Tenchi Muyo! Episode Thirteen and a Half: Here Comes Jurai 2!

So this is a bit of an oddity to say the least.

I have been trying to find out exactly WHAT this was originally, but I keep getting conflicting reports. Some sources claim that it was played during the credits of Episode Thirteen, which would make sense given the lack of animation. Others say that it aired at the end of the home release of it as a Marvel Post Credit Scene.

Regardless of WHAT it is, we should focus on the WHY it exists.

As you know, Episode Twelve focused primarily on the confrontation between Washu and Dr. Clay, which is fine but the manner which they fought left little room to address a majority of the questions brought up in the previous episode, specifically about Lady Tokimi and her relationship with both Clay and Washu. 

This special tries to give us more answers while also setting up MORE things for OVA 3, which is still nine years away mind you. Let’s see how good of a job it does.

Our “episode” begins with Mihoshi calling out Washu’s name repeatedly in her lab. Eventually, she is noticed and right off the bat I’m amazed at the choices that have been made for this show.

Ryoko, as you can see in the background, is bound up like Tenchi was, except she is gagged. Why? Why did this have to be a thing that happened? Regardless, let’s see what Mihoshi has to say on the subject.

“So you have Ryoko today with you, huh? Instead of Tenchi hehehe! You’re playing ‘doctor’ again, aren’t you?”

How does Washu respond to being accused of playing “doctor” with her daughter?

“I’m warning you Mihoshi, don’t you touch anything around here!”

Nice deflection.

Obviously, this leads to Mihoshi destroying something. Some things never change.

From here, the two ladies sit down for tea and rice crackers while effectively ignoring Ryoko in the background. The conversation jumps straight to Doctor Clay, with Washu asking about his current situation, specifically how he liked his broken vase. Mihoshi tells us…well he wasn’t too happy.

“He demanded that I compensate for the damage! Since my Mother is the authority on that antique stuff, I had her appraise it! It turns out that it was…”

Mihoshi has a Mom? Interesting...I wonder what she's like.

“A replica of a chamber pot from Galaxy Prehistoric civilization and MEOW MEOW and Pealozoic Era! The cheap kind you can find at any souvenir shop!”

“What the hell was that?”

Seriously, WHY DID SHE MEOW?! Also, how did she know that?

“I should know, better than anyone, because it was ME who fabricated it 20,000 years ago just to make some quick easy money!”

Washu, you sly bastard. Even without realizing it you screw Clay over. Bravo.

“Isn’t he a helpless fool?! Hahahahahahaha such a fool!”

Dear god, Vogt and Gerstell are hamming it up like crazy.  I’m impressed by their dedication to being as over the top as possible.

Oh yeah, let’s check in on Ryoko!

“…for once I actually sympathize with that Octopus Head Doctor Clay.”

Speaking of Ryoko, it turns out the Galaxy Police wants to have a chat with Ryoko, which is an amazing thing considering her history as a wanted murderer. Why?

“Well, you see…Mr. Culprit…it seems Mr. Culprit seems to have lost his memory.”

What.

Yes, not only have we learned that Clay’s prized vase was a fake but that he lost part of his memory. And as Mihoshi quickly fills us in, it is only the portion of the memory concerning Tokimi. Mihoshi then proceeds to interview Washu (judging by the new drawing) and has come to a startling realization:

“So you knew that I knew that you knew Miss Washu!”

“The same portion is missing from Ryoko…I mean Zero’s memory also.”

Remember that folks. It’ll be important later.

So what’s next in this incredibly dense “episode?”

“YAAAAAAAAWWWWWNNNNN! I think I should be going!”

“Aw, you had a hard day Mihoshi! Sleep well!”

The second Mihoshi leaves, Washu begins to think to herself:

“Memory loss, hmm? It seems to me more like a powerful, prediction mechanism at work rather than memory loss.”

Care to elaborate on that?

“Aww, it doesn’t matter! I think I’ll go to bed now!”

First off, the “animation” is now just reusing the images from before, but with the cel drawing of Mihoshi removed. It…is hilarious to see just how cheap this is. Second, what about Ryoko?

“HEY! LET ME GO! RELEASE ME! DAMN YOU WASHU! HEY! WASHU! WASHU! WASHU! WASHU DAMMIT! WASHU? HEY! HEY! WASHU…”

Ah, looks like Burchard is getting in on the overacting action as well. This might be my favorite directed “episode.”

However, the dawning realization seems to have set in that our space pirate is alone…in Washu’s laboratory…with nobody around to help her.

“Hey? Do you hear me at all? Hello, hello there? Washu? Dear Little Washu…are you there? Washu? Washu? Hey! Anybody?”

What we are about to witness is truly one of the saddest moments in Tenchi history. Grab your tissues and a shoulder to cry into, because this is rough:

“Booohoooo Washu! Washuuuuu! *Cries*”

Burchard somehow manages to make crying subtly over the top. She is the perfect Ryoko and I am glad that she will be around to stay.

We then cut to…oh my.

Grant Morrison’s Mind!

Yes, we have returned to Tokimi’s domain! This is amazing! Are we getting even MORE answers to questions?

“Lady Tokimi, I have made the necessary treatments on Clay and Zero.”

Ah, so this is D3’s doing. Not bad. Not bad.

 “Anyone unable to undo the memory blockage will be able to come here.”

So this is a back door clause in order to allow Washu and the gang to come to this dimension while still keeping it a mystery for the rest of the galaxy? I’m impressed. That is actually a very smart piece of storytelling.

 “There seems to have been another battle.”

This was brought up a few episodes prior, with Clay pointing out the wreckage of spaceships. I wonder why there is a great deal of conflict in this area. Perhaps it has to do with the nature of space and time…

“That boy…what will happen to him?”

“You are looking into the future aren’t you Lady Tokimi?”

So we now have established that Tokimi has this ability but what I want to know is if she is referring to Tenchi or the guy we saw at the end of Twelve.

By the way, it seems that Darling is the only one not hamming it up in this special. Even Fletcher is somewhat comedic in his monotone delivery.

“I wonder what lies beyond there. Sisters…why are you there?”

Back up, she and Washu are…

And it’s plural, meaning Tsunami is…

This is the most important revelation in this show since Tsunami merging with Sasami. Now we have the final piece of the puzzle: all of them are related…which means that Washu and Tsunami are beings of higher dimensional status! With Tsunami that makes sense…but with Washu…this changes EVERYTHING.

This means that literally the only people who are NOT technically descended from a higher dimensional being are Ayeka, Tenchi, Nobuyuki, and Yosho. Mihoshi and Ryoko are related through Washu and Sasami IS Tsunami.

“Well whatever it is, there is no doubt of new possibilities…”

“I am not sure of that…”

“Shall we initiate a move?”

“Do not lay a hand on him!"

“I understand.”

What…what does she mean by “possibilities?” What is Tokimi’s end goal here? And what kind of a move would D3 initiate?

Then this happens:

“You should not lay your hands on that boy…you should not fight against him…”

WOW. We now have a clear set up for OVA 3. This mystery person is going to match wits, but not physical battle, with Tenchi for reasons that have yet to be revealed.

By answering some questions, new questions are revealed. This is a fantastic hook…of course it took nine years to follow up on that plot thread but still…

It seems there is still a minute left in this short. How could we possibly top that?

“Mommy? Please release me! Mommmmmmmmyyyyyyyy! Mommmmmmmmyyyyyyy! Please Mommy! Please!”

Burchard is hysterical as a whiny Ryoko. Her voice is rough and crackling. It really is a shame that Ryoko was one of the only voices Burchard ever did. Her voice is so distinct and she has such a mastery of it that she would be a welcome addition anywhere. Could you imagine her as someone like The Baroness or Poison Ivy? She would be perfect.

Still, one should feel bad for Ryoko. Hopefully someone comes back soon to free…

“You’re so cute Ryoko! Well it’s all on tape now! I’ll release her in a little while…this is what they mean when they talk about ‘the pleasures of Motherhood…’”

Are you kidding me? Washu, are you TRYING not to be likable?! Your Daughter clearly has PTS from being locked in Pride Rock for 700 years. Why are you using her like this? What are you getting out of it besides potential dirt to use on a rainy day?

“DON’T LEAVE ME HERE! DON’T LEAVE ME BEHIND! PLEEAAAASSSEEE! I DON’T WANT TO BE ALONE! IT’S DARK! IT’S SCARY! MOMMY! MOMMY! MOMMY!”

Burchard’s delivery increases the fear that Ryoko has with each cry of “Mommy!” Damn it Washu, you are making it hard for me to keep you as my favorite Tenchi girl. Your little girl is crying out in pain and you laugh at her? For shame Little Washu. For shame!

REVIEW

This small seven minute "episode" was packed with more information than half of OVA 2. It amazes me how straight to the point it is. Every frame, no matter how cheap, is used to its full potential. The closest thing that comes to filler is Mihoshi blowing something up, but even that is just comedy.

We get a final resolution on the Doctor Clay story while advancing the Tokimi plot. This is a good thing, as this story seems to be the entire reason why OVA 2 and 3 exist, beyond the characters themselves. We are instantly drawn in at the amazingly small but plentiful references to a larger plan in just a short time span. I have no idea who is responsible for this, but bravo!

The voice acting, as I mentioned earlier, is wonderful. I love every second of it. Everybody, save Darling I suppose, is having a freaking ball with their final moments of their original recording sessions. Vogt is especially milking it for all its worth. I still have no idea who is to blame for the “MEOW MEOW” bit, so hopefully someone in the comments can shed some light on it.

The only part that falls flat is just Washu’s perception of good parenting. The whole bit with Ryoko is not funny…in fact it’s kind of horrifying. Washu’s character in OVA 2 is not a good person when you think about it.

Oh well, I want more! I hope I’m not disappointed by where this storyline goes! That would be such a letdown.

Animation: There was none. It was just a series of still images…I don’t think this category can really count in this one so let’s replace it with a new category just for this episode…

Voice Acting: Perfect: 20/20

What? It’s my blog and I can do what I want.

Main Characters: Washu is a bitch, I feel for Ryoko, Mihoshi is great, and Tokimi doesn’t have a personality but is just so damn interesting: 17/20

Supporting Characters: D3…is just kind of there. I don’t know, he’s the closest thing to a supporting character besides the mysterious guy. Well, I really don’t have anything to say about him, but he did a great job so…19/20

Music: It is all reused so I’ll keep the standard OVA score: 17/20

Story: It is dense and I love every second of it. THIS is the kind of storytelling I wanted out of this OVA, but you know, with less Washu being a bitch: 19/20

Overall Tenchi Rating: 93!

Now that I have REALLY finished OVA 2, I can move on to a special portion of the OVA continuity…a special so special that it deserves its own canon:

Join back next time as I tackle The Mihoshi Special!