Tenchi Galaxy Anime Project Smashes Kickstarter Goal in Just Two Days

A brand-new Tenchi Muyo! anime project has made an explosive start after its Kickstarter campaign surpassed its funding goal in just two days, paving the way for an all-new pilot episode titled Tenchi Galaxy.

Tenchi Muyo! first debuted with the Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki OVA in 1992 and quickly became one of anime’s best-known sci-fi franchises, expanding into multiple television series, movies, video games and spin-offs while building a dedicated international fanbase over the past three decades.

Unlike previous entries in the franchise, Tenchi Galaxy is being developed as a brand-new original story led by a US production team rather than serving as a continuation of creator Masaki Kajishima’s established Tenchi Muyo! Ryo-Ohki timeline or any previous anime adaptation.

The new adventure begins after a priceless artifact from the royal planet of Jurai is stolen, forcing Tenchi and his companions to infiltrate a dangerous space pirate stronghold in an attempt to recover it.

Their mission soon draws the group into an intergalactic tournament where they ultimately face the fearsome Space Pirate Queen while uncovering long-hidden secrets connected to Ryoko’s tragic past.

The project is currently planned as a single pilot episode running for approximately 30 minutes, with the goal of serving as the first chapter of a potential full anime series if future production moves forward.

The pilot will be directed by Hiroshi Negishi, whose long history with the franchise includes Tenchi Universe, Tenchi in Tokyo, Tenchi Muyo! in Love, Ai Tenchi Muyo! and Tenchi Muyo! GXP: Paradise Shidou-hen.

Production is being led by producer Toru Miura, while animation duties have been entrusted to US-based studio Armiger Entertainment alongside co-producer Ikuko Ogiso in Japan.

The original plan called for the pilot to feature English voice acting using many actors who previously appeared in the franchise’s English-language dubs, but the campaign’s overwhelming success has now also secured funding for a full Japanese-language dub.

hololive English -Advent VTuber Nerissa Ravencroft has also been confirmed to voice a brand-new original character created specifically for Tenchi Galaxy.

The crowdfunding campaign reached its initial funding target of $400,000 in only two days and has since continued climbing beyond $530,000, reflecting strong support from longtime fans around the world.

Fans from Japan, Taiwan and many other countries can back the project through Kickstarter until September 8, 2026, with the production team promising to continue sharing updates as development progresses.