The Original Series, Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki, was a six episode OVA (Original Video Animation or Direct-to-Home Video) series; released in Japan in 1991-92, and later in North America in 1992-93 by Pioneer USA[?]. As its popularity grew, it spurred a seventh episode (also known as the Tenchi Special) and the Mihoshi Special. In 1994, the second OVA series was created and released, featuring episodes 8-13; these episodes explain each of the characters in more detail and introduces a new one. In 2003, the third OVA series is expected to be released, with episodes 14-19; the story is planned to center around the three goddesses introduced in the second OVA series.
Several variations of the original series were created. The first of these was Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki, TV Series (also known as Tenchi Universe), in 1995; it is a twenty-six episode TV series that retells the original series differently. Next, Shin Tenchi Muyo! (also known as Tenchi in Tokyo), in 1997, is yet a third version of the story, but this time centered in Tokyo with a girl named Sakuya Kumashiro. It is also a twenty-six episode TV series.
The latest series, Tenchi Muyo! GXP, in 2001, goes back to the original OVA timeline; however this time the main character of this twenty-six episode TV series is Seina Yamada, a cousin of Tenchi Masaki who accidently joins the Galaxy Police.
Their are also three movies: Tenchi Muyo in Love!, 1996; Tenchi Muyo: Manatsu no Eve (The Daughter of Darkness), 1997; and Tenchi Muyo in Love 2: Haruka naru omoi (Tenchi Forever), 1999.
Tenchi Muyo has also two complete spin-offs. The first, Pretty Sammy, the Magical Girl, in 1995, is a three episode OVA Series that centers around a girl named Sasami Kawai who magically becomes Pretty Sammy. The second, Pretty Sammy (also known as Magical Project S), in 1996, is an alternate version of the OVA storyline.
Other versions of Tenchi Muyo are also available as graphic novels, video games, and radio dramas.
It was the first major successful work for AIC, the animation company behind it, which went on to create El Hazard and many other beloved anime series.
For many American fans, Tenchi was the series that introduced them to anime, or cemented their love for it. Along with Robotech, Ranma 1/2, and others, Tenchi helped to firmly establish the American anime community in the 1990s.
wikipedia.org dumped 2003-03-17 with terodump