The third episode of The Prince of Tennis II: U-17 WORLD CUP Semifinal Selection Match, titled “Men Who Do Not Give Up,” has officially unveiled its plot summary and a new set of preview images. The series, a direct continuation of the long-running The Prince of Tennis franchise, focuses on the intense internal competition among Japan’s national team members as they vie for spots on the roster for the upcoming U-17 World Cup final against Spain.
The narrative follows the journey of Ryoma Echizen, a middle-school tennis prodigy from Seishun Academy who continues to grow alongside his teammates and rivals. The franchise, which saw its manga series conclude in August 2026 after a 27-year history, remains a significant cultural touchstone with over 60 million copies in circulation.
The Clash of the Hyotei “Moon and Sun”
The third episode highlights a decisive matchup during the team selection process. Following Irie’s commanding performance in the Singles 3 (S3) match, the focus shifts to the second match of the series: a clash between Keigo Atobe and Masaharu Oshitari. The two players, long-time pillars of the Hyotei Academy team, represent contrasting styles often referred to as the “moon and sun.”
Preview materials detail an exchange between the two competitors, with Oshitari remarking, “It’s about time the moon shined, isn’t it?” to which Atobe retorts, “The sun has not set yet.” This confrontation serves as the central emotional and tactical hook for the episode, pitting two teammates against one another in their bid to represent Japan on the world stage.
Bunta Marui Unveils Two-Sword Style in Doubles Match
Beyond the primary rivalry, the episode explores several other critical matches currently unfolding within the selection tournament.
The Evolution of the Prince of Tennis Series
The U-17 WORLD CUP Semifinal Selection Match serves as a critical bridge in the wider Prince of Tennis narrative. Since the transition from the original series to the New Prince of Tennis sequel in 2009, the scale of the matches has expanded from domestic middle-school rivalries to international competition. With the manga’s conclusion in 2026, the current anime adaptation provides the final animated chapter for the long-standing series that began in the pages of Weekly Shonen Jump in 1999.
Keep reading
