Reply To: OVA 4: Chapter 6

Here, the dynamic of the story drastically changes. While the last couple of chapters have been the main trio of Tenchi, Ryoko, and Ayeka, attention now turns to the other members of the household thrown into a conflict they seemingly cannot handle. Character after character attempt to either get help or face the new menace, only to be denied contact with allies or to be swatted aside like mere pests. Notably, Tsunami appears to discuss the situation briefly with her sisters, but then does not interfere when people start falling by the wayside. I am curious as to her inaction during this sequence, perhaps not to draw danger to Sasami.

However, this sets up the scale of the threat that the villain, Garyu, poses. The name and general description of the foe is clearly taken from Okuda’s NNFT story arc in Volumes 11 and 12, and he does seem to retain the basic backstory of the prince of the dead planet Oku II. However, he does seem to have a more maniacal slant, as well as knowledge and encounters with other previous OVA continuity antagonists. Admittedly, the reader does not see much of his character here aside from demonstrations of power, boasts, and demands. Perhaps once Tenchi engages him, he might show other facets of himself beyond slapping aside other characters.

While Garyu did chew some scenery and costars, he did represent something the series as a whole has sorely lacked of late, a viable threat. He came to Earth with a purpose and will kill whatever is in his way, be they god or mortal. That kind of singleminded, malicious intent has not been in this continuity really since Kagato. The goddesses fear him, Katsuhito gets smacked down by him, and let’s not even bother with Mihoshi and Noike’s futility. In actuality, he has the stage, just waiting for his adversary to arrive, Vegeta waiting for his Kakarot.

Likewise, the “gem” and the blade he wields were mentioned again, but not heavily discussed since the combat and fear were running high. Understandably, details of these should be forthcoming once the action calms down a bit.

Also, bravo on the parallelism to Universe episode 23. Katsuhito takes a dive much like he did against Universe Kagato, and Washu substitutes for Ryoko. Even Mihoshi and Noike can be compared to the knights getting shrugged off. I did like the Tennyo was more proactive than Ayeka in this comparison, but needless to say, she serves as the damsel. The similarity drives even to Tenchi holding Katsuhito as the old man urges him to use the Tenchiken key. I approve.