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めぞん一刻 [Maison Ikkoku] #1
Maison Ikkoku, Volume 1
Follows the tenants of Japan's nuttiest apartment house where Kyoko, the manager, Yusaku, the college student, Mrs. Ichinose, the drunken gossip, Akemi, the boozy bar hostess, and Mr. Yostuya, the mooching peeper, reside.
224 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1982
4 people are currently reading
417 people want to read
About the author
Rumiko Takahashi
1,587 books2,099 followersRumiko Takahashi (高橋留美子) was born in Niigata, Japan. She is not only one of the richest women in Japan but also one of the top paid manga artists. She is also the most successful female comic artist in history. She has been writing manga non-stop for 31 years.
Rumiko Takahashi is one of the wealthiest women in Japan. The manga she creates (and its anime adaptations) are very popular in the United States and Europe where they have been released as both manga and anime in English translation. Her works are relatively famous worldwide, and many of her series were some of the forerunners of early English language manga to be released in the nineties. Takahashi is also the best selling female comics artist in history; well over 100 million copies of her various works have been sold.
Though she was said to occasionally doodle in the margins of her papers while attending Niigata Chūō High School, Takahashi's interest in manga did not come until later. During her college years, she enrolled in Gekiga Sonjuku, a manga school founded by Kazuo Koike, mangaka of Crying Freeman and Lone Wolf and Cub. Under his guidance Rumiko Takahashi began to publish her first doujinshi creations in 1975, such as Bye-Bye Road and Star of Futile Dust. Kozue Koike often urged his students to create well-thought out, interesting characters, and this influence would greatly impact Rumiko Takahashi's works throughout her career.
Career and major works:
Takahashi's professional career began in 1978. Her first published story was Those Selfish Aliens, a comedic science fiction story. During the same year, she published Time Warp Trouble, Shake Your Buddha, and the Golden Gods of Poverty in Shōnen Sunday, which would remain the home to most of her major works for the next twenty years. Later that year, Rumiko attempted her first full-length series, Urusei Yatsura. Though it had a rocky start due to publishing difficulties, Urusei Yatsura would become one of the most beloved anime and manga comedies in Japan.
In 1980, Rumiko Takahashi found her niche and began to publish with regularity. At this time she started her second major series, Maison Ikkoku, in Big Comic Spirits. Written for an older audience, Maison Ikkoku is often considered to be one of the all-time best romance manga. Takahashi managed to work on Maison Ikkoku on and off simultaneously with Urusei Yatsura. She concluded both series in 1987, with Urusei Yatsura ending at 34 volumes, and Maison Ikkoku being 15.
During the 1980s, Takahashi became a prolific writer of short story manga, which is surprising considering the massive lengths of most of her works. Her stories The Laughing Target, Maris the Chojo, and Fire Tripper all were adapted into original video animations (OVAs). In 1984, after the end of Urusei Yatsura and Maison Ikkoku, Takahashi took a different approach to storytelling and began the dark, macabre Mermaid Saga. This series of short segments was published sporadically until 1994, with the final story being Mermaid's Mask. Many fans contend that this work remains unfinished by Takahashi, since the final story does not end on a conclusive note.
Another short work left untouched is One-Pound Gospel, which, like Mermaid Saga, was published erratically. The last story to be drawn was published in 2001, however just recently she wrote one final chapter concluding the series
Later in 1987, Takahashi began her third major series, Ranma ½. Following the late 80s and early 90s trend of shōnen martial arts manga, Ranma ½ features a gender-bending twist. The series continued for nearly a decade until 1996, when it ended at 38 volumes. Ranma ½ is one of Rumiko Takahashi's most popular series with the Western world.
During the later half of the 1990s, Rumiko Takahashi continued with short stories and her installments of Mermaid Saga and One-Pound Gospel until beginning her fourth major work, InuYasha. While Ran
Rumiko Takahashi is one of the wealthiest women in Japan. The manga she creates (and its anime adaptations) are very popular in the United States and Europe where they have been released as both manga and anime in English translation. Her works are relatively famous worldwide, and many of her series were some of the forerunners of early English language manga to be released in the nineties. Takahashi is also the best selling female comics artist in history; well over 100 million copies of her various works have been sold.
Though she was said to occasionally doodle in the margins of her papers while attending Niigata Chūō High School, Takahashi's interest in manga did not come until later. During her college years, she enrolled in Gekiga Sonjuku, a manga school founded by Kazuo Koike, mangaka of Crying Freeman and Lone Wolf and Cub. Under his guidance Rumiko Takahashi began to publish her first doujinshi creations in 1975, such as Bye-Bye Road and Star of Futile Dust. Kozue Koike often urged his students to create well-thought out, interesting characters, and this influence would greatly impact Rumiko Takahashi's works throughout her career.
Career and major works:
Takahashi's professional career began in 1978. Her first published story was Those Selfish Aliens, a comedic science fiction story. During the same year, she published Time Warp Trouble, Shake Your Buddha, and the Golden Gods of Poverty in Shōnen Sunday, which would remain the home to most of her major works for the next twenty years. Later that year, Rumiko attempted her first full-length series, Urusei Yatsura. Though it had a rocky start due to publishing difficulties, Urusei Yatsura would become one of the most beloved anime and manga comedies in Japan.
In 1980, Rumiko Takahashi found her niche and began to publish with regularity. At this time she started her second major series, Maison Ikkoku, in Big Comic Spirits. Written for an older audience, Maison Ikkoku is often considered to be one of the all-time best romance manga. Takahashi managed to work on Maison Ikkoku on and off simultaneously with Urusei Yatsura. She concluded both series in 1987, with Urusei Yatsura ending at 34 volumes, and Maison Ikkoku being 15.
During the 1980s, Takahashi became a prolific writer of short story manga, which is surprising considering the massive lengths of most of her works. Her stories The Laughing Target, Maris the Chojo, and Fire Tripper all were adapted into original video animations (OVAs). In 1984, after the end of Urusei Yatsura and Maison Ikkoku, Takahashi took a different approach to storytelling and began the dark, macabre Mermaid Saga. This series of short segments was published sporadically until 1994, with the final story being Mermaid's Mask. Many fans contend that this work remains unfinished by Takahashi, since the final story does not end on a conclusive note.
Another short work left untouched is One-Pound Gospel, which, like Mermaid Saga, was published erratically. The last story to be drawn was published in 2001, however just recently she wrote one final chapter concluding the series
Later in 1987, Takahashi began her third major series, Ranma ½. Following the late 80s and early 90s trend of shōnen martial arts manga, Ranma ½ features a gender-bending twist. The series continued for nearly a decade until 1996, when it ended at 38 volumes. Ranma ½ is one of Rumiko Takahashi's most popular series with the Western world.
During the later half of the 1990s, Rumiko Takahashi continued with short stories and her installments of Mermaid Saga and One-Pound Gospel until beginning her fourth major work, InuYasha. While Ran
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
May 16, 2017
This is my favorite manga series ever, and when I picked up this first volume I fully expected to come out of it with 1500 words of effusive nostalgia at the ready. Perverse brain instead decided it doesn't want to talk too much about it.
It has its flaws, for sure. It's a romance and has some of that genre's limitations, and it has some sexual attitudes that haven't carried over well--to say the least--from the 1980s into the 2010s. "Hero" Godai is a lazy creep at this point in the story!
Not to worry, it's very easy to tell my skepticism to take a hike with this one and wallow in decades of accumulated feeling. I'm looking forward to following Kyoko and Godai's journey from young adulthood into their mid-20s once again.
It has its flaws, for sure. It's a romance and has some of that genre's limitations, and it has some sexual attitudes that haven't carried over well--to say the least--from the 1980s into the 2010s. "Hero" Godai is a lazy creep at this point in the story!
Not to worry, it's very easy to tell my skepticism to take a hike with this one and wallow in decades of accumulated feeling. I'm looking forward to following Kyoko and Godai's journey from young adulthood into their mid-20s once again.
December 25, 2020
This is so cute! I wish the two love interests had a bit more of their own spunk, and, between themselves, a bit more spark and chemistry. It may be too early to tell, but I definitely think I’m invested enough to continue reading.
January 22, 2021
This is very similar to Urusei Yatsura in that a bulk of the humor derives from the antics of a profoundly unlikable male protagonist. Although, to be fair, there aren't many likable characters in this save perhaps Kyoko. While it's an interesting change in pace from her other work, as there are no fantasy elements whatsoever, it's far from her best work.
August 3, 2021
This series was okay, however, it was not as amusing as the other series which I have enjoyed and read by Takahashi.
March 26, 2018
A little while back, I finished reading the entire Ikkoku series. Well, that was nearly true.
However, because I bought vol. 1 in the days before the 'editor's choice' edition (i.e. in the larger trim, English-standard-Left-to-Right reading order format), I had one book that didn't fit with the other 14 volumes. And, the new (smaller, R-L) edition included a previously neglected story and re-sequenced the entire story to be in the original Japanese sequence (who decided to re-arrange the chapters for the original translation, I cannot guess).
It was fun to revisit the early days of Yusaku and Kyoko's relationship, as well getting to meet Mrs. Ichinose and Mr. Yotsuya again. It's somewhat miraculous that Kyoko and Yusaku ever get together, given the cataclysmic miscommunications that come between them in this volume. All the characters are compelling, and even the tormentors show a sense of humor and frequently admit to teasing Yusaku and Kyoko. Funny, touching and well told.
However, because I bought vol. 1 in the days before the 'editor's choice' edition (i.e. in the larger trim, English-standard-Left-to-Right reading order format), I had one book that didn't fit with the other 14 volumes. And, the new (smaller, R-L) edition included a previously neglected story and re-sequenced the entire story to be in the original Japanese sequence (who decided to re-arrange the chapters for the original translation, I cannot guess).
It was fun to revisit the early days of Yusaku and Kyoko's relationship, as well getting to meet Mrs. Ichinose and Mr. Yotsuya again. It's somewhat miraculous that Kyoko and Yusaku ever get together, given the cataclysmic miscommunications that come between them in this volume. All the characters are compelling, and even the tormentors show a sense of humor and frequently admit to teasing Yusaku and Kyoko. Funny, touching and well told.
March 20, 2021
This has been on my shelf for years... it's one of my sister's favorites, and she gave me the entire series one year for Christmas. I'd read snippets in the past (back when I was getting them in individual comics, in the late '90s) and decided now was the time.
It's a slice-of-life look at Japan at a boarding house filled with: a student trying to pass his entrance exams, a sexy woman, a peeping tom, an older woman and her five-year old child, and the new manager of the building, who is a young and attractive woman. Our protagonists are the student and the manager. Godai, our student, is helpless. He keeps failing his entrance exams, and is not helped at all by the residents of Maison Ikkoku, who both belittle him and distract him. Kyoko, our manager, is a young and attractive widow, and Godai falls in love with her at first sight.
The first volume sets up their situation immediately; Godai's falling for her is a little... unrealistic, imo. And he soon learns that she was married, and he tries to confess his feelings but can't manage until he's completely drunk and out of his mind. Kyoko, meanwhile, is struggling with her husband's death after only six months of marriage, and she's ashamed that she's kind of drawn to Godai when he confesses her feelings. I sense it'll be a long road full of hijinks for these two.
Meanwhile, in Rumiko Takahashi style, the rest of the cast is repugnant. There's a lot of sexual humor that doesn't hold up well (this was published from 1980-1987, after all) and it's kind of like watching a movie like The Goonies or Soapdish, where you know there's a part of you that once found crass and socially inappropriate humor to be funny, and you're a bit ashamed of it. Like, Godai is mad at Yotsuya for peeping on people because it interrupts his studying, not because it's, you know, gross and wrong.
I'm sure the further I get into the story, the less I'll be critical of things like that - just a blanket "yeah, this is gross, but it comes with the story". I really like other things, such as the casual look at what life in Japan in the 1980s was like. And I remember not liking the art style when I read bits in the late 1990s/early 2000s, but now it's got a retro quality that I rather like. We'll see how it goes!
It's a slice-of-life look at Japan at a boarding house filled with: a student trying to pass his entrance exams, a sexy woman, a peeping tom, an older woman and her five-year old child, and the new manager of the building, who is a young and attractive woman. Our protagonists are the student and the manager. Godai, our student, is helpless. He keeps failing his entrance exams, and is not helped at all by the residents of Maison Ikkoku, who both belittle him and distract him. Kyoko, our manager, is a young and attractive widow, and Godai falls in love with her at first sight.
The first volume sets up their situation immediately; Godai's falling for her is a little... unrealistic, imo. And he soon learns that she was married, and he tries to confess his feelings but can't manage until he's completely drunk and out of his mind. Kyoko, meanwhile, is struggling with her husband's death after only six months of marriage, and she's ashamed that she's kind of drawn to Godai when he confesses her feelings. I sense it'll be a long road full of hijinks for these two.
Meanwhile, in Rumiko Takahashi style, the rest of the cast is repugnant. There's a lot of sexual humor that doesn't hold up well (this was published from 1980-1987, after all) and it's kind of like watching a movie like The Goonies or Soapdish, where you know there's a part of you that once found crass and socially inappropriate humor to be funny, and you're a bit ashamed of it. Like, Godai is mad at Yotsuya for peeping on people because it interrupts his studying, not because it's, you know, gross and wrong.
I'm sure the further I get into the story, the less I'll be critical of things like that - just a blanket "yeah, this is gross, but it comes with the story". I really like other things, such as the casual look at what life in Japan in the 1980s was like. And I remember not liking the art style when I read bits in the late 1990s/early 2000s, but now it's got a retro quality that I rather like. We'll see how it goes!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2023
2.5 Honestly, a bit disappointed. I like the idea, and the way Rumiko puts these funny moments together. BUT, I do think this has been dragged for way too long as it has 15 volumes and apparently the content is very inadequate for such length. Starting from maybe vol 3 or 4 I’ve pretty much lost interest in all the continuing and repetitive misunderstanding and coincidence in the stories… And the most irritating part is that I can’t seem to find much love for these characters, especially when in the later part of the series they are seriously manipulated just to fit in the plots. Overall I just don’t enjoy it much.
第一本高橋留美子，失望了。感覺和看《東京八十年代》有點像，都有古早的簡單純真，但同時也有很多現在看來難以忍受的地方，例如極度過時的性別觀念，濫用的誤解巧合橋段，肆無忌憚地操控人物。當然我認為很大部分原因是在於本書的內容原本根本不可能撐到十五卷，最多到五卷左右響子和五代的雙箭頭已經很明顯，反覆玩弄的伎倆也已經很重複，結果硬生生多拖了十卷，只能說確實有點難以忍受了。
但我覺得最大的問題還是在於，不太能感覺到高橋留美子對這些角色的愛，對於一本這樣的浪漫愛情喜劇來說，這是相當致命的，尤其在後段的卷數裡，大部份人物都淪為阻礙或推進男女主角關係的工具人，對三鷹和梢子的處理特別令人失望。後段最好看的反而是八神這個自我攻略一往無前的小姑娘。因為以上的種種缺點，男女主角的感情也都顯得單調而無趣。雖然很想因為是幾十年前的作品而給點同情分，但真正的佳作是能經得住時間考驗的，而相聚一刻在我看來無疑做不到。
第一本高橋留美子，失望了。感覺和看《東京八十年代》有點像，都有古早的簡單純真，但同時也有很多現在看來難以忍受的地方，例如極度過時的性別觀念，濫用的誤解巧合橋段，肆無忌憚地操控人物。當然我認為很大部分原因是在於本書的內容原本根本不可能撐到十五卷，最多到五卷左右響子和五代的雙箭頭已經很明顯，反覆玩弄的伎倆也已經很重複，結果硬生生多拖了十卷，只能說確實有點難以忍受了。
但我覺得最大的問題還是在於，不太能感覺到高橋留美子對這些角色的愛，對於一本這樣的浪漫愛情喜劇來說，這是相當致命的，尤其在後段的卷數裡，大部份人物都淪為阻礙或推進男女主角關係的工具人，對三鷹和梢子的處理特別令人失望。後段最好看的反而是八神這個自我攻略一往無前的小姑娘。因為以上的種種缺點，男女主角的感情也都顯得單調而無趣。雖然很想因為是幾十年前的作品而給點同情分，但真正的佳作是能經得住時間考驗的，而相聚一刻在我看來無疑做不到。
July 16, 2020
I remember watching several episodes of this anime more than a decade ago, and I recall enjoying it. I am a big fan of Rumiko's (I love Inuyasha) and I wanted to give her earlier material a chance. After finding the first volume of this manga second hand, I thought I might give it a try. It was nowhere near as good as I remembered, and more frustrating than anything. Godai instantly falls in love with Kyoko, without even knowing her, and constantly pines for her, alongside flunking his tests. That's his character. Then there's the slutty bartender, the creepy peeping Tom, and the old nosy mother- they all seem like cardboard stereotypes. There's constant teasing and miscommunication (which is one of my least favorite tropes). There's some potential here for it to get better, but I don't think I'll be continuing the series to find out.
February 13, 2024
Excellent first entry in the series, though I'll echo what others have said and mark this down one star because of the unchecked sexual humor that hasn't aged well. Book 1 Godai is certainly a flawed protagonist with a lot of growing up to do, though readers not familiar with the rest of the series would be wise to look to his silent declaration: "I swear I'll become a fine man...worthy of your ideals!"
It is in this methodical, long-term character development that the true magic of Maison Ikkoku lies, where Godai spends literally years working to become that fine man before he can win Kyoko's heart.
It is in this methodical, long-term character development that the true magic of Maison Ikkoku lies, where Godai spends literally years working to become that fine man before he can win Kyoko's heart.
June 8, 2021
Re-reading this series I first read when I was around 12 years old. Probably not something completely appropriate for me at the time to be honest.
There are definitely very misogynistic views & sexualisation of younger female characters throughout this series which makes me feel uncomfortable to some extent. The rest of the focus is pretty lighthearted though & it reminds me of my childhood so I have mixed feelings towards it.
Characters: 8/10
Plot: 5/10
Writing/Style: 6/10
Enjoyment: 6/10
Overall: 3/5
There are definitely very misogynistic views & sexualisation of younger female characters throughout this series which makes me feel uncomfortable to some extent. The rest of the focus is pretty lighthearted though & it reminds me of my childhood so I have mixed feelings towards it.
Characters: 8/10
Plot: 5/10
Writing/Style: 6/10
Enjoyment: 6/10
Overall: 3/5
October 16, 2017
eh, not for me.
-early Takahashi art = kind of rough (compare first intro of Kyoko in the manga to the illustration of Kyoko on the cover)
-very pervy ("adult" romcom). I feel like Ranma 1/2 was a better iteration on this quality of Takahashi's work, but it's been a while since I've read that so /shrug
-main character is a scrub.
I have a suspicion this series gains some depth as it goes, but idk if I'll read more.
bye
-early Takahashi art = kind of rough (compare first intro of Kyoko in the manga to the illustration of Kyoko on the cover)
-very pervy ("adult" romcom). I feel like Ranma 1/2 was a better iteration on this quality of Takahashi's work, but it's been a while since I've read that so /shrug
-main character is a scrub.
I have a suspicion this series gains some depth as it goes, but idk if I'll read more.
bye
November 16, 2020
This comes as a surprise. I was recommended this on one of the manga database websites and I was sceptical at first. The art style is a bit old, more of the 80s to early 90s style (well, yeah, it was published in the 80s). Halfway through, it fast to be a favourite now. A bit comedic, centred around romance, I found myself giggling to the story and overlooking the flaws of the overall storytelling and exaggeration.
TW: nudity, acts that could be considered as sexual harassment
TW: nudity, acts that could be considered as sexual harassment
July 25, 2018
“Cute & Sweet”
1. The art is so so 80s! I miss this old manga art.
2. this romance cliche is exactly what I need in life lol
3. My fav part is when Yusaku carried Kyoko, just the panel tho.
4. I love how all the tenants are funny omg
5. It’s a light romance a perfect read!
6. I have a feeling I will love this manga and re-read it
March 16, 2022
I like this old school Manga, and with that I mean both the art and the dialogue. There are some proper realistically drawn Japanese backgrounds in this book.
It's much better than some of the more modern themes found in Manga of recent years. An inspiration to my Manga art.
I would like to read more material done by this author.
It's much better than some of the more modern themes found in Manga of recent years. An inspiration to my Manga art.
I would like to read more material done by this author.
October 3, 2018
I don't have a ton to say about this except that the author was cited in a bunch of Twitter threads around the time I read this and it was recommended to me that I read this one to get a taste. Ultimately, it's clear that she is an important name in the genre, but this just wasn't for me.
February 15, 2019
Every summer, from around 2001 to 2011, I would re-read this series on my way to and from work. It took a while to get the whole series (from 1999) as it was still being translated by Viz, but it was worth it.
Read
July 26, 2021DNF at 1/3 way in~
I love the author Rutilo Takahashi but I couldn’t get over the dated attitude of the men side characters. Fawning over the woman lead and trying to get her to like them. Some of it went too far. I hope it gets better…I just couldn’t continue >_<
I love the author Rutilo Takahashi but I couldn’t get over the dated attitude of the men side characters. Fawning over the woman lead and trying to get her to like them. Some of it went too far. I hope it gets better…I just couldn’t continue >_<
June 5, 2019
I really like Rumiko Takahashi’s art style...but this story is terribly dated in an 80’s/90’s sitcomy way.
I personally didn’t like any of the characters and found them annoying instead of humorous.
I personally didn’t like any of the characters and found them annoying instead of humorous.
October 6, 2019
正直ちょっとつまらなかった。五代くんは嫌な奴。近所の人々も同じ。響子ちゃんはピュアな女性。ロマンスの展開は興味ない、今。
January 6, 2020
One of these is enough for me. I think I saw this on a "must read" list ... not interested in reading more.
March 12, 2020
I haven't read this series in a really long time, and it is just what I needed.
<3
<3
April 19, 2020
When you like the idea more than the execution.
February 22, 2021
Very cute slice of life.
January 31, 2023
Quirky and weird but so nostalgic
April 2, 2024
i like rumiko takahashi but this was just "sexual harassment- the manga"
July 24, 2014
One of Takahashi Rumiko's early series, Mansion Ikkohu (rough translation: Mansion of One Moment) is a humorous, heart-warming story of romance, friendship and sense of humor. In my opinion, it's one of Miss Takahashi's masterpieces.
The main characters are a collage-age young man and the widowed housekeeper of Mansion Ikkohu, who has a painful past. The romance between the main couple is developed masterfully by Miss Takahashi, even the love triangle which last almost throughout the series is in fact nicely done (I've hardly ever given love triangles this remark). Aside from the main characters, all of the supporting characters are also adorable and full of funny backstories to tell.
As she developed the many stories for her many characters in this series, Miss Takahashi truly shows her understanding of human nature and how ordinary men and women live in the 1980s-1990s Japanese society. Also, I particularly want to highlight that when the young man finally confesses to the widowed heroine, the scene is so touching---my goodness! This scene really does worth waiting 15 volumes for!
The main characters are a collage-age young man and the widowed housekeeper of Mansion Ikkohu, who has a painful past. The romance between the main couple is developed masterfully by Miss Takahashi, even the love triangle which last almost throughout the series is in fact nicely done (I've hardly ever given love triangles this remark). Aside from the main characters, all of the supporting characters are also adorable and full of funny backstories to tell.
As she developed the many stories for her many characters in this series, Miss Takahashi truly shows her understanding of human nature and how ordinary men and women live in the 1980s-1990s Japanese society. Also, I particularly want to highlight that when the young man finally confesses to the widowed heroine, the scene is so touching---my goodness! This scene really does worth waiting 15 volumes for!
May 30, 2023
3.5 star rating
This series, released in the 1980s, is often referred to as a "timeless masterpiece" that has influenced a lot of romantic-comedy material that we can see in today's manga/anime.
I personally really enjoyed the first volume (chapters 1-10) with its themes of classism, sexism and societal pressure on the younger generation.
However, I did not like some of the comedy used, as it made me uncomfortable and in general does promote a rape culture e.g. groping without consent and "peeping tom" to name a few examples. Its for this reason that I brought the rating down to 3.5.
The story overall is cute but basic and dated. I may read further, I'm unsure at the moment because its not really for me in terms of genre and story (I much prefer supernatural) but I can appreciate how it had a significant impact and influence on material released after it.
This series, released in the 1980s, is often referred to as a "timeless masterpiece" that has influenced a lot of romantic-comedy material that we can see in today's manga/anime.
I personally really enjoyed the first volume (chapters 1-10) with its themes of classism, sexism and societal pressure on the younger generation.
However, I did not like some of the comedy used, as it made me uncomfortable and in general does promote a rape culture e.g. groping without consent and "peeping tom" to name a few examples. Its for this reason that I brought the rating down to 3.5.
The story overall is cute but basic and dated. I may read further, I'm unsure at the moment because its not really for me in terms of genre and story (I much prefer supernatural) but I can appreciate how it had a significant impact and influence on material released after it.
October 7, 2014
I started reading this for various reasons, partly because I've been meaning to read this for a while, and partly because the manga came up during the J-Drama series "Blue Blazes". I really enjoyed the manga, in part because while the story is somewhat serialized (in that there is continuity), it really its in with the "slice of life" genre a lot more than some of the other manga that have read that have been stuck into that genre (like K-On, like Sound of the Sky, etc.)
It's a portion of the ordinary lives of ordinary people, but rather than trying to be "literary" and putting the focus on lives of quiet desperation, as so many more pseudo-serious slice of life dramas and dramedies do, this manga gives these characters feel real without feeling boring or without moving things into the territory of the deliberately awkward family melodrama. Also, I'm pleased by the complete and total lack of (as of this volume) terminally ill people.
It's a portion of the ordinary lives of ordinary people, but rather than trying to be "literary" and putting the focus on lives of quiet desperation, as so many more pseudo-serious slice of life dramas and dramedies do, this manga gives these characters feel real without feeling boring or without moving things into the territory of the deliberately awkward family melodrama. Also, I'm pleased by the complete and total lack of (as of this volume) terminally ill people.
December 11, 2013
Maison Ikkoku Vol. 1 - I really expected to like this book I tried, my word how I tried to like this manga. I'd wanted to read it for ages as I've been a long time fan of her Inuyasha and Ranma 1/2 series. I didn't get half way through. I couldn't. There was nothing there. I realized that this was going to be average, every day life - not supernatural or futuristic, etc. - but the thing is...it's not. But it is. But it's not. The book can't seem to make up its mind if it's going to be slice of life or if it's going to be crazy, zany people tied together because of ____. Here it's where they live, and boy are the people crazy. But then they seem normal...but then they are so not realistic. You see the problem. The book couldn't seem to make up its mind...but I could. Her later work is better. Read that.
April 2, 2017
This is exactly what I was looking for right now. Rarely, am I able to find the one book that I just NEED at the moment and this one kind of just fell into my lap. I was just finishing rereading another manga and happened to pick this one up next.
The humor is spot on with my own and there's really nothing more to say then it was the right book at the right time. I think I'll try and get a hold of the whole series and see if it continues on this way.
Poor "Flunk out" just never being in the right place at the right time and that little boy from one of the other apartments just adds to the humor. Thank you Rumiko Takahashi for lightening my spirits and giving me that true lol humor that I needed.
The humor is spot on with my own and there's really nothing more to say then it was the right book at the right time. I think I'll try and get a hold of the whole series and see if it continues on this way.
Poor "Flunk out" just never being in the right place at the right time and that little boy from one of the other apartments just adds to the humor. Thank you Rumiko Takahashi for lightening my spirits and giving me that true lol humor that I needed.
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