From the goofy, shamelessly poppy OP, I had an inkling that this would not be your run of the mill beat 'em up anime; my suspicions proved correct. We are introduced to two likable hoodlums who pick the wrong school to start a rumble at; a ancient academy devoted to the study of martial arts. After getting their asses kicked by a beautiful, shape shifting upperclassman named Maya, they naturally decide to become stronger and enter Maya's club, which is controversial within the community due to its dark, checkered past involving the academy's leaders and Maya herself. It isn't to long before the school deploys its brutal policing unit; the enforcers, which doesn't bode well for our heroes. Despite my summary, one of the most surprising aspects of Tenjou Tenge is how good the plot is, for a fighting series it goes above and beyond the standard. What other action series do you know that could get away with a multiepisode flashback used to explore the characters interlocked pasts? Speaking of which the characters are another surprise for the genre, you really give a damn about some of them, It also features a big, colorful cast with some wonderful supporting roles. But what would a action/ fighting anime be without the elaborate set pieces or the plentiful beat downs? Not surprisingly, Tenjou Tenge excels in this arena, providing quite a few bloody spectacles. Tenjou Tenge stands at the top of the heap of the fighting genre; its violent, sexy, funny and interesting, action fans will not want to miss this one.
Grade: B+
Reviewed: episodes 1-24(complete) Format: English Dub, DVD
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