The plot: The Metropolitan Tournament continues throughout episodes 39-50. We find Ryoma and team Seigaku facing off against a new team (Yamabuki) and an opponent named Akutsu who somehow manages to be even stronger than the last few players Ryoma has beat. Near the end of the volume, the Tournament FINALLY ends and the intra-school rank matches begins. This match sees members of the Seigaku team playing against one another. Cue the shocking music!

As I am now up to volume 4, I can honestly say that this show does not improve nor does it develop at all. The anime series essentially revolves around a never ending amount of tough tennis matches in which virtually every player is a loud mouth braggart who thinks they are unstoppable. In addition, each tennis player seems capable of making hilariously over the top moves and possessing Flash like speed on the court. Evidently, Realism is not an element of this show.

Fans will argue that there is more characterization as the show progresses, but I’m not seeing it. The characters act the same as they did in episode one. The only difference from volume 1 and 4 is that there are new teams that Seigaku is playing against.

Extras include original Japanese promos, original Japanese opening and ending, and Shonen Jump Home Video and Magazine ads.