Nanjiro Echizen

Nanjiro Echizen is the father of the series’ protagonist Ryoma Echizen. He is also known as “Samurai Nanjiro” for his invincible tennis skills during his earlier years as a professional tennis player. During his Junior high years, he was trained by the current coach of the Seigaku Tennis Club, Sumire Ryuzaki. It was also in his high school life that Ryuzaki discovered Nanjiro’s natural talent (when he discovered “nitōryū” all by himself) in Tennis. After leaving Japan and going pro, he remained undefeated and was only one more opponent away to earning a Grand Slam title before he unexpectedly decided to retire.