Urusei Yatsura Archives | Otaku No Culture

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

Discotek Media announced today their upcoming Japanese anime releases during their panel at Otakon in Baltimore, Maryland. Among some of the titles announced are Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful Dreamer, Lupin III: Island of Assassins, Captain Harlock: Arcadia of My Youth, and Chargeman Ken.

Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful Dreamer was the 2nd feature outing for characters based off the Urusei Yatsura manga series by Rumiko Takahashi. Written and directed by Mamoru Oshii, Beautiful Dreamer was ranked number 38 on a list of the top 100 anime by Animage Magazine and was number 9 of the Top 50 Anime Released in North America by Wizard’s Anime Magazine. Beautiful Dreamer will be released on DVD and Blu-ray with both English sub and dub available. The The dubs were pulled from the original master tapes. According to Discotek, the subs are to get a new “polish”. Extras are to be announced at a later date.

Captain Harlock: Arcadia of My Youth was different version of the retelling of Leiji Matsumoto’s Space Pirate Captain Harlock television series. Arcadia was also the last role of acclaimed Japanese actor Yujiro Ishihara before his death at 52 years old. Discotek’s Arcadia will be released on DVD and Blu-ray and will be from the Japanese master. The dub however is extremely old and is from the international Vengeance of the Space Pirate version. Vengeance was previously released by Celebrity Home Entertainment under the “Just for Kids” banner. But according to Discotek the edited version of Arcadia has the best master available. Extras are to be announced at a later date but what has been revealed is the Japanese trailers will be included in the release.

Continue reading “Discotek Licenses Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful Dreamer, Lupin III and More!”

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

Still going strong after all these years Rumiko Takahashi’s creation of Urusei Yatsura finds a way to reach a new generation of anime fans. As of June 14th, Graniph’s of Japan will be carrying officially licensed Urusei Yatsura clothing for both children and adults in their store. Takahashi’s Yatsura exploded in the 1980’s as an animated series after first premiering in the “Weekly Shōnen Sunday” in 1978. The manga ran until 1987 while the animated series was broadcast from 1981 to 1986. In all 195 episodes of the series, 11 OVAs, and 6 theatrical films tells the adventures of lascivious Ataru Moroboshi after he saves planet earth against an invading horde of aliens (the Oni) in a deciding game of tag, only to find he’s now saddled with the combatant from a misunderstood marriage proposal. Ataru’s girlfriend and intended betrothed Shinobu Miyake, is less than pleased. Though Ataru has no interest in his new bride-to-be, he must try to rekindle the flame of love with Shinobu and avoid Lum’s jealous electrical shock attacks.

Continue reading “Japan’s Graniph is Breaking out the Lum Wear for All Ages!”