うる星やつら episode 176 (TV anime)
Urusei Yatsura Ep. 176 review

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis:

Ryuunosuke and Fujinami are off on a 3-day holiday, but it has been a week and everyone is frustrated. While discussing this in class, Ataru, Megane, and company learn that Shuutaro had invited Lum and Shinobu to his private resort. They press him on why they weren’t invited, but when the principal and Kotatsu-neko enter, Shuutaro is forced to allow the entire class to come as well as Onsen-sensei, Sakura-sensei, and Cherry. Meanwhile, Ryuunosuke is trying to ditch her bearded father and his “training,” which consists of making her work while he takes it easy. She thwarts his attempts to stop her from leaving by showing him their empty bank account. As such, he shaves and goes to get money for the Hamajaya he’s been dreaming of but convinces Ryuunosuke to guard their tent while he’s away.

At the Mendou Marine Park, Shuutaro brags to Ataru about its size and amenities. He’s frustrated by everyone being there and Ataru ignoring him. Ataru is girl watching and being electrocuted by Lum when he spots Fujinami at the pool handing out flyers, advertising an all-you-can-catch fishing event in the pool for ¥500. Shuutaro is not happy about this and everyone soon finds out the catch to the scheme after paying the entry fees — there are dangerous sea creatures in the pool like sharks and more. Most quit immediately, but Ataru, Megane, and others decide they don’t care and are going to get themselves some fish.  Kotatsu-neko engages the shark, allowing the others to start catching fish.

Meanwhile, an annoyed Shuutaro discovers a quivering in fear octopus that he recognizes as Sutemaru. The others having their fish-gathering interrupted by electricity from an electric ray fish, which pleases Lum. It runs out of juice, so the swordfish gets into the action, only to be stopped by Ataru. Shuutaro announces that all of the fish here have been stolen from the aquarium. Seeing he has been found out, Fujinami jumps into the pool in his fish costume and a giant sea horse emerges.  It begins to consume every fish around, starting with the ones already caught.  It is Fujinami in disguise, so Ataru asks Lum to unleash the Wrath of Heaven on him, which she is more than happy to oblige. However, the costume is made of rubber, so it takes Shinobu to body slam him so the rest of the class can pound on Fujinami.

Thoughts/Review:

Yeah, another Fujinami loser episode, but there were some OK and amusing parts.

I loved how Shuutaro got busted trying to only invite Lum and Shinobu to his resort and ended up being forced to take everyone along.  In the past, it has been just a few people, so having a mob was certainly more interesting, especially having three teachers along for the ride.

While I may detest Fujinami, his scheme was something I actually found amusing.  Get everyone on the hook and parted from their money, then reveal the “fine print” as it were with the shark, electric ray, and swordfish.

Kotatsu-neko stopping the shark — win.  ^_^

Lum surfing on the electric ray — somewhat amusing I guess.

Ataru stopping the swordfish — win! ^_^

So while it may have been a Fujinami episode, it wasn’t a bad one.  That’s a good thing.