I have nothing bad to say about the collector's edition! It's just as you expect when picking it up, and a fun read. Always enjoy reading Rumiko Takahashi's work.

Rumiko Takahashi's work is simply iconic, and no series shows this better than Maison Ikkoku. The relationship between Godai and Kyoko is incredibly compelling, utilizing the themes of grief and maturity to gradually develop their characters. Compared to other romance stories, the focal relationship between these two leads feels far more grounded, which makes it easier to Godai and Kyoko's predicaments. What's further praiseworthy is how Takahashi implements her humor without it being detrimental to underlying messages. Godai and his fellow tenants have a lot of quirky encounters, but it feels natural within the larger narrative. It's a perfect balance that is rarely seen manga, and few creators can pull it off as well as Takahashi. I'm excited that this amazing series has become available again in the US, so that more people can experience its story.

I have been an avid follower of Maison Ikkoku for years, ever since I found three random volumes of it at my local library when I was younger. This is a stunningly put together collected edition, showing the very best of Maison Ikkoku and its colourful residents, A much needed revival of a hugely amusing and entertaining story in my opinion.

Maison Ikkoku is a blast of Manga nostalgia.

One of the great Rumiko Takahashi's earlier works, it first ran from 1980 to 1987 with an anime series adaptation running from 1986 to 1988. It's a gentle romantic comedy with a strong slice of life vibe -- even in-between the comedic shenanigans.

Maison Ikkoku follows Godai, a ronin (which means person studying to take the super difficult university admissions test) who lives in a boarding house style of apartment. He's surrounded by annoying and rambunctious neighbors. After their antics caused the previous apartment manager to quit, a new and massively attractive apartment manager shows up. Her name is Kyoko and Godai immediately falls head over heels in love with her.

The other apartment residents also take a shining to her, much to Godai's chagrin. And thus starts the long-running romantic comedy.

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This manga collection is pure nostalgia glasses for me. I discovered Takahashi's work early in my anime/manga journey as I suspect many people did considering she's known for such titles as Urusei Yatsura, Ranma 1/2, InuYasha, and Rin-ne. I've liked several of her other titles but had never actually read Maison Ikkoku (or seen the anime for that matter).. This was such a blast from the past.

First off, this is not Japan as we know it today. This is the Japan of forty years ago. That means that social mores are different. And things like smoking are common. Also the technology and expectations are different. It's sort of fascinating to read, honestly. One thing that I had to keep reminding myself is that this manga was written specifically to appeal to a male audience. It was one of the flagship manga in the still running Big Comic Spirits serial. So the jokes and gaze is meant for young men and not women, and it does show.. The comedy is very slapstick and some of the antics didn't always land for me. It may be because I'm not Japanese, it may be because I am reading this in 2020 and not in 1980, or it may be because I'm a woman. Who knows?

One thing Takahashi is known for is creating memorable characters, and Maison Ikkoku is no exception. Godai is an interesting character, relatable to a lot of young men even today. And Kyoko is an interesting Takahashi character. She's more reminiscent of Kasumi from Ranma 1/2 than any other of her heroines. And there's an adorable dog, Soichiro. (who no lie is my favorite character LOL)

The art is a little rough, and that might be in part that this is early in Takahashi's career or because of the technological limitations of the time. At times I had trouble telling some of the characters apart, which is part of the reason why this doesn't get five stars from me. In a visual medium, identifiablity is important.

I think this would be definitely something someone who likes Takahashi's other works would love to own. I also feel that people who like slapstick heavy romantic comedies would also really enjoy this.

As for me, I give this:

Four stars

Thank you to VIZ MEDIA and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.

This manga took me a little bit to get into. I think because the main character is just straight up annoying. But I like the growth and change that he goes through throughout the book. If you are a fan of slice of life manga then I think you would like this one. Overall it was an interesting and entertaining read and I'm glad that I gave it a shot.

I’m a big fan of Rumiko Takahashi’s work, so it’s inevitable I would reach for this release. I’ve enjoyed Mermaid Saga, Inuyasha, and I love Ranma 1/2, but I didn’t know much about this manga before reading it.

The set up really drew me in. I like reading about different characters coming together and interacting, so what better place than in a house share. They all have their distinct personalities and they bounce off everyone well, so I really enjoyed that aspect. It’s your typical slice of life with funny scenarios and humorous scenes, with Takahashi’s signature art style to boot.

While this is fun to read, it has not aged well. The romance comes off as a bit creepy, since the main guy peeps on the love interest and simps over her, and she didn’t seem that receptive over his affections, so it was hard to root for them. I wish it didn’t focus on them most of the time, since it would’ve been more enjoyable to watch everyone else instead.

This is a fun read, but I’d recommend the aforementioned work by Takahashi. She’s a talented artist and writer, and one of the best in the manga world.

A classic light romance manga. This and Takahashi's classic Ranma 1/2 (a martial arts romance farce) were the two first manga I read, borrowed from my college roommate way back at the dawn of the digital age. Because of that, any rating will be inexorably affected by affectionate nostalgia, but while the art is rounder and more cartoonish than the current manga style and the romance plot is verrrrrry stretched out, it's still a sweet, fun, and even funny story.

The residents of Maison Ikkoku (which is basically a boarding house) are a loud and interesting bunch. On the day the book opens, Yusaku Godai has HAD it. He's going to leave Maison Ikkoku because his neighbors won't quiet down and leave him alone to study. It is during his attempt number whatever to move out that the new building manager arrives. Enter: Kyoko Otonashi. The residents are surprised, but welcome her in their own way and it's suddenly as if she was always there. When Otonashi encourages Godai to pass his college exams, that's when the drama begins.

Maison Ikkoku primarily follows the relationship between Otonashi and Godai. There's a plethora of side characters, from the neighbors to a love interest to kids to a dog. When you read it, it's fairly easy to keep track of who is who and what they are like. A limited amount of characters appear per story/chapter.

If the manga looks like it has a retro feel to it, that's because it is. The story is set sometime in the 1980s which is also about when it was originally produced (1980-1987 according to Wikipedia). As a longtime manga reader, manga art in general has a sort of evolution to it and sometimes you can guess when something was made based on the style. This is one of those cases. (Also, rotary phone!)

So let's talk about the past with this title! When I was in my teens and when manga was starting to become the thing that it is now, Maison Ikkoku was one of those recommended titles and I wanted to get it. I never did though as other stuff caught my attention (probably titles by CLAMP and the series Mars). Rumiko Takahashi was also starting to become well known for Ranma 1/2 and InuYasha.

If you're looking for manga titles for adults, this is certainly a good fit. It's likely to have teen appeal only for those who are determined to read anything by Rumiko Takahashi or want a romantic comedy with older characters.

Generally, pick up this title if InuYasha and Ranma 1/2 has had a huge interest among patrons. This is a title better suited to college and adult comic collections, but high school libraries can throw this in for those looking for something that isn't about teenagers. It's great to see this title back in print and there is likely to be demand for longtime manga readers who read it before or missed it the first time.

Cute, funny, kinda sweet slice-of-life touch of romance manga from the 80s. Some bits haven't aged well, but overall, this was good. There's a lot of awkward crushing going on, and tons of sitcom misunderstandings and crossed wires. The characters are well-rounded and relatable, and it's almost guaranteed you know someone that's like at least one of them. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

#MaisonIkkokuCollectorsEditionVol1 #NetGalley

My first introduction to the 2018 Eisner Hall of Fame inductee Rumiko Takahashi was with Inuyasha in the 2000s. I was happy to see Viz Media begin to rerelease her beloved older works since many are out of print and difficult for newer fans to get a hold of. While my exposure to Takahashi’s work has been predominantly her supernatural fantasy, I was excited to read the first volume of her romantic comedy Maison Ikkoku. The Collector’s Edition features a new translation by Matt Treyvaud, and touch-up art and lettering by Inori Fukuda Trant.

The story focuses on the daily antics of the residents of the Maison Ikkoku boarding house. There’s Yusaku Godai, a rōnin, or a student who has failed to pass the exams to get into the next level of education (in Godai’s case: university); Yotsuya, a man who would prefer to bust through walls instead of using a door; Akemi Roppongi, a woman who lounges around in her lingerie, much to the dismay of other residents; and finally gossipy Mrs. Ichinose and her grade-school age son.

The manga opens with Godai struggling to pass his college entrance exams, due to his eccentric neighbors messing with him. He is about to move out when Kyoko Otonashi moves in as the new building manager. Godai is immediately smitten and thus begins the residents tormenting Godai as he attempts to woo Otonashi.

This first volume relies heavily on a more episodic structure, with a lot of slapstick comedy. This helps introduce all the main players, and give readers a feel for how they will all interact. There is a sense that this might turn into a found family story, and I’ll be curious to see if that vibe persists in later volumes. The romantic comedy elements hit the nail on the head. Everything is miscommunicated, misunderstood, and the story is a delightful comedy of errors. Amid the slapstick, there is tenderness. Otonashi is coping with grief and loss. Godai briefly bonds with young Kentaro about classism in schools. The last chapter of this volume ended on such a sweet note that I was sad I had to wait for the second.

Unfortunately, amid all these joys, there are flaws. This is a manga series from the 80s, and certain elements have not aged well. Sexual harassment makes up a fair amount of the slapstick comedy (think Miroku from Inuyasha). Characters grope and peep, and Yusaku often falls into the lecherous man trope. Usually, the perpetrators get slapped in the face, but not always, and it is still played more for comedic effect. It is a shame, especially when the series features Akemi, who is refreshingly confident in her sexuality. Aside from that, Godai can come off as a bit entitled to Otonashi’s attention and makes her grieving process more about him than I’d like. However, the story doesn’t completely let him off. Characters call Godai out for being a deadbeat, and he sets a goal to become a more responsible person worthy of Otonashi.

Takahashi’s character designs and paneling add to the comedy. All the characters have rounded faces, expressive eyebrows, and laugh with their teeth on full display. Sound effects are practically a character on their own (huge props to Fukuda Trant’s lettering work). Art tends to be strictly contained in their respective panels, keeping the pace going in the slapstick moments. Readers won’t be pausing to take in a full-page spread.

While a lot of Maison Ikkoku Collector’s Edition Volume 1 is laying the cards on the table; it is fun when they do get put into play. I can see the beginnings of what makes this series endearing to so many. I look forward to growing with the characters.

This was a fun little read. I wasn't completely invested in the characters, but I didn't dislike them either. Enjoyed the plot.

Review: ‘Maison Ikkoku’ Collector’s Edition, Vol. 1 is Rom-Com Goodness!

Rumiko Takahashi’s classic romantic comedy about finding your path in life back in print!

But here’s the thing: Maison Ikkoku is magical. In its own way. It’s rom-com goodness and I’m so grateful to be able to start reading the series now and appreciate it for what it is. It is a story of a run-down building of people all eccentric and noisy tenants and the new landlady, Kyoko Otonashi who is young, beautiful, and technically single and who brings new life to the party. One of the tenants that has a bigger spotlight is Yusaku Godai who didn’t get accepted into college on the first try, so he’s studying to retake the entrance exams.

But living in a dilapidated building full of folks who nickname him “Ronin”–poking fun at his status of being a failed student who just hasn’t gotten enough purpose of footing in life–he finds it hard to study in peace and gets the results he wants. Now that a beautiful woman has moved in to become the new resident manager, Godai is driven to distraction and so is the rest of the house.

This manga is funny, light-hearted, and a slow-paced read. Very much slice of life–as there aren’t huge stakes like saving your kid sister from becoming a monster or saving the earth as we know if from menaces from outer space–the true conflicts come from the everyday lives of the folks living there like Akemi the young lady who works at a bar and often walks about at home in her nightgowns and underwear, usually hungover from a night’s work. There’s Hanae, the middle-aged married woman with a young son, who is the biggest gossip in town. Yotsuya is another resident of the shared building who is perhaps the biggest pest and mysterious one–not much is known about him.

BUT he’s always catching Godai in the strangest situations like peeping through an actual crack in the wall in their room and pushing dirty magazines in when the struggling student is expecting guests. Like I said there are personalities for days and with Kiyoko, the young, unmarried woman who is the new landlord–she finds that she’d fodder for the gossip mill, and someone new to be entangled in their lives. It is all jokes and silliness and then as I read on I found a really, endearing portrait of the different types of relationships present in the world, defining what the world family means and most importantly: figuring out your own path in life. Whether you’re considering what next to do career wise or considering starting a new romantic relationship with someone.

At more than 300 pages, the first volume is a two in one, perfect for long time fans and new fans alike. The Viz website notes that the rating is “Teen+”. Manga published by them in that category usually is more suitable for older teens and adults. For example, may contain intense and/or gory violence, sexual content, frequent strong language, alcohol, tobacco and/or other substance use. While there isn’t BERSERK level of gore and violence there’s a spot of nudity and lots of slapstick humor and situations that lean more towards adult humor. Certain humorous situations did not age well due to the slapstick comedic effect of male characters being slapped for their lecherous words and actions. Remember how exasperated you felt reading and watching Inuyasha‘s Miroku? YEAH. You’ll feel a bit of that exasperation here too.

A romantic comedy that blends in a little bit everything by Legendary manga creator Rumiko Takahashi, who was finally honored with an induction into the Eisner Hall of Fame back in 2018 means manga fans today get a taste of this veteran’s brilliance. Who is this manga for? The rom-com lovers, the “vintage” manga lovers and most certainly fans of Rumiko Takahashi.

Maison Ikkoku Collector’s Edition Volume One collects the first 16 chapters of the series into one volume. It appears from this release that VIZ Media is breaking down the volumes the same way the Japanese 10-volume version of the series did, instead of the Japanese 15-volume release of Maison Ikkoku.

Maison Ikkoku Collector’s Edition Volume One
Written by: Rumiko Takahashi
Publisher: Shogakukan
English Publisher: VIZ Media
Release Date: September 15, 2020

A 22-year-old widow named Kyoko Otonashi becomes the new manager for a broken-down boarding house called Maison Ikkoku. She is a sweet and polite woman, but she also has a frightening side that emerges when she’s jealous or has to deal with her parents. She has a dog named Soichiro, whom she has named after her late husband.

Yusaku Godai is a 20-year-old ronin student and resident of Maison Ikkoku, who is studying for his college entrance exams after failing in the first year. He’s a nice and handsome guy, but he can also be rather indecisive. Yusaku falls in love with Kyoko at first sight, but he has trouble telling her how he feels. It doesn’t help that Kyoko’s 12-year-old niece, Ikuko, develops a crush on Yusaku and wants him to tutor her. Ikuko doesn’t care that Yusaku keeps failing his entrance exams, she just wants an excuse to spend time with him. And later in the volume, a girl who used to work with Yusaku at one of his jobs comes into the picture and appears to be interested in him.

The other tenants of Maison Ikkoku are a thorn in Yusaku’s side and tend to cause misunderstandings between Kyoko and Yusaku. Yotsuya is Yusaku’s mysterious neighbor, who is usually dressed in a business suit. However, no one knows what he does outside of Maison Ikkoku. Yotsuya enjoys mooching off others, likes peeping on Akemi, and tormenting Yusaku.

Akemi Roppongi is a bar hostess. Between working the late-night shift and spending the rest of her night drinking, she often has a sleepy look on her face. Like Yotsuya, she also enjoys tormenting Yusaku.

Hanae Ichinose is a short, middle-aged woman, who also seems to spend quite a bit of her time drinking. She’s a gossip and enjoys helping the tenants torment Yusaku. Her son, Kentaro Ichinose, is a bratty grade schooler. However, he is rather fond of Kyoko, because he sees her as the only other sane person (besides himself, of course). As we see later in the volume, Kentaro seems to develop a little crush on Ikuko.

By the end of this volume, Yusaku manages to succeed at passing a college entrance exam and starts attending school. And just when it seems like a relationship could potentially happen between him and Kyoko, Hanae convinces Kyoko to join the neighborhood housewives tennis team. Their coach is a handsome man named Shun Mitaka,, who has a reputation as a ladies’ man. Shun starts courting Kyoko, which begins a rivalry between him and Yusaku.

Having familiarity with other manga by Rumiko Takahashi, such as Ranma 1/2 and Inuyasha, I can definitely see some of the characteristics that I know from these other titles. Obviously, there’s going to be a lot of similarity in the art style, since they were all drawn by the same mangaka. However, I also see a pattern of a complicated relationship web being developed here, which are also prevalent in works like Ranma 1/2 and Inuyasha. However, I think the similarities are a little more noticeable between Maison Ikkoku and Ranma 1/2, since both of these titles are set in the real world. While Inuyasha has the occasional scene set in modern day Japan, that title is more a “feudal fairy tale” than the others. For readers who are already familiar with Takahashi’s other works should be able to get into Maison Ikkoku rather quickly.

As I read this volume, I kept rooting for Yusaku and Kyoko to get together, in much the same way that I found myself rooting for Ranma and Akane in Ranma 1/2. While a lot of the tenants at Maison Ikkoku are rather annoying, they need to be this way in order for the story to work. The fact that the reader can find them just as annoying as Yusaku does means that Takahashi has done a great job with their characterization.

After reading this first volume of Maison Ikkoku, I can see why it’s considered one of Takahashi’s signature works. I hope to get an opportunity to read more volumes of this series so I can experience more of this classic manga series. This is a series I’ve wanted to read for a while now, and I was happy when VIZ Media announced that they would be reissuing the series in these Collector’s Editions.

Maison Ikkoku is a boarding house FULL of quirky tenants. From the mother/son duo who are in everyone's business, to the young man who frequently pokes holes in walls, to the ronin who's attempting (and mostly failing) to get into some/ANY college. It brought to mind memories of reading Love Hina in high school, and incidentally I think high school would have been the ideal time for me to be reading this manga. I LOVED combos of personalities like this, and I was a big fan of Takahashi's Ranma 1/2.

As a woman in her 30's... well. I don't think this was really written for me. Some of the jokes written in the 80's have not aged well, especially in the time of Me Too and with increasing attention to social justice. I did find myself genuinely laughing at much of the slapstick humor, and even some of the raunchy situational stuff- Takahashi is a master of pacing and definitely quite funny.

I'll be recommending this one on a case-by-case basis for older teens and adults. Regardless of it missing the mark a bit for me, I still want to follow-up and continue the series because I did come to like many of the characters overall.

Thanks to NetGalley and Viz Media who provided me with a digital copy of this manga in exchange for an honest review.

This new edition will appeal more to those who are already fans than new readers. As someone who had never heard of the series, I found the humor to be very outdated. The sexual politics of this story was probably not in anyone's minds when written but now plays as pretty creepy if not criminal in some cases. It is really off putting. There are a lot of good non-sexual gags, more toward the classic cartoon and comic strip humor, but unfortunately it felt overshadowed by all the peeping tom and "accidental" groping parts.

Rumiko Takahashi is one of the most prolific mangaka ever. She has created so many series that have touched the hearts of different generations in a wide variety of ways. I mean, she has a sequel of Inuyasha showing up in the anime sphere very soon. Her work isn’t as strong of a part of my life as some other people, but I have watched some Inuyasha on tv. Even if I don’t love it like some other people, I respect it. With that said, Maison Ikkoku is Rumiko’s softer and much more grounded work. Hey, it’s from the 80’s! That might be why it hasn’t gotten as much attention as her other works. Lack of bombast can hurt when everything else one had written has said bombast. After reading this volume, I think that’s a shame.

Maison Ikkoku takes place at the broken-down apartment complex called, surprisingly, Maison Ikkoku. One young man threatens to leave the place because of his lackluster performance in his college practice exams. His name is Yuusaku Godai and the other apartment members always bug him so he can’t study. OF course, his leaving is cancelled once the new manager for the apartment arrives. A young and attractive woman named Kyoko Otonashi appears and takes the job of the mysteriously retired older manager. I guess he has found his reason to stay for a bit.


She’s here!
This volume is about the two getting to know each other. In the beginning, she only knows that Godai is a guy trying to get into college and he doesn’t know anything about her at all besides that she has a dog. A dog with the name of Soichiro. There is somewhat of a natural chemistry between the two of them for some reason though. Godai’s college and work life are a side thing but we know that he makes some progress considering that he does get side jobs and get into college. On Kyoko’s side, there is so much to uncover. How she is a widower and her dog is named after her late husband. Also how attentive and forward she can be. We learn more as she does things like the ability to drive because she doesn’t.

There are also some love triangles and misunderstandings in motion too. Godai starts to have a small relationship forming with a former coworker that has only started but I’m sure will cause trouble in the future. She’s a kind girl named Kozue and she’s very interested in Godai for some reason. At the same time, when Kyoko showed up at a Tennis Club, she met the tennis Coach Shun Mitaka. A play boy with money to burn and is forceful, but somehow is a kind guy who somehow respects Kyoko’s boundaries as she hasn’t gotten over her husband’s passing yet. Well, for the most part. He still keeps some hands on her during training. Godai is jealous by how successful Mitaka is.


It’s also very funny!
Here is the thing about this, this relationship problem despite all the teenage nature and the two living in the same building, is realistic. Especially since we are talking about younger adults that have some attraction towards each other. It’s not like adults aren’t completely kiddish and immature too. It’s a situation made for a manga like this. It’s very well realized with decently written characters as far as I know. This is the only volume that I’ve read so I don’t know how things move further from this point forward. I kind of adore it myself because it’s got the right amount of chemistry and drama for it all to connect together.

I do have some minor complaints about the other inhabitants of Maison Ikkoku. They are a little forceful. I don’t mind horniness because that’s generally balanced out. There is a pervert in the hall because yeah and there is also a horny, exhibitionist girl who walks around with barely any clothes on. Those feel like the kind of people that would show up in an apartment complex like that. Weird people like that exist in mix gender apartments. Well, at least that’s the experience I got. At the same time, there are the older attendants who want to push Kyoko and Godai around quite a lot and cause drama when there wasn’t before for their own entertainment. I guess this is what happens when you don’t have cell phones or the internet.


The manga paneling is pretty blocky for the most part. You know, like a lot of older manga are. That isn’t a complaint because there is a wonderful flow from one panel to the next. It completely feels natural in how it goes. Same with big moments breaking up that mold and making those moments stand out way more than usual. This manga is very well constructed in that way, so good job Rumiko. Even if you’ve done this year and years ago so that is way past prime now. The art is pretty simple but well detailed and very expressive in good ways. I really like Rumiko Takashi’s character designs because they exude all sorts of personality and that’s the same here. To me, that’s the best part of her work.

Volume one is a great start to a good romance series. Possibly great because this was a good introduction volume with some powerful things and interesting directions that the manga can go. What surprises me is that this romance series actually did have Godai confessing his feelings twice. He’s just so awkward that he can’t do it correctly or did it while drunk because he’s of age. Then again, I suppose they both have their awareness. Anyway, I really enjoyed my time reading this volume and I look forward to reading more when I get the chance. So yeah, going to give this a solid here for a solid start.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book!

This book was very cute and I really enjoyed it. The art was very easily read and easy to follow. The plot and storyline in the book gave me what I was looking for. I highly recommend this author. I loved the writing. I will be looking for other works in the future from this author.

A gorgeously drawn graphic novel with an interesting narrative, plot, and concepts. Definitely recommended for fans of this genre.

Rumiko Takahashi is one of the most prolific mangaka’s of all time, and another of her manga’s was my very first. So the artwork felt like coming home from the first page. Open and expressive, the artwork seamlessly blends together to take you to a place you’ll swear you’ve been before.

Maison Ikkoku is a comedy manga, and the outrageous situations the characters constantly find themselves in are at times ridiculous, but the characters are so ernest that you are still swept away in a sweet, slow romance.

I’d recommend this manga, and any by this author, to anyone trying manga for the first time. Takahashi makes you feel a connection to her characters like none other. This manga may not be set in a place where you live, but you know these people, these neighbors. They are the friends in your own life.

5/5

This was a really fun title!

I think a lot of people will end up relating to various characters throughout the story, especially Godai and Kyoko. They both have their own struggles within the story, and you see them trying to move forward. One is stuck in their past, and the other is stuck under the pressures of others.
I love the art as always from this mangaka. It has a particular charm that is a product of its time, and I mean that as a compliment. You see nods to some very classic shoujo art within this volume, as well as other popular series of the time, such as Sailor Moon. The Bishoujo art style of this series is truly beautiful and well executed.
I am looking forward to more of the boarding house antics within the series as time continues, and as the series evolves! Can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy!