Appearance in Anime

Ryoma Echizen is an ambitious and highly skilled tennis player who constantly pushes himself to improve, refusing to rest and always striving for greater heights. Specializing in singles, he initially struggled with doubles, as seen in his short-lived partnership with Takeshi Momoshiro. Because of this, his coach, Sumire Ryūzaki, primarily placed him in the Singles 3 (S3) or Singles 2 (S2) positions, though he later alternated with Shūsuke Fuji for the Singles 1 (S1) spot when Tezuka Kunimitsu was absent. By the time Seigaku reached the Nationals, Ryoma was consistently placed in the S1 position.

A notable quirk of Ryoma is his tendency to forget people he deems insignificant or whom he has only met briefly. This has led to him forgetting characters such as Sakuno Ryūzaki, much to her dismay, as well as Sasabe, his father, and even rival players like Sengoku. Whether this is intentional or simply his way of focusing on what he deems important remains unclear. His famous catchphrase, “Mada mada dane” (translated as “You still have a long way to go”), is often used to taunt his opponents, reflecting his confidence and self-assurance.

Ryoma’s tennis skills are initially a direct copy of his father, Nanjirō Echizen’s techniques. However, through encouragement from his captain, Tezuka, he realizes the importance of developing his own unique playstyle if he wants to surpass his father. As he progresses, he continuously reaches new levels of self-actualization, particularly in crucial matches. While he views Tezuka as the ultimate barrier he must overcome to achieve true greatness, others, such as Kevin Smith, see Ryoma himself as their primary rival. Kevin, whose father was defeated by Nanjirō in the past, becomes obsessed with facing Ryoma. However, Ryoma initially does not take him seriously until witnessing his skill firsthand.

Despite his arrogant and often detached demeanor, Ryoma shows genuine affection for his family, particularly his pet cat, Karupin. His concern for Karupin is evident when he frantically searches for the feline after it follows him to school, and again when Karupin sneaks into his bag and ends up traveling to the U.S. Open with him. Ryoma is also adored by a large number of female fans, though he rarely pays attention to them due to his dedication to tennis. However, he does show moments of concern for Sakuno, such as when he helps her in distress or when he stops a thief from ruining a meal she prepared.

Ryoma remains undefeated against all opponents except for Tezuka. While he inherited his father’s raw talent and cockiness, his personality also reflects his mother’s serious, studious, and quiet nature. Eventually, he does manage to defeat Tezuka before departing for the U.S. Open. The manga later reveals that Ryoma had a strong bond with his adopted brother, Ryoga Echizen. As children, they celebrated Halloween, collected oranges, and got into trouble together. Ryoma deeply admired Ryoga, though he would often deny it. When Ryoga left, Ryoma was devastated, unable to stop calling out for him. This separation might explain why Ryoma later struggles to recognize Ryoga, possibly due to their prolonged time apart.

Ryoma Echizen, at twelve years old, is noticeably shorter than most of his Seigaku teammates, particularly the second and third-year regulars. However, he is of similar height to his fellow first-year peers and classmates. He has sharp, confident-looking brown eyes—depicted as hazel in the anime and green-tinted black hair. His facial expressions often reflect his unwavering self-assurance, yet they also maintain a youthful and somewhat mischievous quality.

One of Ryoma’s most recognizable features is his signature Fila cap, which he is rarely seen without. In the anime, the “F” for Fila is altered to an “R” for Ryoma. His shoes are also from Fila, further emphasizing his preference for the brand. The only times he is seen without his cap are when he is in his school uniform or at home sleeping.

Outside of his Seigaku Regular uniform, Ryoma’s usual tennis attire consists of a white short-sleeved collared shirt with red and black sleeves. The top part of his collar also features two red stripes, and he pairs this with black (or very dark blue) shorts. On some occasions, he wears a dark-and-light red jacket over his shirt. However, he is most commonly seen wearing either his Seigaku Regular uniform or his school uniform.

In The New Prince of Tennis, after undergoing intense mountain training, Ryoma’s attire changes slightly. He is seen wearing the Black Revolutionary Brigade Jersey, a new outfit symbolizing his growth and training. Additionally, after this training, he always has a band-aid on his nose, covering a small injury he sustained during the rigorous exercises in the mountains.

Despite being only a first-year middle school student, Ryoma Echizen had already made a name for himself in the tennis world before arriving at Seishun Academy (Seigaku). In just over a year, he dominated the American Junior Tennis circuit, securing four consecutive championship titles. His exceptional talent and near-unbeatable skills earned him the reputation of a tennis prodigy by the age of twelve.

Ryoma’s cool demeanor, self-confidence, and sharp wit further enhance his reputation. Though his good looks and natural charisma make him quite popular among female fans, he remains largely oblivious to their attention, keeping his focus entirely on tennis. As the main protagonist of The Prince of Tennis, Ryoma’s journey revolves around developing his own unique playing style, overcoming challenges, and striving to surpass both his father, Nanjirō Echizen, a former professional player, and his captain, Tezuka Kunimitsu, who serves as his mentor and rival.

Upon enrolling at Seishun Academy (Seigaku), Ryoma quickly proves himself as an elite player, defeating several upperclassmen and earning a spot on the regular team as a first-year a rare achievement. Throughout the series, he competes against some of the strongest junior high players in Japan, constantly pushing himself beyond his limits. As Seigaku’s ace player, he is instrumental in their journey to the National Championship, facing off against rivals who challenge him to evolve his game.

A defining moment in Ryoma’s character growth is when he begins to develop his own unique style, moving away from simply mimicking his father’s techniques. He also learns that tennis is more than just about winning it is about passion, self-discovery, and the thrill of competition. His ability to stay composed under pressure, along with his relentless pursuit of self-improvement, makes him one of the most iconic protagonists in sports anime.

Nanjirō Echizen
Ryoma’s father and former professional tennis player, who serves as both his mentor and greatest challenge. Their relationship is based on tough love, with Nanjirō often mocking and teasing Ryoma while secretly guiding him toward growth.

Rinko Echizen
Ryoma’s mother, who provides a calm and supportive presence in his life. She does not interfere with his tennis career but ensures that he has emotional stability and a strong family foundation.

Seigaku Tennis Team
Ryoma initially keeps his distance from his teammates, but over time, he develops strong friendships and mutual respect, especially with players like Tezuka Kunimitsu, Fuji Shūsuke, and Eiji Kikumaru.

Sakuno Ryūzaki
Ryoma’s close friend and potential love interest, who admires and supports him despite his obliviousness to romance.