By
Adam Arnold (www.adamarnold.net)
The
Internet is a buzz with speculation. Speculation about just what is about to
transpire as one of anime’s most beloved series--Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki--finally
gets the long-awaited conclusion it deserves in 2005. While the title
translates to “no need for Tenchi,” Tenchi Masaki is a young man who has a
harem of space girls who do nothing but want him. It is the same formula
that Love Hina made popular years later only with elements of Project
A-Ko and Star Wars thrown in with hilarious results.
Ever
since the series premiered on Cartoon Network back in July 2000, Tenchi’s
popularity has only skyrocketed. With a multitude of DVDs on store shelves
ranging from Pioneer’s release of Tenchi-Muyo! Ryo-Ohki, Tenchi
Universe and Tenchi In Tokyo to FUNimation’s recent Tenchi Muyo!
GXP, the multitude of titles available is almost too much for the
uninitiated. To make matters worse, only a few of the series even connect with
one another.
But
fear not! Anime Insider has braved the turbulent sea of stars and blown
a whole mess of space pirates out of the skies to bring you the be-all guide to
everything Tenchi under the sun! So strap those thinking caps on, it’s
going to be a bumpy ride.
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki OVA 1, Episodes 1-4 (1992, Pioneer)
Tenchi Misaki was once an ordinary high school student until one day he
unwittingly releases the demon Ryoko from her 700-year imprisonment and she
goes on a rampage blowing up Tenchi’s school! Soon after Princess Ayeka of the
planet Jurai arrives on Earth in a quest to find her long lost bother, Yosho,
and instead finds Ryoko--the very person responsible for his disappearance!
After some major interstellar hijinks, Ryoko, Ayeka and Ayeka’s little
sister, Sasami all become stranded on Earth and soon welcome the always
loveable cabbit/ship, Ryo-Ohki and bubble-headed Galaxy Police officer, Mihoshi
into their growing household. Unbeknownst to anyone though, a deadly criminal
is headed their way.
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki Soundtrack Volume 1, 65:45 min./20 tracks (1992,
unlicensed)
An OVA soundtrack that contains BGM from the first three episodes and a
side-story radio drama set between episodes 2 and 3 about a trip to an onsen
(hot spring).
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki OVA 1, Episodes 5-6 (1993, Pioneer)
The murderous criminal Kagato descends upon the Earth and seizes Ryoko
and drags her into space claiming to be her rightful creator. Tenchi and the
remaining girls board Ryo-Ohki and blast off into space in hot pursuit.
Unfortunately, even the defensive power of the Light Hawk Wings is no match for
a single well-placed blast from the Soja, Kagato’s battleship. Ryo-Ohki is
ripped apart and Tenchi is left drifting near lifeless in space.
Back on Earth, Sasami senses Tenchi’s essence slipping away and the
sleeping goddess within her, Tsunami, awakens and appears before Tenchi and
merges with him. Meanwhile aboard the Soja, Mihoshi has released a young girl,
named Washu, who claims to not only be the greatest scientific genius in the
universe, but also the creator of Ryo-Ohki, the Soja and she is Ryoko’s mother.
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki Soundtrack Volume 2, 55:58 min./25 tracks
(1993, unlicensed)
A soundtrack containing music for the half of the first OVA and
featuring five character songs sung by the various Tenchi seiyuu.
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki OVA 1, Episode 7 (1993, Pioneer)
Though now known as episode 7, “The Night Before the Carnival”--the
first of two OVA specials--was released before anyone knew whether Tenchi
would continue as an OVA or go into TV exclusively. The episode primarily deals
with wrapping up loose ends from the Kagato attack and pitting Ayeka and Ryoko
against one another in a war to win Tenchi’s heart...using romance manga as
their guide!
Fun fact: Due to the unionized nature of the American voice industry, the
dub cast had to assume aliases just to record Episode 7.
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki CD Special 1: “Tenchi-Kaibyaku Jikuu no
Michiyuki,” 68:25 min./17 tracks (1993, unlicensed)
Setting the stage for countless other drama CDs,
this tale involving a wacky trip through time and space was later adapted into
a three-part story arc for Tenchi Universe. It features the first
appearance of Pretty Sammy--Sasami’s Sailor Moon-esque alter ego--and
three tracks that give the listener a sense of how Tenchi and Ryoko really feel
for one another.
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki CD Special 2: “Taiyoukei Nanatsu no
Hitou,” 65:46 min./9 tracks (1993, unlicensed)
A nine-track drama CD filled with
slapstick comedy as the Tenchi crew visits the solar system’s “seven unknown
onsen.” This CD features the first appearance of Kiyone--Mihoshi’s partner--and
also includes a bizarre cameo appearance by Moldiver’s Mirai (voiced by
Nogami Yukana).
Tenchi Muyo! Sound File OVA (1993, unlicensed)
A single volume OVA consisting of six anime music
videos that act as spotlights to particular characters. “Magical Girl Pretty
Sammy,” with is stunning transformation sequence, is by far the best of the six
with Ayeka’s S&M-esque whipping of Tenchi in “Call Me Princess” following a
close second.
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki Kaitaishinsho 101 no Nazo (1994, unlicensed)
Loosely translated as “Tenchi Muyo! 101 Secrets,”
this rare book written by Kuroda Yousuke and supervised by Kajishima Masaki
offers incredible insight the complex web of images and events portrayed or
initially planned for the first seven episodes of the OVA series. Though it is
often contradictory to later episodes, it is the only text that effectively
explains what happened to Tenchi’s cat (OVA episode 1), tells exactly how a
bunch of alien girls can even talk with anyone on Earth (hint: it has to do
with a thing called a “language field”) and why Mihoshi never undoes her
pony-tail (she’d loose her memory if she did).
Tenchi Muyo! Mihoshi Special - Galaxy Police Mihoshi’s
Space Adventure (1994, Pioneer)
At one point this fun story involving
Mihoshi recounting her greatest mission, the Ultra Energy Matter robberies, was
meant to be placed between OVA episodes 7 and 8 that is no longer the case.
Though fellow Tenchi co-creator, Hiroki Hayashi supervised the special after he
had voluntarily gave up control of the series, Masaki Kajishima has since
confirmed that Mihoshi’s partner, Kiyone, does not exist in his version of the
universe in any form. Regardless, this episode does feature the first anime
appearance of Mihoshi’s partner, Kiyone Makibi, and the second appearance of
Pretty Sammy. At its core though, this episode is merely a pilot for both the Pretty
Sammy OVA and the later Tenchi Universe series.
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki CD DASH 1: “Otaku Dare?”, 55:20 min./13 tracks
(1994, unlicensed)
The plot of this rather disappointing disc involving the mealtime
kidnapping of Sasami by an invading spaceship seems to have been recycled into
a much better form as the Tenchi-Muyo! RPG.
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki Christmas Album, 53:13
min./12 tracks (1994, unlicensed)
It’s Christmas in the Tenchi household and all the
girls play “Little Match Girl” so they can get Tenchi something nice. Aside
from mangled Christmas favorites, this drama CD showcases Mihoshi at her worst
(or best) and the super secret origin of Pretty Sammy.
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki CD DASH 2: “Sasami no Sento
Barentain,” 58:52 min./15 tracks (1995, unlicensed)
Having obviously not learned their lesson from “The Night Before the
Carnival,” the girls (especially Sasami!) become engrossed by shoujo manga and
all vie for Tenchi’s affection in this special drama set during Valentine’s
Day.
Tenchi Muyo! RPG (1995, unlicensed)
It’s a morning like any other in the Tenchi household when suddenly a
pack of monsters attack. Once the dust is settled, they learn Mizuki--a young
girl doing the bidding of the mad scientist, Kusumi--has kidnapped Princess
Sasami and is hell-bent on going head to head with Ryoko. Though short, this
isometric RPG for the Super Famicom, literally known as Tenchi Muyo!
Game-Hen, does prove once and for all that Mihoshi really is next to
useless in a fight.
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki (1995, unlicensed)
This video game for the PC Engine (TurboGrafX 16 in the U.S.) plays out
like a digital comic book with pictures accompanying text that always the
player final say so over how the story should proceed. The story opens right
after OVA 7 and follows Tenchi as he finds himself in one embarrassing scrape
after the other. Depending on the path taken, Tenchi and the gang will meet up
with GP cadet, Hakua, and either space pirate, Makibi or the blonde dandy,
Himuro.
Tenchi Muyo! FX: Disc 1, Episode 7.5 (1996, unlicensed)
The “Here Comes Hakua!” digital comic for the PC-FX takes place during
the lull between the first and second OVA series and features the usual Tenchi
antics as Galaxy Police officer Hakua joins the cast for a little fun on Earth
and a little implied Mihoshi innuendo. This game is basically a remake of the
earlier PC Engine, Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki.
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki Soundtrack Volume 3, 70:13 min./11 tracks
(1994, unlicensed)
Along with theme songs and BGM for the second OVA
series, this OST includes a prelude drama to episode 8 that details the
troubles the Tenchi clan must face during Sasami’s absence.
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki OVA 2, Episode 8-10 (1994, Pioneer)
Sporting a new artistic direction and Masaki Kajishima completely at
the helm, the second OVA series kicks off with Tenchi’s baby cousin, Taro,
being dumped on the family for a few days. The trials of taking care of the wee
toddler is too much for the others and Washu takes on the task single-handily.
After the baby non-sense is over, the gang return to the local hot
springs the wrecked back in episode 4 and are forced to rebuild it rather than
take a relaxing dip. But when a ghostly figure in white starts roaming the
halls, Sasami’s secret past starts to unravel.
Once safely back home, things are anything but safe when a few choice
words are misdirected at Ryo-Ohki forced the delicate cabbit’s feelings to
affect a highly dangerous colony of shape-shifting creatures in Washu’s lab.
Once the Mass escape, they make a beeline straight for Tenchi.
Tenchi Muyo! FX: Disc 2, Episode 9.8
(1996, unlicensed)
This PC-FX follow-up episode entitled “Crashing Into
Kiyone!” follows Hakura returning to GPHQ after patrol and being the Mihoshi
protégé that she is, manages a rather “crash n’ bang touchdown.” After being
put on suspension without pay, she runs into none other than Mihoshi’s former
partner, Kiyone. Yes, the rumors of her death were greatly exaggerated. As with
the Mihoshi Special, this is no longer in continuity.
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki OVA 2, Episode 11-13 (1994-1995, Pioneer)
The serene and episode first three episodes were only a warm up for the
arrival of the dastardly Dr. Clay and his robotic slave, Zero. The mysterious
Lady Tokimi has grown suspicious of her fellow sister’s, Washu and Tsunami’s,
actions and has ordered Clay to Washu for her. Zero captures and assumes
Ryoko’s identity and infiltrates the Tenchi household, but ultimately fails in
her mission and returns empty handed. The gang track Zero back to Clay’s ship
where they have their big showdown.
In episode 13, just as the quite life begins to return, Ayeka and
Sasami’s parents, Azusa, king of Jurai, and his two wives, Misaki and Funaho,
arrive on Earth dead-set on bringing the girls back home. Unfortunately for
Ayeka, her suitor, Seiryo Tennan, was brought along for the ride and Tenchi has
to face him in a duel. The stakes: Ayeka’s hand in marriage and their ability
to stay on Earth.
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki OVA 2, Episode 13.5 (1995, Pioneer)
Also commonly referred to as 13a, “Here Comes Jurai II” is a
five-minute “picture book” (an audio drama set to a series of slides) that
depicts the epilogue to the second OVA series and sets the stage for the next
series. Unfortunately, eight years would pass for Tenchi fans before the
identity of the man Lady Tokimi and D3 sent to Earth would be revealed.
True Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki, Novels 1-3 (1997-1999,
unlicensed)
Literally known as Shin Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki, this three volume
novelization of the OVA series written by series co-creator, Masaki Kajishima
and second OVA scriptwriter, Kuroda Yosuke offers an in-depth look behind the
back story of the entire OVA universe and firmly establishes Kiyone Misaki as
Tenchi’s mother (not Achika). The first novel, “Jurai,” chronicles Azusa’s
ascension as Jurai’s emperor while the second and third novels, “Yosho” and
“Washu,” follow their respective characters in a similar fashion. Aside from
fully fleshing out Tenchi’s family tree, the first novel also gives a hint of
things yet to come as Tenchi’s son can be seen chatting with Masaki, the sister
of the as-of-yet unnamed First Emperor of Jurai. Two more novels were rumored
to be in development, but they currently seem to be on indefinite hold.
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki OVA 3, Episodes 14-19 (2003-2004, FUNimation)
After years of alternative timelines, the long-promised third OVA
series has finally arrived and completely turned everything in the universe on
its ear. The mysterious warrior summoned by D3 and Tokimi in episode 12 and
13.5 is sent to Earth with a mission to simply observe, not interfere.
Meanwhile, Tenchi reflects back on the unique events in his life and the Masaki
household gets a surprise visitor that brings Tenchi literally to tears.
Further developments arise as more visitors from the Juraian royal
family arrive--this time a few familiar faces from Tenchi Muyo! GXP--and
a new face, Noike, Mihoshi’s former partner and Tenchi’s newly announced
fiancée! Unfortunately, all this stress finally takes its toll on Tenchi and he
collapses leaving his new fiancée to rally the troops in a bid to bring some
order to the chaos in Tenchi’s hectic life.
Although Masaki Kajishima has stated in previous pre-GXP
interviews that Tenchi would finally “choose” one of the girls, the series
producers have since stated that this will definitely not occur in the third
OVA. Still with Tenchi’s grandmother, Seto Kamiki, coming to Earth, anything is
possible. However, judging from the hints given in episode 17 of GXP,
wedding bells might not be ringing for Tenchi, but a serious power boost may be
in order. Currently FUNimation is expecting to begin releasing the newest OVA
in the summer of 2005, just do not expect them to release the special GXP
drama CDs included with the initial print run in Japan.
Tenchi Muyo! GXP: Galaxy Police Transporter, Episode 1-9 (2002,
FUNimation)
Set a year after the events portrayed in the third OVA series, GXP
chronicles the adventures of 15-year old Seina Yamada, the unluckiest guy this
side of Mihoshi, as he strives to become an officer in the Galaxy Police. How
did such an unlucky sap from Earth find himself in such a prestigious
situation? One word: luck.
It all started one day when a Galaxy Police officer
Amane Kaunag’s patrol ship came crashing down from the heavens and into the
lake behind Tenchi’s house resulting in a massive tidal wave that engulfed
Seina. A little implied mouth-to-mouth later and Seina is soon on his way to
becoming one of Galaxy Police’s newest recruits...if he survives basic training
without getting killed by space pirates like Ryoko Balouta or the GP’s own
pompous, pink-haired, windbag, Seiryo Tennan (last seen in getting waterlogged
in OVA episode 13).
Be sure to keep an eye on the supporting cast as a
number of major players in the third OVA are introduced, including: GP
chairwoman, Airi Masaki; Jurai matchmaker/demon princess, Seto Kamiki;
Mihoshi’s mother, Mitoto Kuramitsu; and GP principal, Mikami Kuramitsu.
Tenchi Muyo! GXP: Galaxy Police Transporter, Episode 10-26 (2002,
FUNimation)
As fate would have it, Seina’s bad luck eventually turns out to be his
greatest asset. He is given his own command as the captain of the decoy ship,
the Kamidake. Keeping Seina’s bad luck in check is his space-fairing harem
consisting of the young priestess, Neiju Na Melmas; Seina’s childhood friend,
Kiriko Masaki; Amane; Ryoko; and Ryo-Ohki’s sister, Fuku.
After a short stop-over on Earth to catch up with
the rest of the Tenchi cast in episode 17, Seina’s knack for attracting pirates
is put to the ultimate test as former-GP officer turned quasi-pirate, Seiryo,
constructs a massive ship filled with nothing but objects that signify luck. If
Seina can overcome this obstacle, then Jurai and the Galaxy Police may just get
to put their long-term plans for Seina to good use. Can anyone say “political
wedding?”
Fun Fact: In Japan, AIC actually pulled a reverse-Toonami by actually
removing towels for the DVD release of GXP.
Tenchi Muyo! no Uchiiwai OVA (2003, unlicensed)
A DVD consisting of an intro to the third OVA, staff interviews,
information on other Tenchi projects and a four-part radio drama
involving the Tenchi GXP cast that chronicles Seina’s adventures in
space through the end of the series.
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki OVA 4 (unproduced)
Mr. Kajishima has said that the third OVA would conclude the “first
chapter” of the Tenchi saga and has suggested that a fourth series would
take place after the “Choushin War”--the showdown between three goddesses: Lady
Tokimi, Washu and Tsunami. Currently no other information is known about this
project.
Photon: The Idiot Menace, Episode 1-6 (1997, CPM)
This six-episode OVA, created by the creative team behind Tenchi,
has been long speculated to reside within the confines of the OVA universe. It
is a big universe and always hungry, Photon and his two brides--the fugitive
pilot, Keyne Acqua and sister, Aun--can thwart the likes of the evil and
pompous, Papacharino all they like, right?
While no direct link has yet been made between Photon and Tenchi,
the little guy did crop up in Tenchi In Tokyo (episode 22) along with
Rio and Yuji from Burn Up W.
Dual!: Parallel Trouble Adventure, Episode 1-14 (1999, Pioneer)
A fourteen-episode TV series about a boy named Kazuki Yotsuga that can
see events happening in two universes at once. He later travels to this
universe and is forced to take a rather gender-bending roll as a giant robot
pilot. Tenchi co-creator, Mr. Kajishima has stated that Dual!
does indeed tie into the OVA universe in some way and has even included a cameo
by the Kazuki’s Zinv in GXP. Dual! likewise included cameos by non-OVA
continuity characters Kiyone, Ramia and Misao (episode 14).
El-Hazard: The Magnificent World OVA, Episode 1-7 (1995-1996,
Pioneer)
Long considered to be Tenchi’s sister series, El-Hazard
is the story of Makoto Mizuhara as he, his teacher Mr. Fujisawa, his arch-rival
Jinnai and his best friend Nanami are all transported against their will by the
demon Ifurita into the bewildering new world of El-Hazard--a distant world
wrought by a war between the Kingdom of Roshtaria, the Bugrom Empire and the
phantom tribe.
El-Hazard 2: The Magnificent World OVA, Episode 1-4 (1997,
Pioneer)
Set before the epilogue of the original OVA series, this four-episode
follow-up involves the wedding of Miz and Mr. Fujisawa, the introduction of
another demon god and the sudden appearance of a second Ifurita.
El-Hazard: The Alternate World, Episode 1-13 (1998, Pioneer)
This thirteen-episode, late night TV series follows on directly after
the events of episode four of El-Hazard 2 and shifts nearly the entire
cast into a new, even more bewildering world of adventure--the industrial
kingdom of Creteria.
Saint Knight Story (unproduced)
Tenchi head-honcho, Masaki Kajishima, constantly has other series on
the drawing board and Seikishi Monogatari is no exception. In the same
interview where Mr. Kajishima announced his plans for the Third Tenchi
OVA and the GXP series, he mentioned a project he has had simmering on
the back burner for years that would feature Tenchi’s half-brother in an
alternate universe where humans pilot magically powered mecha.
Tenchi Universe: Tenchi Muyo! TV Series, Episodes 1-10 (1995,
Pioneer)
In 1995, AIC unleashed a 26-episode retelling of the first OVA series
directed by Hiroshi Negishi and utilizing “Retro-70’s-Tokyo Animation,” a slew
of new characters, slightly tweaked situations and tons of sly humor. The
result was Tenchi Universe; a series where there is virtually no doubt
that Tenchi “gets” Ryoko in the end.
The first story arc starts simply enough on Earth as Tenchi’s life goes
from normal to abnormal in just a matter of days. At all starts when scatter-brained
GP officer Mihoshi shoots down Ryoko, wanted space pirate, and the two become
stranded. Princess Ayeka soon arrives after investigating Mihoshi’s distress
signal and gets stranded after a massive space-fight with Ryoko. Ayeka’s
sister, Sasami, an egg-hatched, Ryo-Ohki, the shrine-seal mad scientist/demon,
Washu and Mihoshi’s own partner, Kiyone soon follow to round out the harem.
Ryoko and Ryo-Ohki even get a rival in the form of the bounty hunter, Nagi and
white cabbit/space ship, Ken-Ohki.
It should be pointed out that this entire series is actually told as a
flashback with the very first scene and voice over being repeated in the last
episode.
Tenchi Muyo! TV Volume 1: Mihoshi’s Residence Journal, 49:18 min. (1995)
Featuring both BGM and image songs for the TV series
a special drama detailing Mihoshi’s domestic life on Earth.
Tenchi Muyo! TV Volume 2: Kiyone’s Special Investigative Journal, 57:26 min. (1995)
Features special vocals taken from the cutting room floor and a drama
set back when Mihoshi and Kiyone were still full-time Galaxy Police Officers.
Tenchi Universe: Tenchi Muyo! TV Series, Episodes 11-13 (1995,
Pioneer)
Based on the first Ryo-Ohki CD Special, this stand-alone story
arc chronicles the Tenchi gang’s “Time and Space Adventures” as they traverse
through a series of bizarre alternate realities resulting from the girls
meddling with one of Washu’s unstable dimensional inventions. The resulting
chaos shifts the entire Tenchi crew (minus Washu who is safely back home) into
feudal Japan, as Tenchi must face the evil demon of Rashomon...Ryoko.
As Washu desperately tries to correct the mess, the scene shifts to
Kiyone as she arrives in a port town where she hopes to start life anew, sans
Mihoshi. One quantum leap later and the gang find themselves at school in the
magical world of Pretty Sammy. Anyone hoping for Ayeka and Ryoko to get hot and
heavy are definitely in luck in episode 12.
Episode 13 wraps up the little misadventure, but not before we get to
see Tenchi and Mihoshi married with Sasami as their child and one final world
where Ryoko and Tenchi are the Bonnie and Clyde of 1930s America.
Tenchi Universe: Tenchi Muyo! TV Series, Episodes 14-21 (1995,
Pioneer)
Just when everything was beginning to quite down, a large Juraian ship
appears in the sky and zaps the entire house and everyone inside aboard. Ayeka,
Sasami and Ryoko are all accused of treason by the new leader of Jurai and
arrested by the Jurai’s army on the. Now it is up to Tenchi and his remaining
friends to play the part of the rescue party.
Meanwhile, Kiyone has returned to GP headquarters to claim her
promotion and in turn come face to face with Mitsuki, a once former friend. But
when Kiyone is accused of being one of Ayeka’s rebel supporters, she finds
herself on the lamb with only Mihoshi to turn to.
As the cast struggle to rebuild their lives (and house) aboard Kiyone’s
ship, the Yagami, they fall on even harsher times. Engine troubles, money
troubles, food troubles...even ghost troubles just seem to keep getting them
down as they try to make the long trek towards Jurai.
Tenchi Universe: Tenchi Muyo! TV Series, Episodes 22-26 (1995,
Pioneer)
Even with security at an all-time high across the cosmos, the Tenchi
gang has somehow managed to make it the Juraian solar system. Acting on the
advice of Tenchi’s grandfather, Katsuhito, the gang make their way to a
graveyard planet to revive the legendary knights, Azaka and Kamidake--the
humanoid versions of Ayeka’s own guardians. It is also here that everyone
learns Katsuhito is actually Yosho--the rightful heir to the Juraian thrown.
Having been revealed for the imposter he is, Kagato shows himself and throws
down the gauntlet. Can justice prevail? And even if it does, what shape will
the Tenchi household be in as a result?
Tenchi Muyo! Secret Treasure Chamber, 239:43 min. (1995)
Though this five CD box set includes music from both
Tenchi Universe and the OVA series, the special Director’s Cut
disc that features a short “Kodak Moment” drama taken from the TV series.
Tenchi the Movie: Tenchi Muyo! in Love (1996, Pioneer)
Picking up several months after the end of the TV
series, the merciless criminal Kain has escaped from sub-space and decimated
Galaxy Police Headquarters and has now set his sights on Earth. In the present,
Tenchi pulls a Marty McFly and beings to vanish from existence. Realizing
something must be happening in the past, Washu straps the gang in and sends
them back to the year 1970 where Tenchi must keep an eye out for the arrival of
Kain all while ensuring his mother and father, Achika and Nobuyuki, get
together or else its bye-bye Tenchi.
Fun Fact: A special laserdisc “Memorial Collection” of this film was
released in Japan that features an alternate ending in which Tenchi is doing
katas through the credits and we are given various glimpses of Achika’s wedding
and her life with baby Tenchi.
Tenchi Muyo! in Love, novel (1996, unlicensed)
A Japan-only novelization of the film written by
Hiroshi Negishi.
Tenchi Muyo! “Ryo-Ohki’s Day,” Issues 1-6 (1997, Pioneer)
Set in the Tenchi Universe timeline and occurring after Tenchi
Muyo! in Love, this American-created side-story was commissioned by Pioneer
for their short-lived P Anime Comics line and picks up as Rob, the Cabbit
Hunter, and his dog/spaceship, Astroth, set their sights on adding Ryo-Ohki to
their list of conqueries. Meanwhile, Ryoko is having problems of her own as
Dante, an A-5 class criminal, has his mind dead set on “merging” with Ryoko so
he can pump up his wanted level to A-1 status. Though rare, the entire series
is included as an extra on the Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki DVD Ultimate Edition
box set.
Tenchi The Movie: Tenchi Forever (1999, Pioneer)
At one point, it looked as though this third feature film was going to
be the last Tenchi anime to ever be produced. Luckily for Tenchi heads,
Tenchi Forever, or Tenchi Muyo! in Love 2: A Far Away Feeling as it
is known in Japan, has instead become the perfect cap to the Tenchi Universe
saga. It is also shows the most character growth any of the cast has ever seen.
Tenchi literally disappears for six months and when he finally resurfaces, he
has long hair, has lost his virginity (to the young woman he has been living
with all this time, Haruna) and is now an aspiring artist.
Unaware of this development, Ryoko and Ayeka cannot
stop blaming themselves for the Tenchi leaving. It was their fight that caused
him to run off in the first place and they have even moved to Tokyo and have
been working at a restaurant to make ends meet as they continue their search.
Sasami has returned with Azaka and Kamidake to Jurai to comb the databanks and
learns of a woman that Yosho was forbidden to marry many millennia ago...a
woman named Haruna. What strange connection does Tenchi’s Haruna have to Yosho
and stranger still, the camellia tree Tenchi stumbled across six months ago?
Tenchi Muyo! in Love 2: A Far Away Feeling, novel (1999, unlicensed)
As with the first movie, Hiroshi Negishi also wrote a novel based on
the third film.
Tenchi Muyo! in Love 2: Eternal Memory, manga (1999, unlicensed)
While Eternal Memory’s first half is essentially a retelling of the
movie in manga form, the later half is a completely original story by Tenchi
Universe co-writer/director, Hiroshi Negishi dedicated to chronicling
Sasami’s adventures on Jurai as she and a strange girl named Izumi search for a
way to bring Tenchi back. The manga was written by Tenchi Universe
co-writer/director, Hiroshi Negishi and stands as the last product of the
Negishi continuity.
Tenchi In Tokyo, Episodes 1-13 (1997, Pioneer)
When Tenchi announces that he will be leaving for
Tokyo to attend college and train to be a Shinto priest, the girls are
completely beside themselves. How will they get by without their Tenchi? Sadly,
the thought never entered their minds. They just got Washu to connect Okayama
and Tokyo together with an inter-dimensional tunnel so they could visit him
whenever they want. The only problem is that Tenchi’s new classmate, the
uber-cutie, Sakuya, has the hots for him and the two really hit it off causing
all sorts of chaos in the Tenchi household. To make matters worse, the
mysterious Yugi, a girl living in a spinning palace of crystal, seems to be
intentionally shaping the events somehow.
While at first glance Tenchi In Tokyo (Shin Tenchi Muyo!
in Japan) seems to be directly connected to and even goes so far as to assume
viewers are familiar with Tenchi Universe, the show takes a decidedly
different take on the girls’ origins. In episode 7 and 8, when we learn that
space pirate, Ryoko and her cohort, the scientific genius, Washu had just
stolen a Jurai Light Stone and were shot down by the trailing Juraian
battleships and Galaxy Police shuttles. Rather than be caught, Ryoko uses to
Light Stone to transform into a devilish beast and is only taken down after
Tenchi’s crystal necklace transforms into a massive glowing sword.
Cameo alert: Be sure to keep an eye out for Mr. Fujisawa (of El-Hazard
fame) as one of Tenchi’s college professors.
New No Need For Tenchi Music Volume 1, 65:01 min. (1997)
Includes themes and BGM for Tenchi In Tokyo and a special drama
entitled “How to Win Tenchi’s Heart.”
New No Need For Tenchi Music Volume 2, 59:03 min. (1997)
A second CD featuring more BGM and a follow-up series of drama tracks.
Tenchi In Tokyo, Episodes 14-26 (1997, Pioneer)
While the first half of the series focused too heavenly on inane
slap-stick humor, super deformed action and an uninspired use of Sailor Moon-esque
bad-guys as plots devices--and as some may say, the flat out bizarre choice to
make Ryo-Ohki Sasami’s personal mecha--, the second half of the series features
a very emotional look at Tenchi’s relationship with Sakuya as the Tenchi
household begins to come apart at the seams.
Washu has sealed the inter-dimensional tunnel at Tenchi’s request and
barricaded herself in her lab. Ryoko has gone off into space with Hotsuma, a
fellow space pirate, and Kiyone and Mihoshi have been promoted to the Pluto
station, leaving Ayeka struggling to come to grips with the state of things.
But there seems to be an even more bothersome development involving Sasami’s
new friend, Yugi, and her link to a recent attack on the Tenchi household. For
all Tenchi In Tokyo’s faults, the ending remains a treat to behold.
Fun Fact: Sakura is the first girl Tenchi ever
kissed on-screen (episode 16). Their kiss beats the kiss shared between Tenchi
and his daughter, Mayuka in the second movie by almost a month.
Shin Tenchi Muyo!, Novel (1998, unlicensed)
Following the release of Tenchi In Tokyo,
Sekijima Mayori--the person responsible for ensuring overall structure of the
series--authored a single volume novelization of the series simply entitled, Shin
Tenchi Muyo!
The Wanderers: El-Hazard TV Series, Episode 1-26 (1995-1996,
Pioneer)
In a move similar to that seen with Tenchi
Universe, El-Hazard was remade into a 26-episode series that did
away with Makoto’s cross-dressing, the entire Phantom Tribe sub-plot, made
Ifurita in a mindless goon and de-aged Princess Rune into Makoto’s main love
interest. Even the way the group gets to El-Hazard is different as Makoto is
now an inventor and Jinnai sabotages his latest experiment sending them on
their merry dimension hoping way. The series does feature several cameos by Pretty
Sammy including a poster in the first episode and a concert at the Water Shrine
in episode 7. This series can be considered a part of this timeline as Mr.
Fujisawa makes the comment “[...] maybe Tenchi's fallen into the magnificent
world” in Tenchi In Tokyo episode 9. It’s unlikely that the OVA Fujisawa
would want to return to Japan, but The Wanderers version would.
Tenchi & Friends Special: Magical Girl Pretty Sammy, OVA Episodes 1-3
(1995-1997, Pioneer)
Set in a new reality apart from the one seen in the Mihoshi Special,
young grade school student, Sasami Kawaii has been chosen to be a Magical Girl
by Tsunami of the Magical Kingdom of Juraihelm. There is just one problem,
Sasami is just too embarrassed that her friends might see her to do a proper
job and not even her guide, Ryo-Ohki (now a talking male cabbit!), can hope to
sway her. To make matters worse, her best friend, Misao has been has become her
ultimate rival, Pixy Misa! The rest of the gang is also along for the ride with
Tenchi now being cast as Sasami’s girl-plagued older brother and Ayeka as a
stuck-up class representative.
In the bizarre second OVA, Pretty Sammy must fight Biff Standard as he
tries to enslave the world into using his “Standardized” computer operating system.
The final OVA has Sasami falling for a cute boy named Makoto (no relation to
the El-Hazard character of the same name) in a fan service filled beach
adventure.
Magical Girl Pretty Sammy 01: In The Earth (1996, unlicensed)
Released for the PlayStation, Sega Saturn and Windows 95 and set before
the second OVA episode continuity (i.e. Tenchi is Sasami’s brother and her mom
is a karaoke fiend), this two episode digital comic follows Sasami as she
continues getting involved in ever-more embarrassing missions. While episode
one features a visit by grandpa, episode two features a truly bizarre fight
between Sammy and Naomi Armitage (from Armitage III).
Magical Girl Pretty Sammy 02: In The Juraihelm (1996, unlicensed)
Picking up where the first game left off, Misao has
been revealed to be Pixy Misa and has been whisked away to Juraihelm by Ramia
for a magical lobotomy. Now it’s up to Sasami and the rest of her family and
friends to journey to Juraihelm for a full-scale assault. Must see
Rock-Paper-Scissors-style battles: Pretty Sammy vs. Dark Sammy and Sammy’s
climatic final showdown against Ramia.
Magical Project S, Episodes 1-26 (1996-1997, Pioneer)
Starting over from scratch, the Pretty Sammy TV
Series, renamed Magical Project S in North America, is a highly
enjoyable 26-episode shoujo romp much akin to the likes of Sailor Moon and
Cardcaptor Sakura, which is ironically what the concept was originally
meant to spoof. This incarnation takes the core concept that Sasami is trying to
bring peace to the Earth and makes it actually go somewhere. Pixy Misa is still
trying to put a wrench into any of Sammy’s actions, but halfway through, the
series takes a drastic turn after Sammy actually accomplishes Tsunami’s lofty
goal of bringing peace to the world.
Tenchi characters do crop up every so often, but their
appearances are few and far between and are less forced than they were in the
OVA. Sasami’s family has also been revised with her mom being a general
housewife instead of an eccentric karaoke queen.
No Need For Tenchi! Vol. 1-6 (1993-1997, VIZ)
Unlike other series that start as a manga first and then branch off
into the anime field, Tenchi did things a tad in reverse and thus
Hitoshi Okuda was tapped to continue the adventures of the Tenchi gang on from
OVA episode six. While Mr. Okuda does go to great lengths to add elements from
later Tenchi releases-- such as Taro and the Jurai royal family from the
second OVA and Ayeka’s curly blue hair from the True Tenchi novels--events
portrayed in the manga have no barring on cannon OVA continuity.
The first two volumes feature the arrival of Minagi, a dead ringer for
Ryoko who develops amnesia after attacking the group, and her master, the
warrior Yakage. Volume three spotlights Sasami comes to the aid of a wolf in
need of help and later shifts it’s setting into the alternate universe of the Pretty
Sammy series.
The next three volumes shift things into “Samurai
Space Opera” mode as the gang assist the lovely Princess Asahi in her quest to
find her father, master woodcutter, Takebe and must do battle with the evil
super-genius, Yume.
No Need For Tenchi! Vol. 7-12 (1997-2000, VIZ)
Volume 7, “Tenchi in Love,” simply defies timeline
placement as it trashes any established continuity by trying to include Kiyone
in the OVA series without any establishment as to whom she is while at the same
time breaking the fifth wall every few pages for comic relief. From here the
series takes a less structured turn and offers a few side-stories, including:
Sasami being invited to compete in an Iron Chef-esque short (Vol. 8),
the return of Ryoko’s lost love, Ibara (Vol. 9) and a cautionary, yet fun
environmental tale (Vol. 10) before everything wraps up in the final two-volume
arc involving a villain named Garyu who is dead-set on brainwashing Ayeka.
Tenchi Muyo! Sasami Stories (2003, VIZ)
A collection of Hitoshi Okuda’s best Sasami stories
with 4-panel shorts (known as koma) sprinkled in between.
The All-New Tenchi Muyo!, Vol. 1-6 (2001-Present,
VIZ)
Picking up with a new title, Hitoshi Okuda’s
follow-up series is actually still being released in Japan and offers more of
the same great fun that the original series offered. The first two volumes are
comprised mostly of side-stories, but the last two chapters and the entire
third volume are comprised of the highly enjoyable “Dark Washu” saga in which a
black crystal that the great scientist created five thousand years ago returns
as a fully-sentient life form and has taken on the persona of its creator--only
with a nicer tan. Volume four features the aftermath as the dark killing
machine is transformed into the adorable Tama and Ryoko is none-to-pleased.
With the next two volumes forthcoming, expect a major spotlight on Ayeka in
volume six and a few new faces to crop up in-between.
The Hasegawa Universe
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki, Novel 1-5 (1993-1996,
unlicensed)
Shortly after the conclusion of the first OVA
series, scriptwriter, Naoko Hasegawa, felt differently about how the Tenchi
saga should progress and voluntarily handed the project completely over to Mr.
Kajishima. She later decided to continue on from the sixth OVA with a series of
original novels and thus another OVA timeline was born.
In Ms. Hasegawa’s first of thirteen novels, “One
Visitor After Another: Hexagram Of Love,” the gang is introduced to Kiyone
Makibi and welcomes her warmly into their fold. The next two novels, “Change Is
Life” parts 1 and 2, serve as a re-cap of the first OVA series before moving
into new territory. The next two-parter, “Tenchi’s Gone Insane?!,” has Tenchi
going off the deep end over the girls’ continuity escalating antics--this time
involving him using the bathroom. Tenchi hops aboard Ryo-Oh-Ki and pretty much
gets attacked by the Space Pirate, Seiran, and is subsequently captured by the
Queen of Night, a being with the very power to bring a persons’ innermost
darkness into the light. Could Tenchi really be the person responsible for his
mother’s death?
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki, Novel 6-10 (1995-1997,
unlicensed)
The sixth novel, “The Lord of Chaos,” was actually
published before the second “Gone Insane” novel and has Mihoshi causing Washu’s
favorite RPG to go haywire and thrusting everyone inside the game. “Even a
Monkey Can Conquer the World,” novel seven, has Kagato’s son arriving on Earth
ready for vengeance, while book eight, “The Kids’ Life,” focuses on showcasing
the daily lives of the Tenchi gang as seen through the entries of Sasami’s
diary.
As the ninth novel’s title implies, “Hawaii
Vacation” finds the gang heading off to Hawaii where Tenchi and Ayeka spend the
time trying to fend off the advances of a rather open-minded couple. Book ten,
“The Stable Bride,” finds Sasami not enjoying school as much and Ayeka trying
to fend off one of her groupies.
Tenchi Muyo! Manatsu no Eve, Novel (1997, unlicensed)
Published in the summer of 1997, this novel acts as
the basis for the Daughter of Darkness movie and results in major
decision to be made later in the series.
Tenchi the Movie 2: Daughter of Darkness (1997, Pioneer)
Though the compatible with both the TV and OVA
series, the second Tenchi feature takes place within Naoko Hasegawa’s
divergent OVA reality. The story revolves around the unlocking the mystery of a
young girl named Mayuka who appears before Tenchi one day claiming to be his
daughter. As absurd as it sounds, DNA testing proves that Mayuka is whom she
claims to be sending Ryoko and Ayeka into an even further fit of jealous rage.
Lurking in the darkness though is Yuzuha, a demon who wants nothing more than
to settle a 700-year grudge against Tenchi’s grandfather, Yosho, and Yuzuha
will use any means necessary to settle the score...even using Mayuka as a
puppet to drag Tenchi away to the Dimension of Darkness. But Yuzuha did not
count on the rest of the girls coming to Mayuka’s rescue.
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki, Novel 11-12 (1997-1998,
unlicensed)
In “No Sickness Breathes Disaster,” we find Kiyone
contemplating her life as Christmas wraps up in the Tenchi household. And as
the story draws to a close in the final volume, “Dreamscape,” Tenchi is left to
decide where he and his baby girl, Mayuka, belong, and with whom.
The Rest of the Omniverse
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki Gokuraku (1995, unlicensed)
A multimedia gallery and trivia game for the Sega Saturn based on the
first OVA series. Contains images, sound files and dossier
information--essentially it is a Tenchi Encyclopedia.
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki Gokuraku 2 (1996, unlicensed)
A computer game for Windows 95
Unlike the first Gokuraku, this Windows 95 follow-up takes a
different approach by including movies, artwork, screen savers and a fun filled
Zelda-esque RPG featuring the Tenchi cast in a medial ages
setting as they square off against Kagato once more.
Tenchi Muyo! Mimiri Onsen Yukemuri no Tabi (1996, unlicensed)
While this is one of the earlier Tenchi releases for the Sega
Saturn, it is also one of the hardest to place continuity wise. Featuring both
Kiyone and Pretty Sammy as well as elements such as the Light-Hawk Wings and
plenty of fourth wall breaking antics, the basic plot involves the girls
learning about a cool onsen (hot spring) on a foreign planet and have decided
to drag Tenchi along for kicks.
Tenchi Muyo! Toko Muyo (1996, unlicensed)
Plan and simple Toko Muyo (loosely translated as “No Need for
School”) is a Tenchi dating sim. Released for Windows 95, Sega Saturn
and PlayStation, this unique game begs to answer the burning question, “which
of the six lovely ladies would Tenchi date if they all went to school with
him?” Just don’t be too surprised if the story focuses primarily on Tenchi’s
relationship with Sasami-chan (in the guise of exchange student Tsunami).
Tenchi Muyo! Toko Muyo Aniraji Collection (1997, unlicensed)
A special edition of the Sega Saturn version of Toko
Muyo that included a soundtrack and other goodies.
Tenchi Muyo! Rensa Hitsuyou (1997, unlicensed)
A puzzle game similar to Tetris and Puyo Puyo for the Sega
Saturn set in the Tenchi Universe timeline. Kiyone is an active
participant and Lady Achika is unlockable.
Tenchi Muyo! In Pocket (1997, unlicensed)
A hand-held product similar to Tamagotchi virtual pets that
allows the user to hatch, raise and care for their very own Ryo-Ohki.
A CCG that allows players to pit characters from the various Tenchi
Muyo! series against characters, objects and places from Bubblegum
Crisis, Ranma ½, El-Hazard, Phantom Quest Corp., Project A-Ko,
Armitage III, Dominion: Tank Police, Oh My Goddess!, and
Dragon Ball Z.
CHISA and the Heaven & Earth Band Live in L.A., (1997, Pioneer)
A special U.S. concert in which Sasami/Pretty Sammy voice actor, Chisa
Yokoyama performed various Tenchi songs in front of a live audience.
Though the VHS and Laserdisc release feature no actual story elements, it does
give U.S. audiences their first glimpse of the Pretty Sammy TV Series,
later renamed Magical Project S. Chances of this title being brought to
DVD are slim-to-none (just like that of Crimson Blade).
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki Comic Anthology (1998, unlicensed)
An official doujinshi collection released by the publisher AIC Club. It
features an assortment of works by a wide array of artists and writers but has
no barring on any known continuity.
AIC’s short-lived manga quarterly featuring manga series based upon Pretty
Sammy, Tenchi Muyo!, El-Hazard and various other series
combined with facts and information on upcoming AIC projects. A number of these
shorts feature work done by Kiyohiko Azuma, of Azumanga Daioh fame, and
were later reprinted in his own two-volume collection, Azumanga Recycle.
ALTERNATE ARTICLE TITLES
1.) Love Muyo! - Or How to
Build a Harem of Girls in 50 Universes or Less
2.) Star Warz - The Ultimate Tenchi Chronology
3.) Cabbits and Choushin and Space Pirates--Oh My! - Your Guide to
Preventing Tenchi Overload