Anime Colony: Tenchi Muyo!

Exclusive review: Inu-Yasha:
Rumiko Takahashi's (Ranma 1/2, Maison Ikkoku, Mermaid Tales) new hit TV series in Japan

  Rating: PG
  U.S. Distribution Rights: Pioneer Entertainment
  Genres: Sci-Fi, Comedy

Tenchi Muyo! (OVA)

Description: Young Tenchi is just a normal, albeit somewhat serious kid. Until of course, the inevitable happens and Tenchi awakens a 3,000-year old demon legend, who turns out to be not a demon at all, but an infamous female alien thief. A female alien thief named Ryoko. But when Tenchi's father invites Ryoko to stay, it looks like things can't be worse... that is until they're joined by Princess Ayeka, her little sister Sasami, Ryo-ohki, and a few others... all vying for Tenchi's attention, and it isn't long before the group's powers are tested against some cosmic criminals.

Overall Grade: 94% (A)

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The Tenchi Muyo in Love (Movie) Review
The Tenchi Muyo!: Mihoshi Special (OVA) Review
The Tenchi Universe (TV) Review
The Tenchi the Movie 2: The Daughter of Darkness (Movie) Review

Reviewer: Clyde Adams III
Episodes reviewed: 1-13; series

Grade: 94% (A)

Tenchi Muyo! Is a mix of the comic and the serious, highly recommended. Production values and characterization are very good. Tenchi Masaki goes to peek in the forbidden vault of his family's shrine, where a demon is supposedly confined. He inadvertently frees the entity, which turns out to be an extraterrestrial, in the form (when restored) of a youthful human woman. This sets in motion a chain of events which brings many extraterrestrials to Tenchi, seeking to settle old scores and renew old plans, and forces Tenchi to face his own extraterrestrial ancestry and his hidden powers. He and his new friends have dramatic confrontations with very powerful villians.

At the same time, events make Tenchi the center of attention for a group of beautiful, youthful extraterrestrial women living in his house. All the elements of romantic tension and romantic comedy are here, and they are put to good use. The women fight and scheme over Tenchi. Their individual characters are well developed as the episodes unfold. Tenchi remains a sympathetic, likeable young man, knowing himself to be out of his depth, but determined to do the right thing. Tenchi shows friendship but no partiality to his guests, and tries to protect them at great risk to himself.