AnimEigo presents

Urusei Yatsura TV #9 (1982)

"Say what you want, but this calls for revenge!"- Ataru (Toshio Furukawa)

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: Oshii Mamoru

Manufacturer: Cine Magnetics
MPAA Rating: Not Rated for (brief nudity, adult situations)
Run Time: 01h:42m:42s
Release Date: 2002-06-04
Genre: anime

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

 

DVD Review

There is something about old school anime that maintains its appeal. While the animation is sometimes rough, and the characters sometimes one dimensional, the charm of Urusei Yatsura lies in its ability to take an unrealistic situation, and compound it into something that can't help but extract a laugh. With a lechter that will not be deterred and a flying, bikini-clad alien as its principles, the setup is in place for much hilarity. Throw in an ex-boyfriend who transmutes into a giant cow-tiger, some funky 1980s music, vengeful school friends, time warps, and any number of other bizarre occurrences, and you have the recipe for a fun, whacked out comedy. Disc Nine adds another four zany installments.

Ataru has what all his male school chums want—the affections of the sexy space invader Lum. Despite his apparent good fortune, Ataru can't keep from chasing every girl he lays his eyes on. While Lum has an electrifying way of dealing with her darling's indiscretions, her nephew Jeriten delights in applying his talents to Ataru's discomfort.

After being the brunt of Ten's fiery attacks since the young alien's arrival, Ataru relishes in his chance to exact some revenge when Ten loses one of his horns, muting his powers. When Ran discovers one of the aliens has lost her horns, she assumes it is Lum, and comes up with a concoction sure to cause sure embarrassment. Of course, everything gets messed up, and while Ataru's opportunity for payback was fun while it lasted, nothing this good can remain so forever.

Ataru and his friends are gathered in the library to check out the latest girlie magazine. So what could possibly go wrong in a library? It seems that if the books aren't all put back in their proper places, they begin leaking characters, who eventually cause havoc in the isles. This is one episode where the imagination just runs wild, creating bedlam that seems to have no logical solution. When the theme songs says put weird and weird together, this is the result.

Next Lum decides she has no better way of keeping a handle on her hubby than by enrolling in his class at Tomobiki High School, but the new teacher is taken aback by Lum's father, who does not have what you would call a normal earthly appearance. Expecting the worst as his nerves begin to unravel, the teacher tries to anticipate the hijinx that await him in his new class. Ataru discovers a new lecherous pastime watching the girl's volleyball team, but its love-scorned leader has some issues with Lum.

Finally, the local swimming pool is haunted by a goblin, and Ataru finds himself adopting the creature—only to find out that living with a spook has its drawbacks.

While no series is without its weaker episodes, there is a consistency in the quality of the show that manages to keep it from having any that are really sub par, as there always seems to be that moment of brilliance that redeems an otherwise lackluster episode. This set has three great installments, with its fourth being fun but not quite as good as the rest.

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: For its age, the image here looks really good. Colors are vibrant, and black levels solid. Like the other discs in the series, there is some ghosting in the image, but it is fairly minor. Dark blues tend to be grainy, and there is the occasional source or compression artifact. As has been the case since the second season started, the credits are the worst for wear. As long as you aren't expecting perfection, there should be no disappointment with this one.

Image Transfer Grade: B
 

Audio Transfer

	Language	Remote Access
Mono	Japanese	no

Audio Transfer Review: Aside from a bit of hiss and the occasional bit of edginess, the mono Japanese audio track is fine. Frequency response is decent, and there is little excess sibilance. Considering the show's age, this is about as good as one could expect.

Audio Transfer Grade: B+ 

Disc Extras

Static menu
Scene Access with 4 cues and remote access
Subtitles/Captions in English with remote access
Packaging: unmarked keepcase
Picture Disc
1 Disc
1-Sided disc(s)
Layers: single

Extra Extras:

1. Liner notes

Extras Review: On disc extras are minimal, with only chapter access to the start of each episode. Standard liner notes are included, adding depth to the cultural references seen in the show. The back cover features a biography for Ran this time out.

Extras Grade: C
 

Final Comments

Four more comic misadventures are presented on Disc Nine of the Urusei Yatsura TV series. The must-see episodes balance out one slightly lesser installment. My favorite of the bunch would be the library episode, bookended by another very funny pair. If you liked any of the rest of the series, this will be a rewarding addition.

Jeff Ulmer 2002-07-09