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3%%* AlasPoorScrappy: [[spoiler: Sakuya's death is pretty well done.]]
4* AlternativeCharacterInterpretation:
5** Is Yuzuha a JerkassWoobie or a CompleteMonster? Her last moments lend credibility to the former.
6** Also ''Universe''[='=]s Kagato, a [[TakeOverTheWorld universal conqueror]] [[DrunkWithPower who's out to kill of his rivals so he can have all the power in existence]] or [[spoiler: a BloodKnight who felt guilty over his actions that left his best friend shaken by choosing to die at his grandson's hands]]. The episode of his death sort of leans towards the latter.
7** In ''Tenchi in Tokyo'', Kiyone tells Ryoko that Tenchi would be much better with a law-abiding citizen like herself. How serious she was about it is up in the air. Either she genuinely entertained the thought of [[PromotedToLoveInterest her and Tenchi being together]] or she only said that to try to provoke Ryoko into coming back to Earth and still only saw Tenchi as just a friend. It's equally as possible she really was coming around to the idea of being one of Tenchi's love interests but still intentionally said that to provoke Ryoko into returning all the same.
8* AluminiumChristmasTrees: They probably don't actually exist but [[https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabbit cabbits]] are a type of cryptid that some people claim to have seen in real life.
9* AmericansHateTingle:
10** In the west, Noike is almost universally derided for her [[SpotlightStealingSquad spotlight stealing role]] in OVA 3. In Japan, opinion of her is a lot more balanced, and is overall accepted and liked by the masses. This is probably due to [[WordOfGod Kajishima's]] continued releases of doujinshi and novels that expand upon the 'verse. Americans were pretty surprised by Noike due to NoExportForYou.
11** Ayeka is a lot less liked in the west than she is in Japan.
12* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic:
13** Since the first OVA, ''Tenchi Muyo!'' has a stellar amount of tunes.
14** "Tenchi Muyo! Theme" is a soothing array of synths and oriental instruments playing with no lyrics.
15** "Talent For Love" is the ending theme for Tenchi Muyo! and is just as good. This time with lyrics mix with synths. Very upbeat.
16* BaseBreakingCharacter: Ayeka, Mihoshi and Ryoko. Is Ayeka a nice princess who cares about the others but doesn't really now how to express it properly, or a [[RoyalBrat bitch]] who only cares for herself? Is Ryoko a JerkWithAHeartOfGold whose antics are funny or an annoying and selfish {{Jerkass}} who constantly abuses others? Is Mihoshi a sympathetic {{Cloudcuckoolander}} or an irritating TooDumbToLive character [[TheMillstone who always gets her friends in trouble]]? In Mihoshi's case, it should be noted that people generally do like her GeniusDitz OVA version and only dislike her TV version where her stupidity is [[{{Flanderization}} turned up more]].
17%%* BetterOnDVD: ''Tenchi Muyo! GXP''.
18* BrokenBase:
19** The redesigns for the original OVA girls (minus Noike) for ''Ai Tenchi Muyo!'' have been mixed. Some feel that the girls have been modernized, while others consider it oversexualization, especially Mihoshi's PlayboyBunny-esque outfit and Sasami's short skirt.
20** The direction of the 4th and 5th [=OVAs=]. Some people like that we actually get to see the characters age and that we're getting background info on Kenshi for his spinoff. Others lament that the [=OVAs=] have gone full on SliceOfLife and that Tenchi and his harem are basically [[AdvertisedExtra Advertised Extras]]. And since most of the expanded material never leaves Japan, the 5th OVA ends up bombarding you with new character after new character. Moreover, Tenchi [[spoiler: marries his entire harem and even has babies with Ryoko and Ayeka. This has proven divisive with fans to say the least; many think that it's weird the girls are OK with such an arrangement, and that it's potential to be icky is large.]]
21* CompleteMonster:
22** {{OVA}}: [[MadScientist Kagato]] is an intergalactic researcher who utterly lacks anything resembling a conscience. Kagato turned on his mentor, Washu Hakubi, and imprisoned her for thousands of years, hijacking everything she had left behind, including Washu's [[TrulySingleParent created "daughter"]] Ryoko. Brainwashing Ryoko, Kagato sent her to discover the truth of the "greatest treasure in the universe," having her hunt down traces of it, and then destroy the worlds that contained it to make certain nobody else could replicate his discoveries, whether they were inhabited or not. Over 3,000 worlds met their fate this way. After losing Ryoko, Kagato continued the process himself until he discovered her alive on Earth. He wastes little time in trying to kill Tenchi and his UnwantedHarem and succeeds in blowing Tenchi apart from his ship. When Ryoko offers her life in place of Tenchi's, Kagato merely responds he'll just kill both. When Wahsu is freed, Kagato decides to "reminisce" about the old days by drawing on his ship's power to destroy the Earth. Kagato is defined [[ForScience by his drive]] for his "scientific method." Anything and anyone that gets caught in his path is simply collateral damage to that end.
23** ''Tenchi the Movie: Tenchi in Love!'': [[BigBad Kain]] is a powerful extraterrestrial criminal who is captured by the Galaxy Police and the Jurai Emperor after he destroyed several federated planets and hundreds of thousands of spacecrafts during his crusade to [[OmnicidalManiac destroy the universe]]. Centuries after his capture, Kain escapes from his confinement and destroys the Galaxy Police headquarters, [[CopKiller killing everyone inside]]. Developing a hatred towards the Jurai Emperor, Kain attempts to kill the current descendant, Achika Masaki, the mother of [[TheHero Tenchi Masaki]]; this would result in Tenchi ceasing to exist and affect the future of his companions. When Kain got sucked into another planet with Achika and his future husband, Nobuyuki, Kain tortures Nobuyuki while [[ForcedToWatch forcing Achika to watch]].
24* ContinuityLockOut: Not at first, but by the time of the 5th OVA, most of the cast getting the lion's share of the screen time were properly introduced in either the spinoffs (which at least did make it outside Japan), or in the light novels ([[NoExportForYou which didn't]]). If you only watch the anime, everything after the 2nd OVA is going to be extremely confusing.
25* DieForOurShip: Ryoko vs. Ayeka, though it is implied that Ryoko wins in the ''Tenchi Universe'' continuity. There is also Sakuya in ''Tenchi in Tokyo'', and the Ryoko and Ayeka fandoms rioted over this ([[spoiler:until Sakuya [[CharacterDeath died]]]]).
26* EnsembleDarkhorse:
27** Mayuka, Minagi, and Nagi.
28** Mihoshi in the original series before her inevitable {{Flanderization}} later on.
29** Also Kagato from the ''Universe'' version to those who found him an even more intimidating villain than the original.
30** People forget that Kiyone became very popular after her first appearance during the Mihoshi special of the OVA series. Back then, she wasn't meant to be a main character, but was made one in ''Tenchi Universe'' and beyond.
31** While most of OVA 3 is considered a ContestedSequel and inspires much [[BrokenBase Base Breaking]], the character of Z is pretty universally well liked by Tenchi fans.
32* EscapistCharacter: While Tenchi may just see himself as an unremarkable guy, much of his male fanbase may see things differently and want to be in his shoes, especially considering Tenchi's got a harem of beautiful women living with him and eventually grows so powerful that he becomes [[GodInHumanForm practically omnipotent and debate-ably the most powerful character in all of Anime]].
33* FanPreferredCouple: Among western audiences, the majority of fans seem to feel that Tenchi should choose Ryoko. The number of fanfics where Tenchi ends up with Ryoko ''hugely'' outnumber the ones where he picks Ayeka or one of the other girls.
34* FoeYayShipping: Despite their constant fighting over Tenchi, some of Ryoko and Ayeka's interactions give a small subsection of fans the idea that they could be into ''[[BelligerentSexualTension each]]'' ''[[HomoeroticSubtext other]]''. ''Tenchi Universe'' [[PlayedForLaughs spoofed the idea]] during the "Adventures in Time and Space" mini-arc, by having them wind up in a highschool [[AlternateContinuity AU setting]], where Pretty Sammy shoots them with a love arrow during one of their arguments. It was designed to make them be friends, but was somewhat overpowered; which made them lose interest in Tenchi altogether and fall in love with each other - complete with LoveBubbles and a KissingDiscretionShot! One can only imagine their fury if they ever remembered this happening.
35* FranchiseOriginalSin:
36** One of the biggest complaints ''Anime/TenchiInTokyo'' received was how most of the cast had become [[{{Flanderization}} flanderized]]. This was also apparent in the show's much more well received predecessor, ''Anime/TenchiUniverse'', but with ''much'' more restraint.
37** Mihoshi, the [[TheDitz childish and simple minded galaxy police officer]] deserves a mention. While she was never really that popular in the fandom, she was at the very least tolerated in [[Anime/TenchiMuyoRyoOhki the original OVAs]], as she had a few moments that showed that she wasn't [[GeniusDitz completely ditzy]]. Later adaptations, however, played up her comedic elements to the point that her only purpose was comedic relief, causing her popularity to wane considerably.
38** The use of UnintentionallyUnsympathetic AntiVillain or villains have been around the franchise since ''Daughter of Darkness'' with Yuzuha. A villain who is somewhat symapthetic, but you're clearly not supposed to support or cry too much for her. Though she does get a sorta AlasPoorVillain moment that undermines this a little. This form of "smypathetic" villains really rears it ugly head with Yugi from ''Tenchi in Tokyo'', and Haruna from ''Tenchi Forever (In Love 2)''. The former comes off as a KarmaHoudini for [[spoiler:[[RetGone killing Sakuya]], her good half]]. The latter villain, even more so for [[spoiler:raping Tenchi]]. A MoralEventHorizon crossed so far, most fans lost all sympathy for her.
39* GatewaySeries: For most Westerners, ''Tenchi'' was the introduction of the harem genre for many.
40* GenreTurningPoint: Although ''Anime/UruseiYatsura'' is generally credited as the first harem show [[note]] although it isn't a harem series to begin with since ''no one'' other than Lum is interested in Ataru romantically [[/note]], Tenchi really set the genre on fire, launching a host of imitators. Perhaps its biggest innovation was to make the male lead a soft-spoken, incredibly NiceGuy (and have this [[SingleWomanSeeksGoodMan be why the girls all like him]]) as opposed to Ataru, who is a sex-crazed {{jerkass}}. It was easier for viewers to see themselves in someone like Tenchi, which amped up the wish fulfillment.
41* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: Ryoko's easily considered the most popular ''Tenchi'' girl in the west.
42* SugarWiki/HeReallyCanAct: The English dub of [[OriginalVideoAnimation OVAs]] 1 and 2, ''Universe'' and ''Tenchi in Tokyo'' were released more or less at the same time as the original Japanese in the 90's, a time when English dubs of anime were definitely not known for their quality. Despite this, the cast actually do a very good job for the most part. In particular, Patrea Burchard's performance as Ryoko is considered to be one of the most iconic in all of anime English dubs, to the point where hearing anyone else voice the character just feels off.
43* HilariousInHindsight: Kain, the villain from the first ''Tenchi'' movie, bears an uncanny resemblance to [[Anime/SpiritedAway No Face]]
44* InferredHolocaust: [[spoiler: Destroying half the Earth? Yeah. That'll definitely kill some people on the planet but the ResetButton made it so that didn't actually happen.]]
45* [[HoYay Les Yay]]: When Ayeka has Ryoko captured, and Ryoko mentions that she's a sadist, Ayeka shows a lot more interest than she wants to admit. And this isn't the only time the two come across as flirty.
46%%** Yugi with Sasami.
47* MisaimedFandom: Both Ryoko and Ayeka have had their moments of questionable decency. The idea that there are fans who view one as ''always'' in the right while the other is ''always'' in the wrong is strange.
48%%* {{Moe}}: Sasami and Mihoshi.
49* MoralEventHorizon:
50** Not only did Yuzuha [[spoiler: kill her "daughter" Mayuka]], but she [[spoiler: mocks Tenchi and the girls when they mourn her. Then there's the reason she claims she's the real wronged one. It takes a lot of gall to complain about being attacked by Juraian guardsmen while hanging out with a young Crown Prince Yosho during Startica [[{{Hypocrite}} when you turned three of Yosho's friends into diamond candy and ate them just before meeting him in the first place and then lied to him about it]]!!]]
51** In ''Tenchi Universe'', Ryoko crossed it for many fans when she took the group's remaining funds, which was meant to buy food, and frittered it away instead. She blew it all by drinking and gambling while they were starving. Then decided to "make up" for it... by robbing The First National Bank of Jurai, [[DidntThinkThisThrough despite being a wanted space fugitive by the Galaxy Police]]. Then again, it wasn't like she cared, [[HeroicComedicSociopath since she knew they couldn't stop her]].
52** Haruna passes this for lots of people, when you see that in her despair to consummate her love for Yosho... she brainwashed and ''raped'' Yosho's innocent grandson Tenchi.
53** Hotsuma, Tsugaru, and finally Yugi from ''Tenchi in Tokyo'' do this too. Hotsuma crosses the limits when [[spoiler: he not only takes advantage of a (for once) truly distressed Ryoko and tricks her into abandoning the group, but also denigrates her when speaking to Yugi -- and that's when Ryoko was starting to like him quite a bit (and afterwards, Ryoko thinks to herself that [[EvenEvilHasStandards as bad as she can be, she's honest to a fault and would never fall THAT low]])]]; Tsugaru does it when [[spoiler: he laughs his ass off as Mihoshi [[TakingTheBullet chooses to shield Kiyone and get badly injured in her place]], instead of shooting him dead]], and finally, Yugi (until then a MagnificentBitch with a DarkAndTroubledPast) crosses this when [[spoiler: she first re-absorbs her "shadow" Sakuya [[BreakThemByTalking while revealing her true origins to her]] and ''mocking'' poor Sakuya's distress as well as Tenchi's; and then when setting a LotusEaterMachine for Tenchi... with ''Sakuya'' as the bait]]!
54** OVA!Kagato does this via {{mind control}}ling Ryoko to attack the group and Tenchi, then by ''killing Tenchi'' in the upcoming battle (with only the timely intervention of Tsunami bringing him back) -- while [[ForcedToWatch forcing a kidnapped Ryoko to watch]]!
55%%* OneSceneWonder: Amagasaki and Evil Kiyone.
56* ReplacementScrappy: Noike is often seen as a poor copy of Kiyone. Although she actually predates Kiyone in creation (she just wasn't implemented into the show until much after Kiyone's first appearance), some fans wonder why she wasn't just replaced with Kiyone in the first place, making this an odd inversion of the trope.
57* RetroactiveRecognition: Ryo-Ohki was one of Creator/EtsukoKozakura's earliest roles, these days how ever she's more famous for voicing [[Manga/SgtFrog Tamama]] and [[VideoGame/YokaiWatch Jibanyan]].
58* RomanticPlotTumor: Probably one of the shortest examples. Three quarters into OVA 3, an entire episode is spent exploring the budding romance between Misao and Mashisu. This might not seem like a big deal, but considering that OVA 3 is only seven episodes long and the love reveal distracted from other more pressing plot elements, this definitely fits.
59* TheScrappy:
60** Noike for American fans but the obvious is Yugi for her smugness and the KarmaHoudini for the truly monstrous acts she commits.
61** Both Mashisu and Misao from the OVA 3 are almost universally hated because one episode focused on their romance instead of the plot. And Sakuya is seen as annoying for a large portion of the fandom.
62** The ''Paradise War'' cast in [=OVA5=] for a variety of reasons, largely due to their novels not getting animated and never leaving Japan. The fact that the female members of the cast seem to have an unhealthy obsession with the underage Kenshi can lead to some {{Squick}} for some viewers as well.
63** Kenshi himself, for being a SpotlightStealingSquad for the final two [=OVAs=] despite having [[Anime/TenchiMuyoWarOnGeminar his own spinoff]].
64* StoicWoobie: Katsuhito/Yosho in the ''Universe'' version. [[spoiler:He had lost his first true friend, a child eating monster who was about to change her ways until the Jurai authorities came and beat the hell out of her, calling her a freak when she revealed her true form and running away. In his adulthood, he's forced to kill his best friend who had become power-hungry, killing and destroying everything in sight. He then wanders across the galaxy out of guilt while attempting to find a place for his lover who wasn't royalty so that they can love each other without suffering from social class discrimination. She then dies before they even arrive to Earth. His daughter's (Achika) lifespan was greatly diminished as a result of most of her Jurai power passing onto Tenchi when she gave birth to him. She passed away when her son was very young, causing Katsuhito and Tenchi's father, Nobuyuki to hate winter for a while, being the time she died. Then we get to the present where that power-hungry friend has literally come back from hell to use his identity and frame one of his relatives for treason, leading to a long journey back to Jurai, in which he finally meets said friend again and is understandably distraught about killing him again, to the point that he considers double suicide as a solution. After that mess, the first friend has returned in being a bratty trickster who's now a {{Yandere}} for him, to the point that she creates an artificial girl with her and his grandson's DNA and have said girl take his grandson to her dimension until he comes over himself. Finally, the lover's ghost manipulates his grandson's memories and uses him as a substitute for her former lover]]. Despite all of this, he continues on being solemn and sometimes cheerful.
65* TheyWastedAPerfectlyGoodCharacter:
66** [[TheScrappy Western opinion on Noike is generally poor]], but a lot more could've been built around her status as an [[ArrangedMarriage official fiance for Tenchi]] and a [[TheMole spy for Jurai]]. The other girls' reactions to this would've made for [[HilarityEnsues good entertainment and development]], and the spy angle could've introduced the [[PlotTumor political elements of the story]] in a more controlled manner. Instead, her status as a spy is [[ShowDontTell just explained away]] to Ryoko and Ayeka after they basically just accepted Noike's existence. And despite having some episode focus, she still gets so little actual character progression she barely qualifies as a SatelliteCharacter. Then there are those who just feel she could have just as easily been replaced by EnsembleDarkhorse Kiyone from the alternate continuities.
67** Hiwa Takahashi in the manga. She is Tenchi's childhood friend and has a crush on him. That sounds like potential for good stories, right? Well, she was only a one-shot character and the story focus more on Ayeka and Ryoko and her relation with Tenchi is never really explored.
68* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: Haruna is such an AntiVillain with a tragic backstory and the viewers are supposed to find her sympathetic, but after seeing her rape Tenchi, many fans saw this as her MoralEventHorizon and lost all sympathy for her.
69* WhatDoYouMeanItsNotForKids: The OVA first aired on Creator/CartoonNetwork's Creator/{{Toonami}} block, ''in an after school timeslot''. Even when they moved it to Creator/AdultSwim, they ''still'' couldn't get away with showing the female characters frequently nude. Years later, it was even admitted by the staff of Toonami that it was the single hardest project they had ever worked on.
70* TheWoobie: Sasami fills this role. [[spoiler: She believes that the real Sasami died from a fall seven hundred years ago and that she's a vessel for Tsunami when really, she did survive, but barely. This makes the poor girl afraid that if Ayeka found out, she wouldn't love her anymore. Thankfully Ayeka, and the others accepted Sasami even when she revealed that fact.]]

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