When it was first introduced that there can be a reboot of the Urusei Yatsura collection, I used to be genuinely shocked. The collection already has some pretty beloved anime diversifications and unique animations. Given the tropes that the unique manga spearheaded again within the eighties, I simply wasn’t certain if there was a spot for Urusei Yatsura nowadays. Fortunately, I ended up consuming my phrases, as this modern-day adaptation might be one of many extra expressive and colourful reboots we have gotten in fairly a while. It isn’t precisely as one-to-one as the unique manga, as there are some tales shifted round from what I’ve heard, however I used to be pretty shocked at how a lot I ended up having fun with this collection below a extra fashionable lens. How do these closing ten episodes maintain up? As we method the conclusion, does this reboot stick with the touchdown?
That is just a little onerous to say, contemplating that these final ten episodes are dealt with just a little in a different way than the remainder of the collection. The primary 5 episodes listed below are handled very like the remainder of the collection, with every episode divided into skits and people skits showcasing totally different members of the solid in a wide range of totally different wacky situations. Some skits are higher than others due to their slapstick and creativity, comparable to the guts sweet episode. Others are a bit slowed down both due to repetitiveness, revolve round characters that I don’t discover attention-grabbing, or the fabric is only a bit dated. After watching your entire present, I’ve barely heard any jokes that revolve round Ran or Rei which have made me snigger, so any focus they get appears like a waste of time. Additionally, incest jokes get stale fairly quick.
Nevertheless, the present’s attractive presentation carries even essentially the most mundane skit. It is vivid, colourful, and bursting on the seams with sturdy comedic cuts and character animation. I do not assume there is a single bad-looking episode on this complete collection, not to mention these closing ten episodes. One thing is at all times shifting, and I can not recall any moments of repeated animation. Even when the collection is not an ideal adaptation of the unique manga, you may nonetheless inform there is a improbable degree of care that has gone into celebrating the supply materials as a lot as doable. There are dozens of callbacks within the opening and casting that scream how a lot the folks engaged on the present care about it, and even when this collection would not find yourself being up your alley, I do not need anybody ever to take that away from them. Plus, a few of the recurring music themes, notably the observe “No Sugar Added,” have grow to be so ingrained in my mind after so many episodes that the usage of it’s certain to get me emotional.
So, the primary 5 episodes are extra of the identical. What in regards to the closing 5 episodes? Properly, that is the place the collection abandons its extra episodic nature and goes for an overarching narrative that builds into the conclusion. Earlier than this level, I believe just one different story arc went on for greater than two episodes. This one focuses on different aliens coming down and whisking Lum away below the pretense that she is meant to be betrothed to this different man. In actuality, the entire thing is simply an excuse to introduce two new characters whose solely goal is to function a large parallel to Ataru and Lum’s cussed dynamic. You may have misunderstanding stacking on high of confusion, and each characters are doubling down onerous even after they’re presupposed to be within the flawed in regards to the state of affairs. All of that culminates in a finale the place it seems as if the world’s destiny is at stake…however in actuality, it is one thing a lot easier.
This adaptation has achieved lots with Lum and Ataru’s relationship. Sure, there may be the basic slapstick dynamic between them, with Ataru at all times chasing after different ladies and Lum cranking every little thing as much as eleven. Nonetheless, the present did a tremendous job balancing all that with quieter moments. There are a whole lot of delicate moments, and even complete skits are devoted solely to displaying simply how a lot these two look after one another. Weirdly, the dynamic nonetheless works, even whether it is dated. Loads of moments present Ataru genuinely cares about Lum greater than anyone else and that is why he treats her so in a different way. Lum has moments the place she has to simply accept that Ataru won’t ever cease being his over-the-top, sleazy self, however she exhibits that she cares the place it issues. This finale would have benefited from having extra of these quieter moments. As an alternative, the finale nearly appears like one prolonged metaphor for 2 youngsters bashing their heads in opposition to the wall, ready to see who will collapse first.
The slapstick continues to be humorous, however you may’ve informed the story the finale wished to inform in half of the episodes. The truth that a lot of this finale relies on characters that we barely knew up till now and who really feel like alternate variations of our predominant couple would not assist. I can level to a few scenes all through the present that in all probability would’ve made for a greater overarching conclusion as a result of there’s a level the place an excessive amount of yelling appears like noise on the finish. Then once more, that’s nonetheless the guts of Urusei Yatsura.
It is a collection that prides itself on that bombasticness and wears its coronary heart on its sleeve. It is a collection that stubbornly sticks to its weapons like the primary characters. Then, beneath all that noise, on the very finish the place it counts, you see that coronary heart shine by. Is it just a little underwhelming? Sure. Might the present have ended with a stronger sense of finality relatively than the everyday “I suppose they’re going to by no means study” message? Yeah, in all probability. However I do need to respect that the present dedicated to itself till the very finish.
Whether or not or not folks will want this reboot to the unique manga or to the opposite anime diversifications we had is difficult to say. I can not communicate for all of them, nor do I fancy myself as an skilled on the franchise. However as an off-the-cuff anime enjoyer who likes seeing if sure issues stand the take a look at of time, I can not deny that I walked away from this collection with a smile. I am glad I bought to expertise it, even when components nonetheless present their age. Not all of the characters are wonderful, and never all of the jokes land, however when it hits, it does hit, and I can see why folks nonetheless revel on this franchise many years later. If you happen to’re within the temper for a wacky and over-the-top comedy, then it is value trying out this reboot. Seize the collection by the horns and tune into the loopy adventures of our cussed solid.
