Ryoma Echizen
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Ryoma Echizen (越前 リョーマ Echizen Ryōma) is the main character of the manga and anime, The Prince of Tennis. Ryoma Echizen is the son of former pro tennis player, Echizen Nanjirou, and is later know as "Samurai Junior". He first appears in chapter one of volume one in the manga and is seen criticizing an high school student about his tennis knowledge.
[edit] History
Ryoma is a new student at Seishun Academy Middle School (Seigaku) which is the school he transferred to from the United States. Although only a freshman, Ryoma's brilliant tennis skills had previously earned him a background of winning four consecutive titles in the American Junior Tennis tournaments – all in a little over a year. Due to his nearly invincible tennis play, at the age of twelve, Ryoma is already labeled as a genius. His amazingly good looks and sometimes cocky attitude has made him highly popular with girls, but he doesn't seem to notice at all. Tennis is his life.
He is an all-round tennis player and his special abilities are Twist Serve, One-Footed Split-Step, Cyclone Smash and Drive Volley, such as "Drive B" and "Drive A". Above all his Twist Serve is powerful. With his amazing control, the ball spins at the opponent's face with amazing speed and powerful spin. One of Ryoma's greatest talents is his ability to learn new techniques at an amazingly fast pace.
Although he is left-handed, his famous Twist Serve is only effective when delivered from the dominant hand of his opponents (ex. he uses his right hand when serving against right handed players and vice versa). He sometimes plays the game with his right hand. This is mainly used as either a handicap for weaker opponents or as a way to test his opponents abilities. When the need for returning at a difficult angle or distance arises, Ryoma also incorporates the use of "nitoryū" or ambidexterity.
His catchphrase in the Japanese anime is "mada mada dane," literally meaning "no, not yet." Depending on the context, it can either mean "you still have lots more to work on" (to an opponent) or "it's not over yet." In Prince of Tennis's anime dub, this is translated as "You still have a ways to go." Having been brought up in the United States most of his life, Ryoma is fluent in English, and in the manga and the match with Sanada in the anime, he says "You still have lots more to work on."
Ryoma Echizen can be quite cocky and arrogant at times, but he is always able to back up his statements with his tennis skills. Often before a match, Ryoma will provoke his opponent. In the beginning of the series, Ryoma was not taken seriously by the other students at his school, and especially at Seigaku tennis club. Only after when he beat 2 of Seigaku's regulars did he gain respect with fellow club members. Because of his tennis skills, people are beginning to wonder about the "amazing freshman."
Echizen is a quiet kid, but he always stands up for himself and for others. If this means talking back to an upperclassman, he'll do it. He is not afraid and is always ready to push the limits. Rarely does he get angry or out of control. Much of the time, he is serious, quiet, and untalkative.
Sakuno Ryuzaki, Ryoma's best female friend and coach Ryuuzaki's granddaughter, has a big crush on him (more obvious in the anime than in the manga, though), but because he is so aloof and she's so shy, he does not recognize her feelings for him and mostly treats her as he treats any other of the freshmen kids who follow and help the team. In the manga, though, this is subjected to possible future change, since he showed slight hints of jealousy after Sakuno befriended Kintarou Touyama form Shitenhouji.
At the beginning of the series, all of Ryoma's tennis skills were a copy of his father's; former tennis pro Nanjiro Echizen. With the help of his team captain Kunimitsu Tezuka, Echizen realizes he needs to develop his own style of tennis, especially if he wants to fulfill his dream of finally defeating his father.
With each match, it becomes apparent that Ryoma not only brings his potential to the front, but that he is constantly reaching a new point in the state of self-actualization – especially so during crucial points in a match. Although he views each opponent as a stepping stone of advancement, Tezuka soon becomes the wall that Ryoma has set up for himself in order to achieve actual greatness. We see a little interaction between Shusuke Fuji and Ryoma in the anime, although this is left somewhat unexplored and open-ended.
Although Ryoma has a rather tunneled vision as to whom he considers a rival (Tezuka and his father), there are many that view the freshman as just that. One of the more notable examples of this in the anime is Kevin Smith, the son of the tennis coach George Smith, the man who was defeated by Nanjiro Echizen in defense of George's pupil Rinko Takeuchi, who'd later become Ryoma's mother, 15 years ago. Kevin appeared later in the series in the "friendly" match between the U.S. and Japan; Kevin became obsessed with wanting to play Ryoma because of their pasts, whereas, in the beginning Ryoma regarded Kevin's threats with a rather unconcerned attitude, until he saw him play against Akutsu in the streets. Tezuka was disgusted and even came to slap Ryoma for not taking the matches seriously, so Ryoma had to earn his reserve spot in the team.
Many of the characters in the anime, especially the members of the Seigaku tennis team, have very defined personalities, whether it be friendly, outgoing, passionate, or arrogant. Due to his excellent tennis skills and past accomplishments, Ryoma's confidence has frequently (and inaccurately) placed him in the last category. He appears cocky, but this is mainly kept on the courts where he employs it as a psychological tactic against his opponents. He is sarcastic in a lot of areas, yet quiet for the majority during any interaction with most of the characters in the anime, and he appears to be somewhat dense when it comes to human nature outside of tennis.
Despite the boy's emotionless exterior, he does carry a friendship with his senpai, Momoshiro, and in the anime he has an extremely strong sense of justice that shows whenever he defends his friends from bullies (as proved by Sakuno twice), faces someone who has hurt either him or his peers (as proved by Akutsu) or makes them face their demons (as proved by Kirihara). This particular trait seems to be inherited from Nanjiro, who met Ryoma's mother Rinko when he defended her from an abusive tennis coach, 15 years ago.
He also gains an ability called "The Samurai's Eye", which allows him to perfectly mimic every tennis player's move shown in the series, which he uses in the last match of the Kanto Regional tournament against Sanada Genichirou.
In the manga for the series, Ryoma learns a much different set of techniques before facing Sanada in the Kantou Regional Tournament Finals. He learns "Muga no Kyouchi" (also known as State of Self-Actualization) during a recreational match against Rikkaidai's Kirihara Akaya. He later masters his COOL Drive technique during the match against Sanada (which he uses as his finishing technique to win). More moves that he has learned (during or while training for the Nationals) include the Drive C and Drive D.
[edit] Techniques
[edit] Twist Serve (ツイスト サーブ)
A Twist Serve.
[edit] Twist Smash (ツイスト スマッシュ)
The Twist Serve in the form of a smash.
[edit] Twist Serve Tornado
The Twist Serve curves to the face in an abnormal way (anime ova).
[edit] Drive A (ドライブ A)
A drive (topspin) volley hit towards the face at point blank range.
[edit] Drive B (ドライブ B)
A drive volley that two quick consecutive bounce arcs, forming the "B" shape of its namesake.
[edit] Drive C (ドライブ C)
A COOL Drive with half the spin (manga and OVA only).
[edit] Drive D (ドライブ D)
A drive that follows up a returned Drive B, it has half the spin of the Drive B, but the speed of the return is enough to get the ball past most players. (manga only)
[edit] COOL Drive (COOL ドライブ)
A powerful smash with a huge spin that makes the ball roll instead of bouncing up. Could also be used in forehands and backhands. (manga and ova only)
[edit] Muga no Kyouchi (無我の境地) (State of Self Actualization)
A state in which the user naturally intakes all techniques he sees and can perfectly copy them.
[edit] One-footed Split Step (片足スプリットステップ)
A split step using one foot. This allows the user to cover the entire court very quickly.
[edit] Nitouryu (二刀流)
The name given to Ryoma's ambidexterity because he can play with either hand.
[edit] Cyclone Smash (サイクロン スマッシュ)
An extraordinarily powerful smash done by jumping high into the air and twisting then un-twisting the body back on to the ball (anime only). First shown while battling Hyotei's Atobe (captain) before the Kantou finals. Later after the match, he perfected the move with co-captain Oishi.
[edit] Samurai's Eye (侍の目)
The anime version of Muga no Kyouchi, described as giving Ryoma a very dynamic play style because he is able to switch between many other player's techniques.
[edit] Zero-Shiki Drop Shot（零式ドロップショット）
In the anime, during the tie game against Hyotei, he ends the first game with a deceiving drop shot, which everyone thought to be a regular one, until the ball rolled toward the net instead of bouncing. Everyone was amazed, that Ryoma actually copied Tezuka's drop shot, but Inui tells that the drop shot's flaw was that Ryoma had to drop his racket by 30 mm or so to pull it off, where as the captain only needed 3.2 mm. This meant that this drop shot is more easily detectable and less deceiving.
[edit] Knuckle Serve（ナックルサープ）
Originally used by Akaya Kirihara, Ryoma uses this serve to start his match against Sanada while in the State of Self Actualization.
The Knuckle Serve is a more powerful and dangerous version of the Twist Serve.
[edit] Sliding
The innate natural movement used by Jin Akutsu, Ryoma is capable of using this while in State of Self Actualization.
[edit] Super Rising（スーパーライジング）
The shot made famous by Yuuta Fuji where the user hits the ball just as its bouncing, Ryoma masters this shot against Akutsu. He also changes the name from 'Rising' to 'Super Rising.'
[edit] Twist Spin Shot（ツイストスピンショット）
Another shot copied from Yuuta, this shot is typically very dangerous on an undeveloped arm.
[edit] Dunk Smash（ダンクスマッシュ）
Originally used by Momoshiro, Ryoma copies this in the State of Self Actualization.
[edit] Buggy Whip Shot（バギーウィップショット）
Kaidoh's Snake is a variation of this move. Ryoma used this against Kaidoh during the first Intra-school tournament. He was able to execute this move by only watching Kaidoh's Snake and by reading an article about it. It is difficult to do without long arms.
[edit] Rhythm
The fast movement used by Akira Kamio, Ryoma copies this in the state of Self Actualization, and combines it with The Spot.
[edit] The Spot（スポット）
Shinji Ibu's trademark technique, it utilizes topspin and slice shots alternately to put stress on the opponent's arm. Ryoma uses this while in the State of Self Actualization.
[edit] Other Techniques
- The following techniques have only been used in the manga.
[edit] Fuu(Wind)
The first technique of Sanada's "FuuRinKaZan", "Swift Like the Wind". Its an extremely fast shot that goes by the opponent. Ryoma is capable of using it while in the State of Self Actualization.
[edit] Hadokyuu（波動球）
Originally created by Ishida Gin of Shitenhouji, Ryoma copies the Two Hand version created by his teammate Takashi Kawamura while using the State of Self Actualization.
[edit] Blurred Shot
Used by Yoshirou Akazawa of St. Rudolph, the shot causes the opponent to see several balls, and makes people with overly keen vision dizzy. Ryoma copies the shot in State of Self Actualization.
[edit] Big Bang Serve
The powerful serve used by Higa Chu's Tanishi Kei. Ryoma copies this serve while in State of Self Actualization.
[edit] Shukuchihou
A Martial Arts technique Higa players used to reach the net seemingly in an instant. Ryoma uses this against Atobe while in the State of Self Actualization.
[edit] Viking Horn
Powerful shot hit with a reverse grip on the racket by Higa's Kai Yuujirou. Ryoma uses it while in State of Self Actualization.
[edit] Ka(Fire)
A smash that is the 3rd shot of the "FuuRinKaZan" "Invade like the Fire" used by Sanada. Ryoma copies it while in State of Self Actualization.
[edit] Tanhauser Serve
The serve with no bounce created by Atobe. Ryoma uses it in State of Self Actualization.
[edit] Seal Step
Kikumaru's fast method of movement where he seemingly is in several places at once. Ryoma copies it while in State of Self Actualization.
[edit] Tezuka Zone（手塚ゾーン）
The method Tezuka uses of causing the ball to automatically return to him. Ryoma uses an incomplete version to break out of Keigo Atobe's the World of Ice technique.
[edit] Rondo Towards Destruction（破滅のロンド）
The amazing 2 part smash created by Keigo Atobe. The first smash is aimed at the hand, to cause the opponent to drop the racquet and the ball bounces back, allowing a second smash to the now racquet-less opponent. Ryoma gives Atobe a taste of his own medicine during their match. However, when Atobe uses it against Sanada prior to the Goodwill Games, Sanada defeats it easily with his quick reflexes.
[edit] Notes
The JTA (Japanese Tennis Association) has accepted Ryoma Echizen as a formal image character of the organization.
Ryoma Echizen is the youngest person in the world to win the U.S. Open. This was stated in the first episode of the OVA. (Anime Only)
[edit] Actors
- In the Anime series, Ryoma's seiyū (or voice actor) is Junko Minagawa.
- For the live-action adaptation film of The Prince of Tennis, actor Kanata Hongo portrays Ryoma.
- In The Prince of Tennis Musicals, Ryoma is portrayed by actors Kotaroh Yanagi (2003, 2005-2006), Kimeru (2003-2004), Yuya Endo (2004-2005) and Dori Sakurada (2006-current).
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| Tennis team members: | Ryoma Echizen | Kunimitsu Tezuka | Shuichiro Oishi | Shusuke Fuji | Eiji Kikumaru | Takashi Kawamura | Sadaharu Inui | Takeshi Momoshiro | Kaoru Kaidoh |
| Schools: | Seishun Academy Middle School | Fudomine Middle School | St. Rudolph Gakuen | Yamabuki | Hyotei Gakuen | Midoriyama | Jyosei Shonan | Rikkai Daigaku Fuzoku |
| Supporting characters: | Sumire Ryuzaki | Nanjiro Echizen | Masashi Arai | Satoshi Horio | Kachiro Kato | Katsuo Mizuno | Sakuno Ryuzaki | Tomoka Osakada |
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| List of Prince of Tennis episodes | Tennis no Ojisama - Futari no Samurai | The Prince of Tennis (film) | The Prince of Tennis Musicals | Takeshi Konomi | |
