The originator of the boy meets girl anime, Urusei Yatsura orうる星やつら, is back after decades with crisp animation and a new voice cast. Many might not know, but this anime is the first to introduce the much-used trope of an extraordinary girl falling in love with an ordinary boy.
Urusei Yatsura Episode 2 Overview
From the moment the news of this coming dropped, the older generation of anime enthusiasts have been nothing but glad. In its time, it was the single most groundbreaking anime with a fresh concept and entertaining characters. Fans are nothing but pumped for this newly remastered version.
This time this anime will be directed by three directors, one is Takahashi Hideya, who is famous for working on Sword Art Online, Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Comedy wa Machigatteiru, To LOVE-Ru, etc. Others being
Kamei Takahiro, who worked on Enen no Shouboutai, Captain Tsubasa (2018), etc, and Kimura Yasuhiro, who worked on Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic.
The opening song is “Aiue (アイウエ)” by MAISONdes, Minami and SAKURAmoti. On the other hand, the ending song is “Tokyo Shandy Rendezvous (トウキョウ・シャンディ・ランデヴ)” by KAF, Tsumiki.
– Urusei Yatsura Episode 2 Review Contains Mild Spoilers –
Urusei Yatsura Episode 2 Review – Ataru’s Misery
We cannot talk enough about the gorgeous animation of this anime. The animators are truly not holding back with their intricate colour pallet and true-to-manga character designs.
The episode starts by giving a glimpse of how troublesome Lum is being in Ataru’s life. She is not willing to leave his side even for a second. Schools should be off-limits for a wife, but she is not paying any heed to human norms and rules. For her, being with her ‘darling’ is the single most important thing in the world. On top of it, Lum is being lovey-dovey with Ataru in front of his so-called girlfriend, Shinobu.
Thus, it should be no surprise to us when Ataru takes some drastic decisions to get rid of Lum. Running away was an option that he chose out of desperation, and meeting Sakura was fate. The episode introduces this character as a beautiful shrine maiden who suffers from frequent health issues due to spirits. Ataru plays a big role in her life, which means she will definitely come around in future episodes.
We also saw Ataru teaming up with Cherry to get away from Lum in some underhanded ways but then again, luck was not on his side and in a laughable turn of events, he is back to square one.
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This episode indeed showcased some new characters that complement the main pair well and give ample comic relief to the audience. Some of the gags do make us laugh, but it is nothing one cannot predict. And it is to be expected as we are watching a remastered classic.
So those who are coming to this anime for a fresh concept with unexpected moments might be disappointed. But I’m loving the nostalgic feel of the anime that gives the same vibes as other classics like Ranma ½, Kimagure Orange☆Road (1987), Fantasia (1993), etc.
Urusei Yatsura truly is timeless, for it still manages to deliver an entertaining experience despite being an old story presented in a new avatar. The romance is also going strong and is giving a strong indication of a harem forming that hilariously gets disrupted each time by Lum.
All in all, it is a good watch that will manage to keep you hooked with its quirky characters and messy situations. Amidst all the misunderstandings, you will sometimes feel pity for Ataru, but his lustful nature will keep you thinking maybe his situation serves him right in the end.
Verdict
I loved the second episode and am very excited about the next one. The episode ended with the appearance of a mysterious boy whose name we do not know yet. I facepalmed every time Ataru got electrocuted, but the love triangle between Ataru, Lum and Shinobu is what kept the gag running for me. Watch the anime on HIDIVE if you haven’t yet.
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