It’s the end of an era. After 27 years of smashing serves, impossible trick shots, and some of the most intense sports drama in manga history, The Prince of Tennis is finally heading toward its grand finale. Creator Takeshi Konomi himself confirmed on social media that he is now writing the final chapter — and fans worldwide are not ready to say goodbye.
The legendary sports manga first debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump back in 1999, running for a full decade before transitioning into its sequel series, The New Prince of Tennis, in Jump Square in 2009. That sequel has been carrying the torch for the past 17 years — and now, with Volume 38 set to wrap things up, Ryoma Echizen’s journey to the top of the pro tennis world is about to reach its conclusion.
The Legacy: 27 Years of a Sports Manga Titan
Let’s put this in perspective. The Prince of Tennis franchise spans:
- 42 volumes of the original manga (1999–2008)
- 38 volumes of The New Prince of Tennis (2009–2026)
- 178 episodes of the original anime adaptation
- Multiple OVA series, musicals, live-action films, and a 3D CGI movie
- Over 60 million copies in circulation worldwide
When Konomi posted the sketch of what appears to be the final chapter’s cover page on Twitter on June 29, 2026, fans immediately recognized the faces of Ryoma Echizen, Kunimitsu Tezuka, Shusuke Fuji, Eiji Kikumaru, and other Seigaku regulars — the team that started it all. The post, captioned simply with “Writing the final chapter… ✍️ #NewPrinceofTennis,” has since gone massively viral, racking up hundreds of thousands of interactions across X (formerly Twitter).
Why This Hits Different
What makes this ending so emotional isn’t just the length of the run — it’s that The Prince of Tennis defined an entire genre. Before Haikyuu!!, before Blue Lock, before Kuroko’s Basketball, there was Ryoma Echizen and his signature Twist Serve. The series didn’t just tell a sports story — it invented ridiculous, physics-defying techniques like the Zero-Shiki Drop Shot, the Tezuka Zone, and the Muga no Kyouchi (State of Selfless Awakening) and made millions believe tennis was the coolest sport on Earth.
And let’s be real — no other sports manga has the audacity to make high schoolers hit balls that literally cause stadiums to explode. Konomi’s over-the-top style became part of the charm. The series always knew it was crazy, and fans loved it for that.
What’s Next After the Final Chapter?
With 38 volumes nearly complete, the final volume is expected to drop later in Summer 2026. The anime adaptation of The New Prince of Tennis has also been releasing new episodes — including the Hyotei vs. Rikkai arc, which captured the climactic showdown between longtime rivals Keigo Atobe and Seiichi Yukimura. There’s no word yet on whether the anime will adapt the finale, but fans are already petitioning for a full adaptation of the ending.
Konomi’s farewell message carried a touching note: “I’ll never forget these stimulating days — all my gratitude.” For fans who grew up watching Ryoma’s journey from cocky rookie to world-class pro, those words hit home. Some have been reading The Prince of Tennis longer than they’ve been alive.
A Changing of the Guard at Weekly Shonen Jump
The Prince of Tennis isn’t the only veteran series bowing out. 2026 has been a year of endings for Shonen Jump, with Chainsaw Man wrapping its run earlier this month after 8 years, The Elusive Samurai concluding after 5 years, and other long-running titles like Space Brothers also reaching their final arcs. It’s a generational shift — the old guard is making way for newer hits like Kagurabachi, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Sakamoto Days.
But even as farewells pile up, Prince of Tennis stands alone. Twenty-seven years of any creative work is monumental. For it to be a sports manga — a genre not typically known for this kind of longevity — is nothing short of extraordinary.
So whether you’re a day-one fan who read Chapter 1 in 1999, or someone who just discovered the anime on Crunchyroll last week, this moment is for you. The Prince of Tennis is putting down its racket for the last time — and it’s going out like a champion.
What Do You Think?
Are you sad to see The Prince of Tennis finally end after nearly three decades? Which match or technique from the series do you remember most — the Twist Serve, the Zero-Shiki Drop Shot, or maybe that legendary Tezuka vs. Atobe showdown? Do you think The New Prince of Tennis anime will adapt the final chapters, or will it end on a cliffhanger? Drop your thoughts below — we want to hear from every Seigaku, Hyotei, Rikkai, and Shitenhoji fan out there!
