Is the Anime Really Finished?#
If you are looking for a definitive conclusion to the story through animation alone, the short answer is: not yet.
While the original series and several subsequent seasons provide a massive amount of content, the story is still unfolding. The most recent development is the announcement of a new sequel, Shin Tennis no Ōji-sama U-17 World Cup Kesshō Member Ketteisen, which is scheduled to debut in Fall 2026.
If you prefer not to wait for the anime catch-up, you may want to dive into the source material. According to recent reports, The New Prince of Tennis manga is currently nearing its end, with only a few chapters remaining as of early 2026. To get the full, satisfying conclusion to Ryoma Echizen’s journey right now, reading the manga is your best bet.
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What is The Prince of Tennis About?#
The Prince of Tennis is a high-energy sports drama centered on Ryoma Echizen, a 13-year-old tennis prodigy who returns to Japan from America after dominating the Junior Championships. Ryoma enrolls at Seigaku High School, a school renowned for its powerhouse tennis club.
Despite being a freshman, Ryoma’s immense skill allows him to challenge and defeat older students, which earns him both rivals and enemies. Under the guidance of Team Captain Tezuka, Ryoma joins the team to climb the ranks and compete in grueling national tournaments.
Who is this for? This series is perfect for fans of “tournament-style” anime and sports dramas. It focuses heavily on technical skill, rivalry, and the drive for victory, making it a must-watch for anyone who enjoys seeing an underdog (or in Ryoma’s case, a confident prodigy) take on the best in the country.
If you’re ready to start your journey, you can watch the anime on Prime Video.
Watch Order Guide#
Because The Prince of Tennis has a complex web of sequels, OVAs, and spin-offs, it can be confusing to know where to start. We recommend referring to our relationship tree on this page to visualize the connections between series.
Recommended Order (Main Story)#
For those who want the core narrative without getting bogged down in every single side story, follow this path:
- Prince of Tennis (The original series)
- The National Tournament $\rightarrow$ Zenkoku Taikai-hen Semifinal $\rightarrow$ Zenkoku Taikai-hen Final
- Prince of Tennis II
- Prince of Tennis II: U-17 World Cup $\rightarrow$ U-17 World Cup Semifinal
- Shin Tennis no Ōji-sama U-17 World Cup Kesshō Member Ketteisen (Coming Fall 2026)
Completionist Order (All Extras)#
If you want every single piece of content, including side stories and specials, follow the release order:
- Start with the original series and the Two Samurais / Atobe Kara no Okurimono specials (2005).
- Move through the National Tournament arc and its subsequent finals.
- Watch the Another Story OVAs and Eikoku-shiki Teikyū-jō Kessen! (2011).
- Continue with Prince of Tennis II and the OVA vs. Genius 10.
- Include the Hyotei vs Rikkai Game of Future (2021) and the movie Ryoma! The Prince of Tennis (2021).
- Finish with the U-17 World Cup series and the upcoming 2026 sequel.
The “Manga Transition” Path#
If you don’t have the patience to wait for years of anime releases, we suggest watching the original series and the National Tournament arc, then switching to the manga. You can buy The New Prince of Tennis manga here to see how the story concludes.
Final Tips for New Fans#
- Merchandise: As a long-running franchise, there is a wealth of collectibles available. If you want to represent Seigaku, you can find Prince of Tennis merchandise here.
- Pacing: Be prepared for the tournament arcs to be extensive; the series takes its time building the tension of every match.
- Updates: Keep an eye on the news regarding the manga’s final chapters and the Fall 2026 anime debut to stay current with the plot.
Prince of Tennis • manga • 1999-05 to 2008-03-03 (Japanese)
└─(adaptation)→ Prince of Tennis • anime • 2001-10-10 to 2005-03-30
└─(sequel)→ Prince of Tennis: A Day on Survival Mountain • anime • 2003
└─(sequel)→ Prince of Tennis: The National Tournament • anime • 2006-03-24
└─(sequel)→ Tennis no Ouji-sama: Zenkoku Taikai-hen Semifinal • anime • 2007-06-22
└─(sequel)→ Tennis no Ōji-sama: Zenkoku Taikai-hen Final • anime • 2008-04-25
└─(side story)→ Prince of Tennis OVA: Another Story - Kako to Mirai no Message • anime • 2009-05-26
└─(sequel)→ Prince of Tennis OVA Another Story II - Ano Toki no Bokura • anime • 2011-08-26
└─(side story)→ Tennis no Ōjisama BEST GAMES!! • anime • 2018-08-24 (limited theater screening)
└─(related)→ Prince of Tennis: Two Samurais, The First Game • anime • 2005-01-29
└─(related)→ Tennis no Oujisama: Atobe Kara no Okurimono • anime • 2005-01-29
└─(sequel)→ Prince of Tennis: Eikoku-shiki Teikyū-jō Kessen! • anime • 2011-08-14
└─(sequel)→ New Prince of Tennis • manga • 2009-03-04 (serialized in Jump Square)
└─(adaptation)→ Prince of Tennis II • anime • 2012-01-04
└─(sequel)→ Prince of Tennis II OVA vs. Genius 10 • anime • 2014-10-28
└─(related)→ Prince of Tennis II Hyotei vs Rikkai Game of Future • anime • 2021-02-13
└─(sequel)→ Prince of Tennis II: U-17 World Cup • anime • 2022-07-06
└─(sequel)→ Prince of Tennis II: U-17 World Cup Semifinal • anime • 2024-10-02
└─(sequel)→ Shin Tennis no Ōji-sama U-17 World Cup Kesshō Member Ketteisen • anime • 2026-10
└─(related)→ Ryoma! The Prince of Tennis • anime • 2021-09-03
└─(spinoff)→ Hōkago no Ōji-sama • manga • 2008-11-04 (serialized in Jump Square, Dec 2008)
