-Back to Main-

Anime DVD Review: Tenchi Muyo - 13 episode Original OVA Series

Note: At time of writing, a remaster for disc 2 of this set is currently available, but this review is based off original version still. The flaw on the original disc 2 was the English dub was VERY out of synch with the video in episode 7, but since I was watching in Japanese this was not of concern for this review. Replacements are available for those with faulty discs.

Video:
Being an old OVA series, overall I was surprised pleasantly with the quality of the video. Over the 13 episodes, there was a fair few artefacts about the place, probably due to the age and condition of the video materials. There were a couple of instances of bad aliasing, but overall through the whole show it wasn’t too bad. The picture seemed a little grainy in a couple of places at times, and there were also few rainbows I noticed. Now reading that you may think there’s a fair bit, but remember this is over all the 30 min+ 13 episodes and considering the shows age I think its been handled quite well.

Packaging:
The ‘collection’ is packed into a digipack. It’s a large box that’s the equivalent size of two DVD cases stuck together. The discs are held inside by two plastics holders, that each holds one disc per side. The front cover of the pack boasts most of the shows main characters whilst the back cover gives a little information about the show, a group picture and some information about the DVD itself.

Menus:
The menu for the first three discs begins with Tenchi and the group sliding into place at the right of the screen with a sky moving quickly behind them. A screen appears to the left allowing users to select what they would like to do. Everything loads up nice and fast and there are no transitional menus. The same menu is used for the first three volumes. The extras DVD is just a simple screen that shows the way to the different areas of the disc.

Extras:
As there is no extras bar the Madman Propaganda on each of the three discs, all of the extras are on the fourth disc, the ‘Tenchi Encyclopedia v3.0”. The disc has a few sections, so I’ll give a brief summary of each. The first section is the “Personal Files”, which gives a few screenshots, video clips and text information about all of the main characters from all of the Tenchi series. The disc does not just cover these Tenchi OVA’s, but the two Tenchi TV series, movies and the OVA specials. It also has a good feature to view any of the video clips in English or Japanese, though while for this show I would choose Japanese I refrained, as unfortunately it doesn’t boast any subtitles. The second section is the “Visual Records” which is just a collection of trailers, promos and interviews. The “Geographical Data” that comes next allows a viewer to look around the various areas as seen in the show. The last area, the “Secret Files” just has a trailer for the 2^nd Tenchi movie but more importantly, a FAQ section answering many interesting questions – definitely worth checking out! Though just a note, this disc is only in the NTSC format, so those with PAL only DVD’s and\or TV’s might need to check this out on a DVD-ROM or a friend’s setup.

Content:

Comments such as, ‘a classic’, ‘what many series inspire to be’ and ‘one of the best series ever’ are all things I had heard about the original Tenchi Muyo OVA’s before I had even pre-ordered this title. Would I agree with this assessment? Read on… 

Tenchi Misaki is a boy who trains everyday with his grandfather at their shrine. Ever since he was a boy he has wanted to look inside the locked cave nearby that was rumoured to hold a demon sealed there by Tenchi’s ancestors. In reality the demon is Ryoko, a space pirate, and the one who sealed her there was Yosho, Tenchi’s grandfather. Tenchi naturally releases Ryoko who begins causing him all sorts of trouble.

Soon after we are introduced to Ayeka and Sasami, two princesses of Jurai. Ayeka is searching for Yosho, her half brother because he left their planet to battle Ryoko. Ayeka finds Ryoko on Earth and attacks, hoping she will provide a clue to where Yosho is. Ryoko uses Ryo-ohki, her spaceship, to cause Ayeka to crash into the planet destroying her own ship. This is course leads to all these women being forced to live in Tenchi’s home.

Lucky you might think? Darn right! Sure some strange things happen, like Mihoshi the rather simple minded detective of the Galaxy Police turning up to live with them and not to mention Washu, Ryoko’s 20,000 year old mother\creator and genius of the universe. But still when you look at it, Tenchi’s living with a whole lot of beautiful women!

Tenchi Muyo is an entertaining comedy relying a lot on sexual humour, for all the girls seem to want Tenchi on some level. There is a lot of action about the place with evil megalomaniacs bent on ruling the universe and evil doctor’s and their ancient jug fetishes turning up on Earth’s doorstep. No matter how you look at it, Tenchi Muyo is a whole lot of fun. 

So, a classic? For sure! A great inspiration for animators? I can sure see why! One of the best series ever? Definitely. Highly recommended.

Anime Inferno is developed and managed by: Adam Hicks, MCMXCIX - MMIII. All rights reserved.