Kunimitsu Tezuka
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| Kunimitsu Tezuka (手塚国光) |
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Kunimitsu Tezuka (手塚国光 Tezuka Kunimitsu?) is a fictional character in the anime and manga series The Prince of Tennis.
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[edit] Background
Tezuka is the captain of the tennis club and a third year student at Seishun Academy, or Seigaku (full name Seishun Gakuen). He is an incredibly talented player and went to Nationals the year before the series takes 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". As a captain, he is fair and sticks to his word. If the rules are broken, he punishes everyone including the Regulars. His special moves include his "Zero-Shiki Drop Shot", his "Tezuka Zone", and his "Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami".
As a first-year student, Tezuka was seen as overconfident and arrogant by the upperclassmen at Seigaku due to his talents and seriousness, especially when they discovered that he was left-handed even though he played with his right. A jealous teammate then injured Tezuka's left arm, leading to chronic problems. It has mostly healed, but the doctor still warns Tezuka against long matches and using his drop shot. Tezuka considers his health secondary to the team's success, and he reinjures his arm in a grueling tie-break match against Keigo Atobe of Hyotei Gakuen. In the manga, he is sent to a health clinic in Kyūshū, but in the anime, he is sent to a health clinic in Germany, where he hopes to recuperate in order to play at Nationals.
Tezuka shows a strong interest in Ryoma Echizen, possibly because Echizen reminds him of himself as a first-year. He plays against Echizen full-strength, despite the risk of re-injuring his arm, in order to convince him that he needs to become more than a clone of his father. He hopes that Echizen will succeed him as Seigaku's pillar of support.
[edit] Techniques
[edit] Zero-Shiki Drop Shot
Whereas a normal drop shot catches the opponent off-guard and could potentially break their rhythm, the zero-shiki (literally zero-degree) drop shot almost completely demoralizes the opponent. Because Tezuka has accomplished the Zero-Shiki to such a level that he only needs to drop his racket head 3.2 mm in order to pull it off, the opponent is deceived into thinking that it will be a normal return. Once hit, the ball then floats over to the other side and drops a foot away from the base of the net. As soon as the ball hits the ground, it rolls backwards, preventing the other player returning the drop shot. It is very similar to fellow Seigaku regular Shusuke Fuji's "Swallow Return".
Tezuka can use this move from virtually anywhere on the court. However, it is most often utilized from the baseline so that when an opponent is expecting a powerful return and strays to the back of the court, Tezuka can optimize the success of the zero-shiki drop shot.
Along with his exceptional serves and the Tezuka Zone, the zero-shiki drop shot is one of the reasons Tezuka is acknowledged as a National level tennis player. The zero-shiki is truly a trump card, and as such, Tezuka only has to use the zero-shiki when he is facing an opponent that causes him to play in full seriousness. The few players that have actually caused Tezuka to reveal his trump card either have been nationally ranked or are players that have an extremely high level of talent. Among these players are Shusuke Fuji (whom Tezuka went so far as calling his ultimate rival in the anime), Ryoma Echizen, other Seigaku tennis club members, Hyotei captain Keigo Atobe, Hyotei regular Munehiro Kabaji, and Higa Captain, Eishirou Kite.
Ryoma Echizen can also use this shot. He learns after watching Tezuka use it against Hyotei captain Keigo Atobe. However, to pull it off, Echizen must lower the racket 30 mm (compared to Tezuka's 3.2 mm). Because of this, Echizen can only do this shot successfully once or twice each match without his opponent noticing.
In the anime, before he leaves for Germany, Tezuka shows that he can use the zero-shiki with his right hand as well. He also displays it in his match against Shusuke Fuji during the third round of intraschool ranking matches (anime only).
[edit] Zero-Shiki Serve
This shot seems identical to Tezuka's trademark Zero-Shiki Drop Shot. However, it is hit as a serve, not even giving the opponent a chance to touch the ball. Tezuka first uses this when playing against Senri Chitose from Shitenhouji during their semifinal match at Nationals.
[edit] Tezuka Zone
While using the Tezuka Zone, Tezuka pivots around one foot without lifting it from the ground. He can do this because the technique does not require him to move from his original position (usually at the center of the baseline). With every shot, Tezuka puts a specific rotation on the ball, forcing nearly all returns to be "sucked" into his hit zone (hence the vortex image that surrounds him when he's using it). The Tezuka Zone, while nonexistent in reality, is loosely based on the Magnus Effect. To counter Tezuka's extreme spin, his opponent must do more than aim his shot away from Tezuka; he must put a new rotation on the ball.
Nanjiro Echizen (Ryoma Echizen's father) can also do this, but naturally he does not call it the Tezuka Zone. While playing with both eyes closed, Nanjiro first displays this skill in a match against Mamoru Inoue (the tennis reporter).
[edit] Muga no Kyouchi (State of Self Actualization)
(無我の境地)
The Muga no Kyouchi is a state in which the user naturally intakes all techniques that he sees and is able to copy them perfectly. While Tezuka hasn't been seen explicitly using Muga no Kyouchi, the fact that he has opened the Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami implies that he has achieved Muga no Kyouchi.
[edit] Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami (Pinnacle of Hard Work)
The Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami is one of the Three Doors of the Muga no Kyouchi (State of Self Actualization). What makes the Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami possible is the Tezuka Zone. Tezuka enters the State of Self Actualization, or the Muga no Kyouchi, and then he focuses all his strength into his left arm. Combining the Hyaku with the Tezuka Zone allows Tezuka to prevent the immense loss of stamina caused by the Muga release, and it gives him the ability to return balls with twice the strength, or spin, that they were hit with. The extent of the Hyaku's strength is shown briefly during Tezuka's match with Higa Chuu's Captain, Kite Eishirou. Eishirou is a powerful player, but his strength crumbles in the face of Tezuka's Hyaku. Kite hits a Habu, a technique which makes the ball spiral, at Tezuka, but with the Hyaku, Tezuka's return shoots back at Kite with twice the spin. Later on, Tezuka uses it again on Hyotei's Kabaji. Tezuka returns Kabaji's heavy hits with twice Kabaji's strength.
[edit] Saiki Kanpatsu no Kiwami (Pinnacle of Great Wisdom)
The Saiki Kanpatsu no Kiwami is the second of the Three Doors of the Muga no Kyouchi. As opposed to Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami, which focuses the power of Muga no Kyouchi in the arm to increase power, Saiki Kanpatsu no Kiwami focuses the power of Muga no Kyouchi in the mind. It allows the person using it to be able to tell how many shots the current rally will take and who will win the point, giving them a form of foresight.
Tezuka reveals this for the first time when playing Shitenhouji's Senri Chitose, who can also use it. Tezuka drops the first game, but then manages to break Chitose's Saiki Kanpatsu no Kiwami, and activates his own. After losing the match, Chitose believes that Tezuka is the one who is closest to activating Teni Muhou No Kiwami, the last door of Muga no Kyouchi (Chitose previously bragged about Kintarou Tooyama being the closest to Teni Muhou).
[edit] Notable Matches
[edit] Keigo Atobe
During the first round of the Kanto Regional Tournament, Tezuka plays Atobe in the Singles 1 slot. Atobe uses his Insight to discover Tezuka's weakness. As he states that Tezuka's left arm is injured, Oishi corrects him by saying that Tezuka's elbow is completely healed. Now knowing the true form of his weakness, he formulates a plan to ruin Tezuka's shoulder. The point of ruin comes - Tezuka collapses in pain and falls to his knees, clutching the offending body part in obvious agony. However, he refuses to give up and continues the rally, much to Atobe's surprise. The tone of the game changes after that point, and Atobe becomes completely serious, wondering what compels Tezuka to such insanity and realizing that it is his loyalty to his team. Atobe then seeks to play to his potential and beat Tezuka no matter what.
After a tedious tie-breaker going into the 70s, Tezuka hits a cord ball, which Atobe dives to return. Lying upon the ground, helpless at the net, Atobe then realizes in horror that most of the court is free for Tezuka to attack. In a twist of fate, however, Tezuka is so broken down by now that his next Zero-Shiki Drop Shot hits the net, ending the game with Atobe victorious.
The captains share a long handshake after the match, standing still with arms raised above the net as the crowd roars in cheer.
[edit] Eishirou Kite
During the first round of the Nationals Tournament, Tezuka faces off against Higa Middle School's captain, Eishirou Kite, in the Singles 1 slot (according to the First Round National rules, though they've already won the round, all matches are to be played). Before the match starts, Kite tries to give Tezuka some advice, but Tezuka refuses. The match starts off with an incredible rally, but in the end, Kite wins the point by using the Shukuchihou method. Kite reveals that he's able to instantly move in any direction with this method. Using the Shukuchihou method, Kite wins the first four games. Tezuka then gives Kite some advice: "The racket should not be used to hurt others". As he says this, he activates a technique that everyone believes to be Muga no Kyouchi. Even though Kite reveals stronger versions of his teammates' techniques, they are all easily returned by Tezuka, with twice the power. Kite gets desperate and tries to throw sand at Tezuka with his racket, but Tezuka avoids it and instantly returns the ball with his Zero-Shiki Drop Shot.
The true nature of Tezuka's technique is revealed differently in the manga and in the anime. In the manga, Rikkai Dai's Yukimura, Sanada, and Yanagi show up during the match, and they reveal that the technique is not Muga no Kyouchi but rather Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami, which Tezuka sealed shortly after injuring his arm in his first year. In the anime, Fuji realizes that the technique is not Muga no Kyouchi, and then Oishi reveals the technique's true nature. Either way, the match results in Tezuka winning six straight games, ending the match 6 games to 4.
[edit] Munehiro Kabaji
Much to everyone's surprise, Tezuka plays in the Singles 2 slot during the Nationals match against Hyotei regular, Munehiro Kabaji. This match also starts off with an incredible rally, but Fuji wonders why Tezuka hasn't used his Zero-Shiki Drop Shot to win the point when he's had so many chances to do so. The Seigaku regulars then realize that Tezuka cannot use the Zero-Shiki because if he does so in front of Kabaji, then Kabaji will copy it. Instead, Tezuka uses his Tezuka Zone, but everyone is shocked, with the exception of Atobe, to see that Kabaji can even copy the Tezuka Zone. Atobe mockingly states that Tezuka is basically battling himself.
During the match, Tezuka flashbacks to the time when he was healing his arm at the health clinic. It's revealed that the one who helped him overcome his fear of feeling the pain in his shoulder was Chitose's younger sister, Miyuki. After befriending each other during training in Kyushuu, Tezuka discovered that Miyuki was prone to stage fright during her matches, similar to his own fears; the two manage to help each other through their issues. (This was also featured in the National Tournament OAV's, more exactly, episode 11).
As the rally between two Tezuka Zones continue, Tezuka decides to use his Zero-Shiki and wins the point. Tezuka gets serious and activates Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami. Kabaji is surprised to see that a person can return his shots so easily and loses five straight games. As everyone is astounded over Tezuka's strength, Kabaji suddenly activates Hyaku Ren, surprising everyone even more. Atobe explains that the stronger Tezuka becomes, the tighter the noose around his neck will become. Kabaji wins three straight games when it suddenly starts to rain. Even though Oishi urges Tezuka to stop, worried that Tezuka will reinjure his arm, Tezuka keeps on playing. As the rain becomes heavier, Kabaji starts to hit the balls out of bounds (however, it is unsure if Kabaji starts to hit out of bounds because of the rain or because of the lack of experience using Hyaku Ren). The match ends with Tezuka winning 7 games to 6.
[edit] Senri Chitose
During the semi-finals of the National Tournament, Seigaku goes up against Shitenhouji. In the Doubles 1 slot, it's Tezuka and Inui versus Chitose and Zaizen. Before the start of the match, Inui and Zaizen are asked to step aside, by their respective captains, in order for Tezuka and Chitose to play with their full power, basically turning it into a singles match.
As the match is about to begin, both players unleash their doors to Muga no Kyouchi: Tezuka's Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami and Chitose's Saiki Kanpatsu no Kiwami. Chitose serves first and, using his Saiki Kanpatsu, predicts that he only needs 42 shots to score this point. Chitose serves with his Kamikakushi (Disappearing Serve), but Tezuka easily returns it using his Hyaku Ren and soon responds with his Tezuka Zone. As the rally continues, Chitose hits the 41st return and Tezuka hits the 42nd return, but Tezuka's return goes out of bounds, true to Chitose's prediction. Another incredible rally takes place, one that the audience isn't able to follow. The rest of the game also goes according to Chitose's predictions and he wins the first game. Everyone starts to believe that Tezuka's Hyaku Ren has been completely sealed since Chitose doesn't hit any special shots, only using his Saiki Kanpatsu.
The match continues with Chitose predicting that he'll only need 5 more shots to score a point and as Tezuka hits the ball the 5th time, it hits the net, but unexpectedly rolls over the net, breaking Chitose's absolute prediction. Chitose believes it to be a mere coincindence and continues to predict how many shots to score a point, but each time he tells him a number, Tezuka tells him the number above that; as Chitose states 5 shots, Tezuka states 6 shots. The match continues with Chitose predicting the number of shots, but Tezuka proves them all wrong, breaking Chitose's Saiki Kanpatsu. Chitose gets ready for Tezuka's serve, but Tezuka states that 1 ball is sufficient enough for him to score, revealing that he too has opened Saiki Kanpatsu no Kiwami. As Chitose can't believe that two doors can actually be opened at once, Tezuka stays true to his word and unveils his Zero-Shiki Serve, winning the point with one hit of the ball. Chitose starts to believe that Tezuka is probably the closest to perfecting Muga no Kyouchi. The match ends with Tezuka winning six straight games (6-1), giving Seigaku a ticket to the finals.
[edit] Stats
Class: Third year
Weight: 58kg
Height: 179 cm
DOB: October 7th
Favorite Color: Green and blue
Favorite Subject: World history
Hobbies: Mountain climbing, camping, fishing, hiking
Racket: Mizuno (Pro Light S90)
Clothing: N/A
Quotes: "Don't let your guard down" and "Run 20 laps. Now."
Shoes: Mizuno
Family: Grandfather (Kunikazu, former police officer, teaches judo at the local police academy), father (Kuniharu, business trade department officer), mother (Ayana, housewife).
[edit] Trivia
- Tezuka is an only child and lives with his grandfather Kunikazu (72), father Kuniharu (48), and mother Ayana (45). His grandfather is remarkably alert for his old age (is able to catch a falling teapot with only chopsticks, just like Kensuke Miyagi from The Karate Kid) and Tezuka seems to have picked up lots of his character traits from him, while his parents are more laid-back.
- Tezuka often says "Sa, yudan sezu ni ikou" ("Let's not get careless" or "Don't let your guard down") even when doing something as simple as eating or going to the hot springs. This especially happens in the chibi episodes, where many of the series' traits are parodied.
- In almost all the chibi episodes, there is always either a variation of his move Tezuka Zone or the actual move. For example, in episode 165, Tezuka uses Tezuka Zone after being hit by a move Fuji used and a big bump rises. Also, in episode 115, the gunman part, Tezuka uses Gunman Zone, a variation of Tezuka Zone where Tezuka does matrix in order to avoid bullets.
- His first and only loss in an official Singles match was to Keigo Atobe.
- In the 4th Prince of Tennis popularity poll, Tezuka came in 4th place.
[edit] Actors
- In the anime series, Tezuka's seiyū (or voice actor) is Okiayu Ryoutarou.
- For the live action adaptation film of The Prince of Tennis, actor Yuu Shirota portrays Tezuka.
- In The Prince of Tennis Musicals, Tezuka is portrayed by actors Takigawa Eiji (2003-2004), Kengo Ookuchi (2004), Yuu Shirota (2005-2006) and Keisuke Minami (2006-current).
[edit] Sources
- Various Prince of Tennis manga chapters, anime episodes, musicals, and The Prince of Tennis movie.
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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 | Rokkaku Chuu |
| 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 | |
