Fans of the long-running The Prince of Tennis franchise have cause for excitement, as a direct sequel to The Prince of Tennis II: U-17 World Cup Semifinal anime has been officially announced. Titled The Prince of Tennis II: U-17 World Cup: Final Member Selection Match (Japanese title: Shin Tennis no Ōji-sama U-17 World Cup Kesshou Member Ketteisen), the new series will focus on the intense internal battles within the Japanese team as they vie for a spot in the ultimate U-17 World Cup final against Spain.
The announcement was made during “The Prince of Tennis Fest 2025” event in Minatomirai on September 21, 2025, thrilling attendees with the promise of more high-stakes tennis action. While specific release dates and animation staff details are yet to be confirmed, the series is expected to pick up directly after the events of the U-17 World Cup Semifinal.
Journey to the World Stage: A Brief History
The Prince of Tennis saga, originating from Takeshi Konomi’s manga series, has seen numerous anime adaptations, films, and OVAs since its television debut in October 2001. The sequel manga, The Prince of Tennis II (known in Japan as The New Prince of Tennis), began serialization in Shueisha’s Jump Square in March 2009.
The U-17 World Cup Arc
The most recent television anime adaptations have brought the beloved characters to the international stage. The Prince of Tennis II: U-17 World Cup, a 13-episode series, aired from July to September 2022. This series marked the first new television anime in the franchise in approximately a decade and saw Ryoma Echizen attempting to join the U.S. team after being expelled from Japan’s U-17 training camp. Crunchyroll streamed the series, including an English dub.
The Intense Semifinal Showdown
Following the U-17 World Cup, a direct sequel, The Prince of Tennis II: U-17 World Cup Semifinal, was announced in June 2023 and aired from October to December 2024. This 13-episode installment depicted the critical semifinal match between the Japanese and German teams. Crunchyroll also licensed this sequel. Key staff for the Semifinal series included director Yoshinobu Tokumoto, character designer Akiharu Ishii, and series composer Mitsutaka Hirota.
What to Expect from the “Final Member Selection Match”
The newly announced The Prince of Tennis II: U-17 World Cup: Final Member Selection Match will serve as a crucial prelude to the ultimate championship. The series will focus on the rigorous internal selection process within the Japanese team as they determine the final roster to face the formidable Spanish team in the U-17 World Cup final. This promises high-stakes matches and character development as players push their limits to represent their country on the global stage. Fans can anticipate the return of their favorite characters and the introduction of new challenges as Team Japan prepares for its biggest match yet.
Further details regarding the upcoming sequel, including its exact premiere date, cast, and animation studio, are expected to be released in the future.
