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Urusei Yatsura (2-in-1) #2
Urusei Yatsura, Vol. 2
Despite all kinds of crazy supernatural beings appearing and attacking Ataru, nothing brings calamity quite like the kind that Ataru brings on himself… Although, when a rival named Shutaro Mendo appears, the chaos does step up a notch! All disaster and no play makes things dull, however, so Ataru goes on a date with Lum!
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 1989
21 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Rumiko Takahashi
1,586 books2,143 followersRumiko Takahashi (高橋留美子) was born in Niigata, Japan. She is not only one of the richest women in Japan but also one of the top paid manga artists. She is also the most successful female comic artist in history. She has been writing manga non-stop for 31 years.
Rumiko Takahashi is one of the wealthiest women in Japan. The manga she creates (and its anime adaptations) are very popular in the United States and Europe where they have been released as both manga and anime in English translation. Her works are relatively famous worldwide, and many of her series were some of the forerunners of early English language manga to be released in the nineties. Takahashi is also the best selling female comics artist in history; well over 100 million copies of her various works have been sold.
Though she was said to occasionally doodle in the margins of her papers while attending Niigata Chūō High School, Takahashi's interest in manga did not come until later. During her college years, she enrolled in Gekiga Sonjuku, a manga school founded by Kazuo Koike, mangaka of Crying Freeman and Lone Wolf and Cub. Under his guidance Rumiko Takahashi began to publish her first doujinshi creations in 1975, such as Bye-Bye Road and Star of Futile Dust. Kozue Koike often urged his students to create well-thought out, interesting characters, and this influence would greatly impact Rumiko Takahashi's works throughout her career.
Career and major works:
Takahashi's professional career began in 1978. Her first published story was Those Selfish Aliens, a comedic science fiction story. During the same year, she published Time Warp Trouble, Shake Your Buddha, and the Golden Gods of Poverty in Shōnen Sunday, which would remain the home to most of her major works for the next twenty years. Later that year, Rumiko attempted her first full-length series, Urusei Yatsura. Though it had a rocky start due to publishing difficulties, Urusei Yatsura would become one of the most beloved anime and manga comedies in Japan.
In 1980, Rumiko Takahashi found her niche and began to publish with regularity. At this time she started her second major series, Maison Ikkoku, in Big Comic Spirits. Written for an older audience, Maison Ikkoku is often considered to be one of the all-time best romance manga. Takahashi managed to work on Maison Ikkoku on and off simultaneously with Urusei Yatsura. She concluded both series in 1987, with Urusei Yatsura ending at 34 volumes, and Maison Ikkoku being 15.
During the 1980s, Takahashi became a prolific writer of short story manga, which is surprising considering the massive lengths of most of her works. Her stories The Laughing Target, Maris the Chojo, and Fire Tripper all were adapted into original video animations (OVAs). In 1984, after the end of Urusei Yatsura and Maison Ikkoku, Takahashi took a different approach to storytelling and began the dark, macabre Mermaid Saga. This series of short segments was published sporadically until 1994, with the final story being Mermaid's Mask. Many fans contend that this work remains unfinished by Takahashi, since the final story does not end on a conclusive note.
Another short work left untouched is One-Pound Gospel, which, like Mermaid Saga, was published erratically. The last story to be drawn was published in 2001, however just recently she wrote one final chapter concluding the series
Later in 1987, Takahashi began her third major series, Ranma ½. Following the late 80s and early 90s trend of shōnen martial arts manga, Ranma ½ features a gender-bending twist. The series continued for nearly a decade until 1996, when it ended at 38 volumes. Ranma ½ is one of Rumiko Takahashi's most popular series with the Western world.
During the later half of the 1990s, Rumiko Takahashi continued with short stories and her installments of Mermaid Saga and One-Pound Gospel until beginning her fourth major work, InuYasha. While Ran
Rumiko Takahashi is one of the wealthiest women in Japan. The manga she creates (and its anime adaptations) are very popular in the United States and Europe where they have been released as both manga and anime in English translation. Her works are relatively famous worldwide, and many of her series were some of the forerunners of early English language manga to be released in the nineties. Takahashi is also the best selling female comics artist in history; well over 100 million copies of her various works have been sold.
Though she was said to occasionally doodle in the margins of her papers while attending Niigata Chūō High School, Takahashi's interest in manga did not come until later. During her college years, she enrolled in Gekiga Sonjuku, a manga school founded by Kazuo Koike, mangaka of Crying Freeman and Lone Wolf and Cub. Under his guidance Rumiko Takahashi began to publish her first doujinshi creations in 1975, such as Bye-Bye Road and Star of Futile Dust. Kozue Koike often urged his students to create well-thought out, interesting characters, and this influence would greatly impact Rumiko Takahashi's works throughout her career.
Career and major works:
Takahashi's professional career began in 1978. Her first published story was Those Selfish Aliens, a comedic science fiction story. During the same year, she published Time Warp Trouble, Shake Your Buddha, and the Golden Gods of Poverty in Shōnen Sunday, which would remain the home to most of her major works for the next twenty years. Later that year, Rumiko attempted her first full-length series, Urusei Yatsura. Though it had a rocky start due to publishing difficulties, Urusei Yatsura would become one of the most beloved anime and manga comedies in Japan.
In 1980, Rumiko Takahashi found her niche and began to publish with regularity. At this time she started her second major series, Maison Ikkoku, in Big Comic Spirits. Written for an older audience, Maison Ikkoku is often considered to be one of the all-time best romance manga. Takahashi managed to work on Maison Ikkoku on and off simultaneously with Urusei Yatsura. She concluded both series in 1987, with Urusei Yatsura ending at 34 volumes, and Maison Ikkoku being 15.
During the 1980s, Takahashi became a prolific writer of short story manga, which is surprising considering the massive lengths of most of her works. Her stories The Laughing Target, Maris the Chojo, and Fire Tripper all were adapted into original video animations (OVAs). In 1984, after the end of Urusei Yatsura and Maison Ikkoku, Takahashi took a different approach to storytelling and began the dark, macabre Mermaid Saga. This series of short segments was published sporadically until 1994, with the final story being Mermaid's Mask. Many fans contend that this work remains unfinished by Takahashi, since the final story does not end on a conclusive note.
Another short work left untouched is One-Pound Gospel, which, like Mermaid Saga, was published erratically. The last story to be drawn was published in 2001, however just recently she wrote one final chapter concluding the series
Later in 1987, Takahashi began her third major series, Ranma ½. Following the late 80s and early 90s trend of shōnen martial arts manga, Ranma ½ features a gender-bending twist. The series continued for nearly a decade until 1996, when it ended at 38 volumes. Ranma ½ is one of Rumiko Takahashi's most popular series with the Western world.
During the later half of the 1990s, Rumiko Takahashi continued with short stories and her installments of Mermaid Saga and One-Pound Gospel until beginning her fourth major work, InuYasha. While Ran
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 7, 2020
Is it possible to be nostalgic for something you never really experienced? Because I'm totally getting that feeling from this series. It's fun, silly, episodic content. The characters are broad caricatures that show little if any growth, but that's fine somehow. You love them anyways despite most of them being horrid individuals.
There's also a sense of lost innocence as well. Like other manga there is a fair bit of "fan service" but unlike most manga I've encountered in more modern times, it's extremely tame. The worst you'll get is a bare breast with dots for nipples. Anything else is tasteful in comparison to others I've seen. To be fair, I read LOVE HINA when it first came out in America...so anything is bound to be more tasteful in comparison to that manga.
The addition of Mendo to the cast and the focus on high-school drama really benefits the series. While I'd still recommend reading the first volume, I think this is really where the series finds its stride.
There's also a sense of lost innocence as well. Like other manga there is a fair bit of "fan service" but unlike most manga I've encountered in more modern times, it's extremely tame. The worst you'll get is a bare breast with dots for nipples. Anything else is tasteful in comparison to others I've seen. To be fair, I read LOVE HINA when it first came out in America...so anything is bound to be more tasteful in comparison to that manga.
The addition of Mendo to the cast and the focus on high-school drama really benefits the series. While I'd still recommend reading the first volume, I think this is really where the series finds its stride.
January 26, 2025
gettin into the groove
June 14, 2019
Now that I finished....I think I"ll stop.
May 23, 2021
Ataru è l'incarnazione della sfiga vivente se fosse reale. Mi piace troppo Lamù. E vale i suoi €9,95 di questa edizione.
July 28, 2020
This romantic comedy is out of the world (some of the time.)
More zany stories are coming to us thanks to the unlucky and ultimately lecherous Ataru Moroboshi and his space cutie Lum. In fact the only things that are not really random in this volume are the rivalry of new antagonist Mendo, Lum's attraction to Ataru, and the fact that Ataru is either the luckiest or most unfortunate person in the world as spirits, fairies, and aliens continue to make themselves known to him and his classmates.
I also want to mention that amidst the randomness of the stories we are treated to tidbits of information between what I assume are the ends of volumes 3 and 4 like information on the characters Shinobu and Cherry as well as a section where they went through all 366 stories and counted things like the total number of Lum's Kisses and how often Ataru's mother brandishes a knife which are fun little things that really bring you more into the series. :)
More zany stories are coming to us thanks to the unlucky and ultimately lecherous Ataru Moroboshi and his space cutie Lum. In fact the only things that are not really random in this volume are the rivalry of new antagonist Mendo, Lum's attraction to Ataru, and the fact that Ataru is either the luckiest or most unfortunate person in the world as spirits, fairies, and aliens continue to make themselves known to him and his classmates.
I also want to mention that amidst the randomness of the stories we are treated to tidbits of information between what I assume are the ends of volumes 3 and 4 like information on the characters Shinobu and Cherry as well as a section where they went through all 366 stories and counted things like the total number of Lum's Kisses and how often Ataru's mother brandishes a knife which are fun little things that really bring you more into the series. :)
November 5, 2021
Reading this book was just a joyful experience for me.
July 15, 2019
I love this series so much. The situations Ataru gets himself into are endlessly entertaining and there's always a fun, new alien added to the mix.
This volume is even better than the first, both in story and in the illustrations. There's also a bit of development in Ataru and Lum's relationship. I love it and can't wait to see what volume three holds.
This volume is even better than the first, both in story and in the illustrations. There's also a bit of development in Ataru and Lum's relationship. I love it and can't wait to see what volume three holds.
September 10, 2020
I am ridiculously excited that these have been reprinted. My original copies have begun to fall apart from re-reading. I adore Takahashi-sensei's style, and this series does not disappoint. Slap-stick comedy, love triangles, and scantly clad, sexy aliens abound!
May 28, 2019
I am really enjoying seeing this series in a new translation and in the proper order. I can't wait until the next volume to come out.
April 2, 2024
The addition of Mendo really turned this series up a notch. Someone who is so similar to Ataru (in being a bit of a idiot/creep) but has all this money and wealth to give him status. All the girls love Mendo, all the girls hate Ataru, but when it comes down to it they're both as greedy and lecherous. It almost makes Ataru more appealing, he's simple-minded and upfront about what he wants. Mendo often ends up as more of a villain, scheming and acting like he's better than everyone (or, at least, better than Ataru). It gives Ataru someone to play off of and I love the dynamic of Lum likes Ataru -> Ataru likes Shinobu -> Shinobu likes Mendo -> Mendo likes Lum. This ain't a love triangle it's a love circle, some teenage love oroboros spinning over and over.
Speaking of, there were actually some cute Lum/Ataru moments this volume! The caterpillar story, where they team up to save this hungry-hungry-caterpillar, showed a unique new perspective with them as partners instead of being caught up purely in romantic escapades. The chapter that ended with them walking home together was really sweet. And that one chapter towards the end, where Lum disappeared and Ataru was actually worried about her, was cute as heck. I'd love to see more of them actually embracing each other as people sometimes, my hope is eventually we get to see some of Lum's personality that isn't just 'I love my darling!!!!!!'
Speaking of, there were actually some cute Lum/Ataru moments this volume! The caterpillar story, where they team up to save this hungry-hungry-caterpillar, showed a unique new perspective with them as partners instead of being caught up purely in romantic escapades. The chapter that ended with them walking home together was really sweet. And that one chapter towards the end, where Lum disappeared and Ataru was actually worried about her, was cute as heck. I'd love to see more of them actually embracing each other as people sometimes, my hope is eventually we get to see some of Lum's personality that isn't just 'I love my darling!!!!!!'
February 3, 2022
So first off I do love the art and the characters . It’s entertaining enough but the stories are just one offs including wacky hijinx/ physical comedy , the male characters womanizing the female characters , supernatural characters or events intertwined , and the occasional heartfelt moment . Sort of mindless entertainment but fun and light . Nothing majorly changes in terms of plot and there really isn’t even an overarching one ,despite introducing new recurring characters . Because of this , it does feel like once u read a handful you’ve read them all or understand the gist of what takes place in Urusei Yatsura , which leaves little excitement , so I am unsure of whether to continue reading the many volumes that do exist . I much prefer her comics that involve an ongoing plot such as Inuyasha, Mermaid Saga , and Mao. I do , however, find the protagonist, Ataru, to be extremely cute and lovable , and get a small chuckle here and there from his perverted antics . I definitely preferred the first volume .
March 5, 2019
I received my copy from the publisher through Edelweiss+.
More madness and fun from Lum and Ataru, so what's not to love? I especially liked the chapter where Lum logs into a computer to check her compatibility with Ataru and it turns out she's the most compatible with someone else whose birthday is April 1. Maybe I've been reading too much Delany lately, but was that a nod to Stars in My Pockets Like Grains of Sand? It couldn't be, right? Wasn't this volume of Urusei Yatsura serialized long before that book came out? Anyway, it was interesting.
This was a good installment in the series and I'm looking forward to the next one.
More madness and fun from Lum and Ataru, so what's not to love? I especially liked the chapter where Lum logs into a computer to check her compatibility with Ataru and it turns out she's the most compatible with someone else whose birthday is April 1. Maybe I've been reading too much Delany lately, but was that a nod to Stars in My Pockets Like Grains of Sand? It couldn't be, right? Wasn't this volume of Urusei Yatsura serialized long before that book came out? Anyway, it was interesting.
This was a good installment in the series and I'm looking forward to the next one.
November 26, 2024
A huge improvement from the first volume for two reasons.
1.) It’s funnier the more you know the characters. Similar to the first season of The Office or Always Sunny, understanding the dynamic of the characters makes their reactions and shenanigans funnier. It’s also apparent that the terrible main character is always meant to be tormented and it’s entertaining to see how the other characters put him in his place. Not laugh out loud funny, but ridiculous and interesting.
2.) The character Mendo evens out the cast. A love triangle where both girls like the terrible boy? Overdone and annoying. A love square where all four are awful people? Hilarity ensues.
1.) It’s funnier the more you know the characters. Similar to the first season of The Office or Always Sunny, understanding the dynamic of the characters makes their reactions and shenanigans funnier. It’s also apparent that the terrible main character is always meant to be tormented and it’s entertaining to see how the other characters put him in his place. Not laugh out loud funny, but ridiculous and interesting.
2.) The character Mendo evens out the cast. A love triangle where both girls like the terrible boy? Overdone and annoying. A love square where all four are awful people? Hilarity ensues.
November 26, 2020
better than the first one because there's more LUM. this made me laugh out loud for real and also parts of it made me really sad, I hope ataru learns to treat her better!
Something I really like in this whole series is how it borders on magical realism, how it talks about japanese folklore in such an irreverent way, it's not something I could see being done in the west of course(but I've seen stuff like it in India like making hindu dietys into superhero figures for example).
Something I really like in this whole series is how it borders on magical realism, how it talks about japanese folklore in such an irreverent way, it's not something I could see being done in the west of course(but I've seen stuff like it in India like making hindu dietys into superhero figures for example).
August 16, 2023
The first collection of Urusei Yatsura is fun, but Takahashi definitely finds her stride the more she gets into it. Mendo is a fantastic addition to our cast of characters and a fun foil for Ataru. Also, surprise Ataru starts getting feelings for Lum! Making their interactions a lot more charming. Speaking of charming, Lum's human disguises are easily some of the best moments in the series and really showcases Takashi's talent for female character design and fashion sense.
January 2, 2020
I'd like to see more from Lum, who is essentially the only really interesting character in the series. The jokes are okay, and the scenarios are wild and fun, but the characters remain thin and Urusei Yatsura doesn't really measure up to Takahashi's better works.
May 13, 2025
This manga is a harem manga with many anecdotes per volume. There is competition for the girls as well as the boys, but Ataru is clearly the central focus of the story. He's a jerk, which explains why I don't like this more than I do.
July 10, 2019
I liked this better than vol 1. Much easier to follow along with
March 15, 2020
Ridiculous and hilarious
September 6, 2021
>tfw no Lum wife
Still really cute! Now that this has found it’s groove it’s a ton of fun. It’s a nice little feel-good fluff read.
Still really cute! Now that this has found it’s groove it’s a ton of fun. It’s a nice little feel-good fluff read.
September 13, 2021
I enjoyed this and it was funny but I think I'll stick to Ranma 1/2 for my Rumiko Takahashi fix from now on.
December 15, 2022
Great follow up. I love these two in one volumes, because you really get so much content from them. If you love Rumiko Takahashi’s work and read volume 1, you’ll probably like this.
December 26, 2022
Someday the plot will come?
April 24, 2023
2.5
Kreska spoko, podoba mi się. Fabuła.... lepsza niż w 1. tomie ale nadal nie mój typ humoru.
Kreska spoko, podoba mi się. Fabuła.... lepsza niż w 1. tomie ale nadal nie mój typ humoru.
December 13, 2023
So boring. I'm still reading because I borrowed these from the library, so while I have them, I'll read them.
Read
June 28, 2024A hilarious collection of hilarious stories. Lum and Ataru will always be my favorite dysfunctional couple.
November 14, 2024
A great book to read when you’re on break at work
December 30, 2020
Great humour as per usual.
August 5, 2019
Es hat gut getan nach all der Zeit wieder einmal was von Takahashi zu lesen. Ach wenn das ganze von 40 JAhre alt ist und ihrer späteren Werke zweifellos besser sind... Takahasi hat einfach einen unfassbar charmanten Zeichenstiel.
Ich besorg mir den Nachfolgeband.
Ich besorg mir den Nachfolgeband.
June 22, 2019
More whimsy from Rumiko. These absurd, interdimensional soap operas on crack keep tickling my funny bone.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews