| “ | "You still have lots more to work on." | „ |
| ~ Ryoma Echizen's catchphrase |
Ryoma Echizen is the main protagonist of the manga and anime series The Prince of Tennis. He is a first year student at Seishun Academy, which he attends immediately after his arrival in Japan after formerly residing in the United States.
Throughout the entire anime adaptations, Ryoma is voiced by Junko Minagawa. In English, only for the first season, he is voiced by David Neil Black.
Overview[]
The reason why Ryoma is the "prince of tennis" is because he is the son of one of the greatest tennis players, "Nanjiro Echizen". Throughout the series, Echizen is a Freshman in the middle school "Seigaku". He joins their tennis club and after beating key players in the interrankings, he is part of the Seigaku Tennis club.
Appearance[]
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.
Personality[]
Although usually nonchalant and arrogant, Ryoma refuses to tolerate bullying when he sees it. He outright states he wants to get revenge against Akutsu for hurting the members of his club. During said assault from Akutsu, he defends Kachiro to the point of shielding him with his own body from rocks. Likewise, he is shown to want the Japan team to do well, despite being on the American Team. He eventually returns to the Japan Team during the Tournament on good terms with the American Team.
Trivia[]
- Since Ryoma grew up in the United States, he is very accustomed to the language, but his Japanese accent still sounds very thick. Also, his best subject at school is English, while his worst is Japanese.
- Ryoma has only ever played volleyball once, although he has been shown playing in the anime multiple times. The only time he has played volleyball was during the Oji's Beach Volleyball Tournament, which was held during the joint training camp with Rokkaku Chuu.
- In the manga, he is shown wearing Fila shoes, cap, wristband and shirt, although in the anime, the Fila logo is censored out and the "F" sign on Ryoma's hat, which represents Fila, it is replaced with an "R" instead, to symbolize his first letter of his name, Ryoma.
- Ryoma makes a cameo appearance in chapter 136 of Satou Yousuke's, Onidere manga.
- Ryoma had been parodied in Gintama when Sagaru Yamazaki cosplayed as him except Yamazaki plays badminton.
Quotes[]
- "You still have lots more to work on." ("Mada mada dane.")
- ("Chisu.")
- "Bastard!" ("Nyaro!")
- "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."
- (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, much more stronger!" ("Oyaji, tsuyoku nari tai. Motto, motto!")
- “I’m gonna go all out.” (“Gangan ikuyo.”)
- (To Akutsu) "Oops, sorry sorry. But, you shouldn't underestimate tennis so much." ("Ooto, gomen gomen. Demo, ammari tennis wo namenai ho ga i yo.")
- (Against Akutsu) “You will be a good stepping stone.” (“Anta wa ii fumi dai ni naru yo.”)
- (To Sanada in manga) “Hey, there are many monsters like you, lurking around in the Nationals, right?” (“Ne, Zenkoku ni wa anta mitae na bakemono, gogohoro irun desho?”)
- (To Sanada in manga) “I will defeat you, and go to the nationals!” (“Anta wa taoshite, zenkoku ni iku!”)
- "COOL Drive!"