REVIEW: ‘Urusei Yatsura’, Episode 3 – “Trouble Rains Down!!”

Urusei Yatsura Episode 3 is a sci-fi romantic comedy based on the original manga and anime series created by Rumiko Takahashi. The series centers on girl-obsessed Ataru Moroboshi, and the alien princess Lum, who believes she is Ataru’s wife after he accidentally proposes to her. 

Urusei Yatsura is produced by David Production and directed by Hideya Takahashi and Yasuhiro Kimura, with scripts written by Yūko Kakihara. Character designs are illustrated by Naoyuki Asano, Takahiro Komei serving as series director, and Masaru Yokoyama composing the music. The main voice cast consists of Summer Uesaka as Invader Lum, Hiroshi Kamiya as Ataru Moroboshi, and Maaya Uchida as Shinobu.

In Urusei Yatsura Episode 3, Mendo, the new transfer student in Ataru’s class, makes an impressive and disruptive entrance on their first day of school. All the girls at school are instantly drawn to his handsome looks, gentlemanly nature, and wealth. Ataru is incredibly annoyed when Shinobu develops a crush on Mendo as well. Unfortunately for Shinobu Mendo’sMendo’s affection and attention land on Lum. Later, Ataru and Mendo put their differences aside to work toward a common goal. If all goes to plan, they will each have the girl of their dreams in their arms. 

Mendo’s introduction to the series in Urusei Yatsura Episode 3 presents an interesting rival character for Ataru. Mendo’s handsome looks, athletic prowess, array of talents, and polite nature quickly makes all of the girls fall for him. He is the opposite of Ataru, but that is not the case. In actuality, Ataru and Mendo are two sides of the same coin.

For example, Mendo is just as lustful and flirtatious as Ataru. He goes about it very differently. Mendo professes his “love” for all the girls at school, thus sweeping them off their feet. Whereas Ataru also claims to “love” all girls, he is far less reserved and refined than Mendo. Although Mendo and Ataru share more in common than either of them would like to admit, they still can’t help to clash with one another.

The tensions between them make for some hilarious antics between the two of them in Urusei Yatsura Episode 3. They are the perfect rivals for one another, and they are both greedy, lecherous boys that want what the other has. Ataru can’t stand Mendo because all the girls instantly fall for him. In contrast, Mendo can not stand that a “peasant” like Ataru has an other-worldly beauty like Lum all over him. It will be interesting to see how much of a role Mendo and Ataru’s rivalry will continue to play in the series in the future. 

Urusei Yatsura Episode 3 is a prime example of what a romantic comedy should be. Romantic comedies should have the right balance of humor and romance. It accomplishes that with the new addition to his romantic rival, who also seems just as eccentric and wacky as the other characters. Mendo also creates a complicated love quadrangle between him, Shinobu, and Ataru. Urusei Yatsura is well known for being a romantic comedy with eccentric characters, so the inclusion of a love quadrangle amps up the shenanigans and hijinks in this episode. 

My complaint about Urusei Yatsura Episode 3 is that it heavily centered on Mendo’s introduction and his rivalry with Ataru. The episode doesn’t give much perspective and attention to the female characters, Lum and Shinobu. The female characters sometimes come off as pawns to their male counterpoints. I would like for the show to give some more attention to the female characters’ side of things. For example, Shinobu’s new interest in wanting to pursue Mendo is an interesting change of pace now that she is not crying over Ataru. It would be nice to see the development of her feelings from her side.

Overall, Urusei Yatsura Episode 3 is an excellent example of what a romantic comedy should be. This episode is packed with hijinks and laughs as the eccentric new character, Mendo, introduces more antics into the show. Mendo’s introduction also provides the perfect rival for Ataru to bump heads with one another. It will be interesting to see how things proceed going forward. And as entertaining as this show is, it needs some improvement regarding the female characters’ perspective. 

Urusei Yatsura exclusively streams weekly on HiDIVE.