Urusei Yatsura fans will get to see their favorite alien princess back next year.
According to Anime News Network, the official website for Urusei Yatsura’s popular 2022 reboot recently announced the series will be released in January 2024 with a new promotional poster. The artwork not only features the main cast, but also reveals an entirely new character in the future. David Productions plans to show the series in four “cours” (seasons), comprising a total of 46 episodes. The second season of the anime ended on March 23 with the release of Episode 23.
Takahiro Kamei is back with Urusei Yatsura
Season 3 will feature most of the key staff and cast from Seasons 1 and 2. Takahiro Kamei, who is also known for their work in Strike Witches: Road to Berlin, will return with director role. Hideya Takahashi (JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind) and Yasuhiro Kimura (Three Leaves, Three Colors) will also return to assist Kamei as co-directors. Yuuko Kakihara (Heaven’s Lost Property, RIN-NE) will once again be in charge of composing the series. Hiroshi Kamiya and Sumire Uesaka will reprise the roles of Ataru and Lum.
In the wake of iconic giants like Ranma 1/2 and Inuyasha, Rumiko Takahashi achieved success with the manga Urusei Yatsura (or Mischievous Aliens), serialized on the internet. Weekly Shonen Sunday from September 1978 to February 1987. The story revolves around Ataru Moroboshi, a lewd high school student who dreams of marrying his childhood sweetheart, Shinobu Miyake. However, Ataru’s life is turned upside down when aliens decide to invade Earth, he is randomly selected to defend it in a high-stakes game about the invaders’ favorite sport – gambling. Against all odds, Ataru defeated his opponent, an alien royal named Lum. However, due to an unfortunate misunderstanding of Ataru’s triumphant cry, Lum mistakenly concludes that Ataru proposed to her, causing her to get caught up in his daily life. As time passes, Lum’s tireless efforts to win Ataru’s affection finally pay off.
Urusei Yatsura’s original television anime adaptation premiered in 1981, airing 195 episodes from October 1981 to March 1986. Unlike the 2022 reboot, this series was intended for an adaptation. the entire original manga by Rumiko Takahashi, rather than highlighting selected stories from various points in the story timeline. Produced by Pierrot and Studio DEEN, this feature-length series features six accompanying cartoons. Magic Bus and Studio DEEN also co-produced an 11-episode OVA (Original Video Animation) series for Urusei Yatsura, releasing new episodes from September 1985 to June 1991.
Urusei Yatsura is available to stream on HIDIVE and BiliBili. The original comic is available in English from VIZ Media.
Source: Urusei Yatsura All-Stars Website, via Anime News Network