Urusei Yatsura Chapter 355 Discussion

This is the last manga-only chapter of the whole series.



Wow. Kitsune is back. Probably his last appearance.



But more importantly, the concept of a hot spring transforming people into animals seems to be directly reused for Ranma 1/2. Bruh. It's insane just how much of Ranma 1/2 were recycled concepts or stories from Urusei Yatsura. Yet not many people outside Japan know about it...

Yeah, if this series started feeling more like Ranma 1/2 to me beginning with the introduction of Ryuunosuke and her father, this chapter cemented it. Although here it's just a fake-out gag, you've got the transforming hot springs plot point at the heart of Ranma in pilot form. It seems in hindsight pretty obvious that Takahashi at the very least already had an inkling of what she wanted to do next. Especially considering this is the final solo chapter of the series as the last 11 chapters comprise the Boy Meets Girl arc, which I'll be reading about a day from now. I'll be sad to see my time with the series end, but it's been a fun ride. Plus there's always rereads and the anime too.