Tenchi Muyô! In Love

Plot synopsis:
The year is 1996, one year after the events of Tenchi Universe. After being defeated by the Jurai Emperor and the Galaxy Police (GXP) centuries ago, the monstrously-powerful Super A-1 class criminal, Kain, was permanently imprisoned in a subspace container of the GXP's headquarters. However, Kain managed to escape and used his time-space powers to destroy GXP HQ. He then set his sights on Earth and travels back in time to take his revenge on Jurai's royal family. Before the GXP was wiped out, they managed to broadcast a warning about Kain's escape, but due to its weak signal, both Kiyone and Mihoshi didn't comprehend the gravity of the situation.
At the Masaki house, Tenchi was watching an old film of his mother, Lady Achika, with Ayeka, Ryoko, and Sasami. This was the first time the girls get to see how Tenchi's mother looks like when she suddenly vanished from the film. As everyone was tried to understand the situation, the Misaki Shrine, the house, and Tenchi all began to fade out of existence. Coincidentally, Washu noticed a change in the space-time continuum and quickly devised a temporal shield to protect everyone from the effects of the changed time line. Washu theorizes that someone tampered with the established timeline and wiped out the Misaki family. To prevent Tenchi from vanishing, Washu devised a special temporal net to prevent Tenchi from fading out of time. However, the shield is only a temporary solution; Washu sends the rest of the group back to 1970 (via a highly experimental time machine) to prevent Kain from wiping out the Misaki and Juraian royal family.
In the year 1970, each of the girls assumes various covers to gain a watchful eye over Lady Achika as well as Tenchi's dad, Nobuyuki. At their high school, Ayeka and Ryoko pretends to be newly transferred students. Mihoshi is a social studies teacher and Kiyone is the school's janitor. Although it is their mission to save the Misaki family, Washu warns Tenchi of not interacting with his mother to prevent a potential temporal paradox. Still curious to monitor the situation as well as being close to his mother, he had Sasami act as his lookout to make sure it's safe.
To further increase their closeness to Achika, Ryoko and Ayeka made arrangements to live with the Misaki family as boarding guests. All of this was done due to the fact Washu couldn't pinpoint the exact time and place Achika will be killed; the group had to find various ways to be near Achika and the Misaki family to protect them. Through a special communicator outfitted for Sasami, Washu warned the group that Achika is likely to be killed within seven days, GXP HQ had been wiped out due to the escape of Kain, and that Tenchi has also seven days of protection from the temporal shield before it can't hold him anymore.
While on a field trip in Tokyo, Ryoko noticed a classmate constantly observing Lady Achika. She correctly deduced there's something wrong with him and she chased him down. It was revealed that he's an alien special ops GXP officer, here to capture Kain. However, he didn't appreciate Ryoko's intervention and even wanted to capture her. The two had a brief exchange that suggests Kain is coming to Earth and Ryoko gained a useful clue from him; their chat was short as both engaged each other in combat. Neither side gained ground and the officer cloaked himself to escape.
Later at the hotel, one day before Kain's estimated arrival, Tenchi and the whole group met at their hotel room to reconnoiter. After Washu had performed additional analysis, she was able to deduce that the GXP HQ's destruction and Lady Achika's death was related. Washu transported Kiyone back to modern times to access her ship's criminal database to read up on Kain. Based on the data they gathered, there's a strong possibility that Kain had come to take his vengeance upon the Juraian royal family for his imprisonment; Achika and the Misaki family are casualties of Kain's rage. Sending Kiyone back through 1970, the group was informed of the situation and Washu deduced that Kain is likely to strike near a large transmitter; Tenchi believes Tokyo Tower is the most likely place of attack while Achika is on a school trip there.
Washu explained that Kain was stopped by a combination of a subspace net and the Juraian Emperor utilizing his powers to stop Kain. The former emperor used all of his powers, at the price of his life, to stop Kain. Unfortunately, the powers of Jurai, even the direct descendants have weakened over time and can't be used to stop Kain. However, Washu devised special energy generators to temporarily create Juraian powers to entrap Kain. Because of Jurai's unique energies, only special places can be used to channel them and Tenchi realized it is related to Five Color Fudo Temples; the group is to split and activate the generators while Tenchi covertly watches over his mother. It was also around this time that Achika suffered a severe headache and collapsed, a suggestive symptom that preludes to her later demise.
On the day of Kain's arrival, the ladies dispersed throughout Tokyo to activate each of the Juraian energy generators at each of the Fudo Temples. Tenchi had the main generator on him and he stands closely to his parents. While riding on the elevator to the top of the tower, Kain attacked the elevator and Achika lost consciousness. Unwilling to see his mother harmed, Tenchi looked after her even though it could risk a paradox. Just as Kain was about to strike, the special ops GXP officer confronted Kain and he was ripped to pieces. Tenchi arrived and gave the generator to his father and asked him to activate it at the center of the tower while he faced him in combat.
While being pressed back, Tenchi exclaimed to Kain to stay away from his mother. It was then Achika stood against Kain. Just as Kain was about to take out Achika, Nobuyuki activated the generator and trapped Kain into another dimension. Unfortunately, Kain also dragged both of Tenchi's parents into the sub-space trap with them. Desperate to save his parents, Tenchi begged Washu to help him save them and she theorized a way of locking onto Achika's brainwaves for Ryoko to lock onto and teleport them there. However, it would also mean a confrontation with Kain.
Facing Kain would require drastic measures. Washu suggests to use the unimaginable: the dimensional cannon. Kiyone was against the idea as the cannon can destroy a small galaxy, but Kiyone relented as they're aware of Kain's powers. Using a special device, Tenchi locked onto Achika's brainwaves. It was around this time Achika activated her Juraian powers to face Kain; she also realized Tenchi is her son. Just as Kain was about to absorb Tenchi's dad, Tenchi arrived with Ayeka and Ryoko to stop Kain. Tenchi faced Kain in battle, but he wasn't strong enough and lost consciousness. Dropping his sword in combat, Achika picked up Tenchi's sword and enhanced its powers, strong enough to cut down Kain and defeating him.
Time was running out, the dimensional portal that opened for the trio to rescue Tenchi's parents was closing and Kiyone is poised to fire the cannon. Just as everyone returned to Tokyo Tower, Kain is shown to be still alive and clung onto Achika's hair, not letting her go. Kiyone fired the cannon and Achika managed to escape danger; Kain was vanquished. The timeline was repaired and everyone was sent back to their time. Before leaving, Ayeka had given Tenchi's parents special tags that will erase their memories of recent events. Lady Achika realizes she'll die young, but completely accepts her fate and only cares about living life to the fullest with Nobuyuki; she asks Ryoko and Ayeka to look after Tenchi as she can't be there for him when he needs her the most.
In the aftermath, the incident at Tokyo was chalked up to be an inexplicable incident. Tenchi reflected that her mother's Juraian powers could've saved her, but using it to defeat Kain had likely shorten her lifespan. However, Tenchi was happy to know that his parents had a great life together until her demise. In present time, the ladies all gathered together at the Misaki household to take a family picture of everyone together.

Tags: violence, psychedelic, comedy, adult comedy, flashback

Review:
Great movie (even dubbed); painless intro for anime novices..
My wife never had any experience with anime before she was with me; over the years I've sent her scurrying out of the room with much of what I watch...
Tenchi Muyo In Love, though, kept her interest piqued.The animation: beautiful; the usual Tenchi OVAs and TV-series are great, but the movie is a real knock-out.
Unlike the big-budget anime movies of late (and Disney films) the scenes have a consistent level of quality.
all of the scenes are great quality, with little to cause distraction.The storyline: good.
I would have preferred the story to stick with the emotional aspect- as exciting as a big demon fight is, the characters are even more so...
They're the voices I first heard when watching Tenchi, and they settle okay with me.
(My wife can't stand Sasami's English voice, however.)  I don't feel like I'm either missing parts of the original dialogue, nor do I feel like the story is too Americanized.
It delivers entertainment in droves, and the characters are so well-rounded that it's hard not to come away without feeling affected, despite feeling like you've just watched a mish-mash of SF cliches.
Rather than the tour-de-force movies like Akira or Ghost in the Shell, this is the movie I'd probably show new-comers- "This is what Japanese animation can be like."  When they're more willing to work at comprehending a story, then move on....
I'm not into Anime films, but this was really good!.
I'm not into Anime as much as some other people I know, but this movie knocked my socks off!
It's really awesome, especially because it reminds people how good animated films without the "Disney" trademark can be.
Plus, this animated film actually has a story that could have easily been made into a live-action motion picture.
The only problem I had was that this and "Akira" are pretty much the only Anime films I've actually seen.
I know kids in school who discuss and analyze the films as if they were like any other motion picture.
I guess I'm inexperienced with Anime films.
In Love adds fills a lot of holes in the original Tenchi story, cleverly adding some of the history of the Masaki family into the film as part of the main plot.
Soon enough Washu convinces Tenchi and the girls to travel into the past to find the man trying to kill Achika.
Generally Tenchi has it's problems balancing comedy and serious story line - however TMIL will never leave you lost or confused.
It flows better than any of the other Tenchi films and even the 3 original series.
You will not be disappointed, the film is well worth your time whether you're a Tenchi fan or not..
Cool Anime, but in need of a primer for non Tenchi Fans.
As an Anime fan to begin with, this movie is a delight.
The addition of Christopher Franke's (Tangerine Dream, Babylon 5, Raven, M.A.N.T.I.S.)music is icing on the cake.But, for non-Tenchi fans, or those new to this story , or Manga, a little introduction is needed.
Even that is difficult for the stories have been reworked at least three different ways in different productions.Basically the whole series revolves around Tenchi Masaki, a young man living in a rural province of Japan outside of Tokyo with his widowed father, an architect, and his grandfather, a shrine caretaker.
So his lineage has made him the target of both the scum of the universe, as well as an odd collection of women in his household: a 700 year old space pirate called Ryoko, who is also a stunningly lovely woman with a short fuse and super-powers, Ayeka, ruling princess of the House of Jurai and his grandfather's half sister (her mother pure blood Jurain, his mother human), her younger sister Sasami (who is psychically merged with a living all-powerful starship called Tsunami), Washuu, the exiled super-genius and professor of a galactic science academy (her inventions were a little destructive for the faculty, or the universe, to handle), Myhoshi, a ditzy member of the Galaxy Police force, Kiyone, her oft put-upon partner, and Ryo-oki, a cabbit (half cat, half rabbit), a creation of Washuu's which itself can transform into a living space ship.Now, with that out of the way, this adventure pits Tenchi against a powerful master criminal called Kain, imprisoned by the Jurain Empire who escapes from Galaxy Police's temporal prison and travels back in time to take revenge by murdering Tenchi's mother, thereby destroying him in the present, as well as decimating the Royal House of Jurai.
It is up to Tenchi and the ladies (all of whom have a love interest in Tenchi, to varying degrees), using Washuu's super science, to travel back in time to save Tenchi's mother when she was still Tenchi's age.What follows is an adventurous, funny and often touching story as Tenchi meets the mother he never knew, fights for her life and his, as well as juggle the love and affection of the ladies (especially Ryoko, who is deeply in love with him and Ayeka, who desires him as a mate of royal lineage).The film is a joy, as are the two sequels, which give a new and great creative take on the popular television and video series..
A subplot had been lurking in the background of the complex plot of Tenchi Muyo for some time: What happened to Tenchi's mother?
Intriguing lines would pop up from time to time, like Katsuhito saying of Tenchi: "He's the serious type, just like his mother." This first movie based on the series reveals the long-awaited story of Achika Masaki.The art and animation is gorgeous.
It stands out from the all the generic soundtracks these days, and lives up to the quality of previous Tenchi Muyo soundtracks, if not the spirit.Viewers unfamiliar to Tenchi or to anime in general may be confused by the mixing of genres.
Much of the movie is romantic comedy, but it switches gears often and without warning to drama, action, slapstick, mystery, and occasionally horror.There is a level of poignancy that only time travel stories can achieve.
My rating as a Robotech/Anime fan.
The movie opens up with some action in the beginning and the end for the first 15 minutes and the last 20-30 minutes.
The movie is a bit more serious than the first ova series, art work was really good, the drama could have been a bit more in-depth but I guess they made up for it in the 3rd movie.
I think the battle scene could have been drawn out an extra 5 minutes or so but I'm getting used to seeing most of the tenchi series/movies cut the battle scenes really short.My only nitpick is that tenchi's mom when she was morphed in to jurai warrior should not have been in a white dress with a cute pink bow on her back....cmon this is a jurai warrior/protector here not some cute little maiden in distress.
Although they did curb it a little bit with her pissed off look, and her wielding a light sword.Pretty difficult to find a good anime with a good story line, love triangle, and a bit of action but this one hits the mark.I gave it a 10.
What's more: You can buy the soundtrack and sit there, listening to it, and see about half the movie in your head, just because the music is so good at pulling the images out of your brain.
I waited to see this movie for two years, and had almost given up hope...
It's presented with a visual style that ranges from pulp SF to classical Japanese, and with character designs that are among the best ever used in a Japanese film.
The three movies had a much different tone than the OAV series, with the first and third one being far more dramatic.
Tenchi Muyo in Love is a really low-key, beautifully done production, which flows beautifully.
This was my first introduction to the Tenchi Muyo universe, but you'd be better off if you watched either the OAV or TV series first (they both tell modified versions of the same basic story).
This is easily one of the best Anime films I have seen in a while.
Tenchi sounds like Kermit, Ryoko sounds like she's been smoking for 40 years, Ayeka sounds a French prostitute, and don't even get me started on Washu, who's possibly the worst of them all!
I love this movie, don't get me wrong, and I liked the TV series and the OAV, but I saw it subtitled, and didn't think anything could ruin it, until now!
I still recommend the subtitled version to anyone who wants to see an animated movie with a real plot, and no singing animals, although there is a carrot-craving Cabbit!.
I can't say enough good things about this movie.I love the mix of styles.
But as you watch the movie, you find yourself drawn into the story.
The story that revolves around Tenchi's mother Achika, and the budding romance between her and Tenchi's future father, Noboyuki.
Little do they know that they have been targeted by a ruthless entity known as Kain.Tenchi fans will truly enjoy the movie as they get more of an insight on the clouded past on tenchi's parents.
The reaction of Tenchi and the gang around his parents is a pleasant experience for the viewer.Non Tenchi fans will appreciate the relationships between characters in the movie.
This movie is one of my favorite Anime movies of all time, and I believe it is better than the other two, but the second was great as well, except this one was much better.
The plot was wonderful, and the art/animation was of excellent quality.
It doesn't exactly follow the timelines of any of the Tenchi series, however, the movie's quality makes up for it.
A Must-See anime movie for Tenchi Muyo fans and for even the casual anime fan..
The animation was ok if though a bit shifty at times.
The nice thing about this feature is the fact that it deals a lot with Tenchi's father who is normally only shown as a weird pervert in the series.
Overall it is more for the anime lovers who know a bit about the OVA eps since this is basically sending out a lot of background information.
The new viewers will probably enjoy the animation but will be confused by lot of the personae..
Now, Tenchi, Ryoko, Ayeka, Sasami, Kiyone, and Mihoshi must travel back to 1970, to save not only Achika, but also their own lives as well.
With the help of scientific genius, Washu, Tenchi and the gang will travel back in time to save the Masaki family from the evil and sinister Kain.Intersting...isn't it?The fist Tenchi film made, but the second I saw after seeing "Tenchi Forever!".
Unlike "Tenchi Forever", this film is less dramatic and more comedy...which is what Tenchi is pretty much known for although the series itself has it's dramtic moments.
Of course, this film has it's dramatic times as well as it goes towards the ending.
And of course, the film ends with a sweet melody called "Alchemy of Love".Also, the DVD version of this movie has more information than "Tenchi Forever!".
:)  I highly recommend it to Tenchi fans who have DVD players!!!!
This is an great movie!
This is an great movie!
I recommend it to any Tenchi fan out there!
I even recommend it to people who have never heard of Tenchi, although it might be a little hard to follow.
The story line was great, and so was the music and animation.
And all the characters really make this movie more enjoyable!.
This truly is the best of any of the Tenchi's.
A few months later we watched it again, and she had the same reaction.This movie has some top animation and a good solid story.
i am one of the biggest tenchi fans since i first started collecting the series.
now, i own every series, music video, and movie uncut and subtitled, even the last 13 OVA.
the story is really suspenseful, the animation is some of the best i've seen, and the villain is one of my favorites.
before any of you see this movie, you'll have to understand the story of the Tenchi series to be able to nod and follow along.
overall, this would have to be one of my favorite anime movies..
A truly great movie, with just one downfall....
I personally LOVE Tenchi Muyo!
It is the exact opposite of Tenchi Muyo!
However, the animation absolutely upholds the wonderful tradition of the Tenchi Muyo!
series and the story is just too great.
I really like this movie.
This is a movie for anyone who has an appreciation for good story telling..
I was introduced to Tenchi Muyo!
It was time to see the movies.
I watched Tenchi Muyo in Love second (oddly enough) and, perhaps it was in comparison to Manatsu no Eve, but I adored this movie.
The animation, the music, the sound, all superb.
I love the Tenchi characters, even dubbed, and the movie only made me feel even more for them.
If you're familiar with the series, it's great seeing the plot done with the Tenchi characters.
You learn a little more about Tenchi's character, and a lot more about his dad and mother.
This is a must see for any Tenchi fan, anyone curious about Anime, and anyone who wants to see how animation *should* be done.
An brilliant little anime with lovely effects and a cool plot..
This is one of my favorite anime movies.
It takes the already great Tenchi Muyo!
The plot is one of the best that I have seen in an anime movie.
Good Tenchi movie, at times a bit hard to follow..
I enjoyed this movie even though I was not familiar with the Tenchi Muyo show, it had a lot of colorful characters and was funny and had good action too.
The story though was a bit hard to follow, it made a bit more sense when I had seen the Tenchi show, but it still has points that make very little sense.
My guess is that this movie takes place in the realm of the show "Tenchi Universe" rather than the first show as this movie features both female galaxy officers that are in the "Universe" series while the original only featured the blond officer.
The story is a bit of a time travel movie with a dangerous being escaping a galaxy police stronghold and going back in time to kill a member of a royal family that has the power to bind his almost limitless power.
That person just happens to be the mother that Tenchi himself has never met.
At times it is a bit tough to follow the plot, it was very hard when I had not seen the show, but it has such colorful characters that its story shortcomings can be forgiven.
The action is good too, however, the movie is most certainly more comedy and such than action...most of the action comes at the tail end of this one.
The first and best of the Tenchi movies.
I'm a big Anime fan and this movie is up near the top of my Anime list of best movies, the movie could stand on it's own but to really know the whole story you need to have seen the rest of the Tenchi Muyo series..
The first movie of Tenchi, is, well, okay.
This is based on the Tenchi Universe series, and not on the OVA, what is up with that?
But despite that this is still worth viewing for the average Tenchi fan.
It has more background on Tenchi's past, and his mother, and father, and it mostly has Ryoko and Ayeka posing as high schoolers and Mihoshi as a teacher, a dull one though, but it is memorable.
Having not yet seen any other Tenchi Muyo, but enjoying anime I had high hopes for this movie.
In part, these were met - the humor generally works very well, the animation quality is uniformly high, and the emotional parts almost convince.Therein though, lies (in my opinion) the main failing of this film - enough time is never spent fleshing out the relationships between the characters.
This can be explained by its origin as a series, but weakens its qualities as a standalone film.
Also, as it is based upon a series, you know that no major characters can die (to maintain continuity with the series), which removes some of the excitement.I expect you would get more out of it as a fan of the series, so you then already know most of the characters.In conclusion I like the film, and will watch it again, but cannot agree with some claims that it is a masterpiece...(7/10).
A great installment to the Tenchi Muyo series.
As a stand alone movie it is great as well.
All along the way you get the great angst and humor that goes with the territory that is Tenchi Muyo...
**************POSSIBLE SPOILER*************** Of course once again the whole gang finds themselves clinging to Ryoko for help as she has to teleport everyone to subspace to save Tenchi's mother.
Tenchi Muyo fans will enjoy.
WARNING: SOME SORT OF A SPOILER When I first saw this movie I had no idea what Tenchi was.
I only rented the movie because I was an Anime' fan and thought it looked rather interesting.
Anyway the movie takes play space at the galaxy head quarters.
He is no friend of the Jurai so he goes back in time to attack Tenchi's mother.
Meanwhile in the Masaki household Tenchi and the gang are watching movies of his mother Achika.
Then Tenchi starts to dissapear.Before watching this movie you should watch the T.V. show first.