Those who already liked Urusei Yatsura liked it as it was.
Summary:
- Urusei Yatsura is an iconic anime that got remade recently.
- The remake doesn’t appeal to old or new fans.
- The other work by the mangaka, Ranma ½, deserves a remake.
Urusei Yatsura is a classic anime that older fans may remember. It was one of the earliest romantic comedies which majorly influenced the genre, spawning the tropes we see today.
It was also incredibly popular in Japan — although, to be fair, that was largely because of the female lead, Lum — and many later series referenced it, directly or indirectly.
Based on a manga by Rumiko Takahashi (who is also the original creator of InuYasha), Urusei Yatsura was recognized in the West as well, although it didn’t boast insane popularity.
Recently, it got a remake by studio David Production — but fans feel that another Rumiko Takahashi manga and anime, Ranma ½, should have been remade instead.
Urusei Yatsura Simply Wasn’t a Good Remake Material
The reasons behind Urusei Yatsura not needing a remake are actually fairly complex. First of all, the original was good enough — if you liked it before, you’ll probably like it now, whether because of nostalgia or not. There’s hardly anything to remake: the original barely had any fillers, it was just episodic.
The remake just doesn’t offer anything new. It’s the same style of comedy, covering virtually the same content, with updated visuals. The problem is that the new visuals won’t appeal to older fans, and new fans aren’t necessarily going to watch a remake of this series — they might not even be aware of its cultural awareness.
The biggest problem is: Urusei Yatsura is actually pretty dated as a comedy. The protagonist, Ataru, is too perverted and unlikable, Lum is too perfect, and the other romantic interest, Shinobu, is quite cruel to Ataru (and deservedly so). Ultimately, the old style suits this kind of comedy better.
Why Ranma Needs a Remake
Rumiko’s other old manga, Ranma ½, would have been a far better series to remake. It’s actually the first harem anime ever, so it’s just as important culturally — and in many countries in the West, it was actually more popular than Urusei Yatsura.
The premise, while also fairly dated, is quite unique — the titular protagonist, Ranma Saotome, is cursed to turn into a girl whenever he’s splashed with cold water. Obviously enough, he turns back when the water is hot, although that is definitely more unpleasant.
The premise is simple, but it worked. The anime adaptation ran for over 150 episodes, but here’s another issue: almost half of them were fillers.
This is also a reason why it needs a remake. And it’s also more action-focused, so a new adaptation will attract even more fans. If it happens, of course — and only if the studio handles it well.