Copyright © 1997 AIC / Tenchi Muyo "Manatsu No Eve" Committee
English dubbed version produced by Pioneer Entertainment (USA) L.P.
Laserdisc
PILA-7075A $29.98
VHS-Dub
PIVA-7075D $19.98
VHS-Sub
PIVA-7075S $24.98
DVD
PIDA-7075V $29.98
60 min
Now available

In the second TENCHI movie, as in the first, someone from the Jurai family's past is trying to kill Tenchi! And since we've met Tenchi's mother, girlfriends, fiancees, and other female friends, who's left but his... daughter? This is TENCHI MUYO: MANNATSU NO EVE, now released in the U.S. as TENCHI THE MOVIE 2: DAUGHTER OF DARKNESS.
This film shares the clean animation and fluid movement of other TENCHI works and the character designs are as lively and dynamic as ever. But interestingly, there's a disparity between the level of detail in the outdoor backgrounds and the indoor ones. The long flight of steps up to the Masaki shrine are beautifully rendered and intricately detailed. Meanwhile, the family room is colored like a slightly retouched ROBOTECH scene.
The music in TENCHI 2 complements the action, but it's definitely more subdued than the OVA soundtracks. It's almost eerie to listen to the voices and sound effects alone after hearing the more constant tunes of the OVA series. Or perhaps it's only eerie because of the English dubbing. Though skilled, most of the English voices for this domestic release are nothing like their originals. Ryoko sounds about ten years too old, while Ayeka sounds ten years too young! Tenchi's isn't too far off the mark, but the cracks in his voice are simply over the top. Washu and Sasami are perfectly cast, though. (I would credit individual actors, but their names are not listed next to their characters in the credits.)
The story flows nicely, although like so many other anime plots, motive and history are partially obscured until near the end. The theme of dark beings plotting against those of the light out of jealousy and revenge is a common one—and to be honest, this title offers little that is new, at least thematically. The modus operandi is interesting, showing that children are indeed useful, if a bit unreliable.
By far the most interesting things about this movie are the dynamics of the character relationships. Most of the pairs and triangles have developed in the OVA series, but they've grown and changed somewhat. They're a bit more complex now.
Ryoko is the best example of this. Though she's still the crass, selfish, violent pirate we know, we get a brief glimpse of her more "human" side in this movie. She still fights with Ayeka over Tenchi, but she shows us more clearly than ever why she fights for him.
It is in scenes with Ayeka that we see these changes most vividly. The Jurai princess has formed an unspoken bond with Ryoko. Her loyalty and devotion to Tenchi, normally at odds with Ryoko's, bring the two together when faced with this new competition for his attention.
Washu and Yosho—as the only two people who usually know what's going on—share information, theories, and food as they try to solve the mystery of Tenchi's daughter.
Tenchi's dad has toned down a bit, and Sasami, Ryo-ohki, Mihoshi, and Kiyone all play somewhat smaller roles than usual. In fact, Ryo-ohki doesn't even transform once in this film.
Therein lies the hamartia of TENCHI 2—not enough happens. Aside from the inevitable showdown at the end, it's a character flick for old TENCHI fans. Essentially this is a polished OVA episode, and luckily it isn't pushed past the hour it could fill. Don't misunderstand, the film is good and well worth watching. (And especially so for longtime fans.) But this isn't as interesting a story as the first movie was. In that, at least, it falls short of greatness.
So, while not the crowning achievement in the TENCHI realm, TENCHI 2 is still a worthy addition to the family.