Questions
Questions
WHAT IS TENCHI MUYO?
Q: WHAT IS TENCHI MUYO?
A: Tenchi Muyo is the story of a boy named Tenchi Masaki, and all of the events that happen around and to him. Originally it started as a composite of the best attributes of some of the various Animes, but soon took on a life of it's own.
It spans many different genres. It has a complex Science Fiction plot, a nice romantic comedy element (A classic Guy surrounded by Girls match), a bit of A fantasy element, especially in the first episode, and many times, a sit-com-ish look at life.
Q: WHAT FORMATS IS TENCHI IN, HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT? WHAT IS THE OAV SERIES, WHAT IS THE TV SERIES?
A: Currently there are 2 OAV series for Tenchi Muyo (with rumors of a third), 1 TV series, a follow on series called Tenchi In Tokyo, and three Movies (Tenchi Muyo in Love, The Daughter Of Darkness, and Tenchi Forever(in that order)). In addition, there is also a Manga (or Comic book) that was done in Japan, and is distributed in America under the title: "No need for Tenchi". Likewise there is a new Comic book, being done in America under the title of "Tenchi Muyo".
Originally Tenchi Muyo was a concept pitched to Pioneer. Pioneer contracted AIC, a Anime production studio to do 6 OAV's. A OAV is a animation that is released strait to video, and is not shown on TV or in a Movie. Later, Pioneer did 7 more OAV's.
The Tenchi OAV's are much more complex then the TV series. The initial story revolves around introducing the Characters. The first series in general establishes the love Triangle of Tenchi, Aeka, and Ryoko. The villain in the first series is Kagato, who some say is the best villain ever.
There is also a second OAV series, but the second series, in the eyes of many fans, does not live up to the first series. There are 13 OAV episodes currently.The Tenchi TV series has the same characters as the OAV's, but the plot is dumbed down, to reach a younger age demographic. There are 26 TV episodes currently, with more episodes in development. The storyline is completely different.
Then there are three Tenchi Movies. Tenchi Muyo in Love and Tenchi Forever, are based on the TV series, but tend to be fairly story line independent. Daughter of Darkness seems to be based on both TV and OAV, But still is story line independent. There are also some novels that have not been brought over.
Q: WHAT DOES THE NAME: TENCHI MUYO MEAN?
A: The title is a bit of a pun, having many different meanings, due to the complexity of the Japanese language.
1. No need for Tenchi or Useless Tenchi.
This is what it normally is translated too. Viz's Graphical novels are known as "No need for Tenchi". This translation comes from separating the words Tenchi & Muyo, where Muyo means useless or no need for. The title reflects Tenchi's role in the series. Things tend to happen around him, and he tends to react to those events.
2. This side up.
Which sort of emphasizes Tenchi tying to get back to a normal life, after he freed Ryoko. This is from taking the words: tenchi muyo and putting them together in one word (tenchimuyo).
3. No Need For Heaven and Earth. Yet another meaning.
Q: WAS THE MEANING OF "TENCHI MUYO" AS "THIS END UP" INTENTIONAL?
A: [Ken Arromdee]
The 101 Secrets states that it was unintentional, but this is apparently a joke. Bill MacPhee of AIC asked the creators, posting the answer in a thread titled "Tenchi Muyo! Title translation/joke"; they were aware of the meaning and it was intentional.
Q: How do you spell the character's names?
A: Due to the complexity of switching the names back & forth, the names can be spelled many ways. However, Pioneer really messed up when they translated Aeka's name, they translated it as "ayeka". Some of the other translations are below.
I use the first name in this document. Ryoko is debatable, but that is how I have learned to spell it ;-)
• Aeka - Ayeka.
• Washu- Washuu.
• Ryoko-Ryouko.
View My GuestbookThanks to AIC and Pioneer for bringing us such a fantastic series and thanks to everyone who's backgrounds, images, and site lists I used to make this page!
