Synopsis:
Maison Ikkoku is the name of a run-down but comfortable boarding house in the middle of Tokyo. A lot of quirky people stay at there, which is why struggling student Yusaku Godai decides to move away. Just as Yusaku is about to leave, a pretty girl walks in. Enter Kyoko Otonashi, a lovely young widow who assumes the position of apartment manager. For Yusaku, it's love at first sight, and all intentions of leaving melt away. Yusaku is determined to win the manager's love, but so is the dashing tennis coach -- Shun Mitaka. With a love triangle in the midst of a wacky bunch of tenants, the laughter and romance never stop. But who will win in this game of love?

Review:
Widely recognized as one of Rumiko Takahashi's (of "Ranma 1/2" fame) best works, Maison Ikkoku is a light, heart-warming, and genuinely funny manga series.

Godai is head-over-heels in love with an older widow named Kyoko, who happens to be the manager of the apartment he's staying in. Kyoko, in the meantime, is also being pursued by the handsome tennis coach Mitaka. Kyoko seems to have a soft spot for Godai, but she's quite friendly with Mitaka as well. It's like you know she's going to be with Godai eventually, and yet you can't really be sure until you reach the conclusion. A lot of comedy ensues, and everyone discovers that the path to true love is never easy.

Maison Ikkoku is extremely well-written and hilarious. While not as slapstick as Ranma, it has its own brand of wit and humor, and is definitely a page-turner. I found myself laughing quite hard in some parts, but there are touching moments as well. The situations are quite realistic, so you can identify with everything easily. MI is a refreshing change of pace in shoujo manga. There are no magical heroines or boring monsters-of-the-day to contend with. The artwork is simple and pleasant. You would notice that as you progress from the first volume to the later volumes, the illustrations improve. MI is one of my favorite manga series. It's guaranteed to make you laugh and tug a bit at your heart strings.

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Sample Panels

Shopping - click on title to purchase:

AnimeNation Maison Ikkoku (Graphic Novels)
Rightstuf Maison Ikkoku (Graphic Novel Vol. 1)

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