Post by A.B. on Jan 7, 2015 17:11:47 GMT -5
So, I mentioned how I was gonna make a thread about Ryoko's character design in the overall Tenchi series so here it is. I should clarify what I meant though. I didn't mean that I'd be critiquing her character but rather, speak more about the various outfits she wears and if I think they fit her character as a whole or just falls flat. Of course this is all opinionated but feel discussion and showing such outfit & character traits helps better understand her design choice that either enhances or detracts from her character. So, with that being said, I'll be counting down from worse to best IMHO. In ten list format to make things simpler too.
10. Casual Outfit (Tenchi in Tokyo )
Yeaaaaaah, this is just too all over the places for me to ever like it. I mean, I see they were going for a bit of a stylized thing with the belts and gloves but this screams 90s Marvel character to me. Also, are the double belts there to keep her pants up because IDK how the fuck they're staying up otherwise. Not a fan of also turning her energy from firey red to ice blue, either.
9. Not Space Pirate Ryoko (Mihoshi Special )
I know putting this is kinda silly because its from a gag episode BUT it was also used in Universe and Tyoko as well to show Ryoko in flashback. This just has too much going on for me to like it. DBZ scanner, over sized as fuck alien gun, weird crown, contrasting dark cape and Jurain battle armor face guards. And while the pose of bad ass is nicely conveyed, Ryoko is more fan service then properly portrayed to feel like her.
8. In Earth Clothing (Various)
Probably more of a nitpick then an actual gripe but unless the scene calls for it ( like the girls working jobs, stalking Tenchi and not wanting to be noticed, etc) I don't get why they would ever wear plain old everyday clothing. It just feels odd to see Ryoko in particular in normal clothing because of how elaborate all her other clothing is. She does diverge from modern Japanese conventions like wearing a biker outfit in the first Tenchi movie buuuuuut its pretty ordinary stuff besides that . Just a bit off-putting for me when I notice it and there's no reason for it.
7. GXP Design/ Future Ryoko
So Tenchi and Co. make various cameos in the GXP spin-off made by Kajishima and I gotta say, we'll get to THAT when we get to it (Hint: The Dub is SHIT). Ryoko is also given a kimono that also rivals her Tokyo casual outfit for awfulness BUT there is one thing I can say good about it, her outfit in Seina's wedding. Its a simplified version based off of her future self in Kajishima's dojins that shows Ryoko's maturity later in life that suits her pretty damn well while showing Tenchi's influence in her life. Due that nod, I gave it a decent spot on the list.
6. New Look (Ai! Tenchi Muyo)
We're now at the point in the list where indifference/nitpicking becomes actual likes though there are a few things that bug me a tad with this outfit. Firstly, for what I like about it is that Ryoko's base colors have always been red, white and black to blend both light and dark colors, hence why her hair is light blue and golden eyes. The flame over her heart is also a subtle touch to exemplify her rash and jealous personality. The simplification to her hair and ears was also needed as super spiky hair is very outdated even as an anime trope and she could look alien without looking like dumbo with those ears. The problem I have with the outfit is the heels, they're very impractical and feel out of place to her flatter footwear she is know for. The placement of white on her leotard (particularly the bikini zone) was hard to place just where it began or ended so it just look odd when I saw it some times and others not.
5. Striped Kimono (Various)
The quintessential Ryoko outfit almost anyone thinks of when they think Ryoko. In various forms and colors, its one of her most iconic outfits and her most casual attire. Often thought to be a "tail", Ryoko is merely manipulating a sash belt to reflect her personality, giving her a cat-like characteristic. She is never without her Elf like shoes in this outfit, even when inside to show her rebellious nature.
4. Original Kimono (Tenchi Muyo!)
The image burned into the memory of Jurai 700 years ago and that of many Tenchi fans from when they first watched the show. The outfits cold & warm color scheme reflect our first impression of her. The ice blue reflects her cold & taunting attitude when she firsts meet Tenchi. While on the other hand, a hot color like pink reflect her rashness to throw fireballs at your face for her own amusement. Its a bit of a shame it only lasted two episodes besides a brief showing in flashbacks because I really like this outfits design.
3. Black Kimono (Tokyo)
While I have A LOT of problems with Tokyo spin-off (Again, we'll get to it when it comes) one thing I REALLY like was Ryoko's black kimono design. Its so simplistic in design yet it looks so sleek and fitting to her character. Being that like her normal series counterpart, Ryoko is reserved about her honest emotions, seeming unreachable due to her rash actions & bouts of anger. Still, this outfit actually does come into play in the story arc at certain points and again, just look like it fits her too damn well.
2. Zero Ryoko
Now while it may be cheating since Zero is a copy and not really Ryoko, I have to say both kimonos reflect HER personality as well as they do for the normal Ryoko. The first shows and overall spiky design, much like how Zero sticks out like a sore thumb because her inability to process Ryoko's emotions for Tenchi. The 2nd outfit has a more menacing design as Zero's true colors are revealed, giving her the feel of a predator looking for her pray , namely Washu. Again, we see a cat-like theme with the teeth like white stripes and cat-like eyes in the upper part of the kimono.
1. Oni Kimono (Various)
First seen in the promotional artwork for Tenchi, this outfit is Ryoko's most recognized by fans of Tenchi and one of the reason it was put into Ai! Tenchi. This outfit truly gives Ryoko an oni-like feel and otherworldly nature of being a space pirate. It shows her natural confidence, cockiness, and general not give a fuck attitude. The orange and green sleeves help contrast the outfit and keep it popping. My personal favorite.
Anyway, that's the thread. Comment and such if you want.
10. Casual Outfit (Tenchi in Tokyo )
Yeaaaaaah, this is just too all over the places for me to ever like it. I mean, I see they were going for a bit of a stylized thing with the belts and gloves but this screams 90s Marvel character to me. Also, are the double belts there to keep her pants up because IDK how the fuck they're staying up otherwise. Not a fan of also turning her energy from firey red to ice blue, either.
9. Not Space Pirate Ryoko (Mihoshi Special )
I know putting this is kinda silly because its from a gag episode BUT it was also used in Universe and Tyoko as well to show Ryoko in flashback. This just has too much going on for me to like it. DBZ scanner, over sized as fuck alien gun, weird crown, contrasting dark cape and Jurain battle armor face guards. And while the pose of bad ass is nicely conveyed, Ryoko is more fan service then properly portrayed to feel like her.
8. In Earth Clothing (Various)
Probably more of a nitpick then an actual gripe but unless the scene calls for it ( like the girls working jobs, stalking Tenchi and not wanting to be noticed, etc) I don't get why they would ever wear plain old everyday clothing. It just feels odd to see Ryoko in particular in normal clothing because of how elaborate all her other clothing is. She does diverge from modern Japanese conventions like wearing a biker outfit in the first Tenchi movie buuuuuut its pretty ordinary stuff besides that . Just a bit off-putting for me when I notice it and there's no reason for it.
7. GXP Design/ Future Ryoko
So Tenchi and Co. make various cameos in the GXP spin-off made by Kajishima and I gotta say, we'll get to THAT when we get to it (Hint: The Dub is SHIT). Ryoko is also given a kimono that also rivals her Tokyo casual outfit for awfulness BUT there is one thing I can say good about it, her outfit in Seina's wedding. Its a simplified version based off of her future self in Kajishima's dojins that shows Ryoko's maturity later in life that suits her pretty damn well while showing Tenchi's influence in her life. Due that nod, I gave it a decent spot on the list.
6. New Look (Ai! Tenchi Muyo)
We're now at the point in the list where indifference/nitpicking becomes actual likes though there are a few things that bug me a tad with this outfit. Firstly, for what I like about it is that Ryoko's base colors have always been red, white and black to blend both light and dark colors, hence why her hair is light blue and golden eyes. The flame over her heart is also a subtle touch to exemplify her rash and jealous personality. The simplification to her hair and ears was also needed as super spiky hair is very outdated even as an anime trope and she could look alien without looking like dumbo with those ears. The problem I have with the outfit is the heels, they're very impractical and feel out of place to her flatter footwear she is know for. The placement of white on her leotard (particularly the bikini zone) was hard to place just where it began or ended so it just look odd when I saw it some times and others not.
5. Striped Kimono (Various)
The quintessential Ryoko outfit almost anyone thinks of when they think Ryoko. In various forms and colors, its one of her most iconic outfits and her most casual attire. Often thought to be a "tail", Ryoko is merely manipulating a sash belt to reflect her personality, giving her a cat-like characteristic. She is never without her Elf like shoes in this outfit, even when inside to show her rebellious nature.
4. Original Kimono (Tenchi Muyo!)
The image burned into the memory of Jurai 700 years ago and that of many Tenchi fans from when they first watched the show. The outfits cold & warm color scheme reflect our first impression of her. The ice blue reflects her cold & taunting attitude when she firsts meet Tenchi. While on the other hand, a hot color like pink reflect her rashness to throw fireballs at your face for her own amusement. Its a bit of a shame it only lasted two episodes besides a brief showing in flashbacks because I really like this outfits design.
3. Black Kimono (Tokyo)
While I have A LOT of problems with Tokyo spin-off (Again, we'll get to it when it comes) one thing I REALLY like was Ryoko's black kimono design. Its so simplistic in design yet it looks so sleek and fitting to her character. Being that like her normal series counterpart, Ryoko is reserved about her honest emotions, seeming unreachable due to her rash actions & bouts of anger. Still, this outfit actually does come into play in the story arc at certain points and again, just look like it fits her too damn well.
2. Zero Ryoko
Now while it may be cheating since Zero is a copy and not really Ryoko, I have to say both kimonos reflect HER personality as well as they do for the normal Ryoko. The first shows and overall spiky design, much like how Zero sticks out like a sore thumb because her inability to process Ryoko's emotions for Tenchi. The 2nd outfit has a more menacing design as Zero's true colors are revealed, giving her the feel of a predator looking for her pray , namely Washu. Again, we see a cat-like theme with the teeth like white stripes and cat-like eyes in the upper part of the kimono.
1. Oni Kimono (Various)
First seen in the promotional artwork for Tenchi, this outfit is Ryoko's most recognized by fans of Tenchi and one of the reason it was put into Ai! Tenchi. This outfit truly gives Ryoko an oni-like feel and otherworldly nature of being a space pirate. It shows her natural confidence, cockiness, and general not give a fuck attitude. The orange and green sleeves help contrast the outfit and keep it popping. My personal favorite.
Anyway, that's the thread. Comment and such if you want.