Tenimyu
Encyclopedia
The Prince of Tennis Musical (ミュージカル・テニスの王子様 Myūjikaru Tenisu no Ōji-sama?), also known as "TeniPuri Musical," "Tenimyu," or "GekiPuri" (Stage Prince), is a series of live action stage musicals directed by Yukio Ueshima based on manga series The Prince of Tennis created by Takeshi Konomi and serialized by Shueisha in Weekly Shonen Jump.
The first musical premièred in the Golden Week of 2003, and the unexpected popularity, especially among girls, and requests for merchandise of the show encouraged Marvelous Entertainment to follow through with the series. Each new show covers an arc of the manga storyline, though adaptations to the original story were made to fit the format. Female characters were removed, and irrelevant scenes or minor arcs were cut to move the plot forward.
At the start of the production, tickets did not sell out and the type of production was merely an experiment. Manga-based musicals were not frequently seen, if at all. But, within 5 years the musical became popular enough to demand for double casting of characters to handle the amount of performances and to allow for overseas performances in Korea and Taiwan. In addition multiple shows were live streamed into theatres all around the country to make up for the lack of enough seats in the actual venue. Eventually the musical production launched the careers of many of the "hottest" idols in Japan, like Kimeru
, Kazuki Kato
, and Yuu Shirota. Even Europe got a taste of the production, when three of the actors (namely Ryousuke Katou, Shintarou Akiyama and Yuuichirou Hirata) hit Paris to attend the 10th edition of the Japan Expo in 2009
In May 2010, after 7 years, 22 musicals, 5 main casts and about 150 different actors had passed, the "first season" came to an end with the last performance of Dream Live 7th on the 23rd. Not too long after the end of the first season the start of a “second season” was announced. The upcoming shows feature a completely new cast and a new script, but cover the same arcs as the first season.
is a 12 year old tennis talent. After winning the American Junior Tournament for four times in a row, he goes back to Japan to live with his Father (a former pro-tennis player). He attends Seishun Gakuen(青春学園), or Seigaku(青学) for short, a school famous for his strong tennis club and talented players. Ryoma joins the tennis club. Soon he beats almost all his upperclassmen and secures himself a spot among the regulars, the team members that get to play during the tournaments between various schools in the country. The ultimate goal from their team is to reach the National Middle School Tennis Tournament en eventually become NO.1 of the country. On their road to glory they meet plenty of hardships, but also meet a lot of new friends and master complex tennis techniques. But who'll become the NO.1 of Japan?
In addition to those two types, some musicals are also classified as "re-run" (a re-run of a previous musical) or as a "graduation show" (see below). The first season had 3 re-runs (the first musical, the Fudomine arc and the first Hyoutei arc) and 5 graduation shows.
The second season started in the begin of 2011. Until now dates of 2 plots musicals are announced.
Due to double casts, multiple versions of "The Imperial Presence Hyoutei" CD, "The Treasure Match Shitenhouji" CD and the "Complete Box 3" have been released.
CDs of "The Imperial Match Hyoutei in Winter" and "The Best of Actor Series 013" are only available through buying the box sets.
The first musical premièred in the Golden Week of 2003, and the unexpected popularity, especially among girls, and requests for merchandise of the show encouraged Marvelous Entertainment to follow through with the series. Each new show covers an arc of the manga storyline, though adaptations to the original story were made to fit the format. Female characters were removed, and irrelevant scenes or minor arcs were cut to move the plot forward.
At the start of the production, tickets did not sell out and the type of production was merely an experiment. Manga-based musicals were not frequently seen, if at all. But, within 5 years the musical became popular enough to demand for double casting of characters to handle the amount of performances and to allow for overseas performances in Korea and Taiwan. In addition multiple shows were live streamed into theatres all around the country to make up for the lack of enough seats in the actual venue. Eventually the musical production launched the careers of many of the "hottest" idols in Japan, like Kimeru
Kimeru
Kimeru Kimeru Kimeru (most often written either in Romaji (Kimeru) or with Katakana (キメル), but has been written as きめる (Hiragana) and (決める) (Kanji), (June 17, 1980) is a Japanese pop musician, singer, and stage actor. He is most famous for his work with The Prince of Tennis...
, Kazuki Kato
Kazuki Kato
is a Japanese actor and singer from Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. He is known most notably for his role as Daisuke Kazama aka Kamen Rider Drake in Kamen Rider Kabuto and Keigo Atobe in The Prince of Tennis musicals.- Drama :...
, and Yuu Shirota. Even Europe got a taste of the production, when three of the actors (namely Ryousuke Katou, Shintarou Akiyama and Yuuichirou Hirata) hit Paris to attend the 10th edition of the Japan Expo in 2009
In May 2010, after 7 years, 22 musicals, 5 main casts and about 150 different actors had passed, the "first season" came to an end with the last performance of Dream Live 7th on the 23rd. Not too long after the end of the first season the start of a “second season” was announced. The upcoming shows feature a completely new cast and a new script, but cover the same arcs as the first season.
Story
Ryoma EchizenRyoma Echizen
is a fictional character and the protagonist of the manga and anime series The Prince of Tennis created by Takeshi Konomi. In the series, Ryoma is portrayed as a twelve-year-old tennis prodigy who won four consecutive Junior Tennis Tournaments in America. His father is Nanjiro Echizen, a former...
is a 12 year old tennis talent. After winning the American Junior Tournament for four times in a row, he goes back to Japan to live with his Father (a former pro-tennis player). He attends Seishun Gakuen(青春学園), or Seigaku(青学) for short, a school famous for his strong tennis club and talented players. Ryoma joins the tennis club. Soon he beats almost all his upperclassmen and secures himself a spot among the regulars, the team members that get to play during the tournaments between various schools in the country. The ultimate goal from their team is to reach the National Middle School Tennis Tournament en eventually become NO.1 of the country. On their road to glory they meet plenty of hardships, but also meet a lot of new friends and master complex tennis techniques. But who'll become the NO.1 of Japan?
Performances
The first season that started in 2003 and ended after 7 years in 2010, has a total of 22 different shows. Among these, two different types of shows can be distinguished.- Plot musicals : these musicals follow the story line of the manga series. There have been fifteen plot musicals in total.
- Live concerts (so-called Dream Live’s): these are alternative performances featuring songs from previous musicals and parody-skits. There have been seven live concerts in total.
In addition to those two types, some musicals are also classified as "re-run" (a re-run of a previous musical) or as a "graduation show" (see below). The first season had 3 re-runs (the first musical, the Fudomine arc and the first Hyoutei arc) and 5 graduation shows.
The second season started in the begin of 2011. Until now dates of 2 plots musicals are announced.
Graduation Show
The aim of the musical production is to provide young talents with a chance to develop themselves and make themselves known by the people. This doesn't mean though that each and every actor is forced to leave the series during such a show. Due to personal circumstances and different contracts it's possible to stay longer or return later in the production.※ Compared to the normal performances, the graduation show leaves space for all graduating actors to give their final greetings to the audience, before they leave the production. During the first season these graduations shows were held about every 1.5 years (after 4/5 musicals).- ※1: Kotaro Yanagi was accidentally hit by a car less than two weeks before the première of "Remarkable Match Fudomine", so he got pulled out the musicals early. He rejoined the first Seigaku cast for their last show and finished up as the second cast's Echizen.
- ※2: Yuya EndoYuya Endois a Japanese actor and singer. He is known most notably for his role as Ryoma Echizen in the Prince of Tennis musical series, Tenimyu. He is also part of a young men's stage acting troupe, D-BOYS, which perform in various skit-like performances, and is currently the group's leader.-Career:Endo's...
didn’t graduate together with the first cast members either, because he only joined the crew during Dream Live 1st as a replacement of Kotaro Yanagi. He shared the role with a recovered Yanagi for a couple shows. Endo graduated on his own during Dream Live 2nd. - ※3: Both Hiroki AibaHiroki Aibais a Japanese actor, dancer and singer. He is best known for his role as Shusuke Fuji in The Prince of Tennis musical series, Tenimyu, and the live film adaptation. He was also part of a young men's 3-member streetdancing group called Brights, which was disbanded in 2004...
and Tomo YanagishitaTomo Yanagishitais a Japanese actor. He is a member of the acting group D-BOYS.-Biography:Tomo Yanagishita is 1.73m tall and weighs 61 kg. In 2006, Tomo won the Watanabe Entertainment´s 3rd official D-BOYS audition with the Grand Prix and became an official member of the group.-As Kaoru Kaidoh in The Prince...
didn't leave the series together, with respectively the Second cast and the Third Cast, to provide guidance to the new cast members. Aiba graduated alongside the Third cast members, and Yanagishita graduated on his own during Dream Live 5th. - ※4: Both Kousuke KujiraiKousuke Kujiraiis a Japanese actor and singer. He is known most notably for his role as Jenath Dira in the Get Ride! Amdriver anime series and Kaoru Kaidoh and The Prince of Tennis musical series, Tenimyu, and the live film adaptation, and as Panther in Eyeshield 21.-Career:He works primarily in stage...
and Hiroki Aiba returned to the production later, after they already graduated. Kujirai was asked to return for the performance of "Advancement Match Rokkaku" because the actor originally casted for the role (Takahiro Tasaki) withdrew from the show. Aiba returned for the performances of "The Imperial Presence Hyoutei" because it appeared impossible to find an actor to play the role of Shusuke Fuji alongside the Fifth cast in time. - ※5: The majority members of the First cast returned for Dream Live 7th, to perform their roles once more alongside Fifth cast. Eiki KitamuraEiki Kitamurais a Japanese actor.Harumi Inoue is his older sister. He worked alongside with her in Rock Musical Bleach.He has acted in television dramas, musicals, as well as a movie. He is best known for his role as Izuru Kira in Rock Musical BLEACH when he joined the cast in 2006 for Rock Musical Bleach Saien...
, who played Takashi Kawamura in the "More Than Limit St. Rudolph Gakuen" show with the First cast, reprised the role.
First Season
| Year | Date | Title | Seigaku Generation Cast |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 30 April - 5 May | Musical The Prince of Tennis | 1st Seigaku generation cast |
| 2003 | 7–15 August | Musical The Prince of Tennis (summer performance) | 1st Seigaku generation cast |
| 2003–2004 | 31 December - 5 January | Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Remarkble 1st Match Fudomine | 1st Seigaku generation cast |
| 2004 | 13 June | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Dream Live 1st | 1st Seigaku generation cast |
| 2004 | 29 July - 15 August | Musical The Prince of Tennis: More than Limit St. Rudolph | 1st Seigaku generation cast |
| 2004–2005 | 29 December - 2 January | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Side Fudomine | 1st Seigaku generation cast (Graduation) |
| 2005 | 8–23 January | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Side Yamabuki | 2nd Seigaku generation cast |
| 2005 | 4 May | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Dream Live 2nd | 2nd Seigaku generation cast (Graduation for Yuya Endo) |
| 2005 | 8–20 August | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Imperial Match Hyoutei in Summer | 2nd Seigaku generation cast |
| 2005–2006 | 19–2 January | Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Imperial Match Hyoutei in Winter | 2nd Seigaku generation cast |
| 2006 | 28–29 March | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Dream Live 3rd | 2nd Seigaku generation cast (Graduation) |
| 2006 | 3–25 August | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Advancement Match Rokkaku | 3rd Seigaku generation cast |
| 2006–2007 | 13 December - 27 January | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Absolute King Rikkaidai ~1st Service | 3rd Seigaku generation cast |
| 2007 | 30–31 March 17–20 May |
Musical The Prince of Tennis: Dream Live 4th | 3rd Seigaku generation cast |
| 2007 | 2 August - 9 September | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Absolute King Rikkaidai ~2nd Service | 3rd Seigaku generation cast (Graduation) |
| 2007–2008 | 12 December - 11 February | Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Progressive Match Higa | 4th Seigaku generation cast |
| 2008 | 17–18 May 24–25 May |
Musical The Prince of Tennis: Dream Live 5th | 4th Seigaku generation cast (Graduation for Tomo Yanagishita) |
| 2008 | 29 July - 3 November | Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Imperial Presence Hyoutei | 4th Seigaku generation cast 5th Seigaku generation cast |
| 2008–2009 | 13 December - 31 March | Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Treasure Match Shitenhouji | 4th Seigaku generation cast 5th Seigaku generation cast |
| 2009 | 2–3 May 9–10 May |
Musical The Prince of Tennis: Dream Live 6th | 4th Seigaku generation cast (Graduation) 5th Seigaku generation cast |
| 2009 | 30 July - 4 October | Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Final Match Rikkaidai First | 5th Seigaku generation cast |
| 2009–2010 | 17 December - 14 March | Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Final Match Rikkaidai Second | 5th Seigaku generation cast |
| 2010 | 7–9 May 20–23 May |
Musical The Prince of Tennis: Dream Live 7th | 5th Seigaku generation cast (Graduation) |
Second Season
| Year | Date | Title | Seigaku Generation Cast |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 5 January - 11 February | Seigaku VS Fudomine | 6th Seigaku Generation cast |
| 2011 | 31 March - 15 May | Seigaku VS St. Rudolph/Yamabuki | 6th Seigaku Generation cast |
Musical DVDs
| Year | Release | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 20 September | Musical The Prince of Tennis |
| -- | -- | Musical The Prince of Tennis (summer performance) |
| 2004 | 20 March | Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Remarkble 1st Match Fudomine |
| 2004 | 1 September | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Dream Live 1st |
| 2004 | 20 November | Musical The Prince of Tennis: More than Limit St. Rudolph |
| 2005 | 20 March | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Side Fudomine |
| 2005 | 20 April | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Side Yamabuki |
| 2005 | 20 September | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Dream Live 2nd |
| 2005 | 20 November | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Imperial Match Hyoutei in Summer |
| 2006 | 20 March | Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Imperial Match Hyoutei in Winter |
| 2006 | 20 June | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Dream Live 3rd |
| 2006 | 20 November | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Advancement Match Rokkaku |
| 2007 | 30 March | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Absolute King Rikkaidai ~1st Service |
| 2007 | 27 July | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Dream Live 4th |
| 2007 | 25 November | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Absolute King Rikkaidai ~2nd Service |
| 2008 | 3 May | Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Progressive Match Higa |
| 2008 | 10 August | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Dream Live 5th |
| 2008 2009 2009 |
22 November 9 May 21 February |
Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Imperial Presence Hyoutei 4A Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Imperial Presence Hyoutei 5B Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Imperial Presence Hyoute Tokyo Return Shows (in October) |
| 2009 | 11 April 27 June |
Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Treasure Match Shitenhouji 4A Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Treasure Match Shitenhouji 5B |
| 2009 | 30 July | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Dream Live 6th |
| 2009 | 17 December | Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Final Match Rikkaidai First |
| 2010 | 20 May | Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Final Match Rikkaidai Second |
| 2010 | 9 September | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Dream Live 7th |
Supporter DVDs
| Year | Release | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 20 August | Supporter's DVD Vol.01 Seigaku 2nd Cast |
| 2006 | 30 October | Supporter's DVD Vol.02 Yamabuki Cast |
| 2006 | 16 December | Supporter's DVD Vol.03 Hyoutei Cast |
| 2007 | 20 February | Supporter's DVD Vol.04 Fudomine Cast & St. Rudolph Cast |
| 2007 | 28 April | Supporter's DVD Vol.05 Seigaku 1st Cast |
| 2007 | 22 December | Supporter's DVD Vol.06 Seigaku 3rd Cast |
| 2007 | 22 December | Supporter's DVD Vol.06 Seigaku 3rd cast + Graduation |
| 2008 | 5 April | Supporter's DVD Vol.07 Rokkaku cast |
| 2008 | 20 September | Supporter's DVD Vol.08 Rikkaidai Fuzoku cast |
| 2009 | 7 March | Supporter's DVD Vol.09 Higa cast |
| 2009 | 29 October | Supporter's DVD Vol.10 Seigaku 4th Cast TOP ver. |
| 2009 | 29 October | Supporter's DVD Vol.10 Seigaku 4th Cast BOTTOM ver. |
| 2009 | 28 November | Supporter's DVD Vol.11 Hyoutei Nationals cast |
| 2010 | 27 February | Supporter's DVD Vol.12 Shitenhouji A cast |
| 2010 | 27 February | Supporter's DVD Vol.13 Shitenhouji B cast |
| 2010 | 31 July | Supporter's DVD Vol.14 Seigaku 5th cast |
| 2010 | 30 September | Supporter's DVD Vol. 15 Rikkaidai Fuzoku Nationals cast |
Extra
| Year | Release | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 24 July | TENIMYU COLLECTION Musical the Prince of Tennis: The Absolute King Rikkaidai ~1st Service
|
| 2009 | 24 July | TENIMYU COLLECTION Musical the Prince of Tennis: The Absolute King Rikkaidai ~2nd Service
|
| 2010 | 28 April | Musical the Prince of Tennis ENCORE! ~ FGKS/On My Way |
Musical DVDs
| Year | Release | Title |
|---|---|---|
| -- | -- | Musical the Prince of Tennis: Seigaku VS Fudomine |
| -- | -- | Musical the Prince of Tennis: Seigaku VS St. Rudolph/ Yamabuki |
Extra
| Year | Release | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 18 December | Musical The Prince of Tennis 2nd Season: The Beginning |
Discography
Each musical, excluding the winter performance of "The Imperial Match Hyoutei" and the summer performance of "Musical The Prince of Tennis" had a CD released, featuring all songs sung during the musical. Besides that 4 singles and 13 "Best of Actor Series" have been released. The singles feature multiple versions of the same song, already performed in the musicals. The "Best of Actor Series" CDs feature multiple song sung by one or two actors of the production. Some of the songs on these CDs are new, but some of them have already been performed during the musicals (by the same or other actors). For both the Musical CDs and the "Best of Actor Series" CDs box sets have been released.Due to double casts, multiple versions of "The Imperial Presence Hyoutei" CD, "The Treasure Match Shitenhouji" CD and the "Complete Box 3" have been released.
CDs of "The Imperial Match Hyoutei in Winter" and "The Best of Actor Series 013" are only available through buying the box sets.
Musical OST
| Year | Release | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 24 July | Musical The Prince of Tennis |
| -- | -- | Musical The Prince of Tennis (summer performances) |
| 2004 | 21 April | Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Remarkble 1st Match Fudomine |
| 2004 | 1 September | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Dream Live 1st |
| 2004 | 20 November | Musical The Prince of Tennis: More than Limit St. Rudolph |
| 2005 | 21 March | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Side Fudomine |
| 2005 | 21 April | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Side Yamabuki |
| 2005 | 20 August | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Dream Live 2nd |
| 2005 | 20 November | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Imperial Match Hyoutei in Summer |
| -- | -- | Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Imperial Match Hyoutei in Winter
|
| 2006 | 14 June | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Dream Live 3rd |
| 2006 | 15 November | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Advancement Match Rokkaku |
| 2007 | 28 March | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Absolute King Rikkaidai ~1st Service |
| 2007 | 27 June | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Dream Live 4th |
| 2007 | 14 November | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Absolute King Rikkaidai ~2nd Service |
| 2008 | 23 April | Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Progressive Match Higa |
| 2008 | 17 July | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Dream Live 5th |
| 2008 2008 2009 |
5 November 3 December 7 January |
Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Imperial Presence Hyoutei 4A Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Imperial Presence Hyoutei 5B Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Imperial Presence Hyoute Tokyo Return Shows (in October) |
| 2009 | 25 March 24 June |
Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Treasure Match Shitenhouji 4A Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Treasure Match Shitenhouji 5B |
| 2009 | 8 July | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Dream Live 6th |
| 2009 | 17 December | Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Final Match Rikkaidai First |
| 2010 | 12 May | Musical The Prince of Tennis: The Final Match Rikkaidai Second |
| 2010 | 25 August | Musical The Prince of Tennis: Dream Live 7th |
Singles
| Year | Release | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 22 March | On My Way |
| 2007 | 28 March | Finalist |
| 2008 | 23 April | F.G.K.S. |
| 2009 | 30 April | Refresh Aratana Jibun e ~Hyoutenka no Jounetsu ~ The TOP |
Best of Actor Series
| Year | Release | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 19 December | The Best of Actor Series 001: Shirota Yuu as Tezuka Kunimitsu |
| 2005 | 19 December | The Best of Actor Series 002: Kato Kazuki as Atobe Keigo |
| 2006 | 26 July | The Best of Actor Series 003: Aiba Hiroki as Fuji Syusuke |
| 2006 | 26 July | The Best of Actor Series 005: Saito Takumi as Oshitari Yuushi and Aoyagi Ruito as Mukahi Gakuto |
| 2006 | 16 December | The Best of Actor Series 005: Sakurada Doori as Echizen Ryoma |
| 2006 | 16 December | The Best of Actor Series 006: IRE as Amane Hikaru and Shindo Gaku as Kuroban Harukaze |
| 2007 | 25 July | The Best of Actor Series 007: Seto Kouji as Kikumaru Eiji and Takiguchi Yukihiro as Ooishi Syuichirou |
| 2007 | 25 July | The Best of Actor Series 008: Nakagauchi Masataka as Niou Masaharu and Baba Toru as Yagyuu Hiroshi |
| 2007 | 22 December | The Best of Actor Series 009: Kanesaki Kentarou as Sanada Genichirou and Yagami Ren as Yukimura Seiichi |
| 2007 | 22 December | The Best of Actor Series 010 Extra: Seigaku 3rd Regulars Memorial Edition |
| 2008 | 30 July | The Best of Actor Series 011: Watanabe Daisuke as Tezuka Kunimitsu |
| 2008 | 30 July | The Best of Actor Series 012: Luke. C as Eishiro Kite |
| -- | -- | The Best of Actor Series 013: Karaoke CD
|
Complete Box Sets
| Year | Release | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 26 July | Complete Box 1
|
| 2009 | 25 March | Best of Actors Series Complete Box
|
| 2009 | 26 November | Complete Box 2
|
| 2010 | 20 May | Complete Box 3 ver. 4
Complete Box 3 ver. 5
|