Prince of Tennis

Welcome To The Prince of Tennis

The Prince of Tennis is a popular Japanese shounen manga written and illustrated by Takeshi Konomi. The title is often shortened to TeniPuri, a portmanteau of the two parts in the Japanese pronunciation of the words "Tennis Prince". The manga was first published in Japan in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump in July 1999, and ended publication on March 3, 2008. A total of 379 chapters were serialized, spanning 42 volumes. As of volume 40, the manga has sold over 40 million copies in Japan. The manga is published in English in North America by Viz Media. According to Anime News Network, the December issue of the manga magazine Jump Square will reportedly announce a sequel that will begin serialization in its April 2009 issue.

The Prince of Tennis was adapted into an anime series directed by Takayuki Hamana, animated by Trans Arts and co-produced by Nihon Ad Systems and TV Tokyo. The anime aired across Japan on the anime satellite television network Animax and the terrestrial TV Tokyo network from October 10, 2001 to March 30, 2005, spanning a total of 178 episodes, as well as a theatrical movie. In April 2006, an original video animation (OVA) continuation of the anime began to be released on DVD. The beginning of the second OVA series was released on June 22, 2007, roughly 3 months after the end of the first. The second OVA ended on January 25, 2008, and the third and final OVA started on April 25, 2008.

The series developed into a media franchise and has had numerous other adaptations outside of the animated incarnation. Since April 2003, more than fifteen stage musicals have been produced for the series. An animated movie was released in 2005, as well as a live action movie in 2006. Also, a 22-episode-long live-action television drama began airing in China on July 25, 2008. The franchise has also had a long running radio show, numerous video games, soundtracks, and other merchandise or collectibles.

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