|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Tenchi Forever!
This time he's really in love, I swear! 
Studio: Kadokawa Shoten Format: Movie Released: 4/24/1999 Written by: Face 
The everlasting saga of Tenchi Muyo, after multiple spin offs and three movies, finally comes to an end with Tenchi Forever--but don't be fooled, it doesn't really end anything. Staged as the concluding piece in the Tenchi love triangle, we are dared to believe that he is capable of making up his mind. But this time, Tenchi and his alien girlfriends are faced with the most treacherous of opponents: a woman who is after Tenchi's tender and loving heart.
The film opens as our unwilling hero wanders off into the mountains after being involved in a skirmish with Ayeka and Ryoko. When he approaches a towering tree, all of a sudden he vanishes, without a trace for six months. Living in the city and working as waitresses, Ayeka and Ryoko set forth on a mission to find Tenchi, and save him from a mysterious parallel world. In this world, Tenchi has matured greatly, and is living with a girl named Haruna. But who is this girl? And has she truly stolen Tenchi's heart? Low-keyed and low-toned, Tenchi Forever is nothing like any of its various forerunners. It is limited in both comedy and action; with sparse quarelling and virtually nonexistant energy beams, many fans may feel as if the Tenchi they once knew has truly vanished. But in exchange, Tenchi Forever is both a poignant and sobering lovestory that dares to explore another side of the Tenchi entourage. The story focuses on the new relationship between Tenchi and Haruna, while exposing deeper feelings within Ayeka's and Ryoko's hearts. As the girls race to save the man they love, Tenchi struggles to remember and choose between his past and the chance at everlasting happiness. The answer depends on whether or not Ayeka and Ryoko can put their grudges and jealousies aside, and team up together.  The majority of the film is spent focusing on these dilemmas at a gradual pace that some may be unable to tolerate; with slowly descending cherry blossoms accompanied by emotional piano ballads, the near-languid pacing becomes borderline tedious. However, being a theatrical release, the animation is vibrant and fluent, with updated character designs and more elaborate backdrops. The animation style is more in tune with the original OVA series, but improved with a realistic touch that makes the soap opera element of the story much more significant.
For fans, Tenchi Forever will be an important part of the story that they can't afford to miss. It may not be the usual light-hearted Tenchi-fare, but it does open up a uniquely different element within the characters' feelings. As my personal Tenchi favorite, I give this movie my highest recommendation. * * * * (Very Good) A.K.A. Tenchi Muyo in Love II, Haruka Naru Omoi Posted: June 8, 2004
|
||||||||||
