Maison Ikkoku

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"What we've got here is... failure to communicate." - Cool Hand Luke

Misunderstandings are brought about by a failure to convey what one truly wants to say. In many cases the problems caused are nothing more than trivialities, but in certain situations a misunderstanding can have damaging consequences. Relationships can end, families can turn against each other, friends can become enemies, misunderstandings can even spark wars.

Maison Ikkoku is probably one of the most well known and influential romantic comedies in the history of manga and anime. Created in 1980 by the reknowned Takahashi Rumiko, the manga was serialised in "Big Comic Spirits" for its entire ... 7 year run. The story was adapted into a 96 episode anime in 1986, and also spawned a movie, three OVAs, and a music special.

The tale begins with Godai Yusaku, a student who is attempting to leave the the boarding house known as Maison Ikkoku as he feels that the residents there are hindering his studies and causing him to fail his exams. He changes his mind however, when a beautiful woman, Otonashi Kyoko, appears and tells everyone that she is the new manager.

Now, many people consider the story in Maison Ikkoku to be a straightforward romantic comedy with indecisive lead characters, and to be honest, this is a perfectly reasonable and logical conclusion - on the surface. What really struck me about this series though, wasn't actually the romance or the comedy, both of which were pretty decent. No, what really stood out for me was the fact that the main concept seemed to be about misunderstandings, in particular how they can force people to behave in certain ways over time (more on this in a bit).

While the majority of the story flows pretty well, one of the issues that some people have with Maison Ikkoku is that there is a large section in the middle of the series where it seems as though nothing in particular happens. While I can understand that perspective, I actually thought this was a rather clever way of highlighting how time can pass with nothing actually happening. Those of you who are familiar with Takahashi Rumiko's other works will know that she is an author who doesn't approach a story in a typical manner, and that her tales aren't often straightforward affairs.

That said, even I felt that the middle section of the series dragged on a bit too long, however I didn't really get bored of reading the series as the comedy made up for some of the shortfalls.

As far as the artwork goes the series shows its age in two main areas - the drawing style and the character design. This is particularly noticeable at the beginning of the series and may put some people off reading the series altogether. However, while the style may be typical Takahashi Rumiko, the series is particularly indicative of how her she developed during the course of the manga, and the latter half of the series is more reminiscent of much of her later work.

Even though the series does have some flaws with the artwork, some of the visual gags were truly inspired and the characters are a lot more expressive and emotive than one might expect from a series this old.

One of the biggest gripes people have with Maison Ikkoku is the characters. I've heard it mentioned that if both lead characters were less indecisive then the series could have been completed in half the time, and even I have to agree with that statement. However, I would have to add that certain ways of thinking, certain behaviours, become habitual in a very short space of time. Kyoko's inability to choose between Godai Yusakui and Mitaka Shun is one example of how the characters become accustomed to a certain situation - something that can happen in real life as well. The middle section of the series is the area where these habits are most prominent, and it's actually rather nice to see a mangaka acknowledge that any type of relationship can become stale when one is simply "going through the motions".

One thing I will add is that while both character display a clear inability to make a decision, Takahashi has made the effort to justify their indecisiveness to a degree.

As far as development goes, much of it occurs on the part of Yusaku and Kyoko, however a number of other characters are also given some depth over the course of the series, and while the amount may vary from one character to the next, the series is surprising in its ambition to give every character a moment in the spotlight.

In terms of enjoyment, Maison Ikkoku is one of those stories that you can love and hate at the same time. The romance and comedy are well handled, however the numerous misunderstandings that lead compound Yusaku and Kyoko's indecisiveness can become annoying for some people, and I will admit that the series tested even my patience on a couple of occasions.

That said, if you can work through the flaws in the plot, the poor artwork at the beginning, the numerous misunderstandings, etc, then what is left is a surprisingly charming series with some unique characters. One thing that many people may find though, is how similar Maison Ikkoku is to later romantic comedies, but given that many took inspiration/borrowed/stole outright from this series, it's understandable that there would be more than a passing resemblance.

Still, they do say plagiarism is the first form of flattery :P

Although it's slightly more engaging than other similar works, this manga is still your typical japanese slice-of-life / romantic comedy in a (pseudo) student residence:

You can expect endless misunderstandings, a plot that drags on for many volumes with little to no real development in the main couple’s relationship (at some point you will feel like the manga just keep repeating similar situations), and an extremely cowardly male protagonist (in this case he goes as far as to start dating another girl he's not even interested in because he can't say no...).

Since this manga is quite old, in addition to all the above there are also ... some behaviors that nowadays would be considered sexual harassment, and here are portrayed as normal or even "funny".

While not the worst manga I have ever read, Maison Ikkoku is certainly the manga I hate most. A seemingly unthinkable opinion given the reviews and recommendations that seem to drip of this work in buckets worth. Any and all of those reviews seem to take what I view as the reasons that this manga is a god awful piece of shit as reasons that it is amazing and wonderful, or give the manga a great rating while acknowledging how glaring these issues are. I'll try to cover them, and I can on some of them understand it is simple a difference of taste, but ... the majority is something I find completely insane and backwards. Almost as if I've gone into medieval times where burning people for a difference of belief is the norm. To briefly summarize my issues with the manga before I dive deep. With the exception of a child all characters are either seemingly irredeemable morons with little common sense, or parasites who leech off of those more misfortunate than themselves or too stupid to do something about it. Throughout 85% of the manga there is absolutely no progress, which would be fine if not for the mandatory progress a budding relationship requires. Now, with that said, I'll go into detail around mostly the story and more importantly the characters as those are the biggest issues. (Buckle up, this is going to be a big fucking rant)

First, the story. The story of Maison Ikkoku begins with a young college student in a rather run down boardinghouse of weirdos, managed by a young beautiful widow. The focus of the story seems to be said weirdos either abusing or exploiting that young college student by maliciously causing misunderstandings between said college student and the young widow. The object of his affection. The residents understand that this causes stress for an already stressed young adult who is pressured with school work, exams, and finances. To top it off, they decide to pile onto that finance issue by frequently forcing him to pay for alcohol or food. Something this student is too stupid to deny. Ignoring that, this young student goes about his days, daydreaming about the young widow. On occasion there are hints or progress or a half assed confession, but by the next chapter it is ignored and we've regressed basically to original start of the manga. The only notable progress in the first 140 chapters is that Godai, our young college student, and Kyoko the widow get to speak to each other more personally, as is the case with most people who live with one and other.

The other issue with the story is closely intertwined with character, but I'll do my best to separate them. Godai, our young idiot, frequently gets lucky with girls even though he isn't described as particularly attractive or desirable. The most prominent object of this luck is Kozue, a girl his age who is affectionate towards him. For those 140 chapters Kozue seems to be under the impression Godai reciprocates her feelings towards him and that they are a couple. Those 140 chapters span several years. And in those years our young moron meets her family as her boyfriend. This fucking idiot some how managed to knowingly date a girl for years without once mentioning he never intended to nor wants to be her significant other. How on Earth you accidentally date someone for years is beyond common sense and seems to be something other readers find hilarious, where as I find it depressing and down right cruel. Leading someone who loves you on for years when you have no intention of returning those feelings, regardless of the cliche funny moments, isn't comedy. It's cruelty.

Now to switch over to a more character focus, I'll individually complain, I mean analyze each character. I'll go from biggest cunt, to retard, to functioning person.

Biggest cunt and first character is Mitaka, Godai's rival for Kyoko. Mitaka is a few years older than Kyoko, in his mid to late twenties. He's handsome, tall, born rich, athletic and has the character you'd expect for a person born with a silver spoon in their ass, that also has had everything handed to them in life. From their luck with genetics to family money. Mitaka isn't a rival any reader that isn't a 14 year old girl who finds Mitaka 'dreamy or ideal' or a total cunt would ever root for. I can't be bothered to remember every individual interaction between him and other characters, but I'll pick on the ones that stick out most, after generalizing the majority. Mitaka puts on a nice guy face for Kyoko, a beautiful young widow who is in his residential tennis class, filled with young to middle aged mothers.

He focuses his affections on her for the majority of the series seemingly knowing nothing about her or her feelings regarding him. He constantly pressures her into dates or outings. The other characters he frequently interact with are Godai, and Ichinose, a short, fat, middle aged mother who lives at the bordering house with Kyoko and Godai. He largely ignores Ichinose (something, to be fair, I'd do as well given her personality) and frequently imposes his superiority complex onto Godai. He, and I quote, gets going on "cutting Godai down to size". What he means by that is whenever he manages to pressure Kyoko into doing something with him, he likes to wave it in front of Godai and watch his despair, and synthesize motivation from it. That quote comes from a chapter where he vehemently tells Godai he will not "let Kyoko fall into poverty by ending up with Godai". Yea, the cunt born into money and talent who's never truly worked a day in his life is getting off telling a moron who works for everything, where he's going to end up.

Next interaction that sticks out is the one where he gets Kyoko's family, who naturally adore a rich handsome man, to trick her into a dinner where he basically ends up kidnapping her. He takes to an out of the way fancy hotel restaurant, where he informs her he has a room. That he intends to get into her heart. Something he knows nothing about given his continued pursual. He even mentions he might 'force his way in'. Sounds like a rape threat to me, but I'll leave the interpretation of the man who just kidnapped a woman, took her to a hotel which she has no way of leaving but him, and informed said woman that he'd like to spend the night with her, to you. Few more complaints then we will move onto the next cunt. On the occasion where he kidnapped her, he encouraged her to drink more and more alcohol. Noting he'd 'be sober by morning'. Remember, this is the occasion he kidnapped her and noted his intention to sleep with her. Whether he intended to rape her, I will again leave to you. But I think it's fairly obvious given the fact he stated he intended to sleep with her that night, then continued to pile on drinks into her. Next he tried to guilt her into marrying him. Noting that 'no matter how she turns him down, it will be cruel, very cruel'. This seemingly largely implies he KNOWS she does not like him and is yet still pursuing her and forcing her into uncomfortable positions. Even when she's crying because she doesn't know how to turn him down he still does not relent. Oh, and did I mention he INTENTIONALLY ambushed Kyoko, her family, and her deceased husband's family at HIS FUCKING GRAVE, to curry favor with her family to further pressure her into a relationship with him.

The only reason he gives up is because his uncle arranges a marriage between him and a shy young, equally pampered rich girl. The reason he gives up is because he misunderstands, thanks to that annoying cunt housewife Ichinose, that he got her pregnant when he was drunk. When in reality he only kissed her (big deal to said girl, but almost nothing to him) and it was her dog who got pregnant thanks to his dog. He then, under the impression said fiance is pregnant, promised to marry her on the spot before confirming the second hand information that it was SHE who was pregnant. Then he 'gives up' on Kyoko because not even he is a big enough cunt (Debatable) to call off a planned wedding he promised to a young shy and overall good girl who for some reason (actually because her dogs like him and apparently dogs choose fiances) loves him. That, all in all, is Mitaka. Godai's rival. A pushy cunt and the worst character, IMO, of the series. He for the entirety of the series pissed me off and did not once do one good thing without having an ulterior motive. The only thing that can be interpreted as a genuinely 'good' act is him not calling off the marriage he agreed to once discovering the fiance was not pregnant. Which is not as much a good thing as it is just not a cunt thing.

Next character. Yotsuya. Godai's male, middle aged neighbour. A voyeur and an overall fucking creep. He breaks the wall inbetween his and Godai's room so he can sneak a peek and sneak in at his leisure. Constantly blackmails Godai, the young college student with financial issues, into buying food, alcohol and throwing parties in his room where he pays for said catering for him and the other cunty residents of the boarding house. Which I might add is not only a financial disturbance, but also an issue regarding sleep and study time for him, further negatively impacting Godai's life. Throughout the series Yotsuya has not ONCE done anything selfless. In fact every action or scene we see of him is manipulating others, mostly Godai, for his entertainment or benefit. He has LITERALLY (and I am actually properly using the word unlike most people who use it for emphasis) has not done one decent thing in the series. Even if he did, it's far outweighed by the general cunty behaviour he exhibits on a daily basis. This one is very short because there isn't much to say. He's a god damn parasite who leeches off a fucking student, a voyeur who spies on women, and a straight up cunt with even less redeeming features than Mitaka. The only reason Mitaka is higher on the cunt radar is because he implies rape, kidnaps and preforms what I would call psychological torment.

Onto Ichinose, the previously mention short, fat, mother housewife. She, like Yotsuya is a parasite draining money from Godai in the form of alcohol, food, and party. The only reason she's above him is because she doesn't blackmail Godai, and isn't a fucking creepy voyeur. She constantly neglects her child, and when on screen, is either intentionally or unintentionally causing mischief by repeating fractured or untrue information. Usually between Godai and Kyoko. Or is drunk and partying while neglecting her preschool age child. Who, as a housewife, is charged with caring for said child. Literally all she does in the series is get drunk on some else's dime, ignore her kid, and spread misinformation. Equally short an analysis because there is literally nothing else to her character. She's a goddamn disgrace of a mother and wife. And an overall cunt.

The next character is the last 'villainous' character. After her we move on from malicious cunts to fucking idiots. Akemi, a young beautiful waitress, who more often than not is not wearing enough clothing. She also, as all residents seem to do, get drunk on a student's dime. She is implied to sleep or at least date around with less than ideal members of society. She's a bit more complex than the previously mention absolute cunts, as she seemingly understands the feelings and tensions between Godai and Kyoko and on occasion (specifically the end, where she gives a pretty decent push to Kyoko towards Godai) helps them out. But overall can be regarded as a cunt who seems attracted to Mitaka because he's rich and handsome, also ignores his cunt tendencies. Drinks and parties on a student's dime in his room, with the other residents often disturbing him. Also, on ocassion, accuses said student of spying on her, which isn't true. I think it's obvious who it is, and even if it was Godai, it's not as if she doesn't walk around in the state she gets 'spied on' as of her own volition. Again a short review, as she's a fairly straightforward character. Still a cunt, but much less a cunt. Though that's only because of the one occasion she did something noticeably good.

Now, onto the fucking morons. First, our protagonist Godai. You should have a pretty good idea of what I'm going to say about him so this will also be pretty short, given all the details you gotten on him before. Well, let's start. He's a fucking idiot who manages to lead on a girl for years never once clarifying their relationship for fear "of hurting her" as if unwantingly dating her for several years and leading her to believe you love her when you don't, won't hurt more. He also, on occasion, almost gives into temptation and almost 'furthers' his 'relationship' with Kozue, if you catch my drift, despite not loving her, her loving him, AND him loving someone else. He lets his parasite cunt neighbours exploit him for money, alcohol and food. Constantly lets misunderstandings form between him and Kyoko and other women, and almost without exception fails to clarify them until major damage is done, if at all. Overall, more of an idiot than an asshole and stereotypical moron dude who thinks with his smaller head most times. I wouldn't call Godai a bad person, but I sure wouldn't want to be friends with him. Mostly because he lets people exploit him, never stands up for himself, lets misunderstandings flourish and is an overall fucking idiot. The good things about him are he seems to have good intentions, though he never fucking acts on them. And whether it be because he loves her or realizes objectively what a fucking cunt Mitaka is, tries to keep that superficial fucking asshole away from Kyoko.

Next, the main heroine, and fellow idiot, Kyoko. The beautiful widow. Bet you're surprised she's in the fucking moron category. Let me explain. She, like Godai, but to a lesser extent (mainly because Mitaka is a fucking creepy moron who realizes this but continues to push on) somewhat leads on Mitaka. Well, less lead on, and more never tells him to fuck off. This can be interpreted as her being shy or worried about hurting him, but hey, he's a fucking danger to society who ambushes families at graves to curry favor. So I don't think she should be worried about his feelings as much as her safety. Given that he's pressured her into many things and basically kidnapped her on one occasion. Now, ignoring Mitaka because half of that issue isn't her fault. We move onto Godai. While she often assists Godai whether that be by removing the aforementioned fucking parasites from him, albeit temporarily. She also gets unreasonably angry whenever a situation with Godai and another women (Often Kozue, and often a misunderstanding Godai wants no part of). Which is completely fucking ridiculous because she NEVER ONCE clarified her feelings for him, or officially recognized her and Godai to be in any sort of romantic relationship. Yea, I get that it's uncool for a guy who implies and even on occasion says he loves you to seemingly be with other women, but what fucking right do you have to be angry when you A) do the same fucking thing which a rich creepy cunt, and even at times agree to a date with said creepy fuck to spite Godai and B) are not in a formal relationship with him. All in all, I don't truly hate Kyoko, but I sure wouldn't want anything to do with such an unreasonable woman. I think the only reason people find her desirable is A) Her obvious ridiculous good looks, and B) She never 'puts out' and has a very reserved and generally nurturing calming appearance. If you removed her looks, odds are, most people wouldn't give a damn. Yes, she has some good points, and if I had to give her an outright good or bad rating, no middleground, I'd give her good. I personally think she's not someone I'd want anything to do with, and lets her emotions rule her more than she should.

Now, onto the final individual character who is an actual reasonable person, and neither a cunt nor moron. The sole main character of the series to be so is, Ichinose... Kentarou. The cunty housewife's gradeschool child. A fucking child is the only main character of the series who is not a complete lunatic. He all in all is 'average' kid. He's selfish at times, but given his surroundings, at other times is surprisingly mature. He often tries to get his bitch mother to stop getting drunk. He views Yusaka and Kyoko as some of the few ALMOST sane people in that boarding house, which I agree with. He doesn't have many positive or negative interactions, and is mostly a neutral character that illustrates how much of a failure at parenting his mother is. Overall he is the only character I can describe as a functioning person.

There are other possibly reasonable characters, but they don't appear enough to make a concrete call on that. Such as Ichinose's husband, Godai's friends, family, Etc, etc. All in all, the lack of decent (in both quality of creation and values), interesting characters who actually show progress or provide entertainment, and nonexistent story lead this to be my most hated manga. The main couple aren't a couple for 90% of the series and are even in 'pseudo' relationships for the majority of the series. They show little progress with each other, and are surrounded by fucking malicious cunts, and themselves are so goddamn stupid, they should have to wear a neon vest with a dunce cap and provide cards certifying how stupid they are. The surrounding main characters, (Boarding house residents, Mitaka, etc) are so plainly manipulative, parasitic and outright cunts with seemingly no redeeming feature I can't view any interactions of them with the story or main characters as anything other than sad. Again, the series is basically about a mentally handicapped college student, who is constantly exploited by his housemates, and loves a jealous widow with little commonsense, who is chased by a fucking creepy handsome rich guy.

I do find the ending of this series rather favorable as I do, generally, prefer 'happy' endings. But this ending felt very superficial and obvious. As if everything that happened was a sure thing. It also didn't do closure very well, regarding the main couples 'rivals' but whatever. Not going to complain about such small issues in the face of the giant raging monstrosities that are the characters and majority of the story. Overall, I argue that this manga is objectively a 2 / 10 given it's characters are fairly flat and display no progress. The main story relies and cliche situations that often derive 'comedy' at another's expense, and the near entirety of the story could be summarized as and avoided if not for misunderstandings. All in all, I fail to call this a comedy, or romance, more of a big clusterfuck of misunderstandings, jealousy, idiocy, and cunts. If you've got time to kill and want to hate yourself and fictional characters, I wholeheartedly recommend this series, otherwise drop this shit harder than the plague dropped medieval Europe's population.