To Kill With Love / Studying Mayhem
Episode 9 of Urusei Yatsura begins with Cherry receiving a premonition that something bad will happen as Rei has arrived on Earth. ..
Shinobu is at Ataru’s house when she sees Lum and Ataru argue about her. Cherry arrives and warns Ataru to flee the area as a monster is headed his way. Meanwhile, Shinobu encounters Rei and gets startled by his presence. Lum and Ataru continue arguing with each other until Ataru spots Shinobu at his window. Shinobu’s not alone as she’s with Lum’s ex-fiance Rei, who startles everyone.
Ataru’s mother storms into Ataru’s room because she doesn’t want him to cause trouble. She finds Lum asking Rei to leave as Ataru introduces him to her. Ataru’s mother is heartstruck by Rei’s handsome looks. Shinobu asks Lum why she doesn’t like Rei. Lum argues that she doesn’t like Rei’s beast form and would rather spend her life with Ataru.
This infuriates Rei immensely when his mother returns with snacks and blushes when he takes her hand. His mother notices his father depressed in the corner. The two rush down the stairs as Ataru’s mother aims to explain herself. Lum explains to Shinobu that she doesn’t like Rei’s slob-like nature and doesn’t care if he looks attractive. Lum hugs Ataru again, enticing Rei to transform into a beast again.
Lum confronts Rei for his behavior as he takes out some toys. Someone translates his actions into words. It appears Rei traveled to Earth to propose to Lum. Rei transforms into a human again and whips out a manual to help him propose to Lum. Lum continuously denies his attempts, hugs Ataru and declares she’d rather spend her life with him. Angered, Rei transforms and chases Ataru and Lum out of the house and toward Tomobiki Park.
We follow the romantic trysts between Ataru’s mother and Rei as they take place in their home. The two share a moment of intimacy that is interrupted by Lum’s accidental interruption. This routine continues as we return to Ataru’s house, where he and his mother are having another intimate moment.
Ataru’s mother contemplates abandoning her husband and son to live a life with Rei. Suddenly, everyone with Rei causes trouble toward arriving at Ataru’s room. The women share their affection toward Rei while the food sellers and male spouses exhibit rage. This segment concludes with Ataru bewildered by his terrible luck. The next set piece starts with Lum being shocked by everyone’s lackadaisical attitude during free time. ..
Mendo is a high school student who hates his classmates’ laziness and dreads this hour of the day. Mendo hears a call coming from his radio and believes it’s his ticket out of there. However, we learn Rei took control of the helicopter as he crashes it into Ataru’s class. Meanwhile, Ran overhears Rei’s voice while in another class and wonders if it’s him. Mendo’s shocked when Shinobu explains that the ox monster is Lum’s ex-fiance and that he’s a handsome gentleman.
Lum tells Rei to leave as Mendo plans to protect her from Rei. Lum tries to flee the classroom with Ataru but gets her plans thwarted by Ran, who arrives at Ataru’s class with a box lunch for Rei. Ran pulls Lum aside and asks Lum if she can hook her up with Rei since she’s in love with him. Lum complies. At the same time, Rei starts eating everyone’s food, angering Mendo. Mendo reiterates that Lum couldn’t possibly wed a beast as hideous as Rei. ..
Ataru tells Mendo to relax as Rei transforms into a human again and surprises Mendo with his stunning looks. Upon seeing his human form, other girls frolic toward Rei’s side and start handing him food. Meanwhile, Ran asks Lum to report on Rei’s activities. Lum can’t stand his pig-like eating habits, but Ran argues that’s what she adores about him. Ran plans to give him her food.
Shinobu tells Rei that he came to the school because he wanted to find his sister. Rei transforms into a beast and pounces on Shinobu. Shinobu promises him that he doesn’t know where Lum went. Seeing him attacking Shinobu, Lum orders Rei to back off. Before Rei attacks Shinobu, he heads for Lum but gets stopped by Ran. Ran gives him her box lunch, and Rei digs into the meal.
Rei finishes Ran’s meal and asks him if he liked it. He ignores Ran and begs for Lum’s attention. Lum can’t believe Rei’s ignoring Ran’s feelings for him. However, Ran tells Lum not to worry since Rei gave her lunch more respect. Suddenly, Cherry arrives and gives Rei some food. This enrages Ran, who can’t believe Rei’s treating Cherry’s dish equally to hers.
Rei is visibly upset as he’s led out of the room by Lum. Ran returns with another meal for Rei, and he seems to enjoy it more than Cherry’s. Rei then whispers something into Ran’s ear, which makes Cherry suspicious. ..
Ataru’s house, Lum and Ataru notice his mother feeding Rei a meal. Ataru’s infuriated because Rei said he was going home. Rei greets them and doesn’t explain himself.
Later, Ataru’s mother and father discuss Ataru’s school’s Parent Day event. Ataru’s father is thankful this was the case, as he thought his wife wanted to file for a divorce so she can marry Rei. The episode concludes with Lum’s mother pampering herself as she plans to attend the Parents’ Day event herself. ..
The Episode Review
In the latest episode of the series, it was hinted that a new character would be introduced. This character is an alien and ox named Rei, who is Lum’s ex-fiance. While the inclusion of an ex-fiance sounds interesting, Rei’s presence feels like a missed opportunity. ..
Rei is a character who I expected more from in the previous episode. He was charming looking and I thought his looks would get me excited, but I wasn’t impressed. He feels like a watered down version of Mendo. Although the reason behind Lum and Rei’s break-up is in line with the show’s comedic tone, the reasoning doesn’t carry the weight I was expecting.
The comedic gag involving Rei’s thirst for food was drawn out. While it was funny for a few moments, it got old quickly. Compared to Ran, Rei feels like a throw-away character. I found myself agreeing with Lum on never wanting to see him return. Maybe future episodes can develop Rei’s character and give him redeeming qualities.
Rei’s addition to the story so far has not impressed me. This episode was decent overall, with some funny moments, but times where it feels like it’s dragging its feet across the ground. Hopefully, the next chapter brings us a more rounded character in Lum’s mother. ..
