Appearance in Anime

Akaya Kirihara initially appears as a carefree and slightly mischievous character when he mistakenly arrives at Seigaku after oversleeping on his way to a tournament. He seems childish and friendly at first glance, but his demeanor drastically changes on the tennis court when he enters Bloodshot Mode or Devil Mode, revealing his ruthless and violent side. Kirihara tends to be cocky and overconfident, often underestimating opponents unless he respects them. However, even toward those he acknowledges, he doesn’t shy away from making jokes at their expense.

When placed under pressure or when his pride is wounded, Kirihara transforms into an aggressive and brutal player. His Bloodshot Mode is marked by glowing red eyes and an unrelenting assault on his opponent’s body rather than the ball itself. He first demonstrates this technique against Kippei Tachibana and later against Fuji Shūsuke, showcasing his lack of hesitation in injuring his rivals to secure victory. However, this ruthless strategy proves ineffective against Sanada Genichirō, Rikkai’s vice-captain, who easily counters his attacks with superior reflexes. Sanada even states that Kirihara would need another ten years of training to stand a chance against him.

Kirihara has a deep fear of failure and detests losing. When he first joined Rikkai Dai, he was determined to become Japan’s number one player. However, his dreams were quickly shattered upon encountering Rikkai’s Three Demons Yukimura Seiichi, Sanada Genichirō, and Yanagi Renji who far outclassed him. This loss ignited a new ambition within him: to defeat these “monsters” and prove himself worthy of Rikkai’s legacy. Despite his violent and ruthless demeanor on the court, Kirihara is actually quite different in everyday life. Off the court, he is lighthearted and mischievous, making him one of the more carefree members of the Rikkai team. As the team’s only second-year regular, he is affectionately called “Junior Ace” by his teammates, who regard him as the “baby” of the team. Most of his seniors, including Yanagi, Yagyū, and Jackal, treat him with both fondness and discipline, ensuring that he grows into a strong player while keeping his reckless tendencies in check.

Despite his occasional outbursts, Kirihara has strong bonds with his teammates. Though Yanagi and Sanada have physically reprimanded him for his reckless behavior, they genuinely care for his growth. Sanada, in particular, scolds him severely for his loss against Ryoma Echizen but later cheers him on during his match against Fuji, demonstrating his tough but supportive mentorship. Among Rikkai’s Three Demons, Kirihara seems to be closest to Yanagi, as they develop a bittersweet companionship. This becomes evident when Yanagi loses to Inui Sadaharu in the Kantō Tournament, and Kirihara protects him from Sanada’s disciplinary strike.

Outside of Rikkai, Kirihara takes a keen interest in strong players, especially Tezuka Kunimitsu of Seigaku and, to some extent, Ryoma Echizen. After the U-17 training camp, he forms a camaraderie with Shiraishi Kuranosuke from Shitenhōji, who promises Yanagi to keep Kirihara’s Devil Mode in check. This bond suggests that Kirihara is beginning to learn restraint and sportsmanship.

Kirihara has consistently faced the strongest opponents from each school, reinforcing the belief that his matches are designed to forge him into the ultimate player. This repeated exposure to top-tier opponents is likely to prepare him for his next major challenge leading Rikkai Dai as its future captain. Like Hiyoshi Wakashi, who is set to inherit Hyōtei’s captaincy, Kirihara is the most probable successor for Rikkai Dai, as he is the only remaining regular after the current third-years graduate. His future leadership potential is hinted at when Sanada assigns him as Rikkai’s bench coach after his loss to Fuji. This role suggests that, despite his reckless tendencies, Kirihara has the potential to grow into a responsible and formidable leader.

Kirihara Akaya has messy short black hair that slightly falls over his forehead, giving him an untamed and somewhat wild appearance that reflects his reckless and unpredictable personality on the court. His vivid green eyes are one of his most distinguishing features, particularly when they turn blood red during his Bloodshot Mode or Devil Mode, signaling his shift into a more aggressive and ruthless state of play.

Due to his messy hair, Kirihara is often teased and given the nickname “Seaweed Head”, which he finds annoying but never truly denies. In terms of height, he is taller than Marui Bunta but slightly shorter than Yukimura Seiichi, putting him at an average height among the Rikkai Dai team. His build is athletic and lean, emphasizing his speed, agility, and endurance on the court.

While he is not as visibly imposing as Sanada or as refined in appearance as Yukimura, Kirihara carries a certain intensity and raw energy in his expressions, making him stand out. His usual cocky smirk or overconfident grin shifts dramatically when he gets serious, revealing a cold, focused, and almost predatory demeanor. Despite his sometimes childish and playful personality, his appearance on the court exudes a dangerous aura, especially when his eyes darken and his stance becomes more aggressive.

Kirihara joined Rikkai Dai because he had heard it had the strongest tennis team in Japan and believed he could rise to the top quickly. However, his confidence was shattered upon facing Rikkai’s Three Monsters Seiichi Yukimura, Genichirō Sanada, and Renji Yanagi who completely overwhelmed him. This experience humbled him but also fueled his determination to improve.

Throughout his time at Rikkai, Kirihara trains hard to surpass his seniors, developing a brutal and aggressive playstyle that makes him one of the most dangerous second-year players in the series. Despite his reckless nature, he is considered Rikkai’s “Second-Year Ace”, meaning he is expected to carry the future of Rikkai’s tennis team once the seniors graduate.

Kirihara plays a pivotal role in Rikkai’s journey to the National Tournament, serving as one of their strongest players despite being younger than his teammates. In key matches, he demonstrates his ferocious and relentless approach to tennis, often pushing himself to extremes to win.

One of his most defining moments occurs in his match against Fuji Shūsuke, where he unleashes his “demon mode,” turning into a ruthless, nearly uncontrollable player. However, after losing to Fuji, Kirihara begins to reflect on his reckless methods, learning the importance of control and strategy in his game. His development from an arrogant second-year to a more disciplined and focused player is one of the most compelling character arcs in Prince of Tennis.

Yukimura Seiichi
When Kirihara first joined Rikkai Dai, he lacked respect for Yukimura, Sanada, and Yanagi, believing himself to be the best. However, after suffering a crushing defeat from the three, he quickly acknowledged their strength and grew to respect them deeply. Among them, Yukimura became a mentor figure for Kirihara, someone he admires and strives to surpass. During Yukimura’s hospitalization, Kirihara was deeply concerned about his captain’s condition, showing that despite his brash personality, he genuinely cares for his team. He often looks up to Yukimura as an ideal leader and follows his guidance, even when he doesn’t always agree with his methods.

Sanada Genichirō
Kirihara initially clashed with Sanada due to his overconfidence and rebellious attitude, but after realizing Sanada’s overwhelming power, he came to respect him as a vice-captain and mentor. Sanada is particularly strict with Kirihara, often punishing him harshly for stepping out of line or losing control on the court. While Kirihara finds Sanada’s discipline frustrating, he ultimately respects and acknowledges his guidance, understanding that Sanada is grooming him to be the next captain of Rikkai. Despite Kirihara’s rebellious streak, he is deeply loyal to Sanada and takes his advice seriously.

Renji Yanagi
Among Rikkai’s Three Demons, Kirihara has the closest relationship with Yanagi. Unlike Sanada, who disciplines him harshly, Yanagi takes a calmer and more strategic approach, carefully guiding Kirihara’s tennis skills and mindset. Yanagi is genuinely concerned about Kirihara’s growth, both as a player and as a person. In the U-17 training camp, Yanagi was dominating their match, but instead of defeating Kirihara, he forfeited the game, allowing Kirihara to prove himself. This act showed Yanagi’s belief in Kirihara’s potential, even if Kirihara didn’t fully understand the lesson at the time.

Bunta Marui
Marui treats Kirihara like a younger brother, often teasing and mocking him but in an affectionate way. He frequently tags along with Kirihara and Jackal to arcades, showing that despite Kirihara’s wild personality, he enjoys hanging out with his upperclassmen. Marui sometimes playfully scolds Kirihara when he misbehaves, but it’s clear that he sees him as a part of the Rikkai family.

Rest of Rikkai Dai
Kirihara frequently falls for Niō’s pranks, making him an easy target for the trickster’s mind games and illusions. Jackal Kuwahara, on the other hand, acts as a reliable friend to Kirihara, often keeping him in check and looking after him, despite Kirihara’s reckless tendencies. While his relationship with Hiroshi Yagyū isn’t explored much, it’s safe to assume that Yagyū, like the rest of the team, watches over Kirihara with the expectation that he will one day lead Rikkai Dai.

Kuranosuke Shiraishi
At the U-17 camp, Shiraishi becomes Kirihara’s mentor, helping him develop patience and control over his Devil Mode. Shiraishi’s calm and methodical approach contrasts with Kirihara’s aggressive and impulsive nature, making their interactions both tense and insightful. Under Shiraishi’s guidance, Kirihara learns to refine his playstyle, focus his power more effectively, and develop mental discipline, which ultimately helps him improve as a player and a future captain.