Product Details

• Actors: Masami Kikuchi, Ai Orikasa, K.T. Vogt, Richard Cansino, Rebecca Forstadt
• Directors: Hiroshi Negishi
• Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Letterboxed, THX, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), Japanese (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Geneon [Pioneer]
• DVD Release Date: October 5, 1999
• Run Time: 95 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (141 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00000JKNX
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,596 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Tenchi Forever - Tenchi the Movie" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Romance Movie Ever--Truly A Masterpiece, January 20, 2001

By 

David Baker (Nosgoth) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tenchi Forever [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I've heard that this is the final chapter to the Tenchi Muyo! saga I cherish so deeply... and then I heard that there's another OAV series in the making, which practically made me do cartwheels. Either way, I guess that's irrelevant since I'm reviewing this movie... but let it be known I'm VERY happy about learning this. Anyways, since everyone's already given the whole story away, I guess I'll do the same, heh. At the beginning of the film, Tenchi and the gang are sweeping at the Masaki shrine, and, as usual, Ryoko and Ayeka start fighting... this time, about a broom. They continue to argue until they want to settle it once and for all: they demand to know who Tenchi really loves. Tenchi does the sensible thing: he runs like hell. After taking off faster than Michael Johnson at the Olympics, he runs up to a tree that pulls him in... and he completely disappears. Next thing you know, it's six months later, and Tenchi's still missing. Tenchi isn't really missing though, he's in another world, a fantasy world, if you will. Difference being, he's older... and with another woman, Haruna, who created this alternate world. Ryoko and Ayeka are still looking for him all this time, and when they finally do see him (thanks to Washu and her Tenchi-tracker), he doesn't see them, he doesn't hear them, and he disappears yet again... and again and again. After this happens a few times, Tenchi goes into the little diner the two are working at (!), and he sits with his mystery woman at a booth. Ryoko and Ayeka still can't get to him though, even when Ryoko goes to grab him, her arms just go right through him. Of course, Haruna can see the two, and looks none too pleased about them, either. Ryoko and Ayeka learn from Washu, that the two worlds intertwine at times, due to Tenchi's lingering memory, allowing them to see him. With a little assist from Washu (and Kiyone, Mihoshi, and Tenchi's grandfather, Yosho [or whatever he's calling himself these days]), the two can go into that dimension allowing Tenchi to see them... of course, Haruna kidnapped and brainwased Tenchi in the first place, and it deosn't take a scientific genius like Washu to figure out she's not gonna to give him up so willingly. The story of Tenchi Forever: Tenchi The Movie III is as solid as a love story gets. In fact, it's THE best love story I have ever seen. I know what you're thinking: "Wha?! A love story?! But this is Tenchi Muyo!, not Titanic!" Oh, how very true, but unlike Titanic, you'll actually love this story, it's very heart-warming, sad, and beautiful all at the same time. What made the Tenchi Muyo! saga popular--the humor--is completely missing in this film. Even the fight scenes got as much time as the romace aspects in the Tenchi Muyo! saga... just not in this movie. I think the only time I laughed was when I saw Washu's devices to open up the parallel dimension for Ryoko an Ayeka, and even then, I didn't exactly roll in laughter (I chuckled). And guess what? There were no battles at all. The story is deeply rooted in romance, and honestly, I would not have wanted it any other way: the romance was why I loved this film so much. The character development in Tenchi Forever (Ryoko's, Ayeka's, Haruna's, and Tenchi's and his grandpa's, to be specific) shines with depth, personality, and lots of real emotion (they always have, but not quite like this). You REALLY feel sorry for Ryoko and Ayeka throughout this film. I hated Haruna at first: "Hey... why'd she kidnap and brainwash the Tenchinator? Hey! She seduced Tenchi! HEY!!! She gave an evil grin to my Ryoko! Grrr!" This, obviously, proves that she made one great villian... or was Haruna even a villian? No, she isn't really a villian at all. At the end of the film, you feel for Haruna as well, she's like all of us, in a way... she just doesn't want to be alone (something we all can relate to). The way she came about, through Yosho's past, was utterly brilliant. Even though her character only came out in this one film, she was very well constructed and held her own with the main characters. It just goes to show how beautifully written this story really is. When I think back on the story as a whole, it's actually pretty sad (not as sad as, say, Grave Of The Fireflies [which I admit to crying like a little girl after viewing], but sad nonetheless). The part were Ryoko goes back for me (err, I mean Tenchi, heh... sorry, wrong fantasy world there...) one last time was really touching. Okay... so what about the animation and dubbing, you ask? Well, the animation is beautiful. It's not as rich in detail as some of the other movie epics (Akira, Ghost In The Shell, etc.), but it's very colorful and looks just amazing. The rich backgrounds and vibrant colors really make this film come to life. The characters look a lot better here too compared to the previous Tenchi Muyo! stuff, which is always a nice bonus. The dubbing is absolutely flawless, not once did I think "This is great, but it would be better if this character shut their mouth when the voice comes out right there" like so many of us do to other anime titles (*cough-Sailor Moon-cough*). The voice actors aren't just actors, they really seem like they are their own character--why can't all anime dubbing be like this? *sigh* Thank Pioneer for actually caring about their products... they did one really amazing job here, folks. Even the film's soundtrack is amazing (a really nice change from the lame J-pop that usually accompanies anime), there's some very beautiful piano work to this film. Anyways, to sum it up, the animation is bright and colorful, top-notch stuff; and the dubbing is better than perfect. After watching Tenchi Forever: Tenchi The Movie III I came to one conclusion: this is the second best anime movie I have ever seen (first being Akira, which, let's face it, will never be topped). I honestly loved this movie that much. The story is beautiful and touching, I'm sure that will put off some people expecting humor and great action, which is one major loss for them... honestly, I have never seen a love story as half as good as this. Consider yourself cheated if you don't watch this.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Love Story, April 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Tenchi Forever - Tenchi the Movie (DVD)

I almost did not buy this DVD because of the many bad reviews from those who claimed to be big fans of Tenchi. Boy, am I glad I did not listen to the "fans" who hated this movie. I am too a fan of Tenchi. Having collected the OVA set and the first two movies, I decided to buy this movie despite the bad reviews. I have watched the movie three times and am still touched by it. It is a beautiful love story. Though it does not have the kind of actions (violence and gore) that some anime fans are used to (or look for), it is still true to the story of Tenchi. If this is the last of the Tenchi series, so be it; I thought this is a good place to stop; I like to remember all of the characters I have grown so very fond of in this series, living together happily ever after. Yes, this Tenchi movie is on the serious side...but it is still Tenchi...and one of the best in the series. If you have grown to care for the Tenchi and his friends, you will enjoy this Movie.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Movie to Last Forever, September 24, 2000

By 

"mrgarage" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tenchi Forever - Tenchi the Movie (DVD)

The first Tenchi Muyo movie gave audiences what they expected - action, fun, and fighting. Tenchi Muyo Forever, the third and last movie, breaks new ground and measures up to its predecessors without imitating them.

Rather than using the same formula as the first two, TMF explores the boundaries between love, happiness, and dreams in a similar style as the Urusei Yatsura movie Beautiful Dreamer. These themes are skillfully woven together into an engaging story about Tenchi's loves.

Instead of big bad villains and epic battles, expect to find better development of all the TM characters. What brought Tenchi's grandfather to earth? Can love be real when love is blind? Who is Tenchi's true love and more importantly, why? These questions and more are answered satisfactorily and consistent with the rest of the TM series.

For traditional TM fans looking for action and general silliness, you'll see a lot less of it here. But don't let this discourage you from seeing this movie. The characters are all there and plenty of interesting things are happening. However, this movie does demand a little more thought to extract everything it has to offer.Subtlties abound within the movie, so pay close attention to catch everything.

Tenchi Muyo Forever aspires to and succeeds at being a film rather than just a movie. It successfully intertwines several love stories into a single drama. It is a very worthy finale to the Tenchi Muyo saga.

For all of the reasons stated above, I rate this film the best of the three TM movies, with 5 very solid stars.