Claysaba
Excellent, Without a doubt!!
Humbersi
The first must-see film of the year.
Fleur
Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.
au_law2001
The first movie of Tenchi, is, well, okay. But I still don't get it. This is based on the Tenchi Universe series, and not on the OVA, what is up with that? I don't understand. I don't believe that they will ever make one based on the OVA, but at least they are continuing that one. But despite that this is still worth viewing for the average Tenchi fan. It has more background on Tenchi's past, and his mother, and father, and it mostly has Ryoko and Ayeka posing as high schoolers and Mihoshi as a teacher, a dull one though, but it is memorable. But I can't help feel that this is so familiar somewhere, I think it was that episode in the Time and Space adventures one where they live their lives as high schoolers or something. And Sasami is cute as always in this one. I like her in those clothes very cute, enough to give Chiyo of Azumanga Daioh a run for her money. Watch it.
redbeard_nv
As an Anime fan to begin with, this movie is a delight. As a Tenchi Fan, it is a joy to behold. The addition of Christopher Franke's (Tangerine Dream, Babylon 5, Raven, M.A.N.T.I.S.)music is icing on the cake.But, for non-Tenchi fans, or those new to this story , or Manga, a little introduction is needed. Even that is difficult for the stories have been reworked at least three different ways in different productions.Basically the whole series revolves around Tenchi Masaki, a young man living in a rural province of Japan outside of Tokyo with his widowed father, an architect, and his grandfather, a shrine caretaker. But, his life is not as un-complicated as it seems, for his grandfather is a several hundred year old reigning prince of an extraterrestrial empire known as the House of Jurai, as his late mother was a princess to the same galactic domain. So his lineage has made him the target of both the scum of the universe, as well as an odd collection of women in his household: a 700 year old space pirate called Ryoko, who is also a stunningly lovely woman with a short fuse and super-powers, Ayeka, ruling princess of the House of Jurai and his grandfather's half sister (her mother pure blood Jurain, his mother human), her younger sister Sasami (who is psychically merged with a living all-powerful starship called Tsunami), Washuu, the exiled super-genius and professor of a galactic science academy (her inventions were a little destructive for the faculty, or the universe, to handle), Myhoshi, a ditzy member of the Galaxy Police force, Kiyone, her oft put-upon partner, and Ryo-oki, a cabbit (half cat, half rabbit), a creation of Washuu's which itself can transform into a living space ship.Now, with that out of the way, this adventure pits Tenchi against a powerful master criminal called Kain, imprisoned by the Jurain Empire who escapes from Galaxy Police's temporal prison and travels back in time to take revenge by murdering Tenchi's mother, thereby destroying him in the present, as well as decimating the Royal House of Jurai. It is up to Tenchi and the ladies (all of whom have a love interest in Tenchi, to varying degrees), using Washuu's super science, to travel back in time to save Tenchi's mother when she was still Tenchi's age.What follows is an adventurous, funny and often touching story as Tenchi meets the mother he never knew, fights for her life and his, as well as juggle the love and affection of the ladies (especially Ryoko, who is deeply in love with him and Ayeka, who desires him as a mate of royal lineage).The film is a joy, as are the two sequels, which give a new and great creative take on the popular television and video series.
IrisNo11
Twenty-six years ago, the Masaki family died out. A young teenage girl named Achika Masaki has disappeared, and in the near future, so did her son, Tenchi. Now, Tenchi, Ryoko, Ayeka, Sasami, Kiyone, and Mihoshi must travel back to 1970, to save not only Achika, but also their own lives as well. With the help of scientific genius, Washu, Tenchi and the gang will travel back in time to save the Masaki family from the evil and sinister Kain.Intersting...isn't it?The fist Tenchi film made, but the second I saw after seeing "Tenchi Forever!". I was more pleased with this one. It's filled with more twists and turns, and has more action...especially the battle against Kain.
Unlike "Tenchi Forever", this film is less dramatic and more comedy...which is what Tenchi is pretty much known for although the series itself has it's dramtic moments. Of course, this film has it's dramatic times as well as it goes towards the ending. And of course, the film ends with a sweet melody called "Alchemy of Love".Also, the DVD version of this movie has more information than "Tenchi Forever!". :) I highly recommend it to Tenchi fans who have DVD players!!!! **grin**
kris.beaumont
Having not yet seen any other Tenchi Muyo, but enjoying anime I had high hopes for this movie. In part, these were met - the humor generally works very well, the animation quality is uniformly high, and the emotional parts almost convince.Therein though, lies (in my opinion) the main failing of this film - enough time is never spent fleshing out the relationships between the characters. This can be explained by its origin as a series, but weakens its qualities as a standalone film. Also, as it is based upon a series, you know that no major characters can die (to maintain continuity with the series), which removes some of the excitement.I expect you would get more out of it as a fan of the series, so you then already know most of the characters.In conclusion I like the film, and will watch it again, but cannot agree with some claims that it is a masterpiece...(7/10)
