No Need For Tenchi! Volume Three: Magical Girl Pretty Sammy

With OVA 2 finished and OVA 3 on the horizon, we continue our break from the Kajishima canon continuity and return to the fan favorite Okuda canon.

Now, you may have noticed that the name of this volume is Magical Girl Pretty Sammy. This is why I reviewed The Mihoshi Special before this one: to introduce my readers to both the Pretty Sammy idea and the character of Kiyone Makibi, who is a part of nearly every Tenchi series besides the OVA (discounting the previously reviewed Hasegawa novel). So then I ask you this: why would I mention Kiyone if she isn't a part of the main OVA continuity, which the manga is set in?

Read on, dear readers, and find out.

This volume is comprised of three two-part stories. The first of these is called "Wolf at the Door."

We learn rather quickly that the setup for this two-parter involves a picnic.

Hmm...a picnic...involving the Tenchi cast...I wonder what type of humor can be derived from this situation...

Yeah. That sounds about right.

We then see...a car headed for the zoo?

This is an unexpected direction. And speaking of unexpected directions...

I'm going on a limb and assuming the driver of the other car was drunk. However, we see that the flipped over car has some survivors. This includes a most unexpected addition to the cast:

 Mildew Wolf!

Ah, the "wolf" in the title was literal! I can get behind that...so long as there is a compelling story to go with it.

Meanwhile back at the picnic, we see our two resident love struck females find a new way to win Tenchi's heart.

Sasami always has the best ideas in every continuity it seems.

Yes, we are treated to a light hearted moment with the girls finding mushrooms to please Tenchi, only for them to be poisonous.

Now, I should not be happy with this. I mean, I prefer there to be substance to the material. If an author is taking the time to include something in the comic/ show, I want to know why it is there. However, one must always consider this: with comics, any comic can be a person's first.

For example, the first volume of the manga I read was Volume Eight and there are a few characters there from the other volumes. As such, even when there is a major story arc going on, the first issue of every volume would benefit from some kind of introduction, especially if they are written for the trade.

Manga is a smidge different than American comics, as their volumes are collected with a specific number of issues in mind and no set limit on how long any given story arc might be. However, I am sure some conscious effort was put forth in choosing which issues would be in what volume. Okuda seems like the kind of writer who is subtly writing with the collected edition in mind. The amount of stories in this volume are a testament to that idea.

As such, I can forgive moments like this as long as the main story if each segment isn't detracted by such light, comedic moments. Comedy can be used to further a story as well as to entertain. Okuda is very good at nailing the right level of comedy while staying true to the characters themselves.

So, again, back to the mushrooms.

 Yes, Ayeka's is more poisonous than Ryoko's. Comedy folks!

We then learn that Sasami is wandering by herself in the woods. Okay, no biggie. It's not like she has the worst track record for being by herself alone with a bunch of trees...

Oh.

Following this, we discover that Mildew Wolf has made the news. Yosho, the ever faithful, realizes it is up to him to save the cast:

Or not.

I love Okuda's characterization of Yosho. He's a lazy asshole who only does work when he has to. Basically, it's the typical OVA characterization. I love it. Plus we get a rare Nobuyuki appearance!

Also, the singer that is mentioned in the top right is actually Ryoko's Japanese voice actress. A nice touch that I am happy to see translated.

Sasami wakes up in the woods later on after a nap and looks for Ryo-Ohki, who had gone on ahead without her. As one might expect, Sasami comes across Mildew instead.

"Hai Doggie!"

Since Sasami is the heart of the group, she notices immediately that Mildew is injured.

She gets the rock off of him immediately and goes to find something to help his broken leg. Mildew, however, is confused and touched by this act of kindness. When she returns, a touching moment takes place:

Sasami: Friend to All Animals.

As Sasami gets up to leave, she takes her own fall...giving me yet another excuse to do this:

By this point, the gang has returned home and are obviously concerned by the lack of their cook. Washu spots another news report about the dangerous wolf that is loose, which leads to one of the funnier moments in the book:

It is nice to be reminded now and then that the girls are actually aliens. Of course there wouldn't be wolves in space. If there were, they might be called something else. Okuda gets these characters enough to capitalize on that.

Ayeka, obviously worried that she will have to cook for herself, runs to the woods to search for her sister, but is stopped by a dark and mysterious man:

 "Hello, I'm your designated animal killing villain for this piece. My credits include training Gaston, Clayton, Percival C. McLeach, General Zaroff, Lord Chumley, Blackheart the Ivory Dealer, and the two assholes who shot Bee the Dog in front of Mr. Satan. Would you like my card?"

The chapter ends with a dark, wolf like shadow hovering over Sasami. But enough of that, let's get going with the next chapter, "Wolf at the Door Part Two!"

Our designated hunter villain has appeared on television, vowing to bring back Sasami and to kill the dreaded wolf. Ayeka is not to happy about his boasting and tries to stop the broadcast...until she is made a very generous proposal:

Back in the woods, Mildew has found Sasami and is trying to get her to wake up before he hears our gang searching for her. It is then that the comic goes all meta on us:

That. Is. Great.

We then get even more indication that our designated hunter villain is evil:

This guy is such a card carrying villain that it hurts. So what's going on now?
 

We have entered Scooby Doo territory folks.

The wolf appears and holy crap, Tenchi is ready to do something!

Too bad the one time he was ready to take matters into his own hands, he didn't need to. Poor, poor Tenchi.

Mildew tries to direct the gang to Sasami's location and for his help we discover that Washu has the ability to heal bones in this universe:

This will probably never come up again. Oh well.

Sasami wakes up, disoriented and alone. She thinks that Mildew is there, but it's actually a pack of wild wolves! They lunge at Sasami and she thinks she is done for!

"I'm too important to die in a spinoff manga!"

Suddenly, a figure appears and fights off the wolves. Who could it be?

"IT'S THE WOL-UF! IT'S THE WOL-UF! That's who it is...the wol-uf!"

And he's not alone....

"Ladies. Gentlemen. You have eaten well. You've eaten Okayama's wealth. Its spirit. Your feast is nearly over. From this moment on -- none of you are safe."

Washu puts it in simpler terms:

With Sasami safe, everything is poised to go back to normal...except for one lingering problem: the designated hunter villain is still out there and will not stop until he kills the wolf. So Washu, in all of her glory, devises a wonderful plan:

...don't kill Mildew Wolf Washu. I like Paul Lynde too much.

Of course, our designated hunter villain is searching for his prey when, again, a dark figure emerges from the woods.

...WHAT?!

EVEN JOHNNY COULDN'T KILL THE DOG. WHY? WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS WASHU?!

Mihoshi goes to thank our designated hunter villain and we literally see him get off on the page.

But is it from Mihoshi or the kill? With someone like this, I honestly don't know.

Of course, it turns out that Mildew Wolf is still alive...

...but how did that happen? Well, this is based in the OVA so I'm sure either Ryoko or Washu will have some kind of convoluted excuse.

*INSERT JFK CONSPIRACY THEORY HERE*

This actually has merit from Episode Seven back when...

"Please don't bring that back up."

Shockwave! You remembered!

"I've been repairing myself from all of the logical flaws from OVA 2. I'm getting better."

Be thankful you weren't around for The Mihoshi Special.

"I can only imagine."

The chapter ends with Sasami doing her Sasami thing...you know, as expected. She says that she will never forget Mildew Wolf.

THE END

So now we have reached our second story and the most memorable story from this volume: "The Way We Were." Keep your tissue boxes close to you folks, this is a good one.

This story begins with a typical fight between Ayeka and Ryoko. Why? Who cares. The key point is that the Masaki residence gets an unexpected visitor:

This reminds me of a sitcom like The Addams Family, where an outsider comes to the Addams Family house and you see the contrast between their world and the "real" world. A lot of chapters in the Manga are somewhat like that: put the Tenchi crew in WACKY situations.

Of course, for the most part it works because we explore the characters a bit more through their actions.

Let's go back to the...

...this girl is not long for life.

We learn that this girl's name is Hiwa Takahashi and that she and Tenchi were childhood friends. This is a nice reminder that Tenchi used to live in a populated area before Ryoko kidnapped Nobuyuki's house. The two nursed a bird back to health when they were six and played all kinds of games (including "Playing Doctor") until Hiwa had to move.

"Tenchi Babies! Making your dreams come true!"

Now that is all nice and cute, but why is she here? Did she just remember Tenchi's name and looked him up?

Goddamn it. Is there ANYONE who doesn't want to marry this guy?

Tenchi makes the girls promise to behave like actual Earthlings while she is around and we are given an honest to god explanation why they need to do that:

It's a small touch, but I like it.

As the time goes on, the girls start to hate Hiwa's attachment to Tenchi. In one of the funnier moments, Hiwa actually asks Ryoko why the onsen floats, which I would screencap, but...well they ARE in the onsen and it IS Ryoko. She shrugs and writes it off as a natural phenomena, which is great. The floating onsen is one of the most perplexing things about the OVA. It makes sense that a normal person would question it.

Hiwa finally flat out asks Ryoko what her relationship with Tenchi is, but as usual Ayeka is there to fight her. Hiwa has a cute moment with Mihoshi, but things start getting interesting the next day, where we learn that Hiwa is probably some kind of Disney Princess.

"I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream!"

Washu, who has been oddly silent this chapter, goes to tell her that she has her all figured out:

How appropriate for Halloween! So, how does Washu know this?

"WE GOT ONE!"

I mean, OF COURSE Washu has a ghost detector...actually, it makes sense that she would, as Ryoko has the ability to summon spirits...okay Okuda, you get a pass on this ass pull.

Hiwa tells Washu how she got hit by a car and is in critical condition. She managed to get a physical body through the bird that Tenchi and her saved as a child...

"How is that possible?"

I don't know Shockwave. It's Japan.

"That...is far more logical than it has any right being."

We then get another ass pull where Washu SLOWS DOWN TIME to try to heal Hiwa as she did Mildew Wolf.

Later on, Ryoko and Ayeka realize that Hiwa is hiding something from them and have a serious discussion about it. It is then that Ryoko realizes something: she has met Hiwa before!

I guess this means that Hiwa was a summer time friend after all, or Tenchi took her along with him to Yosho's house. That would make sense, as it was the year after his Mother died and I'm sure Nobuyuki and Yosho would want to make Tenchi happy.

We then get two of the most powerful Washu panels yet:

Acknowledgement of limitations: something I wasn't aware Washu was capable of.

With Washu unable to help Hiwa, she does the next best thing: she invents something for her to use on Ryoko and Ayeka? What is it? We don't know, but this new plan involves Washu knocking the two girls out and attaching all three girls into this unexplained device.

...I'm borderline ready to pull out Krusty the Clown. You have two pages to have this make sense.

...what?

Misaki and Azusa? What?

"What the hell was that?!"

The chapter ends with Tenchi saying that he's not going back to Jurai with Ayeka.

Seriously, what the hell is going on? Am I supposed to be this confused?

We then cut to Ryoko, who is getting ready for a big date with Tenchi. We are told this takes place after Ayeka and Sasami left for Jurai, which I am still confused about. Did I miss something? I feel like this is some David Lynch kind of shit.

There is a catch to her date with Tenchi:

Okay she can't use her powers. I understand that, especially after that explanation last chapter. But then this happens:

"Everybody on TV does it?" Ryoko, how the hell do you not know about pregnancy? In fact, you DO know about it from Episode Three!

Ryoko has to make a choice: stay with the pregnant woman or go see Tenchi on time. Let's see what she picks, shall we?

You go Ryoko!

The ambulance arrives shortly after that and she goes on her merry way to her date with Tenchi. Speaking of, we flash back to the past to learn a startling revelation about Tenchi:

WHAT?! HOW DOES THAT MAKE ANY LOGICAL SENSE?

"It's all just a dream?"

That is the dumbest...wait. The machine...the perspective shifts between Ayeka and Ryoko...

"What's going on here?"

I think you may be on to something Shockwave. Let's watch the scene play out with Ayeka and Tenchi.

Azusa tells her that if she stays with Tenchi, she will forfeit the title of Princess of Jurai and will presumably never see her family again. In that moment, Ayeka makes her choice:

From here, we cut back to Ryoko, who is having a great time with Tenchi. However, she notices that the ambulance from before is stuck in traffic. Ryoko goes to help them, but Tenchi tells her not to worry about it:

Ryoko don't shiv.

Tenchi warns her that if she rips off her necklace, he will not go out with her ever again. Ryoko tells him that it is his loss and with that, she wakes back up in the real world.

"Called it."

Ryoko demands an explanation and Hiwa explains what this was really all about:

With that, the spirit of Hiwa floats back to her body, ready to die. Tenchi and the others are bought up to speed. Again, Washu is dismayed that in all of her genius she can't save this poor girl.  However, Tenchi has an idea...one that was actually foreshadowed earlier in the volume in the previous story!

Tsunami-ex-machina.

Washu closes out our story with a nice summary of everything:

Yes it is Washu. Yes it is.

THE END.

Now we have reached the part that has me filled with dread...we have reached "MAGICAL GIRL PRETTY SAMMY!"

Let's look at the small recap the story gives us about this world:

 

Now this is a bit confusing. Basically, THIS Sasami is Tenchi's sister and not Ayeka's, she was a typical Earth girl before meeting Tsunami, Tsunami is completely separate from Sasami, and Jurai isn't a planet but a "Magical Kingdon" called Juraihelm.

It is weird.

One thing to note is that this volume was published in 1995. At this same time, a three part OVA for Magical Girl Pretty Sammy was being released. I am not sure if these two were written at the same time and this was used as a "sneak preview" for the show or something like a marketing ploy, but either way this was MY introduction to the concept of Pretty Sammy. Alternatively, this could just be something Okuda made in honor of the spin off.

Let's see exactly what the fuss is about.

So Tsunami appears to be a bubble headed princess who is in competition with a crazy princess named Ramia to become queen. Got it. Anyone else I need to know about?

Ah, a brother-sister combo. Knowing Tenchi Muyo, this probably means they are in an incestuous relationship.

On Earth, we learn that Sasami's school is putting on a play about Pretty Sammy, which is weird. Would a middle school/ elementary school REALLY put on a play about a vigilante magical girl? That seems like something that would get teachers in trouble.

Regardless, we also learn that Sasami has been chosen to play Sammy and that her friend Misao Amano will be playing "Pixie Misa." What a weird name.

Also, what a weird looking bird.

"Did you say...weird?!" 

Not that kind of weird Ronaldo.

"GIVE IT TIME! THEY ARE COMING FOR YOU!"

...aaaaaanyway, Ramia and Rumia rumble about some kind of plot, which we aren't privy to yet. Meanwhile, boys be trying to spy on Sasami changing in the locker room.

Before this THRILLING plot could advance any further, we see the first part of Ramia's plan: The Stay Puff Marshmallow Man.

"That's a big twinkie."

I...okay...Ryo-Ohki (who can talk) tells Sasami that SHE is there too. Who is SHE? Well, it's Pixie Misa of course!

Talk about method acting!

During the monster's rampage, the bird I commented on earlier (who is actually Rumiya) steals Tenchi's wallet (who is the captain of the Athletic Club). It drops it off right where Sasami is transforming into Pretty Sammy. As such, Tenchi is left with a shocking revelation:

This leaves him crushed. As he walks home, he is confronted by his two classmates Ryoko and Ayeka. They try to flirt with him (like usual) but he ignores them and goes straight to his Mother's CD shop where we meet two more familiar faces:

Oh hai Gratuitous Kiyone Appearance!

As you can read, Washu is looking for Tenchi. So we have Sasami as Tenchi's sister, Ayeka and Ryoko as Tenchi's classmates, Mihoshi and Kiyone as employees working for his Mom, and Tsunami as a Princess. So, what is Washu's role in this?

...M.I.T.? Is she American? Don't answer that.

Washu and Tenchi confer with each other about Sasami's identity and who should overhear them by Sasami herself!

This was Ramia's plan: to shake Sasami's confidence as a magical girl so her champion, Pixie Misa, can with the queenship for her...

This is all odd and confusing. I wish the story can explain it to me...

Oh...thank you!

We cut to the school play where...

Damn it Ayeka and Ryoko.

The actual play begins with the two girls fighting while Tenchi and Washu watch. Washu is confident that something bad will happen and I have to say, the drawing of Washu is just off:

It's her nose. It bothers me.

As Misao leaves the stage to get changed, Ramia forces her to transform into the REAL  Pixie Misa. It looks like Washu will get her wish after all.

Also this happens:

That is some good old fashioned lampshading right there.

Pixie Misa appears and outs Sasami's identity to the school. As she tries to smooth things over with her classmates, Misa adds another factor to the table to force Sammy's hand:

"He is Vigo! You are like the buzzing of flies to him!"

So, how can we get out of this mess? Simple: Tsunami-Ex-Machina.

A common theme in this volume I suppose.

Okay here is ANOTHER question: how is stopping time supposed to help this situation?

Ah.

Tsunami has created a double of Pretty Sammy so the real Pretty Sammy and the fake Pretty Sammy can switch places so the real Pretty Sammy can fight the real Pixie Misa who is actually the fake Pixie Misa who is unknowingly the real Pixie Misa.

"Everybody got that?"

After the switch, the day is saved and Ramia's plan is foiled. When asked how all of this happened, Tsunami gives us her version of the story:

THE END...FOR REAL

REVIEW

This...was a trip an a half. I'd honestly say this volume contains one really great story sandwiched between two forgettable ones.

The Hiwa story is wonderful. It is a great insight into how Ryoko and Ayeka view their relationship of Tenchi. In Ayeka's case, family and status mean a lot to her. This, therefore, is what Hiwa and Washu force her to give up in order to be with Tenchi. This also shows us that it really doesn't matter if Tenchi has Juraian blood in him: she loves him for him.

Though if he really WAS adopted, the incestuous relationship would be much easier to swallow.

Ryoko, on the other hand, doesn't have a family. She only has herself and her morals, skewed as they are. She likes Tenchi because he is the innocent soul that she has never been. She sees a reflection in him of what she wished she could be. As such, Hiwa and Washu tested that to see if Ryoko would care if Tenchi was an asshole. That isn't the man Ryoko loves and, as such, her desire to do good overcomes her want to spend a great day with Tenchi.

Hiwa is a great character, for it reminds us of Tenchi's life beyond the story told in the show. He WAS a typical child at one point and it makes since that he has friends, let alone friends who are girls. Though I am baffled by the manner which Hiwa comes to Tenchi (a bird gave up its body?!) it was technically set up well enough to show the connection between the characters stems from that bird.

Overall, it was a highlight of the entire run. Its great and well worth the rest of the volume.

The other stories are meh. The Mildew Wolf tale is okay, but it really is beat for beat what you would expect from a story like this. The best part of it was the small moment where Mihoshi and Ayeka realize they have no idea what a "wolf" is. It reminds us of their origins and it is nice.

Oh, and the Yosho/ Nobuyuki moment...for obvious reasons.

That leaves us with "Magical Girl Pretty Sammy."

It is cute, but is really out there if you aren't familiar with the OVA. I'm sure if I were to sit down and review it next, I would get things like Tsunami's new personality and the new characters better. But as just an additional Tenchi story, it is weak.

Honestly, Sammy isn't much of a driving force in this issue. TENCHI, surprisingly, is the man focus for a great deal of it. The plot moves because of his discovery about his sister. We care more about his realizations and his concern than Sasami's journey to get the attention off of her.

As for the Stay Puff Marshmallow Men...it's weird. I will say I get it. Sailor Moon fought some weird ass stuff too (the Queen Marionette thing springs to mind...I don't care what it's called).

Finally, I really have no idea why MIHOSHI is on the cover of this book. She serves very little purpose in any of the stories. SASAMI is the main character of 2/3rds of the book.

Art: Typical Okuda style, save the odd Washu nose I mentioned. The animals looked rather nice I have to say and there was some good imagery in the Hiwa story: 17/20

Characterizations: Everybody is on point to their OVA characters, with Washu actually serving as a far more likeable version of her OVA counterpart. As for the Pretty Sammy characters, they work well in their world. I can't really fault anything here so: 18/20

Main Characters: Sasami is the overall main character of this volume. She gets plenty of chances to shine as the perfect, flawless character that she is. I just wish that she wasn't so damn pure and innocent all the time. Let the girl get into some kind of trouble. Beyond her, Hiwa was great and was well utilized. Her twist was not expected but it adds to her nice story. For the Sammy story, Tenchi and Washu are far more interesting that Pretty Sammy. They have a more compelling story: 16/20

Supporting Characters: Ayeka and Ryoko were mainly supporting characters, but for the Hiwa story they were the main characters. We got into their heads and saw their justifications for their feelings about our hero. Washu also got a lot of nice moments, and it was great to see her fail. Even if she can't accomplish what she sets out to do, she will continue until she finds SOMETHING. The Sammy characters are forgettable, but I like the valley girl Tsunami for what its worth 16/20

Story: One amazing story, one out of place piece of marketing, and one by the books story: 15/20

Overall Tenchi Rating: 82!

 

Ayeka and Ryoko Verbal Sparring: 3 (Not Counting Pretty Sammy Versions!)

I suppose that since I reviewed this version of Pretty Sammy, it would make sense to look at the OVA that it was schilling. So join me next time for...

"Don't touch anything Sherman. I need to make sure we made it at the proper time. Today is a very important day for our client."

"Yes Mr. Peabody."

What the hell is this? Wait, that Ronaldo Fryman bit was actually relevant?!

"Don't doubt me!"

"Enough of that, conspiracy theorist. Hello good sir. My name is Mr. Peabody. This is my pet, Sherman."

...I know who you are. I watched Rocky and Bullwinkle as a kid. I have to say, your movie was surprisingly good.

"Thank you. Now We have been tasked to make sure that you focus on the review that you were meant to do next."

Not Pretty Sammy?

"Not at all. There will be a time and a place for that. But for now, you need to prepare yourself for OVA 3."

Joy. So, how does one prepare themselves for OVA 3?

"Well, it's not technically the most ACCURATE way of going about it, but there are partial translations of Kajishima's Shin Tenchi Novels floating around out there."

"That means True Tenchi Novels!"

"That it does Sherman."

So you want me to review a partial fan translation of three novels that will help me explain random plot points in OVA 3?

"Yes, that sums it up nicely."

Fair enough, but you mentioned a client. Do you work for Galvatron's master? And how does Ronaldo fit into this?

"It's not his master, per say, but yes. We are working for the same individual. You may have already met him, but you just don't know it yet. As for the conspiracy theorist, he is just a throwaway gag. Nothing to concern yourself with."

How vague. Well, hop in your WABAC and get ready. Next time we look at the partial translations and summaries of the Japanese only Shin Tenchi Novels!