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Much like the previous segment, this scene serves multiple functions. First, Sasami will play an increasingly pivotal role as this story evolves, so I wanted to spend some time with her individually. Second, as with Katsuhito, I wanted to study her character and think deeply about who she is.
But primarily, I quite yearned to play with Sasami's timeline. As mentioned previously, I am drawing primarily from Tenchi Universe, where certain events are fairly set: Sasami's arrival on Earth shortly after her sister, both being accused of rebellion against the legitimacy of "Yosho", and their subsequent journey back to Jurai. Interestingly, Tenchi Universe never discusses Ayeka or Sasami's parents, presumably the rulers of Jurai before Kagato's coup d'etat. While Sasami is shown being able to see and interact with a ghost, she is never shown to have prophetic dreams like in the OVA. Also, Tsunami and her connection to Sasami are never mentioned in the TV series or films, but is a concluding point in the companion manga Tenchi Muyo! in Love 2: Eternal Memory. Adjacently, in the penultimate episode of Tenchi Universe, Sasami shares the vision perceived by Tenchi, Ayeka, and Kagato.
Here, I am taking the same tact I have before, that absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Certainly, Sasami's parents existed, but must have been removed from her life prior to the start of Tenchi Universe. She clearly has some extrasensory perception, whether through Jurai's power or otherwise, to see a ghost and share a vision. And, just because Tsunami is not mentioned in the series proper does not mean she cannot exist, as supported by the Eternal Memory manga.
But, more importantly, how would Sasami feel returning home to an empty mansion, to a place so full of memories and ghosts?
That, I think, would be a good catalyst to explore not only Sasami's character, but also sprinkle in mentions of her visionary aspects. While feeling the love of her friends and the absence of her parents, that vulnerable mix of emotions is further stirred by imagery and knowledge she cannot explain rationally. Rumiya thus serves to anchor her, to be a friend and sounding board, not unlike how I am using Ramia and Sagami for Ayeka.
Lastly, unlike the OVA, I would like Sasami to start growing as a character. As she and her peers are on the cusp of adolescence, this would be a good time to have her explore her own agency, to sleuth out her own path. In previous editions of this story, I feel that I did not utilize Sasami at all. Indeed, I think in hindsight that I included her mainly out of obligation, merely being one of the members of the Masaki household with noble lineage. For this edition, however, I want her not to be just an obligation, but to have some effect on the happenings.
Having her and Rumiya make their way to the palace, much like having Katsuhito hurry to the hospital, is a major deviation from previous editions of this story. I currently do not know what will happen from these two changes, but I am eager to find out.
But primarily, I quite yearned to play with Sasami's timeline. As mentioned previously, I am drawing primarily from Tenchi Universe, where certain events are fairly set: Sasami's arrival on Earth shortly after her sister, both being accused of rebellion against the legitimacy of "Yosho", and their subsequent journey back to Jurai. Interestingly, Tenchi Universe never discusses Ayeka or Sasami's parents, presumably the rulers of Jurai before Kagato's coup d'etat. While Sasami is shown being able to see and interact with a ghost, she is never shown to have prophetic dreams like in the OVA. Also, Tsunami and her connection to Sasami are never mentioned in the TV series or films, but is a concluding point in the companion manga Tenchi Muyo! in Love 2: Eternal Memory. Adjacently, in the penultimate episode of Tenchi Universe, Sasami shares the vision perceived by Tenchi, Ayeka, and Kagato.
Here, I am taking the same tact I have before, that absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. Certainly, Sasami's parents existed, but must have been removed from her life prior to the start of Tenchi Universe. She clearly has some extrasensory perception, whether through Jurai's power or otherwise, to see a ghost and share a vision. And, just because Tsunami is not mentioned in the series proper does not mean she cannot exist, as supported by the Eternal Memory manga.
But, more importantly, how would Sasami feel returning home to an empty mansion, to a place so full of memories and ghosts?
That, I think, would be a good catalyst to explore not only Sasami's character, but also sprinkle in mentions of her visionary aspects. While feeling the love of her friends and the absence of her parents, that vulnerable mix of emotions is further stirred by imagery and knowledge she cannot explain rationally. Rumiya thus serves to anchor her, to be a friend and sounding board, not unlike how I am using Ramia and Sagami for Ayeka.
Lastly, unlike the OVA, I would like Sasami to start growing as a character. As she and her peers are on the cusp of adolescence, this would be a good time to have her explore her own agency, to sleuth out her own path. In previous editions of this story, I feel that I did not utilize Sasami at all. Indeed, I think in hindsight that I included her mainly out of obligation, merely being one of the members of the Masaki household with noble lineage. For this edition, however, I want her not to be just an obligation, but to have some effect on the happenings.
Having her and Rumiya make their way to the palace, much like having Katsuhito hurry to the hospital, is a major deviation from previous editions of this story. I currently do not know what will happen from these two changes, but I am eager to find out.
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