Ep 31. The Moon Volley

Ryoma Echizen is a prodigious tennis player who has made a name for himself in his first year at Seishun Academy. In episode 31 of the first season of The Prince of Tennis, titled "The Moon Volley," Ryoma and his teammates are gearing up for the District Preliminaries of the National Tournament. They face Rokkaku Middle School, a team that is known for its unorthodox playing style and its use of trick shots.

Things start off well for Seishun Academy as they manage to secure the first point in the match. However, Rokkaku turns the tables on them with their unique style of play that confuses the Seishun players. One of their players, Hikaru Amane, uses the Moon Volley – a shot that is hit with a curve that matches the shape of the moon – to take the point and bring the score level.

The Moon Volley becomes the talk of the game, with everyone trying to figure out how to counter it. Ryoma, in particular, is fascinated by the shot and analyzes it carefully to figure out how to return it. He decides to use his Twist Serve, which is known to be a difficult shot to return, to counter the Moon Volley.

As the match progresses, Ryoma and Amane face off in a thrilling back and forth as they try to outdo each other with their respective shots. Ryoma manages to return the Moon Volley, but Amane surprises him with a new shot – the Hook Smash – which knocks Ryoma off his feet.

The Hook Smash becomes the new talk of the game, and Ryoma is determined to figure out how to return it. He spends the remainder of the match analyzing Amane's shots and coming up with a counter strategy. In the end, Seishun Academy manages to clinch the victory, but not before Ryoma gains a newfound respect for Rokkaku and their unique playing style.

"The Moon Volley" is an exciting episode that showcases the skills of both Seishun Academy and Rokkaku Middle School. It highlights the importance of adapting to new playing styles and being able to think on your feet. The episode also gives viewers a glimpse into the mind of a prodigious player like Ryoma and how he approaches challenges and overcomes them. Overall, "The Moon Volley" is a must-watch for tennis fans and fans of The Prince of Tennis.