Urusei Yatsura (film series)

Last updated

Release date: February 13, 1983, dubbed 2003.

Urusei Yatsura: Only You (うる星やつら オンリー・ユー, Urusei Yatsura Onrī Yū) was released in 1983. The guest characters include Elle, another alien princess, who is in charge of Planet Elle.

6-year-old Ataru Moroboshi steps on Elle's shadow during an impromptu game of shadow-tag; in Elle's culture, this is viewed as a marriage proposal. Eleven years later, Elle returns to Earth in order to marry Ataru — by which time not only had he forgotten the events of his childhood, but he was also going out with Lum. The rest of the plot focuses on Lum's attempts to prevent the marriage.

The film was directed by Mamoru Oshii, who was mad at the many requests that the producer made of him to alter the film. [16] Rumiko Takahashi considers this film her favorite and it is the most true to the original series.

A subtitled Laserdisc of the film was released by AnimEigo in North America on September 25, 1993. [17]

Additional cast

Beautiful Dreamer

Release date: February 11, 1984, dubbed 1996.

Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer (うる星やつら2 ビューティフル・ドリーマー, Urusei Yatsura 2 Byūtifuru Dorīmā) is the second Urusei Yatsura film.

Like its predecessor, Beautiful Dreamer borrows heavily from the Japanese fairy tale of Urashima Tarō. [18] Writer/director Mamoru Oshii, unsatisfied with how the first film, Only You, had developed, rejected the idea of catering to audience expectations and decided to do the film his own way. This almost caused Takahashi to reject the script because it deviated so far from the original story.[ citation needed ]

Even though the film is generally well-loved by English-speaking fans, when it was first released in Japan the response was not as favorable. Criticism was especially given towards Oshii, generally from the fan community. As a result, Oshii quit working on the production of Urusei Yatsura and went on to do other more experimental projects. Despite this, the film has been referred to by most fans as the best film in the Urusei Yatsura series.[ citation needed ]

Additional cast

Remember My Love

Release date: January 26, 1985, dubbed 2003.

Urusei Yatsura 3: Remember My Love (うる星やつら3 リメンバー・マイ・ラヴ, Urusei Yatsura 3 Rimenbā Mai Ravu) is the third Urusei Yatsura film. The guest characters are:

The third film finds Ataru transformed into a pink hippopotamus, which sends Lum chasing after the wicked magician responsible, with catastrophic results. With Lum gone, her friends decide that there is no reason to remain, and so Tomobiki slowly returns to normal. The highlight of the film is a high speed chase scene with an angry Lum flying after the mysterious Ruu through the city at night and into a hall of mirrors (and illusion). Ataru's true feelings for Lum are probably more obvious in this film than any of the others.

The film grossed ¥1.17 billion ($10.66 million) at the Japanese box office, becoming the year's eighth highest-grossing Japanese film. [19] A subtitled Laserdisc was released by AnimEigo in North America on January 19, 1994. [20] It is also notable for the anime debut of Bulma from the Dragon Ball franchise, which would later receive its anime premiere the following year. [21]

Additional cast

Lum the Forever

Release date: February 22, 1986, dubbed 2004.

Urusei Yatsura 4: Lum the Forever (うる星やつら4 ラム・ザ・フォーエバー, Urusei Yatsura 4 Ramu za Fōebā) is the fourth Urusei Yatsura film. Guest characters include Tarōzakura, the great cherry tree.

A horror film production comes to town, casting the cast of the series as extras in the production. But when the director orders the cutting down of a cursed great cherry tree called Tarōzakura, the remains of the tree curses Lum by way of removing her horns and powers. The quest to restore Lum's demon powers puts Ataru at odds with the spirit of the tree, who forces the cast of the slasher film to believe they are their roles as it seeks vengeance upon the film crew.

There was also released on 15 February 1986 a Making of Urusei Yatsura 4: Lum the Forever (メイキング・オブ・うる星やつら4 アニメ製作の実際) documentation about the film.

Additional cast

The Final Chapter

Release date: February 6, 1988, dubbed 2004.

Urusei Yatsura: The Final Chapter (うる星やつら 完結篇, Urusei Yatsura: Kanketsuhen) is the fifth Urusei Yatsura film. Guest characters include:

The fifth film is an animated adaptation of the final story of the manga and is also the official ending of the anime series, in which Lum and Ataru must repeat the game of tag played out in the first episode of the television series, or the Earth will be infested with mushrooms larger than buildings. Further, should Ataru lose, Lum will leave forever and everyone's memories will be changed so that they don't remember she, or her friends, were ever there. Finally, Lum refuses to allow Ataru to win unless he says to her those three words, "I love you", that he has steadfastly refused to say over the entire series. Maison Ikkoku: The Final Chapter was also released on the same date as this film.

Additional cast

Always My Darling

Release date: August 18, 1991, [22] dubbed 2005.

Urusei Yatsura: Always My Darling (うる星やつら いつだってマイ・ダーリン, Urusei Yatsura Itsudatte Mai Dārin) (alternately Forever My Darling) is the sixth Urusei Yatsura film and the tenth anniversary special. It is not the end of the anime series despite coming after The Final Chapter. The character designer and animation director for the film was Kumiko Takahashi. The regular theatrical release in Japan was the November 2, 1991 and it was shown on a double bill with the first Ranma ½ feature, Big Trouble in Nekonron, China. Guest characters include Lupika, another alien princess.

Lupika, an alien princess, is in love with a tofu seller. To make him love her too (at least, announce his love. He obviously fears the social taboo of a tofu vendor marrying a princess), she needs to get a love potion, which is in a certain temple. Legend has it that the only person that can obtain this love potion is the most lecherous man in the universe. That man turns out to be Ataru Moroboshi. Lupika kidnaps Ataru to make him get the potion, and Lum and her friends go out to search for Ataru.

This film has been referred to by some fans as the worst of the series. [23] [24]

Due to this, this was the last animated released content for the franchise until 2008 release of the 10th OVA.

A subtitled Laserdisc was released by AnimEigo in North America on July 27, 1994. [25]

Additional cast

OVA releases

Urusei Yatsura also has a number of direct-to-market video releases which include stories not covered in the TV series or films. However, they are not true OVAs as all of them were released in theaters prior to being released on video. All were released after the ending of the series, so popularity may have also been a factor in the continued release of new animation.

Urusei Yatsura
Urusei-Box-Set.jpg
Artwork for the Japanese Blu-Ray Urusei Yatsura film series box set
うる星やつら
Genre
No.TitleDirected byWritten byAnimation directed byOriginal release date
1"Inaba the Dreammaker"
Transliteration: "Yume no Shikakenin, Inaba-kun Tōjō! Ramu no Mirai wa Dōnaruccha" (Japanese: 夢の仕掛人、因幡くん登場! ラムの未来はどうなるっちゃ)		Directed by : Tsuneo Tominaga
Storyboarded by : Setsuko Shibuichi & Tsuneo Tominaga		Kazumi Koide & Toshiaki ImaizumiYukari Kobayashi18 July 1987 (1987-07-18)
Shinobu, Ataru and Lum meet Inaba, a strange boy in a rabbit suit. Inaba (who seems to have a thing for Shinobu) leads them to the Room of Destiny, where they get to explore various futures.
2"Raging Sherbet"
Transliteration: "Ikare Shābetto" (Japanese: 怒れシャーベット)		Directed by : Kenjirō Yoshida
Storyboarded by : Katsuhiko Nishijima 		Machiko KondōKatsuhiko Nishijima2 December 1988 (1988-12-02)
3"Nagisa's Fiancé"
Transliteration: "Nagisa no Fianse" (Japanese: 渚のフィアンセ)		Directed by : Yorifusa Yamaguchi
Storyboarded by : Setsuko Shibuichi		 Rumiko Takahashi Setsuko Shibuichi8 December 1988 (1988-12-08)
4"The Electric Household Guard"
Transliteration: "Denki Jikake no Oniwaban" (Japanese: 電気仕掛けのお庭番)		Directed by : Kenjirō Yoshida
Storyboarded by : Iku Suzuki		Rumiko TakahashiYukari Kobayashi21 August 1989 (1989-08-21)
5"I Howl at the Moon"
Transliteration: "Tsuki ni Hoeru" (Japanese: 月に吠える)		Tsuneo TominagaMachiko KondōYukari Kobayashi2 September 1989 (1989-09-02)
6"Goat and Cheese"
Transliteration: "Yagi-san to Chīzu" (Japanese: ヤギさんとチーズ)		 Tensai Okamura Tensai OkamuraTensai Okamura21 December 1989 (1989-12-21)
7"Catch the Heart"
Transliteration: "Hāto o Tsukame" (Japanese: ハートをつかめ)		Yū KōTatsuhiko UrahataKenji Yoshioka27 December 1989 (1989-12-27)
8"Terror of Girly-Eyes Measles"
Transliteration: "Otome Bashika no Kyōfu" (Japanese: 乙女ばしかの恐怖)		Directed by : Shigeto Makino
Storyboarded by : Yū Kō		Hidehiro FujiwaraAtsushi Shigeta & Shin'ichi Imakuma21 June 1991 (1991-06-21)
9"Date with a Spirit"
Transliteration: "Reikon to Dēto" (Japanese: 霊魂とデート)		 Makoto Moriwaki Tatsuhiko UrahataAtsushi Shigeta21 June 1991 (1991-06-21)
10"The Obstacle Course Swim Meet"
Transliteration: "Za Shōgaibutsu Suiei Taikai" (Japanese: THE 障害物水泳大会)		Directed by : Toru Kitahata
Storyboarded by : Yoshitomo Yonetani 		Michiko Yokote Tsukasa Dokite 23 December 2008 (2008-12-23)

Sources: [10] [12] [14] [26] [27]

Related Research Articles

<i>Ranma ½</i> Japanese manga and media franchise

Ranma ½ is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi. It was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Sunday from August 1987 to March 1996, with the chapters collected in 38 tankōbon volumes by Shogakukan. The story revolves around a teenager named Ranma Saotome who has trained in martial arts since early childhood. As a result of an accident during a training journey, he is cursed to become a girl when exposed to cold water, while hot water changes him back into a boy. Throughout the series Ranma seeks out a way to rid himself of his curse, while his friends, enemies, and many fiancées constantly hinder and interfere.

Rumiko Takahashi is a Japanese manga artist. With a career of several commercially successful works, beginning with Urusei Yatsura in 1978, she is one of Japan's best-known and wealthiest manga artists. Her works are known worldwide, where they have been translated into a variety of languages, with over 230 million copies in circulation; making Takahashi one of the best-selling authors of all time. She has won the Shogakukan Manga Award twice, once in 1980 for Urusei Yatsura and again in 2001 for Inuyasha, and the Seiun Award twice, once in 1987 for Urusei Yatsura and again in 1989 for Mermaid Saga. She also received the Grand Prix de la ville d'Angoulême in 2019, becoming the second woman and second Japanese to win the prize. In 2020, the Japanese government awarded Takahashi the Medal with Purple Ribbon for her contributions to the arts.

<i>Urusei Yatsura</i> Japanese manga series and franchise

Urusei Yatsura (うる星やつら) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Rumiko Takahashi. It was serialized in Shogakukan's Weekly Shōnen Sunday from September 1978 to February 1987. Its 366 individual chapters were collected in 34 tankōbon volumes. It tells the story of Ataru Moroboshi, and the alien Lum, who believes she is Ataru's wife after he accidentally proposes to her. The series makes heavy use of Japanese mythology, culture, and puns. It was adapted into two anime television series that aired on Fuji TV affiliates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mamoru Oshii</span> Japanese filmmaker, television director, and writer

Mamoru Oshii is a Japanese filmmaker, television director and writer. Famous for his philosophy-oriented storytelling, Oshii has directed a number of acclaimed anime films, including Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer (1984), Angel's Egg (1985), Patlabor 2: The Movie (1993), and Ghost in the Shell (1995). He also holds the distinction of directing the first ever OVA, Dallos (1983). As a writer, Oshii has worked as a screenwriter, and occasionally as a manga writer and novelist. His most notable works as a writer include the manga Kerberos Panzer Cop (1988–2000) and its feature film adaptation Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade (1999).

AnimEigo is an American entertainment company that licenses and distributes anime, samurai films and Japanese cinema. Founded in 1988 by Robert Woodhead and Roe R. Adams III, the company was one of the first in North America dedicated to licensing anime and helped give anime a noticeable following in the region. Over its history, the company has released many anime titles, such as Urusei Yatsura, You're Under Arrest, Vampire Princess Miyu, Otaku no Video, the original Bubblegum Crisis OVA series, and Kimagure Orange Road.

Lum (<i>Urusei Yatsura</i>) Fictional character from Urusei Yatsura

Lum the Invader Girl, known in Japan simply as Lum, is a fictional character and the female protagonist of Rumiko Takahashi's manga series Urusei Yatsura. She is often believed to be the main protagonist of the series due to her iconic status. However, Takahashi has stated that Ataru Moroboshi is the main character.

<i>Momoko 120%</i> 1986 video game

Momoko 120% is a 1986 arcade game by Jaleco released in Japan. The game was originally intended to be an Urusei Yatsura game, but for an unknown reason the license was not obtained for the arcade version—while the characters were changed, "Lum's Love Song" — the first opening theme of the first anime adaptation, still loops throughout the game, but the Family Computer port retained the license and was titled Urusei Yatsura: Lum's Wedding Bell. The game was re-released for mobile phones in Japan on February 28, 2006. Three mobile phone sequels, Momoko 1200%, Momoko 1200% in Machigai Sagashi and Momoko no Kasei Bowling ~La Mars Cup~, were released in Japan only in 2006.

<i>Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer</i> 1984 Japanese animated film

Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer is a 1984 Japanese animated fantasy comedy film produced by Kitty Films and distributed by Toho. It is the second film in the Urusei Yatsura film series based on the manga of the same name by Rumiko Takahashi. In the film, a group of Japanese high school students including Lum and Ataru prepare for the annual school cultural festival and begin to question the reality around them after a series of perplexing events. The film experimented with concepts such as a time loop, dreams, and simulated reality, in departure from the previous film Only You which was more faithful to Takahashi's original manga and anime series.

<i>Urusei Yatsura: Only You</i> 1983 Japanese animated film

Urusei Yatsura: Only You is a 1983 Japanese animated fantasy comedy film directed by Mamoru Oshii in his film directorial debut. It is the first in the Urusei Yatsura film series based on the manga of the same name by Rumiko Takahashi. It was released in Japan on February 11, Friday 1983 during the second season of the series.

Ran (<i>Urusei Yatsura</i>) Fictional character from Urusei Yatsura

Ran is a fictional character appearing in the Japanese manga series Urusei Yatsura, created by Rumiko Takahashi. The character made her first appearance in the 55th chapter of the series, which was first published in Japan in Shogakukan's Weekly Shōnen Sunday magazine on October 22, 1980. In Urusei Yatsura, Ran is portrayed as an alien with a bipolar personality who grew up as childhood friends with the Oni alien Lum, for whom Ran developed a one-sided rivalry after years of resentment towards her.

Benten is a fictional character appearing in the Japanese manga series Urusei Yatsura, created by Rumiko Takahashi. The character made her first appearance in the 8th chapter of the series, which was first published in Japan in Shogakukan's Weekly Shōnen Sunday magazine on February 28, 1979. In Urusei Yatsura, Benten is portrayed as a "space biker chick" who is a member of the Fukujin alien clan, as well as a childhood friend of the series' female protagonist Lum. In the anime adaptations of Urusei Yatsura, the character was voiced by Yūko Mita in the 1981 TV series as well as the film series, and by Shizuka Ishigami in the 2022 TV series while Elissa Cuellar voices her in English.

Yūji Moriyama is a Japanese anime character designer, animator, animation supervisor and director. He is a member of the Japanese Animation Creators Association and a winner of the 4th Japan Animation Awards in the Animation Director category.

<i>Urusei Yatsura</i> (1981 TV series) Japanese anime television series

Urusei Yatsura is a Japanese anime television series that aired on Fuji Television from October 14, 1981, to March 19, 1986. It is based on the manga series of the same name by Rumiko Takahashi, produced by Kitty Films and Fuji Television and was animated by Studio Pierrot until episode 106, and Studio Deen for the rest of the series. The series was licensed in North America by AnimEigo in 1992, and released the series English subbed on VHS in October that year. Their license expired in 2011, and is currently licensed by Discotek Media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lum's Love Song</span> 1981 single by Yuko Matsutani

Lum no Love Song is the debut single of Japanese pop singer Yuko Matsutani. The single was released on October 21, 1981 and was created as the theme song for the anime series Urusei Yatsura. The song was used as the theme song from its debut on October 14, 1981 until the 77th episode released on July 20, 1983.

Yorifusa Yamaguchi was a Japanese anime director.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urusei Yatsura no Theme: Lum no Love Song/Me</span> 2009 single by misono

Urusei Yatsura no Theme ~Lum no Love Song~／「Mii」 is the fourteenth single released by Japanese artist misono on September 23, 2009. The single was released the same day as her first cover album Cover Album. The single charted well on Oricon, taking the #18 position for the week; however, the single only remained on the charts for two weeks.

<i>Urusei Yatsura</i> (2022 TV series) Japanese anime television series

Urusei Yatsura (うる星やつら) is a Japanese anime television series produced by David Production based on the manga series of the same name by Rumiko Takahashi. It is the second television anime adaptation of the manga, following the 1981 adaptation by Kitty Films that ran until 1986. The series aired from October 2022 to June 2024 on Fuji TV's Noitamina programming block, and ran for 46 episodes across two split two-cour seasons, with most episodes having two segments per half-hour.

References

  1. ↑ "Only You". Furinkan.com. Archived from the original on February 27, 2009. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Beautiful Dreamer". Furinkan.com. Archived from the original on May 5, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Remember My Love". Furinkan.com. Archived from the original on February 20, 2009. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Lum the Forever". Furinkan.com. Archived from the original on January 30, 2009. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  5. ↑ "The Final Chapter". Furinkan.com. Archived from the original on February 20, 2009. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  6. ↑ "About the Anime". Furinkan.com. Archived from the original on April 20, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Always my Darling". Furinkan.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2009. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  8. 1 2 "Urusei Yatsura — Anime Products". AnimEigo. Archived from the original on December 26, 2009. Retrieved December 18, 2009.
  9. ↑ "Discotek Announces Memories, Urusei Yatsura Movies, and More". Crunchyroll . Retrieved November 14, 2020.
  10. 1 2 3 Animage Editorial Staff (March 1999). Animage Pocket Data Notes 1999. Tokyo, Japan: Tokuma Shoten. p. 69.
  11. ↑ "Urusei Yatsura". AnimEigo. Retrieved January 10, 2010.
  12. 1 2 3 "OVA's". Furinkan.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Urusei Yatsura (archive)". AnimEigo. Archived from the original on February 18, 2004. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  14. 1 2 "Event-Only Urusei Yatsura Anime to Debut This Month (Updated)". Anime News Network . Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  15. ↑ "It's a Rumic World スペシャルアニメBOX". Amazon.co.jp . Retrieved January 2, 2010.
  16. ↑ 落合, 茂一 (1987). 僕のプロデューサーかけだし日誌. Japan: トライアングル.
  17. ↑ "Animerica". Animerica: Anime & Manga Monthly. 1 (7). Viz Media: 18. September 1993. ISSN   1067-0831.
  18. ↑ Shamoon, Deborah (February 12, 2016). Folktales and Fairy Tales: Traditions and Texts from around the World (2nd ed.). ABC-CLIO. ISBN   9781610692540 . Retrieved April 27, 2017.
  19. ↑ "1985年（1月～12月）". Eiren. Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan. Retrieved November 20, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Animerica". Animerica: Anime & Manga Monthly. 2 (2). Viz Media: 15. February 1994. ISSN   1067-0831.
  21. ↑ "Dragon Ball Wasn't Actually the First Anime to Feature Bulma".
  22. ↑ Madhouse.co.jpうる星やつら いつだってマイ・ダーリン (in Japanese). madhouse.co.jp. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
  23. ↑ Proulx, Mason. "10th Anniversary Movie: Itsudatte My Darling". Tomobiki-cho, The Urusei Yatsura Web Site. Archived from the original on June 10, 2007. Retrieved May 28, 2007.
  24. ↑ "Urusei Yatsura: Always my Darling". Anime Meta-Review.
  25. ↑ "Animerica". Animerica: Anime & Manga Monthly. 2 (7). Viz Media: 18. July 1994. ISSN   1067-0831.
  26. ↑ Madhouse.co.jpうる星やつら 乙女ばしかの恐怖 (in Japanese). madhouse.co.jp. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
  27. ↑ Madhouse.co.jpうる星やつら 霊魂とデート怖 (in Japanese). madhouse.co.jp. Retrieved July 31, 2011.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.