Customer Reviews

Tenchi Universe - The Complete Boxed Set (Vols. 1-8)

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

With the popularity of the original "Tenchi Muyo" OAV, it was only natural that Pioneer would want to rack in the cash and create a TV series. Thus enter "Tenchi Universe". This is a 26-episode series which retells the first 6 episodes of the OAV series. All of the characters have been modified to a degree from their OAV counter-parts as has the story. I call it "Tenchi Light" because it lacks the subtle depths of the OAV series, however it stands up well on its own. It is funnier than the OAV series which helps it quite a bit.

As far as the DVD's go, I'm annoyed that Pioneer decided that most of them should only contain three episodes! This is such an outrage! There are a few extras on the DVDs, but lets face it, I'd rather have at least 4 (if not 5) episodes per DVD. But they make more money by spreading it out so far.

Another complaint I have is Pioneer's lack of concern for the English subtitles. I didn't care for the English dub because I've seen all of the series in Japanese and thus am attached to hearing those voice actors speak. It is sad that at times the subtitles are unreadable due to their poor font/color choices. Also, they can't decide if they want to translate the titles of "-dono" or "-sama" as "Lord" or not. One moment it's "Lord Tenchi" and then the next moment its just "Tenchi" before they go back to "Lord Tenchi". And Pioneer ignores most Japanese text refusing to translate most of it. This results at least a couple of jokes being missed because it is obvious we are meant to read the Japanese text.

Bottom line: while not as good as the OAV series, it is good on its own as a funny anime sci-fi title. The set should have been reduced by at least 1 (if not two) DVD's and the subtitles should have been done better.

My first encounter with Tenchi was in the form of the OAV. After Pioneer's incredible transfer with those episodes, I knew it was going to be tough to even come close with a TV series.

And I guess I was right. Tenchi Universe is everything the OAV series was. Funny, touching, action-packed, etc.. but all just
a little step back from the OAV.

The transfer quality isn't as good as the OAV's was, although this isn't all Pioneer's fault, since the animation is a lot less vibrant than the OAV as well. But then this is a TV series.

The audio quality was also a little less, even if it was still good. Well, it's not THX certified so you can't expect a quality like that.

The characters and story are similarily a little less than the OAV. It's not as gloomy/farreaching as that series' plot and more light-hearted in nature. Some characters are also a little less developed (Mihoshi/Washu for instance) and don't get the same level attention as do others.

That said, I still enjoyed this series, because it is more complete (doesn't stop after 13 episodes like the OAV) and it's still Tenchi!

I just wish Pioneer would've gone the extra mile and digitally remastered this series as well and the price tag is a little high, considering there's 3 epidoes per dvd (excepting the first and last dvds, who have 4).

Want to treasure Tenchi Universe? This is the boxed set for you. Tenchi Universe definitely does not disappoint those fans of Tenchi Muyo! OAV. The storyline is the same, just switched around a bit at the beginning. The best episodes include "No Need for Genius," where Washu creates a mecha Washu with the personality of Mihoshi. Go figure. The greatest episodes include "Adventures in Time and Space." Each girl lives out her fantasy world with Washu's new invention. When the invention starts backfiring, the whole household is sucked into different worlds. Of course, Washu is trying to fix it as soon as she can. Aeka's world: Feudal Japan, where Tenchi is her fiance off to fight the demon, Ryoko. Kiyone's world: A small town rid of Mihoshi, or so she thought. Sasami's world: High school with Tenchi, Ryoko, and Aeka as students. Mihoshi and Kiyone are teachers. Sasami is Magical Girl Pretty Sammy. Mihoshi's world: A modern domestic family with Tenchi as her husband and Sasami her daughter. Aeka is the cranky aunt and Ryoko is the pesky neighbor. Ryoko's world: She's a bank robber in the US and Tenchi is her reluctant assistant. Aeka is the millionare trying to get Tenchi back and Kiyone and Mihoshi are two police officers.

Buy this boxed set and you won't be disappointed!

This won't be too detailed, just to say that I agree with others. It is different than the other Tenchi series in the way that characters are introduced and the basic plot. Dissapointingly, no Tsunami, but meh, thats okay.

It starts out a bit oddly, with some annoying filler episodes, but the plot really picks up after disc 5. The last few episodes really rock the house, and the ending is enjoyable.

The one complaint I have about this is the music. In Japanese, they suit me just fine. But that opening...good god it sounds terrible in English. And you can't skip it, you have to fast forward through it. The background music is enjoyable (since there were no lyrics) but back then the trend was to translate the songs too, which was a mistake in this case. The other thing to grouse about is the price, $180 for a whole 26 episode series. Pioneer has never been good about their pricing (always over priced) but thats fine I suppose, if you can afford it.

Overall, if you liked the Tenchi you saw on TV, you might enjoy this. Hardcore fans of the OVA might want to stay clear because it is so different, but if you don't care about the story differences (like me) you'll like it. Starts out slow, but gets really cool at the end. Beware of some mild language and nudity, nothing too bad. The dub is okay, in this particular case I prefer the subtitled option. Since this is an older gneration anime, you won't see too stellar a performance on the dub end (unlike ADV's dubs, they do an excellent job acting). Its your preference really.

Okay, once again the makers of Tenchi said, 'Who needs continuity, we have a better idea'. So, don't be expecting this one to match up with either other series (OAV or Tenchi in Tokyo). It starts things anew and goes from their. In also adds Kiyone into the Tenchi universe (and this hard done by Galaxy detective is probably my second fav character in the series). Overall the story isn't bad, their just isn't enough of it. Too many of the episodes are totally disposable from the series and are forgetable, but overall the series is quite good.

Now, before I begin, I encourage Tenchi Muyo! OVA fans not to turn away from the Tenchi TV series. The TV series isn't AS GOOD as the OVA series, but it is great. Even if you are an OVA only fan, espescially for Tenchi Muyo, Tenchi Universe is worth watching!

The Tenchi Universe (Tenchi Muyo! TV) series is more like an extention to the first Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki OVA series. The animation/art is simallar... however, it isn't as detailed as the OVA series is... but you must understand. There are VERY FEW animé (or any) TV shows that have very detailed animation in EVERY episode... with maybe the exception of the best/important ones. The characters have about 95% the same exact roles in this series as they do in the OVA. Some characters are changed slightly... but not to the extent as that they are totally different people, as some shows do. The music is very well done... concidering it's a TV series and not fully THX mastered as the OVA series is. But, again, you must understand, TV series aren't perfectly detailed in every episode! I give Pioneer a lot of credit for the english translations for the songs... and they are well done (espescially the opening and closing songs). I'm looking forward for a Tenchi Universe soundtrack (if ever) to be released in the US from Pioneer in the future.

As I said before, Tenchi Universe is very simallar to the TM! OVA series... like an extened version of it. To make a 8 DVD-set-long story (sumwhat) short, the story's about Tenchi Masaki, a boy who is practicing to be a meditator at the Masaki Shrine, and how his life was turned upside down when he observes two space ships crash-land on earth... and finds the infamous space pirate Ryoko among the reckage (ofcourse, he didn't know she was a pirate untill later in the first episode). Along with the arival of Ryoko was the clumsy, airhead, Galaxy Policewoman Mihoshi... who was after Ryoko to arrest her (but fails to). Afterwards, Ryoko and Mihoshi stay at Tenchi's house for a while.
After Ryoko and Mihoshi's arival is Ayeka and Sasami, the two crowned princesses of the planet Jurai, the resurrection of the mad scientist Washu, and the arival of Mihoshi's (very unlucky) partner, Kiyone (who only appears in the OVA once in the Mihoshi Space Adventure Special). All six of these women keep Tenchi on his feet in one way shape of form. Tenchi, along with the six women, his grandfather, and his woman-crazy father, go on several adventures like in space and in even thier own special worlds ("thanks" to Washu). The Tenchi Univesre season is, by far... unquestionably... excelent!

All in all, Tenchi Universe is a great TV series, even if it isn't AS GOOD as the OVA. It is a complete season, meaning that it doesn't just stop after the 12th or 13th episode! It packs action, suspence, romance, (LOTS OF) humor, and above all... the fabulas and out-of-control story of Tenchi Muyo!

Easily the best of any of the Tenchi Series, Universe is a joy because they don't have twenty years to complete the series, nor the expectation of following a huge first hit. Every episode is a joy because they aren't in search of some cosmic plot. The characters develop without flooding the viewer with useless details about their past. And Ayeka and Ryoko actually cry over Tenchi. It's so sweet.
Episode 25 has to be one of the few perfect episodes in all of anime (like Pierrot LeFou in cowboy Bebop), because the characters all take their 15 minutes and leave. The whole of this series is presented in good taste, rich in drama, and quits while it's still ahead. A true staple of any collection. (We are also treated to a delicious satire of Sailor Moon. The writers are clever enough even to mock Jupiter's and Mercury's romantic relationship. Just one more reason to purchase this series.)

I realize that this is an unpopular opinion, but I actually prefer Tenchi Universe to Tenchi Muyo, the OAV. Don't get me wrong, the OAV is great in it's own way. It starts off strong, introducing the girls, and then there is the story arc with Kagato. Those episodes were great and I enjoyed them a lot...but that's probably where it should have ended. After that, the story begins to lose focus, reusing a similar plot (Ryoko getting kidnapped again. Come on, she was hardly even home for a day!) then once that's resolved, the series went on a long hiatus. The final nail in it's coffin was when it finally came back with new episode. It was completely diluted by new characters who promptly took over the show. Poor Ryoko was reduced to a slapstick comic relief character and Ayeka's role was next to nothing. Instead they dedicate whole episodes to the long-winded backstories of the new characters. There's only seven episodes, so of course the main characters get pushed out of the spotlight. It's like the writers only ever watched one episode of Tenchi, hated it, and decided to go in a totally different direction.

On the other hand, Tenchi Universe is tightly packaged. It has a beginning a middle and an end. It has rising action and falling action. The characters don't have the same family relationships which is ashame, but the show doesn't really suffer for it. Whereas with the OAV I often found myself waiting for the episode to end (especially in the Clay episodes, and pretty much all of the 3rd OAV), Tenchi Universe was a joy to watch. The Time and Space adventure portion of Universe is especially good and shouldn't be missed by any Tenchi fan. There are many other charming moments too, that had me laughing out loud or going "aw." The animation is pretty good - for some reason Universe always gets a bad reputation for it's animation, but I think for it's time, it looks very crisp and some of the scenery is beautiful. Audio wise, both the English and Japanese dubs are great.

Overall, the main reason I like Universe so much is because it never drags its feet. It balances romance and sci-fi wonderfully, and keeps the action going. It focuses on the main characters, and when it does introduce a new character, said new character doesn't take over the show. (Noike, Seto, Sakuya, I'm looking at you!) It's everything I wish the OAV could have been, but turned out not to be. The only reason I gave it four stars was because like I said, I liked the family relationships better in the OAV. Also, Universe can sometimes mess up it's own history (Ayeka calling Ryoko a 700 year old mummy, for example. She was never a mummy in this series.) But other than that, I think it's a must see for any Tenchi fan.

I've seen every series of Tenchi Muyo, and the Tenchi Universe series is by far my most adored and favored of them all. I first watched the series on Toonami when I was much younger, and in my middle school days I watched the more mature versions of each series. Now that I'm older, I'm not a huge anime fan anymore. But I always consider Tenchi Muyo a classic, and I'll never forget the love I had for this series Particularly. I do like the other series too, but Tenchi Universe is, in my opinion, the must-see, espeically if you're a Tenchi+Ryoko fan, if you like an understandable and complete plot, a happy ending, and alot of laughs. I also loved the 2 movies that follow it, and would recommend checking those out too after watching the series: Tenchi Muyo in Love, and Tenchi Muyo in Love II (aka: Tenchi Forever).
I think this series suits anyone whose willing to give it a shot. I wouldn't recommend letting young children view it, unless it's the edited version, but in this case, I'd keep the age range from at least 13 and above.
But please, don't underestimate this wonderful series. The animation isn't as beautiful as the OAV's, but the story has a certain charm about it that cheers yah up, and an unforgettable cast of characters leaves you wanting more!
So if you're in for an awesome adventure, this is your show.
Don't take my word for it, check it out!

Peace,
Julie

This review is for the whole Tenchi Universe series, not just this disk :)

A second outing of a popular show always meets with criticism. The OVA 1 and 2 were/are extremely well made series and very highly thought of (I love them too!) But whilst the OVA has veered off into DragonballZ/impossibly powerful character-world and mass-bigamy on a grand scale, Tenchi Universe is a compact, believable plot which doesn't put unbelievable power on the head of any one character.

This show is not about high powered battles, although there are space encounters, conflicts and the culmination of Tenchi's fight with the series villain to take into account. It's about, pure and simply, PEOPLE.

Tenchi Universe also draws on and develops the character of Kiyone Makibi, whose inclusion puts the series points ahead of anything involving the insufferable Noike. The OVA's continued exile of Kiyone can only be seen as a weakness, as the chemistry between her and Mihoshi is always a source of entertainment. There are also other strong Universe-only characters, such as Nagi, the bounty hunter, and Ken Ohki, her loyal cabbit ship.

The Time and Space Adventures are classic - throwing the cast into humorous situations and even inspiring two characters to make a surprising development in their relationship (no spoilers, but Sasami has some odd ideas!) There is also the relief that not everyone who meets Tenchi is automatically in love with him (thank goodness), which allows the characters some breathing space to become something other than his "harem". This series is strictly Ayeka and Ryoko vying for his affections, although Sasami might be thinking about it, if she were older.

Whereas the OVA draws a fine line between the major writing no-no of info-dumping on occasion (especially in part three), Tenchi Universe skirts clear of all of the heavy background baggage and instead focuses on the here and now - the problems, trials and tribulations that all these unlikely allies overcome in order to clear their names and ultimately triumph over the universe's major evil. In short it's a series that's moving constantly forward, and rarely looking back. When information is needed, it is explained, but no uneccessary data is heaped into the plot, allowing it to develop character relationships without too much explanatory narrative.

There is a nice balance between humour and tragedy that runs through this series, with events such as the swimsuit competition and Tenchi dressing up as a girl adding a light touch to other more serious undertones. It's also a nice touch that the guardians have proper roles and purposes, instead of just being Ayeka's floating logs (which always bothered me in the original OVA).

I will agree with one reviewer who said that it's a shame there is no Tsunami in this series, although it's fairly obvious that there's more going on with Sasami than is ever fully explained. There are also a couple of continuity blips - one moment when Ayeka talks about Ryoko being imprisoned in a cave for 700 years, for example. However, those things aside, the show is great. The series villain is probably the best Tenchi villain of all, and the handing over of Tenchi-ken is much more effectively handled. There is some sexual innuendo/vulgarity but nothing like the lengths to which the OVA occasionally goes and certainly nothing too extreme. (Very little bathing nudity, even!)

Previous reviewers who criticise the dub must be listening to a different audio track from me, because the VAs all do a good job and are very believable. Petrea Burchard is (as usual) fabulous as Ryoko, (her absence from the newer Tenchi series is a huge loss to the show as a whole and English dub fans mourn). It would be nice if there was more consistency with the suffixes (or if they were actually detailed on the subtitles more often, too). One thing that did bother me was that Kamidake began calling Tenchi "Tenchi" instead of Lord Tenchi at one point...while on the Japanese dub he's calling him "Tenchi-dono" which makes more sense. Occasionally, therefore, the translation doesn't seem exact - although with dubbing that's probably never 100% possible. (At least Tenchi's mother isn't called his grandmother by mistake...)

If you're a die hard OVA fan, or you're a purist who sticks like glue to the official version as laid down by the original creator, Tenchi Universe is probably not for you. But if you like the characters and want to see them in a slightly new light, this is a great compact series to watch (plus the two spin off movies are worth the effort also, particularly the second!). For some reason this series often seems unpopular with Ayeka fans - but I think there is plenty to enjoy and amuse for fans of all characters in this offering. Definitely my favourite Tenchi continuation, because it recognises so strongly the value of human (alien?) interaction over the development of hugely destructive power.

In my view, more than worth the watch. (Especially episode 24...)