Urusei Yatsura
Volume 21
Reviewed by:
Harley Acres (July 9, 2002)
Urusei Yatsura is one of Rumiko Takahashi's most famous works in Japan,
but in America it has failed to gain the recognition that Ranma ½
or Inu-Yasha have. Especially as a manga.
Tankoban 21 is filled with the trademark wackiness that have made
this series so special. It opens with "Misshitsu! Keki yashiki no
kyofu" a story set at the Mendo home during Christmas. All the characters
climb a giant cake as tall as a skyscaper competing against one another
in a race to the summit. Once they reach the top they are attacked
by an exploding Santa Claus and eventually the cake collapses as Ryoko
Mendo laughs sadistically at the bizarre goings-on.
The second story is surprisingly similar to a chapter from Ranma ½.
The girls play a powered up version of hane-tsuki (which Akane and
Shampoo later did after eating super soba noodles).The third story
is quite funny, and centers around a strange, balloon-shaped alien
judging a Tomobiki talent contest. The losers are shipped off to another
planet and forced to perform in front of a tough alien crowd of hecklers.
Also included are two great chapters centering on Ryunosuke and Kitsune,
the Shinobu-infatuated shapeshifting fox.
The best chapter comes in the middle though. "Henshin Spray" focuses
on a magical aerosol can that Ataru steals from Ten. The spray allows
him to change into anyone or anything he is thinking about. Ataru
uses the spray to get Mendo into trouble, feel up Sakura as Tsubame
and get close to Ryunosuke by changing into Shinobu. At the end of
the story the can explodes transforming the entire class. All the
girls become Mendo, while the boys become everything from beefbowls
and cookies to naked women.
Overall a nice addition to your Takahashi collection.
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