English Dub Review: The Prince of Tennis II: U-17 World Cup “Feelings for My Friends”

Overview (Spoilers Below):
Ryoma needs to decide if Team USA is where he truly belongs. Meanwhile, the teams gear up for the Finals Tournament that starts in two days.

Our Take:
Most episodes focused on Team Japan’s efforts in overcoming some of their most formidable opponents in the tournament. During that time, Ryoma was off-screen somewhere, either watching the action or participating with Team USA. However, it looks like we might finally spend a good amount of time with Ryoma in this week’s episode.
With the previous episodes centering on the gripping tournament matches, it felt refreshing for “Feelings for My Friends” to shift the series’s focus to the drama outside the tournament. Of course, what better way to do that than by exploring Ryoma’s inner struggle with his chosen path? The end of last week’s episode showcased Ryoma running into Tezuka, who asks him whom he wants to beat and whether or not Team USA is the right path for him. “Feelings for My Friends” has Ryoma pondering that question while Team USA practices for the upcoming finals. Unfortunately, his internal struggle caused him to hesitate while doing practice matches with the team members.
Thanks to the team’s coach’s wise teachings, Ryoma managed to rid himself of his hesitation by following the path he believed in: Team Japan. However, Ryoma’s return to Team Japan was far from welcoming, as Momo was still mad at him for choosing to play for the enemy. Regardless, Ryoma and the team made amends just in time to prepare for their match against Team France. That’s right, the same team with the horseback-riding Prince that Ryoma encountered in episode four. With Ryoma now playing in the game with Team Japan, we can assume that the finals will be worth cheering for now that the prodigy is back playing with his friends.