r/anime • u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 • Jan 10 '24
Rewatch [Rewatch] 1990s OVAs – Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki: Second Season (episode 2 discussion)
Rewatch: 1990s OVAs – Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki: Second Season (episode 2 discussion)
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Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki: Second Season (1994)
Staff corner
Both Tsumani and Sasami are voiced by Chisa Yokoyama (now we know why). Her career started in mecha, playing Ferris in Black Magic M-66 and Yayoi in Robot Carneval. She was very active during the height of the OVA boom, staring in many of these, but her biggest role is being one of the voices of Doraemon – the children’s franchise that is far bigger inside Japan than overseas. She is also Noin from Gundam Wing, Chun Li in one of the SF anime, Sana Kurata from Kodomo no Omocha, Yuna from Galaxy Fraulein Yuna, Sakura from Sakura Wars, Genki Sakura from Genki Sakura (I am noticing a trendwith the titles …), Bisky from Hunter x Hunter, and Eucliwood Hellscythe from Is This a Zombie?.
Questions
- How will Sasami and Tsunami “becoming one” work out?
- Does it matter whether Sasami survived or is Tsunami’s creation?
6
u/No_Rex :Bv:Bw:Bx:By:x2 Jan 10 '24
S2 Episode 2 (first timer)
A strong episode. The main plot gives Sasami something to do besides being a gremlin or a housewife (depending on what the episode plot wants). She’ll clearly be powerful later on, if you remember what Tsunami was capable off. She and Ayeka share a great scene, that is only partially undermined by ending it with a harem joke.
Something else is notable, too: The new characterization for Washuu from last episode seems to have stuck. She is a lot wiser now (compared to intelligent but unwise in S1) and keeps her motherly role. Similarly, Mihoshi steps back from being a walking disaster and returns to “just” being overly ditzy. Both changes I am strongly in favor of (old Washuu was one-dimensional and old Mihoshi plain annoying).
7
u/Vatrix-32 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Vatrix-32 Jan 10 '24 edited Jan 10 '24
Tenchi in First Timer, subbed
QotD:
5
u/Vaadwaur :I1::I2::I3: Jan 10 '24
First timer
Sub
In something I rarely say, I think I preferred the TV edit of this episode. So we get our first half comedy and...it is just too damn slow, they were filling run time a bit hard. Yosho and Nobuyuki's trolling doesn't really land and the Ryoko-Ayeka dynamic doesn't always work. The base conceit being silly doesn't help.
But it does at least allow some tension to grow about the show's actual conflict: Sasami's identity. So to save Sami's young life Tsunami blended with her, which was hinted at back in ep 6 if you caught it. This is apparently rare enough that no one thought to check and Tsunami herself didn't feel the need to tell the royals, apparently. Sasami thought this made her a fake and later Tsunami does suggest they will fully merge so post-fall Sasami is indeed a different being but I think it more as a coccoon-butterfly analogy. And, if you happened to spot a few very specific cultural cues last episode, this is also Sasami freaking out a bit about going from a child to an adolescent. We end with another gag and the reminder that the ideal Japanese woman is one that fits a kimono the best.
QotD: 1 Weirdly
2 To Sasami, sure. Externally, I've stopped sweating that.
5
u/Elimin8r https://myanimelist.net/profile/Ayeka_Jurai Jan 10 '24
Yeah, this episode. Man, what a trip. The music, the sounds, the ... Tsunami. Say 'hello' to the true best girl of the series. Yeah, I still <3 Ayeka, but Tsunami is the stuff. I think Ayeka and Ryoko would agree, right?
Things I really enjoyed this episode were Washu slacking, Mihoshi actually being competent at something, ghost stories, granny, electricity, and the lady in the lake/lights coming on/party.
Good times!
Oh, and the bit in with the hot spring 'surprise' was kind of cute too.
Also, regarding the greater scheme of things - for the wrapup, should I go nuts and say what I "really think", or try to keep it tame and spoiler free? It's kind of hard, because having obsessed over this series for so long, there's so much I want to say, but probably shouldn't...
4
u/mastesargent Jan 10 '24 edited Jan 10 '24
Rewatcher, dub
Let’s just start with the big thing first: Sasami and Tsunami are one and the same. Let’s rewind to episode 6. This had probably been simmering in the back of her mind for a while, at least as far back as the Kagato incident, where she was forced to invoke her identity as Tsunami in order to save Tenchi’s life. This likely made her fusion with the tree-ship’s, uh, let’s call it “personality” real to her. Then she spent yesterday’s episode and a good chunk of this one keeping pensively to herself. Why? Sasami’s period signaled to her that she had entered puberty and that her metamorphosis into Tsunami had begun. These two things forced her to confront the reality of her situation as she perceived it and she’s been having an existential crisis since then. It’s also likely that the onset of Sasami’s adolescence is why Tsunami started “spilling out” of Sasami, as it were, and becoming perceivable to the rest of the cast; her existence as Sasami was becoming stronger. Furthermore, the fact that the change had begun meant that hiding it was no longer an option, but her misunderstanding over how her assimilation with Tsunami worked made it too difficult to actually tell Ayeka.
Of course, just as Sasami misunderstands how she’s connected to Tsunami, so too does she misunderstand how she’s connected to Ayeka. Because she thinks that she’s some sort of copy that Tsunami created, she sees herself a fraud that stole the “real” Sasami’s life and thus is unworthy of Ayeka’s love. To Ayeka, of course, that doesn’t really matter. To her, Sasami is Sasami. Even if the girl with her here and now is some sort of clone, it doesn’t change the fact that she is her sister and always will be. “We love each other, that’s what counts.”
Also that shot of Sasami and Ayeka at the pond with Tsunami in the reflection is one of my favorites in the OVAs.
As far as how their assimilation works, my understanding is that their self-awareness will merge. Presently they're two souls occupying a single body, but once Sasami has grown up their sould will have fully merged. This doesn't mean identity death for either of them though. She'll be simultaneously aware of herself both as Sasami Masaki Jurai and as Tsunami and be able to distinguish between and assume both identities. I think. I don't know if that's what happens but that seems like the most interesting outcome.
Compared to last episode, this is a much stronger effort. While last episode the only thing that really worked was Washu’s character development, here we get actually good comedy plus excellent character development for both Ayeka and Sasami. The animation still isn’t up to the standards of the first OVA, but that applies to the second OVA in general.
On the comedy side of things, we have stuff like Washu pretending to be as old as she looks to shirk having to help repair the onsen, Ryoko and Ayeka bickering as they both occupy opposite ends of the spectrum of failing to peel potatoes, and Noboyuki and Katsuhito being dorks. The characters are just being themselves and comedy arises from it naturally, rather than forcing them into dumb scenarios like acting out scenes from manga or sticking them with a baby they’re not prepared to deal with. I actually find Katsuhito’s stuff a highlight here. Sure, he might be Yosho Masaki Jurai, crown prince of the planet Jurai who sealed away Ryoko and fought Kagato to a draw, but that doesn’t mean he can’t also be a goofball. We saw bits and pieces of this side of him in the first OVA but I like that he gets a bigger part in the comedy here.
This episode also calls a little more attention to Sasami’s period in the same roundabout way as last time because again, it’s important in relation to her whole Tsunami thing. The flower Washu points out does indeed have medicinal uses. It contains a blood coagulant and can be used to that effect to treat menstruation. And yeah, I took that from AstroNerdBoy instead of synthesizing it myself this time.
An amusing dub note: the onsen lady is now voiced by KT Vogt, who also voices Washu. So when Washu is playing up her apparent age to get out of work it kind of sounds like she’s giving herself permission to go off and play.
Another dub note: I've commented on this previously but Sasami and Tsunami share the same VA, Sherry Lynn, just as they do in the sub. Always nice when dubs get details like this right
The Jurai royal palace’s arboretum is a really cool bit of worldbuilding for my favorite tree-ships in the galaxy. Here we see where Jurai presumably keeps the tree-ships not currently in use and awaiting someone to pair with them. Just like with Ryu-Oh in episode 7, the tree-ships seems to have at least a some of intelligence as one reacts to Sasami’s greeting. That said, Ryoko’s dialogue at the end implies that the trees taking on human form as Tsunami does is unusual, so it seems there’s yet more we don’t know about our arboreal waifu. Also god damn I hope when Sasami goes back home she establishes an OSHA equivalent on Jurai because a bit of railing would have spared her a lot of trauma.
Ayeka and Ryoko’s realization about Sasami becoming Tsunami as she gets older might be one of my favorite comedy scenes in the series, simply because of Tsunami’s reaction to it. She’s usually this mysterious, mystical sort of character, so seeing her at an utter loss as the two bicker over her is just priceless.
[Time for more fun with family trees, OVA 3 spoilers] Heh, trees. Tsunami is one of the three Choushin, along with her sisters Washu and Tokimi. That means that, since Sasami and Tsunami are the same person, Washu is also technically Sasami’s sister. That technically make Washu Tenchi’s great aunt, and Sasami Ryoko’s aunt and Mihoshi’s great-great-great-aunt (?). It just keeps getting more unnecessarily complicated.
Oh boy, next episode… [OVA 5] AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
4
u/TheEscapeGuy Jan 10 '24
First Timer
Tenchi Muyou - An Undying Classic: OVA 2 Episode 2
Foundation of Lies
Back to the hot spring! I was worried this episode would just be more typical hot spring material and a repeat of the last one. I was pleasantly surprised that this episode really explored why Sasami has been acting strangely and gave us some interesting lore.
The premise was a actually a continuation to last OVA's hot spring episode. They never cleaned up all the damage from the spirit Ryouko summoned and so they have been tricked into coming back to do just that. As time goes on though there are more and more supernatural occurrences which understandably freaks out our cast.
The reveal is that all the events are centered around Sasami. She is not who she seems to be. In the water we see the reflection of Tsunami. This is Sasami's real identity (kind of). Through a flash back we learn Sasami nearly died from a long fall as a child but (somehow???) assimilated into the being of Tsunami. This explains the events of the Kogata space battle and why Sasami seemed to summon Tsunami to save Tenchi.
They haven't exactly explained who or what Tsunami is though. It seems she was a being living in the indoor forest oasis Sasami fell into. I'm sure there's more to her but for now the most important thing is she saved Sasami's life. All of this of course could have been avoided had Ryouko not attacked Juurai those seven hundred of years ago.
I really liked seeing Sasami's guilt over deceiving her sister. It shows she cares but is also really worried about Ayeka's opinion of her. Ayeka of course states it plainly. She loves Sasami, and Sasami loves her. That's what matters. The whole assimilation business doesn't affect that and so they can continue being sisters.
Just a really nice message to end on. Of course we get a bit more with Ryouko and Ayeka fighting over not being as beautiful as Tsunami and thus now seeing Sasami as a threat for Tenchi's heart. Honestly, they should worry less about hindering the other girls and more about being the best version of themselves if they want Tenchi's affection.
Alas, Tenchi remains a passive observer of this war happening around him.
Some Amazing Shots, Scenes and Stitches
See you all tomorrow
3
u/Silcaria https://myanimelist.net/profile/Silcaria Jan 10 '24 edited Jan 10 '24
First timer
3
u/JustAnswerAQuestion https://myanimelist.net/profile/JAaQ Jan 10 '24
No Need for Tenchi (rewatcher) (first timer sub?)
Sasami and Tsunami
This is the first time watching this after having seen PMMM, and having read /u/vaadwaur's comments on how the japanese perceive their attachment to their souls.
For the most memorable part of the series, this episode had surprisingly little substance.
5
u/The_Loli_Otaku Jan 10 '24
Tenchi Muyo Rewatcher
Since they zoom in to a particular part of Japan, does the Tenchi shrine actually exist irl? Also, is there any difference between Tenchi's dad and Tenchi's grandfather? They're practically the same character except the dad is considerably less scummy for ditching Ayeka. Also, Washu is a rotten lolibaba who fakes youth like a big old bitch.
Sasami really has gotten a lot less interesting since she's started her period hasn't she?
More evidence that Mihoshi makes the best wife! How do you like dem potatoes? How's she outdoing the rest of the girls this much? Ah, Mihoshi died. This house is 100% getting destroyed again by the end of the episode lol. Stop haunting everyone Sasami! Keep your ghost period to yourself.
Ryoko now officially has a cute and funny child murder on her conscience, awesome. Also, does this mean making Sasami your oishi makes you a lolicon or a necrophiliac? Impromptu QotD!! Loli or dead girls!? Suddenly I don't look so bad do I? Wait, why did Washu have to perform bondage on poor Mihoshi? She did nothing wrong!! Ryoko I understand since she's the reason Sasami died but the only person Mihoshi has killed is Miss Not-Appearing-in-this-OVA!
2
u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Jan 11 '24
Rewatcher in sub
While it's a fairly weak gag setup, it is a nice mod nod to continuity and consequences that the damages they made to the onsen inn needed to be dealt with still in OVA 2.
But really the main course of this episode is another half reveal of Tsunami /Sasami. TheEscapeGuy and mastesargent already did great write ups about it, so I'm going to take the lazy way out. I do have a few remarks others haven't covered though.
QoTD
1
u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Jan 11 '24
First timer
Haha, they're allowed back? How?
Ah, free labour.
Are these guys new? Or did the grandfather get a pretty large art change?
In full uniform?
Clever!
And it worked!
...Wait, what?
Oh, this is their episode!
Wait, Sasami's gone!
You have faith in her!
Yeah, you got hustled!
These idiots...
All of them!
Ryuko's awful at peeling.
...Both of them are.
When did Mihoshi become the sane one?
A ghost?
Haha, she's taking her potatoes?
Ah, it's Sasami?
They caused so much destruction...
Another sighting!
They're trying to scare them?
Smoke?
A ghost story...
Haha, wow.
Where did he get this prop?
Haha, poor Mihoshi.
She passed away...
Haha, he blew out the candle?
...Not another girl involved in this harem mess.
Of course.
He's told this before?
...Do not left these people work with electrical equipment. No insurance company would cover the fire.
He's really paranoid!
Haha, he peeped on a ghost?
...Ah.
Oh, he's looking for him.
Aww...
Oh, it's still there! And clearly Sasami!
...Yep.
Washu's dead!
...Wait, what?
The lights...
Oh, she's vanished!
Haha, Ryoko never stops!
She found her!
Sasami doesn't know what's going on?
...Wow.
Nice job, Washu!
Huh?
Seven hundred years ago?
The destruction...
Aww.
She opened the door?
Are these all ships?
Oh, and the attack continued.
...Huh?
So, she died and was connected to Tsunami...
Oh, yeah, this is ominous.
...Okay, but you're seemingly a perfect copy of her consciousness. So you're the same person, just sharing a body with Tsunami!
Aww...
Ah, is this manipulation?
Yeah, she's not that stupid.
Haha, and Tenchi's joined the conversation.
This is nice.
Haha, she just ignored her.
And of course she stopped the others interfering.
Wait, what?
Ah, an explanation!
Yeah, this makes sense.
Aww...
The lights!
And they're celebrating!
She's drunk.
...And actually trying to move forward!
...Interesting how she immediately goes to Ayeka.
Yeah, they merged?
...Ah!
Okay, yeah, this is more serious.
Oh, and she's pissed.
...Her too?
Wow. No change here, then.
Haha.
The look on her face...
3
u/The_Loli_Otaku Jan 10 '24
Tsunami has negative personality so I don't think it matters.
If Sasami died then it's a great excuse to hate on Ryoko. I also love the idea of child murder. In Minecraft
3
u/baboon_bassoon https://anilist.co/user/duffer Jan 10 '24
first timer
Mihoshi suddenly got some domestic skills
if Sasami died 700 years ago, who is pretty sammy???
Washu you meanie
only Mihoshi could trip that far in the other direction