The long-running sports manga series The Prince of Tennis II (Shin Tennis no Oji-sama), authored by Takeshi Konomi, is set to conclude its serialization in the September issue of Jump SQ., scheduled for release on August 4. The announcement was made in the August issue of the monthly magazine, which hit newsstands today.
A Legacy Spanning Nearly Three Decades
The original The Prince of Tennis series first debuted in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump in 1999. Following its initial run, which concluded in 2008, the narrative transitioned to Jump SQ. under the title The Prince of Tennis II in 2009. Across its various iterations, the franchise has become a cornerstone of sports-themed manga, known for its stylized depiction of competitive tennis and a vast roster of characters.
As the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, I have observed how Konomi’s work transcended the traditional boundaries of sports literature. By blending high-stakes tournament tension with increasingly imaginative—and often surreal—athletic maneuvers, the series built a loyal global following. Its influence extended well beyond the printed page, spawning successful anime adaptations, stage musicals, and a variety of merchandising that solidified its status as a cultural phenomenon in Japan and abroad.
The Final Chapter
The decision to end the series in the September issue of Jump SQ. closes a significant chapter for the publication. While the announcement confirms the conclusion of the current serialization, it marks the end of a narrative journey for the protagonist, Ryoma Echizen. The series has consistently focused on the competitive evolution of its characters, moving from middle school regional tournaments to the international stage in the New Prince of Tennis arc.
Readers and fans of the series are now looking toward the August 4 release for the final resolution of ongoing plot threads. In the world of sports manga, such long-standing titles rarely reach a definitive conclusion, making this an event of note for the industry.
Impact on the Sports Manga Genre
The success of The Prince of Tennis helped pave the way for a resurgence in sports-themed storytelling within manga. By focusing heavily on character development and the psychological aspects of competition—even when those competitions involved exaggerated “super-powered” tennis moves—the series set a blueprint for future hits.
In my 15 years covering sports, both in reality and in the media, I have rarely seen a fictional property capture the intensity of tournament brackets with as much fervor as Konomi’s work. Whether through the lens of the U-17 World Cup arc or the early days at Seishun Academy, the series maintained a pace that kept its audience engaged for over two decades. The transition from Weekly Shonen Jump to Jump SQ. allowed the series to mature alongside its original readership, maintaining its relevance in an increasingly crowded media landscape.
What Comes Next
With the serialization ending on August 4, attention will shift toward the final collected volumes of the series. No further information regarding potential spin-offs or follow-up projects has been provided by Shueisha at this time. Collectors and fans typically look to the final tankōbon (collected volume) release for additional bonus content or final messages from the author, Takeshi Konomi.
For those following the franchise, the September issue of Jump SQ. will be the final checkpoint for the main story. As the curtain falls on this run, the series leaves behind a legacy that redefined how sports are interpreted in Japanese pop culture.
