Summary
- Tenchi Universe blends space opera with sitcom tropes to produce a one of a kind viewing experience that's both nostalgic and forward-thinking at the same time.
- The show introduced Harem anime to Western audiences as part of Cartoon Network's "Toonami" programming block.
- Subsequent Tenchi Muyo! projects failed to gain traction with fans and recapture the perfect balance of Tenchi Universe.
In the Summer of 2000, Cartoon Network began airing a five-year-old anime import from Japan, Masaki Tajishima's Tenchi Universe, as part of their after-school "Toonami" programming block. Tenchi Universe took the same characters and setting from the shorter, story-focused OVAs that preceded it, added a few new players, and streamlined the complex lore, which resulted in a more well-rounded, but slower-paced show.
While Cartoon Network marketed the show as a simple, white-knuckle action-adventure anime, in many ways it was much more mature than that. Tenchi Universe is a coming-of-age story about an ordinary teenage boy who suddenly finds himself hosting a group of women at his family's rural home, including a space pirate, princesses of the planet Jurai, intergalactic police officers, and a mad genius scientist.
The 26-episode series, directed by Hiroshi Negishi, is divided into three distinct arcs: 10 Earth-bound episodes devoted to introducing the characters and slice-of-life filler, three episodes of multiversal "what-if?" scenarios that place the protagonists in fantastical situations, and finally, 13 episodes following the group as fugitives in space.
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Tenchi Universe Expertly Blends Harem Anime with Space Opera and Sitcoms
A Full House of Friends and Girlfriends Creates A Modern Family
Tenchi Universe is a harem anime, a space opera about unrequited feelings and sacrifice.
What makes the series special are the dynamics between the characters, such as the feuding between Ryoko and Ayeka, as well as the buddy-cop dynamic between Galactic Police officers Mihoshi and Kyone. Though they bicker relentlessly and cause mayhem wherever they go, their shared love of Tenchi and the Masaki family unites them in the face of danger.
The story shines in side-quests that insert the harem into out-of-the-ordinary circumstances. In fish-out-of-water episode #6, "No Need for Resident Officers!", space cops Mihoshi and Kiyone, are reassigned to Earth permanently, and hilariously fail at a series of part-time jobs while trying to afford the high cost of living. Then, in the trio of multiverse episodes, the extraterrestrial women play out fantasy scenarios in which they explore their desires. Princess Ayeka, Ryoko, and Mihoshi envision themselves as Tenchi's girlfriend or wife, while Kiyone imagines a radical career change, and Sasami becomes a Magical Girl.
A Time Capsule Full of Both Nostalgic Treasures and Far-Future Ideas
The Fight for Jurai's Royal Throne Brings Samurai-inspired Battles to the Edge of the Galaxy
Whereas many English-dubbed anime of the time, such as Sailor Moon, erased Japanese culture by renaming characters or censoring scenes deemed objectionable, Tenchi Universe retains a distinct Japanese vibe. On Earth, in episode #7, "No Need for Carnival!", Tenchi and the women participate in a local carnival, enjoying games and attractions, and traditional Japanese cuisine.
Tenchi's family home is a shrine where Tenchi's grandfather serves as a Shinto priest after abdicating the Jurai throne and exiling himself on Earth. He, and many other characters, wear traditional Japanese garments such as hakana pants, kimonos, and happi-style jackets, blending past, present, and future together in a fascinating way.
Tenchi's futuristic concepts feature uniquely shaped space stations and ships, robots and convenient technology, and alien planets with pristine cities that evoke Blade Runner, but without all the pollution. In the final five episodes of the series, Tenchi must face the royal duty that his grandfather ran from and challenge Kagato, the usurper of the Juraian throne. The two engage in a showdown with Tenchi wielding a blue energy sword reminiscent of Luke Skywalker's, and Kagato using a black sword much like The Mandalorian's darksaber.
Tenchi Universe's exquisite blend of visual references spanning different media and cultures feels just as relevant today as it did during its original airing.
