The Connections Project

Shutaro Mendou

Ataru and Mendou are bitter enemies almost from their first meeting until the very end of the series. They fight over almost every female character. They are constantly locked in a kind of competition to prove who's the better man. Despite their mutual animosity, it's often hinted that the two are actually very similar personalities beneath their outer appearance.

Ataru and Mendou met each other when Mendou first parachuted into Tomobiki High School. Ataru narrowly beat Mendou in a fierce election for class president.

The two characters represent class war: Mendou was born into a megaconglomerate family with ludicrous fortunes while Ataru suffers a lower-middle-class lifestyle.

Mendou lusts for Lum possibly above all other girls. Unfortunately for him, she isn't at all interested.

Lum's advanced alien technology and Mendou's pricey Earth technology often pare off against each other, usually with catastrophic results for the town of Tomobiki.

Mendou and Shinobu share a mutual affection, but nothing ever comes of it, in no small part because Mendou is constantly hitting on other girls instead. In short, Shinobu (eventually) is infatuated with Mendou, whereas Mendou merely likes Shinobu as one of many girls.

Just like his relationship with Ataru, Megane's relationship with Mendou changes with the winds. Predictably, disputes often center around the two youths' love for Lum.