The Return of Lum * Urusei Yatsura, Vol. 3: Sweet Revenge [Paperback]

Rumiko Takahashi (Author, Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The spotlight on Rumiko Takahashi's career began in 1978 when she won an honorable mention in Shogakukan's annual New Comic Artist Contest for Those Selfish Aliens. Later that same year, her boy-meets-alien comedy series, Urusei Yatsura, was serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday. This phenomenally successful manga series was adapted into anime format and spawned a TV series and half a dozen theatrical-release movies, all incredibly popular in their own right. Takahashi followed up the success of her debut series with one blockbuster hit after another--Maison Ikkoku ran from 1980 to 1987, Ranma 1/2 from 1987 to 1996, and Inuyasha from 1996 to 2008. Other notable works include Mermaid Saga, Rumic Theater, and One-Pound Gospel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; Original edition (March 8, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569311935
• ISBN-13: 978-1569311936
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,175,761 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

The spotlight on Rumiko Takahashi's career began in 1978 when she won an honorable mention in Shogakukan's annual New Comic Artist Contest for Those Selfish Aliens. Later that same year, her boy-meets-alien comedy series, Urusei Yatsura, was serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday. This phenomenally successful manga series was adapted into anime format and spawned a TV series and half a dozen theatrical-release movies, all incredibly popular in their own right. Takahashi followed up the success of her debut series with one blockbuster hit after another--Maison Ikkoku ran from 1980 to 1987, Ranma 1/2 from 1987 to 1996, and Inuyasha from 1996 to 2008. Other notable works include Mermaid Saga, Rumic Theater, and One-Pound Gospel.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Return of Lum: Sweet Revenge, April 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Return of Lum * Urusei Yatsura, Vol. 3: Sweet Revenge (Paperback)

Sweet Revenge is a title that may mislead some poeple into the story. Any revenge doesn't show up till half-way through this Takahashi work. But some of the stories are interesting. Tomobiki High holds a parent's day, and we see the introduction of LUm's mother, who speaks in Mahjoung tiles. There's also a funny little story of a female ninja, but this book is notable for the intro of Lum's childhood and revenge-bent friend Ran. A person who borders on ultra-cute and Frightening madness.

4.0 out of 5 stars Revenge served cold... and hot, May 13, 2005

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Return of Lum * Urusei Yatsura, Vol. 3: Sweet Revenge (Paperback)

Everybody has some skeletons in their closet -- and it's not surprising that alien princess Lum's are a little crazier than normal. In Rumiko Takahashi's "The Return of Lum: Urusei Yatsura," the extraterrestrial gets a nasty shock from her past, which threatens to affect her "darling."

A very enthusiastic young teacher comes to Tomobiki High, and receives a shock when the new transfer student has horns and can fly. Lum soon joins the girl's volleyball team, not knowing that the captain LOATHES all men. Not to mention the parent-teacher day, when the cast's assorted strange moms arrive. Ataru's love for all things female pops up when a pretty female ninja, Kaede, desperately tries to get a secret document from him. He continues pursuing her when she leaves her job and is pursued by a number of inept ninja.

And then a new girl, Ran, arrives at the school -- and turns out to be an old pal of Lum's. Unfortunately, she has a split personality -- one side is sweet and cute, the other is completely insane and vengeful. And because of some unfortunate childhood incidents (involving bedwetting and ice cream), she plans to get revenge on Lum, by stealing Ataru's youth. Since she does that with a kiss, Ataru is all too willing....

Ran is one of the most entertaining characters in the "Urusei Yatsura" series -- she's completely insane. As a result, Takahashi's stories with her are among the most entertaining (with the exception of Rei, whom Ran has a "thing" about). When you have someone who's out for revenge and comically crazed, expect fun.

This is one of the rare collections that has not a dud story in it -- Takahashi veers from strength to strength, be it psychotic ninja hags or a school play disrupted by Ataru and Ran. We also get the entertaining spectacle of Lum being joined to Ataru's hip even at school.

We also get introduced to new characters, such as Mendo and Lum's moms. One is snotty, autocratic and abhors machinery, and the other is an upbeat older version of her daughter. And despite only brief appearances by fan faves Cherry and Sakura, we get Kaede the job-seeking ninja, and Mr. Hanawa, the overenthusastic young teacher who speaks in cliches.

"Sweet Revenge" is indeed a sweet collection of "Urusei Yatsura" stories. And it introduces one of Takahashi's most memorable characters -- definitely not something to miss.

4.0 out of 5 stars The story is good, but the design of the book..., April 4, 2003

By 

Amber (Georgia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Return of Lum * Urusei Yatsura, Vol. 3: Sweet Revenge (Paperback)

I won't review the story since others have done it for me. What I will do is talk about the design of the book itself.

For one, the binding on all of the Urusei Yatsura/Lum books is substandard. My copy of 'The Return of Lum' has the cover coming off of it, from the binding, like it's just peeling up. 'The Perfect Collection' is losing pages in the center of the book, and I have to replace my copy of 'Sweet Revenge' because it has lost EVERY SINGLE PAGE in it! There is just no excuse for this! I'm afraid to touch 'Trouble Times Ten' or 'Ran Attacks' for fear that they will come apart too!

I'm not saying that you shouldn't get the books; this is a wonderful series and everyone should read it, Takahashi fan or not. But just be warned that the books will fall to pieces on you.