Rikkai Daigaku Fuzoku, better known as Rikkai or Rikkaidai, is considered to be the best middle school tennis team, having won the Kanto Tournament for 15 years straight and the Japanese National Tournament for the last two years. They aim for perfect wins in the matches and attempt to win for the third year in a row, and to reach said goal they subject themselves to a borderline militaristic discipline as well as Training from Hell. The three leaders are Captain Yukimura, Vice-Captain Sanada, and Treasurer Yanagi and together, they're known as "The Three Demons". However, there's an unexpected factor to consider: Yukimura's health has taken a sudden nosedive, therefore there's extra pressure on them this time...
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General
- Adaptation Dye-Job: Subverted later as a Retcon. In the first season of the anime, their uniforms used to be red since their Early-Bird Cameo was limited to the black and white prints of the manga. When their arc arrives, the uniforms were recolored to the original mustard.
- Aloof Big Brother: How most of the third-years treat Akaya. While Niou has a Big Brother Bully interaction with him, and Jackal and Marui often hang out with him, Sanada and Yukimura are Always Someone Better towards him, while Yanagi is more of a Big Brother Mentor.
- Authority Equals Asskicking: The Big Three got to tame the violent and rebellious Kirihara by defeating him in tennis. Since then Akaya’s only weakness is getting slapped by Sanada.
- Breakout Villain: Along with Hyotei, they were popular enough to be faced a second time-the final match of the National Tournament even.
- Foil: The Team in General to both Seigaku and Hyotei.
- Both Seigaku and Rikkai had their Captains hospitalized, Prodigy Rookies (Ryoma-Kirihara), Data experts (Inui-Yanagi) and fragile-looking but skilled players (Fuji-Yukimura).
- While both Rikkai and Hyotei have been established as Seigaku's most prominent rival teams and both teams have in high regard their team captains, they handle different their defeats: In Hyotei the losing player is removed from the Regulars and replaced, while in Rikkai, Sanada slaps the loser.
- The Yanagi-Kirihara duo serves as an Evil Counterpart to the Inui-Kaidoh pair. Both Kaidoh and Kirihara are Hot-Blooded 2nd years, and the Reds to their respective senior's Blue; Kirihara learns the "Short Snake" shot from Kaidoh while the latter learns the "Devil Mode" from the former. Yanagi and Inui both are 3rd-year players who rely on "Data Tennis", and the mentors to their respective juniors.
- Freudian Trio: The Rikkaidai Demon Kings, with Sanada as The Kirk, Yukimura as The McCoy and Yanagi as The Spock
- Heterosexual Life-Partners: Sanada and Yukimura are Childhood Friends, bordering Bromantic levels.
- Parodied in New Prince of Tennis with Marui and Jackal. Jackal is treated like Marui cheated on him when he pairs up with Higa's Kite. In the OVA adaptation, it's shown that a teary Jackal is looking to a photo of Marui after they have been separated into different rooms.
- Odd Couple: Niou and Yagyuu. Polar Opposites in personality but equally as cunning and manipulative.
- Heterosexual Life-Partners: Sanada and Yukimura are Childhood Friends, bordering Bromantic levels.
- First-Name Basis:
- Most of the team is towards Kirihara and Jackal. Yagyuu is the exception, he calls them "Kirihara-kun" and "Kuwahara-kun."
- Yanagi and Sanada both use each other's given names. Yanagi also calls Yukimura "Seiichi."
- Yukimura usually calls Sanada "Sanada," but he will occasionally call him "Genichiro" or "Genichiro-kun." He called him "Genichiro-kun" when they first made friends as children.
- Jackal also calls Marui "Bunta."
- My God, What Have I Done?: Apparently all of them sans Akaya have this reaction to realizing Akaya's Devil Mode could actually be lethal to him in the sequel. Yanagi then orchestrates for Shiraishi (who can control Kin-chan) to take care of Akaya. The other remaining Rikkai regulars can do nothing but watch, with Yukimura appearing especially worried despite trying to seem unaffected.
- Power Trio: Among all the middle school tennis teams, Yukimura, Sanada, and Yanagi are known as "The Big Three".
- Ragtag Bunch of Misfits: Everyone is their own flavor of different.
- Yukimura is the Nice Guy gentle captain, who turns into a fierce and competitive tennis player.
- Sanada is the stern and honorable Number Two of Yukimura.
- Renji is The Stoic Data Specialist.
- Kirihara is a young rookie with a violent game style.
- Niou is the unpredictable trickster.
- Yagyuu is "The Gentleman" of the team, but equally as mischievous as Niou.
- Marui is the Genius Sweet Tooth.
- Jackal is the Token Minority.
- Spotlight-Stealing Squad: Once the U-17 representatives are chosen, five of Rikkai's players make the cut, compared to three from Shitenhouji, three from Seigaku, and one each from Yamabuki, Higa, and Hyoutei. Even when they begin substituting players for injury, Rikkai and Hyoutei take a net gain of one each, while Seigaku and Shitenhouji each lose one, and Sengoku replaces Akutsu to keep Yamabuki at net zero.
- True Companions: The whole team respects and care for Yukimura, and there are several scenes of them visiting him in the hospital to cheer him up. In the anime, the relationship between them is expanded explaining that they wanted to win the Kantou Tournament as quickly as possible to go see Yukimura before his surgery.
Seiichi Yukimura
Voiced by: Sachiko Nagai (JP)
Seiichi Yukimura is the captain of Rikkaidai. He is called "The Child of God" due to his strength on the tennis court. Despite his strength, he has a very frail and feminine appearance, and he is very friendly to others outside of the court. However, he is very strict with his team when he is acting as their Captain, and while he is playing, he refuses to lose. However, in the finals of the National Tournament, he is defeated by Echizen Ryoma after Ryoma activates the last door of the Selfless State, the Pinnacle of Perfection. He is hospitalized for much of the series due to a neurological disease, which leaves him with a fifty percent chance of survival, but undergoes a successful surgery and rehabilitation during the Kanto Tournament and was able to participate in the National Tournament.
- Badass Cape: He uses his team jacket as a cape over his shoulders. It becomes badass when he defeats Kintaro without dropping it.
- Beware the Nice Ones: He seems rather friendly off-court and popular with the ladies. He only shows his scary side when playing tennis.
- Birds of a Feather:
- Has a lot of similarities with Fuji, as both have delicate looks, are very friendly outside the court, have soft spots for gardening, and can be quite scary and vindictive when provoked.
- This is why he is later assigned to be roommates with Fuji and Shiraishi. The three of them are among the best players of their teams, are always smiling and are very approachable and friendly towards others, and the three of them bond instantly after being set as roommates and discovering their mutual passion for gardening (the room is filled with Yukimura's flowers, Fuji's cacti and Shiraishi's poisonous plants).
- The Captain: Of Rikkaidai. Though due to being hospitalized for most of the series he properly acts in the capacity during the Nationals.
- Child Prodigy: Yukimura holds the distinction of being virtually undefeatable and the only middle schooler selected as an overseas representative. Outside of tennis, in the Ocean (Unabara) Festival, he works as the designer, director, and scriptwriter and wins the "General Director Award".
- Childhood Friends: He and Sanada have known each other since they were four years old.
- Color Motif: Aside from his yellow uniform, he is mostly seen with light green pieces, the most frequent being his headband. Maybe it's a coincidence that it's also "green hospital".
- Curtains Match the Window: Has hair and eyes in the same shade of blue.
- Determinator: His obsession with winning made him overcome his illness and recover very fast in time for the National Tournament, even against the doctor's predictions.
- Don't You Dare Pity Me!: Despises being pitied after his doctors predict that his illness will put an end to his tennis career, to the point of lashing out at anyone who brings the subject up.
- Dude Looks Like a Lady: Even more so than Fuji. His outside fragility also gives him a feminine aura.
- Friend to All Children: In his first appearance, he's seen in his hospital room being visited by a group of kids, who address him with the affectionate "Sei-nii-chan". His nurse mentions how they love to stick close to him.
- Graceful Loser: Even though he is victory-obsessed and very full of anger because of his illness, he took his defeat by Ryoma rather well, learning to have fun while playing tennis, and happily agrees to shake hands with him after the match.
- Hachi Maki: A nice green one in the anime, since green is a color related to his character (the hospital and his gardening hobby). In the manga and the musicals, the headband is white.
- Heroic BSoD: He gets this in the hospital when he overhears the doctors discussing that he might never play tennis again, which made him cry in anger and frustration and snap at Sanada.
- Hey, You!: He rarely uses Ryoma's name. He usually calls him "boy" (boya), but will occasionally call him "Echizen-kun" or "Echizen" as a sign of respect. When Ryoma gets knocked out by Chardard, Yukimura calls out "Echizen!" in worry or surprise, but once he sees Ryoma's conscious and aware, he goes back to calling him "boy."
- Informed Flaw: He's stated to have relative stamina issues due to his disease. Then again, if this is what he can do after being hospitalized for so long, what can he do when he's in top form?
- The McCoy: He is sensitive yet rational in the Freudian Trio with Sanada and Yanagi.
- Real Men Wear Pink: Even though he is an almost unbeatable tennis captain, he is very fond of art and cultural activities. His hobbies include gardening and watercolor painting, and he was the beautification committee member that suggested the "Lots of Flowers Movement".
- Red Baron: Even nicknamed "Child of God".
- Reflectionless Useless Eyes: His opponent is eventually rendered blind, giving them these.
- Serious Business: Everything related to tennis is for Yukimura. He is nice, calm, and polite in his daily life, but his full range of emotions is on display whenever it's related to winning. During his stay at the hospital, he only lost control of his anger and frustration when he overheard the doctors about how his illness will forbid him from playing tennis, he is capable of letting slide Ryoma's team change as long as it benefits Team Japan, and he can be very strict and cold to his teammates only when it comes to a tournament.
- Silk Hiding Steel: Don't let his appearance fool you. He is delicate looking, is very fond of plants and gardening, speaks with a soft voice, and is an ill boy, but he's also the best player of the national championship team.
- Stepford Smiler: According to his stats, with his smiling poker face, the opponent can never read his expressions. Because he has quite the skills to back it up, his mental strength is strong. During his match against Tezuka, the narration explains that this is the source of his nickname, "Child of God." Because he kept smiling even when he was scared and intimidated, his opponents became intimidated in turn and began making mistakes.
- Stone Wall: One of the most formidable examples in the series, he's capable of returning practically any shot which causes the opponent to gradually lose all their senses.
- What Kind of Lame Power Is Heart, Anyway?: His obsession with winning is ironically what results in his defeat at the hands of Ryoma, who just attained the Pinnacle of Perfection (Teni Muhō no Kiwami): Simply having fun playing tennis. Yukimura is incapable of understanding this, as his only drive in life is winning in tennis.
- Yamato Nadeshiko: Genderflipped. He looks and acts the part eerily well with his long-ish and wavy black hair, pale skin, polite speech patterns (complete with his soft voice) and gentle off-courts behavior... and then he shows the Silk Hiding Steel part upon becoming a Determinator Magnificent Bastard in regards to tennis. Then there's his very stern and masculine-looking sub-captain, Genichirou Sanada, who defers to him actually.
Genichirou Sanada
Voiced by: Taiten Kusunoki (JP), José Durán (LA SP)
Genichirou Sanada is the vice-captain of Rikkaidai, known as the "Emperor", who fills in for Yukimura in Singles 1 during his hospitalization. He comes from a very traditional family, is stern and noble, plays with honor, and expects the best from himself and his teammates. When his teammates don't live up to his expectations, or they act in a way that is unbecoming of their team, Sanada will physically beat them. Sanada practices kendo and incorporates it into his tennis techniques. His main rival is Tezuka, who he lost to despite being the runner-up to Yukimura in the Junior Tournament, and vows to train and defeat him.
- Aloof Big Brother: To the team, and specially Kirihara.
- Always Someone Better: He hasn't won a single match against Yukimura.
- Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy: So much that he names his tennis moves after quotes from The Art of War.
- Authority Equals Asskicking: As the Vice-Captain, replacing Captain Yukimura, Sanada reaffirms his authority in the team by bitchslapping whoever loses a game or fails to obey an order. He slapped Kirihara for challenging Ryoma to a match and losing, and Jackal (and also along with Marui in the Musical) for letting Kirihara do this.
- Big Brother Mentor: To Kin-chan in The New Prince of Tennis.
- Born in the Wrong Century: He acts like an old man in a teenager's body. Or as a samurai stuck in the modern times.
- Catchphrase: "Tarundoru!" ("You're slacking off!") He also tends to mutter "Tawake ga..." ("Fools...") when he's unimpressed with people.
- Childhood Friends: He and Yukimura have known each other since they were four years old.
- Corporal Punishment: In the manga, he slaps his companions around instead of assigning laps or giving them lectures. So far he has slapped Jackal, Marui, and Kirihara for different transgressions; and tried to slap Yanagi, but Kirihara stood up for him.
- Eye Patch Of Power: In New Prince of Tennis he returns to camp with this, paired with his Took a Level in Badass from his Training from Hell.
- Generation Xerox: His grandfather is exactly like him, and he also happens to be The Rival to Tezuka's grandfather (both react by screaming "Tezukaaaa!!" with only hearing the name).
- Heir to the Dojo: Of a famous kendo one. His endings in the dating sims often involve bringing the lead female to the Sanada dojo.
- Hit Me, Dammit!:
- Since he also lost against Ryoma, Sanada wanted to receive a bigger penalty to honor his broken promise to Yukimura of defending their champion title.
- In The New Prince of Tennis, it happens when Sanada accidentally hits Akutsu with his racquet. Sanada not only apologized with embarrassment but also requested a slap from him. In response, Akutsu kicks him in the stomach, much to Sanada's surprise.
- Honor Before Reason: This is the key difference between Sanada's and Yukimura's attitudes about losing. Sanada cares about being the uncontested best, while Yukimura cares most about winning.
- During his match with Tezuka in the National Finals, Yukimura orders Sanada to quit engaging Tezuka in a head-to-head, power vs power match, because both of their injuries from Tezuka Zone and Sanada's Lightning technique are mounting and Sanada would eventually be able to coast to a guaranteed victory. Sanada tries, but ultimately can't bear to not test his strength to the fullest. His internal monologue is downright anguished when he hears his classmates cheering for their Emperor, feeling like he doesn't deserve the name playing the way Yukimura told him to.
- Shortly after, while he could have let Yukimura win by forfeit against an amnesiac Ryoma at the Nationals, he also decided to help him to recover his memory, reminding Yukimura that they have to win "The Rikkaidai way." He also took it a step further, by using his "Lightning" technique against Echizen while trying to jog his memory. Sanada only ever used it against Tezuka at that point, which Echizen didn't see. Because Sanada showed him the move, however, Echizen was able to duplicate it with the Selfless State, and use it against Yukimura— something Yukimura was clearly annoyed by.
- Incorruptible Pure Pureness: Yukimura thinks of him as such, due to his honorable attitude towards opponents and winning.
- Kendo Team Captain: Subverted. He has the looks, attitude and skills, but prefers tennis rather than kendo.
- The Kirk: He is tough and more Hot-Blooded in the Freudian Trio with Yukimura and Yanagi.
- Large Ham: "Yukimuraaaaaaa!!" (both in the Anime Chibi Omakes and the Musicals)
- Ma'am Shock: He is somewhat irritated when his nephew calls him "ojisan" ("uncle") instead of "oniisan" ("older brother") or "Genichirou-san," because it implies he's older than he is... which, considering his hobbies and uptight attitude (let alone the fact that this is his brother's child, and so Sanada is literally his uncle), is kind of funny. He is absolutely livid, however, when his nephew teases him by disrespectfully calling him "Genichirou" without any honorific whatsoever.
- Not So Stoic: Tries to be The Stoic, but is far too Hot-Blooded.
- Number Two: He is the vice-captain of the team and Yukimura's right hand.
- Oblivious to Love: In the dating sims, to the point where it takes pretty heavy-handed match-making attempts by the rest Rikkai for him to even get a clue. In Gakuensai he even manages to turn his first 'date' into a team outing by inviting the rest of the regulars along with him and Shizuka
- Odd Couple: Or more accurately "Odd Doubles Partnership". Happens twice —
- In the anime filler, Sanada is paired with Atobe. Not only do their personalities contrast (he is The Stoic, disciplined and strict, while Atobe is a diva with Awesome Ego), but get along well at the court because both of them went to the same tango concert.
- In The New Prince of Tennis, Sanada purposely requested to play doubles with Akutsu, since their personalities and play styles were complete opposites (While Sanada has a lot of techniques and calculates all his moves, Akutsu is more Hot-Blooded than him and his tennis is very instinctive and unpredictably violent).
- Practically Different Generations: Judging by his six-year-old nephew (who acts more like an Annoying Younger Sibling), Sanada's older brother is at least nine or ten years older than him.
- Red Baron: "The Emperor."
- Rescue Romance: In both dating sims. In Gakuensai, he rescues Shizuka from thugs trying to make moves on her. In Sanroku he and Tsugumi almost fall off a cliff and he actually manages to throw her upwards in the air to a safer spot above them before climbing his way up with one arm.
- The Rival:
- To Tezuka since both of them were kids. Also their grandfathers seem to be this as well.
- He and Yukimura are also friendly rivals. Sanada has a bit of an inferiority complex where Yukimura is concerned.
- Signature Head Gear: Always plays with a black cap. Supplementary materials indicate that he gives it to Kirihara at the end of the school year, when Kirihara becomes Rikkai's Vice-Captain.
- Signature Move: "Fuu Rin Ka In Zan Rai". Later the "Black Aura".
- Took a Level in Kindness: Since the anime doesn't have his penchant for slapping people, he comes off as less arrogant but still serious. He also seems to care more for his teammates rather than punishing them for losing.
- Played straight in the manga. For the National Tournament, he requests slaps from his teammates for losing his game against Ryoma, and after Rikkai lands in 2nd place, he is not punishing the losers (and that would imply hitting Yukimura as well). In New Prince of Tennis, his nicer side is seen when he becomes a Big Brother Mentor to Kintaro and his interactions with Akutsu (see Hit Me, Dammit! above).
- Undying Loyalty: Towards Yukimura. On a whole other level.
- Younger Than They Look: Actually 15 years old. He's been mistaken for a teacher in the Gakuensai dating sim game. And he was right behind the main girl when she said so. He is also described as having a very old soul, as he is a fan of Japanese traditions, calligraphy, and haiku, and Atobe once gave him a cellphone that older people tend to like... which he takes a liking to as well.
Renji Yanagi
Voiced by: Eiji Takemoto (JP), Johnny Torres (LA SP)
Renji Yanagi is known as the Data Master. Yanagi usually plays in singles, but sometimes in doubles. He is the friend and former doubles partner of Sadaharu Inui, having been known as the "Professor." He keeps his eyes perpetually half-closed just as Inui hides his eyes behind his thick glasses. He is Inui's rival in using Data Tennis, having taught Inui in the first place.
- Affectionate Nickname: Only between him and Inui. While he would name Inui "Doctor", Inui calls him back as "Professor".
- Badass Bookworm: He enjoys reading and is the 3rd best on the tennis team.
- Big Brother Mentor: He, Sanada, and Yukimura are this to Kirihara, but he fills in the most. To the point of willingly giving up his spot in The New Prince of Tennis to make sure Kirihara will be able to continue.
- Birds of a Feather: With Inui. Both of them collect data and base their games on strategy and hard training. While Inui uses a lot of science and maths, Renji is more inclined to literature. After rekindling their friendship, both Inui and Renji start developing horrible juices together to feed their teammates. According to the books, their joint work has made the final products twice as horrible.
- Childhood Friends: He and Inui know each other since they were kids.
- Expository Hairstyle Change: His bob was longer when he was younger.
- Eyes Always Shut: They tend to open when he wants to emphasize a point. Like Fuji, it emphasizes his serenity.
- Finishing Eachothers Sentences: What sets him apart from Inui is that Renji is capable of guessing correctly what his opponent is about to say.
- First-Name Basis: With Inui. Also with Sanada and Yukimura.
- Hidden Heart of Gold: While he is just as much of a no-nonsense overachiever driven by winning as Sanada and Yukimura, he takes a more direct role in mentoring Akaya and is the most approachable of the Big Three.
- Mad Libs Catch Phrase: He tends to quote what someone is saying or about to say, then confirm that it was as he predicted. So if he was quoting Echizen, it would be "'You have a long way to go,' is what you were saying." ("'Mada mada da ne' to omae wa iu.")
- Master-Apprentice Chain: Yanagi learned Data Tennis from Akuto Mitsuya, then taught it to Inui. On the reverse end, he learned about making awful-tasting drinks from Inui and then taught that to Mitsuya...
- Never Got to Say Goodbye: To Inui.
- Not So Stoic: Yanagi is very calm and collected, and more than a little arrogant. Any time he humbles himself or raises his voice illustrates the urgency of the situation, or how deeply he feels about it.
- In the OVA, when Inui is injured by Kirihara and refused to forfeit, his mask cracks and he begs Inui to do so for his own sake. "Please forfeit, Sadaharu! It's not like I'm enjoying this either!"
- In the sequel he literally begs Shiraishi to keep Akaya from going into Devil Mode, which apparently could endanger Akaya's life if uncontrolled and the tone of his voice says it all. He's desperate and not too proud to show it.
- When Mouri, a Rikkai tennis club alumnus, offhandedly expresses how worried he was about Yukimura's health to Yanagi, Yanagi actually loses his temper and shouts at him to never speak Yukimura's name again, because Mouri's tendency to skip tennis practice was like a slap in the face to Yukimura while he was too ill to play, and that if Mouri was so concerned, he would have been at Yukimura's side to support him. While it's part of Rikkai's generally Spartan approach to practice, it also demonstrates just how deeply Yanagi cares for Yukimura, and how personally he takes anything that causes Yukimura pain.
- Red Baron: "The Master."
- The Spock: He is deadpan, calmer, and completely rational in the Freudian Trio with Sanada and Yukimura.
- Sugar-and-Ice Personality: Especially in the anime. Despite his stoic personality, he still has a good friendship with Inui, often making collaborations on data gathering and weird juice combinations. He also has a soft spot for Kirihara, who is constantly taking care of him, to the point Yanagi gives his spot on the U-17 camp for him to keep growing.
- Third-Person Person: Often refers to himself as "kono Yanagi Renji" ("This Yanagi Renji" or "I, Yanagi Renji,"), emphasizing his arrogance, whether he's boasting or conceding his defeat.
- This Is Unforgivable!: Mori's skipping tennis practice while Yukimura's illness and hospitalization prevented him from playing tennis. One of the few times Yanagi is truly angry.
Akaya Kirihara
Voiced by: Showtaro Morikubo (JP), Ezequiel Serrano (LA SP, Episode 49), Ricardo Sorondo (65-68)
Akaya Kirihara is the youngest and only 2nd-year student in the Rikkaidai line-up, thus earning him the title "Second Year Ace." He joined Rikkai because he heard the school had a very strong tennis team, but his hopes were quickly crushed by the Three Demons. He usually acts childish and friendly, though he is actually very violent on the court, often causing serious injuries that require hospitalization. He reforms in the anime after being beaten by Fuji, (though he retains his nature in the manga) but in the nationals, he returns to his violent playing style, severely injuring Inui. While under high pressure or after sustaining an injury, the whites of his eyes turn red, becoming bloodshot, and his power, skill, and speed increase. He becomes much more violent while in this state. Later, he develops a Devil Mode, which turns his skin red and his hair white. His bloodlust and destructive power are greatly enhanced, and he solely focuses on crushing the opposing players using violent means. This turns out to be detrimental to his health, prompting Yanagi to beg Shiraishi - as the one who controlled Tooyama Kintaro - to save Akaya. He does.
- All There in the Manual: In one of the fanbooks, he expresses that he wants a Wii U.
- Always Someone Better: The "Three Demons" of Rikkaidai (Yukimura, Sanada, and Yanagi) are this to him. When Kirihara was a freshman, he tried to take on the spot for Rikkaidai's top ace player but the Three Demons quickly crushed his hopes. However, the three of them recognized Akaya's potential and look forward to him leading Rikkaidai after they're no longer in the school, and Yanagi has personally taken him under his wing.
- Ax-Crazy: His Devil Mode. And with Slasher Smile included.
- The Berserker: When he enters the "Bloodshot Eyes" mode. Double for Devil Mode.
- Berserk Button: Don't liken his hair to seaweed or insult his team. You will regret it.
- Bratty Half-Pint: Despite being already 13 years old.
- Blood Knight
- Book Dumb: Sucks at English.
- Borrowed Catchphrase: Uses Shiraishi's "Ahh...Ecstasy" during their doubles match against the high schoolers in the sequel. In unison with Shiraishi, no less.
- Catchphrase:
- "Tsubusu yo" (I'll crush you), and "I'll defeat the three demons and become Number 1!"
- "I'll dye/paint you red!" (Evil Laugh)
- Can't Catch Up: Though widely considered to be the Ace of the team, he still holds insecurities about being unable to defeat "The Three Demons".
- Character Exaggeration: Kirihara's violent tendencies were initially played up in the anime (Tachibana didn't end up in the hospital in the manga), while his more sympathetic qualities and endearing actions were downplayed or cut (such as his unauthorized match with Ryoma leading to him getting slapped by Sanada and berated by his team for losing, or the way he protected Yanagi from being hit by Sanada). The anime ended up giving him a filler character arc where he learns not to be violent at all, but because that wasn't in the manga when he comes back for the National tournament, he's large as he was before— aggressive and, due to his teammates pressuring him, increasingly violent. It's not until the sequel manga that he starts moving away from this, but the original manga did plant the seeds earlier than the anime did.
- Color Motif: Kirihara's main motif is Red since he is often associated with a demon. His style is violent and bloody, his eyes turn red whenever he gets upset, Rikkai's original uniform was red (until it was recolored to yellow for the next chapters). As a side note, his favorite color is also red and he enjoys fighting video games (the gorier, the better).
- Early-Bird Cameo: He sleeps on the bus to his school and ends up in Seigaku, causing havoc at the tennis club merely 19 chapters into the story.
- Evil Counterpart: To Ryoma, though not explicitly stated. They're both the young, childish, arrogant aces of their teams with exceptional skills. While Ryoma may aim for people with his Twist Serve and Drive A, this is a key part of Kirihara's play style. Ryoma's been trained from a young age, while Akaya's a (very hard-working) prodigy.
- Foil:
- To Seigaku's Kaidoh. They're both aggressive power players who are closely mentored by their team's senior data player, but Kaidoh has a steadier hand and a calmer personality, and if he loses his temper, he can calm himself down more easily, while Kirihara is aggressive on the court, but can be childish and a Keet when he isn't playing. He's also more willing to speak up to Inui than Kirihara is to Yanagi, giving them a more egalitarian partnership, even if Kaidoh is still very careful to pay Inui the respect due to a senior. And, Kaidoh is chosen to be next year's captain, while Kirihara is instead chosen as vice-captain because Kaidoh is stricter than Momoshiro, but Kirihara, though acknowledged as the team's ace player, is more of a follower than a leader and has to be captain would end up hindering his own growth.
- With Hyotei’s Hiyoshi as well. Both are appointed as the future talents of their teams, but while Hiyoshi is confirmed to be the next captain, Kirihara isn't chosen as team captain since he lacks the maturity and discipline to lead. Hiyoshi is quiet and disciplined but can relax off-court, while Kirihara is aggressive on the court, but can be childish and a Keet when he isn't playing. Both have a fascination for aliens and the paranormal. Also, Hiyoshi is humble and respectful to his seniors, while also maintaining his "Gekokujou" mentality (he admires Atobe, but wants to surpass him in an honorable match). Kirihara, on the other hand, has to be controlled by his seniors, who had to beat him in tennis, and literally by Sanada, so a lot of his respect for them had to be enforced.
- To Sanada. They're both aggressive and hot-blooded with limitless potential, and Sanada sees a lot of himself in Akaya— something Yukimura quickly catches on to. This is why Sanada is so hard on Akaya all the time; he's always pushing for Akaya to better himself. Part of the reason Yukimura declines to make Akaya captain is because the pressure of having to take care of everyone else would stunt his own growth... which is exactly what happened to Sanada when he took over as acting captain while Yukimura was hospitalized. In a drawing of the U-17 team as they would look three years in the future, Konomi Takeshi depicted Akaya carrying Sanada's hat on his racket.
- To Tamagawa. Both are Juniors and while Kirihara is loud and boisterous, Tamagawa is quiet and humble. Also, their appearances are total opposites: Kirihara has messy, curly, black hair, while Tamagawa has tidy, white hair.
- Heavy Sleeper: He once fell asleep on the bus while on his way to school... and crossed all the way from Kanagawa to Tokyo. And that apparently wasn't the first time either. In his Sanroku no Mystic route he actually falls asleep on Tsugumi more than once.
- Humble Pie: In a flashback, it’s shown that Sanada, Yukimura, and Yanagi had to each beat him in tennis to tame him. Akaya learned to obey them in the base of having his butt kicked by his seniors. His main goal is to become stronger and defeat the Big Three.
- I Can Still Fight!: In the anime, during his match with Kevin Smith he injures his shoulder by colliding with the net pole. After carrying on for so long, he's forced to forfeit the match as the pain becomes too much to bear.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: His violent and cocky behavior in courts contrasts with his child-like naïveté. It should be noted that the anime gave Akaya additional character development, having him denounce his violent playstyle altogether. In the manga, this doesn't happen until the sequel rolls around, during which Atobe says "he's not a Devil anymore" and Krauser even likens him to an angel. Go figure.
- Keet: When he is not being a violent brat on the tennis court, he is a very cheerful and hyperactive kid, to the point he excitedly tries to make conversation with Kaidoh, Zaizen, and Hiyoshi about the mountain training.
- Meaningful Name: His given name "Akaya" has the kanji for "Red".
- Red Eyes, Take Warning: When he enters in his "Bloodshot Eyes" mode, it's better to run. And don't even think about taking him on in Devil Mode unless you're one of Rikkai's Big Three or suicidal.
- Signature Move: "Knuckle Serve".
- Superpowered Evil Side: Basically what his Bloodshot and Devil Mode amount to. His speed and power increase dramatically, but he also becomes insane in the process. His Devil Mode eventually evolves into "Angel Mode" which is a true Super Mode, with all of the Devil Mode's advantages but without the insanity. However, Word of God is that he can achieve Angel Mode only when paired with Shiraishi.
- Odd Friendship: Strikes one surprisingly with Hiyoshi. At first, Hiyoshi is annoyed at him since Kirihara wouldn't let him meditate until Kirihara started to mention ghosts at the campus, which grabs his attention, since he is a fan of the paranormal and UFOs. They are later shown sharing stories about aliens, with Hiyoshi excitedly showing his roommates his magazines about aliens.
- Tyke-Bomb: Rikkai actually encourages his Devil Mode to win matches (the Nagoya Seitoku match being a prime example). It's not until The New Prince of Tennis that Renji and the others realize it's detrimental to his health and try to keep him as far away from his Devil Mode as possible.
Hiroshi Yagyuu
Voiced by: Eisuke Tsuda (JP)
Hiroshi Yagyuu is known as "The Gentleman" for his polite demeanor. He is a very tenacious player, because despite of his calm and composed appearance, lies a strong desire to win at any game.
- Adaptation Dye-Job: In the anime, it's purple. In the manga and video games, it's brown.
- Adaptation Expansion: The anime adds that Yagyuu used to be in the Golf Club until Niou dragged him into playing tennis.
- Badass Bookworm: He is an avid reader, and yet can kick ass on the tennis court.
- Beware the Quiet Ones: While he is polite and stoic, Yagyuu has also proven many times he can be as devious as Niou.
- He could pull a great impersonation of both Niou and Kaidoh and fool everyone.
- To provoke Akaya and get him into Devil Mode, he purposely made Akaya think that his opponent insulted him in English by calling him "The Stupid Seaweed Head".
- In "New Prince of Tennis: Hyoutei vs. Rikkai", he proves to be a hard opponent to Shishido in singles, giving him a hell of a fight.
- Catchphrase: "Adieu".
- Family Honor: Towards his team. He helps Kaidoh in a match against some jerkasses because they were badmouthing Yukimura's condition and Kaidoh beat them up for the comments.
- Four Eyes, Zero Soul: Has the looks, but isn't a bad person outside the fields.
- Genre Savvy: He on purpose translated Liliadent's taunt, adding a "The Seaweed Idiot", so Kirihara would snap into Devil Mode. He also predicts that the bullies who were badmouthing Yukimura would grab the opportunity to gather data on him and Kaidoh when both are provoked into a tennis match. He manages to switch outfits with Kaidoh to give their opponents false data on their skills.
- Master of Disguise: He can pass himself off as Niou and Kaidoh.
- Not So Above It All: While he cultivates the persona of the "Gentleman," he is, in reality, just as sneaky and tricky as Niou.
- Odd Couple: With Niou. He is calm, acts like a proper gentleman, and hides very well his mischievous strike, while Niou is openly a rebel and likes to prank people.
- Out of Focus: During the Final Tournament, he is benched, so he isn't seen playing again until New Prince of Tennis, where he defeats Niou. After that, he is Demoted to Extra for the rest of the series.
- Scary Shiny Glasses: Again, not as much as Inui, though that might be because he isn't featured as much as Inui is to begin with.
- Signature Move: Frickin' Laser Beams. In the anime, it's explained that it originated as "Golf Laser Beam".
Masaharu Niou
Voiced by: Yuuki Matsuda (JP)
Masaharu Niou known as "The Trickster", is able to completely copy the techniques and play style of other players creating the illusion his opponent is facing another person. It isn't perfect, as there are moves that he cannot copy and he is limited by his own physical abilities. He often copies his doubles partner, Yagyuu, to confuse their opponents. He can predict the moves of his opponents up to ten steps ahead.
- Catchphrase: "Puri." (And variants: "Pupina," "Pupinaccio," etc.)
- Ditto Fighter: Of the Tsungxpert kind. He can emulate Shiraishi's Bible and Tezuka's Zero Shiki Drop Shot and Phantom at will.
- By The New Prince of Tennis, he is capable of performing the Synchro technique with Oishi by "transforming" into Eiji, and also he transformed into their opponents to disrupt their Synchro and turn the game in their favor. He also is now able to copy the rest of Tezuka's techniques, and also can transform into Atobe so he can synchro with himself.
- Empathic Shapeshifter: He can easily adapt to any of his Illusions.
- Word of God says that whenever he impersonates Yukimura, Niou gets the Yips.
- During his doubles match with Atobe, Niou also copies Tezuka's determination, which made him push himself harder despite being at his limit.
- Hyper-Awareness: Niou has great observation skills, which allows him to exactly replicate any opponent by using his Illusion technique. He could also analyze Mori and Ochi while unable to play, so he could do the Synchro with Atobe and give him all their weak spots.
- Informed Flaw: Stated to have poor power yet imitates the physically monstrous Kabaji fairly well.
- Master of Disguise and Master of Illusion.
- Not Too Dead to Save the Day: In the sequel, the match looks like it's all over when Atobe can't make it in time to return the cord ball Mori hits, but Niou makes the last second game-winning shot by returning the ball while still lying on his stomach.Niou: This is... doubles... after... all.
- Shipper on Deck: In the Gakuensai dating sim for the protagonist and Sanada. He actively looks for ways to get them alone with each other once it becomes clear that Sanada just can't get a clue.
- Took a Level in Badass: Twice:
- For the National Tournament, he revealed that he could easily transform into Tezuka and Shiraishi. Too bad Fuji saw right through him.
- Played straight in The New Prince of Tennis. After Yagyuu defeats him and he gets eliminated along half of the middle schoolers, they get a Training from Hell from Mifune. After his return, not only he perfected his illusions, but also acquired the ability to perform Synchro with anyone he plays doubles with.
- He manages to keep up with Atobe as his doubles partner, despite having reduced stamina after duplicating Tezuka's techniques.
- The Trickster: According to the fanbooks, he is into practical jokes. Other media as Houkago no Oujisama, exploits this treat for his own benefit... normally towards Bunta and Jackal.
Bunta Marui
Voiced by: Naozumi Takahashi (JP)
Bunta Marui is a volley specialist and plays doubles with his friend Jackal Kuwahara. Despite wearing arm weights during matches, he has stamina issues, so he overdoses on sugar by always eating cake before matches and chewing gum, even when he plays tennis. Jiroh Akutagawa of Hyoutei idolizes Marui and bases his style off of Marui's style, following a game they played in the Newcomers Tournament when they were both first years.
- Accidental Misnaming: Towards Tamagawa in New Prince of Tennis: Hyoutei vs. Rikkai, calling him differnet variants of his last name, considering him a generic boring guy, not ready to fit in with the regulars. It's just after Tamagawa earns more confidence and the approval of his seniors that Marui starts using his last name right.
- Bewarethe Nice Ones It is revealed that Marui had a deal with Kimijima the whole time to break Atsukuyo's knee after Kite breaks his own deal. The purpose of this is shown to be for Yukimura to fully recover from his illness.
- Big Eater: He eats an entire cake before matches. He eats a lot in general, though, not just sweets.
- Bubblegum Popping: He is often chewing gum during plays, replacing it every time it starts to lose flavor.
- Catchphrase: "Dou, tensai teki?" translation
- Mad Libs Catchphrase: He'll set up a statement like he's going to do something, only to add that his best friend Jackal is going to do it.
Marui: "It'll be done. ...By Jackal!" - Crisis Makes Perfect: In the sequel series, he uses his Perfect Fortress/Wonder Castle technique to full effect when he's betrayed by Kite during their doubles match. Prior to this, it was still imperfect.
- Do You Trust Me?: Inverted. In the sequel, Marui asks Kite if he can trust him after the latter had apparently betrayed him, before ultimately canceling the agreement Kite had with their opponent.
- Eye Scream: In The New Prince of Tennis, Tohno, in accidentally-on-purpose fashion, throws his racquet at Marui, hitting him in the right eye.
- Fire-Forged Friends: He and Kite are this. They become a formidable doubles pair after a coincidental meeting, but their camaraderie gets put to the test.
- Genius Sweet Tooth: Usually seen eating candies or cakes.
- Heroic Spirit: In The New Prince of Tennis. After being betrayed by his doubles partner and getting smacked by tennis balls from both in front of and behind him, he refuses to give up and brings out his new defensive volley technique — which was, until then, yet to be perfected — to return every single ball on his own and not let a single one get behind him. For someone who's usually rather easygoing, Marui's hair color isn't just for show, apparently.
- Insufferable Genius: Likes to taunt his opponents about his "genius" finesse.
- It's All About Me: Instead of freaking out about Jiroh apparently stalking him at tennis practices, he is amused by the fact that Jiroh is his fanboy and considers him a friend after this.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: Despite his cocksure attitude and habit of making a fool of others, he also watches over his underclassmen in the tennis club. This is most prominent in the fifth OVA special of The New Prince of Tennis. After witnessing Ohtori suffer a rather one-sided loss during the team shuffle, Marui offers him advice so that he has the confidence to participate in a rematch.
- The Nicknamer: In The New Prince of Tennis, he calls Kite "Kiteretsu."
- Odd Friendship: With Kite, to the point the others start treating Jackal like he was cheated on.
- Oral Fixation: Always chewing bubble gum during his matches.
- Signature Move: "Tightrope Walking" and "Iron Pole Strike".
- Those Two Guys: With Jackal, to the point everyone is surprised when Marui teams up with other doubles partners, even to Jackal's own surprise.
- Verbal Tic: "Daroi?" He even has a song titled this.
- Vocal Dissonance: Despite his looks, his voice and manner of speech are decidedly masculine.
- Weak, but Skilled: Marui's special volleys are more about skill and execution than power. He's mastered hard-to-return drop shots, but lobs and baseline shots tend to get behind him. He also has stamina issues (which he tries to remedy by eating lots of sugar before matches).
- Will Not Be a Victim: In the sequel series, he's betrayed by Kite during their doubles match. With his partner apparently siding with their opponents, the match becomes 3-on-1 against him, but he refuses to back down and attempts to return every ball himself.
Jackal Kuwahara
Voiced by: Nobuyuki Hiyama (JP)
Kuwahara Jackal is half-Brazilian and is known as the "Iron Wall of Defense". He also typically acts as a look out and chaperone-of-sorts for Rikkai's ace player, Kirihara Akaya, and at times takes responsibility for the sophomore's actions.
- All There in the Manual: According to his bio in the first fanbook, his father was unemployed (which is a reality for many immigrants in Japan). By the time of the second fanbook, Jackal's father got enough money to open his own Brazilian family restaurant.
- Badass Normal: Doesn't have flashy moves like the other Rikkai members, but is still an excellent defender.
- Big Brother Mentor: In New Prince of Tennis: Hyotei vs. Rikkai, Jackal admits that despite his own desire to play a last game with Marui as his doubles partner, he gave his spot to Tamagawa, since he knew that the team needs a strong leader the following year, and this game is supposed to ignite his confidence.
- But Not Too Foreign: He is Half-Japanese and Half-Brazilian.
- Butt-Monkey:
- Sanada slapped him once because he didn't stop Kirihara from challenging Ryoma. One of the manga omake has him comment on this after Sanada chooses not to slap Kirihara for his loss against Fuji (he played as well as he possibly could; Fuji was just better) and Kirihara blocks Sanada from hitting Yanagi with his racket. It seems like Jackal is always the one getting slapped.
- He usually ends up as the punchline for Marui's Catchphrase.
Marui: "It'll be done. ...By Jackal!"Jackal: Why me?!- His main character note in the sequel series is feeling like Marui dumped him, and it's played like a huge joke. He's shown crying about it a few times, quietly spying on him, and getting jealous of Marui's other friends, to the point that Momoshiro asks others not to bring it up in consideration of his feelings.
- For a meta example, in the "Prince of Pillow Fighting" story, there's a bit where Yuuta Fuji gets hit with a pillow while trying to warn his older brother, and Shuusuke Fuji, Yukimura, and Shiraishi quickly avenge him. In the manga, Yuuta was hit by Kadowaki, a character largely cut from the anime... so in the anime, Yuuta was hit by Jackal, and ended up getting hit in turn by his own captain and his roommates.
- Catchphrase: "Fire!"
- Nice Guy: He is very comprehensive and acts as a good sempai to his underclassmen.
- Red Baron: "The Man With Four Lungs."
- Straight Man: Next to Marui and Kirihara.
- Team Mom: He often has to babysit Kirihara and keep him out of trouble.
- Those Two Guys: With Marui, who he considers his best friend.
- Token Minority: He, along with Richard Sakata, is one of the few dark-skinned half-Japanese tennis players of the series.
Yoshio Tamagawa
Voiced by: Enoki Junya (JP)
Yoshio makes his debut during "New Prince of Tennis: Hyoutei vs. Rikkaidai" as the new future captain of the team.
- Accidental Misnaming: During the whole match, Marui kept mistaking his last name.
- Boring, but Practical: Compared to Jackal's more aggressive defense, Tamagawa is more lowkey, relying more on high lobes to distract the opponents.
- Catchphrase: "It's Tamagawa", whenever people misnames him.
- Foil: To Kirihara. Both are Juniors and while Kirihara is loud and boisterous, Tamagawa is quiet and humble. Also, their appearances are total opposites: Kirihara has messy, curly, black hair, while Tamagawa has tidy, white hair.
- Mirror Character: He has a lot in common with Hyotei’s Ohtori. Both are very tall second-years with white hair, and signature moves, have very low-key and gentle personalities, and are very humble and respectful to their seniors. Unlike Ohtori, who usually says his catchphrase before shooting a high-speed serve, Tamagawa’s high lobes aren’t flashy or have a signature move before he shoots them.
- Official Couple: According to Tenipuri Party Q&A, he is dating a girl from the rhythmic gymnastics club, making him the only guy in the series to have a known girlfriend.
- Remember the New Guy?: He has always been in Rikkai's tennis club, but because he wasn't a regular, nobody outside the club has seen him play. Hyoutei's regulars are all actively at a loss when he's sent out with Marui. Apparently, Yukimura chose him to lead the team the following year, since Kirihara didn't have the profile or personality to be a responsible captain.
- Shrinking Violet: At first he is very insecure and tries to not step in Marui's game. Jackal later admits that he put Tamagawa as his replacement to shape his leadership for the next year.
- Suspiciously Similar Substitute: Since Niou isn't around for the exhibition match, he fills his place in the team, and both are tall and have white hair. He also ends up as a doubles partner with Marui rather than Jackal.
