12 Facts about Ataru Moroboshi | Urusei Yatsura

Ataru Moroboshi, the protagonist of Urusei Yatsura is as lecherous and divisive as characters come, but not everything is always as it seems. Deep down he grows a ton during the series and underneath all that suspicion is a heart of gold that loves Lum and his family. So let's discuss 12 facts about the infamous protagonist, and what makes his character so interesting.

Small correction: Ataru Moroboshi's name means "to be struck by a falling star," which is referenced several times in the manga and anime.

All music and film belongs to their respected owners, covered under fair use.

Music Credits:
Yu-Peng Chen - Ariel's Footprints
Yuji Ohno - 愛のシルエッ
Jasper de Ceuster - Infinite
N/A - Android Shelter
Yuji Ohno - Mysterious Journey (Variation)

#uruseiyatsura #ataru #lum #rumikotakahashi #ranma½

[ataru]

Just a quick correction: Ataru actually means to be struck (and can also mean to be correct). His full name means to be hit by a falling star. His name is used as a pun several times throughout the series, notably in the very first episode; one of the kids playing baseball calls out that he's going to be hit, and Ataru mistakenly believes that his name is being called.

[The_Cotaku]

I really appreciate Ataru is a lot more developed compared to most lecherous anime protags we have today

[cinnamonpumpkin]

I like that Ataru keeps a diary ! Diary keeping is usually a thing girl character do. Guys just do it if they are scientist or poet or something !

[frogisis]

Ataru might be a jackass, but dammit, he's _our_ jackass.
Something else about Ataru, though, and I think one of the reasons Lum loves him as much as she does, is that he's _really fun._ He's this goofy, funny, cheeky, boundlessly energetic, utterly uninhibited person who won't let anything get in the way of doing whatever he feels like, and I think that really resonates with Lum, given that she's largely the same way—In fact if anything it might be her rubbing off on him. The break between them then on this axis is that Ataru''s "carpe diem" attitude extends to hitting on every pretty girl he sees, the one place he IS inhibited is reciprocating her affection (though it's not _just_ that), and his fickleness and stubbornness extend to situations around him, causing him to quickly shut down and sulk away if he thinks he'll have to do anything lame or embarrassing or boring (I mean he is a teenager), while Lum is still game for whatever's going on.

Part of the fun of Urusei Yatsura is watching Lum and Ataru gradually kind of "grow into" each other and become both best friends and their own toxic but heartfelt "power couple, " whether that was conscious direction on Takahashi's part or just a spontaneous process of her following her instincts for writing characters, or more likely some serendipitous combination of the two. One of the delightful paradoxes of friendship dynamics is that a lot of people tend to like other people who have a naughty, transgressive, troublemaking streak—And I think we all know that friend who has some kinda strange fun-loving charisma that lets them say and do things that would get most people's asses kicked—And so it feels like much more than just a setup for an episode premise that people keep inviting Ataru to things and planning activities with him (though of course he's liable to show up anyway, cuz he has a nose for fun). And I think that's because if you're hanging out with Ataru, you're almost guaranteed to have a kickass time—Or at least an "unforgettable" one.

[Boyko.dmitri]

Facts number 13: Ataru ****ing ninja. He can dodge and stop sword hands all time, he can uses shadow clone and body replacement techniques many time. The fight between Benten and Ryuunosuke that Ataru stops with towel and bucket. Can beat Judo teacher one punch. He can kick cupid's arrows with his feets. He also easily overcomes various obstacles. But only with good motivation.

[eligore]

The most interesting thing about Ataru for me is the contrast between his hobby for flirting with girls and his feelings for Lum.

[artytoons]

Ataru is most afraid of "commitment" when it comes to romance and Lum's affections. He feels either he is "too young" or too unsure of himself in emotional and financial stability to reciprocate Lum's affections and marrying her and staying faithful. Mendou is definitely financially stable but has nagging doubts about his own emotional self, particularly being in the dark and having a scary sister, to fall behind Ataru. Ataru being a greedy, rude lecher does play up the comedy content in which he would self-inflictedly deserve every comedy slapstick pratfall and slaps and Megaton Hammer violence from irritated girls but deep down, he does have a good heart and would help someone (including Lum and Ten) in trouble many times to make him likable and sympathetic.

[alariaaurora]

As a Lum Stormtrooper myself i actually never hated him. He had so many heartwarming moments that made him so likable to me. Despite all terrible things he does you somehow Know there’s good in him. It’s not all his fault too! Lum is sometimes too protective of him and many times she shocked Ataru without a valid reason so sometimes he’s right to treat her badly. sadly we live in modern age so Urusei yatsura’s comedy will offend some activists on tweeter & I’m worried about the remake series which is being made

[aplotholesfiller]

4:20 He also treats her to various meals in a chapter where he was trying to figure out what food Lum disliked.

[donaldwright]

Another aspect of Ataru is that he may suffer from subconscious self-loathing. There are at least two times I can think of where Ataru has met alternate versions of himself and is so repulsed by them that he physically assaulted them.

Once was when he saw a possible future where he was married to every girl he knew, except for Lum who apparently got fed up and finally left him.

The other was in the 1st Movie where he traveled back to the past and confronted his younger self, blaming the toddler for all his suffering.

[alexandrejanot]

Good video and insightful analysis of Ataru. He truly loves Lamu and shows it several times in the manga without saying he loves her. Acts are stronger than words.

[priyashmukherjee]

*ATARU IS ONE OF THE BEST PROTAGONISTS IN MY OPINION .HE IS SUCH A CHAD*

[Natejoe]

That’s interesting that she was just a side character that fans liked so much she took over.

[Kaiyanwang]

Ataru resilience grew so much during the series that one time, he fell from the 2nd-3rd floor of the Tomobiki high school and after a few moments got up. People observing the scene were horrified by the fall and then disconcerted by his nonchalance in getting up as if nothing happened.

[AI-hxfx]

I actually had a crush on Ataru ever since I first saw the series.

[Erupizu]

Ataru is the best mc in the entire anime world and y’all cannot tell me otherwise

[-Raylight]

80s anime characters are built differently. They can withstand any dangerous harms, they're like Home Alone's bad guys xD

[RedwoodTheElf]

Depending on how it's written, "Ataru" can also mean "You're going to get hit" which is repeatedly used as a joke. For instance, in the first episode, in the very first scene, a baseball is hit and is going to hit Ataru, who is walking by. The left fielder shouts "Ataru zo, ataru!" (Look out, it's going to hit you) but Ataru thinks someone is calling his name and stops to look around, with predictable results.

[jqyhlmnp]

He’s not abusive and he’s not generic… that’s a feature considering most anime rom coms :P

[Zenko-qo]

In my opinion, Ataru is a really decent protagonist and deserves to be the main character. I love him very much and I believe that although he is rude, he has a kind heart. We all saw how Ataru was kind to Nozomi in one episode and wore the shawl and knitwear that she knitted for him in that deadly hot summer. Ataru may be a bit eccentric, but ultimately, he is one of the best rom-com heroes.