Maison Ikkoku

Description

From Viz:
Yusaku Godai 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 eccentric and noisy tenants is making it hard for him to achieve his goals. Now that a beautiful woman has moved in to become the new resident manager, Godai is driven to distraction!

Type

Manga

Related Series

1980 (Spin-Off)

Associated Names

Juliette, Je T'aime (Spanish)

Mezon Ikkoku

Nhà trọ Nhất Khắc

Доходный дом Иккоку

บ้านพัก อิกโคคุ (Pirate Otaku Comics)

บ้านพักอลเวง (Pirate VBK)

อิกโคคุ บ้านพักหรรษา (SIC)

めぞん一刻

相聚一刻

도레미 하우스

메종일각

Groups Scanlating

Koten Gars Manga

MangaProject

Latest Release(s)

v.1 c.2 by Koten Gars Manga 6 years ago

v.1 c.1 by Koten Gars Manga 6 years ago

v.1-15 c.1-161 by MangaProject 18 years ago

Search for all releases of this series

Status in Country of Origin

15 Volumes (Complete)
10 Volumes (Wide-ban)
10 Volumes (Bunkoban)
6 Volumes (2002 Konbini-ban)
15 Volumes (Shinsouban)
7 Volumes (2012 Konbini-ban)

Completely Scanlated?

Yes

Anime Start/End Chapter

Starts at Vol 1, Chap 1

Ends at Vol 15, Chap 161 (Skips Chap 28, 32, 39-44, 48, 50, 54, 56, 63-64, 72-73, 75-81, 90, 100, 151, 153)

User Reviews

Maison Ikkoku by AstroNerdBoy

Forum

0 topics, 0 posts

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User Rating

Average: 8.5 / 10.0 (498 votes)

Bayesian Average: 8.38 / 10.0

31%

25%

20%

12%

Last Updated

December 26th, 2024 5:36am PST - 4 months ago

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Genre

Comedy Drama Romance Seinen Slice of Life
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Categories

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Category Recommendations

Imori 201

Shinya ni Ikenai Koto wo Shi ni Kuru Onee-san

2-banme ni Suki na Hito

Work & Sex

Boku to Watashi no Juu-nen Koi

Recommendations

Author(s)

Artist(s)

Year

Original Publisher

Shogakukan

Serialized In (magazine)

Big Comic Spirits (Shogakukan)

Licensed (in English)

Yes

English Publisher

Viz (15 Vols - Complete / 10 Collector's Edition - Complete)

Activity Stats (vs. other series)

Weekly Pos #699

(+49)

Monthly Pos #1700

(-186)

3 Month Pos #3079

(-33)

6 Month Pos #4009

(+180)

Year Pos #4699

(+355)

List Stats

On 460 reading lists

On 939 wish lists

On 1278 completed lists

On 77 unfinished lists

On 378 custom lists

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Forum Posts Click to view the forum

User Comments [ Order by time added ]

It just kept getting better

by mangum44
18 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

After reading the first few chapters, I thought this series deserved about an 8. That changed to 9 around the middle of the story, and having just finished it, I can confidently give it now a rare 10. "Maison Ikkuko" does lots of comedy, lots of romance, and quite a bit of drama, and it does it all perfectly. The characters are so endearing, so funny, and I'm going to miss them.

Maison Ikkoku was published from 1980 to 1987, but it doesn't feel dated at all (unless you count the chapter with the leg warmers...). Takahashi's drawing style has improved greatly since then. Nevertheless, the characters are nicely, skillfully drawn, with very rich, touching and/or hysterically funny expressions.

There's a detail about main character Kyoko that I won't spoil for you, although it's revealed in the first few chapters. This detail makes the story completely different from your usual boy-meets-girl story. It's also the basis to consider this story more adult- rather than teenager-oriented, which, don't take me wrong, but is a nice thing to have once in a while. I also enjoyed how it's revealed so early on that main character Yusaku likes Kyoko (I don't consider this a spoiler because it also happens in the first few chapters, and also because... come on, a romance? At least one of the main characters is going to like one of the others, right?). It saves us all that walking-on-eggshells that so many romance stories have us used to. OK, so it replaces it with a different kind of walking-on-eggshells, but again, it's a breath of fresh air (which is a bit ironic considering this almost qualifies as vintage manga).

Apparently a lot of people consider this to be the best of author Rumiko Takahashi's work, which considering that means it's better than Urusai Yatsura, Ranma 1/2 and InuYasha, it's saying something. As well, some consider this one of the best romance mangas of all time. Well, I can certainly see why. Next time I have a chance to recommend some romance manga to someone, it's gonna be this. Although I loved both Ranma and InuYasha, I found that the focus on human relationships rather than martial arts or monster-killing brought out the best in Takahashi. Something I keep hearing is that this manga has one of the most satisfying endings ever, and, yes, it was. I spent the last volume going from trying to stiffle my laughter, to crying my eyes out. There are some scenes in the end that... ah, I won't be forgetting them any time soon 😉

In short, very, very recommendable, for lovers of romance, comedy, drama, or just plain good stories.

... Last updated 18 years ago

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One of the Best

by 2cubaby
17 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

This manga was my first Love, I was 15 when I first read it. Looking back, it was a sweet and touching memory that I would never forget.

Though a bit outdated, this series shines with it's subtle comedy and romance. Well worth the read.

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Probably 1 of my favorite romances

by SangMo
8 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

Maison Ikkoku is filled with comedy, romance, drama, and misunderstandings. Though I will say it's frustrating to read & even watch (I recommend the anime of this as well), but in a good way. It didn't stop me from reading or watching. The characters are enjoyable. The comedy is fun when not breaking up serious moments. (Only a few times it works) The romance is great (especially in the last 10 chapters.) All in all, probably 1 of my favorite romances of all time now. I'm going to break this down by character. Now I apologize if I mention things in the anime that aren't in the manga, but the plot is basically the same aside from filler in the anime really. They are both mixed in my mind because I watched it and then found the manga and read it.

Godai

He probably has the biggest development of any character in the story. He goes from being a wimp madly in love with this girl to being one of the greatest guys in the story. From Ronin to pre-school teacher, he goes on a journey to find his place. Calling him an unlucky protagonist is an understatement. At first, there are times when he's being an idiot where he kinda deserves it, but towards the end, he hits a massive unlucky streak that causes him a lot of shit. Just to name a few, getting 2 kids dumped on him while their mother runs off to find a man (she does, but still) & losing out on a job because he helped a pregnant lady, the list goes on. In the end, he achieves his goal by getting Kyoko who fell in love with at first sight.

The Ikkoku gang

While they did care for Godai, they took their teasing a bit far at times, usually to the point where it was cruel. When that happened, they went from being the loveable drunks to the annoying alcoholics.

Grandma Godai

Best character hands down. Want a spin off of just her doing wacky shit.

Kozue

Kozue was Godai's on and off again "girlfriend". She always misunderstands what Godai is trying to tell her and takes it too far. They dated, but it usually consisted of them just hanging out. Towards the end, you hadn't seen her in awhile and she gets proposed to be a co-worker. She is in love with Godai, but he says he doesn't have feelings for her, but would have most likely fallen for her if he hadn't met Kyoko. She gets mad at him over a misunderstanding and accepts the proposal. The thing is she gets mad at him for "seeing" someone else, but technically I found her anger to be kinda bullshit. I mean she was clearly seeing this other guy on and off like with Godai even to the point where he proposes to her. They reconcile and she tells Godai that the guy loves her, but it seems like she still likes Godai and will just get married and try and fall in love with her husband. That whole final plot with her seemed weird to me.

Yagami

She falls for Godai when he was a student teacher at her school. She causes him a lot of problems, but is a sweet girl. In the end, it shows her in college and she still loves Godai.

Mitaka

Godai's look a like. No, really, they look a like. He's Godai's love rival for Kyoko. The thing is Kyoko never had any feelings for him and just saw him as a good friend to hang out with. Similar to Kozue and Godai. His final plot deals with him being arranged to marriage and finally gives in. Though he does actually fall for the girl Asuna who he gets arranged with. His teeth sparkle. His kid's teeth sparkle. His dog's teeth sparkle. Asuna was a great girl and I'm glad she ended up with Mitaka.

Kyoko

Kyoko is let's say a mixed bag. Nothing really bad, but her emotions tend to be kinda frustrating. So early on, before coming to Maison Ikkoku. Kyoko was married to her highschool teacher, Soichiro. (That name is a fucking nuisance to Godai and it makes sense why.) They knew each other for years, and when Kyoko was 20, they got married. They were married for 6 months and then Soichiro dies. It destroys her. A few months later, she decides to become the manager of Maison Ikkoku because her father-in-law was the landlord. That's when she met Godai. She has incidents with Godai at first which kinda make her come off as a bitch at times. She thinks Godai is groping her at the beach when it's just some jellyfish. She stands him up after he works up the courage to ask her out on a date, and then they have a moment at the end, he tries to kiss her only for her to slap him. She offers to make Godai dinner for helping out her niece which makes him so happy. Well, turns out she just feeds him her dead husband's favorite meal and it makes her think about Soichiro. He comes up a lot. She's hung up on Soichiro for a good bit of the story, which in the beginning makes sense, but even after she falls for Godai, there are lingering feelings. One of the most frustrating parts is when Godai goes through all of this stuff to find out about this rock that she found. (anime only, but both the manga and anime add important stuff to her character that shouldn't be ignored) Well turns out in the end, the rock was a Christmas present on her first and last one with Soichiro. Godai being the great guy that he is tells her. After awhile, she becomes open to getting remarried and even shows that she's in love with Godai, but the problems with Soichiro still exist. In manga, after he finally confesses to her for real, she takes him to a Love Hotel. She brings up Soichiro and Godai can't get it up. Godai's problem is that it makes him insecure whens she talks about her dead husband because he doesn't know what she's thinking. She claims that he doesn't trust her even though he loves her and that she loves him which you think, okay. You have proven that your feelings are for Godai now, but the thing is a few chapters later, Godai finds her crying over Soichiro's items. She finally moves on and says her final goodbye to Soichiro after hearing Godai's speech at his grave, but for her to be mad at Godai for being insecure about her makes her come off as hypocritical. She does love Godai, and apparently had fallen in love with him early on, but this conflicting feelings and being hung up on Soichiro caused a lot of conflict. She finally married Godai and they have a daughter at the end.

Soichiro

The fucking dog. Her husband's dog who she named after her husband after his death because the dog responded to the name. She had an unhealthy relationship with this dog. The conflict towards the end with Godai being insecure gets brought on because she says the dog's name. Well, she gets mad because she finds in silly that he would tense up by hearing the name. Well, it's not the name, it's what it represents, your dead husband who you show that you have lingering feelings for while supposedly being in love with Godai. It never gets brought up that being the reason either.

This was a wonderful story with ups and downs, and the final chapters/episodes make the journey all worthwhile.

... Last updated 8 years ago

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OMG

by yuri999
15 years ago

Rating: 9.8 / 10.0

Even after 30 years this manga stands out and is better than the crap available today. This is a must read for any comedy and romance fans as this manga as well as Kimagure Orange Road are the ones which are still copied and taken inspiration from. Believe me, I hate to read old 80's manga but these 2 I just loved and you won't even mind the art. The art in this is so cute and is just timeless. The best part is the development and confession of love happens quite early and most of the situations are really believable unlike most of this blushing and far-fetched situations that happen in new romance series nowadays. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to read atleast once in your life no matter how old you are this was truly the start of great romance in manga.

... Last updated 15 years ago

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I'm addicted

by pxhai
17 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

The fact that I've already read it three times! Maison Ikkoku is the finest romance manga ever. I love everything, from character design, plot and a happy ending. All characters are normal persons, and their life is just like our real life. If you love it, must see the anime. Nice animation, excellent soundtracks (very very good), completed like manga and have a great Noel eve (the 3rd Noel in the manga, but another story, very very very romantic) and a new first date of Godai and Kyoko. This along with InuYasha and Kenshin are my three best anime.

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A “misunderstanding” classic

by nelnel-chan
4 years ago

Rating: 9.0 / 10.0

Been hearing about this for quite sometime. And decided to give it a read when Viz media announcement for the CE.

Similar to the the author last work, inuyasha, And Ranma 1/2 the 2 love interest are the bickering couple. Same with this one.

I actually like that the main heroine is a widow, something that is rarely written in shows these days. Godai is an idiot nothing new but his development as a characters grows into an interesting one and I come to really love this couple.

The tenants that live in the apartment, is what brings the comedy. They do tend to messing with Godai a lot and give advice to Kyoko. I enjoy them but there are sometimes they can be a bit too much at times.

But Still....despite it flaws, I still enjoy this series. It has it problems, especially with Kyoko not trusting Godai and all these misunderstandings all the time. In fact it might drive you insane probably too the very end. But it definitely had it fun and cute moments for me, and I would certainly read it again. And again. And again. It may not be what modern standards are but for its time, I definitely would agree that it a classic.

... Last updated 4 years ago

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Great read, very entertaining.

by betmen
11 years ago

Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

for the reviewers who complain that this is too long for romance manga, i'll tell you something this is not ROMANCE manga this is a SITCOM.
yes there're romance plot between yusaku and kyoko but that's not the point, just like Rachel & Ross in FRIENDS, Penny & Leonard in TBBT or another sitcom manga couple like Ataru & Lum in Urusei yatsura, the romance is just icing on the cake.

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A Classic

by Amber3
13 years ago

Rating: N/A

This was one of the first manga I read when I was still a kid (by that I mean under the age of 14). When I was that age I took it as it was, a comedy that was observing human relationships. I remember finding the side characters hilarious and because the concept of a love triangle was new to me at that stage I was in constant agony, wanting to find out if the main character would really get the girl.
I loved this manga to death and along with Love Hinta, Peach Girl and Hot Gimmick (the only one of the 4 I didn't like) it shaped my perspective on shoujo manga (even if not all of these fit exactly in that category).
I reread it quite a few times as I was growing up and the meaning changed every time for me, especially the meaning behind the love that Kyoko and Yusaku shared. One of the best quotes is featured in the last volume where Yusaku describes his love for Kyoko.
I used to think that this manga was pretty misogynistic as it portrays marriage as the most important thing for Kyoko, objectifies woman (of course what manga doesn't!) and

Kyoko (and everyone else) kept saying she would quit her job after getting married. Of course a lot of these are cultural aspects but it still doesn't rest well with me even if that's the case but hey, it's something you get used to after reading waaay to much shoujo.
But I think in many ways it was feministic for its time. Kyoko actually has a job, she goes against her parents wishes and also ! Yusaku gets a job in childcare, which is still a very difficult job for a man to get these days.

Either way I highly recommend you go in and read this with an open mind and heart, it is a classic. Its artwork may have aged a lot but in my opinion it is the best manga Rumiko has ever made and should be read at least once.
Ps: Also if you like this check out the anime! It follows the storyline exactly and throws in a few extras

... Last updated 13 years ago

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This takes me back

by MASTER GUYVER
4 years ago

Rating: 7.8 / 10.0

It's pretty good in the romance area. Sure it's slow romance but you'll be happy about how things turned out. If your one of those people who like older women relationships this is up your alley. The age gap isn't too big but it still effects the characters. I always get comfortable when reading something by Rumiko . It's not too long but you'll feel like so much happened. Recommended for a binge read.

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Entertaining classic

by Rinshi7
5 years ago

Rating: 9.0 / 10.0

I finally decided to finally give this one a go, and I got to say, I really enjoy it. The characters are fun, lively and enjoyable while i personally enjoy the gang that lives in Maison ikkoku they do some thing that does rub me off in annoyance but most of the time, the keep the series entertaining.

As many had said If I was going to describe one word for this series it is “misunderstandings” similiar to school Rumble, though it does get repetitive in some moments, I didn’t mind it too much as it got resolve mostly in short period of time rather then in soap opera it drags on forever. And other times it a focus on other things rather than the main characters.

The romance is this is quite fun. As that’s the highlight for me is when things do you get with romance. Those are probably my favorite moments in the story.

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