Okay, Let's Talk About That *Prince of Tennis* U-17 World Cup OVA...
Confession time: I watched the *Prince of Tennis* U-17 World Cup OVA. All of it.
And... I have thoughts. Possibly controversial ones.
The Power-Up Problem
Look, I get it. Prince of Tennis thrives on ridiculous power-ups. We started with twisting serves, and now we're at...dimension-bending tennis?
Seriously, are they even playing tennis anymore? It feels more like a shonen battle anime with rackets. Anyone else miss the days of Ryoma Echizen just being *really* good at basic tennis?
Don't get me wrong. The visuals are stunning! But I sometimes think they overdid it.
National Stereotypes: Hilarious or Cringe?
The international teams are… something. France with their rose petals and elegance? Germany with their robotic efficiency?
It's a delicate balance between funny and bordering on offensive. I found myself cringing a little. I think I preferred the slightly more toned-down characterizations in the original series.
Am I the only one who thinks some of the accents were a little...much?
Where's the Emotional Punch?
Remember the feels? The bond between the Seigaku team? The rivalry with Rikkai and Hyotei?
The U-17 World Cup felt...detached. Maybe because we were introduced to so many new characters. The emotional connection felt thinner.
I missed the old gang. Give me back Tezuka's stoic wisdom and Oishi's mother-henning!
Unpopular Opinion: Match Length
Some of these matches drag on forever. We’re talking multi-episode showdowns for a single game point. My attention span is not built for that!
I'm all for dramatic tension, but sometimes I just wanted them to *finish the point*. Maybe it’s just me.
Please! I have other anime to watch!
The Good Stuff (Because It's Not All Bad!)
Okay, I've been a bit harsh. There are things I genuinely enjoyed. The animation is top-notch.
Seeing Ryoma back on the court is always a treat. And let's be real, the soundtrack is still fire. It gets the blood pumping.
Plus, who doesn't love seeing Inui Sadaharu's data tennis in action? The guy is a walking encyclopedia!
Final Verdict: A Fun, Flawed Spectacle
The Prince of Tennis U-17 World Cup OVA is a wild ride. It's over-the-top, sometimes silly, and definitely pushes the boundaries of believability.
But it’s still Prince of Tennis. And there is something undeniably entertaining about watching teenagers perform superhuman feats on the tennis court.
So, grab some popcorn, suspend your disbelief, and enjoy the spectacle. Just don't expect too much emotional depth. And maybe fast-forward through some of those extra-long matches. You've been warned!
