Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki Ongaku Hen 1

PICA-1003 

'92.08.25

 

I remember a different version of the cover.  Mihoshi was in place of Washu.  I find that odd, that all characters are shown before the release of the first episode, which comes out a month later.  It's a good way to get a feeling the characters before they go on screen.  Though, I'd rather have them come out as a surprise, then have this come out.  Anyways, there is a lot planned for the future with this CD.

 

One would expect an OST to mainly consist of, well, ORIGINAL MUSIC!! There are 8 short dramas, couple character songs, few instrumentals, and OP/ED themes in their full glory.  Chisa Yokoyama, Sasami's Seiyuu, sings the ending theme. Composed by Ikuru Fujiwara, the man behind most Pioneer/AIC theme songs.  He does an excellent job of capturing the fun in the anime in this one song.  Chisa's voice is actually not that annoying.  I can listen to this song without any qualms.  Even when compared to the amazing English versions.

Unfortunately, the original OAV theme opener does not lay anywhere on this disc, but we do get the Original Version and the Re-Mix Version.  Oddly, they place the remix first and the original last.  The original, of course, stays true to the opener, only getting into the main arrangement immediately.  Some haunting vocals have been added. Love hearing the bass.  Drums are masterful.  The jingles and japanese acoustic give great flavor.  Just when you think its over at 1:50 it loops, but doesn't give the feeling of repitition.  As Nagaoka, improvises it even further.  The remix version, is not necessary, and kind of can be a turn-off.  The drums are more ethereal here, as well as other instruments.  I was expecting more use of synthesizers, but all instruments sound authentic on this one.  The piece does feel a little slower.  I actually I am happy with the turnout. 

I've avoided the character songs for to long.  If not for this review, I wouldn't have embraced how well done these songs are.  Ryoko's seiyuu, Ai Orikasa, takes the mic in Daiichi Hakkensha Blues.  The smooth rythym posed in this song goes along with the cover.  As in, it gives off the whole jazz club feeling.  Nagaoka and Oriakasa should go together more often.  She does express her seduction as the character would in this song. 

Away from the R&B section, Yumi Takada, poses as Aeka, and sings us a ballad.  Seikou puts the Juraian themes in this song.  Piano, harps, oboe and snare drums occupy the entire track.  Takada is accompanied by some male vocals at the end.  All leading to a triumphant finish. 

Both Takada and Orikasa follow Masami Kikuchi in a duet, only with three people.  Ueno No Koi No Monogatari continues the rythym and blues theme.  I guess jazz and R&B is not so bad when in the hands of Nagaoka.  Ryoko and Aeka bicker with each other, trying to out sing one another.  The song almost falls apart hilariously at the end. 

Now for the radio dramas, constructed by none other, lady Nahoko Hasegawa.  It's worth actually getting into these voiced adventures.  Out of the Tenchi dramas, these are my favorites, because she truly expresses the characters in a unique way.  Hayashi Hiroki even sketches out the scenario for each drama.  Giving an extra method to understanding the dialog for non-Japanese speakers.

Mini-Drama 1 sounds like they are at bar.  Again, accurately depicted in the sketch above.  Ryoko is daydreaming or something and Aeka breaks the fantasy.  Then Aeka gets drunk as well, and she gets into her monologue.  Things get wild with some rapid footwork.  Aeka gives some shock therapy that tickles Ryoko. 

Ryoko's Theme follows.  A great representation of the character.  In one of the many Tenchi books, Seikou states that Ryoko is his favorite character.  It certainly shows here.  The track is filled with a strong beat, synthesizers depict Ryoko's fiestiness, and at the same time her lonliness. 

Second mini-drama, is a short Ryoko monologue.  Tenchi and Sasami are spying on her.  Trying to keep quiet and laugh at Ryoko's thoughts.  Ayeka gets the third mini-drama, for the full 30 seconds.  Then in the fourth, it's both of the girls, discussing something.  Aeka looks for Tenchi's attention, but does not respond.  She then yells for a response.  Ryoko laughs at the relationship.  Tenchi seems very overpowered here, but at least he says somethings.  Sasami is picked on for some reason. 

The middle of the OST has some long instrumentals.  The first is the Ryo-Ohki Summoning, or Sneaky Tenchi theme.  Bass, violins, and some acoustics quietly fill in for two minutes, before some percussive instruments take charge for another two minutes.  It feels tense as it should, and the synth helps add character.  Aeka's theme follows.  Might take some time to actually like.  Percussion and ethnic Japanese strings set the mood for the piece.  Acoustic rythyms and pace establish the peaceful and proper nature that is Aeka.  The opposite of Ryoko.  Don't skip this theme, becuase then the character can't be fully understood.

The Destruction of the Saito Bridge, begins with synthesizers and a beat, signifying that something is emerging.  The intensity builds, before some snare drums and ticking sounds give it speed.  The oboe moves in for the evolution of the BGM.  Guitars start getting pressed on to show the gravity of the situation.  At two minutes the action begins.  Oboe, clarinet and strings represent the fall of the ships.  An epic track that deserves the repeat treatment.

Mini-drama 5, has Tenchi on the edge.  Sasami and Aeka try to play karaoke.  Sasami comes out of no where laughing in the sixth drama.  Tenchi is running again. 

Another Aeka BGM insert.  This sweet piano/oboe ballad is very welcoming, but is put to shame by the next BGM.  The instrumental gem, Royal Teardrop of Jurai.  I'm not even going to describe how powerful this ensemble is.  A majestic symphony.

In the 8th drama, Ryoko sings her song which wakes up and annoyes Aeka.  Whereas, in 7, Ryoko and Aeka are sneaking in the middle of the night and cross each other.  They do battle. Aeka seems to be doing some damage.  Sasami is awoken, wakes up Tenchi, and he has a fit by the girls destruction.  They simmer down and pout about it. 

Kajishima provides the character illustrations.  Artwork that I cannot find in any other Tenchi media. The Washu uniform is sleek.  Wish it was used in the anime.  Pioneer does not mess around when it comes to extra's, but where is the music.  The booklet is complete with images and descriptions.  In my opinion, over the top design.  Booklet barely fits in the case.  Package: 10/10

What is provided here is beyond complaint.  The cuts between the tracks were off.  It was as if it was all recorded in sit.  A split second of the drama echoes into the BGM song.  The BGM song carries on into the drama.  With only 6 actual BGM's, it's hard to really grade the musical world of Tenchi.  There could have been the Tenchi and Sasami themes at least.  Aeka's themes may bore the listener, but they are quite essential.  The rest of the soundtrack is a party, and Ryoko alone is a fiesta.  Album: A...

お祭り前日の夜- O-Matsuri Zenjitsu no Yoru 1987, Kajishima's First

 Yes, Kajishima junkies, he had a life before Tenchi Muyo.  And he's certainly had a life since.  A life in hiding.  Thanks to Jen, a discontinued Tenchi site owner, I found his picture.  I will show that picture of our little coward another time.  For now, I will discuss his first big work before Tenchi.  Gone by the title he uses often.

I believe that Kajishima has done the story telling.  He could have done the art as well.  He used the same style in one of his later doujins.  I do like the whole book, but these scans are from the Kamidake Onsen CD-ROM 2005.  I have found an auction site where one guy has it posted for 100,000 yen.  Been posted for months.  Good luck to him.

 There are plenty of places to learn the story of K-sensei.  I find the interviews at AIC's website,

http://www.aicanime.com/about/index_talent.html to be full of good information. Unfortunately, I can't find any information on the other people involved in this publication.  In the image below, are the credits.  This is during Kajishima's start at AIC.  He was an inbetweener for his favorite, Rhea Gall Force, as well as for Sol Bianca.  He does have the sketches for Puttsun Make Love, as he was the animation director and character designer.  Knowing what he's been working on, gives you insight as to what he inputs in his creations.  I've seen Sol Bianca, but I look forward to viewing Gall Force. 

 

I only posted four of forty pages.  I wanted to get the important stuff out.  If I get enough push, I will post the meat of the book. First half deals with the story, then mecha designs, than Putsun Make Love sketches, and comic style story.  It's a really good doujin.  This answers astronerdboy's question as to why he chose the doujin route.  Most of my information comes from him and animenewsnetwork.com 

Spaceship Agga Ruter- ep. 1 Trouble Maker

I had a chance to get all four episodes back before I turned 18, but damn clerk wouldn't budge.  They were available, just until before my 18th b-day.  I was so bummed.  Last year I was lucky to find ep. 4 dvd and I loved it.  Just last week I obtained both of Kajishima's rare Hentai dvd's on ebay.  For a reasonable price of one episode.  I love the cover, it is epic.  Now on to the review.

First of all, your going to get into this knowing that your going to get freaked out.  I read all the warnings of the freakish sex relationships.  Opening started out like I thought, but I was still freaked out, even though I thought I was ready for the expected.  I don't know if Taiyo, is actually penetrating "his mother" Kei.  It looks more like foreplay.  It was neat to see the arrows, teaching Taiyo the points of feeling.  Whether or not that it's for visual or part of Kei's abilities, is not said.

 Then our pirate, Janis, comes in to capture them, during the pairs intercourse.  I won't spoil the show much for you, because I want you to want it.  I will mainly tell some points, and then the technical aspects that is attractive.  Such as, how this was done like on a real set.  Janis talks to the main villian, Shiunk, on the intercom through the cup on a wire.  Which is hysterical.  Janis' crew is comprised of robots and provide a little extra comedy.  While Taiyo woos Janis, the robots are also seen making love.

 I really do like the character designs.  Kei is the most interesting.  We get a lot of details on all the characters, but Kei is most often cut off from explaining.  Kei is obviously not human, at least not naturally.  Her expression is always the same.  Whether she's smiling, having an orgasm, mad, etc, her eyes will always be slim like the chinese.  She hasdwierd green pieces floating around her head and her hair is extended and becomes like a computer connection.

The animation is as beautiful as Tenchi Muyo.  Ship designs are not your norm, but again not as great as Atsushi Takeuchi, the design artist for Tenchi.  I like the Agga Ruter, but we don't get any info on it.  I like the music that plays for Kei and the Agga Ruter, it's mysterious. 

 

 

Expect to be annoyed by the voices.  There is no talent at anime 18 productions.  It's the same quality voice you get from a kindergarten teacher to the kids.  Yet this is dealing with sex, which I call this logic absolutely contradictory.  Some of the voices actually fit.  Like Kei's is perfect for her cool and knowledgeable personality.  She never gets that annoying high picth anime voice, like Janis' voice does.  Shiunk V.A. plays his part well.  Same with Taiyo, he gets that oblivious and dumbfound sound that Taiyo is. 

A great start for the series.  Never a dull moment, if you can get past the distastful voice.  Still it's not bad quality.  There is lots of good info on K-sensei's universe.  Lots of hijinks, which is a plus, yet for some reason it feels short.  The whole episode is fun, and when it ends, I feel like it didn't start.