History Anime / ParallelTroubleAdventureDual

[[quoteright:200:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lt/dual.jpg]]

Produced by the creative team behind ''Tenchi Muyo'', ''Dual'' is a fun romp -- a HumongousMecha show whose drama is thoroughly leavened with comedy born from its protagonist, an OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent, and TheUnwantedHarem he accumulates around himself.

Kazuki Yotsuga is a high school loner who feels isolated from his classmates because he has disturbingly realistic visions or hallucinations of giant robots battling throughout the city he lives in; it's great stuff to blog about, but ducking from invisible missiles makes people look at him funny. Then one day Mitsuki Sanada, [[TheOjou the most popular girl in school]], drags him home to meet her father, slightly-{{mad scientist}} Ken Sanada. The elder Sanada is a specialist in dimensional physics, and is convinced that when Kazuki has his visions, he is actually seeing events in a parallel world. A lab accident caused by Mitsuki ends up triggering Sanada's experimental dimensional transfer device, and the next thing he knows, Kazuki's not in Kansai any more, Toto...

Stuck in a world where he was never born, where giant robots battle in the streets and turn buildings into very real rubble, and where something called the Rara Army is busy trying to conquer the world one Tokyo neighborhood at a time, Kazuki is lost and confused. But he has an unexpected ability, and when Mitsuki Sanada once again comes to his rescue, this ability gives him a place within the UN forces fighting the invasion of the Rara robots.

Then his life starts getting ''complicated''...

''Dual'' (originally called ''Dyuaru! Parare Runrun Monogatari'' in Japan) is a gentle parody of HumongousMecha shows in general and of ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' in particular. It was later added as being part of the ''TenchiMuyo'' OVA continuity.

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!!This show provides examples of:

* AlphaBitch: Mitsuki Sanada. She becomes a LovableAlphaBitch in the last few episodes.
* AlternateSelf: Mitsuki Rara and Mitsuki Sanada are alternate universe versions of one another.
* AlternateUniverse
* ArtifactOfDoom: The source of the HumongousMecha.
* ArtificialHuman: D, [[spoiler: until she gains her old body back]].
* AscendedFanboy: Kazuki. He even [[FallingIntoTheCockpit Falls Into The Cockpit]] of the Core Robot he gave a FanNickname.
* AsYouKnow: Ken Sanada, almost every time he dips into ExpoSpeak about the premise.
* BettyAndVeronica: Yayoi Schwael and Mitsuki Sanada.
** [[spoiler:Mitsuki Rara and Mitsuki Sanada. You read that right, the same person from different universes]].
* BigBad: The artifact who's command Ayuko Rara follows.
* BookEnds: The main story begins with Mitsuki accidentally triggering the transfer device and ends with Mitsuki accidentally triggering the dimensional merge.
* BridgeBunnies: Commander Sanada has a few working in his command center.
* ButtMonkey: Kazuki
* TheCameo: Kiyone Makibi from ''TenchiUniverse'' appears for a split second in a reaction shot during the final episode. Doubles as a FreezeFrameBonus.
** Amano Misao and Ramia from Pretty Sammy also appear in the same shot.
* CaptainErsatz: Kazuki Yotsuga, Mitsuki Sanada and D are clearly intended to correspond to [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion Shinji, Asuka and Rei.]]
* ConspicuousCG: It's not exactly 3D, but the digital effects (while decent for the time) haven't exactly aged well.
* ConspicuousTrenchcoat: Mitsuki Sanada and Kazuki wear these to visit Kazuki's house when they return to their home dimension to keep people from recognizing them because Mitsuki's father had come up with a ridiculous cover story for their absence: [[spoiler: He claimed they'd eloped.]]
* CookingDuel: Frequent and informal, between the girls, with Kazuki as the judge.
* CreepyChild: D makes [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion Rei Ayanami]] look like a GenkiGirl. Not only that, but her soul is constantly visible and shines brightly where her left eye should be.
** Granted that she ''becomes'' D because she's afraid of showing emotions. [[spoiler: When she chooses to retake her real body, she's just as expressive as a normal girl.]]
* CrossOver: ''[[TenchiMuyoGXP Tenchi Muyo! GXP]]'' reportedly includes material (read:[[spoiler:Zinv]]) that indicates ''Dual'' is part of the ''TenchiMuyo'' OVA [[TheVerse 'verse]]. [[spoiler:When Zinv is unrestricted by D he is able to produce Lighthawk Wings. Also Zinv looks just like the robot Seina pilots at the end of TenchiMuyoGXP.]]
* DisguisedInDrag: Poor Kazuki has to dress in a pilot suit with fake breasts and ass to disguise the fact he's a man. It doesn't help that the first time he's wearing it Mitsuki Sanada is laughing uncontrollably for pretty much the entire scene.
** It doesn't help that the suit also changed his voice to the typical "high-pitched anime girl" kind of voice... and the change was an improvement in that it fit his personality better.
* TheDitz: Mitsuki Rara.
* DuringTheWar: Giant robot war, that is...
* EmbarrassingCoverup: Dr. Sanada's cover story for Mitsuki and Kazuki disappearing into another dimension: [[spoiler: They'd eloped.]]
* EmpathicWeapon: One of the most extreme and strange examples [[spoiler:Zinv not only sympathizes with Kazuki; Zinv ''is'' Kazuki. His parallel twin, anyhow]].
* EnterStageWindow: Yayoi's method of getting to Kazuki in the morning before the other girls. She does not use a ladder or a convenient tree, but a bridge between their houses that she appears to have built overnight after moving in.
* {{Expy}}: Kazuki, Mitsuki Sanada and D are pretty much a less mentally screwed up [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion Shinji, Asuka, and Rei]].
** Which also could be said for Ken and Yayoi as less mentally screwed up Gendo and Misato.
* FallingIntoTheCockpit: Kazuki, literally.
* ForWantOfANail: The origin of the parallel realities is the decision Kazuki's father makes when he's told to get rid of the {{Precursor}} artifacts found at a construction site. One choice means "normal" reality, the other means HumongousMecha in ritual combat.
* FurAndLoathing: The white fox wrap Ayuko Rara wears, and she's of course a vain, materialistic villain.
* GirlPosse: Mostly nice, for a change.
* GirlPowered: The giant robots can only be piloted by girls until Kazuki comes along.
* HighSchool
* HotForStudent: It is pretty clear that Yayoi doesn't even hide her favoritism of Kazuki.
* HumongousMecha
* ImportedAlienPhlebotinum: All of the "core robot" technology.
* IJustWantMyBelovedToBeHappy: Mitsuki Sanada, since it was her ''conscious choice'' which created the third reality where Kazuki is able to remain with and ultimately end up, not just with her ''but with any one of her ostensible rivals.''
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Mitsuki Sanada.
* LargeHam: Mitsuki Rara in her "Miss Ra" personality. In the final episode, all the girls get into the act.
* LatexSpaceSuit: The pilot suits.
* LeftHanging: A number of whys and hows about the premise.
* MadScientist: Ken Sanada.
* MadScientistsBeautifulDaughter: Mitsuki Sanada.
* ManIFeelLikeAWoman: Kazuki and Commander Sanada "testing the shock absorption" of that ridiculous female pilot suit.
* [[ManipulativeBastard Manipulative Bitch]]: Ayuko Rara.
* MarryThemAll: At the end of episode 14, both sets of parents (Sanada and Rara) actually encourage him to venture by himself into space as humanity's representative to alien races, ''with all four girls'' ostensibly as his official staff.
* TheMatchmaker: Ken seems to go out of his way to cause trouble like this for Kazuki. It begins with him moving Kazuki in with his parallel world daughter Mitsuki Sanada. He then moves CreepyChild D into Kazuki's ''room''. He then moves Mitsuki Rara into the household, ostensibly so that he can eat her cooking without having to line up. And he's likely responsible for Yayoi moving into the house next door -- the passageway between her bedroom and Kazuki's certainly couldn't have been built without his knowledge.
** Yayoi's grandmother Nanjyoin takes great pride in the fact that every couple she set up for an ''[[ArrangedMarriage omiai]]'' has gotten married. She is rather enthusiastic about pairing up all the single women working for the Earth Defense Force. Mitsuki Sanada tries to take advantage of this to get Yayoi away from Kazuki.
* MergedReality: At the end of the series, both dimensions get folded together. Both Mitsukis are included, as are Zinv and Kazuki.
* TheMultiverse: By the WordOfGod it is one (or two) of the ''many'' alternative continuities of the ''TenchiMuyo'' metaseries.
* NotBrainwashed: The second time Kazuki arrives in the parallel world, he quickly learns that [[spoiler: Mitsuki Sanada]] was captured by the Rara Army, and is now piloting their super-mecha HIMC/Himiko. [[spoiler: After defeating HIMC and trying to pull an IKnowYoureInThereSomewhereFight speech on her, the audience learns that Mitsuki wasn't actually brainwashed per se -- Ayuko put her under a light form of hypnosis, she came to her senses shortly after seeing Kazuki. Unfortunatly the robot she is now trappped in reacts to her subconscious thoughts and attacks anyone who upsets her in ''any'' way, even if she didn't want to actually hurt them. Understandably, Mitsuki doesn't correct Kazuki's assumption.]]
* OracularUrchin: D.
* OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent: Kazuki.
* ParentalAbandonment
* PeekABangs: D's hair covers up a glowing orb in one of her eye sockets. Some suspect it's her soul, but they are not sure.
* PimpedOutDress: Ayuko Rara's {{Pink|MeansFeminine}} dress.
* RainAura
* ReiAyanamiExpy: Played straight with D, who doesn't look like Rei but has a similar personality and role.
%%* ReversePolarity: A variant.
* SaveBothWorlds: [[spoiler: Kazuki thinks he merged the worlds, but Mitsuki Sanada actually did it, even allowing her counterpart to also exist.]]
* ShipperOnDeck: Mitsuki Rara's GirlPosse would be very happy to see her wind up with Kazuki. As for D, who can't, she adds curry sauce to random dishes.
* ShoutOut: To ''TenchiMuyo''.
* SpellMyNameWithAnS: [[spoiler: You can see Kazuki's MidseasonUpgrade mech referred to as "ZINV" onscreen, but the main characters call it "Jinbu" (or "Genebu" in the English dub). Likewise, HIMC/"Himiko".]]
* SupremeChef: It turns out both Mitsukis have great cooking abilities. So does Yayoi.
* {{Synchronization}}: Pilots are linked to their core robots and show pain when they take damage. Kazuki, in addition to being a male pilot, has ''negative'' "Life Sympathy" that allows him to do crazy things.
* ThirdOptionLoveInterest: Mitsuki Rara.
* ThroughHisStomach: Everyone who can cook constantly pushes food on Kazuki.
* {{Tsundere}}: Mitsuki Sanada displays a lot of contempt for Kazuki, but also seems completely opposed to him having anything to do with any other girl. Initially her jealousy and irrational responses could give [[RanmaOneHalf Akane Tendo]] a run for her money.
* TwoTeacherSchool
* UnluckyEverydude: Kazuki.
* TheUnwantedHarem
* VillainWorld: While Kazuki was temporarily trapped in his home dimension, Rara forces overran the second dimension and Ayuko became ruler.
* WeaponOfMassDestruction
* WhatIsThisThingYouCallLove: D towards Kazuki.
* XMeetsY: ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' meets ''TenchiMuyo''.
* YouGottaHaveBlueHair: D and the UN Inspector both have green hair. D's is neon lime, while the Inspector's is a very dark green.

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* BigBad: Ayuko Rara

* {{Crossdresser}}: Poor Kazuki has to dress in a pilot suit with fake breasts and ass to disguise the fact he's a man. It doesn't help that the first time he's wearing it Mitsuki Sanada is laughing uncontrollably for pretty much the entire scene.
** It doesn't help that the suit also changed his voice to the typical "high-pitched anime girl" kind of voice... and the change was an improvement in that it fit his personality better.

* {{Expy}}: Kazuki, Mitsuki and D are pretty much a less mentally screwed up [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion Shinji, Asuka, and Rei]].

* GirlPowered

* MergedReality

* ReversePolarity: A variant.

* ShipperOnDeck: Mitsuki Rara's GirlPosse.

* {{Synchronization}}

* ThroughHisStomach

* AlternateSelf: Mitsuki Rara and Mitsuki Sanada are alternate universe versions [[spoiler:(actually half-sisters through the same mother with a different father in each reality)]] of one another.

* AlphaBitch: Mitsuki Sanada. [[spoiler: She becomes a LovableAlphaBitch in the last few episodes.]]

* EvilTwin: Played straight ''and'' subverted by the same character. [[spoiler: Mitsuki Rara and Mitsuki Sanada are alternate universe versions (actually half-sisters through the same mother with a different father in each reality) of one another. Rara qualifies as an EvilTwin thanks to being on the Rara side of the war. She also subverts the EvilTwin trope by being nicer and far less bitchy than Sanada, as far as Kazuki is concerned.]]

* RobotGirl: D, [[spoiler: until she gains her old body back]].

* SplitPersonality: Mitsuki Rara.

* {{Expy}} Kazuki, Mitsuki and D are pretty much a less mentally screwed up [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion Shinji, Auska, and Rei]].

* TheCameo: Kiyone Makibi from ''TenchiUniverse'' appears for a split second in a reaction shot during the final episode. Doubles as a FreezeFrameBonus.
** Amano Misao and Ramia from Pretty Sammy also appear in the same shot.
* TheUnwantedHarem

* AllTheMyriadWays

* EnterStageWindow: Yayoi's method of getting to Kazuki in the morning before the other girls. She does not use a ladder or a convenient tree, but a bridge between their houses that she appears to have built overnight after moving in.

* WhiteHairedPrettyGirl: Yayoi

* CaptainErsatz: Kazuki Yotsuga, Mitsuki Sanada and D are clearly intended to correspond to [[NeonGenesisEvangelion Shinji, Asuka and Rei.]]

* CreepyChild: D makes [[NeonGenesisEvangelion Rei Ayanami]] look like a GenkiGirl. Not only that, but her soul is constantly visible and shines brightly where her left eye should be.

* {{Expy}} Kazuki, Mitsuki and D are pretty much a less mentally screwed up [[NeonGenesisEvangelion Shinji, Auska, and Rei]].

* XMeetsY: ''NeonGenesisEvangelion'' meets ''TenchiMuyo''.

''Dual'' (originally called ''Dyuaru! Parare Runrun Monogatari'' in Japan) is a gentle parody of HumongousMecha shows in general and of ''NeonGenesisEvangelion'' in particular. It was later added as being part of the ''TenchiMuyo'' OVA continuity.

* TenchiSolution: At the end of episode 14, both sets of parents (Sanada and Rara) actually encourage him to venture by himself into space as humanity's representative to alien races, ''with all four girls'' ostensibly as his official staff.

* CrossOver: ''[[TenchiMuyoGXP Tenchi Muyo! GXP]]'' reportedly includes material (read:[[spoiler:Zinv]]) that indicates ''Dual'' is part of the ''TenchiMuyo'' OVA [[TheVerse 'verse]]. [[spoiler:When Zinv is unrestricted by D he is able to produce Lighthawk Wings.]]

* AlphaBitch: Mitsuki Sanada. She becomes LovableAlphaBitch in the last few episodes.

** [[spoiler: She actually has to hypnotize herself to be evil.]]
* FallingIntoTheCockpit: Kazuki, almost literally.

* WhiteHairedPrettyGirl: Yayoi; she looks better with long hair.
** Says you. YMMV.

* YamatoNadeshiko: Mitsuki Rara, at least when she's not being a LargeHam and the voice of the Evil Army.