How Tenchi Muyo! Inspired a Top Magical-Girl Anime Director
June 14, 2025
Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya director Shin Oonuma credits the classic ’90s OVA Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki as the reason he entered the anime industry. 🎥 Tenchi Muyo! Was the Turning Point for Magical-Girl Director Shin Oonuma
In a recent interview with Febri, Fate/kaleid liner Prisma Illya director Shin Oonuma revealed that the ’90s OVA classic Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki was the anime that convinced him to pursue a career in the anime industry.
🗣 “The characters were really appealing, and the slapstick comedy atmosphere was great,” said Oonuma. He praised the OVA’s unique blend of comedy, sci-fi, and heartfelt storytelling as a big influence—despite claiming he's "not good at slapstick himself."
Originally released in 1992 by AIC, Tenchi Muyo! follows high schooler Tenchi Masaki, who accidentally releases space pirate Ryoko, setting off a wild chain of sci-fi adventures.
🌟 Oonuma would go on to direct the Prisma Illya series and several feature films, shaping the magical-girl genre with an action-driven twist that fans love today.
📌 A nostalgic nod to one of anime’s formative series, Tenchi Muyo! continues to influence modern creators and fans alike.