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Tenchi Muyo

(天地無用!) Tenchi Muyo, a Japanese Animation series, is the story of Tenchi Masaki and the alien women that love him.

The Original Series, Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki, was a six episode OVA (Original Video Animation or Direct-to-Home Video) series; released in Japan in 1991-92, and later in North America in 1992-93 by Pioneer USA. As its popularity grew, it spurred a seventh episode (also known as the Tenchi Special) and the Mihoshi Special. In 1994, the second OVA series was created and released, featuring episodes 8-13; these episodes explain each of the characters in more detail and introduces a new one. In 2003, the third OVA series is expected to be released, with episodes 14-19; the story is planned to center around the three goddesses introduced in the second OVA series.

Several variations of the original series were created. The first of these was Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki, TV Series (also known as Tenchi Universe), in 1995; it is a twenty-six episode TV series that retells the original series differently. Next, Shin Tenchi Muyo! (also known as Tenchi in Tokyo), in 1997, is yet a third version of the story, but this time centered in Tokyo with a girl named Sakuya Kumashiro. It is also a twenty-six episode TV series.

Tenchi Muyo! GXP, released in 2001, goes back to the original OVA timeline; however this time the main character of this twenty-six episode TV series is Seina Yamada, a cousin of Tenchi Masaki who accidentally joins the Galaxy Police. Unlike all previous Tenchi Muyo! incarnations, GXP was licensed in the United States by FUNimation, not Pioneer USA.

As mentioned above, a third Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki OVA, loosely based on the original OVA continuum, is currently being released in Japan for 2003-04.

Their are also three movies: Tenchi Muyo in Love!, 1996; Tenchi Muyo: Manatsu no Eve (The Daughter of Darkness), 1997; and Tenchi Muyo in Love 2: Haruka naru omoi (Tenchi Forever), 1999.

Tenchi Muyo has also two complete spin-offs. The first, Pretty Sammy, the Magical Girl, in 1995, is a three episode OVA Series that centers around a girl named Sasami Kawai who magically becomes Pretty Sammy. The second, Pretty Sammy (also known as Magical Project S), in 1996, is an alternate version of the OVA storyline.

Other versions of Tenchi Muyo are also available as graphic novels, video games, and radio dramas.

It was the first major successful work for AIC, the animation company behind it, which went on to create El Hazard and many other beloved anime series.

For many American fans, Tenchi was the series that introduced them to anime, or cemented their love for it. Along with Robotech, Ranma 1/2, and others, Tenchi helped to firmly establish the American anime community in the 1990s.

The Main Characters

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Before the popularity of the series Love Hina Tenchi Muyo! was also considered to be the standard to judge series with a milquetoast/meek but kind male lead surrounded by attractive but bizzare-acting women (the other two famous examples being Love Hina and Ranma 1/2). These were later prejoratively called 'harem comedy', although in the strictest many shows given this title don't fit the bill.

convulted love spiral subplot later termed Harem Comedies. Although a misnomer