Appearance in Anime

Ryoga Echizen shares several personality traits with Ryoma, particularly his cocky and arrogant attitude, which he balances with a strong dedication to tennis. Like his father, Nanjirō Echizen, Ryoga is also a flirtatious and laid-back individual who enjoys teasing those around him. However, unlike Ryoma, he tends to express his emotions more openly, particularly his protective and somewhat affectionate nature toward his younger brother.

Ryoga has his own version of the Echizen family’s catchphrase, while both Nanjirō and Ryoma say “Mada mada dane” (まだまだだね), Ryoga’s version is “Mada mada daze” (まだまだだぜ), which carries a slightly more casual and confident tone.

Despite his teasing, Ryoga is protective of Ryoma, showing a strong sense of brotherly affection. He demonstrates this in the New Prince of Tennis OVA when he saves Ryoma from a group of thugs attempting to ambush him. Similarly, during the U-17 camp, Ryoga effortlessly returns a serve from Byōdōin Hōō, showing his superior skill while also looking out for Ryoma

One of Ryoga’s most distinct traits is his love for oranges he is frequently seen eating them and is even known to consume them without peeling the skin.

In the manga, Ryoga frequently teases Ryoma about their past, recalling how Ryoma used to idolize him and follow him around, calling him “Onii-san” (big brother) repeatedly. Although Ryoma denies this, Ryoga remains convinced that Ryoma once worshipped him as an older brother figure. This bond is further emphasized through flashbacks, which reveal that the two brothers used to celebrate Halloween together, collect oranges, and get into trouble as kids.

Ryoga is also the one who teaches Ryoma the Glowing Shot, a powerful technique. When Ryoma finally masters the move, Ryoga challenges him to a real match, acknowledging his younger brother’s growth.

Though Ryoga often maintains a carefree and rebellious demeanor, his heart remains connected to his younger brother. His deep-rooted affection for Ryoma is hidden behind his teasing, but it ultimately drives him forward making him both a mentor and a rival to Ryoma as they pursue their respective paths in the tennis world.

Ryoga Echizen bears a strong resemblance to his younger half-brother Ryoma, sharing similar hazel eyes (which appear blue in the manga) and black-green hair. Their resemblance is striking enough that many mistake them for full brothers, though Ryoga’s more defined facial features and taller, more muscular build make him look noticeably older.

Ryoga appears to be at least 3-4 years older than Ryoma, as suggested by his height and well-developed physique. His key features include his trademark necklace and his habit of carrying or tossing an orange, which reflects his well-known love for oranges. Similar to Ryoma, Ryoga also juggles a tennis ball with his racket while walking, highlighting their shared talent and natural ease with tennis.

At the U-17 Camp, Ryoga stands taller than the middle schoolers and is comparable in height to the high school players. He adopts a casual yet distinctive style, wearing a hoodie underneath his uniform jacket, which he leaves completely unzipped. His laid-back, confident demeanor is further emphasized by his effortless posture and nonchalant attitude, making him stand out among the other players.

Ryoga Echizen was taken in by Nanjirō Echizen while they were living in America after Ryoga’s biological mother passed away due to unknown causes. As a result, he was raised alongside Ryoma in the Echizen household for a brief period, where he learned tennis under Nanjirō’s guidance. Like Ryoma, Ryoga’s playing style initially mirrored Nanjirō’s techniques, making him a formidable player at an early age. However, his Twist Serve differs from Ryoma’s it has the opposite spin, causing the ball to bounce away from opponents instead of toward their heads.

When Ryoga first met Ryoma, he criticized his younger brother’s weak tennis skills, calling them awful. At that time, Ryoga was far superior in terms of skill and technique. However, as Ryoma gradually improved, the two grew closer, often playing and training together. Ryoga became both a rival and an older brother figure to Ryoma, pushing him to become stronger.

Despite their bond, Ryoga was eventually taken away from the Echizen household after Nanjirō lost custody of him to Ryoga’s aunt (presumably on his mother’s side). Before he left, Ryoga handed Ryoma an orange with a message written on it, saying that they would meet again once they had both become stronger. This moment had a lasting impact on Ryoma, fueling his desire to improve and eventually reunite with his older brother.

Years later, in The Prince of Tennis – The Two Samurai: The First Game, Ryoga reappears as an antagonist, having been hired by billionaire Sakurafubuki Hikomaro to play in his high-stakes underground tennis gambling schemes. However, after facing Ryoma, his true connection to the Echizen family is revealed.

Despite originally being an anime-only character, Ryoga’s immense popularity led to his canonization in the manga. He made his official manga debut in New Prince of Tennis, where he re-emerges as a player at the U-17 World Cup, further solidifying his role in the series’ expanded storyline.

Ryoga Echizen plays an all-rounder tennis style heavily influenced by his adoptive father, Nanjirō Echizen. His technique and natural talent mirror Ryoma’s, but he possesses a more refined and mature version of the playing style. Unlike Ryoma, Ryoga has more experience, a more developed sense of control, and a greater variety of powerful techniques. His abilities are so formidable that he was awarded the No. 4 badge in the U-17 All-Japan team, placing him among the nation’s best players. He was also accepted by the 1st Stringers, a group notorious for their arrogance and confidence in their own abilities, demonstrating his exceptional skill level. One of Ryoga’s most impressive feats was when he effortlessly returned a serve from Byōdōin Hōō, a player known for his monstrous power. Byōdōin’s serve had previously shattered a court wall, yet Ryoga returned it with ease, proving his exceptional reflexes and technique. Additionally, he appears to be capable of executing the same powerful shot as Byōdōin, though it is unclear whether his version is as devastating.

One of Ryoga’s signature moves is his Twist Serve, a variation of Ryoma’s signature serve. However, due to a different grip that Ryoga uses, his version of the Twist Serve bends in the opposite direction, causing the ball to shoot away from opponents and making it extremely difficult to return. This deceptive serve forces opponents to misjudge their positioning, disrupting their rhythm. Another technique he employs is the Clone Technique, which allows him to evade multiple attacks or return them with ease. This technique, demonstrated when Jin Akutsu attacked him with multiple balls at once, creates afterimages that confuse opponents, giving Ryoga a tactical advantage.

Ryoga is also capable of utilizing the Glowing Shot, an extremely powerful serve originally used by Byōdōin Hōō. This shot is so destructive that it was able to knock out Tokugawa Kazuya and even crack a wall due to its sheer force. However, Ryoga is shown to return this devastating shot effortlessly, showcasing his exceptional reaction speed and control. Moreover, he later teaches Ryoma how to use the Glowing Shot, reinforcing his role as a mentor and older brother figure. In addition, Ryoga has mastered a technique known as Destruction, a move that can only be executed by those who can feel and strike the super sweet spot on the racket. This technique grants him immense power while maintaining precise control, making him one of the most dangerous players on the court.

Overall, Ryoga’s natural talent, versatility, and ability to adapt make him one of the most formidable players in Prince of Tennis. His combination of raw power, deception, and precision allows him to dominate opponents with ease. Furthermore, his ability to effortlessly return even the strongest shots proves his remarkable reflexes and court awareness. As Ryoma’s older brother and mentor, Ryoga serves as a benchmark for what Ryoma could become with further experience and mastery over his own game.

Ryoma Echizen
Ryoga is both a brother and a rival to Ryoma, teasing him often but also pushing him to improve. Their relationship is playfully antagonistic, but there is mutual respect and admiration beneath the surface.

Nanjirō Echizen
Ryoga was briefly raised by Nanjirō, though their current relationship is unclear. His departure from the Echizen family remains unexplained, adding to the mystery surrounding his past.

Seigaku Tennis Team
Ryoga has no direct connection to Seigaku, but his talent and rivalry with Ryoma make him an indirect influence on the team’s ace player.