Yuji Nunokawa and Keiko Han

Translated by: Dylan Acres
Thanks to Mitchell for scans and transcriptions.

Episode Summary by Yuji Nunokawa ^[1]

Looking back on the year '81, it feels like it flew by in the blink of an eye. When you're producing a program, you're constantly staring at the schedule, so you become hypersensitive to the passage of time. Urusei Yatsura began production during the hottest part of summer. During that time, the staff worked day and night, sweating away the hours in preparation for the show's broadcast. The young staff in particular brought this show to life with great passion and energy. It's currently on air, and we've received a variety of responses, but it seems to have been well received for its speed and power. All the staff are working hard to make it even more interesting, so please look forward to it. From now until the end of the year, our industry will be even busier. Most anime production is a collection of individual work. If each person's gears don't mesh, a good show can't be made. As someone in charge of the production site, now is the time of truth. Please cheer us on.

Highlights:

Episode 11 Ataru Genji Visits Heian-kyo Part 1 & Part 2

"Today is a New Year's special program, and we will take you all to the Heian period," says the announcer. Ataru and the others arrive at Heian-kyo aboard a flying saucer piloted by Lum. "Shinobu-chan, wait a minute~," says Ataru Genji as he enters Shinobu's residence. "Tonight, let's be united," he says, embracing Shinobu. At that moment, a voice says, "Cut, cut." It's Murasaki Shikibu's turn. ^[2]

Excerpt from Keiko Han's Horoscopes ^[3]

Character fortune telling for Urusei Yatsura's Ataru and Lum who are always fighting. What will happen to them in the future?!?! This month's question was sent in by Oikawa Michiaki from Iwate Prefecture.

Lum
Leo is dominated by the sun. The sun is always burning fiercely and hotly without rest. It is exactly Lum's constellation. Also, a Leo's weakness is that they tend to think too much about themselves. This also seems to apply to Lum.

Ataru Moroboshi
Cancer is characterized by being too kind and not being able to clearly say yes or no. People who are unclear but can't be hated no matter what. Ataru is exactly this type. And people born under this star are said to lack caution as a weakness.

So, how compatible are the two of them?
Leo is a fire sign, and Cancer is a water sign. Both of them have fire and water personalities, so they don't get along well. However, there is one thing: because their moon signs are both wind signs, there is no doubt that deep down, behind their noisy exterior, they want to stay cool and not cause trouble. However, their environment is too turbulent, and it is impossible for them to settle down. It feels like they are being hindered by the people around them!

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Footnotes

• [1] Yuji Nunokawa (布川ゆうじ) is the founder of Studio Pierrot, and you can read a more in depth interview with him here.
• [2] Murasaki Shikibu (紫式部) also known as Lady Murasaku is the author of The Tale of Genji (源氏物語/Genji Monogatari) of which the cast of Urusei Yatsura parodies in the above mentioned episode.
• [3] Keiko Han is a voice actor who is well-known for her hobby as a fortune teller. She is probably best known for her roles as Lalah Sune in Mobile Suit Gundam (機動戦士ガンダム), Sasori Kido in Saint Seiya (聖闘士星矢) and Luna in Pretty Solider Sailor Moon (美少女戦士セーラームーン).

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