Volume 39: Flare-up! Barbecue Battle!
Author: Takeshi Konomi
Genre: Manga, sports, shonen, contemporary
First published 2007
Quick description: Before the Seishun boys hit the courts for the final round of the Nationals, they hit the yakiniku table for an all-out barbecue blitz! When the time comes for Seishun to take on Rikkai at the tournament, Ryoma is stuck in Karuizawa! Help comes from an unexpected quarter to get Ryoma to that stadium. The first game is the long-awaited match that will ignite the perfect storm: Seishun captain Kunimitsu vs. Rikkai's Sanada!
Review:
The first part of this was filler (relleno) whatever episodes to just make something happen o ignore the general plotline. We have the teams going to have a nice celebratory meal and they meet some of their iconic rivals in their past matches. They have fun. But it really felt like a slap because you definitely want things to happen.
After this, the focus match is between other teams, not Seigaku. But still, it includes Rikkai's and we all know that is going to be the biggest match of the whole series.
Overall it was an ok volume just nothing that is too memorable.
Volume 40: The Prince Who Forgot Tennis
Author: Takeshi Konomi
Genre: Manga, sports, shonen, contemporary
First published 2007
Quick description: The match between Seishun captain Tezuka and Rikkai's Sanada blares on. Sanada takes his captain's advice and attacks Tezuka where he's most vulnerable. Has the captain of Seishun finally met his doom? Next, Kaoru and Sadaharu take on Rikkai's lethal pair. When they target Sadaharu, Kaoru has to pull out his Gyro Laser Beam to save the match. And Ryoma finally arrives at the arena! Unfortunately for Seishun, he's got a wicked case of amnesia.
Review:
This episode felt like it came right off a Soap Opera plotline. The games carry one and wins and loses pile up. But then a plot twist, Ryoma shows up late but he has amnesia, he has no idea of who he is or what Tennis is supposed to be.
It's hilarious how everyone decides that he needs to not have people explain the rules, or maybe have him be replaced by whoever the backup player might be. Oh no, that's too logical, what the team decides to do is to have him go have several matches with the people he had played before, have them show him their signature techniques, and tire him out before his own match starts.
Ryoma miraculously remembers how to play tennis and as his official match takes place, his normal attitude starts to return.
Over the top and even if its not the main objective this was hilariously ridiculous.
Vol 41: The Final Battle! The Prince vs. the Child of God
Author: Takeshi Konomi
Genre: Manga, sports, shonen, contemporary
First published March 4, 2008
Quick description: Shusuke battles Rikkai's Nio, the tricky “Con Artist of the Court.” Just when it looks like Shusuke will be able to thwart Nio's devious ploy, Nio pulls a punch that goes straight for Shusuke's weakness. Meanwhile, Momo is doing everything he can to help Ryoma overcome his amnesia in time to face the dreaded Seiichi Yukimura, aka the “Child of the Gods.” Will Ryoma recover in time?
Review:
The match that we have been looking forward since the start of the series star. It's full of cute and end excellent sportsmanship honor. Ryoma is receiving all the cheers form his team and even from some of their old rivals. Yukimura, is an excellent tennis player, his technique flawless.
Of course we get some flashbacks to why each of the two players are fighting for. You end up rooting for both. We do know where this is going to end but the ride its still pretty tight.
This volume ends in a cliffhanger.
Vol 42: Dear Prince
Author: Takeshi Konomi
Genre: Manga, sports, shonen, contemporary
First published 2008
Quick description: The Seishun boys are just one match away from the national title! Ryoma brings out every shot he knows against Seiichi “Child of the Gods” Yukimura. But Yukimura's strange powers cause Ryoma to lose his sense of touch, then his sight. Swinging blindly, his hearing even begins to fail. Can Ryoma come back to win the Nationals for Seishun, or does he “still have a long ways to go”?!
Review:
The end was predictable, but it was awesome. The idea that decided the victory:
In Tennis - its not about winning but about having fun!
The final match was nerve wracking and I could not put down the book until it was done.
Loved it!
This was a nice ride. I did try to take advantage to get a good head start for the challenges:
Around the world - Japan
Translated works
Continue/complete series
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