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| 5. Iodine
Rumiko Takahashi will probably always be best remembered
for her more action-oriented series, like Inuyasha and Ranma 1/2,
but Maison Ikkoku is her most mature work and a significant accomplishment
by any measure. From start to finish, the series charts the long, complicated
romance of the unlucky college student, Godai, and the manager of his apartment
building, a young widow named Kyoko. Both characters are so deferential and mild-mannered,
the more outgoing neighbors and rivals around them have no trouble keeping the
pair stalled for the greater part of the story. Plenty of filler takes care of
the silliness quotient and the pacing is numbingly lethargic. This can get very
frustrating at times, but the plot is always moving forward, no matter how slowly,
and is far more realistic in its development than most other romantic comedies.
The age of Ikkoku is not immediately obvious,
and even less so to a Western viewer, having good enough to production values
to have withstood the test of time somewhat better than similar shows. The designs
are distinctly Takahashi's but more restrained than her usual bouncy characters,
and more subtly distinct. The characterization of the leads is impeccable, especially
the hapless Godai, who takes the hard road to adulthood, but eventually does find
his way. There's also a pleasant feeling of nostalgia to the show despite its
contemporary setting, and the creators weren't afraid of taking their time to
establish the comfortable mood and environs. Though it may not be to everyone's
taste, and it certainly has its faults, Maison Ikkoku is an indisputable
classic and deserves its sterling reputation. |
| 4. Olmanek
Maison Ikkoku sagas over about 4 years the life of Godai
Yuusaku, at the start of the series he is a young ronin trying to get into college,
but with a little help from Kyoko Otonashi the new manager of Ikkoku-Kan who recently
became a widow, he gets accepted into college, this is a very basic premise to
a series that has countless story arcs, which span over some 96 episodes, but
the main aspect of the series which is evident right from the start is that it
is the romance story of Godai and Kyoko, but of course there are a few rivals
on either side, and the other tenants of Ikkoku-kan don't help things go as smoothly
as possible, but somewhat amazingly, you never feel as though the series is just
being dragged out, the tenants are all brilliant and Yotsuya is one of my favourite
characters of all time, Shun Mitaka the tennis coach who is also courting Kyoko,
has what I believe the most realistic scream of terror I've ever heard which is
always good for a laugh. There is a great deal of humour in addition to the wonderful
storyline which keeps introducing new characters and story arcs without tiring
any of them, and retaining our original main cast of characters who are consistently
funny and endearing, which all together can really only make this series a proper
classic, something which I recommend for most any anime fan who isn't worried
by some classic animation styles, plus the length allows for actual development,
gradual but realistic, it's a rare treat in anime. |
| 3. Cross
Scars
From the year 2003 one can see just how influential this work
of Rumiko Takahashi's has been. Begun as a manga in 1982 and finished off
in 1987 the series has shaped a lot of the romance series that have followed it.
One only needs to look to Love Hina, an anime which obviously takes a huge
number of ideas from Maison Ikkoku, to see this fact. At its simplest,
the series does little more than follow Godai Yusaku, a not so brilliant student,
through several years of his life at the boarding house Ikkoku as he seeks to
earn the affections of its manager, Kyoko Otonashi while fending off the challenge
of his rival in this aim. It seems hard to imagine
a series like Maison Ikkoku - a simple, largely episodic, romance series
that runs for 96 episodes - ever being made today. That's a real pity given how
great this series is. The plot is nothing to rave about given its episodic nature
but Cowboy Bebop proved that's not always a problem. Each episode in itself
is amusing and tender to watch and there's never really a feeling of repetition
which was my only problem with the later romance series Kimagure Orange
Road. Even if events in the series make it seem as though there's not much
of an overriding plot the fact that the series takes place over a number of years
is a very nice device which holds everything together and gives the series a real
sense of progression when coupled together with the development of the main characters. The
characters of Maison Ikkoku are indeed the real standout aspect of this
series though. The great thing about the lead characters is how normal and natural
they seem. These characters never fall into any sort of modern day anime stereotype
and it's so refreshing to see a series like that. They're average, understandable
characters who don't need to rely on some gimmick to try and be entertaining to
watch. The realism of the series is most apparent in the final part of the series
where events come to a head and certain characters have to make very honest decisions
based on what's occurred. It all makes for a very moving end to the 96 episodes.
Watching the feelings of the characters develop over the years that the series
encompasses is another great pleasure which few series, if any, can match. Admittedly
the supporting characters don't acquire too much depth over the course of events
but they're fun to watch as they are and what kind of plausible history could
be given to an odd person like Yotsuya who's great as he is? For
me Maison Ikkoku is justified in its position as being one of the all time
great anime series. The very nice looking cel animation alone gives it a classic
feel compared to today's computer designed series. You won't be left breathlessly
thinking "Wow!" at the latest sword fight or mecha battle but Maison
Ikkoku works its significant charm in a different way. Instead it's the interaction
of the main characters and the gradual, realistic building up of feeling between
them that is so interesting and touching to watch. 96 episodes may seem like a
slog to get through but by the end you're likely to be left with that slightly
empty feeling you get when you accept that there's no more to watch of what has
been a truly great series. |
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