| The Prince of Tennis | |
| Season OVA, Episode 26 | |
 | |
| Air date |
January 23, 2009 |
| Episode Guide | |
| previous The Prince vs The Child of God |
next |
| Arc Guide | |
| previous arc The Nationals Semifinals arc - Shitenhōji arc |
next arc |
Dear Prince ~To the Princes of Tennis is the 26th episode of the Nationals OVA and the 7th and final episode of the National Finals arc. It originally aired on January 23, 2009.
The opening song is "Across My Line" by Echizen Ryoma and the ending is "Dear Prince ~Tennis no Oujisama-tachi e~" by Ikemen Samurai.
Summary[]
After many hardships and suffering, Ryoma unlocks the final Muga gate, Teni Muhō No Kiwami (Pinnacle of Perfection), and defeats Yukimura with incredible moves. Seigaku wins the Nationals! In the end, Sakuno writes a letter to Ryoma explaining how the freshman trio are now Juniors, along with Momoshiro being the new vice captain and Kaido being the new captain. She says that Tezuka plans to go to Germany to become better. Sakuno says the cherry trees are blooming while holding a red tennis racket. We then see Ryoma in America about to beat another pair of tennis gangsters.
Tennis Techniques Introduced[]
Manga Chapter Equivalents[]
- Genius 374: Final Battle! The Prince vs The Child of God 4
- Genius 375: Final Battle! The Prince vs The Child of God 5
- Genius 376: Final Battle! The Prince vs The Child of God 6
- Genius 377: Final Battle! The Prince vs The Child of God 7
- Genius 378: Final Battle! The Prince vs The Child of God 8
- Genius 379: Dear Prince: To The Princes of Tennis
Anime and Manga Differences[]
- Ryoma is hit in the face with a tennis ball when he loses his hearing in the anime.
- Ryoma trips over a ball while trying to serve in the anime, the ball hits him in the back in the manga.
- Sumire cries, apologizing, over Ryoma's struggles in the manga, this is not shown in the anime.
- Sakuno comments that Ryoma looks like he's having fun in the manga.
- Kintaro mentions that Ryoma's Samurai Drive was used during their one point match in the manga.
- Each team (Shitenhōji, Rokkaku, Rikkaidai, Higa, Yamabuki, and Hyotei) each have their own scene in the anime after the match.
- The previous Seigaku 3rd years all visit the school during the second year in the anime to watch Ryoma's match on TV.
- In the manga Momoshiro and Kaido are shown as 3rd years with Momoshiro wondering what Ryoma is up to in America.
- An additional bully is added in the final scene with Ryoma in America.
- In the anime Sakuno narrates the last few scenes in the form of a letter to Ryoma.