Tenchi Muyo! Universe Box Set

As other reviews have stated, this is the TV series for the very popular Tenchi Muyo! that aired back in 1995, dubbed 'Tenchi Universe' here in the US. As such, it's thematically very different from the two OVA collections for Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki that aired from 1992 to 1995 in Japan. Influenced heavily by OVA co-writer Naoko Hasegawa, the series is structured in a much more contained, orderly overall story arc from beginning to end. Briefly covering some of the major differences, characters shift places: instead of Ryoko, it is Washu who is exiled and imprisoned on Earth near the Masaki home in Okayama, and is the lone polycentenarian of the cast, a consummate mid-scientist and tinkerer. The young Ryoko, no longer Washu's "daughter" of sorts, instead is actually portrayed as an infamous space pirate and bandit (unlike the vague allusions to it in the OVA) whose career only comes to an end when she and the Galaxy Police detective pursuing her, Mihoshi, take their fight to Earth. Princess Ayeka, a childhood acquaintance of Ryoko who is no longer related to Tenchi (having only known of the legendary Juraian prince Yosho by reputation, rather than being betrothed to him) answers her S-O-S, and soon fines herself on an indefinite vacation there as well. Sasami (still Ayeka's younger sister, and considerably more savvy and spunky in this appearance) does the same after failing to rescue her wayward sister. After this, they're joined short order by Universe's most memorable original character and partner of Mihoshi, Detective Kiyone. An original creation of Hasegawa apparently, Kiyone's probably Tenchi Muyo's most successful breakout character (and far more popular then the similarly-named 'Granny' Kiyone of the OVA series), and appears in every version of the series except those based off the OVA, and it's not surprising when you see her in action with Mihoshi. Another memorable TV series addition is Nagi, a sort of anti-Ryoko with her own cabbit-spaceship who, while not a superhuman, still manages to be the universe's most famed bounty hunter (capable of kidnapping both Tenchi and defeating Ryoko in her first appearance). The series' Kagato also makes an appearance, towards the end, but is generally not as memorable or interesting as his counterpart at the end of the first OVA. Overall, the characters avoid the sort of convoluted, jumbled family tree that the series creator Masaki Kajishima eventually put into place in the OVAs and associated series (like the highly disappointing Tenchi Muyo GXP or the rather unusual Tenchi Muyo: War on Geminar), and the famed Tenchi harem itself is much smaller--Ryoko and Ayeka vie for his affections, but by and large, Sasami is more interested keeping the household together, Washu more interested in her experiments, Kiyone does not fall for Tenchi at all and Mihoshi much more emotionally attached to her partner than the young Earthling. Not surprisingly for a TV series versus an OVA, there's a lot less raunchy sexual humor as well, and the series has a higher emphasis on slapstick and situation comedy. So that's the series. As for the DVD package itself, it's a very respectable transfer in an affordable boxset. My only complaint is that, unlike the high-production OVA series (including the rather disappointingly-animated third OVA), the TV series isn't available in a HD format in the United States, nor is it streamed in HD from Funimation, probably a reflection of its status as regular TV series. That isn't really the fault of this particular release, but the chances of getting a bluray release of Tenchi Universe seem very slim, at best. Visually, the series holds up respectably well, though it isn't the stunning visual treat that the first two OVAs are (though it is visually superior to the third OVA). The two Tenchi Universe! films, Tenchi Muyo In Love! and Tenchi Forever (sometimes called 'Tenchi Muyo In Love! 2') are available, as part of the three-film Tenchi movie collection (the film 'Daughter of Darkness', despite the appearance of Kiyone, is not related to the TV series). Lack of HD aside, if it's your favorite take on Tenchi Muyo! or you just want to own the TV series, it's hard to argue for $20.00 US for 26 episodes. Definitely grab it if you're not subscribing to Funimation's streaming service (there is little, if any difference between the dubbed and subtitled versions they stream, and those two versions you can watch on these DVDs).

Still a great show. Unfortunately the case for mine was broken when it arrived.

Great 4:3 content for my CRT TV. Tanchi is an anime I grew up with on Toonami and I love it. Its loaded with jokes, fanservice, and that classic anime charm.

One of the first anime series I watched outside of general television. I was instantly a big fan of this vibrant expansive world and its interesting, crazy yet sympathetic characters. It does have a decidedly male-oriented view; it's bascially the godfather of harem anime- an aspect I wasn't totally conscious of when I watched it as a kid, what with all the powers, space empires, etc. So nice to have all of this series together in one collection. Wish I could get the same for the OVA Tenchi Muyo! branch(es).

Showed up in working condition and was enjoyable to watch.

Tenchi Universe series, all 26 episodes. The image is stretched horizontally from the original 4:3 aspect ratio to fill the 16:9 HD frame. There is no Setup option to change it. At least the stretching is not TOO obvious or distracting. Almost no special features included other than textless open/close and trailers for other series, one on each disk.

I bought this for a girl I was really into. The only person I've been with for five years (we had only been "friends" for like 6 months. I'm incel) She ghosted me on my birthday, the same day I got fired/promoted/idk it was weird. But one of my good friends had her number and her phone was working for him. At least that's what they said. I guess they must be really good friends. Terrible people. but good for each other. This anime sucked tho. just another "I;'m aloof and there's women everywhere" shallow plot hot chicks. 5/5 for the chicks in it. and delivery was great too. Wish it came with a big bottle "Numb the pain"

Ive waited years for a re-release of the tenchi series' since the limited releases done by pioneer are hard to come by, often damaged and very expensive, so this set is a welcome addition to my collection. now im unsure if its an edited release or not as i never bothered to watch an uncut version but there were a few shots of fully nude Ayeka in the bath so im assuming this is an uncut version. Also for all you fans out there you may be a bit confused seeing as how the tenchi universe spans across several different story arcs and retellings, well you will be pleased to know that with this re release funimation was kind enough to put a little chart on the back detailing which series are directly related to which and which ones are a different telling or spin offs, personally i found it very helpful seeing as how the original tenchi muyo! ovas are a different telling than tenchi universe or tenchi in Tokyo and i don't even know where exactly where gxp or the movies or magical sammy and everything else falls. All in all a great series, especially for us older otaku that watched this show on cartoon network or even beforehand on vhs. It hasn't aged very well though, so unless you have some nostalgic ties to this show i wouldn't recommend it, for all you fans out there, what are you waiting for, time for a trip back to the original harem show so grab your popcorn and dig out your ryo-oki backpack. It's time for Tenchi ^_^

Excelente, la resolucion es buena. Es bueno revivir la infancia con este tipo de productos. Recomiendo reproducirla en un DVD, Lector de discos o programa multiregion.

懐かしさのあまり購入！！！久しぶりに見て、たいへん満足です。

Top value, for the price. And the seris guide on the back so i know alle the names to the seris, nice. thx

I find that every Tenchi Muyo is good

Good