AnimEigo presents

Urusei Yatsura TV #5 (1982)

"My, you keep the strangest things in your bra."- Medou (Akira Kamiya)

Stars: Fumi Hirano, Toshio Furukawa, Saeko Shimazu, Kazuko Sugiyama, Ichiroo Nagai
Other Stars: Kenichi Ogata, Natsumi Sakuma, Akira Kamiya, Machiko Washio, Yuuko Mita, Ayako Tsuboi, Reiko Yamada, Tetsuyoo Genda
Director: Mamoru Oshii

Manufacturer: Cine Magnetics
MPAA Rating: Not Rated for (brief nudity)
Run Time: 01h:42m:50s
Release Date: 2002-01-29
Genre: anime

Style Grade	Substance Grade	Image Transfer Grade	Audio Transfer Grade	Extras Grade
A-	B+	B+	B+	C-

 

DVD Review

"Poor Ataru. He's wandering around in another dimension." - Shinobu Miyake (Saeko Shimazu)

More madness ensues in disc number five of the Urusei Yatsura series, which features another eight, half episode installments in this bizarre alien comedy. Like the previous three installments, the cast find themselves faced with a barrage of strange situations and characters, and you can't take anything for granted. Ancillary parts are expanded, with a pair of episodes centering around the richest boy in school, Mendou, who even has his own private army. Like his fellow classmates, Mendou is in love with Lum, and can't understand what she sees in the impossible Ataru Moroboshi. We also see the arrival of one of Lum's old school friends.

The first misadventure is picture perfect... almost. When Mendou brings his family's camera to school, it creates more headaches for young Mr. Moroboshi. It seems whenever a snapshot is taken, its subject is thrown into another dimension. Of course, women of all ages are a target for Ataru, which means Lum has some cross dimensional retribution to deliver.

Next, Ataru's exercise routine, which is highlighted by several "scenic" locations, has some unexpected consequences. It seems he has summoned another demon, and will have to figure a way out of another hairy situation.

Lum is surprised when her best childhood friend pays a visit, but Ran isn't quite the sweet young girl she seems. Ataru is after her in an instant, which inspires Ran's next bit of scheming—it seems she holds quite a grudge against Lum, and is out to exact revenge!

Far be it for Ataru to turn down a date, especially when the girl in question is his new found love, Ran. Lum isn't about to put up with his shenanigans, especially when she finds out what Ran is really up to. Ataru will be beside himself when he figures out what's going on in this crazy episode.

A diary holds the key to the future, and when Ataru gets his hands on it, look out! There's only one person who can fix this fine time-warping mess, and it isn't going to be pretty!

Is Mendou a daddy? When he finds a baby in his locker the weirdness has only just begun. Then, the classroom is becoming a snooze-fest as spirits battle inside the school. Finally, it's time to wax poetic for Peach-Blossom season. Just don't let Cherry try karaoke...

If you hadn't guessed already, this is one truly insane show, full of fun, but quirky, characters and over-the-top humor. With each 15 minute installment being pretty much self-contained, the show is great for quick watches at the end of the evening. The cast keeps growing disc by disc, adding more potential for wackiness. With the next disc rounding out the first series, the major players are on deck for the next stage in this goofy comedy.

Rating for Style: A-
Rating for Substance: B+

 

Image Transfer

	One
Aspect Ratio	1.33:1 - Full Frame
Original Aspect Ratio	yes
Anamorphic	no

Image Transfer Review: Image quality is pretty consistent with the previous discs. Colors are strong, though reds tend to bleed a bit, and blues can sometimes be grainy. There is some rainbowing in the last episode. Print defects are minor. For a near twenty-year-old show, this looks pretty decent.

Image Transfer Grade: B+
 

Audio Transfer

	Language	Remote Access
Mono	Japanese	no

Audio Transfer Review: Aside from a bit of hiss and brashness on some voices, the mono Japanese soundtrack is delivered pretty well. While not exactly full range, the sound isn't tinny, and there are no major defects to call attention to.

Audio Transfer Grade: B+ 

Disc Extras

Static menu
Scene Access with 8 cues and remote access
Subtitles/Captions in English with remote access
1 Disc
1-Sided disc(s)
Layers: single

Extra Extras:

1. Liner notes

Extras Review: Menus once again feature chapter access to each half episode

AnimEigo's patented liner notes accompany the release with more behind-the-scenes and cultural tidbits. I wish more anime companies included these.

Extras Grade: C-
 

Final Comments

With a couple of real standouts here, disc five makes another welcome addition to the Urusei Yatsura library. The series manages a consistent level of humor, and a diverse range of situations. This is prime, old school anime, and deserves its classic status.

Jeff Ulmer 2002-09-05