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Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1999 20:44:30 -0800 (PST)
From: Kuuta Kutani
(kutani_sama@yahoo.com)
Subject: An Essay on the Relationships Between Tenchi and Aeka + Ryouko
Here are my views, but if you havnt seen all of Tenchi Universe, be
warned! There are spoilers here...
"RONBUN MUYO!: No Need For An Essay!"
An Essay on the Relationships Between Tenchi and Aeka + Ryouko
Shown in Episode 26 of the Tenchi Universe Anime Series,
"No Need For A Conclusion"
By: Kuuta Kutani
In this essay, I will be addressing the issue of whether or
not Tenchi Masaki leaves Aeka Jurai Misaki for Ryouko in Episode 26.
I will not limit my writtings to only this episode, however.
This essay conveys the personal beliefs of the author, and is not
meant as an informative paper.
It has been, to my limited knowledge, agreed upon on the
Tenchi Muyo! Mailing List that Ryouko is the "poster girl" for
Tenchi Universe. I do not argue with this. I must say, however,
that never once does Tenchi show that he is infatuated with Ryouko
more so than he is with Aeka. Throughout the series, the characters'
actions make the viewer lean more towards Ryouko, but never gives
any indication that Tenchi is doing the same, save for a few
scenes which happen shortly after an emotional moment. Take, for
example of this, episode 13, "Time and Space Adventures Part III."
Ryouko finally decides to go back to the original world, more for
Tenchi than for herself, and she shows it, by way of holding hands.
After they return, when Ryouko is lying atop the torii, Tenchi
tosses her an apple and they eat together silently.
Later, in episode 26, Ryouko reappears before Tenchi, who probably
figured he would never see her again. (The reader must realize that,
though we believe her dead, Tenchi simply has had no word of her.)
He walks with Ryouko most likely because he missed her and is
happy to see her again, and he would probably do the same with
any of the other characters. Also, Ryouko does say that she
believes, and we the viewers know, that all of the others are
returning to Earth. Tenchi is never given the chance to choose Aeka
or Ryouko.
Now, for whether or not Tenchi actually "dumps" Aeka just
before the commercial break of episode 26. I believe that he does
not. After the defeat of Kagato in episode 25, "No Need For A
Showdown," Tenchi decides that he does not want the responsiblities
of being emperor. He states to Aeka in episode 26 that, were he
to become emperor, even though he would be able to be by Aeka,
things would not be the same. By becoming emperor of Jurai, his
simple life that he is accustomed to would dissapear. He actually
had very little choice, if he wished to keep the same lifestyle
he had had most of his life. He returned to earth because it
was the only thing he could do. Aeka, being the first princess,
has no choice whatsoever, and remains on planet Jurai.
Tenchi does not leave Aeka by choice, and thus does not "dump" her.
After Tenchi returns to earth in the last segment of
episode 26, it is implied that he is immensely bored. He enjoyed
his renewed simple life, but missed the adventure of having
all of the alien girls there. After so many months of excitement,
ordinary life is very, very dull to Tenchi. He possibly even
regrets his decision, but he can no longer do anything about it.
Apparently, all of the girls feel the same, and return to the
Earth, bringing us right into TMiL.
So, these are my thoughts on the matter, and I will
repeat: Tenchi does NOT "dump" Aeka for Ryouko. He is only given
the chance to choose Aeka or Ryouko ONCE, in episode 24, "No Need
For Ryoko," and he chooses neither of them. He states that he
WOULD like to go on some sort of voyage with Ryouko, but that he
cannot leave Aeka.
Ok, I think i got my point across. I'll shut up now.
This essay will be up on my web page in a few days, pending one week
vacation to England and homework.
-Kutani-sama
=
http://www2.netcom.com/~sandyk
"The highest problem of any art is to cause by appearance
the illusion of a higher reality."
-Goethe
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