Prince of Tennis Season 1 Episode 3 The Regular Members Have Arrived!
- October 24, 2001
The episode titled "The Regular Members Have Arrived!" is the third episode of the first season of the anime series Prince of Tennis. The episode begins with the arrival of the regular members of Seishun Academy tennis club. The team consists of six members, which include captain, Tezuka Kunimitsu, and vice-captain, Inui Sadaharu.
Ryoma is still trying to get the hang of Japanese tennis and play at his full potential. He is yet to be formally introduced to most of the regular members, and not many of them seem to be aware of his impressive tennis skills. The senior members of the team, on the other hand, are already familiar with Ryoma's grandfather, Nanjirou.
The episode progresses with a practice game between the regular members, and the non-regular members. The game is a chance for the new players to showcase their skills and get an opportunity to be selected as a regular member. Ryoma is on the non-regular team and, not surprisingly, he is the star player. He quickly shows his capabilities and proves to be a valuable addition to the team.
However, the other non-regular team members fail to make an impact, with most of them being quickly defeated by the regulars. The practice game ends with a score of 5-1 in favor of the regular members. Tezuka, however, is not satisfied with the team's performance and announces that there will be a rigorous training session for all the members.
In the upcoming training sessions, the members are pushed to their limits, with brutal exercises designed to improve their stamina, agility, and other physical aspects required for tennis. Despite the grueling sessions, Ryoma seems to be unfazed and maintains a calm demeanor.
The episode eventually concludes with Ryoma being selected as a regular member of the Seishun Academy tennis club. The achievement comes as no surprise, given his impressive talent. However, it is still a significant milestone for Ryoma, who now has the opportunity to represent his school in upcoming tournaments.
Overall, "The Regular Members Have Arrived!" is an enjoyable episode that showcases the dynamics between the regular and non-regular members of the team and highlights the rigorous training required to become a top-notch tennis player. The episode also introduces some new characters and hints at some of the ongoing rivalries between the different schools. The episode is a must-watch for tennis enthusiasts and fans of the series alike.