about prince of tennis:
The Prince of Tennis (テニスの王子様, Tenisu no Ōjisama?) is a popular Japanese manga written and illustrated by Takeshi Konomi. The manga was first published in Japan in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump in July 1999, and ended publication on March 3, 2008. A total of 379 chapters were serialized, spanning over 42 volumes. As of volume 40, the manga has sold over 40 million copies in Japan.[1] The manga is published in English in North America by Viz Media.
The Prince of Tennis was adaptated into an anime series directed by Takayuki Hamana, animated by Trans Arts and co-produced by Nihon Ad Systems and TV Tokyo. The anime aired across Japan on the anime satellite television network Animax and the terrestrial TV Tokyo network from October 10, 2001 to March 30, 2005, spanning a total of 178 episodes, as well as a theatrical movie. In April of 2006, an OVA continuation of the anime began to be released on DVD. The beginning of the second OVA series was released on June 22, 2007, roughly 3 months after the end of the first. The second OVA ended on January 25, 2008, and the third and final OVA is scheduled to start on March 16, 2008, as stated in the series' official site.
The series developed into a media franchise and has had numerous other adaptations outside of the animated incarnation. Since April of 2003, more than fifteen stage musicals have been produced for the series. An animated movie was released in 2005, as well as a live action movie in 2006. Also, a live action television drama has been announced to air in China. The franchise has also had a long running radio show, numerous video games, soundtracks, and other merchandise or collectibles.
The title is often shortened to Teni-Puri (テニプリ, tenipuri?), a portmanteau of the two parts in the Japanese pronunciation of the words, Tennis Prince. This is also evident in some of the chibi episodes in the anime, where all the regulars of Seishun Academy are members of the Teni-Puri family.
character:
Ryoma Echizen (越前 リョーマ, Echizen Ryōma?)
The protagonist of the series, Ryoma is the son of Nanjiro Echizen, who was formerly known as "Samurai Nanjiro" during his days as a professional tennis player. Ryoma gains the nickname "Samurai Junior" later in the series. He makes his first appearance when he criticizes a high school student about his tennis knowledge in a subway.
character:
Kunimitsu Tezuka (手塚 国光, Tezuka Kunimitsu?)
ezuka is the captain of the tennis club and a third year student at Seishun Academy. He is an incredibly talented player and went to Nationals the year before the series took place. Tezuka is serious about everything he does, and he is very strict — one of his trademark phrases is "Don't let your guard down."
character:
Shuichiro Oishi (大石 秀一郎, Ōishi Shūichirō?)
Oishi is a third year student at Seishun Academy and the vice-captain of the tennis club. Along with Eiji Kikumaru, he is part of Seigaku's "Golden Pair," a doubles team that made it to Nationals the year before the series takes place. Oishi is a very responsible character and cares deeply about the team.
character:
Shusuke Fuji (不二 周助, Fuji Shūsuke?)
Shusuke Fuji is a third year student at Seishun Academy and is approaching fifteen years of age at the beginning of the series. He is given the title "genius" (天才, tensai?) due to his tactical skill on the tennis court. Fuji is often seen with a calm and content expression on his face, with his eyes seemingly closed from lightly smiling. However, when he is excited or provoked, or when playing seriously, Fuji reveals his sharp eyes.
character:
Eiji Kikumaru (菊丸 英二, Kikumaru Eiji?)
Eiji Kikumaru is a third year student at Seishun Academy and is part of the "Golden Pair," along with Shuichiro Oishi. Using his acrobatic play, he can return almost any ball, even those that seem out of human reach. Eiji is also known to have the sharpest vision on the team, with an exceptional talent for seeing moving objects
character:
Takashi Kawamaru (河村 隆, Kawamura Takashi?)
Takashi is a soft-spoken person off the court, very gentle and shy, though still outspoken and stubborn when he makes a decision. However, he becomes extremely aggressive and loud once he grabs a racket. This change in his personality is marked by him shouting "Burning!!!"
character:
Sadaharu Inui (乾 貞治, Inui Sadaharu?)
Inui is a highly intelligent player. He plays what he calls "Data Tennis," which involves collecting and analyzing data for a player in order to determine their weaknesses. He is even able to determine the exact probability of certain shots being successful. When he is cut from the regulars after the first Seigaku ranking matches shown in the series, Inui creates the training menus for the team. More often than not, this involves contests or races of some kind, with the loser being forced to drink one of Inui's many infamous concoction.
character:
Takeshi Momoshiro (桃城 武, Momoshiro Takeshi?)
Momoshiro is known as Seigaku's number one rascal. He is an aggressive baseliner. For a short time, he is cut from the regulars after losing to Inui and Tezuka during Seigaku's second monthly ranking matches. As the player who is the most open and friendly with everyone, Momoshiro is connected to everyone on the team on some level.
character:
Kaoru Kaido (海堂 薫, Kaidō Kaoru?)
Kaido's nickname is "Viper," which fits him well as his signature move is the "Snake Shot," a curving forehand that keeps his opponents running. He wears a bandana and often exhales, making a sound similar to a snake. Kaido does not like his nickname, and often reacts badly when called that within earshot. He and Momo are rivals, though very competent doubles partners.
