In the TV series, Washu is the former head of the Jurai Royal Space Academy who was captured years ago by her student, the criminal Kagato. He also captured Washu's powerful battlecruiser invention, Soja, and used it in his reign of terror on the galaxy (he was seeking the power of the Light Hawk Wings, but with Tsunami's help, Tenchi put an end to that). Washu was eventually freed by Mihoshi's random dumb luck. After moving in with Tenchi and the girls, it's revealed that Washu is also a powerful multidimensional being, and clues point to the possibility that she, Tsunami, and Lady Tokimi are all related somehow. Washu is actually a former goddess, turned mortal human. Her powers were channeled into 3 Jurai gems when she made the transformation. Ryoko got ahold of these gems as her ultimate source of power (2 on her wrists and 1 on the base of her neck, sometimes she sports one as an earring). For some reason, the gems "belong" on the Tenchi-ken's hilt (as Yosho, and later Tenchi, demonstrate). The true nature and porpose of these gems is a complete mystery. It is acknowledged that Washu created Ryo-Ohki and Ryoko using her own Ovum, making her Ryoko's mother. Ryo-ohki is a crystalline entity she manufactured.
In other series (OAV), Washu is a mad scientist who was imprisoned in the Masaki shrine (instead of Ryoko) because of her dangerous experiments. It is also known that thousands of years ago she gave birth to a child that was taken from her by her husband of nobility, and since then she has hated to deal with the affairs of adults. This event may also explain the good friendship between Sasami and her. Washu is known for her "Washu-puppets" and always-at-hand holographic computer console with floating velvet pillow seat. Washu is the shortest member of the cast, rivaling Sasami. Personally, I think Washu has the coolest hair in the show. Especially when she pulls it back with 2 little black ball ties because it makes her look like a crab (very cute & funny, when she takes care of the Tenchi-look-a-like baby, the Masaki residents rely on cans of baby milk that have cartoon crabs pictured on the front, resembling Washu quite a bit).
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