| |
|---|---|
| Ryoma Echizen | |
| Kanji |
越前 リョーマ |
| Rōmaji |
Echizen Ryoma |
| Nicknames |
Prince of Tennis |
| Gender |
Male |
| Age |
12 |
| Height |
151 cm |
| Weight |
50 kg |
| Birthday |
December 24 |
| Horoscope |
Capricorn |
| Eyesight (Unaided) |
1.5 (both eyes) |
| Blood Type |
O |
| Family |
Nanjirō Echizen (Father) |
| Junior High |
Seigaku (1st Year) |
| Class |
1-2 |
| Seat |
4 |
| Club Position |
Regular |
| Elementary School |
Los Angeles Saint Youth Elementary School [1] |
| Japan U-17 Camp |
Court 2 (Former) |
| USA U-17 Camp |
No. 14 All American Representative |
| Dominant Arm |
Left |
| Play Style |
All Rounder |
| Racquet(s) |
Yonex Bridgestone (Dynabeam Grandea)Cite error: Invalid |
| Manga Debut |
Genius 1 |
| Anime Debut |
Episode 1 (The Prince of Tennis) |
| Movies |
Atobe's Gift |
| Voice Actor | |
Ryoma Echizen (越前 リョーマ, Echizen Ryōma) is a first year student at Seishun Academy, which he attends immediately after his arrival in Japan after formerly residing in the United States.
| “ | Mada Mada Dane. | ” |
— Ryoma Echizen
| ||
Background
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 good looks and confidence make him highly popular with ladies, although he seems not to notice, having his focus exclusively on tennis. He is the main protagonist of the series.
Appearance
Ryoma as a kid
Ryoma, being twelve-years old, is noticeably shorter than his fellow 2nd and 3rd year regulars; although he is at a similar height to all of his fellow 1st year peers and classmates. He has brown eyes (hazel in the anime) and green tinted black hair. His eyes are sharply shaped and big, giving his facial expression the look of a confident, yet childish, person.
Ryoma’s signature clothing item is his Fila hat (however, in the anime the "F" for Fila is censored and replaced by an "R" for Ryoma). His shoe brand also belongs to Fila. He is almost never seen without his hat with the exceptions being when he is in his school uniform or sleeping at home.
His usual tennis gear outside of his Seigaku Regular uniform is a white short sleeved collar shirt with the sleeves being red (along with the top part of his collar having 2 red lines) and black (or a very dark shade of blue) shorts. On occasions, Ryoma wears a dark-and-light red jacket over his white-red shirt. He is most often seen in his Seigaku Regular's uniform or his school uniform.
In the New Prince of Tennis, after training in the mountains, Ryoma is seen wearing the Black Revolutionary Brigade Jersey. Also, after the mountain training, he is always seen wearing a band-aid on his nose, due to a small injury he received while training in the mountains.
Personality
He does not go easy on himself and pushes himself more, rather than letting himself rest. He is specifically a singles player, though he did try doubles once with teammate Momoshiro Takeshi. After seeing how bad he was at doubles, Coach Ryūzaki usually placed him in the S3 (Singles 3) or S2 (Singles 2) position. When captain Tezuka Kunimitsu goes away for rehabilitation for his arm, Ryoma and teammate Fuji Shūsuke take turns for the S1 (Singles 1) position. In the Nationals, Ryoma often found himself placed in the S1 position nearly every match.
Ryoma has a habit of forgetting people that he finds insignificant or met for a brief moment. The first person he forgets is Sakuno which saddens her. Another person he forgets is Sasabe and his father. He also forgot Sengoku as they met just briefly. Whether he does this on purpose is as of yet unknown.
His catchphrase (and favorite phrase) in the Japanese anime is "Mada Mada Dane", literally meaning "No, not yet" or "Not good enough", although the literal translation in Japanese is "You still have lots more to work on". In the American version, it is translated as "You still have a ways to go".
In the Prince of Tennis movie Tennis no Ōjisama - Futari no Samurai, Ryoma supposedly has an older brother named Ryōga Echizen, but the latter is later revealed to simply be a child that Nanjirō took in a few years ago. In the manga, it was confirmed Ryoga is Ryoma's half-brother.
Ryoma can be quite arrogant at times, but is usually able to back up his statements with his tennis skills. He is usually distrustful of other tennis players, and often provokes his opponent before a match. In the beginning of the series, Ryoma is not taken seriously by the other students at his school, especially at the Seishun Tennis Club. It is only after he beats two of Seishun's regulars (Kaoru Kaidō and Sadaharu Inui) that he gains respect from fellow club members. He is also unafraid almost to the point of recklessness, but rarely gets angry or out of control. In the TeniPuri family chibi episodes, Ryoma is the eldest son of the family and always creates all sorts of troubles. In other chibi episodes, he is mostly shown very skilled.
At the beginning of the series, all of Ryoma's tennis skills are 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 (his father, Tezuka, and Fuji), 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 fifteen years ago in defense of George's pupil Rinko Takeuchi, who becomes Ryoma's mother. Kevin appears later in the series in the "friendly" match between the U.S.A West Coast Region and the Japan Kanto Region. 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 is forced to earn his place as a reserve player.
Ryoma also cares much about his family cat Karupin. Once, Karupin follows Ryoma to school after he accidentally packs its toy into his bag. After he discovers the fact, he frantically searches for his cat around the district.[2] Also, Karupin had followed Ryoma to the US Open tournament by sneaking into Ryoma's bag.
He has many girl fans that are so obsessed with him. He currently doesn't show any interest in girls because of his dedication toward tennis. Occasionally, he has been seen dismissing them. Although his apathetic nature, he does show Sakuno his genuine concern. In the anime, he has saved her from time to time. In the manga (Chapter 306), he threw a tennis ball at a thief for making the prepared food she made drop onto the floor.
He defeated everyone that he battled except against his captain, Tezuka. It should be noted that while he inherited his father's tennis skills and cockiness, his way of thinking seems to be more similar to his mother as he is shown to be quite serious, studious, and silent when possible. He finally defeats Tezuka and then returns to America for the US Open.
Revealed in the manga, Ryoma did worship and adore Ryoga as Ryoga teased but Ryoma denied. They celebrated Halloween together, collected oranges together, and got into trouble together. This showed they were extremely close. When Ryoma witnessed Ryoga get into a car and leave him, Ryoma was devastated that he could not stop screaming out for Ryoga. This devastation could be the reason why Ryoma does not recognise Ryoga or because they have been separated for too long.
History
Notable Matches
- See: Notable Matches
Tennis Record
2008-2009 Official Middle School Tournament
| Tournament | Round | School | Position | Partner | Opponent(s) | Score |
| 2008 Tokyo District | Quarterfinals | Gyokurin | Doubles 2 | Momoshiro Takeshi | Izumi/Fukawa | Won (6-2) |
| 2008 Tokyo District | Semi-Finals | Mizu no Fuchi | Reserve Player | None | None | None |
| 2008 Tokyo District | Finals | Fudomine Middle School | Singles 2 | None | Ibu Shinji | Won (6-3) |
| 2008 Tokyo Prefecturals | Round 3 | Kamata | Singles 2 | None | Maekawa | Won (6-0) |
| 2008 Tokyo Prefecturals | Round 4 | Akiyama 3rd | Singles 3 | None | Nihonmatsu | Won (6-0) |
| 2008 Tokyo Prefecturals | Quarterfinals | St. Rudolph | Singles 3 | None | Fuji Yūta | Won (NOTE-1) |
| 2008 Tokyo Prefectual | Finals | Yamabuki Middle School | Singles 2 | None | Akutsu Jin | Won (6-4) |
| 2008 Kantō Regionals | Round 1 | Hyōtei Academy | Reserve Player | None | Hiyoshi Wakashi | Won (6-2) |
| 2008 Kantō Regionals (NOTE-2) | Quarterfinals | Midoriyama | Singles 3 | None | Kiraku Yasuyuki | Won (6-1) |
| 2008 Kantō Regionals (NOTE-2) | Quarterfinals | Jōsei Shōnan | Singles 2 | None | Reijii Shinjou | Won (6-4) |
| 2008 Kantō Regionals | Semi-Finals | Rokkaku Middle School | Singles 3 (NOTE-3) | None | Aoi Kentarō | Won (6-4) |
| 2008 Kantō Regionals | Finals | Rikkai Daigaku Fuzoku | Singles 1 | None | Sanada Genichirō | Won (7-5) |
| 2008 Nationals | Round 2 | Higa Middle School | Singles 3 | None | Tanishi Kei | Won (7-6) (8-6) |
| 2008 Nationals | Quarterfinals | Hyōtei Academy | Singles 1 | None | Atobe Keigo | Won (7-6) (119-117) |
| 2008 Nationals | Semi-Finals | Shitenhōji | Singles 1 | None | Tōyama Kintarō | None (NOTE-4) |
| 2008 Nationals | Finals | Rikkai Daigaku Fuzoku | Singles 1 | None | Yukimura Seiichi | Won (6-4) |
- NOTE-1 In the manga, Ryoma won with the score of 6-3, while in the anime, Ryoma won with the score of 6-4.
- NOTE-2 The match against Midoriyama only took place in the manga, while Jōsei Shōnan's match existed only in the anime.
- NOTE-3 In the manga, Kaidō Kaoru took his place for Singles 3, so Ryoma never played against Rokkaku in the manga.
- NOTE-4 Although Seigaku already won with 3 wins and 1 loss, due to Kintarō's request, a 1-point match that lasted for 40 minutes was allowed, with the tennis ball splitting in half and each half landing on each side of the court, settling the unofficial match as a tie.
Seigaku Ranking Matches
| Day | Block | Opponent | Score |
| 4/2008 | Block D | Inui Sadaharu | Won (7-5) |
| 4/2008 | Block D | Kaidō Kaoru | Won (6-4) |
| 4/2008 | Block D | Nishi Hideto | Won (6-0) |
| 4/2008 | Block D | Ikeda Masaya | Won (6-0) |
| 4/2008 | Block D | Fushimi Ayata | Won (6-0) |
| 6/2008 | Block D | Oishi Shūichirō | Won (6-3) |
| 6/2008 | Block D | Kuwahara Naoya | Won (6-0) |
| 6/2008 | Block D | Mikami Kōji | Won (6-0) |
| 6/2008 | Block D | Ikeda Masaya | Won (6-0) |
| 6/2008 | Block D | Tsuda Shūshi | Won (6-0) |
Unofficial Matches
| Day | Location | Type of Match | Opponent | Score |
| 4/2008 | Kakinokizawa Garden Tennis Club | Singles Match | Sasabe (Kitakō Kōkō Captain) | Win (6-2) |
| 4/2008 | Seigaku | Singles Match | Momoshiro Takeshi | Interrupted (1-0) |
| 4/2008 | Seigaku | Singles Match | Arai Masashi | Interrupted (Unknown) |
| 4/2008 | Kachiro's father's tennis club | Singles Match | Sasabe Sr. | Won (6-0) |
| 4/2008 | Street Tennis Courts with Momoshiro | Doubles Match | Izumi/Fukawa | Lost (0-1) |
| 5/2008 | Near a Train Station | Singles Match | Tezuka Kunimitsu | Lost (Unknown) |
| 5/2008 | Echizen's house | Singles Match | Echizen Nanjirō | Lost (Unknown) |
| 5/2008 | Echizen's house | Singles Match | Momoshiro Takeshi | Unknown |
| 5/2008 | Tokyo Prefectuals | Singles Match | Koyanagi | Won (Unknown) |
| 5/2008 | Seigaku | Singles Match | Fuji Shūsuke | Interrupted (3-4) |
| 5/2008 | Ginka Middle School | Singles Match | Suzuki Yasaharu | Won (Unknown) |
| 5/2008 | Ginka Middle School | Singles Match | Tashiro | Won (Unknown) |
| 5/2008 | Ginka Middle School | Singles Match | Dōmoto Gōki | Won (Unknown) |
| 5/2008 | Ginka Middle School | Singles Match | Fukushi Michiru | Won (Unknown) |
| 7/2008 | Seigaku (Anime Only) | Singles Match | Tezuka Kunimitsu | Lost (4-6) |
| 7/2008 | A tennis club in the Kanagawa prefecture (Manga only) | Singles Match | Kirihara Akaya | Win (6-4) |
| 7/2008 | Kanto Tennis Courts (Anime Only) | Singles Match | Sanada Genichiro | Lost (Unknown) |
| 8/2008 | Rokkaku Middle School Tennis Club (Manga only) | Singles Match | Aoi Kentarō | Unknown |
| 8/2008 | Seigaku (OVA only) | Singles Match | Oishi Shuichiro | Won (6-0) |
| 8/2008 | Echizen's house | Singles Match | Echizen Nanjirō | Lost (Unknown) |
| 8/2008 | Nationals (See above for more information) | Singles Match | Tōyama Kintarō | Draw (0-0) |
| 8/2008 | Tennis Court close to the Nationals | Singles Match | Momoshiro Takeshi | Unknown |
| 8/2008 | Tennis Court close to the Nationals | Singles Match | Ibu Shinji | Unknown |
| 8/2008 | Tennis Court close to the Nationals | Singles Match | Fuji Yūta | Won (6-4) |
| 8/2008 | Tennis Court close to the Nationals | Singles Match | Akutsu Jin | Won |
| 8/2008 | Tennis Court close to the Nationals | Singles Match | Kiraku Yasuyuki/Aoi Kentarō (NOTE-1) | Unknown |
| 8/2008 | Tennis Court close to the Nationals | Singles Match | Hiyoshi Wakashi | Unknown |
| 8/2008 | Tennis Court close to the Nationals | Singles Match | Tanishi Kei | Unknown |
| 8/2008 | Tennis Court close to the Nationals | Singles Match | Atobe Keigo | Unknown |
| 8/2008 | Tennis Court close to the Nationals | Singles Match | Sanada Genichirō | Unknown |
- NOTE-1 Since Kiraku was not featured in the anime, the anime replaced him with Aoi Kentaro, who played against Ryoma officially only in the anime.
U-17 Camp Results
| Type of Match | Partner | Opponent | Score |
| Unofficial Match | None | Matsudaira Chikao | Won (Unknown) |
| Tiebreaker-Style Elimination Match | None | Minami Kentarō | Lost (Forfeit) NOTE-1 |
| Unofficial Match | None | Tokugawa Kazuya | Lost (Unkown) |
| Unoffical Match | None | Tooyama Kintarou | Interrupted |
- NOTE-1 Ryoma never returned from his bathroom break and got preoccupied playing against Tokugawa, so he was unable to make it to the tiebreaker match in time.
Playing Style and Techniques
Personal Information[1]
- Foot Size: 24 cm
- Hobby: Bathing, Trying new hot spring bath salts in his bath, Taking a bath with bath powder from the nation's most famous hot springs
- His father's occupation is helping to run the temple nearby
- Uses allowance on: Fanta/Ponta
- Favorite Motto: "All or nothing."
- Favorite Subject: Science
- Best Subject: English
- Worst Subject: Japanese, Science Experiments
- Favorite Food: Grilled Fish, Chawan Mushi, Ebi Senbei (Plum - Kimchi flavored), egg sandwiches and Japanese food.
- Committee: Library
- Often visited place in school: Under the school's big tree
- Favorite Color: Silver (although he is always seen wearing a red shirt and a red racket.)
- Favorite types of movies: Any Hollywood films
- Favorite type of books: Monthly Pro Tennis
- Favorite type of music: J-pop
- Favorite Type: A girl who looks good in a ponytail
- Favorite date spot: Santa Monica's 3rd Street Promenade
- On his ‘want’ list: Nintendo DS [1], Nintendo 3 DS [3]
- Daily Routine: Playing with Karupin
- Doesn't like/bad at doing: Waking up early, dusting the temple
- Other specialty besides tennis: Becoming attached to animals for some reason
- Catchphrase: Mada Mada Dane (lit. translation: "You still have lots more to work on", VIZ translation: "You have a ways to go")
- Variations:
- Mada mada sune (or mada mada desune): used when addressing someone in higher respect.
- Mada mada ssuyo
- Variations:
- He is often called "chibi" or "baby" due to his height
- Ryoma is frequently seen drinking Fanta (Ponta in the anime).
Daily School Life[1]
- 06:30 - His older female cousin wakes him up
- 06:45 - While half asleep, eats breakfast and leaves for school
- 07:30 - Is late for morning practice. Runs 30 laps around the grounds
- 08:40 - First Period: Mathematics (half asleep)
- 09:40 - Second Period: English; Grammar (half asleep)
- 11:00 - Third Period: Physical Education: Horizontal bar
- 12:00 - Fourth Period: Geography; Small Test
- 12:50 - Lunch break: After eating his bento, goes to the store to buy bread
- 13:10 - Since it can't be helped, he goes to buy milk and drinks it
- 13:20 - Fifth Period: Science 1; Physics (dozes off because his stomach's full)
- 14:20 - Sixth Period: Japanese; Classical Literature (thinks of volley ideas)
- 15:20 - Library Committee (doesn't hear what someone tells him)
- 16:00 - Club Activites: Does nothing but volley practice
- 17:30 - Makes a detour to the CD shop with Momoshiro, returns home
- Dinner, takes a bath (his bathing salts are from Beppu Onsen)
- 18:30 - Rallies with his father
- 22:30 - Listens to music while playing with Karupin
- 23:00 - Falls asleep while playing games on his futon
Note form Kachirou: I'm envious that his English is so good even though he's always sleeping. Ryoma-kun's pronunciation is even better than the teacher's.
Note form Inui: According to my data, he still hasn't had enough milk. What Echizen needs first is to let his bones grow.
Ryoma's Tennis Bag Content [4]
- Doubles for Beginners
This is the guidebook he bought when he had to play doubles with Momoshiro. Who knew he still kept it on him. - Notebook
This is his math notebook for class. He forgot to take it out of his bag, so he ended up bringing it with him. - Karupin's photos
Photos of his beloved cat Karupin. He denies that he was the one who put them in his bag... - Planner
Ryoma, who is guilty of always being late, has emergency contact numbers written in this planner that he always brings with him. - Pen case
This is the pen case he always uses at school. It seems to always be in his bag. - Game Boy Advance
He uses this hand-held game system to pass off the time. It's been said that he got this as a graduation gift. - Rice cracker
It's the best luxury in life to drink Fanta/Ponta while eating rice crackers after club activities!!
Relationships
- See: Relationships
Trivia
- See: Trivia
Quotes
- "Mada mada dane."
- "You still have lots more to work on."
- "There are some... who play tricks because they're weak."
- (To Sakuno) "You bend your knees too much. And don't flip your wrist like that. You opened your shoulders too wide. And your hair's too long. You should cut it."
- "But you know what? It feels better to beat someone at their own game."
- "Tennis is tennis. All you have to do is chase and hit the ball."
- (To Nanako) "It's so easy that I might make a stupid mistake."
- (To Ibu) "I'm sorry, but I don't feel like losing before the Nationals. Of course, we won't lose at the Nationals either!" ("Warui kedo, zenkoku made makeru kinain de. Zenkoku demo makenai kedo!")
- "People aren't data alone."
- "To complete... that would mean that's the end, right?"
- "It's fun tearing apart a perfect 'masterpiece."
- "Don't be in such a rush. The ball isn't going to run."
- (To Nanjirou) "Dad, I want to be stronger, much stronger, much much more stronger!"
- (To Akutsu) "You shouldn't take tennis so lightly." ("ammari tennis wo namenai ho ga i yo"[?])
- COOL Drive!
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Pair Puri Volume 5
- ↑ Karupin's Adventure
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedNPOT10.5 - ↑ Prince of Tennis Fanbook Volume 10.5
Gallery
- See Gallery