I say this because for the large part, there are enough parallels between the two series that it's at times not to accidentally finding yourself calling the main character Shinji. Except, in Dual! the main character has a spine and actually grows very bold when it comes to him fighting the enemy of the series, the RaRa Army. But even though it can be hard not to see the parallels, it's its own entity.
Dual!, for all intent and purposes, is a Tenchi series. It's drawn and written by Masaki Kajishima, has a few Easter eggs that point you towards the Tenchi universe, and there's even a direct throwback to Dual! in Tenchi GXP. with that being said, let's dissect Dual!.
First we have the artwork. As a 1999 series, we see that the cell painted style has cycled out and has been replaced by the more smoother use of computer animation (most likely an early adobe or correl product) and the slightest hint of CG with a sophisticated enough style to remind you of Beast Wars (which only appears when the mechs are being launched, computer screens are shown, or a long hallway needs to be walked down....you'll see). Textures and patterns are used very sparingly, and "cheesy" photoshop effects are used only when needed. Overall, the artwork is at the point where it's just about at it's best.
Second is the Opening and the Ending. The opening song is catchy, but at the same time forgettable. I say this because if you were to put the opening to NGE to Dual! you'd never tell the difference the sound would make. The ending...... it's cute (and again forgetable) but the graphics... my god, the graphics... I will say this. Watch it ONCE and SKIP IT forever more. It's that bad.
Third on the list is the plot. The plot is fairly simple, and yet complex because of the questions it leaves you with once you've figured out how Dual! fits into the tenchi universe. But for the most part thle plot can be broken down into this :
1.Boy has visions of giant robots beating each other up
2.Boy meets girl
3.Girl's father sends boy to world where the robots are
4.Boy has to fight robots to figure out a way back
Simple, no?
Next up, the characters. All I can really say is this. Once you see the parallels between NGE and Dual! (it's inevitable so I'm telling you now) take a second to stop, completely remove any thoughts that these characters are from NGE ad enjoy them or hate them for who they are and how Masaki wrote the to be. That's all I can really say about them.
Second to last are the voice tracks. We all know they all sound better in Japanese, but Dual! is from that magical time period when English dubbing didn't suck. Not only can you watch it in English, but you can ENJOY it in English.
Finally Is the fun factor. The humor isn't really slap-stick, because it's the character's demeanor and their personas that add the humor to the series. The giant robot fights are fun all around and certainly add to the series, even though Dual! could survive without them if it had too.
Overall, Dual! is a great series with good artwork, characters, vocals, plot, and humor. If that's not enough, it'll make you feel better for ever having to sit through the horrible mind-breaker that is Neon Genesis Evangelion since it mocks Eva to the core by saying "this is funny and leaves you feeling good, unlike Eva".
