Prince of Tennis Season 1 Episode 1 The Prince Appears
- October 10, 2001
Ryoma Echizen, a 12-year-old tennis prodigy, has just moved to Seishun Academy, where he hopes to join the tennis team. His father, a former pro tennis player, has given him strict training all his life to prepare him for tennis tournaments. Ryoma, however, is unfazed by the new environment, as he exudes confidence that he can beat anyone even without breaking a sweat.
As he sets foot on the school grounds, Ryoma is challenged by his senpai, the captain of the tennis team, Kunimitsu Tezuka, to a match. Ryoma accepts the challenge, and the two of them immediately engage in a heated tennis match.
What ensues is a display of tennis that the academy has never seen before. Ryoma's incredible tennis skills catch Tezuka off guard, and the other members of the tennis team begin to take notice. Despite Tezuka's formidable tennis skills, Ryoma manages to overpower him with his deadly techniques, such as the Twist Serve and the Drive B.
As the match ends, Ryoma reveals that he is the son of Nanjiro Echizen, a legendary tennis player known as the Samurai. This revelation leaves the members of the tennis team awestruck. The episode ends with Ryoma making his intentions known - he wants to join the tennis team and become the best tennis player in Japan.
Overall, the first episode of Prince of Tennis sets the tone for what is to come. It establishes the main character as a talented player with a desire to dominate the competition. The episode also showcases the intense tennis matches that the series is known for, with the match between Ryoma and Tezuka being especially memorable. Additionally, the episode introduces the other members of the tennis team, who will undoubtedly play significant roles throughout the series. It's a great start to what will surely be an exciting tennis journey.