Akaya Kirihara

Infobox animanga character
name = Akaya Kirihara
series = The Prince of Tennis
caption = Akaya Kirihara
first =
last =
creator = Takeshi Konomi
voiced by = Showtaro Morikubo (Japanese)
(English)
age = 13
born = September 25
class = 2nd year
relatives =
aux1 name = School
aux1 = Rikkai Daigaku Fuzoku
aux2 name = Style
aux2 = Aggressive Baseliner, right-handed

nihongo|Akaya Kirihara|切原 赤也|Kirihara Akaya is a fictional character in the manga and anime The Prince of Tennis. Kirihara is a 13-year-old regular of Rikkai Daigaku Fuzoku's tennis team, the youngest and only second year student in the Rikkaidai line-up, thus earning him the title 'Second Year Ace'.

Character

Kirihara first appears when he accidentally arrives at Seigaku after oversleeping on his ride to a tournament; he looks childish, friendly - and no where near as cruel as he acts in his match against Fudomine, where he causes Kippei Tachibana (Fudomine Middle School's tennis captain) such serious injuries that he has to be hospitalized and (in the anime) miss the Senbatsu camp. In the manga, Kirihara aims for Tachibana's head and stomach; in the anime, he just aims for his ankle.

Overall he tends to act cocky and over-confident towards other players unless he specifically respects them- though that does not always stop him from joking about them either to their face or behind their backs.

When Kirihara is under hard pressure or his pride is being injured, he becomes extremely angry and 'devilish', as depicted with blood red eyes. He then unleashes a brutal assault on the opponent's body. He uses this technique on Tachibana and later on Shusuke Fuji. However, this technique is completely ineffective against Kirihara's vice-captain, Genichirou Sanada, because of Sanada's incredible reflexes; Sanada himself says that if Kirihara trained for ten more years, perhaps he would have a chance against him.

Relationships

Kirihara is one of the more light-hearted members on the Rikkai Dai team, and their only second year. This has led to his nickname of "Junior Ace" by the rest of the team; it can also be inferred that he is considered the 'baby' of the team by the other Regulars. He is addressed/referred to only as 'Akaya' by them (in the manga: usage of the given name without a suffix in Japan could be said to infer either closeness, affection, or simply being comfortable with the person being addressed), although Yagyuu - who is polite even when addressing his teammates - seems to call him 'Kirihara-kun'; Jackal is assigned to 'look after' him, as it were, and they generally treat him lightly and are concerned for his growth and wellbeing. They are stern when necessary, however: they all admonished him for his loss against Ryoma in the manga, and Yanagi and Sanada have both hit him (Yanagi perhaps lightly, Sanada for his going against their promise to Yukimura by losing and stepping out of line by having an unofficial match).

He could be said to get along with all of his teammates, therefore, to varying degrees; out of the Three Demons, he could be said to get along best with Renji Yanagi. After a rather rough start, they develop a bittersweet companionship: in the manga, after Yanagi loses his match with Sadaharu Inui in the Kantou Tournament, he protects him from Sanada's admonishing hit using his racket. He seems to hold the same friendliness with Yukimura, the Captain, as the rest of the team all do; while he seems to find Sanada rather stern and harsh, he respects Sanada- and Sanada, in turn, seems to be supportive of him, albeit not often expressing it (yelling out for Kirihara to 'win for Rikkai with his own hands' during his match with Fuji) in the manga.

He is not shown to have relationships with many others outside of his own team: however, he could be said to hold an interest in strong players in general, especially Kunimitsu Tezuka of Seigaku (and, to an extent, Ryoma Echizen of the same school).

History

Kirihara is blessed with rather high concentration span (as pointed out by Sanada), but he has had a lot of bad luck, accompanied by his worse attitude. He begins with joking around in Seigaku's Tennis Club, but he ends up causing an accident that disrupts the club practice in such a way that he quickly flees the scene, not wanting the incident to be traced back to him.

Kirihara always expects the best from himself and hates losing. Three years ago, he heard that Rikkaidai Fuzoku had won the last year's national championship and had an incredibly strong team, so he entered the school with the ambition to be the best. But as he says himself, "My ambition was quickly crushed by the "Sannin Bakemono" (three monsters)!" After that, Kirihara's new ambition became to defeat the "monsters" (Rikkaidai's captain, Seiichi Yukimura, Sanada, and Renji Yanagi), and he became a regular on Rikkaidai's tennis team following these events.

In the spring, he meets up with Ryoma Echizen of Seigaku for the first time, and the two size each other up. When Rikkaidai once again reaches the Kantou Tournament, Kirihara faces Tachibana of Fudoumine in the semi-finals; however, although Tachibana is a nationally ranked player, Kirihara easily wins, thanks to a combination of his violent play and Tachibana having locked away his true potential (due to being a player with violent tendencies himself).

Just before the finals in the manga, Kirihara meets up with Ryoma while he is training, and they have a match. Kirihara jumps up to a 4-0 lead, but then Ryoma accidentally taps into the State of Self Actualization, and he proceeds to win the next 6 games. When Sanada finds out, he punishes Kirihara by slapping him across the face in front of the team, since Rikkai's policies don't allow members to have unofficial matches without express approval.

In the anime, Kirihara tasted the feeling of violence by himself. This was reflected in the match against Fuji when he thought Fuji trying to take his revenge on him by hitting his knee, which wouldn't have happened had Kirihara not stepped back. Though it was all perception, it went along in Kirihara's decision to change his violent style.

During the Junior Invitational camp arc in the anime, Kirihara decides to stop using Bloodshot and not injure anyone else, but no one outside of Rikkaidai believes him - mainly because his cockiness hasn't changed. An Tachibana, Kippei Tachibana's little sister, who was working there as a manager, decides to face him and doesn't believe his words about being "reformed". When Kirihara loses his patience and insults the whole Fudomine team, An tries to slap him, but he takes a wrong step and falls down a flight of stairs. The Fudomine sub-captain, Akira Kamio, is blamed for this until Ryoma Echizen unmasks An and later plays with Kirihara, forcing him to face his demons. Kirihara says that he will never injure anybody else.

In the manga, Kirihara still plays as violently as before. As he was deeply injured suffering 5 straight games of Nagoya Seitoku's captain Liliaden Krauser's even more violent style of play, Akaya snapped into Devil Mode and destroyed him, effectively turning around the fate of the match as well as the whole National Semifinals tie. This appears to have had a lasting effect on him that carries on into the National Finals; the same reaction was provoked from him upon his being hit once in the face by Kaoru Kaidoh's rendition of the Laser Beam, and he instantly snapped into Devil Mode from Bloodshot, with his victim this time being Sadaharu Inui, Kaidoh's doubles partner at the time.

pecial Moves/Shots

Phantom Ball (Anime Only)

The "Phantom Ball" does not appear until after Kirihara's match with Seigaku's Shusuke Fuji. He develops this technique to prove to everyone that he is willing to change into a better person and that he doesn't need shots that hurt his opponents in order to win. This shot is first shown during his match against the America Team's Kevin Smith.This shot uses inhuman speed and extraordinary amount of hit precision and force application in order to produce the necessary spin for the ball. When it lands, the spin and speed of the ball creates an illusion of temporary disappearance, and then reappears at another place confusing left-handed players, since they normally hit a backhand at the time. Kirihara can also fake the Phantom Ball, which makes it almost impossible to return. However, this ball is harmless against right-handed players.

Knuckle Serve

The "Knuckle Serve" is a more powerful version of the Kick Serve and the Twist Serve. Kirihara presses the ball between his fingers (more precisely, his knuckles. Hence the name.) and then throws the ball up into the air, which creates an unusual spin on the ball. When the ball bounces, it goes straight for the opponent's body with high speed and destructive power. The direction can only be decided and determined by its user. One of Kirihara's trademarks while using this serve is to say "Bye-Bye" in English.

Bloodshot

This is the mode that Kirihara enters when he is under high pressure, injured, or pushed to the point of anger in a match. The whites of his eyes turn red, and his power, skill, and speed increase. In this mode, Kirihara will aim towards the opponent's body; his shots becoming faster and more powerful.

In the manga, Kirihara appears to only injure his opponent as necessary to make sure they do not win, not out of thoughtless malice. For example against Fuji, once succeeding in temporarily blinding him, the only further shots at Fuji's body we see are extremely little and merely 'teasing' hits. Tachibana was also entirely well enough to participate in the match for Third Place in the Kantou Finals against Rokkaku (merely a week after he suffered his injuries from Kirihara).

In the anime, Kirihara often licks his lips in this mode, which shows that he loves what he is doing- a trait never shown in the manga, where his play simply becomes more aggressive and more violently-inclined. In contrast to the manga, Kirihara will go out of his way to hurt his opponents and continue doing so even if it may seem as though his win is assured.

Devil Mode

Kirihara seems to have expanded Bloodshot in response to the severe physical injury he suffered while playing against Liliaden Krauser in the National Semifinals - while also under the extreme pressure of having his team's advancement to the Finals staked on his winning (Rikkai being 2 sets down and Kirihara being 5:0 40-love down at this point) and being insulted (in a language he does not understand (English)) by the opposing team.

Kirihara's skin changes color to dark red (light red in the anime) and his hair becomes white. His bloodlust and destructive power are greatly enhanced, and he seems to lose any reason he might have retained in his prior Bloodshot mode: he could be said to become solely focused on crushing the opposing player(s) using purely violent means.

He has currently snapped into this mode twice: once against Krauser in the National Semifinals, then again against the Inui-Kaidoh pair in the National Finals, both ending in incredibly rapid crushing wins for Kirihara. After his initial provocation into the state, it seems to be easier for him to reach it.

tate of Self Actualization (Muga no Kyochi) (Manga Only)

Kirihara is one of a few players, including his Captain and Vice-Captain Yukimura and Sanada, who can activate the State of Self Actualization. In the State of Self Actualization, a player's body is able to trace every technique that has been used against them and copy it. The first time Kirihara uses it - in his match against Fuji in the Kanto Finals - he loses consciousness. He has not shown it since, but judging from Ryoma's experiences, he probably will not have a problem with losing consciousness again.

Given that he has recently exhibited Devil Mode as an extension to Bloodshot, it is unknown as to where he will develop from here; while his attainment of Muga no Kyochi was thought of to be an essential part of his evolution and growth, he has not used it since, instead exhibiting Devil Mode in its place as his 'trump card'.

Ka (Fire)

One part of Sanada's special FuuRinKaZan moveset. Ka is an extremely powerful drive/smash shot. Kirihara is able to use it in the State of Self-Actualization. However, due to his inexperience with the move and his weaker grip (in comparison to Sanada), he was unable to defeat Shuusuke Fuji with it.

Drive B

A drive volley that two quick consecutive bounce arcs, forming the "B" shape of its namesake. It is one of Ryoma Echizen's signature moves. Kirihara is able to use it in the State of Self-Actualization.

Twist Serve

A serve that curves when it is bounced and is meant to hit the opponents face. It was first seen in the match against Fuji Shusuke.

One-Footed Split Step

A split step using one foot. This difference allows Akaya to increase his speed and cover the court more effectively. It has been noted that this comes naturally to him, whereas it has been mentioned that Ryoma- the only other known to perform the one-footed split step- is only able to perform it through his father training him in tennis since he was young.

Red Snake Shot

A return similar to Kaoru Kaidoh's Snake - however the destructive power far outclasses Kaidoh's. Being only grazed by the shot resulted in blood drawn from Kaidoh's left cheek.

Tornado Snake

This is the same move Kaidoh used; just like the Red Snake Shot, except in a Tornado Snake motion.

Dunk Smash

Dunk Smash is different than normal smashes in that he uses the momentum from running to hit the smash, through perfect timing, by jumping forward, instead of jumping backwards to hit a smash, thus causing Dunk Smash to be twice as powerful and more effective than a normal smash.

Notable Matches

Hiyoshi Wakashi

Before the manga starts Kirihara and Hyotei Gakuen's Wakashi Hiyoshi have a match in the newcomer's tournament. Rikkai Dai's Renji Yanagi brings it up before Ryoma Echizen and Hiyoshi's match: he mentions that Hiyoshi had done fairly well against him, although Kirihara pretends not to remember (which Sanada doesn't believe).

Kippei Tachibana

In the Kantou Tournament, Rikkai Dai faces off against Fudomine. Kirihara plays against 3rd year and Captain Kippei Tachibana in Singles 3.

Although Tachibana is a nationally-ranked player, he had locked away his Wild Beast Aura at that point. Like Kirihara in his Bloodshot or Devil Modes, he used to be a player with more-or-less hidden violent tendencies, although Kirihara's violent play is due to his snapping into different states of mind due to pressure or physical injury; Tachibana's violent play appeared to be conscious. Tachibana ultimately loses 6-1, after toying with Kirihara for one game and taunting him about the time limit Kirihara had set himself for the match. Kirihara entered Bloodshot and proceeded to win the next six games, aiming the ball at his head and stomach as he did so.

It should be noted that this is apparently the first time Kirihara had entered Bloodshot in a while- possibly since his defeat at the hands of the "Three Demons" of Rikkai Dai, when he was in his first year and before he became a Regular. Jackal Kuwahara, his teammate, mentions that he was surprised at Kirihara's increased speed and power in his Bloodshot mode when he played against Tachibana, as he thought Kirihara had been playing 'seriously' up until that match; it can be inferred that Jackal had not seen Kirihara go Bloodshot before that time.

Ryoma Echizen (manga Version)

Kirihara and Ryoma Echizen of Seigaku meet prior to the Kantou Regional Finals, at a tennis club Kirihara frequently practises at. Upon hearing Kirihara's complaint that nobody in Seigaku could show them 'true tennis' aside from Tezuka, Ryoma tells him that he can do so, thus essentially challenging him to a match.

Ryoma and Kirihara prove to be evenly-matched, although Ryoma is forced to play defensively; upon their weights being removed, the match is still even. However, Kirihara snaps into Bloodshot because of the pressure, and this mode is too much for Ryoma to fight against for a while (he lost four consecutive games and his knee was damaged due to Kirihara's violent playstyle while in Bloodshot).

However, while losing 4-0, Ryoma unconsciously taps into the State of Self Actualization for the first time. He goes into a trance and wins sixs consecutive games, defeating Kirihara, but then falling unconscious. When he awakes, he is unaware of his victory.

husuke Fuji (anime version)

Fuji starts the match off with his Disappearing Serve. Kirihara fails to return the Disappearing serve three times in a row- however, on the fourth try, Kirihara was able to hit it, but the ball hits the net, so Fuji wins the game. During Kirihara's service game, he hits a Twist Serve, but this is evaded by Fuji. After Kirihara fails to win a few points from Fuji, he enters Bloodshot mode and hits a drop shot, which Fuji returns. However, Kirihara then smashes the ball into Fuji's knee, repeating this at least two times afterwards and subsequently winning the game. Kirihara follows this up with a Knuckle Serve, which hits Fuji's head. Due to ensuing pain and the limits placed on his movement by his knee injury, Fuji goes on to lose three straight games.

Kirihara continues using this strategy until Tachibana comes to encourage Fuji. Kirihara, seeing him, aims a Knuckle Serve at the fence he is standing behind; while this does not hit him, it does cause him to fall over. Angered by Kirihara's violence, Fuji then uses the Knuckle Serve himself, which frightens Kirihara: he believes that Fuji is aiming for him. Due to Kirihara's fear, Fuji manages to win that game. When Kirihara's fear grows, he steps back, which causes him to get hit on his knee. Believing that Fuji hit his knee on purpose, Kirihara is paralyzed by his fear, which results Fuji winning the last few points with service aces.

husuke Fuji (manga version)

Fuji starts off the game by going on the offensive, which everyone is surprised at as Fuji's real strengths are his counters. After Fuji wins the first point with a smash, Kirihara goes straight into Bloodshot and starts using his split step to force Fuji into the corner, which Fuji counters with his Hakugei. Using the split step, Kirihara runs up to the ball and smashes the ball back, only for Fuji to return it with a Higuma Otoshi, causing him to win the game 1-0 without return.

After several brief flashbacks, during which it is shown that it was Kunimitsu Tezuka's match with Keigo Atobe that made Fuji decide to start playing seriously, Kirihara injures Fuji with a smash that knocked Fuji's racket off and Fuji was blinded by the injury sustained as a result of Kirihara hitting the ball at Fuji's head during the match. After that, Fuji continues playing, still blind and refusing to be removed from the match.

With the score 3-0 before that, Kirihara manages to win five straight games and mocks Fuji about the quality of his tennis. Fuji, however, wins the next 2 games, and is at match point when Kirihara unconsciously enters into Muga no Kyouchi. Producing the techniques of all the players he has played prior to this time, he begins to fight back against Fuji, challenging even his increased skill while blind. Ultimately, Kirihara loses because his grip is not yet strong enough to handle continuously hitting Sanada's Ka technique. The match ends with Fuji thus winning 7 games to 5.

Ryoma Echizen (anime version)

During the Junior Invitational camp, Kirihara plays a match with Ryoma Echizen to prove that he has changed his violent ways. They start to play evenly but Ryoma starts to take the lead when he hits a lob. Kirihara fails to return it, and falls to the ground: when he gets up, all those watching believe he has entered Bloodshot. However, his eyes have not turned red, effectively dispelling this belief; Kirihara begins to take the lead. When Kirihara finally hits a smash at a point where he could have easily injured Ryoma, he hits the baseline instead, thus proving to everyone that he has indeed changed for the better. Both he and Ryoma then enjoy their match to the end.

Kevin Smith (anime only)

In the Goodwill Games, Kirihara plays Kevin Smith of the American team in Singles 1. Kevin reacts badly to this as he wanted to play Ryoma Echizen of Seigaku, thus provoking Kirihara to reveal his new technique- Phantom Ball. After 3 Phantom Ball shots and a feint Kirihara wins the game in almost no time, making the score 1-0. Kevin admits that Kirihara is strong but then Kirihara insults him and Kevin wins his service game making the score 1-1.

When Kevin hits a cord ball Kirihara returns the hit with the Phantom Ball, but he then runs into the pole supporting the net and injures his shoulder. While he says he is alright, he cannot hit the Phantom Ball due to this and he loses the next game, making the score 1-2. Kirihara has a flashback to his defeat by the Three Demons, and remembers how he swore to become Number One- a flashback originally shown in the manga while he was playing against Fuji in the Kantou Finals. Kirihara then resumes hitting the Phantom Ball: despite Kevin figuring out the angle, the score still reaches 2-2 through Kirihara hitting feints. Kirihara realizes that if he plays with his bad shoulder his arm will be more severely injured, so he starts to hit with his left hand. However, the pain is ultimately too great, and he has to pass the match over to Ryoma while he goes to hospital.

Reception

In the 3rd character popularity poll for the series, Kirihara came in 7th place. [cite book |title= Prince of Tennis　Vol. 33 |last= Konomi |first= Takeshi |year= 2006 |publisher= Shueisha |isbn= 4-08-874048-3 |pages= 192 |chapter= Genius 276 ]

Trivia

* Kirihara was the first rival player to appear in the manga (Chapter 19), when he fell asleep on the bus and ended up in Seigaku. He was mentioned (and briefly shown) in Chapter 15, by reporters Inoue and Shiba.

* It is possible that he is being trained to defeat Tezuka: one can infer this through his interest in him and in that he is especially proficient at defeating left-handed players.

* It has been mentioned, several times (and made somewhat of a point of) that his worst subject is English; his favourite/best subject is Japanese. Ironically, his father is a foreign worker.

* In 40.5 it was said that Kirihara still believes in Santa Claus.