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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely Brilliant!!!, February 20, 1999
This review is from: The Return of Lum * Urusei Yatsura, Vol. 1 (Paperback)
This volume continues the American adaptation of Rumiko Takahashi's phenomenally successful URUSEI YATSURA manga series and picks up from where the Perfect Collection left off. In keeping with Ms.Takahashi's style, the main characters are introduced progressively, given a few consecutive episodes to establish themselves and then blend into the storyline, resurfacing prominently from time to time. In this case, it's the filthy rich Shutaro Mendo, heir apparent to the Mendo Cooperation, whose net worth easily dwarfs that of any of today's billionaire enterpreneurs (how many computer software CEOs own a PERSONAL air force?). Of course, this raises the question as to why the supersnobbish Mendo would choose to mingle with the masses at Tomobiki High School, but we're sure glad he did, as he is destined to become one of the funniest (unintentionally, definitely!) characters in the series! His suave debonair appearance, oozing charm from every pore (only towards females, mind you) mask the vain, sleazy womanizer beneath. This naturally brings him into contention with the 'reigning' alpha male at Tomobiki, Ataru Moroboshi, in a true clash of libidos. When it comes to girl-chasing they share a lot in common (though the word 'subtle',-just like 'no' and 'get lost creep'-has never been a part of Ataru's vocabulary). Their other point of difference is over the lovely Lum, whom Mendo automatically regards as his divine birthright, while the hapless Ataru seemingly only sees her as a major hindrance to his 'extramarital' amorous activities. Absolutely brilliant!! The interactions between the main protagonists are totally hysterical, especially their uncanny abilities to switch emotions at the drop of a hat, be it the cowardly Mendo, the tempestuous Lum or the lecherous Ataru (whose testosterone goes into 'MAXIMUM OVERDRIVE' the instant he thinks he has a chance with the nearest female living thing). The excellent artwork coupled with the side-splitting dialogue ensure that the book can be read and re-read with the same enjoyment, including laughing out loud every now and then. (This is generally the case for the whole UY series). What is also pleasing is the character development of the two 'star-crossed' lovers. Lum, who hitherto has come across as a rather spoilt, manipulative little airhead, finally realizes that she really loves her 'Darling', while Darling/Ataru, who's always personified the poster boy for sexual harrassment...uh..actually he's still the same! What IS important is that he too cops on that he does love Lum and more significantly, Lum finds this out for herself (in a rather underhand way!). Well worth your money, whatever your age!!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lum returns, January 14, 2005
This review is from: The Return of Lum * Urusei Yatsura, Vol. 1 (Paperback)
Rumiko Takahashi -- of "Ranma" and "Inuyasha" fame -- got her start with the sci-comedy series "The Return of Lum: Urusei Yatsura." With its lecherous-boy-meets-alien-girl storyline, Takahashi came up with all sorts of screwball comedies with a tint of romance.
Tomobiki High is thrown into a furor when a new student parachutes in -- Mendo, a ridiculously genteel and wealthy teen, who immediately tries to set himself up as a mini-dictator. Later, Lum finds that either Mendo or Ataru may be her soulmate, according to astrology, and disguises herself as a human girl to gauge Ataru's liking for her.
Ataru receives mysterious love letters, unaware that his pals are playing a prank on him -- until Lum comes to the rescue, realizing that she actually loves him. A flurry of other stories involve Ataru trying to protect a giant caterpillar, studying in a cursed classroom, and Mendo desperately trying to hide an alien baby. Then Lum suddenly vanishes without warning -- has Ataru lost her forever? And will he start to realize that he really cares?
"The Return of Lum: Urusei Yatsura" is a bit different from Takahashi's later work -- it's not action based, or romance based, or any mix of the two. It's comedy with a tinge of sci-fi, romance, and Japanese folklore. While the opening chapters were a bit thin and clumsy, Takahashi had hit her stride by this time.
The series is a bit like a high-school sitcom, with absurd storylines and plenty of strange physical humor (especially since Ataru chases anything in a skirt, without success). The comedy is a bit on the fantastical side, with the hapless Mendo and Ataru being chased around a giant horoscope. Not to mention Takahashi's interlocking love triangles, with rivals for Lum's affection and plenty of repressed feelings.
While Ataru comes across as a dorky lecher throughout most of the book, Takahashi also shows his more sensitive sides in this story, especially when Lum mysteriously vanishes -- Ataru indulges in a very wet, snivelly crying fit. He also plays daddy to a repulsive caterpillar, because he believes it will be beautiful. Alien princess Lum also grows a little in this volume, both realizing that she actually loves her dimwitted, womanizing "husband," and that he really cares about her too.
While the tone of "The Return of Lum: Urusei Yatsura" is much more fantastical and screwball than her later works, Rumiko Takahashi's comic talents were already in flower. Definitely worth a read.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Old School, March 1, 2004
This review is from: The Return of Lum * Urusei Yatsura, Vol. 1 (Paperback)
The second volume in the "Urusei Yatsura" series, this book primarily focuses on Ataru's high school life -- something that was lightly touched upon in the Perfect Collection, but not fully explored.
The character of Shuutaro Mendou, playboy extraordinaire, is introduced here. Because of his snobby richboy attitude and beefy pockets, he is immediately despised of at school... with the male population, anyway. Other the other hand, when it comes to the ladies, there's nothing but love going around. The only exception to this is Lum herself, who mainly seems to feel rather indifferent towards him. Unfortunately for her and Mendou, he becomes smithened as is the usual among boys midway through the book and suddenly sees her as a prize that he must attain.
My personal favorite stories in this volume are "On The Horns of Passion", "Even Though I Wait For You", "Diary of Tears", and the universal favorite, "Since You Went Away". Here are my reviews for these chapters.
-In "On The Horns of Passion", Lum attempts to get closer to Ataru by dressing up as "an oridinary girl". This causes her to look somewhat like a different person. Pretty hilarious ending, and Lum looks quite cute as an "oridinary girl".
-In "Even Though I Wait For You", Ataru's friends play a prank on him by forging a love letter and handing it to him under the promise that it was from a girl. This results in a hopeful Ataru waiting to meet this fictional girl in a cafe, but of course she doesn't show. In the end, Lum feels sorry for him and you can guess what she does to save him.
-In "Diary of Tears", Ataru comes across his own diary from the future, courtesy of Lum. The surprising entries written for the day leads him into all sorts of crazy antics. Utterly hilarious how all of the entries came together, and how they came to be.
-In "Since You Went Away", Lum leaves Ataru a doll of herself, and inexplicably disappears. News break out that Lum is apparently gone, and even Mendou's powerful forces can't locate her. Where's Lum, and has she really left? I believe that this story is a heavy favorite among Urusei Yatsura fans, and with good reason. This story takes a break from the usual slapstick fest, and the characters (especially Ataru) show their humane side. Major character development in a fairly simple story. And by the end of this story, you'll probably start to see Ataru as a human being instead of the vile philanderer he's usually depicted as.
All in all, a most definitely worthy addition to the Perfect Collection. Highly recommended, if not just for the last story itself.
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