Takeshi Konomi Announces End of 'The New Prince of Tennis' Manga After 16 Years

Celebrating 26 Years of 'Prince of Tennis'

Creator Takeshi Konomi has shared an important update with fans: he plans to conclude the serialization of The New Prince of Tennis (Shin Tennis no Ōji-sama) manga within the next year. This announcement coincides with the 26th anniversary of the original Prince of Tennis manga.

A Long-Running Franchise

• The original Prince of Tennis manga was serialized from 1999 to 2008 in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump.
• It follows middle school tennis prodigy Ryōma Echizen as he battles rivals to reach the national tournament.
• The manga inspired multiple adaptations, including:
  • A TV anime (2001-2005)
  • Two anime films and a theatrical short
  • Various video anime projects
  • A live-action film
  • A Chinese live-action series
  • A popular stage musical series

Sequel and Continued Success

In 2009, Konomi launched The New Prince of Tennis in Jump Square magazine. This sequel has been running for 16 years and continues to captivate fans.

• The sequel's anime, Shin Tennis no Ōji-sama U-17 World Cup, premiered in July 2022, marking the franchise's return to TV after about a decade.
• A sequel series, Shin Tennis no Ōji-sama U-17 World Cup Semifinal, debuted on October 2, 2024.

Health and Personal Updates

Konomi faced health challenges in 2022, which prevented him from attending events like Jump Festa 2023. He revealed that he was unable to walk and was using a wheelchair but has since recovered and resumed attending events.

Other Franchise News

• The smartphone game The Prince of Tennis II: Rising Beat announced it will end service on August 31.

Source: Takeshi Konomi's X/Twitter account here and coverage on Hachima Kikō.

Fans are encouraged to enjoy the story until its final chapter. The legacy of Prince of Tennis continues to inspire generations of tennis enthusiasts and anime lovers alike.