Urusei Yatsura: TV Series Collection 01 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		0.5
Overall		4.5

Urusei Yatsura: TV Series Collection 01 Blu-ray Movie Review

Urusei Yatsura is an entertaining action-adventure science-fiction series with a romantic element tossed in to the equation. Based on the original manga created by Rumiko Takahashi (Ranma 1/2, InuYasha), the classic television series is from producers Hiroshi Hasegawa, Makoto Kubo, Tadashi Oka, Takao Inoue, and Yūji Nunokawa. The series features a theme song by Yuichiro Oda.

Distributed by Discotek Media in North America, Urusei Yatsura was originally broadcast on Japanese television on the Bandai Channel and the Fuji Television Network. Featuring animation by studio Pierrot (Fushigi Yugi, Kimagure Orange Road), Urusei Yatsura: Collection 1 brings the long-beloved fan-favorite classic television series to high definition in North America for the first time. A charming tale of an intergalactic girl who meets an ordinary boy.

The entire planet might be at risk of being taken over by a host of alien beings. The threat to humankind is enormous. Ataru Moroboshi (Toshio Furukawa) might just be an ordinary and laidback slacker from Tomobiki High School but there is more to him than first meets the eye. Ataru is also selected to help combat the alien beings and fight for the safety and survival of the planet.

The big task? Catch and tag alien princess Lum (Fumi Hirano). As Ataru tries to catch Lum (grabbing her by her horns), things rapidly escalate when catching her leads to the possibility of marriage! With the successful tagging of Lum, things change. Now Ataru and Lum are in a decidedly unique courtship as one. Yet Ataru better make sure he doesn’t upset Lum – unless he actually wants for her to continue sending electric shock wavelengths throughout his body. What’s a boy to do with an alien girlfriend?

The Urusei Yatsura series has a charming cast of characters and this is one of the reasons for the enduring popularity. Without the charming characters at the forefront of the series, it would be hard to imagine the enormous success and popular legacy of Urusei Yatsura as it is recognized to this day. Lum is a fascinating leading character – an alien princess who is unlike any other.

Ataru is a simple boy in most respects and the interplay between him and Lum causes a lot of comedic moments during the series. The characterizations are compelling and work well when one looks at the comedic nature of Urusei Yatsura. The comedy is often born out of the interactions between the leading characters.

The animation is a highlight of Urusei Yatsura. The series has an incredible animation style and there is a lot to appreciate about the stylistic flourishes apparent during the show. Featuring storyboarding artists including Mamoru Oshii alongside Keiji Hayakawa (Digimon Adventure, Sherlock Hound) and Motosuke Takahashi (Fighting General Daimos, Future Robot Daltanious), the chief storyboarders originate this process. Then there’s the exceptional looking art direction by Mitsuki Nakamura (Dirty Pair, Kimagure Orange Road), Tatsuo Imamura, and Torao Arai (Tenchi the Movie - Tenchi Muyo in Love, Space Warrior Baldios).

The character designs by Akemi Takada (Kimagure Orange Road, Maison Ikkoku) are one of the quiet charms of the series. The designs help to highlight the imaginative nature of the production. Takada imbues these characters with a sense of creativity and heart that is essential to the series and its cinematic voice. Without a designer as talented as Takada bringing the manga to life, the anime wouldn’t have found such a perfect sweet spot – charm and heart for these characters.

The cinematography by Nobuo Koyama (Grave of the Fireflies, Night on the Galactic Railroad) and Yōichi Shimizu (Urusei Yatsura: Lum The Forever, Call Me Tonight) is one of the highlights of Urusei Yatsura. A visual wonder, the cinematographic style helps to highlight the animation and the colorful tones. The creative style of Koyama and Shimizu is essential to the experience.

The original score composed by Fumitaka Anzai (Bakuen Campus Guardress, Legend of Basara), Katsu Hoshi (Ping Pong Club, Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful Dreamer), Kōji Nishimura (Urusei Yatsura: Only You, Urusei Yatsura OVA), and Shinsuke Kazato (Ultraman Graffiti, Jarinko Chie) offers fun and energetic score music. The music plays a big role in the series and why it succeeds. The charming nature of the series is something that is dramatically enhanced by the score. In order for a series to achieve the type of legacy and stature of Urusei Yatsura, it has to have a great score to imbue all the right elements and this is something that is undeniably compelling in regards to this score.  

Written by Hisakazu Sou, Urusei Yatsura is such a fun romp. The screenwriter has a good time adapting the original manga. With such a master storyteller behind the manga, it is no wonder the anime found success. Sou is a talented scriptwriter – make no mistake. The work done is terrific and there is plenty worth appreciating. The scripting provides good dialogue and the scenarios showcase a range of great comedic energy. A fun effort by Sou.

Directed by the legendary Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell, Patlabor The Mobile Police), Urusei Yatsura certainly benefits from having a master filmmaker behind the helm of the series. Before becoming one of the most well-regarded anime filmmakers in the history of the medium, Oshii made a name for himself with popular television works including the essential Urusei Yatsura. Oshii is an enormous visionary: a talented artist with a complete understanding of the language of filmmaking and all that the medium entails. Oshii made Urusei Yatsura an entertaining gem and there is a lot to appreciate about the craftsmanship on display. Urusei Yatsura finds a distinct voice through Oshii – and no fan of the filmmaker should dismiss his role in bringing Rumiko Takahashi’s manga to life.

Urusei Yatsura: TV Series Collection 01 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Arriving on Blu-ray from Discotek Media, Urusei Yatsura: Collection 1 is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.33:1 full frame. The series looks enormously pleasing in high definition and the transfer is sourced from film materials – making this presentation one that appears organic, sharp, and pleasing in a way a simple upscale cannot provide. The video quality is excellent and benefits from a wonderful encoding effort from the distributor, Discotek Media.

Color reproduction is excellent on the Blu-ray release. The transfer has little in the way of print wear or damage. Though the film scan does have some slight telecine wobble in a few spots, the transfer is largely free from distracting issues with damage, dirt, or debris. A clean looking scan and one that provides plenty of detail to highlighting the animation. Urusei Yatsura fans will be pleased with the quality results.

Urusei Yatsura: TV Series Collection 01 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Japanese uncompressed PCM 2.0 (with English subtitles).  The audio quality on the release is exceptional. Dialogue is crisp, clear, and easy to understand. The presentation is clear and relaxed sounding. As a result, the soundstage is highly enjoyable during Urusei Yatsura. The track sounds wonderful and doesn't have problematic issues with egregious hiss, crackle, pops, or clicks. A good lossless sound presentation and encode from Discotek Media.

The only potential issue some might take issue with in regards to the audio presentation is the lack of an English dub option on the release. Despite the lack of English audio being included, anime purists will be pleased with the original Japanese language track and Discotek should be commended for the quality effort made with this release. The English subtitles are excellent and are free from any significant spelling or grammatical errors.

Urusei Yatsura: TV Series Collection 01 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There are no on disc supplements provided on the release. This seemed to be quite the surprise given the stature of this beloved classic. Nonetheless, the set does include a special o-card slipcover on the pressing. The set includes inner print art-work as well.

Urusei Yatsura: TV Series Collection 01 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Urusei Yatsura: Collection 1 is a great gateway in to one of the most beloved classic anime series of all time. Urusei Yatsura is a charming delight with wonderful characters and a great original story from manga artist Rumiko Takahashi (InuYasha, Ranma 1/2). The series has outstanding animation and impressive production merits in spades. It is no surprise the anime became such a big hit with the legendary director Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell) at the helm. An essential.

The Blu-ray release from Discotek Media features an outstanding video and audio presentation. The scan looks organic and lovely on the release. The lossless audio quality is exceptional sounding. The release includes a beautiful o-card slipcover as well. Classic anime fans will be thrilled to pick up the release and add it to their collection. Highly recommended.