What I Want to Ask

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

"Congratulations!" in Lum's Words.

Now, to the studio of the second installment, Urusei Yatsura, "We're here to bother you!" First of all, what surprised me here was that the voice actors who appear in Urusei Yatsura, who have unique and funny gags, are funny even when they are just having normal conversations. ^[1] After all, all of them speak in the "Urusei dialect."

Hirano: "This is my first time doing voice recording. It's difficult (laughs). I'm acting like my real personality, but I'm jealous that he's so devoted." And so, Lum's words came right out. Also, every time we do an interview, someone calls out to me from the side.

Furukawa: "I don't have Ataru's personality..."

Everyone: "You're kidding, you're kidding!"

Kamiya: "Mendo is a comic relief who pretends not to be comic relief."

Everyone: "You're perfect, you're perfect!!" We all cheered.

Sugiyama: "I feel so sorry for Lum, I feel so sorry for her. I wonder why she fell in love with such a worthless guy as Ataru... I don't know."

This is not a line. It is a comment from Kazuko Sugiyama. It feels like she has completely become the character. It seems that I, too, have jumped into "Urusei Land" without even realizing it. Nagai-san. Do you read the original manga?

Nagai: "I don't read manga, but I do read Urusei. It's a crazy story (laughs)" says Nagai-san as Cherry.

Nagai: "I wish Cherry would appear more out of context. Like a UFO." I see. Perfect! Now, everyone, please say your New Year's greetings...

Furukawa: "Please love Ataru and love the show."

Sugiyama: "You don't have to love Ataru!" Hirano: "If Lum gets bullied by Ataru, please send us a letter of protest." Furukawa: "If Ataru gets shocked, please send us a letter of protest."

Shimazu: "Please think about Shinobu's happiness a little more."

Everyone: "Whine, whine."

This interview is already over!!

Episode Summaries

• Love Battle Royale (episode 23, 1/13) ^[2]
• Father, You Were Strong (episode 24)
• Hawaiian Swimsuit Thief (episode 25, 1/20)
• Full Course From Hell (episode 26)
• Mendo Arrives With Trouble! (episode 27, 1/27)
• Constellation-Go-Round (episode 28)
• Great Setsubun War (episode 29, 2/3)
• The Benten Corps' Return (episode 30)
• Oh Lonely Teacher! First Appearance of Kuribayashi Sensei (episode 31, 2/10)
• Terrible Inspection Day (episode 32)

What I Want to Ask.

Q: The illustrations are really cute, and the story is fun too... All the characters are great, and Shinobu is the best. She really feels like Shinobu. I'd really like to know if you could tell me anything about Shimazu Saeko, who voices Shinobu. Thank you. Sachiko Sakamoto (15 years old), Kaifu District, Tokushima Prefecture

Saeko Shimazu: I'm from Isehara City, Kanagawa Prefecture. My birthday is September 8, 1959. After graduating from my hometown, Kanagawa Prefectural Isehara High School, I went to Bunka Gakuin, and then joined the current "Studio M3" with the aim of becoming an actress. The works I have appeared in so far include San-o-san-me-mu-ko-ippiki and has also appeared frequently in Toshiba Sunday Theatre. Of course, I am also active in anime, currently playing the role of Nana-chan in Otasukeman and the role of Emi in Gold Lightan. ^[3] My hobbies are playing the koto and driving. (Editorial Department)

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Footnotes

• [1] This issue of The Anime had a feature on visiting the different casts of currently airing anime in the studio as they were recording. The magazine mentions this is the "second installment," the others were: Dr. Slump, Urusei Yatsura, Queen Millennia, Godmars, Braiger, and Dougram.
• [2] For the sake of creating as accurate a translation of the historical record as possible we have left the episode numbers identical to what they were listed as in the original periodical this article appeared in, however these episode numbers do not match the numbering convention that most fans and producers use in regards to Urusei Yatsura in the present day. The confusion stems from the early episodes airing two unique 15 minute episodes in one 30 minute block. The links will link to the correct episode with the number reflecting the unified numbering system.
• [3] Otasukeman or Time Patrol Tai Otasukeman (タイムボカンシリーズ タイムパトロール隊 オタスケマン/Taimubokanshirīzu Taimupatorōru-tai Otasukeman) ran from February 1980 to January 1981 for 53 episodes. Gold Lightan (黄金戦士ゴールド・ライタン/Ogon Senshi Gorudo Raitan) ran for 53 episodes as well, from March 1981 to February 1982. San-o-san-me-mu-ko-ippiki (さんなんさんじょむこいっぴき/Three Sons, Three Daughters, One Husband) was a live action drama that ran from 1976 to 1980.

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