Maison Ikkoku, Vol. 9: Learning Curves [Paperback]

Rumiko Takahashi (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 6, 1998

In this ninth graphic novel from the creator of the popular RANMA 1/2 comes the story of a boy, a girl, and the drunks who live to interfere, where, like anywhere, domestic disputes can be the most dangerous of all.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

One would think that after eight volumes of romantic tension between Godai and Kyoko they would admit their feelings for each other. But in Learning Curves, we find that they still have a lot to learn about love. Godai does a teaching stint at Kyoko's old high school--the place where she fell in love with her late husband during his teaching days--and he meets a student who falls head over heels for him. When this cute student, Yagami, tries to get Godai all for herself by "declaring all-out war" on Kyoko, the sparks start to fly. Then, when Godai applies for a job at Yagami's father's company, it becomes unclear whether Yagami's influence will be a help or a hindrance. And one of the most adorably funny scenes from the first volume makes a reappearance: Godai and Kyoko star in another puppet show! --Jim Pascoe

About the Author

The spotlight on Rumiko Takahashi's career began in 1978 when she won an honorable mention in Shogakukan's annual New Comic Artist Contest for Those Selfish Aliens. Later that same year, her boy-meets-alien comedy series, Urusei Yatsura, was serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday. This phenomenally successful manga series was adapted into anime format and spawned a TV series and half a dozen theatrical-release movies, all incredibly popular in their own right. Takahashi followed up the success of her debut series with one blockbuster hit after another--Maison Ikkoku ran from 1980 to 1987, Ranma 1/2 from 1987 to 1996, and Inuyasha from 1996 to 2008. Other notable works include Mermaid Saga, Rumic Theater, and One-Pound Gospel. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; Original edition (May 6, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569312567
• ISBN-13: 978-1569312568
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #795,757 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

The spotlight on Rumiko Takahashi's career began in 1978 when she won an honorable mention in Shogakukan's annual New Comic Artist Contest for Those Selfish Aliens. Later that same year, her boy-meets-alien comedy series, Urusei Yatsura, was serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday. This phenomenally successful manga series was adapted into anime format and spawned a TV series and half a dozen theatrical-release movies, all incredibly popular in their own right. Takahashi followed up the success of her debut series with one blockbuster hit after another--Maison Ikkoku ran from 1980 to 1987, Ranma 1/2 from 1987 to 1996, and Inuyasha from 1996 to 2008. Other notable works include Mermaid Saga, Rumic Theater, and One-Pound Gospel.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The romantic game continues with a spoiled brat tossed in!, February 16, 2000

By 

R. Garcia "Beeyotch" (Brockport, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Maison Ikkoku, Vol. 9: Learning Curves (Paperback)

Our lovesick, long-suffering hero, Godai winds up teaching at an all-girl high school where the object of his yearning desire once attended (and attached her first husband in the very first place). This heart-rending irony continues when a lovestruck young student decides to chase the handsome Godai all the way to the ends of the world. In fact, this stinking rotten little girl even denies her own self-respect and the respect from others when she cornered her victim wearing only a bra, forced her way into his room, manuipulated and abused her dear old father into giving him a job at his company, and plain just drove poor young Koyoko (and Godai as well) up the wall. The kid's dad seems like a gruffy, heavy-breathing orge who looks ready to eat up any male who would dare to go near his only daughter, - but actually, he turns out to be such a docile piece of putty in the dainty hands of that mean little creature. A real nice touch of Lolita-complex twist in the endless mating ritual between the ever-hopeful young Godai and the lovely dark-eyed Koyoko.

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Good!, March 6, 2011

By 

HB - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Maison Ikkoku, Vol. 9: Learning Curves (Paperback)

This is a very funny manga. The artwork is nice. It's shorter than most of the other Maison Ikkoku volumes. It is fun to read and is enjoyable!

5.0 out of 5 stars TEACHING JOB, January 15, 2007

By 

Sesho "www.sesho.libsyn.com" (Pasadena, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Maison Ikkoku, Volume 9 (2nd edition) (Paperback)

Godai isn't having a lot of luck finding a job so he's starting to get a little desperate. After all, how can he take care of Kyoko unless he's got a good career....doing something. After pursuing various options with his family, he gets a part-time gig at a resort, not knowing that the whole Maison Ikkoku gang is coming to visit! The main part of this volume deals with Godai becoming a student teacher at Kyoko's old high school, and ironically, just like Kyoko fell in love with her teacher, Godai too picks up a female admirer among his students, a girl named Ibuki Yagami who's willing to do anything to wiggle her way into Godai's life and usurp Kyoko from his heart.

Rumiko Takahashi is not only a master of action manga like Inuyasha, she is a master of realistic romantic comedy. There were some scenes in this book that made me just outright laugh, which happens very rarely when I read. Rumiko has a expert sense of pace and storytelling and her layouts really flow. Most people can relate to this volume because everyone at some point has experienced or been the target of a crush. I don't know for sure whether Yagami really loves him or not, but I think not. I also like this series because it illustrates a lot of Japanese culture. Classic manga.