OK, reasoning, sure. I can do that. Gives me something to do.
As you read earlier, my fave series is
Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki
The number one reason to love Tenchi is the characters. They're all frickin' awesome. Also, they are all very deep, each and every one of them having a backgrouns story that beats most other shows in originality and complexity.
If you are not familiar with Tenchi Muyo! Ryo Ohki, it's north american title would just be "Tenchi Muyo!", and it's an OVA. So in other words, I am speaking purely about the Tenchi OVA, and NOT about "Tenchi Universe" (TV series) or "Tenchi in Tokyo" (TV series 2, "Shin Tenchi Muyo", "Shin" meaning "New").
In any case, the OVA world consists of the two original OVA runs of the show, consisting of 13 episodes. It also refers to "Tenchi Muyo! GXP", even though GXP was a TV series, it is still part of the overal "OVA universe".
Anyway, back to the characters and their unique complex backgrounds. They all seem to intertwine as time goes by. Not only so we get to see their background stories somewhat in the show, but if you want to learn about everything, there's 3 novels that original creator Masaki Kajishima wrote, titled "Shin Tenchi Muyo" ("Shin" meaning "True"). Each novel focuses on a different aspect of the far gone past of the Tenchi storyline. Novel #1 is titles "Jurai", number 2 is titled "Yosho", and number 3 is titled "Washu". THe novels go into painstaking detail explaining the background and making everything as clear as crystal. It really adds a feeling of authenticity to the universe.
The novels are not translated to english officially, but fan translations and short versions of them can be found here and there online. (Want more info? Just ask me... I have links somewhere around here.)
The storyline of the Tenchi OVA is great as well. It has an absolutely perfect balance of comedy, romance, action, drama, and sci-fi. Comedy and Romance quite often take the same form, as Ryoko and Aeka in particular fight for Tenchi's affections, quite often ending in one funny situation after another. (Episode 7 is a riot!) THe action, when it's there, explodes on the screen like any action masterwork. From the first action scenes in episode one where Ryoko is chasing Tenchi through the school, to the swordfight between Yosho and Kagato in episode 5, to the battle of wits between Washu and Dr. Clay in episode 12... all of the action sequences are perfectly executed, and leave nothing to be desired. they are, simply put, astounding. Sci-fi elements definitely exist in the form of outer space battles, spaceships, light swords, blasters, galaxy police, and a lot more stuff. It's a Sci-Fi Efficianado's dream world. Especially in Tenchi GXP where you really get to see the GP trechnology in action!
Anyway... Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki is THE GREATEST SHOW EVER in my opinion and many others around the world.
Be on the lookout for a third season coming out sometime this year... GET READY FOR THE CHOUSHIN WAR!

8) An epic and huge battle between Washu, Tsunami, and Tokimi is coming in this new season.. plus we'll be seeing a whole lot of Ryoko and Tenchi fighting to their full potential (Which was lacking in OVA season 2... although season 2 is still good!

)
Anyway... There you have it! Tenchi! Best.... Show... EVER!!