I finished watching Maison Ikkoku so I will now be reviewing it! Maison Ikkoku began as a 1980 15-volume manga written by Rumiko Takahashi. If she sounds familiar it's because she also wrote the mangas for Urusei Yatsura (Those Obnoxious Aliens), Mermaid Saga (Mermaid Forest), Ranma 1/2, Inuyasha, and Rin-ne. She's overall a great manga writer. Anyway it then became a 96-episode 1986 anime series by Studio Deen. Additionally, there is are three OVA's: Through Passing Seasons 1988, 90 minutes), Shipwrecked on Ikkoku Island (1991, 23 minutes), and Prelude: When the Cherry Blossoms Return in the Spring (1992, 27 minutes). There is also a 66 minute 1988 film called Maison Ikkoku: The Final Chapter as well as three live action films: Apartment Fantasy (1986, 97 minutes), and two more from 2007 and 2008. Maison Ikkoku is a slice of life, drama, romantic comedy anime. It was very successful and well received and for the most part I agree with that. Maison Ikkoku was a very good classic romantic comedy anime that was rather enjoyable and interesting.
In the town of Clock Hill, there is an old boarding house called Maison Ikkoku. While the residence is fairly normal, most of its occupants are not. Yusaku Godai, 20 years old, has finally reached his limit with his neighbors' constant disruptions and boisterous partying. Wanting a calmer place to call home so that he can study in peace, he prepares to move away.
However, his plans to leave are suddenly interrupted when he meets the new boarding house manager, 22 year old Kyoko Otanashi. Falling madly in love with her, he decides that the boarding house may not be such a bad place to live after all. Unfortunately for him, Kyoko has her own romantic troubles: she is a widow whose husband died six months into their marriage. And despite her feelings for Godai, Kyoko still cherishes her dearly departed husband, and she believes that no other man could possibly fill the void in her heart. But with Godai's persistence and some help of the other eccentric tenants, she may experience true love once again.
Maison Ikkoku was successful as both a manga and anime and I liked it very much as well. The series mainly revolves around Godai as he tries to do his best, whether it is school, getting into college, getting a job, or vying for his love interest, Kyoko. At times you have to feel sorry for the guy but feel great when he achieves what he sets out. Koyko a slightly older girl, is still thinking about her deceased husband but at the same time cares deeply for Godai and the other residence and even sticks up for him and helps him out. The other characters are interesting as well, something I'd expect by Rumiko Takahashi. While they can get annoying and become unlikable at times, they do add some excitement to the plot. Of course with every love story we get love rivals as well Shun Mitaka, a handsome tennis instructor, Kozue Nanao, a sweet innocent young girl attracted to Godai, and Ibuki Yagami, a high school student who falls in love with Godai when he becomes a student teacher. I also enjoyed the fact that the guy was kind of the underdog when it came to romance, which is why I feel great whenever he succeeds. Maison Ikkoku is very enjoyable and the last 8 episodes is where things get very interesting but the ending is very satisfying. Oh yeah and Kyoko's dog, Souichirou, who she named after her dead husband, does remind me of my dog.
I would give Maison Ikkoku 4.5/5 stars or a 9/10 score. Maison Ikkoku is a very good classic 1980s anime. I would reccomend it for anyone who likes classic, romantic comedy, or slice of life anime. While there are good new anime coming out, there's something about the classics that make them very enjoyable. Next I plan on watching and reviewing another 1980s similar anime with similar artwork known as Kimagure Orange Road. Like Maison Ikkoku, Kimagure Orange Road is also a romantic comedy but carries some supernatural theme. Stay tuned because if you liked Maison Ikkoku you'll probably like Kimagure Orange Road as well.
