OVA
Description
Eishirō Kite is a third-year student and the formidable captain of the Higa Middle School tennis team from Okinawa. Known by the chilling nickname Hitman or Killer, Kite possesses a lean and athletic build, standing 179 centimeters tall. He has dyed purple hair, which was originally black, and wears glasses to correct his unaided vision of 0.2 in both eyes.
Kite's personality is a study in contrasts. On the surface, he speaks with a polite and formal tone, often maintaining a calm and collected demeanor. However, this exterior masks a fierce competitive drive and a ruthless pragmatism on the tennis court. He is unafraid to use any means necessary to secure a victory, quickly identifying and exploiting an opponent's weaknesses. This aggressive and sometimes unsportsmanlike conduct is exemplified by his willingness to aim shots at a coach or kick sand towards an opponent to gain an advantage. Despite this cold and calculating exterior, Kite harbors a deep and powerful loyalty to his teammates and his home prefecture of Okinawa. His harsh methods and the brutal training he endures with his team are all driven by a singular motivation: to demonstrate the strength and power of Okinawan tennis on the national stage. He cares for his team deeply, serving as the unshakable pillar that holds them together, and he is not above standing up to his own coach to defend them.
Within the narrative, Kite serves as the primary antagonist for Seishun Academy (Seigaku) during the National Tournament arc. He is the mastermind behind Higa's powerful tennis team, having personally scouted and recruited practitioners of Okinawan martial arts to join the squad and teaching them most of their signature techniques. His most significant match is against Seigaku's captain, Kunimitsu Tezuka, in the singles match of their national tournament encounter. Kite initially dominates the match, taking a 4-0 lead with his superior technique, but is ultimately defeated when Tezuka unleashes his full power at the "Pinnacle of Hard Work". Following the tournament, his team misses their flight home, and their coach abandons them, forcing Kite to lead his players in working odd jobs to survive, an experience that further cements their bond.
Kite's key relationships are central to his character. He is the undisputed leader and mentor to his Higa teammates, including Yujiro Kai, his childhood friend since the age of five, and Rin Hirakoba. Every member of the team holds a profound trust in him, knowing he shared in their intense, unorthodox training. At the U-17 training camp featured in The New Prince of Tennis, he develops a notable partnership with Bunta Marui of Rikkai University. Initially clashing, they form a doubles team where Kite demonstrates genuine remorse after a feigned betrayal, culminating in him physically shielding Marui from a violent opponent's attacks to atone for his actions.
Kite's abilities are an amalgamation of tennis and martial arts. His playstyle is All-Rounder, and he wields his racket with his left arm. His most famous technique is the Shukuchiho, a footwork-based skill derived from martial arts that creates the illusion of instant movement. While his teammates can only move forward and backward with it, Kite's exceptional balance allows him to use it to move in any direction on the court. He also possesses devastating shots including the powerful Big Bang serve, the sharply curving Habu (which can be upgraded to the Giant Habu that curves immediately after being hit), and the reaction-based Viking Horn. During the U-17 camp, he adds the Nitoryu (two-racket) style to his arsenal, using his perfect balance to wield two rackets and make his shots even more unpredictable. His official stats from the camp list him with a Technique of 5, the highest possible score, reflecting his mastery. Outside of tennis, Kite maintains a strict daily routine, practices Okinawan martial arts, and has a known fondness for fashion design and a legendary ability to stand on one foot for 19 hours.
Kite's personality is a study in contrasts. On the surface, he speaks with a polite and formal tone, often maintaining a calm and collected demeanor. However, this exterior masks a fierce competitive drive and a ruthless pragmatism on the tennis court. He is unafraid to use any means necessary to secure a victory, quickly identifying and exploiting an opponent's weaknesses. This aggressive and sometimes unsportsmanlike conduct is exemplified by his willingness to aim shots at a coach or kick sand towards an opponent to gain an advantage. Despite this cold and calculating exterior, Kite harbors a deep and powerful loyalty to his teammates and his home prefecture of Okinawa. His harsh methods and the brutal training he endures with his team are all driven by a singular motivation: to demonstrate the strength and power of Okinawan tennis on the national stage. He cares for his team deeply, serving as the unshakable pillar that holds them together, and he is not above standing up to his own coach to defend them.
Within the narrative, Kite serves as the primary antagonist for Seishun Academy (Seigaku) during the National Tournament arc. He is the mastermind behind Higa's powerful tennis team, having personally scouted and recruited practitioners of Okinawan martial arts to join the squad and teaching them most of their signature techniques. His most significant match is against Seigaku's captain, Kunimitsu Tezuka, in the singles match of their national tournament encounter. Kite initially dominates the match, taking a 4-0 lead with his superior technique, but is ultimately defeated when Tezuka unleashes his full power at the "Pinnacle of Hard Work". Following the tournament, his team misses their flight home, and their coach abandons them, forcing Kite to lead his players in working odd jobs to survive, an experience that further cements their bond.
Kite's key relationships are central to his character. He is the undisputed leader and mentor to his Higa teammates, including Yujiro Kai, his childhood friend since the age of five, and Rin Hirakoba. Every member of the team holds a profound trust in him, knowing he shared in their intense, unorthodox training. At the U-17 training camp featured in The New Prince of Tennis, he develops a notable partnership with Bunta Marui of Rikkai University. Initially clashing, they form a doubles team where Kite demonstrates genuine remorse after a feigned betrayal, culminating in him physically shielding Marui from a violent opponent's attacks to atone for his actions.
Kite's abilities are an amalgamation of tennis and martial arts. His playstyle is All-Rounder, and he wields his racket with his left arm. His most famous technique is the Shukuchiho, a footwork-based skill derived from martial arts that creates the illusion of instant movement. While his teammates can only move forward and backward with it, Kite's exceptional balance allows him to use it to move in any direction on the court. He also possesses devastating shots including the powerful Big Bang serve, the sharply curving Habu (which can be upgraded to the Giant Habu that curves immediately after being hit), and the reaction-based Viking Horn. During the U-17 camp, he adds the Nitoryu (two-racket) style to his arsenal, using his perfect balance to wield two rackets and make his shots even more unpredictable. His official stats from the camp list him with a Technique of 5, the highest possible score, reflecting his mastery. Outside of tennis, Kite maintains a strict daily routine, practices Okinawan martial arts, and has a known fondness for fashion design and a legendary ability to stand on one foot for 19 hours.