One of the most legendary sports anime franchises from Japan’s golden age of animation is The Prince of Tennis. Since its first broadcast in 2001, the series has continued to expand with sequels, OVAs, movies, and spin-offs that are still loved by fans around the world.
Because the franchise contains a massive number of episodes, OVAs, specials, and theatrical films, many new viewers often wonder:
“What is the correct watch order for The Prince of Tennis?”
This complete guide explains the best chronological watch order for The Prince of Tennis, including every major anime installment up to The New Prince of Tennis U-17 WORLD CUP SEMIFINAL.
The Prince of Tennis Complete Watch Order
| No. | Series / Movie | Type | Episodes | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Prince of Tennis | TV Anime | 178 Episodes | 2001–2005 |
| 2 | The Prince of Tennis Movie: The Two Samurai | Movie | 1 Movie | 2005 |
| 3 | The Prince of Tennis Movie: Atobe's Gift | Movie | 1 Movie | 2005 |
| 4 | The Prince of Tennis National Tournament Arc | OVA | 13 Episodes | 2006 |
| 5 | The Prince of Tennis National Tournament Semifinal | OVA | 6 Episodes | 2007 |
| 6 | The Prince of Tennis National Tournament Final | OVA | 7 Episodes | 2008 |
| 7 | Another Story I: Messages From Past and Future | OVA | 4 Episodes | 2009 |
| 8 | Another Story II: The Time We Shared | OVA | 4 Episodes | 2011 |
| 9 | The Prince of Tennis Movie: Showdown in England's Tennis Fortress | Movie | 1 Movie | 2011 |
| 10 | The New Prince of Tennis OVA Episode 1: Invitation Eve | OVA | 1 Episode | 2012 |
| 11 | The New Prince of Tennis | TV Anime | 13 Episodes | 2012 |
| 12 | The New Prince of Tennis OVA | OVA | Episodes 2–7 | 2012–2013 |
| 13 | The New Prince of Tennis OVA vs Genius10 | OVA | 10 Episodes | 2014–2015 |
| 14 | The New Prince of Tennis U-17 WORLD CUP | TV Anime | 13 Episodes | 2022 |
| 15 | The New Prince of Tennis U-17 WORLD CUP SEMIFINAL | TV Anime | 13 Episodes | 2024 |
Recommended Viewing Order
Binge animeThe best viewing flow is:
Main Series → Movies → National Tournament OVAs → Another Story OVAs → The New Prince of Tennis → U-17 WORLD CUP
Watching the franchise in this order allows viewers to naturally follow the story progression, character growth, and major tournaments without confusion.
Main Series Overview
The Prince of Tennis (2001–2005)
The original anime contains 178 episodes and follows Ryoma Echizen’s journey after joining Seishun Academy’s tennis team. The series introduces legendary rival schools and iconic matches that shaped the sports anime genre.
| Important Teams | Main Rivals |
|---|---|
| Seishun Academy (Seigaku) | Hyotei Academy |
| Fudomine | Rikkai Dai |
| Shitenhoji | Yamabuki |
National Tournament Arc
The National Tournament OVAs continue directly after the TV series and are considered essential viewing for all fans.
These episodes feature some of the franchise’s greatest battles, especially the intense rivalry between Seigaku and Rikkai Dai.
| OVA Series | Episodes | Release Year |
|---|---|---|
| National Tournament Arc | 13 | 2006 |
| National Tournament Semifinal | 6 | 2007 |
| National Tournament Final | 7 | 2008 |
Movie Watch Order
Most Prince of Tennis movies are side stories and can be watched anytime after the original series. However, watching them in release order provides the best experience.
| Movie | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Two Samurai | 2005 | Action-focused original movie |
| Atobe's Gift | 2005 | Comedy and fan-service special |
| Showdown in England's Tennis Fortress | 2011 | International tennis story |
| Ryoma! Rebirth Movie | 2021 | Modern CG animated movie |
The New Prince of Tennis
The New Prince of Tennis begins after Seigaku wins the national championship. The story moves to Japan’s elite U-17 training camp, where the strongest middle school players compete against world-class opponents.
The sequel significantly increases the scale of the franchise with more dramatic matches, stronger rivals, and visually spectacular techniques.
| Series | Episodes | Year |
|---|---|---|
| The New Prince of Tennis | 13 | 2012 |
| OVA | 7 | 2012–2013 |
| OVA vs Genius10 | 10 | 2014–2015 |
| U-17 WORLD CUP | 13 | 2022 |
| U-17 WORLD CUP SEMIFINAL | 13 | 2024 |
Best Characters in The Prince of Tennis
One of the biggest reasons for the franchise’s popularity is its unforgettable cast of characters.
| Character | Description |
|---|---|
| Ryoma Echizen | The genius protagonist with overwhelming talent |
| Tezuka Kunimitsu | The calm and respected Seigaku captain |
| Fuji Shusuke | A smiling tactical genius with hidden strength |
| Atobe Keigo | The charismatic leader of Hyotei Academy |
| Yukimura Seiichi | The terrifying captain of Rikkai Dai |
| Sanada Genichiro | Known as the “Emperor” of Rikkai |
Why The Prince of Tennis Is Still Popular
The franchise expanded far beyond anime and manga. It became one of the most successful sports anime multimedia projects in Japan.
- Stage Musicals (Tenimyu)
- Live-action adaptations
- Video games
- Character songs
- Massive merchandise collections
The famous Tenimyu stage musical series also helped create the modern 2.5D musical boom in Japan.
Viewing Tips
| Tip | Explanation |
|---|---|
| OVAs Are Essential | The story continues directly after the TV anime |
| Movies Are Optional | Mostly side stories and bonus content |
| Expect Unrealistic Tennis | The series becomes increasingly over-the-top later on |
| Watch in HD Quality | Especially recommended for U-17 WORLD CUP |
Final Thoughts
The correct watch order for The Prince of Tennis is:
Original Series → Movies → National Tournament OVAs → Another Story OVAs → The New Prince of Tennis → U-17 WORLD CUP
Although the franchise contains a huge amount of content, it rewards viewers with unforgettable matches, iconic characters, emotional rivalries, and one of the most entertaining sports anime experiences ever created.
Whether you are a longtime anime fan or completely new to sports anime, The Prince of Tennis remains a must-watch classic that still influences the genre today.
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