OVA
Description
Kunimitsu Tezuka captains Seishun Academy's tennis team in his third year. Standing 179 cm tall, born October 7 with blood type O, he plays left-handed but wields considerable skill with his right hand.
A first-year incident defines his past: upperclassmen injured his left elbow, resenting his perceived arrogance after discovering he defeated them using his non-dominant hand. This caused chronic issues, forcing him to seal his left-arm-dependent technique, Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami. Disillusioned by tennis used violently, he nearly quit but stayed after then-captain Yūdai Yamato urged him to become Seigaku's "pillar of support" and fulfill Yamato's Nationals dream. Tezuka also pledged with teammate Shūichirō Ōishi to reach Nationals. During recovery, he lost to Shūsuke Fuji, who demanded a rematch upon healing. Despite the injury, Tezuka secured a regular spot as a first-year and became vice-captain in his second year. Recurring arm pain led him to decline the Junior Senbatsu camp invitation.
Tezuka plays as an all-rounder, adapting to diverse styles. Signature techniques include the Zero-Shiki Drop Shot, rolling the ball toward the net without bouncing toward opponents; the Tezuka Zone, using spin to draw returns to his hitting zone; and the Tezuka Phantom, forcing returns out of bounds. He later creates the Zero-Shiki Serve, applying the drop shot’s principle to serves. He masters Muga no Kyōchi (State of Self-Actualization), unlocking all three doors: Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami (Pinnacle of Hard Work), concentrating energy into his left arm for enhanced power/spin; Saiki Kanpatsu no Kiwami (Pinnacle of Great Wisdom), predicting match outcomes; and Teni Muhō no Kiwami (Pinnacle of Perfection), channeling energy throughout his body. The last is achieved at the U-17 camp after overcoming his "pillar" fixation.
His elbow injury resurfaces during the Kanto Regional against Hyōtei’s Keigo Atobe, who exploits Tezuka’s hesitation to raise his left shoulder, causing a shoulder injury. Collapsing post-match, he rehabilitates in Kyushu. There, protecting Chitose Miyuki from an overhead smash against Shishigaku players, he realizes his physical injury healed long ago, but psychological barriers ("yips") restricted his mobility. This breakthrough restores his full capabilities.
Tezuka returns for the National semifinals against Shitenhōji. Paired with Sadaharu Inui against Chitose Senri and Zaizen Hikaru, partners step aside for a Tezuka-Senri singles duel. Tezuka reveals his Zero-Shiki Serve and Saiki Kanpatsu no Kiwami, defeating Senri. Against Rikkai Dai’s Sanada Genichirō in the finals, straining his arm with Tezuka Phantom and Zero-Shiki Serve creates a weakness Sanada exploits to win. Seishun still claims the National title. Post-tournament, Tezuka announces plans for professional tennis in Germany, intending to pass the captaincy to Ryoma Echizen.
At the U-17 camp, Tezuka’s rigid "pillar" mindset initially limits him. A match against former captain Yamato Yuudai proves pivotal; Yamato helps him recognize the mindset’s danger, freeing Tezuka to achieve Teni Muhō no Kiwami and play for personal fulfillment.
Tezuka embodies sternness, calmness, and unwavering seriousness. He enforces strict team discipline, punishing all for one member’s misconduct—a policy inherited from Yamato. His trademark phrase is "Yudan sezu ni ikō" (Don’t let your guard down). He prioritizes team success over his health, risking injury in critical matches. Behind his stoicism lies subtle care for teammates and dry humor, like declining Inui’s vegetable juice after others assumed him immune. He shares a close bond with grandfather Kunikazu Tezuka, enjoying fishing and mountain climbing. Relationships are multifaceted: he mentors Ryoma Echizen to become Seigaku’s new "pillar"; shares rivalry-fueled respect with Fuji; and relies on Ōishi as vice-captain. As Student Council President, he maintains a disciplined routine starting at 5:30 AM with training, studying, and journaling.
Post-Nationals, during joint training with Shitenhōji in Osaka, Tezuka interacts with Miyuki again, fulfilling Senri’s request to congratulate her on a school tournament win—a gesture he refused during their match. He also encounters Higa’s Kite Eishirō; a pillow fight escalates when Kite targets his previously injured shoulder, showcasing Tezuka’s lingering protectiveness of his recovery.
A first-year incident defines his past: upperclassmen injured his left elbow, resenting his perceived arrogance after discovering he defeated them using his non-dominant hand. This caused chronic issues, forcing him to seal his left-arm-dependent technique, Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami. Disillusioned by tennis used violently, he nearly quit but stayed after then-captain Yūdai Yamato urged him to become Seigaku's "pillar of support" and fulfill Yamato's Nationals dream. Tezuka also pledged with teammate Shūichirō Ōishi to reach Nationals. During recovery, he lost to Shūsuke Fuji, who demanded a rematch upon healing. Despite the injury, Tezuka secured a regular spot as a first-year and became vice-captain in his second year. Recurring arm pain led him to decline the Junior Senbatsu camp invitation.
Tezuka plays as an all-rounder, adapting to diverse styles. Signature techniques include the Zero-Shiki Drop Shot, rolling the ball toward the net without bouncing toward opponents; the Tezuka Zone, using spin to draw returns to his hitting zone; and the Tezuka Phantom, forcing returns out of bounds. He later creates the Zero-Shiki Serve, applying the drop shot’s principle to serves. He masters Muga no Kyōchi (State of Self-Actualization), unlocking all three doors: Hyaku Ren Jitoku no Kiwami (Pinnacle of Hard Work), concentrating energy into his left arm for enhanced power/spin; Saiki Kanpatsu no Kiwami (Pinnacle of Great Wisdom), predicting match outcomes; and Teni Muhō no Kiwami (Pinnacle of Perfection), channeling energy throughout his body. The last is achieved at the U-17 camp after overcoming his "pillar" fixation.
His elbow injury resurfaces during the Kanto Regional against Hyōtei’s Keigo Atobe, who exploits Tezuka’s hesitation to raise his left shoulder, causing a shoulder injury. Collapsing post-match, he rehabilitates in Kyushu. There, protecting Chitose Miyuki from an overhead smash against Shishigaku players, he realizes his physical injury healed long ago, but psychological barriers ("yips") restricted his mobility. This breakthrough restores his full capabilities.
Tezuka returns for the National semifinals against Shitenhōji. Paired with Sadaharu Inui against Chitose Senri and Zaizen Hikaru, partners step aside for a Tezuka-Senri singles duel. Tezuka reveals his Zero-Shiki Serve and Saiki Kanpatsu no Kiwami, defeating Senri. Against Rikkai Dai’s Sanada Genichirō in the finals, straining his arm with Tezuka Phantom and Zero-Shiki Serve creates a weakness Sanada exploits to win. Seishun still claims the National title. Post-tournament, Tezuka announces plans for professional tennis in Germany, intending to pass the captaincy to Ryoma Echizen.
At the U-17 camp, Tezuka’s rigid "pillar" mindset initially limits him. A match against former captain Yamato Yuudai proves pivotal; Yamato helps him recognize the mindset’s danger, freeing Tezuka to achieve Teni Muhō no Kiwami and play for personal fulfillment.
Tezuka embodies sternness, calmness, and unwavering seriousness. He enforces strict team discipline, punishing all for one member’s misconduct—a policy inherited from Yamato. His trademark phrase is "Yudan sezu ni ikō" (Don’t let your guard down). He prioritizes team success over his health, risking injury in critical matches. Behind his stoicism lies subtle care for teammates and dry humor, like declining Inui’s vegetable juice after others assumed him immune. He shares a close bond with grandfather Kunikazu Tezuka, enjoying fishing and mountain climbing. Relationships are multifaceted: he mentors Ryoma Echizen to become Seigaku’s new "pillar"; shares rivalry-fueled respect with Fuji; and relies on Ōishi as vice-captain. As Student Council President, he maintains a disciplined routine starting at 5:30 AM with training, studying, and journaling.
Post-Nationals, during joint training with Shitenhōji in Osaka, Tezuka interacts with Miyuki again, fulfilling Senri’s request to congratulate her on a school tournament win—a gesture he refused during their match. He also encounters Higa’s Kite Eishirō; a pillow fight escalates when Kite targets his previously injured shoulder, showcasing Tezuka’s lingering protectiveness of his recovery.