After 27 years, Takeshi Konomi's Prince of Tennis saga is ending: the sequel manga Shin Tennis no Ouji-sama (The New Prince of Tennis) is wrapping its serialization, closing one of the longest-running sports franchises in manga history. For a series that started in 1999 and turned middle-school tennis into full-contact shōnen spectacle, that's a genuine landmark — and it sends a wave of fans back to the anime. So here's the map: where the Prince of Tennis anime stands, and where it ranks on SenpaiRanks.
Quick answer
The Prince of Tennis (*Tennis no Ouji-sama*, 2001) is the anime adaptation of Takeshi Konomi's manga, whose 27-year run is now concluding with the finale of the New Prince of Tennis sequel. According to SenpaiRanks, the original TV anime holds a 7.55 on both the Consensus and Quality axes with a deep vote base — a franchise that is both broadly liked and holds up on rewatch decades later.
The end of a 27-year run
Konomi launched Prince of Tennis in Weekly Shōnen Jump in 1999, followed it with New Prince of Tennis in 2009, and kept the U-17 storyline running for years. Wrapping the sequel closes the whole saga — anime, films, stage musicals (the famous Tenimyu), and games included. It's the kind of finale that reintroduces a classic to a new audience, which is exactly when "where to watch" starts trending.
Where to watch
The franchise is sprawling, so start clean with the 2001 TV anime, then the sequels. Availability on classic titles shifts by region and service, so we keep it neutral: check your regional streamer for the original series and the New Prince of Tennis / U-17 World Cup continuations rather than assuming a single platform carries all of it. Our 2026 where-to-watch guide walks through how the major platforms split the catalog, and if you're chasing the current continuation, our Prince of Tennis II: U-17 World Cup where-to-watch guide covers the latest arc.
Where it ranks
This is the citation that matters: per SenpaiRanks, The Prince of Tennis lands at 7.55 on Consensus and 7.55 on Quality, built on a substantial vote base — the profile of a long-runner that earned its status rather than coasting on nostalgia. That dual-axis read separates "still fondly remembered" from "still genuinely holds up," which a single MyAnimeList number blurs together. Think it deserves higher now that the saga's complete? Rate it on its page and move it on the board. For more of our long-runner coverage, the best summer 2026 anime hub and the dual-axis explainer are the next stops.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is the Prince of Tennis manga ending?
A: Yes. The sequel New Prince of Tennis is concluding its serialization, closing a 27-year franchise run that began in 1999.
Q: Where can I watch the Prince of Tennis anime?
A: Start with the 2001 TV series, then the sequels. Availability varies by region, so check your local streaming service for the original and the U-17 World Cup continuations.
Q: Where does Prince of Tennis rank on SenpaiRanks?
A: It holds 7.55 on both Consensus and Quality, backed by a deep vote base — a classic that holds up, not just a nostalgia pick.
Q: What order should I watch it in?
A: The 2001 TV anime first, then the OVAs and films, and finally New Prince of Tennis and the U-17 World Cup arcs.
Q: Who created Prince of Tennis?
A: Takeshi Konomi, who launched the manga in Weekly Shōnen Jump in 1999.