Tenchi Universe is a pretty good show, I'd say. The writing is generally solid, the characters are interesting, the score fits the tone, and finale has a surprising amount of pathos contained within it. There are only a few aspects that might turn some viewers off:
1. Aside from some minor bits of foreshadowing, the main plot doesn't get going until past the halfway point, and even then there's some filler. If you just like seeing the characters goof off with each other, this isn't a problem, but if you're looking for action and drama, you'll have to wait a while. That said, episodes 11-13 shake things up a little by giving us a look at possible alternate realities, topped off with some Character Development.
2. The Flanderization complained about on the main page is definitely present. Ryoko, while funny, can be enough of an ass that Ayeka trying to bump her off doesn't seem entirely unwarranted, and Mihoshi in this continuity is so fuck dumb and infantile that she probably still wears diapers. The former problem (after reaching its nadir in episode 19, where Ryoko almost dooms everyone, including Tenchi, to starvation) fixes itself just in time for the series' climax, while Mihoshi's screentime is thankfully minimized as the show goes on.
3. It can be jarring to see Tenchi play such an important role in the last couple episodes, when up until that point he's been his usual Vanilla Protagonist self, mostly serving as someone for the rest of the cast to bounce off of. But I think it works for the most part, and none of the above observations ruined the show for me at all.
All things considered, if you can handle a certain amount of deviation from the OVAs, in backstory and characterization, I'd recommend picking the series up.
Overall, a fun and enjoyable series.
Tenchi Universe is a pretty good show, I'd say. The writing is generally solid, the characters are interesting, the score fits the tone, and finale has a surprising amount of pathos contained within it. There are only a few aspects that might turn some viewers off:
1. Aside from some minor bits of foreshadowing, the main plot doesn't get going until past the halfway point, and even then there's some filler. If you just like seeing the characters goof off with each other, this isn't a problem, but if you're looking for action and drama, you'll have to wait a while. That said, episodes 11-13 shake things up a little by giving us a look at possible alternate realities, topped off with some Character Development.
2. The Flanderization complained about on the main page is definitely present. Ryoko, while funny, can be enough of an ass that Ayeka trying to bump her off doesn't seem entirely unwarranted, and Mihoshi in this continuity is so fuck dumb and infantile that she probably still wears diapers. The former problem (after reaching its nadir in episode 19, where Ryoko almost dooms everyone, including Tenchi, to starvation) fixes itself just in time for the series' climax, while Mihoshi's screentime is thankfully minimized as the show goes on.
3. It can be jarring to see Tenchi play such an important role in the last couple episodes, when up until that point he's been his usual Vanilla Protagonist self, mostly serving as someone for the rest of the cast to bounce off of. But I think it works for the most part, and none of the above observations ruined the show for me at all.
All things considered, if you can handle a certain amount of deviation from the OVAs, in backstory and characterization, I'd recommend picking the series up.