Tenchi Muyo Continuities

For people entering into the Tenchi Muyo! franchise, there are so many Tenchi titles that it can be quite confusing to know what goes where. As such, this page has been created to help clarify the confusion.

OVA (Kajishima) Continuity

This is the original continuity, beginning with the 1992 Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki OVA series created by Hiroki Hayashi and Masaki Kajishima, and followed up by sequel OVA series and spin-offs that continue to this day. Though Hayashi and Kajishima created the series together, it's based off characters and idea that Kajishima had been developing since high school. ^[1] After the completion of the original OVA, Hayashi declined to direct futher installments, and Kajishima has since steered the creative direction of the series by himself, working with a several other directors and screenwriters while also expanding the universe by co-writing or solely writing numerous volumes of light novels.

Here are a list of the titles in the Kajishima continuity, listed in chronological order of release:

• Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki (OVA 1) (1992): The original six-episode OVA series that began the entire franchise. This is currently sold in America as Tenchi Muyo: OVA Series.
• Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki: The Night Before Carnival (1994): This was a standalone episode produced after the original OVA, though it still uses the same opening and ending themes as it. This is included in the "Tenchi Muyo!: OVA Series" blu-ray collection.
• Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki (OVA 2) (1994-1995): The second six-episode OVA series. Contains six episodes of Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki. These episodes are included in the Tenchi Muyo: OVA Series blu-ray collection.
• True Tenchi Muyo! Volume 1: Jurai (1997): This is the first of the True Tenchi Muyo! novel trilogy. It picks up where the events of the OVA 2 episode Here Comes Jurai! and goes back in time to explore Emperor Azusa's life, starting as a kid who was not even a member of House Masaki. Currently published in English by Seven Seas Entertainment.
• Photon: The Idiot Adventures (1997-1999): This six episode OVA series is set on the as then unnamed Geminar quite some time in Geminar's past.
• True Tenchi Muyo! Volume 2: Yosho (1998): This novel covers the life of First Prince Yosho, from his childhood on Jurai to his time at Galaxy Academy. Currently published in English by Seven Seas Entertainment.
• Spaceship Agga Ruter (1998-1999): This four episode OVA is set mostlikeily around the time of True Tenchi Muyo! Volume 2: Yosho.
• Dual! Parallel Trouble Adventure (1999): This thirteen episode TV series (plus one OVA episode) is set in the time of the precursor race that seeded the galaxy, on a planet pretty identical to Earth.
• True Tenchi Muyo! Volume 3: Washu (1999): This novel covers Washu's life as an orphaned teen who's accepted to the Imperial Academy. Currently published in English by Seven Seas Entertainment.
• Tenchi Muyo! GXP (2002): The first spin-off of the OVA continuity, this 26-episode TV series stars Seina Yamada, Tenchi's young, unlucky neighbor, as he inadvertently joins the Galaxy Police. The anime can be purchased in English under the Tenchi Muyo! GXP title.
• True Tenchi Muyo! GXP (light novels) (2003-present): This is an ongoing series of light novels (seventeen as of 2018) written by Kajishima. Kajishima was rumored to have been unhappy with the liberties taken with his story by GXP director Shinichi Watanabe ("Nabeshin"). As such, he started writing the GXP novels as an alternative. Thus, the novels are considered the be the official version of the story. Unfortunately, none of these books have been officially released in English.
• Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki (OVA 3) (2003-2005): This third OVA series contains another six episodes. Despite being produced and aired after Tenchi Muyo! GXP, this series actually takes place before the events of that series. This is sold in English as part of the Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki box set.
• Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki OVA 3+1: Final Confrontations (2005): Similar to The Night Before the Carnival, this was an extra episode created after the success of the preceding OVA series. It is sold in English as part of the Tenchi Muyo Ryo-Ohki box set.
• Tenchi Muyo! War on Geminar (2009-2010): This is another spinoff anime series. It is believed that the series was originally designed to be a 26 episode TV series, but then this was later changed to 13 OVA episodes. The series covers Tenchi's half-brother, Kenshi Masaki, after he was sent to the parallel dimension planet Geminar. The series is licensed in English.
• Paradise War (2013-2014): A series of 3 light novels written by Kajishima. This spin-off takes place after the conclusion of the still ongoing GXP novels and its aftermath is dealt with during the plot of the fifth and most recent OVA series. It deals with an incognito Seina Yamada overseeing a proxy war between the fractured remains of the galaxy's pirate groups to determine the leader of a new nation. It takes place on an artificial tropical island close to Japan, which is also secretly a Juraian treeship and features a new cast, including Shou Kukoma and the girls representing the leading pirate guilds. As with the GXP novels, they've yet to be released in English.
• Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki (OVA 4) (2016-2017): This fourth OVA series contained only four episodes instead of six, but nonetheless covers what happened prior to Nobuyuki and Rea's wedding in the previous OVA series, as well as the wedding itself. The series ends with the birth of their son, Kenshi Masaki, and the reason Jurai and the Masaki family on Earth agreed to send Kenshi to Geminar. This anime was produced after War on Geminar.
• Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki (OVA 5) (2020-2021): This is the most recent six-episode Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki OVA series, taking place prior to War on Geminar. It has strong ties to GXP and Paradise War novel series. It ends with Kenshi being sent to Geminar.
• Tenchi Muyo! GXP Paradise Starting (OVA) (2023): A sequel to the 2002 TV anime and a prequel to the Paradise War novel series (whether an anime adaptation of that story is set to occur afterwards is unknown at this time). It starts its story before the bulk of OVA 5, and apparently a short time before the meeting that is the focus of the final episode of OVA 4.

It should also be noted that Kajishima has stated that all of his creations are linked at the corner. As such, anime titles such as Spaceship Agga Ruter (hentai) and Masquerade (hentai) are part of Kajishima's greater multi-verse.

101 Mysteries of Tenchi Muyo!: Also known as 101 Secrets of Tenchi Muyo!, Kajishima answers 101 fan questions about Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki. It was published prior to the second OVA's release in Japan. Currently not licensed in English.

Various Kajishima Doujinshi -- Since the 90s, Kajishima has been creating doujinshi works, which are considered canon to the OVA continuity. However, there is a caveat in that Kajishima has stated that official works can trump his doujinshi. There are too many doujinshi titles to name. They all cover various aspects of the Kajishima Universe, usually with Tenchi (Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-ohki), Seina (GXP), or Kenshi (War on Geminar). Of late, Kajishima has created two doujinshi works per Comiket in Japan.

Hasegawa Continuity

Naoko Hasegawa was the scriptwriter for the original OVA series, adapting the stories from Kajishima and Hayashi into their final form. When she left the project, she went on to write a series of 13 spin-off light novels that directly branch off from the original continuity but goes into its own direction. The first novel saw the debut of the character Kiyone Makibi who would be later featured in other series.

Here are the titles contained within the Hasegawa Universe.

• Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-ohki OVA 1 -- Contains the first six episodes of Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki. This is currently sold in America as Tenchi Muyo: OVA Series.
• Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-ohki Night Before Carnival -- This was a single episode, produced after OVA 1. It still uses the OP/ED theme music of OVA 1. This is included in the Tenchi Muyo: OVA Series blu-ray collection.
• Tenchi Muyo! (light novels): Ms. Hasegawa wrote twelve popular light novels depicting her vision of Tenchi and company. These are currently unlicensed in English.
• Tenchi Muyo! Daughter of Darkness (1997): This movie is an adaptation of Hasegawa's tenth light novel, "Midsummers Eve". The movie character Mayuka appears as an infant in volume 12 (Yume no Katachi) of the light novel. This movie is available to English audiences under the Tenchi Muyo!: Movie Collection set.

Tenchi Universe (Negishi) Continuity

The Tenchi Universe continuity is sometimes referred to as the Negishi Universe continuity. Hiroshi Negishi was the creative force and director of Tenchi Universe and the first and third Tenchi movies. He also directed the Ai Tenchi Muyo! series, but that is not considered part of the Tenchi Universe continuity.

• Tenchi Universe (1995): This is a 26-episode TV series. It is an alternate story featuring Tenchi and company. The series is licensed in English.
• Tenchi Muyo! in Love (1996): This is the first of the Tenchi movies that have been made so far. It is licensed in English under the Tenchi Muyo!: Movie Collection set. Ms. Hasegawa wrote the movie's novel adaptation.
• Tenchi Forever! (1999): This is the last of the Tenchi movies. It is licensed in English under the Tenchi Muyo!: Movie Collection set.
• Eternal Memory: After Tenchi Forever!, Negishi wrote this manga that further expanded on the events of the Tenchi Forever! movie. It implies Sasami had a larger role than was seen in the movie.

Okuda Universe

The Okuda Universe continuity, sometimes referred to as the Manga Universe continuity, consists of a coupe of manga series written by Hitoshi Okuda. This is his take on the original OVA series.

• No Need for Tenchi! (1994-2000) This is a 12-volume manga series. The manga was originally licensed in English by Viz, but is now out of print.
• Tenchi, Heaven Forbid! G...: This is a collection of 24 4-koma (four panel) comic strips. It was later added to the Tenchi Muyo! Sasami Stories book. Although Viz originally licensed this in English, it is now out of print.
• The All-New Tenchi Muyo! (2000-2005): This is a 10-volume manga series. The manga was originally licensed in English by Viz, but is now out of print.
• Tenchi Muyo! Sasami Stories (2002): This is a collection of short stories as well as the Tenchi, Heaven Forbid! G... 4-koma comic strips. Although Viz originally licensed this in English, it is now out of print.

Stand Alone Entries

The remaining Tenchi series and spinoffs don't belong to any specific continuity. As such, the order doesn't really matter when you watch them.

• Mihoshi Special (1994): Also known as Galaxy Police Mihoshi’s Space Adventure. Some fans believe this one episode OVA to be Pioneer's and AIC's testing ground to see if Tenchi Muyo! fans would accept something not created by Kajishima. As such, it contains elements eventually used in Tenchi Universe and in the Pretty Sammy OVA. It was originally licensed in English by Pioneer, then Geneon. Currently, it is no longer licensed.
• Magical Girl Pretty Sammy (1995-1997) This is a three episode OVA featuring Sasami as a magical girl. It was originally licensed in English by Pioneer, then Geneon. Currently, it is no longer licensed.
• Magical Girl Pretty Sammy (novels) (1995-1998) A series of 8 light novels written by Yōsuke Kuroda that also follow Sasami’s adventures as a magical girl. While at first glance, they might seem like part of the OVA continuity due to them sharing the exact same basic premise, character designs, and even several plots, the 8 novels are actually set in their own separate universe. Effectively, this continuity is a blend of both Magical Project S and the three-episode Pretty Sammy OVAs. Notably, however, the series ends in a darker tone than both.
• Magical Girl Pretty Sammy (Radio) Phase 1: (October 1995 to December 1995) A series of audio dramas that aired exclusively in TBS radio Japan. This universe is heavily based on the Pretty Sammy OVAs but it’s also a separate universe from it. As such, it has some important differences, such as Sasami now having the power to become a teenager, and Tenchi being Sasami's neighbor instead of her brother. He has a crush on the older looking Sasami. They were never licensed nor translated, so they can only be obtained by buying the CDs from Japan.

• Magical Girl Pretty Sammy (Radio) Phase 2 ( July 1996 to March 1997). This is not a sequel to phase1 , but yet again another different continuity. In this universe princess Kiyone is the main villain, and she is trying to kidnap Tenchi for herself. Sasami died in the crossfire, but was revived with the powers of a space detective by Princess Mihoshi. To avoid making Kiyone suspicious, and a intergalactic political incident , Mihoshi suggests Sasami to pretend she is a “magical girl” to fight Kiyone. These audio dramas were never licensed nor translated so they can only be obtained by buying the CDs from Japan. This universe had a crossover with the Pretty Sammy novel universe.

• Magical Project S (1996-1997): Known as Pretty Sammy TV in Japan, this is a 26-episode TV series that servers as an alternative version of the Pretty Sammy OVA. It was never dubbed into English, but an English subtitle version was licensed by Pioneer, then Geneon. Currently, it is no longer licensed.
• Magical Girl Pretty Sammy (manga) (1997-1998) a 3 volume manga series by Yasuhiro Makino. While it is heavily based on Magical Project S, taking the exact same character designs and premise, it’s set on its own separate continuity from the aforementioned TV series. Most notably it diverges on several details from the tv show such as a the ending being completely different. Despite its short length it does have defined beginning and a grand finale.
• Tenchi in Tokyo (1997): This is a 26-episode TV series and the third retelling of the story of Tenchi and the girls. It is currently licensed in English by FUNimation.
• Sasami: Magical Girl Club (2006-2007): This is a two-season TV series that stars Sasami as a magical girl character. It is not related to the other two main Pretty Sammy titles, nor is it comedy oriented like them. Unlike its predecessors, the magical girls are of the “cute witch” variety such as those seen in series like “My Little Witch Academia” or “Sabrina The Teenage Witch” instead of the superhero type popularized by shows such as, Miraculous Ladybug, Pretty Cure or Sailor Moon. Both seasons are licensed in English by FUNimation.
• Ai Tenchi Muyo (2014): This TV series consists of fifty five-minute original episodes and ten recap episodes. It is directed by Hiroshi Negishi and largely follows the continuity of Tenchi Universe, but features some differences, notably the absence of Kiyone Makibi. The series is currently licensed in English by FUNimation.
• Tenchi Muyo! (comic series): This is a six-issue American comic book series by Pioneer in 1997, written by J.D. Calderon and drawn by Matt Lunsford. It is no longer in print and very difficult to obtain, making it an obscure entry in the series.

Not covered in the continuities here are things like the radio (or other audio) dramas, music videos, video games, and the like.

References