愛・天地無用！ Ep. 06
Ai Tenchi Muyo! – 06 Review

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

Note: The episode numbering used here is based off of the official video releases, which aren’t numbering the various recaps and such in the episode numbers.

The battered and mostly unclothed Tenchi returns to the home he is staying at where he’s greeted at the door by Sasami. Aeka emerges from the kitchen and is shocked to see his battered appearance. Tenchi gets a robe as Aeka serves him tea, where he thanks them for helping him unpack. Sasami offers to come to school with him, but Tenchi says that he needs to take care of this himself.  Sasami pulls out a large package, sent from Washu, which contains a military helmet, a samurai breast plate, a riot shield, charms, and more, all of which Tenchi will supposedly need.

Tenchi goes to take a bath, where Ryoko arrives to help. Seeing Tenchi’s battered state, Ryoko becomes upset about this. Tenchi forbids her from coming to school since she’d make more problems, which doesn’t please Ryoko. Aeka hears the commotion and arrives. She’s very displeased to see Ryoko there. Sasami also shows up, inquiring about Ryoko peeking in bathes again. Aeka and Ryoko begin bickering, so Tenchi has them all booted out of the bathroom.

Thoughts/Review:

Har!har!har! Negishi uses the “This side up” joke, which is a possible translation for the kanji used in “Tenchi Muyo” (天地無用).

Regardless, this episode was the best of the lot so far, mainly because it had the original cast of Aeka, Sasami, and Ryoko in it. Seeing Aeka and Sasami was nice enough, but bringing Ryoko into it at the end (even if she doesn’t look much like Ryoko) was icing on the cake.

I approve of Sasami being portrayed as a teenaged girl rather than a little girl. I think that’s how it should be, especially if this is taking place after Tenchi Forever in the Tenchi Universe continuity.

I was most interested to see how Aeka would be in this episode. After all, her original seiyuu, TAKADA Yumi, did not return to play the role. So NANAO Haruhi was chosen to be the new Aeka. I thought she handled the role just fine. She brought in the character traits that Yumi-san had established, making Aeka sound very similar, enough so that it didn’t bother me. So good job, Haruhi-san. ^_^

While this episode was a joy to watch, it didn’t seem to do a lot for the plot. The box of stuff Washu sent could have been a joke, or it could have been actual stuff Tenchi will need.  We’ll see.

Finally, regarding this house that Tenchi is staying at, what the heck is up with all the signs saying, “Close the door” or “turn off the TV” or “Only watch TV between these hours?” Seriously, if I lived in a place like that, I’d be irritated as all get out.

So a good episode from a purely nostalgic aspect.