After nearly 30 years of captivating generations of readers, the iconic sports series The Prince of Tennis has officially announced its final run on the court. This marks not just the end of a manga, but the conclusion of a Shonen Jump legend that has lasted 27 years.
The 27-Year Journey and the Last 6 Chapters
Recently, Shueisha’s Jump magazine library revealed a major turning point as several popular series prepare to conclude, making room for new works. Among them, the most shocking news is that the sequel series The New Prince of Tennis (also known as The Prince of Tennis II) will officially end.
Takeshi Konomi, the creator of the series, confirmed on social media that only six chapters remain before the story reaches its finale. This announcement coincides with the 17th anniversary of the sequel and the 27th year since the first volume featuring the tennis prodigy Ryoma Echizen was released.
Ryoma Echizen and the Final Match
In fact, Konomi hinted at the series’ conclusion last year. Now, with the farewell moment approaching, the mangaka is fully focused on building excitement for Ryoma’s final match.
Unlike the first ending in 2008 followed by a sequel in 2009, this time it looks like a permanent goodbye. Fans will likely have to accept that after these last six chapters, they won’t see Ryoma wielding his racket in top-level matches anymore.
The Anime’s Future and an Emotional Farewell
The New Prince of Tennis was successfully adapted into an anime, showcasing intense matches at the World Tennis Games. However, whether the anime will return to cover the story’s final arc remains uncertain. With only six chapters left, the path for any future anime adaptation will become clearer soon.
Regarding the ending, many predict the story will follow a familiar sports manga pattern on Shonen Jump. Ryoma might conclude his journey with a spectacular victory or a meaningful defeat, continuing to chase his sports dreams as he grows older.
It will be a bittersweet ending, but one that will surely satisfy those who have followed the “Prince of Tennis” for nearly three decades.