Urusei

Urusei is a term most often encountered in relation to the Japanese manga and anime Urusei Yatsura, created by Rumiko Takahashi. The word Urusei is a stylized rendering derived from the Japanese urusai (うるさい), meaning noisy or annoying, combined with hoshi (星), meaning star. In the title, the term functions as a pun that evokes both space aliens and a comic tone. Within the series, the word is associated with extraterrestrial beings who invade Earth.

The Urusei Yatsura manga was serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday from 1978 to 1987 and collected in tankōbon volumes. The story centers on Ataru Moroboshi, a luckless high school student, and Lum, a playful alien princess from the starry realm, and follows a cast of supporting characters through a blend of romance, science fiction, and farce. The premise relies on humorous misunderstandings, cultural clashes, and evolving relationships rather than straightforward sci‑fi battles.

An accompanying anime adaptation began in the early 1980s, expanding the series’ reach with numerous episodes, films, and specials. The Urusei Yatsura franchise is widely regarded as influential in shaping contemporary romantic comedy and light entertainment within anime, noted for its distinctive visual style, character-driven humor, and its role in popularizing the archetype of the quirky alien visitor in Japanese media.

Today, Urusei remains most closely associated with the Urusei Yatsura property, with the term itself being primarily recognized as part of the title rather than as a standalone concept in common usage.