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Japanese title
めぞん一刻
Manga-ka/Author
高橋留美子 Rumiko Takahashi
Genre
slice-of-life, romance, comedy
Volumes: 15
Distributor: Gollancz
Classification: 15
Originally serialised in
週刊ビッグコミックスピリッツ
Weekly Big Comic Spirits
Rating
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Maison Ikkoku is about the daily lives of the residents of the Ikkoku
boarding house; the mysterious Mr. Yotsuya, fearless barmaid Akemi, drunkard
Mrs. Ichinose and her son Kentaro and our protagonist, and flagging student
Yusaku Godai. Godai is a ronin, having failed countless exams, and is the butt
of many a joke by his unsympathetic neighbours. Driven to the point of leaving,
Godai changes his mind with the appearance of the new apartment manager, young
and beautiful Kyoko Otonashi.
Godai is immediately smitten with Kyoko, and despite numerous slip-ups and the
interventions of the other residents, he struggles continuously to achieve her
attention. However, Kyoko is recently widowed and remains faithful to her
departed husband; she devotes all her remaining love to her pet dog Soichiro
(named after him). Will Kyoko ever fall for Godai, or will his attempts all prove
to be in vain?
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Rumiko Takahashi, Maison Ikkoku's creator, is a manga-ka who needs little
introduction. Having created the widely popular Ranma 1/2, InuYasha
and Dragonball series among others, her vastly-diverse works are amongst
the most beloved manga in the world.
Maison Ikkoku is a sweet and heartfelt love story set in the midst of an
uproariously funny and thoroughly Japanese sitcom. Arguably the basis for a
whole genre of manga, Maison Ikkoku is a vintage series which inspired
several others (including the popular
Love Hina).
Takahashi-san's artwork is unique and expressive, and although over 20 years
old, has stood the test of time, along with her great skill in storytelling.
This series will entertain anyone who loves romantic comedies, manga about life
in Japan (there are lots of cultural references in Maison Ikkoku) and any
of Takahashi-san's other series. A small amount of material unsuitable for
children and younger teens is found in this series, however this is more
realistic than deliberately over the top and doesn't spoil the story at all.
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Manga
All 15 volumes of
Maison Ikkoku have been translated into English and French; however this
series is quite difficult to find.
Anime
A whole range of
television series and films have been based on Maison Ikkoku; firstly the
anime series itself, a film detailing an alternative ending (entitled Maison
Ikkoku: Kanketsuhen) and a special prequel episode, Prelude do Maison
Ikkoku. A further anime spin-off also followed, entitled Maison Ikkoku:
Ikkou-tou Nanpa Shimatsu ki.
Amazingly enough, there is also a live-action film which was based on the
series, released in 1988 in Japan. Unfortunately, only the original anime series
has been released in the West.
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