Perhaps in a nod to the signature tiger-print bikini worn by its deuteragonist Lum, Rumiko Takahashi's masterpiece Urusei Yatsura became a hot topic at the beginning of the Year of the Tiger 2022 when it was announced that it would once again get an anime adaptation. Now, that remake is finally set to air on October 13th, 2022.

As was announced earlier this year, the protagonist Ataru Moroboshi will be played by Hiroshi Kamiya, and Lum will be played by Sumire Uesaka.

Today, on October 6th, 2022, the anime's Twitter account announced additional voice cast members, and this time, fans of the original series couldn't be happier.

The role of Ataru's father will be played by Toshio Furukawa and Lum's mother by Fumi Hirano.

Furukawa and Hirano are none other than the voice actors who played the roles of Ataru and Lum in the original TV anime series back in the 1980s!

In reaction, the post elicited numerous surprised and delighted comments such as:

  • "The voice actors of the hero and heroine of the first generation will be the voice actors of their respective fathers and mothers after 40 years!"
  • "What a great surprise! Thank you so much!"
  • "As a fan of the original, I was a little sad to see the voice actors change, but now I'm super excited about the new anime."

Both Furukawa and Hirano released comments on Twitter and on the anime's official website thanking fans and offering their enthusiastic support for the voice actors playing the roles they once played.

"To Fumi, who still calls me "Daarling," and to all my fans, with all my heart, I'd like to say: "I'll never forget you, Lum!" And to Rumiko Takahashi Sensei and Urusei Yatsura fans, please give your enthusiastic support for Hiroshi Kamiya and Sumire Uesaka who play the duo of Ataru and Lum in the Reiwa Era version!"

Since the original anime is a classic that still remains dear to many people around the world, it was only natural to expect that people would have opinions either way on voice cast members being changed in the remake.

However, this announcement was surely welcomed by fans of the original series.

We can't wait for the broadcast to begin!


By - grape Japan editorial staff.