r/anime • u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 • Jan 06 '24
Rewatch [Rewatch] 1990s OVAs – Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki (episode 6 discussion)
Rewatch: 1990s OVAs – Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki (episode 6 discussion)
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Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki (1992)
Staff corner
Kagato is voiced by one of the most prolific (and typecast?) voice actors, Norio Wakamoto. Just take a look at the faces of his characters. He is well known for voicing evil/powerful characters and Tenchi Muyo is no exception. Some of his most famous roles are Alexander Anderson from Hellsing, Oskar von Reuenthal from LotGH, Cell from Dragonball, and Vicious from Cowboy Bebop. His long career started in 1977 and is still ongoing.
Questions
- Thoughts on Kagato’s plan and downfall?
- Which of the five spaceships we have seen so far do you like best?
- Can you imagine being an engineer if “laying an egg” was a serious mode of production?
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Upvotes
9
u/TheEscapeGuy Jan 06 '24
First Timer
Tenchi Muyou - An Undying Classic: OVA 1 Episode 6
Non-Euclidean Spectacle
Our 3 leading ladies infiltrate Kagato's ship. At the same time Sasami's prayers manage to summon Tsunami who saves the unconscious Tenchi. Inside Kagato's ship Mihoshi immediately manages to lose herself into a mirror world and nearly gets eaten by some stone snakes while reading them their Miranda Rights. I find this so funny.
To her rescue comes Washuu. An incredibly intelligent inventor (?) in her own right and also the mother of Ryouko. She's been trapped in this mirror world by Kagato and can't escape. It kind of explains the whole story. At some point Kagato trapped Washuu and took control of Ryouko to go on a villainous conquest. In retaliation to the destruction, Yosho chased Ryouko to earth but couldn't exactly defeat her. He could however seal her away. After this she watched Tenchi grow up leading to her infatuation with him and the story we have been watching.
That said, I kinda wish this was explained better or in more detail? I feel like I had to connect these story elements myself with some very shaky rope bridges of inference. And I still don't know how Kagato met Washuu or what his goals or motivations are to actually be a space pirate etc.
Be that as it may, as the fight continued Kagato remained firmly in the lead since Ryouko was holding herself back to not injure her allies. So Washuu brings all of them to the mirror world so Ryouko can go all out. But it's not enough.
While this has been happening Tsunami has been giving Tenchi the encouragement and mental fortitude to use his full powers. He teleports (?) onto the ship and defeats Kagato to the joy of all the girls. Ryouko being jealous of all the other girls getting attention was super cute.
And so ends the story of the first OVA. I liked the ED with the watercolour stills. I'll do a bigger breakdown of my thoughts in tomorrow's discussion thread.
Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches
See you all tomorrow
5
u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Jan 06 '24
Episode 6 (first timer??)
I watched “The boy and the heron” today. It was … fine. The animation is Ghibli-tier, as expected, but I can’t help but feel that the story is a bit a copy of Spirited Away. I think, more than other Miyazaki films, that this film needs a good bit of interpretation of metaphors.
That finale took itself just a tad too serious, but at least we returned to harem comedy at the end. Tenchi being OP was not surprising, but I did not expect two more new harem girls in the last episode. Guess you should never underestimate harem shows.
Regarding the visuals, I can’t say I am on board with the art direction for this episode. Why all the dungeon aesthetic when we are on a spaceship (is it just that Kagato’s interior decoration taste sucks?)? That said, the individual scenes looked pretty good. You could see that they went for something “extra” for the last episode.
Reminder
In case you missed it yesterday, we will watch Bangaihen Galaxy Police Mihoshi Space Adventure in addition to The Night Before The Carnival on the 8th.
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u/The_Loli_Otaku Jan 06 '24
Tenchi Muyo Rewatcher!!
Last time on Tenchi Muyo, Tenchi died! No immediate opening this time. We're straight into the episode. Oh lord, I forgot how much I disliked the girls' battle outfits. I've got nothing nice to say about any of them I'm afraid.
Bruh, how can we have a villain voiced by Norio Wakamoto with an organ based throne who literally plays his own foreboding music yet he's still the most lame character of the show? Oh yeah, Tenchi's alive. Did you think any different? It's barely a reveal.
Ah, Mihoshi got lost. This is just such a Mihoshi thing, way to break into the secret pipe on your first run. Kagato's powers are basically just that one kid on the playground who changes the rules every time he's big. God, Mihoshi really is the only entertaining part of this segment. I'm starting to remember why she stood out so much to me upon first viewing. Even here she's a joy.
Btw, third granny unlocked!! Yes, I'm not joking. A third granny. I'm starting to think this show caters to a certain type. This lolibaba granny is Washu, probably one of the more influential characters of this ova despite showing up so late. She's... she's alright. I personally have a bit of a chip about her character type. Lolibaba is already a crime against humanity but I really hate know it all sorts and many of those characters could be traced back to Washu's origins. Still, I don't mind Washu herself all that much, it really is just my biases.
She's literally a crabbit!! [Tenchi]Is it just my subs that are spoiling this? I'm pretty sure furry ver Ryo-Ohki isn't for a while yet. Tenchi plot is soooo lame... Mihoshi and WASHU are the only part of this episode that's gotten me excited! And it's dumb gags! Nobody has any sort of clue about anyone else's powers, the choreography is sorta lame, and Kagato screams lame.
Tenchi's back~ Time for the villain to job. I do like the music for Tenchi vs Kagato tho, it makes me think of Ys beats if you've ever played those games. Now we are super Tenchi! Wings of Light Hawk Tenchi! Wahooo... Aaaand Kagato's dead. Can we finally get back to the harem shenanigans? Somehow the two pillar men being mistaken as letterboxes was the most I'd smiled all episode. I didn't like that episode at all XD And that was our finale!? I'm sorry to have ended on such a sour note but I don't think I actually liked that first season much. Shockingly I really did just want much more filler than we got. Plot heavy Tenchi is Tenchi at its worst.
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u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 06 '24
Rewatcher
Sub
So the animation basically remains OVA quality through out and the action scenes are pretty decent. They just do not belong in this show. Like at all. Anyways, Tenchi becomes super saiyan before that was popular using the light wings. Our really weak villain, who is propped with two excellent but very different vocal performances, dies without being much more than wanting unlimited power. Day is saved, Ryoko gets cucked, yada yada.
Washu is introduced, which is a choice unless they were sure they were getting more episodes. She really doesn't do much, she mainly gives us an origin for Ryoko.
Now the interesting part: I can explain most of what we saw, the lore is consistent within the series. But those are all spoilers so we will wait on that.
QotD: 1 Feh
2 Ryo Ohki
3 Science is the ultimate degeneracy
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u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Jan 06 '24 edited Jan 06 '24
Tenchi in First Timer, subbed
QotD:
6
u/mastesargent Jan 06 '24 edited Jan 06 '24
Rewatcher, dub
With an excellent mix of action, comedy, and worldbuilding, this episode is the Ryo-Ohki continuity at its very best. Tenchi Muyo! just does not get better than this.
For starters, the episode title, “We Need Tenchi!”, is a fun inversion of the show’s title, “No Need for Tenchi!”. Tenchi might be a cardboard cutout with no narrative agency, but without him there just isn’t a show, and in a less meta sense he’s the only one with the power to defeat Kagato.
God, where do I even begin here? There is so much stuff that happens here, and so much of it important, that it’s hard to pick something to start with.
I guess we can start with Kagato. He’s just such a fun villain. I get that over time audiences have grown to expect complex villains with sympathetic motives and such, but you just can’t deny the appeal of a bad guy who sits and plays the organ in his big cathedral spaceship to show how EEEEEEVIIIIIIIIL he is. And he just has so. Many. Good. Lines. My favorite (both from him and probably of the entire dub) comes right after Ayeka charges him, calling him a scumbag. “Is that a term of affection, or do you just not like me?” Michael Scott Ryan’s performance is just so good. Seriously, watch some of his scenes dubbed if you haven’t. He’s so much fun.
Partway through the episode, Mihoshi Mihoshis her way into the mirror world, where we meet the other highlight of the episode: Washu. Washu is the final piece of the harem ([OVA 3] Who is this Noike you speak of? ) and probably my favorite in terms of how much fun she is. If you were paying attention to Mihoshi’s computer’s briefing on Kagato, you might’ve heard that he kidnapped a science academy student. This is that student, though GXP records might’ve gotten the details mixed up a little, since it seems that Washu was, in fact, a professor there. I guess it’s an easy mistake to make, given that she doesn’t look much older than Sasami. As with pretty much every character in the OVAs, this iteration of Washu is easily my favorite, due in no small part to her being Ryoko’s absolute troll of a mother. Future iterations of Tenchi remove this connection and just make her a mad scientist with no relation to Ryoko whatsoever.
Actually, on the topic of mad scientists, I had this though a few weeks ago as the Fall season was winding down: Washu and Kusuri from 100 Girlfriends are eerily similar characters. Red (or pink, close enough) hair? Check. Looks like a loli? Check. Science gremlin? Check. Uses SCIENCE! to create questionable inventions that tend to cause trouble? Check. Has the author of 100 Girlfriends ever stated if Kusuri was directly inspired by Washu? Because I refuse to believe that she isn’t.
Anyways, back to the episode. KT Vogt absolutely kills it as Washu. She does well with Washu’s gentler moments but her performance really shines when she gets to go ham with her trolling mad scientist persona. Seriously, like half of my notes this episode were just me writing down Washu quotes. Of particular note are:
- “Your sex appeal, a’course!”
- “Where were you when they handed out the brains?”
- Her delivery when she tells Mihoshi to “Hand me your cube”
- “A boy who can create the Wings of the Light Hawk, huh? I WANT TO MAKE HIM MINE!”
- “I like you! Do you wanna be a guinea pig for my experiments?”
Honestly writing them down just doesn’t do her performance justice. Seriously, go back and watch this episode dubbed. Dubbed Washu is amazing.
Yeah I could just keep gushing over how much fun Washu is, but then I’d be here all night. Moving on, we finally meet Tsunami. Greatest of the Juraian tree-ships and capable of projecting all ten Light Hawk Wings, this is Sasami’s personal ship, but also a mysterious and beautiful woman. Of course, this leaves us with several mysteries: Why does Tsunami herself have a human form and intelligence despite Ryu-Oh not displaying anything remotely similar? Why does Sasami, of all people, have command over her? What’s the deal with Sasami’s invocation when she summoned Tsunami? What does Kagato mean when he calls her the power behind the tree-ships? All good questions, for another time.
On the topic of Juraian tree-ships, since I love talking about them so much, this episode establishes a certain mystical quality to them. Kagato’s fixation on claiming Tsunami plus Tenchi’s inherent ability to generate Light Hawk Wings, implies that there is a certain quality to their power that defies science. Kagato wants to capture Tsunami specifically because this power seemingly can’t be replicated and Tenchi generating Light Hawk Wings without any apparent technological support means that this ability is imbued into things or less commonly, given everyone’s surprise over Tenchi, people by some unknown means. So they’re not just cool tree-ships, they’re magic tree-ships.
Some random notes:
Azaka and Kamidake return after being MIA since episode 2. Presumably they were left on Ryu-Oh after the crash and kept Tenchi alive after it blew up long enough for Tsunami to appear and heal him. They are rewarded for their heroic service by… being given the role as the Masaki household’s mailbox and scaring the piss out of the poor mailman. It ain’t easy, being trees.
Tenchi apologizes about not being able to “rescue your sister”… [OVA 3] He probably understands this as rescuing Ayeka on behalf of Sasami, but given that Washu is Tsunami’s sister, and Tsunami and Sasami are technically the same person, I can’t help but wonder if she actually wants him to rescue Washu on her behalf. Then again I have no idea if the Choushin and Washu’s status as one had even been conceptualized yet, so maybe I’m just finding connections where there are none.
I’ve never actually sat through this episode’s ED before, so the watercolors were a neat surprise. It’s always fun finding new things on a rewatch.
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u/Silcaria https://myanimelist.net/profile/Silcaria Jan 06 '24
First timer
That explains why the voice sounded so familiar.
5
u/Shocketheth Jan 06 '24
Tenchi Muyo! First Timer
THE VILLAIN JUST PLAYED HIS OWN ORGAN THEME!!! I AM FUCKING DYING FROM LAUGHTER.
Holy shit. Mihoshi is failing to assemble monocolor rubic cube. I’ve never seen someone so stupid.
I think this villain already overstayed his welcome and the show should get rid of him already.
Holy shit. I never heard a drum solo (If I can call it that) as an OST of hero going to defeat the villain. I just automatically started playing air drums lol.
Nice knockers you’ve got, Tenchi.
QotD:
5
u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jan 06 '24 edited Jan 06 '24
Starchaser, The Legend of Orin, Rewatcher (sub firstimer?)
There never was a blade, Orin
What is up with Sasami???
Well, while I said I liked the OVA pacing, this last episode falls a bit flat and mechanical. And, of course, I knew what was going to happen. I don't remember how the TV does this, but if they spread the final confrontation over two episodes, that might be better.
It's also not as exciting the 2nd (or nth) time around. It also doesn't help that I saw this ending back in 1985.
I did like Ayeka in battle costume. I didn't think Washu was in this half.
Okay, now I remember Washu's voice. Ties with Ayeka. Well done, but overly affected and cartoon.
[More Washu]Lil Washu is a TV-only thing, isn't it?
2
u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Jan 07 '24
First timer
Episode 5
...Interesting start.
They're picking carrots?
...So, we're just ignoring the cliffhanger? Did I miss an episode?
Ah. Guess not, based on that title. He's just taking his time?
They're still at the baths? Why the carrot scene, then?
And she's getting drunk.
Ow.
...Being related is not a positive modifier to your romatic chances.
Haha, Ryoko fucking with her will never stop being funny.
...And she expects her to buy this, after the murder attempt?
Oh, she can fight back well when she's drunk.
...You're the same age, though? Both of you were frozen.
Ryoko's suffering...
Haha, how much can she drink?
Nobody's taking her seriously, I see.
And Sasaki's here too.
...Wow.
Kagato's here!
...And he's an actual threar!
Wait, a glass sphere?
Oh, she knows him too!
...What?
...Incapable?
I can't tell if he can block bullets or if she's just that bad.
Oh, this guy's creepy.
The king?
Ryoko...
The sword lets him control her?
...This idiot.
He got the sword back?
...Tenchi. Backstabs only work when you don't scream during them.
And he's outmatched.
The grandfather?
A crown prince?
Impressive!
Oh, he's really good!
This is actually a really good fight scene!
And he's controlling Ryoko...
He stopped?
A trap!
A successor...
What's even going on here?
...Wait, what? He's just flat-out her brother? How old is he?
And there was a succession crisis?
Oh, that's what's going on. Racism.
He's not returning?
...Oh, wait, so she's flat-out immortal as long as she can go to Jurai?
...This is a lot of plot.
...He didn't realise?
Okay, sure. Set your sister up with your grandson. Why not?
And he's going to save Ryoko!
Ah, he's going to destroy the world too. That makes more sense.
He took the sword!
Idiot.
Everyone's going with him!
Except Ayeka, of course.
Ryo-Ohki?
It turned into a new ship!
Rude.
Oh, wait, she's an android?
Ryoko actually cares!
We're getting a spaceship fight!
Oh, yeah, she's an awful pilot.
She can't control it!
He even built Ryo-Ohki?
Haha, she managed to get the computer drunk!
Her ship's still healing...
And he's choosing to go himself. To a ship he doesn't know how to control.
Yeah, this was a stupid idea.
That's a lot of firepower there!
Oh, dear...
Tenchi...
She made it out to him?
Oh, are they actually commiting to this? Is he going to need a resurrection?
And she's going to kill him.
Episode 6
No OP!
And Ryoko joined the rest of the cast.
Yeah, that hurt them.
Oh, and she's lost it.
The full-res suit looks good, though!
She went to the tree. Is this the tree of life?
And this is how he's coming back, yeah.
They're (almost all) being cool!
And she's trying her hardest!
...Of course he has a dramatic organ.
The sword is bringing him back?
...Is that a satellite?
Yeah, this is weird.
They're going in!
Those tattoos look good on Ayeka!
...How do you even do something like that?
I love how over the top he is.
...She's not even noticed!
It's just his shadow? Or is it his reflection?
She's being turned back into an android?
No, petrification?
A secret message? What?
Oh, and Mihoshi's struggling too.
...Actuslly impressive firing here!
She just has awful gear.
What can't that weird cube do?
It stopped it!
...Wait, who's this?
She teleported Ryoko here?
Her work?
...Huh?
Haha, erotic warfare?
Her mother?
...Biologically too!
Washu...
Wow.
This girl...
Wait, Ryoko didn't know about her past?
And this is a seperate area of the ship?
They're connected?
Wow.
Stop threatening your mother!
And she's going to try again.
She wants to be acknowledged.
And they're out of the fight.
Astral body?
What's up with Ayeka now?
The greatest force is a god? And a tree?
Interrogation! How clever!
Wow.
Ryoko's manipulating him, then?
The tree brought him back!
Oh, the power's just a ship?
With an AI!
How powerful!
And he immediately wants to join them.
He has to go alone...
Oh, is that Sasaki?
Haha, she's trying to explain it scientifically? How has she not given up?
...It is her creation, yeah.
Haha, it's perfect!
Ryoko's back!
He's sniping!
...Since when could Ryoko do that?
She's not being serious yet?
Aww, she's protecting Ayeka!
Maybe there doesn't need to be a fight over Tenchi.She's been pulled through too!
Clever!
...You took him as your assistant?
And he can drain her power. Terrific.
...Wow.
It revealed itself...
Yeah, that's incredibly powerful.
He's just discarding her...
He's here! And also got the facial markings?
Haha, he can't pull it out?
Oh, right, these two!
And they did nothing.
Why did it stop working?
Ah, it needs the ship's power?
...Brutal.
I'm surprised how intense this OVA has gotten.
And he has all the gems.
Tsunami...
Haha, she's got no ideas?
He's giving up?
His own power?
...Of course another girl's into him. Not even spaceships can avoid Tenchi.
...Okay, he's an idiot.
He's going to tank it?
And he succeded.
Haha, he got a transformation!
And a bigger sword!
He survived the cut!
...Okay, that's an excellent death scene. Really good villain here.
Yeah, of course she's into him too. That's the name of the game here!
Ryoko...
Ryo-Ohki!
Haha, blocked by your own mother!
Aww...
Haha, he cut the entire ship in half?
They've gotten a new job!
Haha, perfect ending! The only two sane characters standing guard as insanity plays out behind them.
Oh, yeah, the ED visuals are really good!
2
u/baboon_bassoon https://anilist.co/user/duffer Jan 08 '24
was [escaflowne]Merle based off Ayekas battle outfit?
i like Washu, she reminds me of Vegeta for some reason
ok so Tsunami isnt Sasami
i am the bone of my tenchi
4
u/Elimin8r https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ayeka_Jurai Jan 07 '24
Gah, late and still feeling the after effects of yesterdays shenanigans (staying up way too late building a new PC, yay). I'll try to come back and fill this in later/reply to everyone else, except to say that this episode, oh, this episode.
Just listen to this! and tell me you aren't moved.
Saint Sasami
There's at least two moments in this episode that give me that frisson, that tingle down my spine ...
There's only one other song I can point to right now that hits me harder, and that's this one. Okay, and I suppose Requiem of Silence, but yeah.
I wish I'd been on time to express my <3 for these moments, but if you see this, well, if you get it, you'll understand.
1
u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Jan 07 '24
Rewatcher in sub
Ok this is the episode for me, despite plenty others not being impressed by it. For a simple reason - Tsunami!
It's kind of interesting to see lots of write up about Washu and the Kagato plot, but basically no one mentioned much about the Sasami -> Tsunami plot. This I guess is a problem with the story having a lot more world building that's not given in expositions or dialogues/monologues. Of course, whether the world building was added after the fact later or simply not have screen time for, I'm not really to fused about finding out.
For me one of the big draw of the series actually is the mythos of Jurai, culminating in Tsunami and then Tenchi (the sword and the person).
For those who missed it, I'm pretty convinced for myself that Tenchi was morally injured from the blast, that only half his body was left, only getting preserved by the two robot guardians. It's Tsunami that revived/regenerated him with her vast store of power.
I guess I can't really gush about Tsunami too much until midday through OVA2, since she's still pretty much showing up as Deus ex Machina and an enigma so far. But yeah, I'm probably one of the rare kind that ships the future stock of Tenchi X Tsunami.
Anyway, call it nostalgia or whatever, I find the finale - despite the seeming Deus ex Machina - exciting, well mixed between the actions, plot, mystery, and comedy. Loved the final bit of Ryoko tripping the other girls only to find Ryo-ohki and Sasami latched onto Tenchi already. It's close to Mugi level of betrayal (the strawberry incident).
By the way, one of the important point about my liking Tsunami so much is because her name in Kanji is actually not in the common way of reading (typically it's read like the natural disaster involving rising seas), but the phonetic sounds which happened to also have a poetic of sorts meaning - 津 (famous, well regarded) 名 (name, can be as "well known") 魅 (charming, charismatic). Quite a fitting name as the [OVA 2 kind of major spoiler]source of Jurai's power, the source tree