Ryoma Echizen

Ryoma Echizen (越前 リョーマ, Echizen Ryōma) is a fictional character and the protagonist of the manga and anime series The Prince of Tennis. Ryoma is the son of former professional tennis player Nanjiro Echizen (once known professionally as Samurai Nanjiro), and is later known as "Samurai Junior". His first appearance is in the first chapter and first episode of the manga and anime respectively, in which he criticizes a high school student about his tennis knowledge.

History

Ryoma is a first year student at Seishun Academy, where he begins attending immediately after his arrival in Japan after residing in the United States. Although only a first year in middle school, Ryoma had already earned notoriety through winning four consecutive titles in the American Junior Tennis tournaments – all in a little over a year. Due to his nearly invincible tennis play, Ryoma has earned the label 'prodigy' by the age of twelve. His looks and confidence make him highly popular with ladies, although he seems not to notice, having his focus exclusively on tennis.

He is an all-court tennis player with many special shots and abilities. One of Ryoma's greatest talents is his ability to learn new techniques after only seeing them performed a few times. He also has an amazing amount of stamina and doesn't sweat as much as the other players. Along with fellow Seigaku regular Eiji Kikumaru, Ryoma is known to have an exceptional talent for seeing moving objects. He doesn't go easy on himself and pushes himself more rather than letting himself rest.

His favorite subject is Science, though he is better at English because he was in America for three years (his classmates admire him for that). Ryoma also has an attitude of being really distrustful of other tennis players.

Although he is left-handed, his famous Twist Serve is only effective when delivered from the dominant hand of his opponents (i.e. he uses his right hand when serving against right handed players). He occasionally plays tennis with his right hand as either a handicap for weaker opponents or a way to test his opponent's 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" or "not good enough". In Prince of Tennis's English dub, this is translated as "You still have a ways to go". Having been brought up in the United States, 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 can be quite cocky and arrogant at times, but 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, especially at the Seigaku tennis club. It was only after he had beaten two of Seigaku's regulars (Kaoru Kaidoh and Sadaharu Inui) that he gained respect with fellow club members.

Ryoma is quiet by nature, but always stands up for himself and others, even if it involves confronting an upperclassman. He is unafraid almost to the point of recklessness, but rarely gets angry or out of control. Most of the time, he is serious, quiet, and untalkative.

Sakuno Ryuzaki, Ryoma's friend and coach Sumire Ryuzaki's granddaughter, has a crush on him, but because he is so aloof and she is so shy, he does not recognize her feelings for him and treats her much the same as he treats the other freshmen students. The manga hints that this may change, as Ryoma shows signs of jealousy after Sakuno befriends Shitenhouji's Kintarou Tooyama. A running-gag in the anime was Ryoma often commenting on her tennis form by telling Sakuno that her arms are too bent, her knees are to stretched and her hair is too long. (she later in the anime complains that the length of her hair shouldn't matter or have anything to do with her playing style.)

At the beginning of the series, all of Ryoma's tennis skills were a copy of his father's. With the help of his team captain, Kunimitsu Tezuka, Ryoma realizes his need to develop his own style of tennis if he intends to reach his goal and defeat 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.

Although Ryoma has a rather tunneled vision as to whom he considers a rival (Tezuka and his father), there are many that view the first year 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, who was defeated by Nanjiro Echizen in defense of George's pupil Rinko Takeuchi, who'd later become Ryoma's mother, fifteen 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 Yamabuki's Jin Akutsu in the streets. Tezuka was unimpressed with Ryoma's attitude toward the matches, and as a result, Ryoma was forced to earn his place as a reserve player.

Techniques

Twist Serve

(ツイスト サーブ)

A serve Ryoma typically performs with his right hand, though it needs to be hit with the opponent's dominant hand. The twist serve is Ryoma's most notable shot, and for the early part of the series it was his best shot, before he developed his skills more. It is meant to shoot towards the opponent's face, making it difficult to return. He can perform it with his left hand when he is facing left-handed opponents. He claims that he does this so he can hit the opponent in the face with the ball.

In the English dubbed version of Prince of Tennis, the twist serve is referred to as the kick serve.

Twist Smash

(ツイスト スマッシュ)

The Twist Serve in the form of a smash.The ball changes direction after it hits the ground . He uses this shot to win his game against Shinji Ibu from Fudomine Junior High.

Twist Serve Tornado

The Twist Serve curves to the face in an abnormal way. (Seen in the OVA.)

Drive A

(ドライブ A)

A drive (topspin) volley hit towards the face at point blank range. Ryoma first uses this shot during his match against Yamabuki's Jin Akutsu.

Drive B

(ドライブ B)

A drive volley with two consecutive bounce arcs, the shape of which form the eponymous 'B'. Ryoma usually slides up near the net and then jumps to perform the Drive B. However, during his match against Aoi Kentaro, Ryoma also uses a Drive B when he is still sliding on the ground. He then uses the force made by the ball to go even faster. Though it grants him more speed, this version lacks the regular Drive B height.

This is Ryoma's first original shot (as opposed to moves he copies from other players), and is first used in his match against Yuuta Fuji. In the English dub, it has been renamed Drive V.

Drive C

(ドライブ C)

A shot similar to the COOL drive with only half the spin, first used by Ryoma in the National OVA against Higa Chuu. Its similar to Fuji's Tsubame Gaeshi, but both the COOL Drive and Drive C use enormous topsin instead of underspin.

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. (Seen in the manga and OVA only.)

COOL Drive

(COOL ドライブ)

A powerful smash with a huge spin that makes the ball roll instead of bouncing up. It can be used as a forehand or backhand shot. In the manga, Ryoma uses this shot for the first time to defeat Genichirou Sanada. In the anime, he does not use it until the OVA, where he uses it against Kei Tanishi; Ryoma smashes the ball into his opponent's raquet where the ball then spins towards Kei's face.

Ryoma appears to use this shot twice near the end of his match with Higaki in the live action film, although it is not referred to by name.

Muga no Kyouchi (State of Self Actualization)

(無我の境地)

A state in which the user naturally intakes all techniques he sees and can perfectly copy them. Ryoma enters this for the first time in an unofficial match against Akaya Kirihara, and controls it for the first time in his match against Genichirou Sanada (Both occurrences take place in the manga).

Samurai's Eye (侍の目)

The anime equivalent 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.

One-footed Split Step

(片足スプリットステッ.プ)

A split step using one foot. This difference allows Ryoma to increase his speed and cover the court more effectively.

Nitōryū (Two Sword Style)

Nitōryū (二刀流)

The name given to Ryoma's ambidexterity because he can play with either hand. It is a technique inherited from his father, Nanjiro Echizen.

Cyclone Smash (anime only)

(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. It is first shown while battling Oishi, before the Kantou finals. He later perfects the move while playing Rikkaidai's Vice Captain Sanada.

Copied Techniques

• The following techniques are used by Echizen, but are not his own:

Big Bang Serve

The powerful serve used by Higa Chuu's Tanishi Kei. Ryoma copies this serve while in State of Self Actualization.

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, copying it after seeing Kaidoh execute it and having read a magazine article explaining the move.

Deep Impulse

Used by Reiji Shinjou, Ryoma utilizes it against Sanada in the anime. The player launched the ball straight towards the opponent. It was copied with the State of Self Actualization.

Dunk Smash （ダンクスマッシュ）

Originally used by Momoshiro, Ryoma copies this in the State of Self Actualization.

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.

Rhythm

The fast movement used by Akira Kamio of Fudomine Middle School, Ryoma copies this in the state of Self Actualization, and combines it with The Spot.

Sliding

The innate natural movement used by Yamabuki's Jin Akutsu, Ryoma is capable of using this while in State of Self Actualization.

Super Rising （スーパーライジング）

The signature shot of Yuuta Fuji of St. Rudolph Gakuen; the player hits the ball just as its bouncing. Ryoma masters this shot against Akutsu and personalizes it by changing the name from 'Rising' to 'Super Rising.'

The Spot （スポット）

Fudomine's Shinji Ibu trademark technique, it utilizes topspin and slice shots alternately to put stress on the opponent's arm. Ryoma copies it while in the State of Self Actualization.

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.

Zero-Shiki Drop Shot （零式ドロップショット）

In the anime, during the tie game against Hyotei Gakuen, Ryoma ends the first game with a deceiving drop shot, which, contrary to everyone's expectations, proves abnormal by rolling toward the net instead of bouncing. While it is initially believed to be an exact copy of Tezuka's drop shot, Inui explains that the drop shot's flaw was that Ryoma has to drop his racket by 30 mm or so to pull it off, where as the captain only needs 3.2 mm. This means that Ryoma's drop shot is more easily detectable and less deceiving.

• The following copied techniques have been used in the anime OVA, where Seigaku plays at the Nationals:

Blurred Shot

Used by Yoshirou Akazawa of St. Rudolph, this shot causes the opponent to see several balls, making opponents with overly keen vision dizzy.

Fuu (Wind)

The first technique of Sanada's "FuuRinKaZan", "Swift Like the Wind". It is an extremely fast shot that goes by the opponent.

Hadokyuu （波動球）

The extremely powerful flat shot originally created byGin Ishida of Shitenhouji, Ryoma copies the two-handed version created by his teammate, Takashi Kawamura.

Ka (Fire)

The powerful drive/smash that is the 3rd shot of the "FuuRinKaZan", "Invade like the Fire" used by Sanada.

Kamaitachi

The only special move that Renji Yanagi from Rikkaidai uses in the manga; it is a high speed slice with a very powerful cut.

Rondo Towards Destruction （破滅のロンド）

A two-part smash created by Keigo Atobe. The first smash is aimed at the hand to cause the opponent to drop the racquet; then the ball bounces back, allowing a second smash to the now racquet-less opponent..

Seal Step

Fellow Seigaku regular Eiji Kikumaru's fast method of movement where he is seemingly in several places at once.

Shukuchihou

A Martial Arts technique that Higa players use to reach the net in what seems like one step.

Tannhauser Serve

A serve created by Atobe, the Tannhauser Serve is similar to Shusuke Fuji's Tsubame Gaeshi in that once it hits the ground, it does not bounce back up; rather, it simply rolls down the court.

Tezuka Zone （手塚ゾーン）

The method Tezuka uses of putting a specific spin on each ball that he hits, causing the ball to automatically return to him. Ryoma uses an incomplete version to break out of Atobe's World of Ice technique. However, it is stated in the manga that Ryoma learned this technique instinctively from playing against his father's completed version of the Samurai/Nanjirou Zone every day.

Viking Horn

Powerful shot hit with a reverse grip on the racket by Higa's Kai Yuujirou.

Wild Ball （あばれ球）

An upgraded and extremely dangerous Blur Shot used by Kippei Tachibana from Fudomine Middle School.

Kamikakushi （神隠し）

A very strong topspin shot that has extra vertical bounce, causing the ball to "disappear". Originally used by Senri Chitose of Shitenhouji.

Notable matches

Ryoma, as the protagonist, has had numerous matches in the story, more than any other character.

Kaoru Kaidoh

After joining Seigaku, Ryoma plays Kaoru Kaidoh in the Ranking matches. Initially, Kaidoh's Snake Shot gave him the upper hand. However, Ryoma holds his own, keeping the matches relatively even, until he uses Buggy Whip Shot, the technique Kaidoh's Snake Shot is derived from. Ryoma wins the match.

Sadaharu Inui

In his second major ranking match, Ryoma plays a third year, Sadaharu Inui. Inui's Data Tennis technique leaves Ryoma struggling through most of the match. He has difficulties with playing unpredictably, but eventually his One-Footed Split Step gives him the advantage, and he defeats Inui.

Shinji Ibu

In the District Regional finals, Ryoma faces Shinji of Fudomine Middle School in Singles 2. Ryoma surprises everyone with his Twist Serve, while Shinji demonstrates his own abilities with his Kick Serve. Ryoma seems to have control early, but Shinji uses his Spot technique of alternating Topspin and Slice shots, which causes temporary muscle paralysis in the opponent's arm. Ryoma attempts to counter this by pivoting with his foot, but he loses control of his racket, which hits a pole, breaks, and rebounds, injuring his eye.

Coach Ryuuzaki manages to stop the bleeding temporarily, but Tezuka tells Ryoma he must win in ten minutes or be forced to forfeit. Ryoma retakes the court and manages to seal off Shinji's Spot technique by hitting all low shots to his feet (which makes him unable to make a topspin) and Nitōryū. He manages to make it just in time, and wins the match for Seigaku.

Kunimitsu Tezuka

Following the District Regionals, Seigaku's Captain, Kunimitsu Tezuka, asks Ryoma to play an unofficial match with him, which is done in secret from the rest of the team (aside from Vice-Captain Shuichiro Oishi). While only a small portion of the match is shown, Tezuka defeats Ryoma and asks him to become Seigaku's Pillar of Support. Tezuka does this because he feels that Ryoma is (at that time) merely a carbon copy of his father, and wishes for Ryoma to develop his own style of tennis.

A flashback to this match later on in the manga shows that Tezuka saw Ryoma's "Samurai Spirit" during this match.

Akaya Kirihara (manga version)

Ryoma and Akaya Kirihara of Rikkai Daigaku Fuzoku meet prior to the Kantou Regional finals and decide to have a match. While Ryoma starts out well, Kirihara's Red Eyes form becomes too much for him. However, when losing 4-0, Ryoma unconsciously taps into the State of Self Actualization for the first time. He goes into a trance and wins six consecutive games, defeating Kirihara, but then falling unconscious. When he awakes, he is unaware of his victory.

Genichirou Sanada (manga version)

Ryoma starts out the match by going into the State of Self Actualization right away. He manages to win the first game by using a blitz of techniques, but loses control of the game when fatigue sets in. While Ryoma manages to keep steady and return Sanada's Fuu, Sanada merely responds by using Ka. With all hope seeming lost, Ryoma manages to gain a burst of energy and begins fighting back. Sanada is undaunted, but Ryoma manages to catch up and take the lead. Sanada goes into the State of Self Actualization himself, determined to end the match, but Ryoma manages to win by debuting his COOL Drive.

Kei Tanishi

The two play in the Singles 3 match during Seigaku's match with Higa Middle School at the start of the Nationals. Tanishi's Big Bang Serve allows him to win all of his service games, while Ryoma manages to win all of his, forcing a tiebreak.

It is there that Ryoma manages to return the Big Bang Serve. Ryoma had not let on to the fact that the serve had been weakening in power as the games progressed; as such, Tanishi was unaware of his own weakness, allowing Ryoma to get a return ace.

Keigo Atobe

During the National quarterfinals, Ryoma and Keigo Atobe face off in Singles 1, with their respective teams tied at 2-2. Atobe uses his new Tanhausser Serve to gain the upper hand. Ryoma attempts to take the lead by using the State of Self Actualization, but Atobe is still able to keep up, and debuts his new ability, the World of Ice, which allows him to exploit all of Ryoma's blind spots and win four consecutive games. At this point, Ryoma manages to break out by copying the Tezuka Zone, allowing him to catch up and force a tiebreak game. With the score tied at 117 each, both players collapse. Atobe gets up first and manages to walk over to receive the serve, but Ryoma manages to muster the strength to do the Twist Serve. Atobe is unable to return it, for he has already lost consciousness, and Ryoma manages to win 119-117, putting Seigaku in the semifinals.

Kintarou Toyama

Although the match between Seigaku and Shitenhouji had concluded, Ryoma and Kintarou played a special one ball match. In spite of it only being for one point, they both went all out for over 40 minutes. In the end, the ball was split in half, causing it to end in a draw. It was hinted by Chitose, Fuji and Tezuka in the manga (Chapter 340) that Ryoma may have unlocked Teni Muhou No Kiwami (Pinnacle of Perfection), the third and final door of Muga no Kyouchi (State of Self-Actualization), in this match. However, Nanjiro, apparently listening to the match through the radio, comments that Ryoma had it wrong, and that he still has lots more to work on.

Notable differences between the anime and manga

• While the anime places emphasis on his relationship with Tezuka as the captain, the manga shows a clearer bond between Ryoma and all of his co-regulars. One particular senpai he had little interaction with in the anime is Shusuke Fuji. In the manga, however, the two seem to have far more interactions than the anime bothered to show, suggesting a closer relationship like Ryoma has with Tezuka or Momoshiro.

• In the manga, Akaya Kirihara had a match with Ryoma before the Seigaku-Rikkai matches, in which Ryoma's knee was injured. During the Fuji-Kirihara match, Fuji aimed at Kirihara's knee; upon seeing his reaction, Fuji realized what had happened and told Kirihara he would destroy him. Fuji had never been that angry for anyone else's sake other than his brother, Yuuta Fuji.

• In the manga, the gut of Tezuka's racquet snapped when he was practicing, when Ryoma was in a pinch during his match against Sanada.

• In the manga, Fuji's full potential was drawn out because of Ryoma, when the younger boy stepped into the court in the middle of the Fuji-Shiraishi match to cheer on his teammate.

Mada mada dane

Mada mada dane (未だ未だだね) is a phrase that has been popularized by Ryoma Echizen. The meaning literally means "No, not yet," but varies in similarity, with meanings that include "You still have a long ways to go," "Not good enough" or "Still no good," and "It's not over yet." In the English version of the manga, or as translated directly in a chapter of the Japanese manga, "You still have lots more to work on." He says this to annoy and also to taunt his rivals. While most often linked to Ryoma Echizen, it is actually a derogatory phrase that is heard quite often in anime. Differences in usage include:

Mada mada dana: used by the former Samurai Nanjirou in his glory days.

Mada mada daze: used by Ryoga Echizen, Ryoma's stepbrother. He is only seen in the movie "Futari no Samurai".

Mada mada sune: used when addressing someone in higher respect.

Mada mada ssuyo: used in the anime, when Coach Ryuzaki asks Ryoma if he wants to continue during his match against Sanada in the Kantou Finals.

Trivia

• The Japanese Tennis Association has adopted Ryoma Echizen as a formal image character of the organization.

• In the anime, he is the youngest person in the world to win in the U.S. Open, beating Lleyton Hewitt in the final match. (This is stated at the end of episode 178.)

• Ryoma demonstrates prowess in other sports, such as bowling, table tennis, and billiards; his abilities in beach volleyball, however, may be questioned. When the Seigaku students go to the beach during the anime series, Ryoma plays well when paired with Kaidoh. However, he plays quite poorly in the OVA when paired with Tezuka, so much as to be taunted by the other Seigaku students and Rokkaku Chuu students alike by having his "Mada mada dane" returned with "Omae danna!", which translates roughly into "You do!" In the same event in the manga, Echizen (paired with Rokkaku's Kentaro Aoi instead) plays decently only after activating Muga no Kyouchi.

• The kanji that make up Ryoma's family name, Echizen, mean "to surpass"(越) and "the above"(前).

• In the TeniPuri Family chibi episodes, Ryoma is the oldest child (boy) of the family and always gets into all sorts of mischief.

• All throughout the series, Ryoma calls Kikumaru Eiji "Kikumaru-senpai" while others prefer to use the said player's first name. That was changed as the episodes entered the OVA's and Ryoma called Kikumaru Eiji "Eiji-senpai"

Actors

• In the anime series, Ryoma's seiyū (or voice actor) is Junko Minagawa in the Japanese version; in the U.S. version, his actor is David Neil Black.
• 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 Kotaro Yanagi (2003, 2005-2006), Kimeru (2003-2004), Yuya Endo (2004-2005) and Dori Sakurada (2006-current).