Urusei Yatsura

About Urusei Yatsura

Here is what Urusei Yatsura (うる星やつら) is about, retold in plain terms: a comedy, drama and romance anime by Studio Pierrot and Studio DEEN (1981). The premise: It all starts when aliens invade and threaten to conquer the Earth! However, one member of the human race is chosen at random to duel the aliens and save the planet: Ataru Moroboshi, a lecherous slacker from Tomobiki High School who begrudgingly participates. All he has to do?

More of the story: Play a game of tag and catch Lum — the beautiful alien princess in a tiger-stripe bikini — by the horns. Unfortunately for Ataru, it’s not so simple, since Lum can fly and deliver electric shocks! Perseverance pays off, but once he catches her, Ataru experiences another shock: He’s now Lum’s betrothed “darling” and she isn’t going back to her home planet anytime soon!

In a comedy series like this, timing, character chemistry and running gags decide whether it lands. Kenshirou (Akira Kamiya) and Ryuunosuke Fujinami (Mayumi Tanaka) are two of the characters you will meet early. This one is best suited to viewers who want something light between heavier series. With 195 episodes in total, there is enough room for the story to develop.

Production & Appeal

Production sits with Studio Pierrot and Studio DEEN, which means the visual identity of Urusei Yatsura follows that studio's craft. Because it leans on comedy, timing, character chemistry and running gags decide whether it lands. A 7.4/10 score points to a dependable, well-liked series. Voice casting, including Akira Kamiya as Kenshirou, adds to the appeal for fans who follow seiyuu. Released in 1981, it competed with that season's other new series for attention.