The long-running tennis manga series that started way back in 1999 is finally getting ready to close its story. Takeshi Konomi, the creator of The Prince of Tennis, told fans on his official X account (formerly Twitter) on February 28, 2026, that the sequel series, The New Prince of Tennis, has just six chapters remaining before it ends . This news comes as the franchise prepares to celebrate its 27th anniversary this summer.
Konomi shared the update directly with readers, expressing his gratitude. He explained that while there are only six installments left, the exact final date is a little unclear because sometimes the magazine publishes two or three chapters at once . But the message is clear: the final match for Ryoma Echizen is about to begin.
The Countdown to the Final Chapter Begins
For those who have been following the series for years, this announcement is a big moment. Konomi posted a heartfelt message on social media to mark the occasion. He mentioned that the New Prince of Tennis series is now in its 17th year of serialization. He also reminded everyone that the entire Prince of Tennis franchise will hit a massive 27-year milestone this coming summer .
“โThe New Prince of Tennisโ is finally in its 17th year! And this summer, the โTenipuriโ series will celebrate its 27th anniversary. There are only 6 chapters left until the final episode. With gratitude towards our readers and everyone involved in my heart, I will take on the challenge without forgetting myๅๅฟ. Please be sure to enjoy Ryoma-kunโs final match in real time.” โ Takeshi Konomi (Translation via Oricon News)
This direct message from the creator confirms that the story is entering its final act. Readers around the world are now waiting to see how the intense tennis battles will conclude.
A Quick Look Back at the Prince of Tennis Legacy
To understand why this news is such a big deal, it helps to know the history. The original The Prince of Tennis manga began in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump in 1999 . It told the story of tennis genius Ryoma Echizen as he joined Seishun Academy’s tennis team and competed against powerful rivals to win the national tournament. That first series ran until 2008 and produced 42 collected volumes . It was a massive hit, leading to a popular anime, movies, musicals, and live-action shows.
Just one year after the original ended, the story continued. In 2009, Konomi launched The New Prince of Tennis in Jump Square magazine . This sequel moved the action forward. Months after the national tournament, Ryoma and 50 other top middle school players are invited to the prestigious U-17 (Under-17) Japanese training camp to train with and compete against high schoolers . The stakes got higher as the story expanded to a global scale, eventually leading to the U-17 World Cup .
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What to Expect in the Final Six Chapters
The story is currently in the middle of the U-17 World Cup arc. Konomi specifically asked fans to watch “Ryoma-kun’s last match” . This confirms that the remaining chapters will focus on Ryoma’s final showdown on the court. Given the series’ history of superhuman moves and intense rivalries, this match is expected to be the biggest and most dramatic one yet.
The creator mentioned that there are only six chapters left, but because Jump Square sometimes includes multiple chapters in one issue, the serialization could wrap up in just a few months . This news follows a brief hiatus earlier in January 2026, which was caused by “editorial mismanagement” that affected the manuscript schedule . At that time, the staff assured fans that Konomi was already working hard to bring the series to its climax, and this latest update proves he is on track .
Volume Details and What Comes Next
With the series ending soon, fans are also curious about the physical copies. The most recent volume, Volume 46, was published in Japan on January 5, 2026 . The final six chapters will likely be compiled into at least one more volume, probably Volume 47, which will serve as the conclusion to the long-running series.
While the manga is ending, the franchise is far from over. A new anime sequel, The Prince of Tennis II: U-17 World Cup Finals Members Decisive Match, is scheduled to debut in the fall of 2026 . This anime will show the battle to decide who represents Japan in the finals. This means that while the original manga story by Konomi is concluding, fans will still be able to see the story animated on screen later this year.
The final six chapters promise to deliver a memorable ending for a series that has defined sports manga for over a quarter of a century. All eyes are now on Ryoma as he plays what will be his most important game ever.
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This long journey for Ryoma and his friends is finally reaching its finish line, and VvipTimes will keep you updated on every latest manga news.
