< POSSIBLE SPOILER>
Takayanagi Masataka seems to be like Maya - highly skilled and driven, but lacking inborn ability. It's kind of
like Sakura from Naruto - she's got the control and the smarts, but when Sasuke busts of the Sharingan and Naruto
busts into Kyubi form, she's about as powerful (in comparison) as a toy ant. I'm sure by the end of the
series, Aya and Souichirou will have totally surpassed Masataka and Maya. Of course, Takayanagi and Maya would cancel
Sakura in a heartbeat...but I just used her as an example cuz she came to mind first.
<END SPOILER>
The art isn't bad, but it's second rate. I know some people will disagree, but what I consider first rate art
would be: Neon Genesis, Last Exile, Chobits, and Scrapped Princess. If you look carefully, the faces of the characters
aren't quite as consistant in TenTen as they are in animes with the best art. Mouths are off-center sometimes,
etc, and it's drawn somewhat in a more manga-type style, with quick lines and squiggles for shadows and bruises,
etc.
The action sequences at least are pretty well done - unliked in Condor Hero, which has a good story but just terrible
animation and art. That kicking flurry of Takayanagi's was just awesome...reminded me of Spike in Cowboy Bebop
:p
Considering Tenjo Tenge runs at midnight and isn't really a "flag-ship" series, the art is pretty decent.
If you like the anime though, you HAVE to read the manga. ^_^
Ah yes, and the other question...Maya is the strongest character in the beginning, before Mitsuomi is introduced,
anyway. She's also not really sure she can beat Tawara in a straight fight - at least that is my impression. Nagi
and his mom are really strong, and so are the 12 winners.
