Maison Ikkoku, Vol. 6 [Paperback]

Rumiko Takahashi (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 17, 2004 | Series: Maison Ikkoku (Book 6)

From the creator of RANMA 1/2 and INUYASHA comes one of Rumiko Takahashi's most beloved series, the romantic (sort of) comedy MAISON IKKOKU, re-presented in a second edition in its original episodic order, with a "missing" episode! Take a trip down memory lane back into Japan's nuttiest apartment house and meet its volatile inhabitants: Kyoko, the beautiful and mysterious new apartment manager; Yusaku, the exam-addled college student; Mrs. Ichinose, the drunken gossip; Kentaro, her bratty son; Akemi, the boozy bar hostess who runs around the house in flimsy lingerie; and the mooching and peeping Mr. Yotsuya.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Yusaku Godai's grandmother, who came for an extended visit to his apartment building, Maison Ikkoku, has finally decided to leave her grandson alone and not meddle in his affairs--specifically his romantic interest in the apartment manager Kyoko. But before Grandma leaves, she throws a big party and occupies herself with a bit of dream-date matchmaking among the drunken guests. If that sounds too good to be true, that's because it is. Imagine Godai's anguished surprise as he finds out that his rival for Kyoko's affection, Coach Mitaka, is moving into the room next to his! --Jim Pascoe --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Author and artist Rumiko Takahashi, the world's most popular and prolific female manga creator, has a large, devoted international fan base. Over 100 million copies of her work, such as URUSEI YATSURA, MAISON IKKOKU, RANMA 1/2 and MERMAID SCAR, have been sold worldwide. Takahashi's works have been the basis for four long-running animated series and over eight animated movies.

Other Rumiko Takahashi series available from VIZ

· Inuyasha - anime, manga and ani-manga

· Maison Ikkoku - anime and manga

· Mermaid Scar - manga

· Ranma 1/2 - anime and manga

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; 2nd edition (August 17, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591164222
• ISBN-13: 978-1591164227
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,891,882 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

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite series!, February 26, 2000

By 

BeatleNo9 (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Maison Ikkoku, Vol. 6: Bedside Manners (Paperback)

Although it was Ranma 1/2 that got me started reading manga, it's Maison Ikkoku that keeps me at it! For a while, Takahashi's stuff was all I read. Now I like things like Evangelion and Rayearth as well, but I haven't liked any other series as much as Maison Ikkoku. That's funny, since I don't like TV soap operas, and this series IS a comedy/drama/soap opera. It's so great though! I'm completely wrapped up in it and totally care about the characters, and am always waiting impatiently for the next book to get translated. This is one is REALLY sweet; you can finally see that Kyoko almost knows who she likes better, and there are some very nice moments between her and Godai. If you've made it this far into the Maison Ikkoku series, keep going! The later books have less comedy than the first few, but tweak your emotions more. They make me cry and I can't help but read on! You should read on too!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Granny comes to visit, August 22, 2004

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Maison Ikkoku, Vol. 6 (Paperback)

New and stranger troubles visit Yusaku Godai in the sixth volume of the newly rereleased "Maison Ikkoku Volume 6." Rumiko Takahashi's hapless hero continues his efforts to win the woman of his dreams, despite the gaggle of weirdos that surrounds him. And you get the "Lost Episode" too.

It opens with a baseball game, in which Akemi's boss manages to recruit to the residents of Maison Ikkoku (plus hunky Coach Mitaka) to play. Then Godai and Kyoko's relationship hits a huge speed bump when she sees him helping a drunken young woman go into a motel -- and comes to the wrong conclusion. The conclusions get even worse when she sees a hickey on his neck, not knowing that a grieving, half-asleep male friend gave it to him.

Godai's life doesn't get much better when Grandma Godai comes for an indefinite period of time, and starts meddling in his love life, getting the dog drunk, and going to a disco. Overwhelmed and depressed, he goes on a trip elsewhere and encounters a chatterbox hiker, then falls into a well with Kyoko during a festival. And in the "Lost Episode: Yusaku's Island," everyone is stranded on a deserted island, where Kyoko and Yusaku try to keep the others from partying.

The biggest problem with the sixth Maison Ikkoku volume is that it feels a little like it's in a holding pattern -- there really isn't any advancement, unless you count Kyoko biting Yusaku's shoulder. That, and the baseball and marooned-on-a-deserted-island plots are a bit overdone. However, Takahashi's deft sense of humor and strange characters keep the plot floating.

Certainly the storyline about the acid-tongued Grandma Godai is funny -- she doesn't think her wishy-washy grandson has a chance with Kyoko, but she's trying to help him anyway. A development fans will like: Yusaku and Kyoko actually go on a date, only to run into the crazies from Maison Ikkoku. And Takahashi's delicious humor (like the drunken Mrs. Ichinose jumping into the already-fully well) is what keeps the plot moving.

Yusaku hasn't changed too much, but in this storyline his ego takes some blows when he sees Mitaka's luxurious condo, and hears constant derision of his hopes to win Kyoko. And Kyoko's muddled feelings get even more complex. And Grandma Godai is a fun character of Yoda-like stature, still possessing plenty of vitality (even if she keeps talking about dying).

The sixth volume of Maison Ikkoku doesn't really move the plot forward, but it's still a fun, romantic, cute story-line. A recommended read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweater of Jealousy, November 11, 2001

By 

Daitokuji31 (Black Glass) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Maison Ikkoku, Vol. 6: Bedside Manners (Paperback)

Takahashi-sensei I love you!! Takahashi-sensei in my humble opinion is one of the greatest manga writers/artists of all time. I know this isn't revolutionary information for the millions who have read her books, but wow! what stories she creates from such simple Ideas. In this volume we finally meet the ever elusive Mr. Ichinose, and let me say he might match his wife physically, but he is much more like our favorite wishy washy student than Godai would like him to be. The main attraction of this particular graphic novel is Kyoko's jealousy. Oh it has made itself evident in several earlier novels, but in this one it really boils over. It begins when Godai's platonic girlfriend Kozue knits Godai a sweater. Godai brings it home and Kyoko almost explodes with jealousy. Godai finally confronts Kyoko and demands that she tell him how she really feels about him, but before any answer can be had. Kyoko almost falls off of the roof of Maison Ikkoku, Godai saves her, but winds up breaking his own leg. This leads to Kyoko and Godai getting closer to each other in the hospital, but the goon squad keep anything from formulating. Also, we get to meet Godai's couin Akira!! Good stuff.