Urusei Yatsura on Adult Swim?

[Thrax]

Ranma 1/2 is out of the question for obvious reasons, so why not go with another series from the same person?

This is my personal favorite anime series. It's never had much recognition in this part of the world. In other words; unlike Cowboy Bebop, Tenchi, Outlaw Star, or Gundam; this series would be something new even to hard core anime fans. (And it could be promoted as "from the same people who brought you Ranma 1/2.")

Problems: How much of the series has been dubbed into English? I've only seen one English UY tape (as opposed to the many Japanese with English subtitled tapes and DVDs) and I've been told that it was terrible. Cartoon Network could pay to have UY dubbed into English, but it would cost more than changing a few lines like they've done with previous series.

Additionally, there is nudity in Urusei Yatsura. It's been some time since I last saw UY, but if I remember correctly, there isn't so much nudity to make it inappropriate for basic cable. The Censors could blur the sensitive parts and people would understand why. (As opposed to Ranma 1/2 where the constant blurring and/or digital underwear would drive people crazy.)

So, anime fans, is Urusei Yatsura appropriate for Adult Swim? And if it is, should it be part of the Action night or the Comedy night?

[Koggit]

It's been released, but hasn't been dubbed. There's a few fan-dubs, but as usual, they're horrible.

Sure, it'd have a cult following with anime fans, but it wouldn't get good ratings since alot of the people who watch AS are dubbies.

I think Uresei Yatsura is over-rated. As for as Takahashi goes, I'd love to see some Inu-Yasha.

[Shnay]

I haven't seen the series, so I can't really comment on it (I'd be happy just to see any new series). Anyway, I was wondering if it would be out of the question to just air the Japanese version with subtitles.

There are probably plenty of good series' out there that haven't been dubbed into English, and if money is an issue, it seems like just airing them with subtitles would be a viable solution.

I wouldn't mind watching them with subtitles (especially if the alternative is not seeing them at all). But do other people mind watching a show in another language? Would subtitles be a big enough deterent for viewers?

[livingfruitvirus]

CN has mentioned on a few occasions that they will not air subtitled anime.

[Andy Mancini]

I can see a company like Funimation dubbing it. I don't think that they would hack it up too badly. You might disagree, but my faith in FUNi has restored since "Yu Yu Hakusho" and the Red Ribbon Saga of "Dragon Ball" hit the airwaves. Also, this show would be perfect for a block like "Adult Swim" based soley on it's sheer amout of episodes. Wasn't there at least 100? Even if my guess is way off, it's still not like "Outlaw Star", where there is only 24. (Well, if you follow Cartoon Network, 23, but that's another arguement.) They could easily show new episodes every week for at least two years straight. This idea has also been proposed for "Yu Yu Hakusho". I wouldn't bill it as "from the creator of Ranma 1/2", mainly for legal reasons. The only thing I can see CN or FUNi doing to it that would bug me is changing the name to "Some Annoying Aliens" or "Lum". Besides that, I say go for it. Just because it's not as well-known in the US doesn't mean they shouldn't at least attempt to show it. Heck, a couple of years ago, CN brought over a little known show called "Big O". Now, we're getting new episodes before the Japanese do! If it can happen once, it can happen again.

[Koggit]

It won't happen. It's licensed by AnimeEigo. Release date for the 6th DVD is already set.

Another company would have to dish out MAJOR cash to get it, now.

I don't think it would fit in with either block, though. Best bet would be edited on Toonami (It's no worse than DBZ, except for breif nudity in ONE episode). It's not funny enough to be on ASC, and no action at all, so that'd rule out ASA.

[StrangerAtaru]

Overrated? Personally, I think this show is a tad underrated in this country, but this is my own personal opinion.

As for ever being on American TV, I highly doubt it will ever happen. One reason is because it is subbed, another because of the occasional nudity needed to emphasize how perverted some of these characters (OK, mostly Ataru) are. (in fact, one scene with nudity is pretty crucial to setting up the series in the first place!) But one reason I don't think that it will be on is because of many of the references that people may never get. To me, UY seems to be the "Simpsons" of 1980's Japan, only a lot weirder and definately a lot better than what the Simpsons has become over the last several years. Sure they could change them, but why should they?

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

UY would be tough for a casual viewer to get into. It's rife with Japanese puns and references, and a lot of the references would go over people's heads.

But StrangerAtaru is right. It did "The Simpsons" 10 years before The Simpsons was introduced. It is a genuinely heady comedy, despite the ecchi concept at first glance. It is, IMO, headier than any other Takahashi creation out there, including Inu-Yusha, which is simply a very good fantasy-horror series.

[Sprocket]

You all forget...

There was ONE dubbed Lum movie on the Sci-Fi Channel WAAAAAYYYY back when.

They could try and get that, but then, why when it's possibly the only Lum dub out there.

[Sandoz]

Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful Dreamer was the movie that the Sci-Fi channel aired a long time ago. It was released by Central Park Media, not AnimEigo, so that's why its dubbed. That movie, and a single tape called "Those Obnoxious Aliens" is all the UY that's been dubbed. I don't think they'll ever show that movie, though, considering a major plot point is the Nazi Cafe the kids build in their school.