Cast
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Ai Orikasa
as Ryoko (voice)
Masami Kikuchi
as Tenchi Masaki (voice)
Yumi Takada
as Ayeka (voice)
Chisa Yokoyama
as Sasami (voice)
Etsuko Kozakura
as Ryo-Ohki (voice)
Takeshi Aono
as Katsuhito Masaki (voice)
Yuko Kobayashi
as Washu (voice)
Yuko Mizutani
as Mihoshi Kuramitsu (voice)
Hideyuki Umezu
as Yukinojyo (voice)
Kenichi Ogata
as Azaka (voice)
Wataru Takagi
as Kamidake (voice)
Takurou Kitagawa
as Captain Nobeyama (voice)
Crew
Director
- Kenichi Yatagai
Producer
- Yasuo Hasegawa
- Hisao Yamada
- Hiroaki Inoue
- Kazuaki Morijiri
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a science fiction narrative, Tenchi Muyou! The Night Before the Carnival explores potential technological and societal futures, raising important questions about humanity's place in the universe and our evolutionary trajectory. The film stands apart from other sci-fi works by presenting a vision that is both thought-provoking and visually distinctive.
Director Kenichi Yatagai brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1993, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Tenchi Muyou! The Night Before the Carnival took approximately 7 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 44 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 85 minutes long.
- The musical score contains over 45 unique compositions.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 5 weeks before filming began.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 5 months to complete.
Historical Context
- In 1993, when this film was released:
- The end of the Cold War was reshaping global politics.
- The internet was beginning to transform communication and information access.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While Tenchi Muyou! The Night Before the Carnival shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Ghost in the Shell, which focuses more on action than character development, Tenchi Muyou! The Night Before the Carnival subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Vampire Hunter D and Case Closed: The Crimson Love Letter explore similar territory, Tenchi Muyou! The Night Before the Carnival stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: September 25, 1993
- Runtime: 44m
