Tenchi Muyo! Episode Eight: Hello Baby!

Are you all familiar with the phrase “To Jump the Shark?”

It is a phrase that really only people invested in media are aware of. The phrase originated from the show Happy Days where the breakout character, Henry Winkler’s The Fonz, literally jumped over a shark in one of the most ridiculous moments of television ever at that point. Since then, “Jumping the Shark” has been used to describe the moment that any given property has become too ridiculous and too divided to return to its former glory. Several cases of “Jumping the Shark” might include one of the following:

Changing up the setting

Add a plucky new sidekick with an attitude 
   

Marrying off the lead character

Recasting a role

Having the character do something completely out of character

Literally jumping a shark to acknowledge what they are doing

Or the tried and true adding a child into the mix.

See where this is going folks?

That “Mitefall” was a beautiful ending for Batman Brave and the Bold?

Well, yes. But that’s not what I am talking about.

OVA 1, as I have mentioned, was one continuing story that brought its ending full circle when Kagato was defeated. The follow up episode was pure comedy, but a few lingering issues were addressed, namely Mihoshi’s job. Where do you go from there? 

If you read the previous review, you know EXACTLY where this show went: slice of life episodes! 

These have to be done VERY carefully. It is one thing to have a filler episode every now and then, but they should REALLY be used to develop a character or an event. One show that does this very well right now has actually been described  as “Tenchi Muyo! done right.” I don't know how much I agree or disagree with that. but I refer to Steven Universe.

What is Steven Universe? Well a half-blooded alien boy lives with a bunch of alien women who care for him as he tries to embrace his alien heritage and learn to become the hero he was meant to be.

Sound familiar?

Of course, I am doing that purposely. Both shows are very different from each other to varying degrees (honestly, I’d argue that Steven Universe is MORE SEXUAL than Tenchi Muyo! at times, but I digress), but what Steven Universe does right is its slice of life episodes. The show has a very specific myth arc that it follows, but the writers know that if the show is to succeed, it is important to change up the formula a bit in order to both keep things fresh and to also be true to the show’s core. How do you do it? Why by showcasing the individual characters in ways that allow us to know them and, more importantly, to see how the protagonist views them.

If there was going to be an action episode, a character like, say Lars, would only be there for comedy or to be there to be saved. However, if you have a breather episode where Steven, say, brings Lars around to hang with the “Cool Kids,” then we get to explore the world Steven inhabits while getting to know who Lars and the “Cool Kids” are. We get to see them beyond the one dimensional characters that being stuck in the background forces them to be. Hell, one of the last episodes of Steven Universe that aired even highlighted this point about characters:

“How can a guy have no faults? To be human is to be flawed. A real hero must struggle.”

What I'm trying to say is that Steven Universe is a great show that understands how to use its characters and its slice of life episodes wisely.

Steven Universe takes the proverbial shark and swats it aside.

"Swatting sharks? Stand back citizens and let me show you how its done! "

Going back to Tenchi (man, this is my longest intro ever), the last episode was hurt by the fact that there were practically no redeeming qualities that Ayeka, Ryoko, or Washu showcased in the episode. It just portrayed them as flawed and, as such, it hurt our preconceived notions of them a bit, especially Washu. We have no idea who this woman is beyond her role as a mad scientist and as Ryoko’s mother. What makes her tick? Why is she the way she is? 

Thankfully, this show actually takes the time to answer those questions in an instance of a slice of life episode starting out dangerously close to killing the show, but coming around to actually strengthen it. 

Let’s dive into Episode Eight, “Hello Baby!” and see what all the fuss is about.

Before we start, we need to talk about the opening song.

It is perfect.

This new theme, “I'm a Pioneer,” is amazing. The lyrics are wonderful. Hell, I used this song to teach Tom Sawyer in my class, and it worked. I really can’t describe how wonderful the song is, just listen to it.

As our episode opens, we hear a telephone ringing. The only person around is Ayeka, who is sewing for some reason.

She answers the phone and it is painful to hear how awkward Ayeka is at greeting people.

“Hello, Masaki residence! Oh, hello Tenchi’s aunt! Thank you for being so kind to Sasami!”

I don’t know if this is Jennifer Darling or specific direction, but it makes sense that Ayeka would try to sound formal while on the phone, but it is awkward for her to talk on it. Again, the awkwardness of saying “Tenchi’s aunt” probably stems from the honorifics that I explained back in Episode Seven, but it adds a bit to the character.

After some banter about Sasami’s cooking, we get this subtle bit of animation. Look at the eyes and mouth:

 “What?”

“Yes…I see…”

“Yes, I’m on my way now.”

I wonder what they could be referring to. Hmm…

Later that evening, Ayeka, Sasami, and Tenchi’s aunt return back to the Masaki residence (I have to wonder, did Tenchi’s extended family have ANYTHING to say about Nobuyuki’s house mysteriously moving to rural Okayama?) and are greeted by Tenchi. 

 Sasami is acting weird…

Tenchi asks Sasami how the baby was doing, showing the audience that Sasami was over babysitting, but she runs away almost immediately. Tenchi is then presented a gift by his aunt.

“A gift? You are so kind! To celebrate the baby’s birth?”

“Well…something like that.”

First off, Tenchi’s aunt is voiced by Jennifer Darling in what I believe to be her second role in the OVA. She will have more. Secondly, this is yet ANOTHER visual clue that Sasami had her period. A quick search on Google brings up the following information about a girl’s first period in Japan:

The Izu Islands havelong been known for a big coming-of-age celebration for girls. In HachijojimaIsland and Aogashima Island, for example, there was an old custom called Hatsu-tabi. When a girl experiencedher first period, a social parent was appointed from among those with no bloodrelationship who then stayed in a menstrual hut with the girl. The term tabi means "separating a homefire." Since ancient times, both menstrual blood and maternal blood at thetime of delivery were considered kegare(meaning a foul and impure state that will bring about calamities). Peoplebelieved that kegare could betransmitted via a home fire; therefore, they let girls who were in themenstrual or postpartum period stay in an isolated hut to "separate a homefire" from their houses. During the stay in a menstrual hut, the girlwould learn from the social parent how to take care of her menstruation as wellas other things required for an adult such as social etiquette, weaving skills,village rules, etc. The onset of first menstruation was considered anauspicious event, foretelling prosperity for the island.

And now you know!

And knowing is half the battle!

Well…again I have no idea WHY Kajishima thought this would be a good subplot to add into the second OVA, but it doesn’t intrude in the main stories, so why not?

Tenchi then tells his aunt that she should bring the baby next time she visits, leading to the title card. 

 

 

 

This does raise the questions of Tenchi’s extended family. How far away do they live? Why aren’t they seen more? Do they know ANYTHING about Juraian culture? Are they maternal or paternal?

Unfortunately, we do not see them outside of this episode, so the potential to learn such questions (which would have brought a fascinating layer to the show) will never be explored. A pity.

After the title card, we get a shot of Washu working peacefully…and  then we cut away.

I wonder why?

Tenchi hears the doorbell ring and he goes to answer it. At first he is pleased.

“Oh Auntie!”

Then…less so.

“Hi!”

“Here are the diapers…”

 

“…and the formula…”

“…and the toys.”

Auntie tells Tenchi, before he has a chance to think about it, that the baby’s mother (Tenchi’s cousin?) got ill and that it is up to Tenchi and the girls to take care of him.

Is she related to Yosho? Because she reminds me a whole lot of Yosho.

Tenchi then stares at the child, finally grasping what has just happened.

“Baby…?”

Meet Taro the baby. He is notable for being voiced by our resident favorite voice actress:

“All glory to Sherry Lynn!”

You see, in the second OVA, everybody gets to take on a second role. In the case of Darling and Lynn, three roles. I’ll point them out as I go along.

Tenchi tries to protest…but she’s long gone at this point.

“Auntie, you magnificent bastard!” 

The girls…well vary in their opinion of the situation. Look here:

Mihoshi is overjoyed, Ayeka is confused, and Ryoko could care less. Again, this is all in line with their characters.

“Well Tenchi was much more adorable when he was little.”

Ryoko, look at the two:

They share the exact same character design, minus Taro having slightly bigger cheeks. 

Ayeka then reminds up the one implication of this episode that I really wish was further explored:

“If he is the Grandson of Tenchi’s aunt, well then he is related to me also!”

Ayeka, nobody WANTS to be in the House of Jurai. It is too damn confusing!

Ryoko teleports Taro out of Ayeka’s hands and grabs him by the shirt.

“Babies are so adorable, aren’t they?”

Ryoko, you are so good at handling children. Did you learn from the master?

“I saw my baby, crying hard as it could cry! What could I do?”

We then see Taro playing “Face Lift” from Mario Party 2.

And then we see random hijinks with the baby…which is going to take up most of the first half of the episode.

I’m sorry, maybe Ayeka is the one who went to the David Bowie School of Raising Children?

“Dance, magic dance!”

Okay, so Tenchi asks Mihoshi to change Taro’s diaper…and she is very confused why anyone would ask her to do anything.

Well…she tried.

Ryoko, on the other hand, decides to be proactive and make the kid a bottle.

Okay, this is great! Tenchi would have to be happy that Ryoko thought to do that. You go…

“Drink it! Do it! Do it! Do it!”

“Ryoko! Wait a minute! What kind of stuff are you trying to give him this time?!”

“This time?” This would imply that this had happened before. This literally is the first time he has been fed.

“What do you mean ‘what kind of stuff?’ It’s the formula this time, I swear!”

“Aha!”

Oh come on! She tried Tenchi! Admittedly, she failed miserably, but she tried.

This…is starting to get old really fast. 

 And. It. Is. Still. Going.

We do, however, get one of the biggest laughs in the episode.

“…what is it we are doing exactly?”

“Exactly what you think we are doing.”

This cuts to Ryoko flying around in the air with Taro on her back.

“THE NEVERENDING STOOOOOORYYYY!”

We even get a shot of Taro crying while being held by Mihoshi…

…to then Mihoshi crying and being consoled by Taro!

Derp!

“I had no idea how much work it is to take care of a baby.”

Tenchi, you HAVE no idea.

As Tenchi is bathing, Mihoshi comes in with Taro. We then get another subtle and funny bit that was obviously cut from Toonami:  

          

“Uh…see…there is no use in doing that! I can’t breastfeed yet! No…please! Stop it! Oh my, oh my!”

That’s…wow. They did that.

Let’s watch Tenchi’s horror once he realizes what is going on.

That is pretty great.

Nighttime has fallen on the Masaki household and not a creature was stirring…not even Ryo-Ohki.

What? Why should I rhyme? People do that in Christmas parodies all the time…oh damn it!

Taro wakes up while my second favorite Tenchi background song plays: “Daycare.” It is incredibly upbeat and peppy. I love it.

After a few more “funny” moments with Taro crawling over the sleeping girls, Taro manages to crawl over to Washu’s closet.

Oh boy. I wonder where this is going.

Washu’s door opens. We see a little crab…which is actually a reference to an old Japanese fable called “The Snake and the Crab.” Who is the Snake in this?

You got it.

Needless to say, Washu is shocked to discover a baby in her lab.

This raises another question: has Washu been alerted AT ALL to Taro’s presence?

Well how do you think she handles having an infant crawl invade her personal space?

About as well as you would imagine.

“Oh, I see…”

Washu, realizing that she is the only responsible person awake at this hour, takes it upon herself to take care of Taro. She goes to the kitchen and sees the formula that Tenchi’s aunt left earlier. Our resident genius is not impressed.

“Ah, this is no good. It doesn’t suit your constitution at all!”

She throws the formula into a wormhole that she created and...wait, what?

How can she do that? Does…Wait. She’s Ryoko’s mother. Of course she can do anything the plot demands.

She then…you have to be kidding me!

The bottle even has a crab on it! That's dedication!

Why does Washu have baby formula that she can pull out of subspace? I have no idea.

“There! Perfect!”

“…”

“What do I think I’m doing?”

We then see Washu silently feed Taro, which shows that she is the only person in the house who knows what she is doing.

Have you figured out the joke yet?

 

The two people who are the best at taking care of a baby are the little girl and the one who LOOKS like a little girl! The adults, however, are bamboozled at the thought of raising a child!

Eh? Eh?

Tenchi wakes up the next morning to an actual adult fear of a baby vanishing in the middle of the night. 

 

However, he hears a sound from the kitchen. Who is it?

Sarge?

No, I just did that bit. It's Washu cooking. Tenchi startles her and she tries to deny taking care of the child, despite said child being on her back.

She tries to play it off as if she was being disturbed. Tenchi, being an idiot, actually believes her. However, Washu keeps talking, turning away to hide the face she is blushing.

“No one else would take care of him…so I had to.”

Sure you did Washu.

“Tenchi! Morning!”

It’s Ryoko! Tenchi tries to get away…but I’m a little annoyed at him here. Why is he not chewing Ryoko out for abandoning the baby? If my baby sitter had fallen asleep on the job like that, she would not be working again. 

No, that is left to Washu, who scolds her daughter. She gives the baby back to her and hands her a bottle. But before I talk about this, look at this image.

When they have their hair pulled back, you can really see the resemblance. It’s a nice touch.

Anyway, Ryoko tries to force Taro to drink the bottle, but Washu immediately takes over.

“Hey there, crazy girl! What are you trying to do? Suffocate him?”

“You have to give him a break so he can breathe!”

First, when Washu takes back Taro, a fast wipe is inserted. This is what it looks like paused at that moment:

No comment, but just interesting.

Second, when I was trying to feed my nephew, I tried this logic. I got laughed at by all of the women around me. Washu, you do not need to stop every few seconds to let the baby breathe. In fact, they get pissed off if you take a bottle away before they are done. 

You see, a baby can breathe out of its nose while it drinks. An astounding concept, I know. But it’s true.

Washu scolds Ryoko for not being able to feed Taro properly but really, that is not fair. Outside of this moment, when has Ryoko had the opportunity to take care of a baby? She was imprisoned by Yosho and brainwashed since birth by your old partner. 

“I didn’t raise you to be a good for nothing!”

“You didn’t raise me at all!”

Ryoko has a point and Burchard nails the delivery perfectly. 

With the other girls finally starting to wake, Washu returns to her lab. However, she finds she cannot get any work done.

The passage of time shown by the setting sun and the different positions are a nice touch by the animators.

“I just can’t work today.”

Washu decides to see how the crew is going and…oh you have to be kidding me!

Is ANYONE in this house responsible? The girls clearly aren’t, since they keep falling asleep on the job. Tenchi isn’t, since he keeps LEAVING the baby with the girls. Sasami isn’t, because she hasn’t been seen since the beginning of the episode. That leaves Washu, who seems responsible at first, but she also left the baby alone with Tenchi and the others. 

You know who might have been an asset in this episode? Yosho and/ or Nobuyuki since, you know, they have ACTUAL experience raising children. In fact, these two will actually take care of Taro in the Okuda Manga. 

Washu then takes a bath with Taro…

 Using only the finest Kame soap! And what the hell is she wearing?

...which causes something weird to happen.

We see a new planet that looks right out of New Genesis or something. 

"There came a time when the Old Gods died..."

Taro then morphs into a blonde baby boy.

 

The baby is then seen picked up by a man whose face is obscured. 

We see Washu looking shocked and distant…until she is brought back to reality by Taro.

This…this is new. Who is this baby? Who is this man? Is…is this a hint of Washu’s backstory? 

However, this has to be put on hold because Taro takes a crap.

Oy veh.

We then get to one of the few insertion songs in this series, titled “Washu’s Lullaby.” It is a cute song, but I really don’t have anything to say about it.

The song is played over a montage of Washu taking care of Taro. This includes feeding Taro…

…playing with Ryo-Ohki (who, if you couldn't tell from all of the screencaps, hates Taro for trying to use her like a toy)…

…watching the girls do laundry…

…play The Never Ending Story with Azaka and Kamidake…

…and finally fall asleep in Washu’s arms.

Tenchi comes to Washu’s side and sits down. Washu then explains why babies cry:

  

“He doesn’t know how to talk yet, you see. So he has to show what he wants with his body, saying I’m here. I want this or that.”

Washu is very right about that. Babies are fickle things. This is more than one would expect for a baby episode of a cartoon. 

Tenchi is watching all of this with great interest. Washu questions this and gets a really good character moment for Tenchi:

“Uh…well you see I lost my mother when I was very little and…uh..I was wondering if this is how a mother and child are.”

“Oh yes. This is exactly how you and your mother were.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.”

This is a good moment for Tenchi and Washu. It gives them a bond that Tenchi has only had with Ryoko at this point. I love it. But the moment ends with Taro crying. Tenchi leaves and Taro drops a bombshell on Washu.

 

“Ma…Mama!”

“…no. No little one. I’m not your Mommy.”

But Taro keeps saying it while Washu tears up.

The next morning Washu is incredibly happy to be alive. She is cooking with Taro…but then Tenchi comes into the kitchen.

“Little Washu.”

We then see the girls outside…and boy they look like shit.

Mihoshi finally stops smiling this episode. Every other time we see her she tries her best. Mihoshi is the unsung hero of this episode for her attempts to do what is right. You go Mihoshi.

We then see Tenchi’s aunt and cousin, who really does look a bit like Tenchi.

Auntie thanks the girls for everything, but then Taro starts to call for Washu…or for “Mama.” Washu again is shocked.
 

As Tenchi sighs, we see what Washu sees: that blonde haired man walking away with the baby.

“But what does it mean?!”

What it means is Washu actually sheds a tear:

“…he called me Mom.”

This leads to a startling revelation:
 

“Tenchi…I had a baby once.”

Yeah, we know. Her name is Ryoko and wait what?!

Look at Tenchi’s face
.

 

This experience might be the first time he has actually gotten to know the woman who lives in his closet. It is poignant. However, let us hear what Washu has to say:

 “The Father was a member of Royal Space Academy, like myself. We were both students when we got married…I loved him and got so attached to him…”

“…me and him and the baby. That was all I needed in the whole world. But you see, he was a member of a very prestigious family. While I was gone, messengers came from his family…”

“…and he and the baby were taken from me.”

“Lineage…social status…why should these things matter so much? That’s how grownups are. If that’s so, I’d be happier being a child…never ever growing up.”

Holy crap. We have a legitimate excuse for the way Washu acts. Now we know WHY she acts like a child and demands to be called “Little Washu” or “Washu Chan.” This is an emotional response to trauma. It makes so much sense and adds so much depth to her character. Up until this point, Washu hasn’t really been needed except as a deus ex machina. This is her first chance to be a CHARACTER.

I love it.

I wonder what happened to her baby though.

“Hey Drillmaster!”

C_Sept? One of my regular commenters and the head of the Eternal Memory Translation project?

“Yep.”

What are you doing in my review? It’s not even over yet.

“I know what happens to the babe.”

What babe?

“The babe with the power…”

What power?

“Do you want the answer or not?”

Yes, but I doubt it is anything revelatory.

“…you just like to tempt fate, don’t you? Look at this image:”

 …is that a Female Kagato?

“Naja isn’t important now. Look at the man and the baby.” 

Hey…that kind of looks like…like…no.

“Yes.”

You’re kidding.

“No.”

So the one person who WASN’T connected to the convoluted family tree is actually…?

“Yes.”

Thank you for sharing.

“Anytime.”

“Can YOU figure out who the baby is?”

“Red Herring!”

“What a bunch of weenies!”

Do people even remember A Pup Named Scooby Doo? 

Regardless, this child is actually Mikumo Kuramitsu…as in the father of the Marshall of the Galaxy Police…as in MIHOSHI’S GREAT GRANDFATHER!

Yes, Washu is actually Mihoshi’s Great Great Grandmother, which makes Ryoko her Great Aunt.

Wow. Just…wow.

Of course, none of this is mentioned in the show. The only clue we have is Washu’s former husband’s skin color, which is not a whole lot to go on.

Getting back to our show, Tenchi is disgusted with everything he has heard and goes to what the hell?!

Is…is that Mature Washu?! She could control her age the whole time?!

Also, Tenchi totally thinks she is hot. Just look at him:

 ...and then Washu speaks with a husky, older voice:

“Tenchi…I’d be glad to bear a child…if the child is yours!”

I would put a reaction image here, but Tenchi illustrates it rather nicely:

This, ladies and gentlemen, is called MOOD WHIPLASH. Holy shit.

“No, no, no Tenchi. You can just call me Washu!”

Vogt is going full on vamp here, which helps the fact that Washu is VERY close to going back to her attitude from Episode Seven.

She goes in for a kiss…and then we get another quick wipe away! This means we get to see the hidden image:

Yay!

Ryoko has kicked her Mother in the face to get her away from Tenchi. However, Washu claims it is a misunderstanding:

“Honey, I thought I’d make you a little brother in case you were lonely, being the only child in the family! I know it really must be tough!”

Does…does Tenchi have a say in this? Or an opinion? Or ANYTHING?!

Then she throws Ryoko in the lake.

This created a bit of a continuity issue for Toonami, as that ENTIRE conversation had to be cut. As such, one second Ryoko is dry, the next she is wet.

Ayeka then loudly complains that she has no right to hit on Tenchi since Washu has a husband.

“That was 20,000 years ago when I had a husband. HAD a husband. My, I am so young and lonely…around bed time.”

Again, the characters take care of the reactions. Ayeka, if you wouldn’t mind:

Sorry Neal Adams' Bruce Wayne. I'm sure I'll need you again come Episode Ten.

The girls then begin to argue and Washu quips that the girls never seem to grow up. But then the same ominous music that accompanies Sasami’s nightmares starts to play…

Though first, I want to point out a disturbing thing Ayeka says:

“He was mine before he was born I tell you!”

Goddamn it, Juraians are fucked up.

Anyway, the episode ends with Sasami staring out the window…for some reason…looking freaked out.

“I killed them. I killed them all. They're dead, every single one of them. And not just the men, but the women and the children, too. They're like animals, and I slaughtered them like animals. I HATE THEM!”

Review

You know what my problem is with this episode? The tone.

This episode cannot decide if it wants to be a comedic episode, a dramatic episode, a romantic episode, or a serious episode. The Taro stuff is supposed to be funny, but then we get all of the Washu bits. Fine, I understand that. It builds her character, but then we get the ending where, again, all of the girls talk about Tenchi as if he wasn’t there and was a possession. And then THAT is cut short by whatever the hell is going on with Sasami, which I am beginning to suspect is more than just her period.

The first half of this episode seems like pure padding, while the latter half of the episode is so dense.

Oh don’t you start!

It’s not a good thing. What is the feeling you are trying to have us take away?

But the worst part is that nothing that is brought up in this episode will ever be mentioned again.

Taro and his family? Nope.

Washu’s tragic past? Nope.

Washu’s adult form? Basically no, but we will talk when we get to OVA 3.

Hell, the one carry over is Sasami’s freaking period, which is literally given THREE EPISODES to take in as a background plot. Why did this need to be a three episode plot? Hell, why did it need to be included at all?!

GAH!

So then my question is this: did the OVA “Jump the Shark” by bringing a baby into the mix?

In my opinion, no it didn’t.

The baby did exactly what it should have done: it allowed us to get to know one of our characters far more than we ever did. Washu’s backstory is a highlight of OVA 2 and it allows us to CARE about her.

The problem is that it took half of the episode to get us there. Some people may argue that Tenchi had "Jumped the Shark" last episode...me? I will tell you the exact moment that the OVA series "Jumped the Shark" when we get there.

This episode is better than it should have been, but the glory days of OVA 1 are long gone it seems.

Animation: The characters are not as detailed as they were before, but I am chalking that up to budget. Tenchi and the gang are starting to look a bit cheap, but the backgrounds and other objects are really well done: 15/20

Main Characters: I suppose there is really only one main character in this episode, and it is Washu. Though I am knocking a couple of points for trying to use Tenchi (in a manner of speaking) without consulting him again, the beautiful flashbacks and that tender moment between Washu and Tenchi give us more character in five minutes than all of Episode Six or Seven. Oh, and I guess Taro, but he’s not going to affect the score. He’s voiced by Sherry Lynn: 18/20

"That's right. You do that." 

Supporting Characters: The girls in this episode have no characters. They are merely props for gags. It is the men who save this category. Tenchi, Azaka, and Kamidake get some funny moments in the episode, but they can only do so much: 09/20

Music: We get some good tracks here, but “Daycare” is fantastic. Plus bonus points for “I'm a Pioneer!”: 18/20

Story: Washu’s story: great. Everybody else’s: inconsequential: 10/20

Overall Tenchi Rating: 70!

Ayeka and Ryoko Verbal Sparring: 3!

Next time on Tenchi Muyo! we getthe OTHER reason why Sasami has been a Debbie Downer for this episode. Tune innext time for the first ever episode of Tenchi Muyo! I watched: “Sasami andTsunami.”