Tenchi Forever

—by Michael Poirier

I'm not afraid to admit that before viewing this video, I was a TENCHI virgin. Even after years of following anime, I had never watched any of the multifarious TENCHI shows, read any of the various manga, listened to any of the prodigious albums, or given more than cursory glances to even EX's copious reviews of the TENCHI pantheon. Not out of distaste really, more out of laziness. There is so much TENCHI out there, so many characters and so many "alternate" realities, I've been afraid to take the plunge and drown in the TENCHI sea.
Keeping that in mind, TENCHI FOREVER was probably not the best introduction to Tenchi's multiverse. The movie clearly took some relationships and character dynamics for granted, and I remain unconvinced that I need any more TENCHI. Nevertheless, I found this to be a poignant and bittersweet, if occasionally plodding, film that just might be worth viewing even if you are not a TENCHI devotee.
In case you didn't already know, our hero is a young man named Tenchi living in modern day Japan who is surrounded by cute girls from outer space who compete for his affections. In this movie, Tenchi wanders into the mountains one afternoon and, after approaching a magnificent tree, is kidnapped into an alternate dimension by a woman named Haruna who haunts that tree. In this parallel world, Tenchi has matured considerably and, after having the memory of his previous life erased, he is living a quiet life as an art student and Haruna's lover. Meanwhile, each of the girls he left behind is desperately trying to find him and they use various science fiction gizmos in their search. The tempestuous Ryoko and mild-mannered Ayeka eventually wind up in Tokyo, taking jobs as waitresses as they try to track down Tenchi and bring him back to his extended family.
Since watching this movie, I have done a little more research into TENCHI and saw the series characterized as an "action comedy." Please be forewarned that TENCHI FOREVER is pretty skimpy on both the action and the comedy. To be honest, Ryoko and Ayeka provide just about all the action and comedy you can expect to see, as they alternatively fight over Tenchi or provide laughs in their adjustments to working day jobs.
In fact, TENCHI FOREVER might be best characterized strictly as a romance. The focus of the story is Tenchi's rebirth as a mature adult and his complex relationships with Haruna and the other girls. Will Tenchi forget his past for this chance at blissfully ignorant happiness? Can Ryoko and Ayeka overcome their jealousies and hurt feelings to try and bring him back? Much of the story focuses on these interpersonal connections, with lots of mournful stares and tears slowly rolling down cheeks. The pacing is almost painfully slow, as this movie is not afraid to take its time to let the moods sink in.
For a theatrical release, the animation is not especially impressive. It seems like much of the budget was spent on ornate backdrops and various representations of flowers. There was not a single scene that I felt deserved to be on the big screen. I also didn't find the music to be especially engaging either, as it drifted haphazardly from mournful piano solos to lumbering drums to irritating accordians. In all fairness, however, TENCHI FOREVER is more about the characters and their emotions than their presentation, so my quibbles might be out of line.
Let's put it this way: if you care about Tenchi and his compatriots then TENCHI FOREVER will be an important chapter in their story. If, on the other hand, you want to see an anime that will amaze and inspire you, leaving you wondering where the last 95 minutes of your life went, you might want to pass this one by. Finally, does anybody out there want to psychoanalyze the implication that the worst thing that can happen to Tenchi is that he grows up and settles down with one woman?

Released in North America by Pioneer Entertainment (USA) L.P
VHS, 95 minutes
Subtitled: PIVA-1392S $29.98
Dubbed: PIVA-1392D $24.98
Available now in the USA
Where to buy