Tenchi Muyou! Ryououki

As someone unfamiliar with the Tenchi Muyo! series, it felt a bit odd to encounter a manga adaptation of an anime supplemented by numerous movies, OVAs, and spin-offs. The series seems somewhat dated, possibly more popular than current MAL ratings might indicate.

The Tenchi Muyo! series is peculiar. Being a manga adaptation, it doesn't introduce characters but dives straight into a story that could fit midway through a longer-running anime. Interestingly, this didn't matter much. Initially, I thought the volume scans were mixed up, which can happen with lesser-known manga spanning 40+ chapters, but it appeared intentional due to multiple references to the OVA series within the manga—talk about self-promotion! It seems the authors expected us to follow both the manga and the anime concurrently as they released.

The narrative is largely episodic, set in and around their mansion on Earth, yet multi-chapter arcs are richer in writing and character development. There are some fantastic villains with compelling motivations, not just evil for evil's sake. While some tropes, like minor redemption arcs, are present, they're well-integrated here. Some villains may die, but the author is willing to make such sacrifices.

The characters embody typical '90s fantasy archetypes: a princess from a distant planet, her younger sister, a space police captain, a super-genius who's the mother of a space pirate, a cat-rabbit anthropomorphic ship (yes, it's cute), and a martial arts grandpa training Tenchi. Besides Tenchi, his grandfather, and Sasami, several characters are over 700 years old based on events and knowledge shown in the manga. Despite the large, strange cast introduced at once, their antics and quarrels grow on you quickly. The humor, though very '90s, was refreshing compared to modern dullness. My favorites are subtle fourth-wall breaks, like comparing darker-skinned characters' skin tones humorously without forcing the joke.

The art style might raise questions. As a '90s manga, it's dynamic with exaggerated hair colors, buff males, and slender females—a potential sore spot for some modern sensibilities. Though clothes are simple, details distinguish them, like Ryoko's dress. Characters are cheerful, their big angry eyes slightly dated but charming to those who appreciate that style. Backgrounds are detailed, rarely leaving white space, and when they do, panels are small or text-filled, balancing detail without overshadowing characters.

The biggest flaw is sound effects. In an official English release, action scene words are overly large and intrusive, sometimes hindering fight dynamics. Space battles suffer most, with dark backgrounds and excessive sound effects making actions unclear. Often, I couldn't tell what happened, guessing energy beams were used. Poor execution combines dark backgrounds with oversized sound effects.

Overall, reading Tenchi Muyo! was never boring. The authors admitted some choices were made with "Lol why not? It's funny, just don't think too much." This made for a compelling manga, mostly episodic with longer arcs featuring great villains. The art is simple yet effective, though sound effects and space battles falter. Without prior exposure to OVAs or movies, starting feels like jumping mid-arc, but characters grow on you fast. Each has a memorable quirk, making them fun companions. The manga is great despite lacking a definitive ending, but a sequel exists for closure. Don't expect it; the series is delightfully chaotic, precisely why I loved it.

I read the initial two Tenchi manga adaptations around the same period as I was watching the first two OVA series and reading the three True Tenchi Muyo novels. In my opinion, this is the optimal approach to fully immerse oneself in the original Tenchi Muyo universe, enriching its characterization, worldbuilding, and overall excitement.

This manga continues seamlessly with fresh narratives within the Tenchi universe, making it a great recommendation for those already familiar with the characters and general premise. Despite that, the manga succeeds in capturing the engaging character dynamics—which I consider the heart of the series, especially after my recent rewatch/read—while enhancing the tenderness and thoughtfulness often overshadowed by the harem setting and voice acting in the anime.

Some scenarios are rather outlandish, and certain depictions may feel one-note or stereotypical by today's standards in 2023. However, the manga consistently strives to take the moral high ground. Throughout this series and its sequel, there are numerous wistful, poignant, and tear-jerking moments that deliver more drama and reflection than comedy. That said, the art style can be overly gratuitous, particularly with female characters, giving it a different vibe from the anime. Nevertheless, it manages to offer quality Tenchi content, steering the characters and circumstances into a slightly different yet significantly canon-expanding direction. Highly recommended for fans of Tenchi or newcomers eager to dive into the franchise.