Urusei Yatsura (2022) is Amazing
As a newer anime fan, I often find myself searching for something new that will catch my eye and be well worthwhile to watch. Two years ago, I stumbled across an interesting picture depicting a blue haired girl floating above a boy and I gave it a chance. I wasn’t aware that it was a remake, but the girls design was great and I always enjoy Sci-fi anime. Urusei Yatsura, two years later, I can say that this show has been worth every second of the past two years.
David Production
I’d like to start with giving flowers to the studio behind the Urusei Yatsura remake, David Production. The studio behind seasons of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, Undead Unluck, and Urusei Yatsura, the studio has some stellar names to its resume.
Urusei Yatsura is their work that I’ve enjoyed the most; the passion and love being put into the anime is evident within each episode through aspects that I will talk about below. All of the aspects are a culmination of passion however, and David Production is deserving of praise for taking such care of a well-loved work.
The voice cast
The voice cast for Urusei Yatsura (2022) is incredible. I knew about Uesaka Sumire long before watching Urusei Yatsura, but this show shot her up to my favorite voice actress with the excellent work she does in conveying Lum’s personality and emotions. From her sweet voice, to angry yells, and her electrifying moments, Uesaka Sumire was meant for this role.
The rest of the characters are all powerhouses as well. Well-known names like Kamiya Hiroshi, Takahashi Rie, Konishi Katsuyuki, Hayami Saori, the list goes on and on. We even have some of the voice cast of the original voice crew return which is a wonderful addition to an already packed love letter of an anime.
The popularity of a voice actor means little, however, what matters is the performance. From the first episode it’s clear that each voice actor is giving it their all for this show. Many are willing to go above and beyond to match the tone of the scene, which is often outlandish in Urusei Yatsura, or we have talents like Miyano Mamoru who can switch his tone in a heartbeat to convey Shuutarou’s current situation with a charming deep voice, or the screams of a frightened child.
Throughout the show, we also have the voice cast add voice effects to certain scenes that act to emphasize impact or comedy. It’s a simple use of the talented voice cast, but enjoyable to hear as well.
All in all, the voice acting of this show was some of the best for every season it was in.
Music
MAISONdes went 8/8 for every opening and ending in this show. The first opening is a great introduction to the show with a high beat music coupled with one of the best animated visuals for an opening I can find. Lum’s dance in this opening alone is enough to catch anyone’s eye but the song itself is a great earworm that focuses on the start of an explosive love that describes the start of this show well.
As for the soundtrack of the show, it’s just as well done. My absolute favorite is Handle With Care by Yokoyama Masaru that is often played during more endearing or heart pulling moments of the show. It, like many other soundtracks, does a great job of enhancing each scene which is always coupled with stellar animation.
Comedy
At its heart, Urusei Yatsura is a comedy. Most of the comedy of Urusei focuses on its outlandish characters and storylines. Of course, our main duo, Lum and Ataru, are often at the center of the comedy. Whether it be with Lum hunting Ataru down to give him the shock of his life, or Ataru going to war against Shuutarou in hand to sword combat.
Watching Ataru break human limits just for the chance to talk to a girl is funny, but my favorite bits do come from the storylines that excel in creativity. A more recent example is episode 36 where the episode focuses on going back in time to see a young Shuutoarou in hopes of figuring out what causes his fear of dark, cramped spaces. Not only does current Shuutoaru grow to despise his younger self after being tortured by him, but he also ends up as the sole cause for his phobia. Throughout the episode we see a young child in control of a hoard of men in suits, the same young prepared to launch dynamite in self-defense, and Ataru gaining the trust of the youngling by dishing out some torture himself. Such wackiness is a constant in Urusei Yatsura and something I look forward to every episode.
Animation
The use of colors in Urusei Yatsura is vibrant. The main example is Lum’s hair that can change colors depending on her mood, the scene, and whether she is attacking Ataru or not.
Paired with the stellar animation, scenes are always easy to follow and eye catching. Using Episode 36 again, the end of the episode focuses on current Shuutarou hunting his younger self. In a room filled with large barrels, the color palette is darkened to convey the sense of horror felt by Ataru and his fellow runaway. This scene is a great representation of everything that makes this remake as good as it is. Shuutarou’s voice actor makes himself sound horrifying with a tone we’ve never heard before in the show, the colors conveys the horror of the scene, and the scene where the top is removed with young Shutarou trembling for his life is an excellent use of simple animation where just seconds ago we saw Shuutaoru swinging his axe on the hunt.
Of course, David Production can switch between comedy, horror, and romance without issue. The skill to do so is ever present in their work, but the consistency of animation quality throughout the entire series has been a wonder to watch.
The Pros and Cons of being an episodical anime
The most common complaint about Urusei Yatsura is that Ataru never changes or reverts to his old self after a heartfelt episode where the relationship seems to make progress. This is understandable of course, Urusei Yatsura could take this direction given the strength of the episodes where Ataru shows care for Lum; however, comparing this anime to other romance amines isn’t a good comparison as most focus on clear progression over time towards the main duo establishing a relationship, whereas Urusei Yatsura focuses on episodical arcs with no clear progression of time and a focus on the comedy.
Whilst the episodical nature of Urusei Yatsura has its cons, it also encourages greater freedom in storylines and the episodes focused on Ataru and Lum showing their care for each other have greater impact because of it.
One of my favorites arcs begins in episode 31: Open The Door part 1. The episode beings with Shinobu finding Inaba, a young man wearing a bunny suit, sleeping on the street which leads her to finding a key he leaves behind after being sent flying by Shinobu’s swift punch. With some help from Lum, Shinobu is able to use the key which leads her, Lum, and Ataru into a dimension filled with doors to possible fates. Already, we have some shining examples of what makes the show great, comedy and the sheer wackiness of the story and characters.
Moving forward, the crew joins with Inaba and explores other possible fates. Some fates are less desirable than others, some show Ataru the reality of what he believes to be his dream fate, others break the heart of Lum or leave the crew wanting another.
After being chased around by Inaba’s workmates, our main crew’s futures are sent into a pit of darkness to be destroyed. Ataru, having a choice between many of his futures, attempts to save the one future where he marries Lum. Of all futures, in an episode filled with wackiness, comedy, and drama, it’s topped off with a romantic moment where Ataru’s actions show where his heart lies.
A wonderful arc, and just one of many that I enjoy in Urusei Yatsura.
The Romantic Moments
As ironic as it may be, my favorite episodes have been those where Ataru shows his love and care for Lum. This doesn’t mean I believe it should focus on romance as that also means we would lose the wacky adventures that at times stem from Ataru’s lack of self-control, but each moment where he chooses Lum over all else is great and a joy to watch.
Perhaps my favorite is episode 29. In this episode Lum is bitten by a cow and believes she is turning into a cow herself after her horns begin to grow. Having this belief, she is saddened by the fact she will have to leave Ataru but doesn’t have the courage to tell him. After Ataru finds out, we are given an incredible scene where her enlarged horns are revealed – coupled with the stellar OST as well – and Lum confesses. As surprised as Ataru is, he tells Lum he will care for her no matter what form she may be in without hesitation. That is true love. Of course, I’m sure Ataru would go back to usual antics hours later, but not before he built a stable behind his house for his soon to be cow girlfriend. As always, though he won’t admit it, Ataru loves Lum more than anything and each time he shows it is amazing.
Whether this should be done more often or the rarity of it makes each time better is up for debate, but what we have now is fantastic.
The Final Episode
A wonderful ending to Urusei Yatsura. Lum realizes that even though Ataru refuses to say “I love you” he still cherishes her more than anything in the world. Yes, Ataru may be a stubborn jerk, but nothing will ever be more important to him than Lum is. As usual, we’re treated to a heart melting scene with Lum and Ataru embracing, the voice acting her with Uesaka Sumire saying “you won” had me on my knees. Wow, what a show, what a two years. To me, this will remain one of my all-time favorites and I hope others are fortunate enough to experience it as well.
Also, the last scene with all the main characters of the show chasing after Lum and Ataru was awesome. Come on David Production, give us a movie!
Final Words
As Urusei Yatsura comes to an end, I look back to the two year long journey with fond memories. It was a great ride filled with joy, laughter, and some of my favorite characters in all of anime. I recommend Urusei Yatsura (2022) for everyone as it is just a fun anime that does what all anime strive to do, entertain.
