The appeal and evaluation of "Tenchi Muyo! Himitsu Nabe" - A deep review of the 3rd season OVA extra episode #20

"Tenchi Muyo! Himitsu Kagi": The appeal of the OVA and its background

"Tenchi Muyo! Himitsu Kagi" is an OVA released on May 26, 2004, and was a long-awaited new work for fans of the series. Since this work is based on an original anime, you can enjoy new episodes that are derived from the existing story. Below, we will introduce detailed information and the appeal of this work, as well as related works and recommended points.

Overview

Tenchi Muyo! Himitsu Kagi is a 60-minute OVA released by VAP. It is directed by Hachiya Kenichi, and the original story and character design are by Kajishima Masaki. Animation is by AIC, and copyright is held by AIC/VAP and NTV.

Cast and crew

The main cast includes Masami Kikuchi as Tenchi Masaki, Ai Orikasa as Ryoko, Yumi Takada as Masaki, Aeka and Jurrai, Chisa Yokoyama as Masaki, Sasami and Jurrai, Yuko Mizutani as Mihoshi Kurumitsu, Yuko Kobayashi as Washuu Hakubi and Etsuko Kozakura as Ryo-Ohki. These voice actors have been important figures who have supported the series for many years, and their performances enhance the appeal of the work.

The main staff includes series composer Kuroda Yosuke, mechanic designer Teraoka Kenji, concept designer Takeuchi Atsushi, character animation directors Kitajima Nobuyuki and Kajishima Masaki, mechanic animation director Nishii Masanori, art directors Takayama Yadai and Watanabe Yoshito, color designer Matsuyama Aiko, 3D director Iguchi Mitsutaka, composite director Nakajima Hidetake, editors Nishi Shigenari and Miyama Shota, sound director Honda Yasunori, music composer Tada Akifumi, producers Yamashita Hiroshi, Nakatani Toshio, Ueno Hiroyuki, Kimijima Yukiko, Ueda Yasuo, Ohashi Yutaka, Inoue Hiroaki, and animation producer Matsuzaki Yoshiyuki. Production cooperation is provided by B-Stack, and production and copyright are handled by Nippon Television and VAP.

Main Characters

Tenchi Masaki was an ordinary high school student, but his fate changed dramatically after meeting Ryoko. His kindness and sincerity make him popular with Ryoko, Aeka, and others. He is of the blood of the Jurai royal family and has immeasurable power hidden within him.

Ryoko is a former space pirate and an artificial lifeform created by Washuu. He has a short temper, is violent, and is free-spirited and does things at his own pace. He is head over heels in love with Tenchi and expresses his affection in a straightforward manner. He is a fierce rival of Aeka, and they are constantly fighting.

Masaki, Aeka, and Jurai are the first princesses of Jurai, the largest monarchy in the galaxy. They are elegant and graceful, as befitting princesses. However, they are also very proud, and when they lose their temper, they become quite hysterical. They have feelings for Tenchi, and are constantly at odds with Ryoko.

Masaki Sasami and Jurai are the second princesses of the Jurai royal family and the younger sisters of Aeka. She has a bright, honest personality and is a reliable person. She is a good cook and is a small housewife of the Masaki family who handles all household chores. She has a deep connection with Tsunami, one of the three goddesses of the Jurai royal family.

Kurumitsu Mihoshi is a first-class detective at GP (Galaxy Police), and her grandfather is the chief of GP. She has a younger brother, Misaki, who is a siscon. She is very easygoing and does things at her own pace. She is also quite airheaded. She has an abnormal amount of good luck.

Hakubi Washuu looks like a child, but her actual age is estimated to be over 20,000 years old. She is the most brilliant scientist in the universe, acknowledged by both herself and others. Her intellect is beyond the imagination of ordinary people. She was also the creator of Ryoko and Ryo-Ohki. She is said to be related to the Three Goddesses, but the details are unclear.

Ryo-Ohki is a space battleship operated by Ryoko, a life form created by Washuu. It can transform into a crystal, a beast, and a space battleship. It usually takes on the form of a kitten-like beast, and is loved as a pet by the Masaki family. Its favorite food is carrots.

Story and Charm

"Tenchi Muyo! Himitsu Kagi" is a new episode that fans of the series can enjoy. Taking advantage of the OVA format, it depicts new episodes and deeper aspects of the characters that could not be fully depicted in the TV series. In particular, the love triangle between Tenchi, Ryoko, and Aeka, Sasami's growth, and the story that delves into the mystery of Washu are not to be missed.

The visuals are also of high quality, with high quality animation and direction, fully demonstrating AIC's technical capabilities. The mechanical design and 3D direction are also superb, providing plenty of visual enjoyment. In terms of sound, Akifumi Tada's music enhances the atmosphere of the work, and coupled with the performances of the voice actors, you can feel the emotional ups and downs in a realistic way.

Related Titles

"Tenchi Muyo! Secret Key" is deeply connected to other works in the series. In particular, "Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki Season 1", "Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki Season 2", and "Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki Season 3" are important works in understanding the story and character backgrounds. By watching these works first, you will be able to enjoy the content of "Secret Key" more deeply.

Recommended points

"Tenchi Muyo! Himitsu Kagi" is recommended not only for fans of the series, but also for those who are experiencing this work for the first time. Here are some recommended points:

• Appealing characters : The characters, such as Tenchi, Ryoko, and Aeka, have distinctive personalities, and you can enjoy watching them grow and watch their relationships change.
• High-quality visuals : The animation and direction, which highlight AIC's technical capabilities, provide a visual treat.
• Deep story : While it is connected to other works in the series, it depicts new episodes, allowing you to feel the depth of the story.
• Voice acting : The performances of the voice actors who have supported the series for many years convey the characters' emotions realistically.
• Music : Akifumi Tada's music enhances the film's atmosphere and accentuates its emotional range.

As mentioned above, "Tenchi Muyo! Himitsu Kagi" offers new enjoyment to fans of the series, and is a work that will draw first-time viewers in. We hope you will pick up this OVA and enjoy the world of Tenchi Muyo.