TV-Series
Description
Rei is an Oni alien from Uru, originally engaged to Lum before the series starts. Both Lum and Ran harbored romantic feelings for him in their youth, with Ran's heartbreak over the engagement fueling her lasting resentment towards Lum. Lum ended the engagement due to Rei's extreme gluttony, arrogance, and his tendency to involuntarily transform into an Ushitora—a tiger-bull hybrid—when excited, especially by food.
He arrives on Earth early in the series (manga chapter 6, anime episode 3a) to reclaim Lum. His pursuit intensifies upon meeting Ataru Moroboshi, Lum's new favorite. After Lum falsely claims pregnancy with Ataru's child, Rei challenges Ataru to a potato-eating contest, suffering his first and only eating defeat. Later, he briefly wins Lum back using a Japanese translation guide for a proposal, but she rejects him again, leading Rei to chase her and Ataru through town.
His involuntary Ushitora transformation is triggered by intense emotions like food excitement or anger. While menacing in his manga debut, the form became consistently cartoonish later. The 1981 anime uniquely depicted an exaggerated, kaiju-sized version. Rei speaks only 1–5 Japanese words at a time due to poor language skills and possible low intelligence, though the 2022 anime moderately expanded his dialogue capacity; he remains largely inarticulate.
Rei's fixation on Lum eventually wanes. He gradually forms a relationship with Ran, who actively pursues him despite his indifference. This dynamic centers on Rei's dependence on Ran as a food provider, his attachment rooted in sustenance rather than romance. Rei possesses superficial charm in humanoid form, contrasted by a dim-witted personality and single-minded obsession with eating. Brief attractions from others, like Kurama, end abruptly when they witness his Ushitora form.
His rivalry with Ataru diminishes over time, shifting towards comedic interactions. Rei evolves into a supporting character, frequently appearing alongside Ran in ensemble-driven storylines. His Ushitora form becomes a recurring visual gag, often juxtaposed with mundane scenarios.
He arrives on Earth early in the series (manga chapter 6, anime episode 3a) to reclaim Lum. His pursuit intensifies upon meeting Ataru Moroboshi, Lum's new favorite. After Lum falsely claims pregnancy with Ataru's child, Rei challenges Ataru to a potato-eating contest, suffering his first and only eating defeat. Later, he briefly wins Lum back using a Japanese translation guide for a proposal, but she rejects him again, leading Rei to chase her and Ataru through town.
His involuntary Ushitora transformation is triggered by intense emotions like food excitement or anger. While menacing in his manga debut, the form became consistently cartoonish later. The 1981 anime uniquely depicted an exaggerated, kaiju-sized version. Rei speaks only 1–5 Japanese words at a time due to poor language skills and possible low intelligence, though the 2022 anime moderately expanded his dialogue capacity; he remains largely inarticulate.
Rei's fixation on Lum eventually wanes. He gradually forms a relationship with Ran, who actively pursues him despite his indifference. This dynamic centers on Rei's dependence on Ran as a food provider, his attachment rooted in sustenance rather than romance. Rei possesses superficial charm in humanoid form, contrasted by a dim-witted personality and single-minded obsession with eating. Brief attractions from others, like Kurama, end abruptly when they witness his Ushitora form.
His rivalry with Ataru diminishes over time, shifting towards comedic interactions. Rei evolves into a supporting character, frequently appearing alongside Ran in ensemble-driven storylines. His Ushitora form becomes a recurring visual gag, often juxtaposed with mundane scenarios.