The Tenchi Complex
by Justin Musterman
It must be a reflection of the male youths of Japan. The Tenchi
complex is very foreign to myself and difficult to understand. What
it (the Tenchi complex) represents is the actions of a young man in response
to the perfect situation, especially in regard to females. The name
sake I have chosen for this condition is a prime example and perhaps the
best known within the animé community. This reference is,
of course, to none other than Tenchi Muyo, the luckiest guy in animé.
Tenchi's situation is one which should allow
him to achieve a state of perfect happiness. He is a prince of the
planet Jurrai, though he lives on Earth (which allows him to shirk his
princely duties). He lives in a palatial mountain home which has
an independent, enormous, and beautiful bath house. He lives with
his caring and hilarious father and grand father. He also lives with
three gorgeous woman who love him and want him sexually, and a cute and
sweet girl who cooks for him. Plus the adorable Cabbit (cat + rabbit) Rho-ohki.
All of those who live with him share his responsibility around the house,
but do not burden themselves with it all, allowing Tenchi to remain active.
Despite this, plus the affair mentioned affection and physical pleasure
offered by Ryoko, Ayaka, and possibly Mihoshi, the cute, caring and cooking
of Sasami, and the heart-warming entertainment of Ryo-ohki; Tenchi seems
miserable. He constantly removes himself from situations involving
those things, or at the least feels uncomfortable in those situations.
In fact, by the third movie, this paradise which he lives in has driven
him away far enough for
him to be allowed into a fantasy world created by a lonely ghost of
his grand father's lover. Tenchi is not alone, however, in this type
of seemingly
irrational behavior. Otaru from Saber Marionette J can hardly
accept his life with the beautiful and hard working Lime, Cherry, and Bloodberry.
He has
little responsibility, but can remain active. Otaru of Uresei
Yatsura is similar, though more malicious towards Lum. Makoto of
El Hazzard is another
perfect example of this complex. Makoto could easily have the
beautiful and magical Shayla-Shayla, or Jinnai's sister, or with the slightest
bit of effort, Alielle (Fatora's lover), but instead he is fearful or upset
when they are hands on.
What is the reason for this? Why would anyone
not want to sit back and enjoy a situation like this? I realize the
obvious answer is because it advances the story, but how is it made believable
time after time? I have a couple of ideas for answering this.
First, deep down inside, every guy, a fear resides. This fear waits
for him to meet one of the most beautiful women he's met in his life.
It waits to tell him he is inadequate. Perhaps as a youth, especially
Japanese youths, are more receptive to this fear. Second, rather
more as a corollary to the first, the Japanese probably enforce a strict
moral code upon their children hand and hand with their stringent
educational guidelines. This would explain why the first theory
causes Japanese youths to be hit the hardest by the fear. Finally,
perhaps the characters are designed as younger males, still coming into
puberty's early stages. This would explain much, because at this
time, girls are still "icky". I end my digression into theory with
a my conclusion on the Tenchi complex. No matter my age or nationality,
I would jump at the chance to have the life of these animé boys,
however, I appreciate, for the sake of story that certain possibilities
have been explored to keep them from doing so.
