Edition 04: Tenchi Muyo GXP
(All info is currently from the Japanese R2 release)
Tenchi Muyo! GXP has concluded its 26 episode run on Japanese television and has a current DVD release date of Jan. 2004.. Set one year after the conclusion of the Tenchi Muyo OVA series, the show follows a young man named Seina Yamada who, at the age of 15, applies to join the Galaxy Police after a series of bizarre coincidences. None of the original Tenchi Muyo! cast will star in the series (not even Mihoshi and Kiyone), but there are some cameos. New characters in the GXP series include Mihoshi’s mother and a pair of Galaxy Police officers.
http://www.tenchimuyogxp.com/ - U.S. Official Site
http://www.tenchi-web.com/ - Japanese Official Site
Japanese Staff/Cast:
Director: Shinichi Watanabe
Cast: Shigeru Mogi (Seinen Yamada), Mariko Suzuki (Amane Kaunaq), Sakuma Kumi (Kuriko Masaki), Yuko Mizutani (Mitoto Kuramitsu), Aya Hisakawa (Ryoko Balouta)
Release Information:
Running Time: 95 mins.
DVD Video
Color
Layers: single-sided/dual-layered
Aspect Ratio(s): 4:3
Regional Encoding: 2
NTSC Format
Japanese/Linear PCM/Stereo
Thoughts:
Alpha:
Tenchi GXP is strictly for fans who have questioned, ‘What has happened to the Tenchi series?’ Shin Tenchi (Tenchi in Tokyo) was not a success and the series has deteriorated over time since the original Tenchi Muyo OAV. Tenchi Muyo was entertaining and it attracted as much fans as it did as a result. There are Tenchi zealots… but then again, there are always zealots for everything heh. So let us go to my views on this new installment of Tenchi Muyo, Tenchi GXP.
First of all, Tenchi Masaki is no longer the main character. Second of all, if you are looking forward to watch all the wackiness of Ryoko, Ayeka and crew, pass on, as they only make guest appearances here and there. And third of all, GXP could be considered if not a side story of Tenchi Muyo. The thing that catches my eyes of course is the animation quality, character etc. All the visuals, duh! I did say eyes hehe. But seriously, I believe GXP has a lot of potentials to be a great series in the states. Why? Well, considering the Tenchi fan base we have in the United States and the amount of anticipation this series has given me thus far.
I believe most fans have already questioned why, FUNimation picked up this title as to why Pioneer Animation did not pick this title up seeing that they have been releasing the Tenchi saga in the states. To tell you the truth, I would prefer Pioneer Animation over FUNimation in releasing Tenchi GXP. If you are wondering why I prefer Pioneer Animation… well only because I own more of their products than FUNimation :). FUNimation is not bad, do not get me wrong, I am sure Kiddy Grade will be a heck of a title and I sure as hell will be looking forward to that too!
Dark Wind:
Tenchi Muyo! GXP is the latest anime series in the Tenchi universe. It’s not the coming 3rd OVA though, Tenchi GXP is simply a side story involving characters related to the main Tenchi cast. If you want to see characters like Ryoko, Ayeka, and Tenchi, don’t count on it, as they only make cameo appearances here. I’ve read that this show isn’t even able to keep the humor of the excellent Tenchi Muyo! and Tenchi Universe anime series, and is much like the poor Tenchi in Tokyo.
What I’ve heard of so far disappoints me, and even more disappointing is that FUNimation picked up the license for US release. While they are a great company, I would have liked Pioneer, who has released everything else Tenchi so far in the US, and know how to treat such a great license. I’ll be waiting for this on TV, probably Cartoon Network, but I’m not in anticipation. I’ll hold off on getting excited about Tenchi until the Tenchi 3rd OVA comes out in September in Japan.
Piro^kun:
Seina Yamada has the worst luck in the galaxy. He brings it upon himself, family and friends anywhere he goes. But he must have something good going for him. Thinking Seina to be like the next Tenchi Muyo (because he attends the same school), Kaunaq of the Galaxy Police pays an visit to Seina and asks, “Wanna join us?”.
Is it destiny or just mistaken identity? If all goes well for Seina he just may end up being the most eligible bachelor in the galaxy. I really like the look of this. It reminds me more of the original Tenchi OVA, and helps to get rid of the nasty aftertaste of Tenchi in Tokyo. Maybe, I’m biased by my love for the Tenchi series as a whole, but I’m really looking forward to this!
Stikz:
I’m the biggest fan of the Tenchi Muyo OAV series. But, I’ve only been a partial fan of the spin-offs. This one doesn’t even have anyone from the core cast of the original. But after reading about GXP and watching the trailer. My opinion is changing on this one and my thumbs are starting to turn up. I will check this one out, if you’re a Tenchi fan then I believe you should too.
Oh, and I shouldn’t even have to tell you to pick up Tenchi Muyo OAV 3 later this year.
Alpha: What do you think of this edition of The Watcher? Comments? Suggestions? E-mail us!
Tenchi Muyo! GPX Screen Caps:
