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Tenchi Universe - The Complete Boxed Set (Vols. 1-8)

Tenchi Universe - The Complete Boxed Set (Vols. 1-8)

List Price: $199.98
Your Price: $179.98
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Watered-Down Tenchi
Review: The TENCHI-MUYO anime series is one of the most popular
of all anime series. It involves the adventures of
Tenchi Masaki, a seemingly normal Japanese high-school
kid, who suddenly finds himself the center of attention
of a flock of females from outer space, including
space princess Ayeka and her sweet little sister Sasami,
space pirate Ryoko, mad scientist Washu, and dumb-blonde
Galaxy cop Mihoshi.

Fans of the "original anime video (OAV)" TENCHI MUYO set,
which began the series, will recognize all these elements
as familiar, but TENCHI UNIVERSE, the TV series that
followed the OAV, reconstructs the entire story along
somewhat different lines. TENCHI UNIVERSE also introduces
another femme, Mihoshi's Galaxy-cop partner Kiyone, while
dropping Tsumani, the goddesslike grown-up alter ego of
Sasami.

What becomes obvious after watching the first few episodes
of TENCHI UNIVERSE is that it's targeted for a juvenile
audience, in contrast to the OAV, which is targeted at
adolescents and older. One consequence of this is that
while the OAV had some risque scenes, TENCHI UNIVERSE is
basically sanitized.

It is also, unfortunately, thinner than the OAV. While the
OAV tends to meander and is full of odd loose ends, TENCHI
UNIVERSE in contrast tends to be structured and overly
predictable, sometimes getting stilted enough to suggest
bad acting by the cast, which is odd considering they are
cartoon characters.

OK, I have to be fair to TENCHI UNIVERSE. It is competently
produced, and (as somebody else put it) it does have its
moments. I did like Mihoshi and Kiyone striking a "Galaxy
Cop Femmes With Guns" pose in the intro section of each
episode, and the section of "alternate Universe" episodes
-- TIME AND SPACE ADVENTURES -- definitely had its appealing
bits.

In one, Sasami is recast as a SAILOR-MOON-like "magical
girl" named "Pretty Sammy" while the rest of the cast
is turned into high-school students and faculty. Sasami
uses her magical powers to end the constant bickering
between Ayeka (here school president) and Ryoko (school
bad girl) and turn them into good friends ... but
overdoes it a bit, making them into EXTREMELY good
friends: "GASP! This is an INAPPROPRIATE relationship!"

TENCHI UNIVERSE is likely a better bet for juveniles.
Older people might want to try the OAV first. If you
really really like it, you may well like TENCHI UNIVERSE,
but if you want a further Tenchi fix after the OAV, you
might try the Tenchi manga (paperback comic) series
instead. They're not necessarily always the greatest
thing since icecream but they are consistently fun.

Oh, I almost forgot -- one of the nice little perks of
the TENCHI UNIVERSE set is very stylish box art, which
renders the primary characters in sort of a New-Age
stained-glass format. I did a nice consolidated
scan of the artwork -- if you'd like it, email me and
I'll send it to you.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Tenchi strikes again...
Review: There are 2 words that come to my almost speechless mouth when I think of this particular series- "sheer perfection"! After unfortunately seeing Tenchi in Tokyo, this has proved to be a real pick-me-up. The Tenchi Universe is one of the best anime series availible, I'd go as far to call it a pure classic. For those of you that don't know the plot, it follows a completely different storyline to the "Tenchi OVA" or the "Tenchi in Tokyo" series. I won't spoil the plot too much, but needless to say that Tenchi finds himself surrounded by female company from the very beginning. Just watch out for the flash-back ending to the series, it's one of the best endings you could wish for.

The good -

Tenchi Masaki: Well, "Tenchi Muyo!" roughly translates into English as "no need for Tenchi!" so say hello to the lead character. Just an ordinary high school teenager, until one day Ryoko appears...

Ryoko (Spelt Ryouko, sometimes): Most anime fans will agree that Ryoko is the best character in the series and certainly the most detailed when it comes to her personality. This is seen near to the end especially.

Ayeka (Spelt Aeka, sometimes): Second most prominent character after Tenchi in most people's opinions. She's still the princess of planet Jurai, like in the OVA series, but this time she's quite ruthless and not so "fragile" (see episode 2, the space battle sequence).

The bad -

Kagato: one of the most incredible villains of all time, if you ask me. He was first featured in the OVA and now this "multi-purpose bad guy" is back for the Tenchi Universe. Both cunning and extremely powerful, this is one villain you won't forget.

That about concludes today's lesson, all that is left to say is that if you don't get this you'll probably regret it. DEFINETELY well worth saving up for! :)

~Andy (with nothing better to do)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Tenchi Universe...now complete!
Review: This DVD set features all 8 volumes of Tenchi Universe. Tenchi fans have mixed opinions on this seris. Some say its better than Tenchi Muyo!, but I say its pretty much equal because its longer. The drawing quality has decreased quite a bit from the original series, but once you get into Tenchi Universe you probably won't notice.

On each DVD there are 3 billingual episodes (has Japanese and English audio). Each DVD usually goes for about 25$ (which is rediculous if you ask me), but if you buy the set you are basically getting a bargain...so I reccomend doing so. The extras on each disc offer character sketches, which isn't a lot, but at least its something.

Overall I really liked this DVD set. Its not everyday you can just tell your friends that you own an entire 26 episode series.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: No Need For Swimsuits- What Everyone Was Waiting For
Review: This is the seventh installment of the 8 disc Tenchi Universe series. If you have not seen the prior episodes, many of the events seen in this disc may be somewhat confusing, but that's probably obvious to all.

No Need For Swimsuits showcases the stranded heroes on a refreshing beach paradise planet, and a great way to earn a cool 1 million Jurai: A swimsuit contest! All the girls, excluding Sasami and Washu, dawn their suits and compete for the gold!

No Need for Checkpoints is when Tenchi and the gang must penetrate the Jurai checkpoint in order to continue their journey to planet Jurai itself. Quite comical seeing Tenchi in his disquise, but also it shows a bit into the past of a certain Uncle of Sasami's who tries to aid them in their escape.

No Need for Knights is quite possibly the coolest twist of events in the series, or any Tenchi series for that matter. The gang travels to a planet in the Jurain "Forbidden Zone" where they attempt to resurrect two mummified soldiers of Jurai's past. This episode is a must see!!!

This disc, in my opinion, is the best one in the Tenchi Universe series for it's story line continuation. Many new and shocking events come upon the Masaki clan, as well as many comedic moments. The animation quality is excellent, dubbing is also very great in that it doesn't change drastically from the Japanese version, and the user interface is quite easy; cut and dry with no hassles. A must buy for any fan of Tenchi or of good action and comedy.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Tenchi Universe is the Best!
Review: Want to treasure Tenchi Universe? This is the boxed set for you. Tenchi Universe definitely does not disappoint those fans of Tenchi Muyo! OAV. The storyline is the same, just switched around a bit at the beginning. The best episodes include "No Need for Genius," where Washu creates a mecha Washu with the personality of Mihoshi. Go figure. The greatest episodes include "Adventures in Time and Space." Each girl lives out her fantasy world with Washu's new invention. When the invention starts backfiring, the whole household is sucked into different worlds. Of course, Washu is trying to fix it as soon as she can. Aeka's world: Feudal Japan, where Tenchi is her fiance off to fight the demon, Ryoko. Kiyone's world: A small town rid of Mihoshi, or so she thought. Sasami's world: High school with Tenchi, Ryoko, and Aeka as students. Mihoshi and Kiyone are teachers. Sasami is Magical Girl Pretty Sammy. Mihoshi's world: A modern domestic family with Tenchi as her husband and Sasami her daughter. Aeka is the cranky aunt and Ryoko is the pesky neighbor. Ryoko's world: She's a bank robber in the US and Tenchi is her reluctant assistant. Aeka is the millionare trying to get Tenchi back and Kiyone and Mihoshi are two police officers.

Buy this boxed set and you won't be disappointed!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: No Need for Tokyo
Review: Welcome to some of the greatest TV shows of all time. Of all the Tenchi series, Universe is the best, and in these episodes toward the end of the series, it really starts to pick up the pace. I don't know what I'd do with out Tenchi universe. The animation is top-notch, and It's good subbed or dubbed. Pioneer really brought a masterpiece over here stateside, and did a good job localizing it, but also keeping true to the original. If you like anime, and haven't seen this series, you've got to pick this one up right now. As for the extras, it's just like all the other Tenchi Universe one, but still fun to check out. Nothing extraordinarly though.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Box Set Review
Review: Well, this is a great thing, finally, the Tenchi Univers series on a DVD Box set, like the Tenchi Muyo Ova series. Now that it is in a box set, I can get the whole Univers series fast and easy, and for the price, its a steal to get the box sets than to get every individual EP's. The color, sound, and every thing is all there and done very well, also because it is left in its original form, like it should be. The way the DVD's are set up are also really cool, very easy to get to see what you whant to see, like the OVA series box set, thats what is really what I like, also, that you can watch all the series and not have to change the DVD every 3 EP's, but just kick back and enjoy. If you are a Tenchi, this is for you, dont wait, get it now and enjoy.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Funny Series, Wasted DVD's
Review: With the popularity of the original "Tenchi Muyo" OAV, it was only natural that Pioneer would want to rack in the cash and create a TV series. Thus enter "Tenchi Universe". This is a 26-episode series which retells the first 6 episodes of the OAV series. All of the characters have been modified to a degree from their OAV counter-parts as has the story. I call it "Tenchi Light" because it lacks the subtle depths of the OAV series, however it stands up well on its own. It is funnier than the OAV series which helps it quite a bit.

As far as the DVD's go, I'm annoyed that Pioneer decided that most of them should only contain three episodes! This is such an outrage! There are a few extras on the DVDs, but lets face it, I'd rather have at least 4 (if not 5) episodes per DVD. But they make more money by spreading it out so far.

Another complaint I have is Pioneer's lack of concern for the English subtitles. I didn't care for the English dub because I've seen all of the series in Japanese and thus am attached to hearing those voice actors speak. It is sad that at times the subtitles are unreadable due to their poor font/color choices. Also, they can't decide if they want to translate the titles of "-dono" or "-sama" as "Lord" or not. One moment it's "Lord Tenchi" and then the next moment its just "Tenchi" before they go back to "Lord Tenchi". And Pioneer ignores most Japanese text refusing to translate most of it. This results at least a couple of jokes being missed because it is obvious we are meant to read the Japanese text.

Bottom line: while not as good as the OAV series, it is good on its own as a funny anime sci-fi title. The set should have been reduced by at least 1 (if not two) DVD's and the subtitles should have been done better.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: It was ok
Review: With the popularity of the original "Tenchi Muyo" OAV, it was only natural that Pioneer would want to rack in the cash and create a TV series. Thus enter "Tenchi Universe". This is a 26-episode series which retells the first 6 episodes of the OAV series. All of the characters have been modified to a degree from their OAV counter-parts as has the story. I call it "Tenchi Light" because it lacks the subtle depths of the OAV series, however it stands up well on its own. It is funnier than the OAV series which helps it quite a bit.

As far as the DVD's go, I'm annoyed that Pioneer decided that most of them should only contain three episodes! This is such an outrage! There are a few extras on the DVDs, but lets face it, I'd rather have at least 4 (if not 5) episodes per DVD. But they make more money by spreading it out so far.

Another complaint I have is Pioneer's lack of concern for the English subtitles. I didn't care for the English dub because I've seen all of the series in Japanese and thus am attached to hearing those voice actors speak. It is sad that at times the subtitles are unreadable due to their poor font/color choices. Also, they can't decide if they want to translate the titles of "-dono" or "-sama" as "Lord" or not. One moment it's "Lord Tenchi" and then the next moment its just "Tenchi" before they go back to "Lord Tenchi". And Pioneer ignores most Japanese text refusing to translate most of it. This results at least a couple of jokes being missed because it is obvious we are meant to read the Japanese text.

Bottom line: while not as good as the OAV series, it is good on its own as a funny anime sci-fi title. The set should have been reduced by at least 1 (if not two) DVD's and the subtitles should have been done better.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Funny Series, Wasted DVD's
Review: With the popularity of the original "Tenchi Muyo" OAV, it was only natural that Pioneer would want to rack in the cash and create a TV series. Thus enter "Tenchi Universe". This is a 26-episode series which retells the first 6 episodes of the OAV series. All of the characters have been modified to a degree from their OAV counter-parts as has the story. I call it "Tenchi Light" because it lacks the subtle depths of the OAV series, however it stands up well on its own. It is funnier than the OAV series which helps it quite a bit.

As far as the DVD's go, I'm annoyed that Pioneer decided that most of them should only contain three episodes! This is such an outrage! There are a few extras on the DVDs, but lets face it, I'd rather have at least 4 (if not 5) episodes per DVD. But they make more money by spreading it out so far.

Another complaint I have is Pioneer's lack of concern for the English subtitles. I didn't care for the English dub because I've seen all of the series in Japanese and thus am attached to hearing those voice actors speak. It is sad that at times the subtitles are unreadable due to their poor font/color choices. Also, they can't decide if they want to translate the titles of "-dono" or "-sama" as "Lord" or not. One moment it's "Lord Tenchi" and then the next moment its just "Tenchi" before they go back to "Lord Tenchi". And Pioneer ignores most Japanese text refusing to translate most of it. This results at least a couple of jokes being missed because it is obvious we are meant to read the Japanese text.

Bottom line: while not as good as the OAV series, it is good on its own as a funny anime sci-fi title. The set should have been reduced by at least 1 (if not two) DVD's and the subtitles should have been done better.


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