing senior players who are hard to beat. Teammates Eiji Kikumaru (voice by Hiroki Takahashi) and Shūsuke Fuji (voice by Yuki Kaida) provide much of the comedy and rivalry, while Sakuno Ryūzaki (voice by Mikako Takahashi) anchors the story from the sidelines. Across seven seasons and 178 episodes, each installment is built around a school match, with exaggerated trick shots, signature special moves and loud reactions treating the sport with martial arts intensity. The engine is the steady climb through the ranks, one opponent at a time. Its tone is breezy, sincere and cheerful, with team bonds and friendly rivalry at its heart. Fans of Haikyu!!, Slam Dunk and Hajime no Ippo will find resonance in its youthful competitive energy.

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