OVA
Description
Juzaburo Mori is a first-year high school student and a key member of the U-17 Japan national tennis team, holding the rank of number ten among the elite first-string players known as the "Genius 10". Standing at an impressive 191 centimeters tall with a lean build, he is easily recognized by his long, wavy, shoulder-length brown hair and a perpetually relaxed expression. Originally from Hyogo Prefecture, Mori speaks with a distinctive Banshu dialect. His school history is unique; he first attended Shitenhoji Middle School in Osaka before transferring to the famed Rikkai Dai附属 Middle School due to family circumstances, later continuing to Rikkai University Affiliated High School. During his middle school years, he was a regular on the Rikkai team that won the national championship.
Mori’s personality is a study in contrasts, marked by a significant transformation. Initially, he was defined by a lazy and aloof demeanor, notorious for frequently skipping practice and relying solely on his immense natural talent to win matches. This behavior created a reputation for arrogance and a strained relationship with his former Rikkai teammates, particularly Yanagi Renji, who was frustrated by his inability to collect data on him. However, beneath this detached exterior, Mori always possessed a sharp strategic mind and a hidden sense of responsibility. The turning point in his life came after a crushing defeat in a high school tournament. Suffering from a leg injury, he witnessed his former teammate, Seiichi Yukimura, undergoing grueling and determined rehabilitation to overcome his own illness. This sight deeply moved Mori, inspiring a profound change. He abandoned his lazy habits, dedicated himself to intense training, and transformed into a humble, reflective, and extremely hardworking athlete. On the court, he remains calm, collected, and adaptable, maintaining a playful demeanor but never losing focus or his deep desire to win.
Mori’s primary motivation changed from coasting on talent to becoming a true pillar of the national team. Inspired by Yukimura’s perseverance, he began to push his physical limits, a commitment that ultimately earned him an invitation to the U-17 training camp after he won a major tournament. His role in the story is that of a prodigal talent who redeems himself and becomes an indispensable member of Japan’s U-17 team, particularly excelling in doubles. He is specifically chosen by the coaches to form a doubles pair with Ochi Tsukimitsu, the stoic former captain of Hyotei Academy, in an effort to cure his past laziness. Together, they become known as the formidable "Super High School Doubles" pair. In crucial matches, such as the World Cup quarterfinals against France, he is called upon to resolve past grievances with his former Rikkai teammates, as seen when he partners with Yanagi Renji.
The relationships that define Juzaburo Mori are central to his development. His bond with his doubles partner, Ochi Tsukimitsu, is one of deep admiration and respect; he affectionately calls him "Tsuki-san" and follows his instructions without hesitation. The most pivotal relationship is with Seiichi Yukimura, whose fierce fight against illness served as the catalyst for Mori’s own transformation. During Yukimura’s hospitalization, Mori secretly placed fresh water bottles in his room each night to support him, a gesture that went unknown for a long time. This act earned him the nickname "Sports Drink Fairy" from Yukimura. Consequently, his relationship with Yanagi Renji was initially hostile, as Yanagi could not forgive Mori for his past indifference toward the team’s struggles. They finally reconciled during their World Cup match when Yanagi discovered the truth about Mori’s secret support for Yukimura. Mori has also decisively defeated players like Kenya Oshitari of Shitenhoji in national tournaments. The leaders of the Japan team, such as Byodoin Hoo and Oni Jujiro, regard him as a future pillar of the national team due to his incredible potential.
Mori’s abilities are as versatile as his playstyle, which is classified as all-rounder. He has high-level tennis stats, including a Mental rating of six, indicating he thrives under pressure and can manifest his full potential against strong opponents. His most notable technique is called "Rem," a state of deep concentration he can enter in just a few seconds. In this state, his brain effectively goes into a deep sleep, erasing all stray thoughts and allowing him to play with perfect, instinctive focus, which to an outsider appears as if he is sleeping while standing. This ability is instrumental in strategies that require him to act as a "shield" for a partner who relies on data, like Yanagi. In desperate situations, Mori can resort to a drastic technique of dislocating his own joints, a painful maneuver that allows him to hit shots from physically impossible angles. He notably used this high-risk technique to shatter Keigo Atobe’s "Atobe Kingdom" during a first-string shuffle match, proving his newfound resolve to win at all costs. His physical stats include speed and technique rated at five, with power and stamina at four, and he plays with a Dunlop Biomimetic M3.0 racket.
Mori’s personality is a study in contrasts, marked by a significant transformation. Initially, he was defined by a lazy and aloof demeanor, notorious for frequently skipping practice and relying solely on his immense natural talent to win matches. This behavior created a reputation for arrogance and a strained relationship with his former Rikkai teammates, particularly Yanagi Renji, who was frustrated by his inability to collect data on him. However, beneath this detached exterior, Mori always possessed a sharp strategic mind and a hidden sense of responsibility. The turning point in his life came after a crushing defeat in a high school tournament. Suffering from a leg injury, he witnessed his former teammate, Seiichi Yukimura, undergoing grueling and determined rehabilitation to overcome his own illness. This sight deeply moved Mori, inspiring a profound change. He abandoned his lazy habits, dedicated himself to intense training, and transformed into a humble, reflective, and extremely hardworking athlete. On the court, he remains calm, collected, and adaptable, maintaining a playful demeanor but never losing focus or his deep desire to win.
Mori’s primary motivation changed from coasting on talent to becoming a true pillar of the national team. Inspired by Yukimura’s perseverance, he began to push his physical limits, a commitment that ultimately earned him an invitation to the U-17 training camp after he won a major tournament. His role in the story is that of a prodigal talent who redeems himself and becomes an indispensable member of Japan’s U-17 team, particularly excelling in doubles. He is specifically chosen by the coaches to form a doubles pair with Ochi Tsukimitsu, the stoic former captain of Hyotei Academy, in an effort to cure his past laziness. Together, they become known as the formidable "Super High School Doubles" pair. In crucial matches, such as the World Cup quarterfinals against France, he is called upon to resolve past grievances with his former Rikkai teammates, as seen when he partners with Yanagi Renji.
The relationships that define Juzaburo Mori are central to his development. His bond with his doubles partner, Ochi Tsukimitsu, is one of deep admiration and respect; he affectionately calls him "Tsuki-san" and follows his instructions without hesitation. The most pivotal relationship is with Seiichi Yukimura, whose fierce fight against illness served as the catalyst for Mori’s own transformation. During Yukimura’s hospitalization, Mori secretly placed fresh water bottles in his room each night to support him, a gesture that went unknown for a long time. This act earned him the nickname "Sports Drink Fairy" from Yukimura. Consequently, his relationship with Yanagi Renji was initially hostile, as Yanagi could not forgive Mori for his past indifference toward the team’s struggles. They finally reconciled during their World Cup match when Yanagi discovered the truth about Mori’s secret support for Yukimura. Mori has also decisively defeated players like Kenya Oshitari of Shitenhoji in national tournaments. The leaders of the Japan team, such as Byodoin Hoo and Oni Jujiro, regard him as a future pillar of the national team due to his incredible potential.
Mori’s abilities are as versatile as his playstyle, which is classified as all-rounder. He has high-level tennis stats, including a Mental rating of six, indicating he thrives under pressure and can manifest his full potential against strong opponents. His most notable technique is called "Rem," a state of deep concentration he can enter in just a few seconds. In this state, his brain effectively goes into a deep sleep, erasing all stray thoughts and allowing him to play with perfect, instinctive focus, which to an outsider appears as if he is sleeping while standing. This ability is instrumental in strategies that require him to act as a "shield" for a partner who relies on data, like Yanagi. In desperate situations, Mori can resort to a drastic technique of dislocating his own joints, a painful maneuver that allows him to hit shots from physically impossible angles. He notably used this high-risk technique to shatter Keigo Atobe’s "Atobe Kingdom" during a first-string shuffle match, proving his newfound resolve to win at all costs. His physical stats include speed and technique rated at five, with power and stamina at four, and he plays with a Dunlop Biomimetic M3.0 racket.