IrisNo11

Twenty-six years ago, the Masaki family died out. A young teenage girl named Achika Masaki has disappeared, and in the near future, so did her son, Tenchi. Now, Tenchi, Ryoko, Ayeka, Sasami, Kiyone, and Mihoshi must travel back to 1970, to save not only Achika, but also their own lives as well. With the help of scientific genius, Washu, Tenchi and the gang will travel back in time to save the Masaki family from the evil and sinister Kain.

Intersting...isn't it?

The fist Tenchi film made, but the second I saw after seeing "Tenchi Forever!". I was more pleased with this one. It's filled with more twists and turns, and has more action...especially the battle against Kain.

Unlike "Tenchi Forever", this film is less dramatic and more comedy...which is what Tenchi is pretty much known for although the series itself has it's dramtic moments. Of course, this film has it's dramatic times as well as it goes towards the ending. And of course, the film ends with a sweet melody called "Alchemy of Love".

Also, the DVD version of this movie has more information than "Tenchi Forever!". :) I highly recommend it to Tenchi fans who have DVD players!!!! **grin**

Tenchi Masaki is going to Tokyo for school, which saddens his friends, especially space pirate Ryoko and Juri Princess Ayeka (who are both known for tying to win Tenchi's love and affection). To make matters look brighter, scientific genius Washu creates a Dimension that can take anyone from the Masaki home to Tenchi's flat in Tokyo. Yet Tenchi seems like he wants nothing to do with any of them, especially Ryoko and Ayeka. In Tokyo, Tenchi becomes smitten with a young girl named Sakuya. Of course, this greatly provokes aggressive fury from both Ryoko and Ayeka. Mysertiously, however, as Tenchi and Sakuya become closer, Ryoko, Ayeka, Sasami, Kiyone, Mihoshi, and Washu are growing further apart from each other. This once-close-knit family friendship is dying...and now there's another even greater mystery...and her name is Yugi.

"Tenchi In Tokyo", like the other two series, is funny and has witty humor in it. Not to mention, a few cat fights between Ryoko and Ayeka, although in episodes like "The Eternal Pledge", the two team up with each other to rescue Tenchi from odd creatures. Then of course, there is Kiyone and her ditzy sidekick, Mihoshi, who still gets poor Kiyone caught up in a web of disaster.

However, "Tenchi In Tokyo" lacks what the other series has featured and totally turned the whole idea plot around. For one, when did Washu and Ryoko end up being a team in the beginning? In "Tenchi Universe", Ryoko landed on Earth alone, and Washu didn't come until after a few more episodes. Then of course, there's Ryo-Oki...in this series, he was with Sasami and Ayeka. In "Universe" he came after Ryoko teased Tenchi about being pregnant with Tenchi's child after come into the kitchen with Ryo-Oki's egg. Then finally, there's Ayeka and Sasami. In this series, Sasami was with Ayeka when she came to Earth, yet in "Universe", Ayeka came to Earth alone. Sasami came later looking for Ayeka. Same goes for Mihoshi and Kiyone.

So, the whole entire plot has changed almost in "Tenchi In Tokyo" which kind of ruined the whole entire "Tenchi" saga. Then there is the animation - not quite as sharp as it is in "Universe" and in "Muyo!" if you ask me. Also, it lacks feelings more. Like in "Universe" for example with the final episode, it finally reflected Tenchi's true feelings for both Ayeka and Ryoko, though his feelings for Ryoko seems more touching than Ayeka's. Not to mention, it shows even more in the "Zero" episodes from "Muyo!". "Tenchi In Tokyo" is more comedy than serious which is good...and their episodes aren't as emotionally tear-jerking like a few they have in the other two series (i.e. "There's No Need For Memories" or "There's No Need For Ghosts" from "Tenchi Universe").

I do like "Tenchi In Tokyo", and I can do without Sakuya 100% - who is perhaps the most annoying character to ever happen to Tenchi - besides Haruna, but thank God Haruna's just from a movie. "Tenchi In Tokyo" isn't as impressive as "Universe" and "Muyo!", but it'll do for "Tenchi" fans. At least, they didn't leave out the humor and action and excitement it always has been known for! :)

Tenchi Masaki is your average school boy who lives with his grandfather, who is a Shinto Priest, and his father. His mom died when he was a young boy, and his grandfather is teaching him how to be like him. One day, something falls from the sky and arrives on Earth. It's the infamous Space Pirate, Ryoko. Once Ryoko is welcome into the Masaki home, she finds herself in love with Tenchi. Soon, other girls from outer space joins in the fun...taking Tenchi on the ride of his life!

Besides Ryoko, Tenchi is joined by:

Ayeka - the crown princess of Juri who also finds herself attached to Tenchi and will do anything to win his heart away from Ryoko. Of course because of this, she and Ryoko are always getting into cat fights! :)

Sasami - Ayeka's little sister, who is also a princess. She is the youngest, yet she finds herself being the nurturer of the household - doing all the house work and even cooking delicious meals for everyone.

Ryo-Oki - a cabbit (a rabbit who "meows" like a kitty cat, but LOVES carrots), who is the Masaki pet, but also Ryoko's space ship. Ryo-Oki also found a friend in Sasami, and a boyfriend in Nagi's cabbit (forgot his name!!!).

Washu - the scientist who invents some of the worlds most craziest (i.e. Meca-Washu, who ended up being like Mihoshi) and sometimes dangerous invention (i.e. a device that could destroy an entire planet from the last episode "No Need For A Conclusion"). She is also said to be Ryoko's creator.

Kiyone - Galaxy Policewoman, who finds herself caught in a web of disaster thanks to her partner, Mihoshi.

Mihoshi - Kiyone's partner, who seems to have an IQ of a bag of dirt and is always saved by pure luck. It took her quite a few episodes to finally figure out that Ryo-Oki was a girl. Not to mention, she is the reason why Meca-Washu was a bust.

"Tenchi Universe" is the best of series I think. Plus, it has everything from lots of lots of laughs, a bit of emotional tear jerking like when audiences learn about Tenchi's mom's death ("No Need For Memories"), and of course, love ("No Need For Ryoko" and "No Need For Conclusion"). Then again...there are a few things that Japan has that America doesn't - nudity when the girls are bathing in the bath house, a bit more shed of blood, etc. Of course this is forbidden to be shown since it's on Cartoon Networks "Toonami" hours, and America treats this stuff as the ultimate taboo!

As for Tenchi's feelings for Ryoko and Ayeka...I personally think that Ryoko has truly won his heart. You can tell by the way Tenchi looks at her in the last couple of episodes, espeically when she embraces him in a forest of Cherry Blossom trees, and they walk close together holding hands with little cabbit, Ryo-Oki, following. Also when she does all she can to rescue Tenchi, who was tied up in a coffin, from her arch-rival, bounty hunter, Nagi.

An enjoyable series FOR ALL ANIME FANS...especially best when you watch it in Japanese - thanks to the magic of DVD!!! :) No need for bad reviews here - "Tenchi Universe" is a true delight!!! :)