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Article namespace: Ryoma Echizen

Ryoma Echizen
The Prince of Tennis character
Created by	Takeshi Konomi
Voiced by	Junko Minagawa (Japanese) David Neil Black (English)
In-universe information
Class	1-2
Relatives	Nanjiro Echizen (father) Rinko Echizen (mother) Ryoga Echizen (adopted brother) Nanako Meino (cousin)
School	Seishun Academy
Style	All-Rounder, Left-handed

Ryoma Echizen (越前 リョーマ, Echizen Ryōma) is a fictional character and the protagonist of the anime and manga series The Prince of Tennis. Ryoma is the son of Nanjiro Echizen, formerly known as 'Samurai Nanjiro' during his days as a former professional tennis player and of Rinko Takeuchi-Echizen, a sweet tempered attorney. Ryoma gains the nickname "Samurai Junior" later in the series. He makes his first appearance when he criticizes a high school student about his tennis knowledge. As the main character, Ryoma is among the most popular characters in the series.

In the fourth Shonen Jump character popularity poll of series, Ryoma came in third place.

Overview

Background

Ryoma is a first year student at Seishun Academy ('Seigaku' for short), which he attends immediately after his arrival in Japan after formerly residing in the United States. 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 looks and confidence make him highly popular with ladies, although he seems not to notice, having his focus exclusively on tennis.

He is an all-court tennis player with many special shots and abilities. One of Ryoma's greatest talents is his ability to learn new techniques after only seeing them performed a few times. He also has an amazing amount of stamina and does not sweat as much as the other players. Along with fellow Seigaku regular Eiji Kikumaru, Ryoma is known to have an exceptional talent for seeing moving objects. 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 Takeshi Momoshiro. After seeing how bad he was at doubles, Coach Ryuzaki usually placed him in the S3 (Singles 3) or S2 (Singles 2) position. When captain Kunimitsu Tezuka goes away for rehabilitation for his arm, Ryoma and teammate Shusuke Fuji take turns for the S1 (Singles 1) position. In the Nationals, Ryoma often found himself placed in the S1 position nearly every match.

Although he is left-handed, his famous Twist Serve is only effective when delivered from the dominant hand of his opponents (i.e. he uses his right hand when serving against right-handed players). He occasionally plays tennis with his right hand as either a handicap for weaker opponents or a way to test his opponent's abilities. When the need for returning at a difficult angle or distance arises, Ryoma also incorporates the use of "nitōryū", or ambidexterity.

In the manga, Ryoma goes with his team to the Nationals. In the anime, he is chosen as a wildcard for the U.S. Open and goes to it, eventually beating Lleyton Hewitt in the finals. He comes back in the OVA, and although he says he wouldn't participate with Seigaku, vice captain Shuichiro Oishi goads him into a match to take over his spot as a regular, which Ryoma does. Re-earning his spot, Ryoma leads the team to their first national victory. He returns to America afterwards, thus his future with Seigaku is unknown.

Ryoma also demonstrates prowess in other sports, such as bowling, table tennis, and billiards. His abilities in beach volleyball, however, may be questioned. When the Seigaku students go to the beach during the anime series, Ryoma plays well when paired with Kaidoh. However, he plays quite poorly in the OVA when paired with Tezuka. In the same event in the manga, Ryoma, paired with Rokkaku's Kentaro Aoi, plays decently only after activating Muga no Kyōchi. It is possible however, that the second time, they were using a beach ball, which was too light for any tennis related moves.

His catchphrase in the Japanese anime is "mada mada dane," literally meaning "no, not yet" or "not good enough." In the American version, it is translated as "You still have a ways to go."

His favorite subject is Science, but having been brought up in the United States, Ryoma is fluent in English, which his classmates admire him for. He is also the object of admiration of his own fan club in school, which is led by Tomoka Osakada. His favorite color is silver although he is always seen wearing a red shirt and a red racket. His favorite racquet is Bridgestone Dynabeam Grandea. In the manga, he is shown wearing Fila shoes, cap, wristband and shirt.

In the Prince of Tennis movie Futari no Samurai, Ryoma supposedly has an older brother named Ryoga Echizen, but the latter is later revealed to simply be a child that Nanjiro took in a few years ago.

Personality

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 Seigaku Tennis Club. It is only after he beats two of Seigaku's regulars (Kaidoh and Inui) that he gains respect from fellow club members.

Ryoma is arrogant by nature, yet he can be very childish at times. 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 oldest son of the family and always gets into all sorts of trouble.

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. and Japan. 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. In episode 27, 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. Also, Karupin had followed Ryoma to the US Open tournament by sneaking into Ryoma's bag.

Tennis style and techniques

Twist Serve (ツイスト サーブ)

A serve Ryoma typically performs with his right hand, though it needs to be hit with the opponent's dominant hand. The twist serve is Ryoma's most notable shot. It is meant to shoot towards the opponent's face, making it difficult to return. He can perform it with his left hand when he is facing left-handed opponents. He claims that he does this so he can hit the opponent in the face with the ball. It was first used against Sasabe.

In the English dubbed version of Prince of Tennis, the twist serve is referred to as the kick serve, which is similar to the twist serve, but is considered to be less powerful and easier to perform than the twist serve.

Twist Smash (ツイスト スマッシュ, tsuisuto sumasshu)

The Twist Serve in the form of a smash.The ball changes direction after it hits the ground . He uses this shot to win his game against Shinji Ibu from Fudomine.

Twist Serve Tornado (OVA only)

The Twist Serve curves to the face in an abnormal way.

Drive A (ドライブ A, doraibu A)

A drive (topspin) volley hit towards the face at point blank range. Ryoma first uses this shot during his match against Yamabuki's Jin Akutsu..

Drive B (ドライブ B, doraibu B)

A topspin drive volley with two consecutive bounce arcs, the shape of which form the eponymous 'B'. Ryoma usually slides up near the net and then jumps to perform the Drive B. However, during his match against Aoi Kentaro, Ryoma also uses a Drive B when he is still sliding on the ground. He then uses the force made by the ball to go even faster. Though it grants him more speed, this version lacks the regular Drive B height; due to the topsin, it curves towards the ground instead of going out.

This is Ryoma's first original shot (as opposed to moves he copies from other players), and is first used in his match against Yuta Fuji. In the English dub, it has been renamed Drive V.

Drive C (ドライブ C, doraibu C)

A shot similar to the COOL drive with only half the spin. It is first used by Ryoma in the National OVA against Higa Chuu. It is similar to Fuji's Tsubame Gaeshi, but both the COOL Drive and Drive C use enormous sidespin instead of underspin. Upon hitting the ground, it spins rapidly before curving across the court floor without bouncing.

Drive D (ドライブ D, doraibu D)

A drive that follows up a returned Drive B, it has half the spin of the Drive B, but the speed of the return is enough to get the ball past most players.

COOL Drive (COOL ドライブ, COOL doraibu)

A powerful smash with a huge spin that makes the ball roll instead of bouncing up. It can be used as a forehand or backhand shot. In the manga, Ryoma uses this shot for the first time to defeat Genichiro Sanada. In the anime, he does not use it until the OVA, where he uses it against Kei Tanishi of Higa; Ryoma smashes the ball into his opponent's racquet where the ball then spins towards Kei's face.

In the Nintendo DS game Jump! Ultimate Stars, Ryoma uses this as a support attack, in which the target stops moving for a short time upon contact.

Samurai Drive (サムライドライブ, Samurai Doraibu)

A technique where Ryoma hits a powerful return toward the rope that is between the net and the pole. Because of the tremendous force, the rope slices the ball in half, resulting in both pieces going in different directions.

It was first seen during his one-point match against Kintarō Tooyama, but only the outcome of the ball was shown, not the technique itself. Ryoma first shows how the technique is done during his match against Seiichi Yukimura, which is also when its name is revealed.

Muga no Kyōchi (無我の境地, Muga no Kyōchi, trans. State of Self Actualization)

A state in which the user naturally intakes all techniques he sees and can perfectly copy them. Ryoma enters this for the first time in an unofficial match against Akaya Kirihara, and controls it for the first time in his match against Genichiro Sanada (both occurrences take place in the manga). Ryoma first enters all three doors during his match against Rikkai's Captain Seiichi Yukimura in the National Finals.

The Samurai's Eye (侍の目, Samurai no Me) is the anime equivalent of Muga no Kyōchi. It gives Ryoma a very dynamic play style because he is able to switch between many other player's techniques.

Muga no Kyōchi has three doors:

Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami (Pinnacle of Hard Work)

Ryoma can use Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami to focus all his energy into different parts of his body, increasing the capabilities of that body part.

Saiki Kanpatsu no Kiwami (Pinnacle of Great Wisdom)

With Saiki Kanpatsu no Kiwami, Ryoma is capable of predicting the number of shots he needs to win a point.

Teni Muhō No Kiwami (Pinnacle of Perfection)

This is the ultimate door and final door of Muga no Kyōchi. In this state, Ryoma's hair and eyes turn permanently green, along with most of his hair spiking upwards. Ryoma then uses Teni Muhō No Kiwami to hit the ball at a speed that cannot be seen, unless one reviews it on a video monitor.

According to Nanjiro, there was no such thing as Teni Muhō to begin with. It was simply the feeling that one has when they first enjoy playing tennis. However, when people become too absorbed in winning and losing in tennis, they eventually forget that feeling.

One-footed Split Step (片足スプリットステップ, kata ashi supuritto suteppu)

A split step involving landing only one foot. This difference allows Ryoma to increase his speed and cover the court more effectively. In the English dub, it has been renamed as "Ryoma Split Step".

Nitōryū (二刀流, lit. Two Sword Style)

The name given to Ryoma's ambidexterity because he can play with either hand. It is a technique inherited from his father, Nanjiro Ryoma. During a match, Ryoma can switch his racket to either hand, making it easier for him to return a ball, especially when his dominant hand is unable to quickly reach it.

Tezuka Zone (Samurai Zone) (手塚ゾーン, Tezuka zōn)

The method Tezuka uses in putting a specific spin on each ball that he hits, causing the ball to automatically return to him. Ryoma uses an incomplete version to break out of Atobe's World of Ice technique. However, it is stated in the manga that Ryoma learned this technique instinctively from playing against his father's completed version of the Samurai/Nanjiro Zone every day.

Cyclone Smash (anime only) (サイクロン スマッシュ, saikuron sumasshu)

An extraordinarily powerful smash done by jumping high into the air, and twisting, then un-twisting, the body back onto the ball. It is first shown while battling Atobe, before the Kantō finals. He later perfects the move while playing Rikkai's Vice Captain Sanada.

Snake (Buggy Whip Shot)

A forehand or backhand shot that has an offset topspin that causes it to curve to the corners of the court, making the opponent run around and lose stamina, Ryoma first finds out about this technique from an article on a pro. Later, after he sees Kaidoh perform a variation of it, known as Snake, he realizes that Snake is the Buggy Whip Shot and manages to copy it, although he said that it is quite difficult to perform with a short reach.

Zero-Shiki Drop Shot

In the reserve match against Wakashi Hiyoshi, Ryoma shows the ability to use Tezuka's famed drop shot, which is a heavy backspin drop shot that drops after passing 1 foot, then after it lands on the ground, rolls back to the net instead of bouncing. However, due to Ryoma's stance (his racket 30 cm off from his normal stance), it was too obvious and Inui stated that it will not work the second time.

Super Rising

One of the common shots used by most characters, Super Rising is a half volley where the returner hits the ball they are returning just as it is bouncing up in order to give the opponent less time to react. Ryoma first sees this shot during his match against Yuta Fuji using it against him, and uses it himself to try to return Yuta's Twist Spin Shot. However, it was imperfect until the match against Akutsu, meaning that the Super Rising didn't take very long to master.

Rondo towards Destruction (manga only)

A high-level two-part smash that knocks away the opponent's racket with the first hit, and scores with the second smash, Ryoma was able to use this against Atobe, the one who invented it himself, when outside of Muga no Kyōchi. In the OVA, Ryoma was in Muga no Kyochi to use this technique, while in the manga, it was stated by Fuji that he was no longer in Muga no Kyōchi before he used this technique.

Dragon Cyclone Smash (animated movie only)

A move where Ryoma returns the ball at a high speed, creating a cyclone around him, which he then uses as a diversion as he hits his return.

Tournament matches

Tournament matches

Tournament		Position	Opposing school	Opponent(s)	Score
Tokyo District Preliminaries	Round 1	Doubles 2D	Gyokurin	Tomoya Izumi / Kimiyoshi Fukawa	6-2
Tokyo District Preliminaries	Finals	Singles 2	Fudomine	Shinji Ibu	6-4
Tokyo Prefecturals	Semi-Finals	Singles 3	St. Rudolph	Yuta Fuji	6-3
Tokyo Prefecturals	Finals	Singles 2	Yamabuki	Jin Akutsu	6-4
Kantō Regionals	Round 1	Reserve Match	Hyotei Academy	Wakashi Hiyoshi	6-4
Kantō Regionals	Round 2	Singles 2	Josei Shonan (anime only)	Reiji Shinjo	6-4
Kantō Regionals	Semi-Finals	Singles 3	Rokkaku	Kentaro Aoi (anime only)	6-4
Kantō Regionals	Finals	Singles 1	Rikkai	Genichiro Sanada	7-5
Nationals	Round 1	Singles 3	Higa	Kei Tanishi	7-6
Nationals	Round 2	Singles 1	Hyotei Academy	Keigo Atobe	7-6
Nationals	Semi-Finals	Special match	Shitenhoji	Kintaro Toyama	1 point game (tied)
Nationals	Finals	Singles 1	Rikkai	Seiichi Yukimura	6-4

      = Win
      = Loss ^D = Doubles partner is Takeshi Momoshiro

Notable matches

Kaoru Kaidoh

After joining Seigaku, Ryoma plays Kaoru Kaidoh in the Ranking matches. Initially, Kaidoh's Snake Shot gave him the upper hand. Kaido attempts to trap Ryoma into losing his stamina by using the snake, but Ryoma counters by hitting deep and low to the line; thereby forcing Kaidoh to bend his knees and lose his stamina as well. However, Ryoma holds his own, keeping the matches relatively even, until he uses the Buggy Whip Shot, the technique Kaidoh's Snake Shot is derived from. Ryoma wins the match 6 to 4.

Sadaharu Inui

In his second major ranking match, Ryoma plays a third year, Sadaharu Inui. Inui's Data Tennis technique leaves Ryoma struggling through most of the match. He has difficulties with playing unpredictably, but eventually his One-Footed Split Step gives him the advantage, and he defeats Inui 7 games to 5 (6 to 4 in anime).

Shinji Ibu

In the District Regional finals, Ryoma faces Shinji of Fudomine Middle School in Singles 2. Ryoma surprises everyone with his Twist Serve, while Shinji demonstrates his own abilities with his Kick Serve. Ryoma seems to have control early, but Shinji uses his Spot technique of alternating Topspin and Slice shots, which causes temporary muscle paralysis in the opponent's arm. Ryoma attempts to counter this by pivoting with his foot, but he loses control of his racket, which hits a pole, breaks, and rebounds, injuring his eye.

Coach Ryuzaki manages to stop the bleeding temporarily, but Tezuka tells Ryoma he must win in ten minutes or be forced to forfeit. Ryoma retakes the court and manages to seal off Shinji's Spot technique by hitting all low shots to his feet (which makes him unable to make a topspin) and using his Nitōryū. He manages to make it just in time with just 2 seconds to go, and wins the match for Seigaku.

Kunimitsu Tezuka

Following the District Regionals, Seigaku's Captain, Kunimitsu Tezuka, asks Ryoma to play an unofficial match with him, which is done in secret from the rest of the team (aside from Vice-Captain Shuichiro Oishi). While only a small portion of the match is shown, Tezuka defeats Ryoma and asks him to become Seigaku's Pillar of Support. Tezuka does this because he feels that Ryoma is (at that time) merely a carbon copy of his father, and wishes for Ryoma to develop his own style of tennis.

A flashback to this match later on in the manga shows that Tezuka saw Ryoma's "Samurai Spirit" during this match.

Kunimitsu Tezuka (anime only)

In the anime, Tezuka plays against Ryoma on two other occasions besides their first match (above):

Before Tezuka goes to Germany to repair his left arm, he requests a match with Ryoma. Tezuka plays with his right arm, and is shown to hold his own, even being able to return Ryoma's Twist Serve. Tezuka then shows his right armed Tezuka Zone and starts to win more games. Trying to counterattack, Ryoma switches to his right hand, and surprisingly, the ball does not get sucked into the Tezuka Zone due to it having a stronger spin. Ryoma then decides to continue playing with his right hand in an attempt to break the Tezuka Zone, despite his right hand having not nearly as good control as his left hand. After a while, Ryoma is finally able to control the ball, and even manages to break the Tezuka Zone, but in the end, Tezuka still wins with a right-handed Zero Shiki Drop Shot.

In the final episode of the anime, Ryoma decides that he cannot go on in the US Open without beating Tezuka, so he goes back to Japan. During the match, Tezuka takes the lead with his Tezuka Zone. Ryoma finally realizes his full potential and returns the ball with enough counter spin to break the Tezuka Zone, even knocking Tezuka's racket out from his hands. Ryoma then begins to use his teammates special moves as a 'thank you' for all they have done. In the end, he beats Tezuka and truly becomes the pillar of Seigaku.

Akaya Kirihara (manga version)

Ryoma and Akaya Kirihara of Rikkai Daigaku Fuzoku meet prior to the Kantō Regional finals and decide to have an unofficial match. While Ryoma starts out well, Kirihara's Red Eyes form becomes too much for him. However, when losing 4-0, Ryoma unconsciously taps into the State of Self Actualization for the first time. He goes into a trance and wins six consecutive games, defeating Kirihara, but then falling unconscious. When he awakes, he is unaware of his victory.

Genichirou Sanada (manga version)

Ryoma starts out the match by going into the State of Self Actualization right away. He manages to win the first game by using a blitz of techniques, but loses control of the game when fatigue sets in. While Ryoma manages to keep steady and return Sanada's Fuu, Sanada merely responds by using Ka.

With all hope seeming lost, Ryoma manages to gain a burst of energy and begins fighting back. Sanada is undaunted, but Ryoma manages to catch up and take the lead. Sanada goes into the State of Self Actualization himself, determined to end the match, but Ryoma manages to win by debuting his COOL Drive.

Genichirou Sanada (anime version)

In the final match for the Kantō Regional Finals, Ryoma and Sanada begin the deciding match. Sanada begins by using the Invisible Swing, which Ryoma cannot return, resulting in Sanada taking the first three games. Ryoma's eyes then adjust to the speed of the ball and is finally able to return it. He debuts his Cyclone Smash, which wins him the next two games. However, the fatigue caused by following the Sanada's Invisible Swing proves too much for his eyes, so he closes his eyes. To everyone's surprise, Ryoma returns the balls with his eyes closed, and wins the next game. Frustrated, Sanada unveils his Invisible Serve, which is even faster than his Invisible Swing, thus Ryoma has to open his eyes again. Nearly exhausted, Ryoma loses the following games, with the score favoring Sanada at 5 games to 3. During Sanada's match point, Ryoma receives encouragement from several other players, and quickly returns the Invisible Serve with a return ace. It is then that Ryoma uses his Samurai's Eye, and begins to use the techniques that his opponents' have previously used against him. With that, and constant use of powerful Cyclone Smashes, Ryoma wins with 7 games to 5.

Kei Tanishi

The two play in the Singles 3 match during Seigaku's match with Higa Middle School at the start of the Nationals. Ryoma uses Drive Cs which everyone believes to be his COOL drive, but he reveals that his COOL drive has twice the spin of Drive Cs. However, Tanishi's Big Bang Serve allows him to win all of his service games, while Ryoma manages to win all of his, forcing a tiebreak.

It is there that Ryoma manages to return the Big Bang Serve. Ryoma had not let on to the fact that the serve had been weakening in power as the games progressed; as such, Tanishi was unaware of his own weakness, allowing Ryoma to get a return ace. Finally showing the true COOL drive, Tanishi attempts to return it before it can land, however when the ball hits Tanishi's raquet the amazing spin he puts on it forces the ball to greatly hit Tanishi's face. Ryoma takes the first win for Seigaku.

Keigo Atobe

During the National quarterfinals, Ryoma and Keigo Atobe face off in Singles 1, with their respective teams tied at 2-2. Atobe uses his new Tannhauser Serve to gain the upper hand. Ryoma attempts to take the lead by using the State of Self Actualization, but Atobe is still able to keep up, and debuts his new ability, the World of Ice, which allows him to exploit all of Ryoma's blind spots and win four consecutive games.

Ryoma then manages to break out by copying what people believe to be the Tezuka Zone, though it is actually him copying his father's Zone; a technique that he learned through his experience in playing against a superior opponent [Nanjiro]. This allows him to catch up and force a tiebreak game. With the score tied at 117 each, both players collapse. Atobe gets up first and manages to walk over to receive the serve, but Ryoma manages to muster the strength to do the Twist Serve. Atobe is unable to return it, for he has already lost consciousness, and Ryoma manages to win 119-117, putting Seigaku in the semifinals.

Kintarō Tooyama

Although the match between Seigaku and Shitenhōji had concluded, Ryoma and Kintarō Tooyama play a special one ball match. In spite of it being only for one point, they both go all out for over 40 minutes. In the end, the ball is split in half, causing it to end in a draw. Though it is hinted by Fuji that Ryoma may have unlocked Teni Muhō No Kiwami (Pinnacle of Perfection) in this match, Nanjiro, who was listening through the radio, believes otherwise.

Seiichi Yukimura

During the National Tournament Finals, Ryoma is matched up against Rikkai Dai's captain, Seiichi Yukimura, in the Singles 1 slot; the winner of which will result in their team winning the tournament since both teams have two wins.

Ryoma starts off strong and uses three of his signature techniques, but Yukimura returns them all without having to move from the baseline. In response, Ryoma activates Muga no Kyōchi and uses five consecutive copied techniques, but once again, Yukimura returns them all without much effort. Ryoma then reveals that he has opened Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami, but it is only after Yukimura wins three straight games that Ryoma is able to use Hyaku Ren to its fullest, going on to win a point. Right after, he reveals that he has also opened Saiki Kanpatsu no Kiwami. However, he breaks his own prediction by hitting the ball out of the court, and just when his nose begins to bleed, Yukimura decides to show his true strength. As they play, Yukimura informs him that he is losing his senses, which becomes a reality as Ryoma has already lost his sense of touch, followed by his sight. Though Ryoma continues to hit the ball through his hearing, he eventually loses that as well.

Despite losing all his senses, Ryoma attempts to continue playing. As he realizes what tennis means to him, he activates Muga no Kyōchi's final door, Teni Muhō No Kiwami (Pinnacle of Perfection). Using Teni Muhō, Ryoma continues to get consecutive service aces as well as return aces from Yukimura's serve, and eventually catches up to Yukimura, and then takes the lead by winning five games in a row. However, just when Ryoma needed one more game to win, Yukimura begins to adjust to Ryoma's playing style, and is thus able to return Ryoma's hits. Ryoma then uses his Samurai Drive, splitting the ball in half, and though Yukimura is able to return it, Ryoma is able to smash both halves into Yukimura's side of the court, winning the match 6-4(manga).

Mada mada dane

Mada mada dane (まだまだだね) is a phrase that has been popularized by Ryoma Echizen. The meaning literally means "No, not yet," but varies in similarity, with meanings that include "You still have a ways to go," "Not good enough" or "Still no good," and "It's not over yet." In the English version of the manga, or as translated directly in a chapter of the Japanese manga, it is "You still have lots more to work on." In the English anime, it is translated as "You still have a ways to go." He says this to annoy and also to taunt his rivals. While most often linked to Ryoma Echizen, it is actually a derogatory phrase that is heard quite often in anime. Differences in usage include:

- Mada mada dana: used by the former Samurai Nanjiro in his glory days.

- Mada mada daze: used by Ryoga Echizen, Ryoma's supposed older brother. He is only seen in the movie "Futari no Samurai".

- Mada mada sune (or mada mada desune): used when addressing someone in higher respect.

- Mada mada ssuyo: used in the anime, when coach Ryuzaki asks Ryoma if he wants to continue during his match against Sanada in the Kantō Finals.

Reception

Ryoma has done well on every single popularity poll taken for The Prince of Tennis. He won both the first and third popularity polls. He also came in second place in the second poll, and in third place in the fourth poll.

Actors

• In the anime series, Ryoma's seiyū is Junko Minagawa in the Japanese version; in the U.S. version, his voice actor is David Neil Black.
• For the live-action adaptation film of The Prince of Tennis, actor Kanata Hongo portrays Ryoma.
• In The Prince of Tennis Musicals, Ryoma is portrayed by actors Kotaro Yanagi (2003, 2005-2006), Kimeru (2003-2004), Yuya Endo (2004-2005), Dori Sakurada (2006-2007), Shougo Sakamoto (2007–present), and Ryuuki Takahashi (2008–present).