The second TV series based on
Tenchi Muyo,
Tenchi In Tokyo is very different from its predecessors. It includes a different backstory for the main characters but in general seems to assume that viewers are familiar with previous versions of the storyline. In this series, Tenchi
just wants to be normal, so he leaves his
Unwanted Harem behind to go to school in Tokyo and work at his grandfather's friend's Shinto shrine. While there he meets Sakuya Kumashiro, the most popular girl in school, who is (naturally) smitten with him, and things seem good... unfortunately, a mysterious girl with fearsome powers named Yugi is threatening Tokyo, and it's often up to Tenchi's old friends (who are all trying to see him anyway) to come and save him... not just from Yugi, but also from Sakuya!
The first half of the series is something of a
Monster Of The Week situation, but the later portion sees the traditional crew falling apart, only to come back together when they're really needed.
Tropes used include:
- Most of those from the main Tenchi Muyo page, plus...
- Ascended Extra: Famous Gonk Amagasaki becomes a recurring character in this series.
- Authors Saving Throw: Arguably, the episodes with the new origin, finally establishing that this series wasn't continuing the Tenchi Universe continuity (badly).
- Brainwashed: In one episode Tenchi is hypnotized into marying Sakuya.
- Broke Episode: Episode 5
- Broken Base: Fan reaction towards this series is mixed.
- Cheryl Blossom: Sakuya (and watch Ryoko and Ayeka foam at their mouths!)
- Dark Skinned Blond: Hotsuma
- Growing The Beard: The second half of the series.
- Idiosyncratic Episode Naming: The Japanese titles take on the form of haiku.
- Lawyer Friendly Cameo: Mr. Fujisawa, the teacher of Tenchi's class.
- Line Of Sight Name: In episode 5, Tenchi introduces Sakuya to Ryoko and Ayeka as the characters from the "Monster Busters" arcade game, which Tenchi and Sakuya played earlier. Sakuya called Ryoko and Ayeka "Miss One" and "Miss Two", respectively, because the characters in the game almost bear a resemblance to them.
- Lotus Eater Machine: Tenchi gets trapped in one towards the end with Sakuya (who, at this rate, is completley under Yugi's control). However, Sakuya breaks through and sends him back to the real world.
- Market Based Title: Tenchi in Tokyo was known as Shin Tenchi Muyo! in Japan.
- Mind Control Eyes: Tenchi when he has been brainwashed in the episode when he is hypnotized into marrying Sakuya.
- Moment Killer: In the final episode, just when Ryoko is about to kiss Tenchi, Washu pops out of the tree trunk to test her new and improved Dimensional Tunnel. She was then followed by Sasami, and then Ayeka, and finally, Mihoshi and Kiyone. Ryoko proceeds to strangle Washu for ruining her moment.
- Morality Pet: Sasami, for Yugi
- Pale Skinned Brunette: Sakuya, too
- Quirky Miniboss Squad: Yugi's subordinates
- Really Dead Montage: The special end credits for episode 24
- Red String Of Fate: In episode 2
- Relationship Sue: Subverted with Sakuya. She's the shadow of the Big Bad, and is just there to try to trap Tenchi.
- School Festival: Is the central theme for episodes 15-16
- Shout Out: Pretty Sammy and Pixy Misa (in their Magical Project S costumes) in episode 10, Rio and Yuji (from Burn Up W) have a cameo role in episode 22.
- Show Within A Show: Mihoshi became a huge fan of Space Police Policeman, after she and Kiyone got jobs playing villains in the series.
- Stood Up: In episode 10, when Tenchi chose to go on a date with Ryoko instead of Sakuya.
- Tokyo Is The Center Of The Universe
- Tomato In The Mirror Sakuya
- What Happened to the Mouse: The very first shot of the very first episode features two mysterious fellows stealing an equally mysterious box from a shrine. Neither they nor the box are ever seen or mentioned again.
