Disgraceful, simply disgraceful! After watching the first 3 Tenchi Muyo OAVs I expected a follow-up which would present at least the same amount of quality, alas, I was sorely disappointed. I do realize that Tenchi Universe is an alternative setting that shows a different story involving the Tenchi Muyo characters, but with the change in the story, I did not expect to encounter a change in performance. The OAVs are already mediocre, and to dilute mediocrity into something worst is an obscene act that should be declared illegal on grounds of exposing viewers to unworldly bad taste. I did see other animes that were far worst then Tenchi Universe, but they sucked on their own, Tenchi Universe sucks in comparison to something else that isn’t good, which just infuriates me. I believe Tenchi Universe to be an affront to the Tenchi brand name! I intend to watch Tenchi in Tokyo despite this failure and I hope to be greeted with a higher quality of entertainment. If I do, it will prove that Tenchi Universe is a sham that should have never been created; if not, then it will show that the whole Tenchi family is worthless and the OAVs were ok only coincidentally (I’ll report my conclusion in my review of Tenchi in Tokyo, if I review it).
And now for the in-depth segment of this review, note that I will make a lot of comparison to the Tenchi Muyo OAVs and thus it would be somewhat difficult for someone who hasn’t yet seen them to understand me. I do, however, discourage those who have already seen the OAVs from watching Tenchi Universe for it will very likely ruin your impression of Tenchi Muyo.
Animation (3):
I would first like to congratulate the creators of Tenchi Universe for their accomplishment: taking 3rd rate animation and making it look even worst is quite an achievement. The OAV animation, although not even remotely professional, was at least a bit presentable, but by fading the colors, destroying the esthetics and making the motions significantly choppier, Tenchi Universe exhibits animation that is almost as bad as Berserk's. Was it really such a big deal keeping the quality identical to the OAVs? Did they really have to ruin it? I have no answer for that.
Sound (7):
Ok, I gotta give credit where credit is due, the opening song for Tenchi Universe is by far one of the best I’ve ever heard – it’s fluid, it’s hip and it’s fun to listen to time and time again, 2 thumbs up! But this is where my praise ends, for, you see, the sound effects are pretty lousy: they’re dull, dry and very uninspiring (not that I expected anything more).
Story (3):
…zzzZZZzzz…zzzZZZzzz…zzzZZZzzz…zzzZ* - … eh? What? Is it over yet? No? Ok then… zzzZZZzzz…
Jeez this thing is boring, at least the OAVs were eventful, this thing doesn’t show anything of interest until the last few episodes. Nothing but tacky slapstick and corny sitcom junk. Absolutely nothing worthwhile to talk about. And also, whenever there’s any action, it’s so lacking in realism that it can be described as nothing more then a farce (I mean, come one, how many shots would it take to bring down that galaxy police battle cruiser? One million? Two million? Seriously, that thing is damn near invulnerable! You could sick that thing on an entire goddamn armada and it would come out without a scratch! And those Jurai ships, what a joke, it’s one shot one kill against those guys. The weakness of their fleets should probably be like an open invitation to attack and conquer them, I just don’t understand how Jurai survived for so long.).
Characters (4):
I don’t have much to say here, the same one-dimensional characters you grow to expect from Tenchi Muyo.
Overall (4):
Tenchi Universe is nothing more that someone’s laughable idea of a 3rd rate TV show that couldn’t even strive to attain mediocrity. It wounds me to see to what extent the potential of this show was wasted. A teenager could have done a better job.
... After a long while I realized that I was ruthlessly harsh in this review, and perhaps it really isn't as terrible as I've described... but it really does suck, just so you know.
