wwwwhhhhoooo

I think, as usual, you’re a mad genius, pii! As you yourself stated right off the bat, this is indeed a theory, but a damn good one. If one uses their imagination to travel back in time and do some digging into the history of Tenchi Muyo!, considering this theory within its native context as it has been represented and proposed brings very intriguing possibilities; in that same vein, moreover, if one looks at the core concepts of the OVA narrative from a time before Tenchi was Tenchi as we know it (before Universe, Tokyo, GXP, the second and third OVA, everything), from a storytelling standpoint this simply makes the most sense. Thus in my view, as has been presented before, this is further proof that Tenchi could very well have gone another way, and what we are seeing via Hasegawa’s novels and these remnants still leftover within the first OVA itself are the blueprints of a long forgotten–or in the case of Western fandom, completely unknown–example of “what could have been” of a profound (even arguably, poignant) nature.

Sure, there are other explanations to the points pii brought up, because as we all know the franchise continued on, largely leaving Hasegawa–from a story-crafting perspective one of the original architects of TM!–behind. But again, if a hardened and knowledgeable fan can find the ability within themselves to look at things conceptually through fresh eyes, when you enter these inputs things instantly make sense; they add simple, usually-taken-for-granted coherence to the framework and plot surrounding Jurai and Yosho’s motives.

If need be, take TM! out of the equation and consider the following: If there is no ill will between siblings, why would there be a conflict of succession between a first born son and a younger sibling, a daughter no less (again, think archaic notions of power, patriarchy etc.)? Back to Tenchi, Yosho’s lineage from Earth is the explanation, and it still works, but not very squarely: Funaho being “co-Empress” and wife to the Emperor doesn’t seem to be a big deal, and if you say it is to some individuals–whether royalty or commoners–it’s almost a moot point, because the fact that Funaho is in the position she is in clearly demonstrates that Azusa (and probably his all-controlling mother-in-law) basically has effectively said “deal with it.gif” meaning that could just as well fly for Yosho’s acceptance to the throne (plus, don’t tell me race, planet of origin, or even familial ties matter all that much: ever since GXP showed us Seina is now in line, it’s not so much a monarchy as it is a winner-take-all, open-entry position).

But what if Yosho were a bastard? All of a sudden, the concerns of succession, legitimacy (power), and political/legal maneuverings (making a law to allow Funaho to be a legitimate wife would pave the way for her son to also have legitimate power), along with an arranged marriage to potentially appease all parties from a political standpoint (whether Ayeka’s mother would truly approve of such a union, in this “what was once an idea” hypothetical context, would largely be irrelevant if Azusa shoehorned such a union: Misaki’s oldest would take the throne, as would his firstborn son, ending potential conflict and making it “work” albeit in an odd, “I’m the king so there” kind of way) just makes sense.

It could even explain why the unobtrusive Yosho would not assert his right for the throne…there’s the angle we all know–that he simply didn’t want it–but what if there was more to it…what if he didn’t believe he had the right?

It’s intriguing, no doubt about it. Good work, pii. badass1