Maison Ikkoku...
After the success of Ranma 1/2, VIZ, followed up with the VHS version of Maison Ikkoku...
I like a lot of Rumiko Takahashi's work, so, when I found that she had written Maison Ikkoku, I had to check it out. Maison Ikkoku shares some traits with Rumiko Takahashi's other works in that she tends to build large ensembles of diverse and sometimes quirky characters and tends to have strong leading characters and an emphasis on relationships. I was expecting something along the lines of her other works like Ranma 1/2 or Urusei Yatsura, but, Maison Ikkoku is more of a soap opera than a comedy. It just was not my cup of tea. I used to have the subtitled VHS version of the first volume. In the aftermath of the Ultimate Otaku Fall Cleanup, I decided not to keep Maison Ikkoku in my archive. I gave Maison Ikkoku a 1 out of 5.
Come to the run-down boarding house called Maison Ikkoku, and make yourself at home for Rumiko Takahashi's most romantic comedy yet. Maison Ikkoku is the story of growing closeness between a young man learning to love for the first time; a young Japanese student struggling to pass his college entrance exams, a ronin named Yusaku Godai, and a young woman learning to love again; the building's beautiful new manager, a woman who hides a secret sadness, Kyoko Otonashi. Now if only the other members of the household wouldn't meddle in their affairs...!
Welcome to Maison Ikkoku
Meet the tenants of the ramshackle boarding house Maison Ikkoku, starting with a young Japanese student struggling to pass his collage entrance exams, a ronin named Yusaku Godai, and the building's beautiful new manager, a woman who hides a secret sadness, Kyoko Otonashi.
Ronin Blues
As Godai prepares for his entrance exams, the other residents of Maison Ikkoku are hell-bent on preventing him from cracking the books. Manager Kyoko is the only one who seems to believe in him, and her words of encouragement mean everything. Now if only he could keep his mind on the exams instead of her...
Spring Wasabi
A panicked Godai, apprehensive about his exam announcements, disappears from Maison Ikkoku, leaving Kyoko to deal with a surprise visit from Godai's grandmother. Then, Godai and the other tenants are about to find what it is that's been making Kyoko so melancholy...
Soichiro's Shadow
Godai makes a decision that will change his life forever, a decision that's going to take everyone ounce of courage he can muster, and every ounce of alcohol his buddy Sakamoto can pour. He's about to tell Kyoko how he really feels about her... whether she's ready to hear it or not.
Playing Doubles
It was hard enough for shy student Godai to get Kyoko's attention before, but now he's got a rival in the shape of handsome tennis coach, Shun Mitaka. He's young, he's rich, he has a nice car... what more could any single gal want from a guy? Then again Godai may be shy, but he doesn't give up easily either... a little game of "love-love" never hurt anyone... right?
Love-Love Story
It's an old axiom that people always fall in love with the ones they can't have. Now that Manager Kyoko, the object of Godai's affections, is now spending her free time being romanced by handsome tennis coach Mitaka, she can't exactly complain about an innocent movie date between Godai and his cute'n'cuddly coworker Kozue... or can she?
Call Me Confused
When he joins a campus club, shy student Yusaku Godai's social calendar is suddenly full. But the only phone is Maison Ikkoku is in Manager Kyoko's room, and with gaggle of girls calling him every hour to coordinate activities, is it any wonder that Kyoko is seeing red every time that particular bell rings?
No Strings Attached
Godai's been putting in overtime in the college puppet club in hopes that he'll be ready to put on his best for the club's big performance at the school festival... especially because Kyoko's coming by to see the show. If only he could talk her into playing "princess" opposite his puppet "prince"...
A Winter's Yarn
Desperate to scare up a Christmas gift for Kyoko, Godai luckily happens upon the gift he never gave her from the first special year she came to the boarding house. In return (and is HE ever surprised!), Kyoko gives him a lovingly handmade gift that Godai can warp himself up in when things look like they're growing too cold... but is he the only special recipient on Kyoko's Christmas list?
Home For The Holidays
As his neighbors go on exciting trips for the new year, Godai gets to look forward to a low budget evening watching TV with Kyoko and Akemi. Akemi's going on a ski trip? Does that mean that he'll be alone with Kyoko?!
Kyoko and Soichiro
Godai agrees to babysit his buddy's kitten, a job made harder by the fact that it has the same name as his lovely manager. Hiding a pet in a "no pets" rental is hard enough without the manager coming running every time he calls the kitty's name!
She's Leaving Home
If you think Kyoko is strong willed, you should see her mother! Concerned the Kyoko is spending too much time dwelling on her memories, Kyoko's parents have decided hat she must quit her job at Maison Ikkoku!
My Best Rival's Wedding
When a chance encounter from an old friend at school - now married and with a baby - starts Kyoko's internal clock ticking, things are really gonna blow! Will Godai or Mitaka be the best suitor for the previously monogamous Manager?
The Folk's Can't Help It
At long last, meet Mr. Ichinose, the absentee salary-man dad yang to hard-drinkin' mama Mrs. Ichinose's yin! When it comes time for Kentaro's school festival, will his folks be able to shape up quickly enough to join him?
All's Swell That Ends (In a Well)
When Kyoko and Godai volunteer as ghosts in a festival haunted house, they somehow end up stranded down an old, abandoned well. If only the rest of the tenants could have left them alone down there! Then, a misunderstanding drives Godai to move out of Maison Ikkoku!
Godai Comes Home
Fate leaves Godai sharing an apartment with an attractive woman, and everyone -- including Kyoko -- assumes the worst. Will Kyoko let him return to his old room?
Piyo Piyo Diaries
The unexpected arrival of her deceased husband's diary into Kyoko's life has things turned upside down, especially when she discovers a postcard from an unknown woman slipped between its pages. Can her beloved Soichiro have been keeping a secret from her?
Date for Five
It's a flashback to Akemi's past as she remembers with bittersweet nostalgia the affair she one had with the hard-edged Yakuza type who cut her loose with no more than a gruff "You're too good for me, doll." Now that it seems he wants back in her life, however, will Akemi be willing to take him back, or...?
I like a lot of Rumiko Takahashi's work, so, when I found that she had written Maison Ikkoku, I had to check it out. Maison Ikkoku shares some traits with Rumiko Takahashi's other works in that she tends to build large ensembles of diverse and sometimes quirky characters and tends to have strong leading characters and an emphasis on relationships. I was expecting something along the lines of her other works like Ranma 1/2 or Urusei Yatsura, but, Maison Ikkoku is more of a soap opera than a comedy. It just was not my cup of tea. I used to have the subtitled VHS version of the first volume. In the aftermath of the Ultimate Otaku Fall Cleanup, I decided not to keep Maison Ikkoku in my archive. I gave Maison Ikkoku a 1 out of 5.
